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"What the hell?!" – I swore mentally. Yesterday, English was fine. Why the hell does it feel like some insanely complicated new language now? I squinted, trying to make out anything. Well, "classroom" I got. "Restroom" – that too. But what’s all this about "janitor’s closet"? Where the hell is that?
– Cholera jasna... (Oh shit...) – I hissed, feeling irritation wash over me.
At that moment, a woman in a uniform walked past me. Middle-aged, short haircut, the janitor’s uniform a little wrinkled. She glanced at me and smirked, stopping for just a second.
– Apolonia, what the hell are you doing here? – she said, a bit mockingly.
Her voice snapped me out of my stupor. She was standing there, squinting, clearly amused by my confusion.
– Um... co? (What?) – I managed to squeeze out, frowning.
The woman smirked even wider and nodded toward the hallway.
– You’re late today, too. That’s strange, our always-best-and-punctual Apolonia. Alright, let’s go, work’s waiting, – she added, nodding toward the corridor.
Her words seemed to come from far away. All I could catch was "work." The rest sounded like it was on fast-forward. While I was trying to understand what she said, the woman had already turned and walked further down the hallway, but after a couple of steps, she turned back:
– Apolonia, are you frozen there? Coming?
I clenched my teeth. This was starting to get on my nerves. Struggling to understand what she wanted from me, I decided to follow her. At least this way I wouldn’t look like a total idiot.
She led me to a door I would have never noticed. A small sign on the door said "Janitor’s Closet." Oh, so that’s what it meant! Wait, hold on! Wait a minute! The realization hit me like a smack on the back of the head. "Do I really not know English anymore?!" The memory of yesterday’s Polish letter, and how easily I understood it, suddenly flared up: not only do I now look like Apolonia, I speak like her. And, apparently, I think like her too.
– Kurwa… (Fuck…) – I muttered. The woman standing next to me looked over with a curious smirk.
– Did you say something, Apolonia?
I tensed up. My short knowledge of English, which I was now consciously searching for in my head, helped me force out:
– I… um… no… all okay, – I said with great difficulty, feeling like the words were catching on each other and tearing apart like a too-tight rubber band.
The woman smirked again, shaking her head, and opened the door.
– Well, well, come on in, – she said, making a gesture with her hand.
Inside the janitor’s closet, I was met by the smell of chemicals, worn linoleum, and a pile of cleaning supplies thrown together. Buckets, mops, rags – all of it was scattered in a chaotic mess, as if there had been a revolution of cleaning products, but someone had decided not to finish it.
I stood in the middle of this tiny closet, nervously glancing at the woman who didn’t seem in any hurry to leave. She leaned against the door, arms crossed, and with a satisfied grin watched me.
At that moment, a soft ringing came from my bag. I jumped in surprise. It was the phone alert – or rather, a message notification.
– Co jest? (What now?) – I muttered irritably and quickly dug through my bag to find the source of the sound.
This damn woman’s bag turned out to be some kind of bottomless pit. There was lipstick, a mirror, napkins, keys, a strange comb, and even spare tights. Finally, my fingers found an old smartphone with a cracked screen. A notification popped up on the screen. "Important Instructions," the message read. I opened it, glancing quickly at the text. Of course, it was in Polish, which sent another chill down my spine.
Good morning, Apolonia!
Please follow the instructions below:
• Change into your uniform and get to work.
• Wear the uniform to comply with safety requirements and school standards.
• Ensure your hair is tied up and your appearance is neat.
Cleaning duties on the second floor:
• Class 3B:
Wipe the dust off tables and shelves.
Check the trash cans. Replace trash bags.
Wipe the board and make sure there are no marker stains or dirt on the floor.
• Corridor:
Mop the floor, especially in places where dirt has been tracked in by students' shoes.
Check the walls for marks or stains, remove them with a sponge if needed.
• Restrooms:
Clean the stalls, replace toilet paper and paper towels.
Wipe mirrors and sinks.
Check soap dispensers and refill if necessary.
Cafeteria monitoring after lunch (12:30 – 13:30):
• Sweep the floor if needed.
• Wipe the tables if they’re dirty.
• Check the trash cans.
Additional duties:
• Check the supply closet for cleaning products. Mark any missing items in the inventory log.
• Report any worn-out or broken tools (e.g., mops or rags).
Reminder:
• Cameras are monitoring your duties.
• Pay attention to time: all tasks must be completed by 16:00.
• If problems arise, contact the person responsible for cleaning on the floor.
Thank you for your work!
The message seemed huge, and I’d barely started reading when the woman snorted and, with a sly smile, crossed her arms.
– What’s that, love notes from your husband? Come on, Polya, don’t tease us! – her voice was laced with mockery.
I lifted my gaze from the screen, vaguely catching the meaning of her words. Something about a husband and notes. But her voice clearly held mockery. I frowned, trying to hold back my irritation.
– Co? Co powiedziałaś? (What? What did you say?) – I blurted out, feeling the words slipping out by themselves.
She snorted and shook her head.
– Oh come on, Polya, it’s just a joke. Go on, change already.
I understood her tone and gestures perfectly, but her words still sounded like a confusing jumble of sounds. Damn, how can someone talk like that? I mumbled something in response, trying to distract myself from the unpleasant realization: I just answered in Polish again, without even thinking.
– Alright, enough standing around, time to work. Change already!