Under Broken Lights (A Montgomery Gator Story)

Prologue: The Job

"Go ahead and turn left at the junction and you'll come across the old Fazzbear Pizzaplex. We just need you to do a building inspection for our grand reopening in a few months. I know we usually hire contractors for this kind of work, but consider this part of your promotion Mr. Gentry. Just go around the building, make sure everything will be in working order, and for God's sake don't fall through any loose boards. The higher-ups don't want to lose a critical company asset...not you specifically but that legal knowledge tucked away in your brain. The power is on, but the lights haven't been connected yet to the central power, so I hope you're not afraid of the dark. If you give the okay and make sure this building is up to code we'll reopen in another year and really be bringing in the money. Alright Mr. Gentry, I expect to hear wonderful things, and have a fazeriffic day!"

Hanging up his phone with a groan Samuel Gentry placed it in the console of his company issued SUV and pulled into the parking lot of the soon to be refurbished entertainment complex. Opening the file given to him by the general counsel of the company, Samuel skimmed the context of the confidential report. "November 2032 - a massive fire burned down supporting frames and other foundations rendering the building a safety hazard. February 2033 - company files documents with the state saying building will be repaired or demolished if failure to renovate occurs. May 2033 - Company sinks fifty million into repairs and renovation begins. March 2034 - renovation is on schedule though halted for...CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION...what?" Samuel thought it was weird the files he was given possessed confidential information, especially when he was supposed to have full access to these documents as corporate counsel for legal investigative purposes. Texting his partner, Steve, to ask about the redacted comment, Samuel read on while he was waiting for a reply.

"Alright, where was I? June 2034 - Renovation continued, months behind schedule but we will be back on track by working overtime. August 2034 - Renovation on track, will be finished by 2035. April 2035 - Renovation complete, need approval by legal counsel. Advise counsel to keep...REDACTED...off public record...what the fu..." Before he could finish Samuel checked his phone and saw the reply from Steve.

"Hey Sam, you don't need to worry about that. One of the higher ups in general counsel, I think Amanda, omitted some of the file's contexts for her and the other company's general counsel and executives to view once our report came back saying if the building is in compliance or not. Just check the building tonight and come back tomorrow. We'll hold a party to celebrate your survival, lol. Call though if you need me. I'll be in the legal department late tonight." Samuel rolled his eyes, shot a text saying 'thanks' back, and put the files in his shoulder bag. Swinging it around to his back the young lawyer stepped out of the vehicle and locked it shut behind him.

He had not been hired by the company for a long time, and only recently passed his BAR exam. He got the job working in Fazbear Entertainment's legal division from another attorney passing along Samuel's resume and a good word of mouth to the company. Samuel wasn't sure if he was going to stay working there for the rest of his life, but at least it paid well and it was fairly relaxed, until this assignment anyway. He wanted to be sleeping in his own bed in his apartment right now but instead he found himself in the cold, crisp air under Colorado skies staring at a currently closed down pizza complex. "Maybe I shouldn't have worked so hard for this so-called promotion. Really applying myself has kind of screwed me over. One night won't kill me though I guess."

Samuel walked up to the locked up doors and using his company issued ID scanned his way past the employee entrance. Walking in the building looked way different from the pictures he had seen from just a few years ago. The burnt, crisp blackness along the floors and walls had been replaced with colorful artwork and beautiful markings of the characters this complex had been known for in the past. There was the company mascot, a bear named Freddy, a wolf named Roxy, and a chicken named Chica. However one from the pictures was missing. Samuel pulled out the file from his bag and looked at the pictures included, along with the character profiles for each character written by a former technician.