Broken ice machine. Just needed the filter replaced. Clogged toilet in room 412. Professional discretion required. Light fixture in the conference room.
20 minutes. bulb that cost $14 and would be billed at $75. Ethan moved through the hotel like a ghost. Present but unnoticed. A woman in designer clothes held the elevator door for him once, smiled with careful politeness that acknowledged he was human, but preferred not to think about the economic gulf between them. A businessman complained about hallway noise, then walked away mid-conversation when his phone rang.
Being invisible was survival strategy. Lunch was 15 minutes in the breakroom. Sandwich he'd packed. Scrolling through his phone. Texts from Mrs. Rodriguez.
Lily had eaten lunch. Currently napping. Bank account hovering just above overdraft. At 1:47 p.m., Kevin found him. Carter, I need a favor.
Night shift called out sick. Cover the Christmas gala tonight. 6 to 2:00 a.m. time and a half. Ethan calculated 8 hours at 27 an hour, 216 before taxes, but it meant calling Mrs. Rodriguez, cancelling the delivery route, another day running on no sleep. I'll take it.
Kevin's relief was visible. Mostly just be available. Keep service elevators running. Should be easy money. Easy money.
That was what manager said about shifts that were never easy. Well, Ethan called Mrs. Rodriguez. Of course, I'll keep Lily overnight. Mijo, don't worry. I'm sorry.
I keep asking. You keep providing for your daughter. Nothing to apologize for. The delivery supervisor was less understanding. Reliability matters for contractors who want to keep getting shifts.
Ethan listened to the lecture while counting 216 versus 60 lost. Math mattered more than pride. It won't happen again. They both knew it would. At 5:47 p.m., Ethan stood near the service corridor entrance in the transformed ballroom.
Crystal chandeliers, tables draped in white, centerpieces costing more than his monthly rent. string quartet playing something classical. He didn't belong here except as invisible support staff. The event coordinator had briefed them. Remain unseen. Respond immediately.
Never interrupt networking guests. Easy money. So far, just standing around waiting for emergencies that hadn't materialized. He watched Chicago's elite arrive. Old money with casual confidence.