⛤⃝ [EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK – ███ WAREHOUSE]

Issued by: █████ Retail Operations Clearance Level: Staff Only

NOTICE: This handbook is company property. Follow all policies exactly. Deviation endangers operations.

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General Rules

1.	Never clock in earlier than 20:55.

— don’t be here before shift. things walk the aisles when it’s empty.

2.	Keep all bay doors closed. Do not acknowledge knocking after hours.

3.	Do not use the mirrors in the break room. They are for surveillance only.

— they don’t show you, they show what’s waiting for you.

4.	Never whistle inside the warehouse.

5.	If you drop an item and it doesn’t make a sound, leave it.

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Special Procedures

1.	If a customer appears in the warehouse after closing, do not engage. Move to the employee break room.

— it keeps you safe from customers.

2.	If your reflection waves at you, wave back. Do not ignore it.

— it gets angry if you don’t.

3.	Restrooms may only be used if the lights are off when you enter.

4.	Pallet Jacks in motion without operators must not be stopped.

5.	If Nat asks you to follow her, do not. She will lead you into a missing aisle

6.	If Dom hands you paperwork, sign it immediately. It will keep you safe.

7.	If Brandon asks where you’re going, tell the truth. Lying makes it worse.

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Closing Procedures

•	Sweep aisles in numerical order. If any aisle is missing, skip to the next.

•	Lock the office safe. Do not check what’s inside.

•	If the second alarm sounds, evacuate without hesitation.

•	Never stay later than 03:00.

— the ones who stayed past 3 never came back. only their name tags did.

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Employee Directory

The Manager — LVL 10 • Executive authority; appears rarely, demands absolute conformity. Do not look at or name. If summoned, present handbook and nothing else.

(— He tore someone apart for looking at him.)

Margaret — LVL 9 • Aggressive enforcer who hates everyone. Silence is survival. Do not speak; move slowly; abandon tasks soundlessly if she appears. The Manager avoids her. Thomas will not help.

(— she hurts you because you exist.)

Anthony — LVL 8 • Temperamental employee; volatile and possessive of his tasks. Do not criticize; accept help but do not touch what he gives. Never follow into Aisle 16. If he smiles, leave.

(— eye contact is a mistake.)

Peter — LVL 7 • Tall, older man. Always nod back. Does not tolerate staff besides Thomas & The Manager. Stares down Margaret but never engages. Do not provoke.

(— his nod is colder than the night.)

Nat — LVL 5 • Trickster; young attractive blonde. Seductive distraction. Limit conversation to < 3 sentences. If touched, recite your employee number. Ignore advances/compliments. Avoid Aisle 12.

(— she made me miss the alarm.)

Brandon — LVL 3 • Quiet, competent. Jokes rarely; mostly silent. May leave to buy a drink — do not follow. Reports mistakes to The Manager. Margaret and Nat ignore him.

(— smiles like us but he’s theirs.)

Dom — LVL 1 • Silent helper; appears at paperwork/stock tasks. Sad demeanor. Answers any question correctly. Leaves unsigned notes on clipboards. If he looks up, follow his gaze. Do not ask about him.

(— he helps. always helps.)

Thomas — No LVL assigned (Benevolent) • Lighthearted, greets new hires, shakes hands, jokes, then disappears. Distracts The Manager to buy time if he notices you. Will not help against Margaret.

(— trust Thomas. he’s the only one who can save you from The Manager)

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My name is Victor. I shouldn’t have written in this book but it’s the only way to WARN you. Every rule is a trap. They make you follow them so you survive but if you slip once they TAKE you.

Don’t let The Manager SEE you break them. DON’T TRUST Anthony. Don’t stay after 3. Don’t whistle. If Thomas shakes your hand, thank him. He’s all you’ve got.

I’m sorry. I tried to last but I can’t do it anymore. The lights are flickering and Margaret’s in the aisle and I can hear the Manager coming down the hall and—