Like the day before, Alice was sitting alone in the foyer when arrived. She placed her book on the floor when Ronny came through the door and sprung to her feet, “You’re back! Good to see you.”

“You too!” He took a seat on the bottom row of stairs, his sweat dripping onto them, “How’s your day been?”

She sighed, “Slow, as usual. You’re the first person to come through that door today. And you?”

“Working on the wall is difficult, but I’m adjusting.”

“That’s good to hear… are you ready to start on job two?” The tone was somewhat teasing, but the question was earnest.

Ronny had the money to pay rent now, and in his exhaustion, considered doing so. He chose against it, not because wanted to conserve resources, but because he just wanted to spend some time with Alice.

He laughed sarcastically, “Of course I do.”

“Good answer! Follow me.”

They went into the kitchen and she opened a door next to the pantry. Inside were an assortment of cleaning supplies. A duster, a broom, a mop, a rag, and a few other things. None looked like they’d been used recently.

The two of them began with the foyer. Ronny swept the floors while Alice dusted the walls and furniture. They talked about various things as they worked, and Ronny found it surprisingly easy to hold the conversation.

From her, he learned about the King and his declaration of martial law, which among other things, banned people from entering and leaving the city. He also learned that he was her only ‘customer’ at that point and that she wasn’t bothered by it because the place was already paid for in full—and because tax collectors didn’t dare venture into these parts. From him, Alice learned the proper techniques for cleaning things—which he, for some reason—was more knowledgeable about.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

It took a long time to finish, but time went quickly in each other’s company, so neither cared all that much. The result of their efforts was definitely an improvement, but at the end of the day, it was still the same place it had been before. It didn’t look decrepit anymore, but it was still a stretch to call the place inviting. Cracked windows and a splintered floor were the main issues, but the lack of poor lighting and the general absence of furniture didn’t help much either.

Ronny and Alice felt pretty accomplished though. The grime and vermin were mostly gone, and that was success enough for them. They called it a day and went into the kitchen, which was had not improved. As a rat ran between the counters, they agreed to clean it next.

One stale loaf of bread later, smiled and called it a day. Alice invited Ronny to come up to the top floor, where she claimed a surprise awaited him.

The surprise was roof access. In its past life, the inn had been used as a lookout tower, and it was a good deal taller than the surrounding buildings.

Alice sat down cross-legged on the roof’s floor, “I thought you’d like to watch the sun set.”

“You thought right!” Ronny sat down beside her and gazed down at the city below. The ghettos he now called home were much more sprawling than they let on from ground level. Big enough to get lost in and never come out, as Alice explained people often did.

As the sun struck the horizon, the sky shifted to a blazing orange, and then to a soft pink, and lastly, to blues of night. Every step of the process revealed a new beauty, each better than the last. People started turning lanterns on, and the streets began to glow with a soft, orange hue.

“How was it?” Alice got up.

“Like a firework show, but gentler.” Ronny also rose to his feet.

“Fireworks, huh? That’s a good way to put it. I haven’t seen fireworks since I was a kid…”

“Maybe when this Inn gets to be the best in the whole of Barnock, we can buy some.” The Inn was beginning to feel like a home to Ronny.

“Maybe…”

With that, they called it a night. Ronny went into his room and Alice to hers. Like the day before, it didn’t take long for him to fall asleep.