The Prom Is Over

When the lights came up and Prom was over, the cleaning crew went to work immediately. There was a flurry of activity taking down the decorations, popping the balloons, and sweeping up glitter. I liked that they kept the music pumping for us. The DJ lights were still flashing blue, yellow, green, and red on the stage. The party mood was alive and a great distraction.

The last few kids were filing out. They were oblivious to us. Their minds focused on the next party. A few always popped into the bathroom before they left. We never waited for the stragglers to start our duties.

Between dances and graduations, this was the busy season for the janitorial company. I was easily hired on as a seasonal worker with very little scrutiny. They had a lot of open positions and were pretty desperate. They didn’t question my fake ID and paid me cash under the table.

I really like the accessibility I have to people and places with this job. This was our third dance in this building. I knew the routine and layout well by now.

As a janitor, I always started in the men’s restroom. Flinging the door open, I startled the Prom King at the urinal who had made a stop on his way out. Honestly, I’d seen him duck in by himself. He waved his friends on to the car where he’d meet up with them.

“Sorry, didn’t know anyone was in here,” I said pushing in the large garbage can. “Don’t mind me; I’m just gonna collect the trash.”

Between the bass of the music and the popping of the balloons, he never heard me lock the door. Everything was going exactly as planned. The Prom King had no idea.

I bagged the garbage in the can by the door and patted the duct tape in my pocket. I knew it was there. I always pay attention to details. I think I patted it more out of excitement and anticipation.

I placed the large, plastic bag by the door. I would grab it on my way out of the bathroom. Checking the stall for trash, I pulled my Taser out of my leg holster and readied it.

While he fumbled with the rented tux’s cheap zipper, I shot him with the Taser’s two hot barbed darts. He immediately lost all muscle control and melted into a twitching blob on the floor. Not knowing how long immobilization would last, I worked quickly to duct tape his mouth and hands.

After loading Prom King’s dead weight into the garbage can, I covered him with the trash bag by the restroom door. He was heavier than I’d anticipated and I’d worked up a sweat!

I washed my face and hands in the sink. Stopping to fix my hair in the mirror, I couldn’t help but smile back at myself. So far, my plan had gone off without a hitch.

I did a quick check of the bathroom. I didn’t want to leave any evidence. I wiped down the sink and faucets, being sure to throw the used paper towels in the can with Prom King.

Luckily, I saw the cuff link that had rolled under the sink in the commotion. I wasn’t sure if it was for him but I figured I better take it with us, too.

Unlocking the door and rolling the can out, I smiled and nodded my head at passing co-workers. They knew me as a friendly guy. I just needed to act normal until I was home.

“This one’s full,” I said pointing to the parking lot as I passed the crewmembers milling around by the door. “I’m gonna take it to the dumpster.”

Another janitor opened the door for me as I easily pushed the Prom King past the crew to my waiting truck. I had parked behind the dumpster where it was dark and obscured. Opening the tailgate, I pushed the giant yellow garbage can over into the bed. I covered it with the blue tarp I had brought. I think Prom King’s school colors were yellow and blue. How fitting!

Not wanting the tarp to fly off or the garbage can to roll around the back on its side, I had brought sand bags to secure it. I made sure nothing would fly out or come loose on the drive home.

As I pulled out of the parking lot, I saw the Prom King’s date and friends waiting for him at his car. I don’t think they saw me leave. They hadn’t even started to look for him. I could be home before they called the Police if I caught all the green traffic lights.