Through molten rock and seas of lava Nathan shoots up towards the surface. Underneath him is work, a universe of its own. As the elevator clears ground level he sees glowing highways running across the molten rock like snakes.

Above them is boomtown.

They always drank at boomtown. It looks kind of like an upper class airport lounge, but open to the night sky with giant yellow and red neon structures hanging overhead. A sea of oval shaped lounge booths and security guards spread into the distance.

Mark, Ruby, Charlotte, Tim and Charlie have already arrived, sitting in their usual spot. Nathan hugs everyone and settles into his seat, taking a large sip of his drink.

One by one they performed themselves. Charlotte shakes herself and wriggles her arms, blowing hot air and spit through her lips. Mark does a kind of surprised shout, throwing his arms in the air over and over again. After each performance they burst into laughter. Sometimes when someone from their group performs well, they would laugh so much they strained their mouths, or hold their eyes open so wide they get dizzy.

Occasionally, amongst the blasting music he could hear other tables erupt into laughter. It would send shivers down his back. The drinks kept coming and eventually it got easier. Nathan’s head hit the leather cushion and his feet kicked, knocking a glass of the table that smashes onto the ground. At this point it’s all internalized. The sounds of laughter and the blasting music meld into one big soup. The six of them gargle and twist around, occasionally spurting out laughter. The security doesn’t mind, they understand it needs to get to this point.

As his head rolls his mind slips and he is back at work. Many screens. It’s click frenzy week. Everyone is scared. Morgan’s smiling at him with her big teeth. They’re discussing a looping video and of a young man wearing a beanie holding a baguette. Tapping in and out. He’s uploading the video but it keeps getting shorter. He can hear the laughter of other groups, looking down on him and his friends.

The mess of light and sound spinning above him gradually focuses and he can hear the basey music again. Nathan rubs his puffy eyes and looks up at his friends. They get up and make their way to the elevator. Other groups are doing the same thing in silence. They walk slowly across the floor towards the lifts.

Nathan gains his balance beside five others in the shiny metallic lift. They stand in silence and stare at the doors in front of them. There’s a foggy feeling of renewal in the air. Bonded by their silence. He can’t remember much, but they’re not the same as they were before.

His memory scattered, so much behaviour to make up for, he feels ready for tomorrow, ready for work.