For the most part Ike kept to himself only coming down to source wasted meals and bottled water. Few could stand long in his dark shadow despite the perpetual toothy smile beaming down at them but he made a point of nodding hello to the tenants and would hold the elevator on the off-chance a hurried neighbor might accompany him in silence. Mr. Carl wasn't his first or last name but Ike went uncorrected for most of his memories and when tenants would ask for service he wasn't too concerned with who received the credit. In return for his residence Ike felt obligated to share in building maintenance. He could often be found sweeping the carpeted hallways or pit deep in a toilet pipe fishing for Ms. Twain's jewelry. Once a young girl's frenchie found itself trapped on the fire escape for three hours before Ike could climb up from the street. When she returned that evening he shared his concern for Prince Jr. and the dog's irregular wheezing.
After enduring a harsh lecture in the elevator that lasted through the lobby and out the front stoop he thought better of "crowding the lift" anymore or "taxing ancient cables". Fortunately Ike was unaware how low the tenant's opinions dipped for him as he descended the rear stairwell. Carefully avoiding four puddles he creaked unseen to the lobby floor. It had been a week since the memorial he hadn't been invited to and his first time in a month to check in with Mr. Carl. With a gentle knock the door swung softly open, sagging from an absent hinge pin. The office appeared normal under stacks of unfiled documents and occasional food scraps. Ike leaned in further toward an empty desk chair and determined the space was vacant.
When he returned later a woman in her 60's knelt exasperated on the floor surrounded by stacks of paperwork. She asked if he knew where her father kept his bank records but of course he didn't. Ike held a broom in hand so she asked how long he'd worked for her father, but he wasn't sure. She asked if she could pay Ike in cash this week until the accounting could be settled. He looked away thinking. A few moments passed and she thought maybe he couldn't hear her. When she asked again Ike said yes and then after a pause he introduced himself. Ike left the office toward the back stairwell, eager to find the source of their puddles.
When he returned later a woman in her 60's knelt exasperated on the floor surrounded by stacks of paperwork. She asked if he knew where her father kept his bank records but of course he didn't. Ike held a broom in hand so she asked how long he'd worked for her father, but he wasn't sure. She asked if she could pay Ike in cash this week until the accounting could be settled. He looked away thinking. A few moments passed and she thought maybe he couldn't hear her. When she asked again Ike said yes and then after a pause he introduced himself. Ike left the office toward the back stairwell, eager to find the source of their puddles.
