The Deep Water Aquarium

It was a late night at the Deep Water Aquarium. Paul was the overnight janitor, he would clean the floors, windows, bathrooms, etc. before the morning crowd of tourists would roll into the aquarium. He's worked in this position for 13 years and there has never been a problem while he was on the shift.

Paul was a middle aged white man with glasses and a balding head. He had a grey mustache and a shaved beard. He wore his company coveralls while working and a pair of dirty Jordan's. Paul was a slim man with little achievement in life, yet, he found enjoyment in cleaning the aquarium while listening to his favourite music through a pair of beats headphone's.

On some night's Bruce, the owner of the aquarium, would have meeting's with his business partner's. Tonight was one of those night's and the meeting was with an associate named Jerry, Paul knew Jerry well from previous business meetings.

Bruce was a heavy-set man, he wore a black and white suit and left the top three buttons of his white collared shit undone, exposing his dark chest hair. He sported a 5 O'clock shadow and slicked back dark hair. He always wore a shiny gold Rolex on his left hand and a golden ring on each finger of his right hand. It wasn't often during these meeting's that Bruce didn't have a cigar in his hand and a crew of strong security with massive muscle's.

Jerry was just a little guy, skinny and small. He had short hair and no facial hair. He also wore a suit, but nothing fancy and it was buttoned up to the top. He walked through the front door of the aquarium with sweat dripping down his forehead and a briefcase in his right hand. Paul was mopping the floor as Jerry walked in.

"Hello Paul, how are you tonight?" Jerry asked as he walked by. "I'm am well, thank you. How are you doing?" Replied Paul. "I'm alright, thank you Paul, have a good night." Jerry responded as he rushed towards the meeting room.

There was something strange about Jerry's behavior tonight. He is usually more talkative with Paul and he seemed quite nervous tonight. Paul tried not to worry about it, he threw his headphones on and continued moping the floors.

Later that night... Paul was outside the meeting room mopping the floor's when he heard yelling from inside the meeting room. "WHERE IS MY MONEY JERRY!!!" Bruce yelled out. "I promise I'll get it to you as soon as possible, just give me a couple more week's. I'll get you the other half two Friday's from now." Jerry replied with a trembling voice. "You said that a couple weeks ago Jerry! I have been beyond patient with you, your time is up! YOU EITHER GET ME THAT MONEY NOW OR OUR BUSINESS DEAL IS OVER!" Bruce exclaimed very angrily.

Paul decided this conversation was not meant for his ear's, so he threw on his headphones and continued cleaning. He began to wonder what Bruce and Jerry were talking about. Why does Jerry owe Bruce money? How much does he owe? It must be a lot if Bruce is that mad about it, is that why Jerry was so nervous?

Later that night... Paul was washing the glass at the shark exhibit. He heard screaming from the other side of the glass. At first he thought he was crazy, shark's don't scream. Then Paul realized there were people above the water on the other side of the glass. "NOOOOO! STOP PLEASE! I'LL GET YOUR MONEY I PROMISE!!! PLEASE!! I'LL GET YOUR MONEY!!! PLEASE STOP!!!" Someone screamed. "It's too late for that," came another voice.

Then Paul saw a splash at the top of the exhibit. There was a human in the shark tank, and the shark's new it. As the human splashed around trying to stay a float they drew the attention of all the shark's. Paul watched as the shark's surrounded the poor victim and the water began to turn red with the blood of the body.

Paul ran to find help, the first person he saw was Bruce. "Paul. What's the rush, can I help you with anything?" Bruce asked with a smile. "Somebody fell into the shark tank sir." Paul said trying to catch his breath. Bruce's smile faded into a frown, "Don't worry about that, I'll have it cleaned up by the morning, why don't you take the rest of the week off and forget about what you saw here," Bruce said in a calm reassure tone. "I can't afford to take any day's off sir, I'm already behind on rent payment's." Paul exclaimed.

"I'll take care of those for you Paul, in fact, I'll even pay for you to take a vacation. How about that? Anywhere you want I'll book the flight and pay for all accommodation's," Bruce asked Paul. "Are you serious? You'll pay for my vacation?" Paul questioned. "Of course, you worked here long enough, you deserve a vacation. Under one condition though." Bruce responded. "Of course, what's the condition?" Paul asked. "You never speak a word of what happened tonight to anyone, ever." Bruce explained putting his arm around Paul and adding, "Can you do that for me?" Paul to a moment to think it over, then responded with, "Of course, it was just another night of cleaning, nothing exciting."

Paul spent the next two week's on a beach in the Caribbean, drinking cold mojito's and tanning in the sun.

The End