What’s in the Freezer?

January 1, 2018

It was New Year’s Day but I had to work. I didn’t mind it, I liked staying busy and feeling productive about my day. I always worked the night shift at a local pizzeria. Usually there were two people who close the store but the others conveniently called out so it would just be me. 30 minutes till close I eagerly started cleaning up all that I could without taking everything down. I’d wipe the counters of the lasting food and sweep the floor as well as I could. I’d scramble to wash the dishes while swiping glances at the door and by 9:30 exactly I’d be standing there, key in hand to lock up for the night, then spring up to click the off switch on the open sign.

Any dough that was sitting out or pizzas not claimed would go on the middle kitchen table while I packaged and put away the food containers from the line and stacked them on a cart, putting them in the walk-in freezer. With all the running around I’d ignored the pang in my stomach which veered at the sight of my cookie dough container so I ducked down to scoop a few generous handfuls of it before returning to cleaning. Loud clanging of metal on metal rang through the empty store as I chipped away at the snowy layer still clinging to the food line. After that I’d work meticulously to wipe down the counters to spotless perfection and sweep the floor. Smooshed food lined the creases of the square flooring despite my best attempts at sweeping them up. My once sturdy non-slip shoes were now coated in a layer of slick food slop that I didn’t bother trying to clean out. 

After sweeping the lobby I counted the drawer and turned off the lobby lights as I worked my way into the kitchen. Due to increased waste it was a recent policy to take inventory every night and I was well equipped and put on my jacket before spending nearly 20 minutes in the freezer counting all the stored and fresh foods as well as the dough for the morning shift. After that I’d have to count all the boxes in the main area as well as the big trays of sodas for the machine. The single-shut washer bearing only one tray at a time made dishes the longest and most rigorous task, not to mention the morning shift would never wash their dishes leaving me with the entire day's worth to catch up on. 

The floor began to flood, my shoes sopping wet as they squished and squeaked on the floor. The small drain had clogged again with food remnants. This was the most disgusting part of the job but I was thankful for gloves which I layered on. The only way I can describe the smell as I leaned down over the flooding drain was putrid, awful and gaseous. Safe to say I lost my appetite for pizza after working there. Squeezing my eyes shut, I reached my hand down and scooped a big clump of food goop, rushing over to the trash can and tossing it in with a plop. I winced as I took the dirty glove off but was relieved to see the drain taking water again. 

After the dishes I’d have to take out the trash. I’d load the cart with the two large bags and stack the bad dough and pizzas on top. I always felt guilty because sometimes there would be up to 50 pizzas gone to waste when they were really fine - it’s just a food safety policy. 

The store was nestled next to a busy street and the stores nearby had well closed by now. The dumpsters were close but I’d heard too often of homeless people lurking around the area so I was already on edge. The door had to be propped open slightly otherwise I’d be locked out. Upon exiting I was hit with a wave of fresh air, and I suddenly realized how musty it was inside, my clothes now stained with pizza smell and my nose seemingly accustomed to the strong odor of greasy pizza that oozed from the place. 

The cart wriggled and roared loudly along the pavement notifying anyone nearby of my presence and my pace quickened as I neared the dumpster. Some odd sense of impending doom coaxed the strength in me to heave and propel the heavy trash bags up in a quick manner so I could scurry back inside, back to safety. 

I closed the door behind me and put the cart back in it’s place and did the last few steps of closing. As I was checking the cleanliness of the lobby I heard something from inside the freezer. There’s glass windows on the front side of the cooler where the side items are stored so I peaked in but could only see darkness. When I looked at the cooler door I noticed it was unlocked despite me having locked it before. I thought it was weird, half of me thinking I’d just mistakenly left it unlocked and the other half going wild on the idea that someone was in there. I ignored the fearful thoughts and locked the heavy freezer door with a snap. As I walked toward the office I froze in my steps, the pounding of my heart more noticeable as I slowed my breath to listen closely. I thought I heard something from the freezer again but couldn’t identify what. It seemed like the kind of noise my brain would fool me into thinking was real. Maybe I was just convincing myself that my mind was messing with me so I wouldn’t have to deal with the terrifying reality of what might have been actually happening. 

I dismissed whatever it was and with a faster pace than normal I shut off the office lights, gathered my things and clocked out, turning off the remaining lights with a flick. Without hesitation I hurried out the entrance door, sparing a quick glance toward the freezer as I struggled to lock the door, having to push on it as I turned the key. 

The parking lot was empty against void stooping buildings and amidst the open lot my car sat alone and eerily under the single working street lamp. I wish I was one of those people who found peace in the quiet but silence always made me uneasy and anxious. My mind likes to create, to make shapes in the darkness and odd sounds. I don’t know why I jump to the worst conclusions… my life had been mostly positive or nothing experiences but maybe it’s because of my mundane reality that my brain has to create chaos for me. 

I swung my flimsy car door open and hopped in, nearly closing the door on my foot as I hurried to shut out the world from my safe space. I forgot my car was a death trap in itself, the back window stuck half open and covered in duct tape, automatic seatbelts and door locks that only work on occasion. This, not to mention the broken radio and the heater that takes forever to heat up. My eyes darted around the empty parking lot but there was no one around. I spotted movement in the corner of my eye though and when I followed it, I could see a shadow of what looked like a person in my rear view mirror, only they weren’t outside, they were in my back seat. I whipped my head around with an audible gasp only to find it completely empty.

I grabbed my phone and turned the volume up all the way as I played music and hurried out of the dark lot and onto the main road. Music always helped calm me and the surrounding cars put me at ease - I’m not alone and these people are just trying to go home too. 

Published January 2, 2018 CBS News reports: 

“‘Man found dead inside pizza restaurant freezer’” 

“Local pizza restaurant ‘Take n Bake Pizza’ is under investigation after a man, later identified as Samuel Darren was found dead inside the store freezer. Police stated the victim was not a staff member and appeared to be homeless. It is unclear at this point how this incident occurred but police are releasing updates periodically.”