Mirror Friend

(Alvi is heading downstairs for lunch)

Alvi: I'm late for lunch. I need to hurry.

Why did I fall asleep? (He thinks to himself, frustrated.)

Now look at this. I might miss it entirely.

Wait... where is everyone? (Alvi looks around, noticing the restaurant is empty.)

Lunchtime is over, isn't it?

It's almost 3:45 pm. But I'm starving.

I need to talk to the manager about lunch... if I can even find him.

(Alvi looks around, confused. The reception is empty too.)

Alvi: This is odd. Where is everyone?

It feels... suspicious.

Should I check on them myself?

(Alvi heads toward the staff room, finding a door behind the stairs. He opens it and sees a long corridor.)

Alvi: Here it is... the staff area.

There are so many rooms... maybe they're resting.

(He walks through the corridor, cautiously. Suddenly, he hears voices coming from one of the rooms. He moves closer, straining to listen.)

Manager: I've told you this a hundred times. Why can't you understand?

And you, the new staff—didn't I tell you the conditions before I hired you?

New Staff: Yes, sir. I'm sorry...

A mirror is just a part of our life... I thought it was a silly rule. I didn't take it seriously.

Please forgive me. I need this job so badly.

Manager: This isn't a joke. We take these rules seriously. And the way you've been acting... it's reckless.

What's worse, you've ignored the other staff.

New Staff: I didn't mean to offend anyone. I just... I was curious.

Manager: Curiosity almost killed you. Do you have any idea what kind of dangers you've put yourself in?

You don't realize it, but luck was on your side today. And luck doesn't last forever.

New Staff: But I—

I was just worried about the guest in room 1003... the old man. Someone asked about him today, and when you said there was no one by that name, I started to doubt myself.

Manager: Stop talking.

New Staff: But sir, it wasn't a lie. I saw him. And the guest in room 1005... she's missing too. She was afraid. She told me things... horrible things. But when I checked her room, she was gone.

I thought I was mistaken at first, but when I looked in, the room was empty. I entered to check... and that's when you saw me.

Manager: This is a normal thing here. You'll see worse if you stay.

But never mention this to the guests. You don't know the horrors of this hotel.

I've been here for five years, and there are things I still don't understand. Sometimes we find... body parts. People go missing. But only a few come back home. And I can't do anything to stop it.

I just keep serving, giving warnings, and trying to protect all of you... but that's all I can do.

(There's a long silence. Alvi tries to move quietly but the manager opens the door suddenly.)

Manager: Who's there?

Other Staff: Who was that?

Manager: Not sure... but someone heard us.

I have to find out who it is.

New Staff: It could be another staff member.

Manager: No. It was too stealthy.

It might be a guest... I can't let anyone know. I need to figure this out.

(Alvi, breathing heavily, hides as he narrowly escapes being caught.)

Alvi: That was too close. (Panting)

What were they talking about?

What secrets are they hiding?