The linoleum floor is scuffed, reflecting the low, late-afternoon light filtering through the overhead fluorescent strip. In a row of identical seating units, one chair remains unoccupied. It is positioned perfectly, separated from its neighbors by a measured gap. The chair’s legs rest on the floor, secured by a brass plate that appears freshly installed, its edges sharp and clean. A faint, oily smudge marks the linoleum directly adjacent to the plate, a dark stain that contrasts sharply with the surrounding wear. The ventilation system emits a steady, rhythmic hum, a constant background frequency. The chair’s armrest is coated in a fine layer of dust film, undisturbed. The gap beside the seat is exactly the width of a standard forearm, suggesting a precise, assigned boundary.
hum · uneasy