Wet Pavement and a Buzzing Neon ACCOUNTING Sign

Wet Pavement and a Buzzing Neon ACCOUNTING Sign

I was supposed to drop off some paperwork at the office after hours, but the building mixed with that diner on 12th I used to go to after class. Fluorescent lights, then suddenly wet pavement and a buzzing neon sign that said ACCOUNTING. I couldn’t find my badge. My keys were in my coat but the pockets kept changing size. An old coworker from my first job was sitting at a booth, except she also felt like my neighbor Mrs. Chen, same voice, different face. She asked if I’d seen the missing folder. I said I was late for something I couldn’t name. The hallway to the copy room stretched longer than it should, rain on the windows even though we were indoors. I kept walking but barely moved. Mild dread, like I’d forgotten a secret I was supposed to keep. Woke up still checking my pockets.