Larry

He would look fearsome if he weren't so frazzled. The bags under this creature's multiple eyes give away how tired he is, and his mouths look ready to devour all the snacks in the break room. He looks at you and frowns.

"Please state your business, succinctly if you will. Idle chatter is not in my schedule for today."

"Oh, well, um... Could you tell me what you do here, so I can know what to ask of you?"

Larry puts down a stack of papers he is holding and picks up another one. "What don't I do here? Filing, sorting, running errands... and then there's stocking the vending machines, fixing the pinball game, and curating Frankie's podcast playlist. I keep the building running, I keep the coffee flowing, and I'm in charge of everyone's schedules. Oh, and I clean the bathroom."

You suddenly feel very sorry for Larry. "Why do you do so much? Couldn't any of the others who are here do any of it?"

"Ah, well, you see... if you want a job done right, you have to see to it yourself. I simply won't let them. I'd have to redo everything they tried to do, anyway."

You nod sympathetically, but you don't quite understand. "Is this place really Nowhere?"

"What? Oh, that's right. There was a misprint with the name plates. Every once in a while, I do make a mistake. See, they're supposed to read, 'Now Here'."

"Now Here?"

"That's when and where you are at any given time. The moment you are living in is always the present moment. Too many people dwell on the past or worry about the future. The most important thing is to appreciate each moment you live while you are living it. Does this help you?"

Whatever your answer, he says, "Well, that's all I can do for you. It was a pleasure doing business with you! Now, I've got another task that requires my full attention. When you leave this room, go to the left and follow the hallway to the exit. It should take you back to wherever you were before you came here. If you want to stay, turn right instead."

He leaves you as quickly as he came in, mumbling something to himself about witches and ducks. You head down the hallway, thinking about the strange creatures here. The EXIT sign glows red.

When you are ready, you head out and into the world.