[INTRO] [sound: warehouse PA crackle, forklifts moving, scanners beeping] [PA SYSTEM — neutral announcement voice] Attention associates. Due to staffing requirements... Mandatory overtime has been assigned. [sound: silence] [WORKER — male, casual] Again? [WORKER 2 — male, tired] Again. [sound: forklifts restart] --- [CHECKERFLAG-9 — male, filtered radio voice, calm] Route extended. --- [REDLINE-04 — male, close vocal] I thought we were finished. --- [CHECKERFLAG-9 — male, filtered radio] So did everyone. --- ## [VERSE 1] [REDLINE-04 — male, energetic] The clock kept moving The lights stayed bright Same warehouse Different night The crew got smaller The aisles got long The radio kept singing The same old song --- [WORKER — male, casual] You staying? --- [REDLINE-04] Looks like it. --- [WORKER] Then don't miss your break. --- [REDLINE-04] Why? --- [WORKER] Just don't. --- ## [CHORUS] [REDLINE-04 — male, powerful] Another hour! Another run! Another job That isn't done! The clock says one thing! My head says two! How many hours Have I been through? --- [CHECKERFLAG-9 — filtered radio] Stay on line. --- [REDLINE-04] Still here. --- [CHECKERFLAG-9] Good. --- ## [VERSE 2] [REDLINE-04] The signs looked familiar The floor felt strange Every little thing Was slightly rearranged A different pallet A different name But somehow everything Still looked the same --- [CHECKERFLAG-9] Next turn. --- [REDLINE-04] I know. --- [CHECKERFLAG-9] You do? --- [REDLINE-04] I don't know. --- ## [BRIDGE] [sound: radio static grows] [REDLINE-04] How long is overtime? --- [pause] --- [CHECKERFLAG-9] Depends. --- [REDLINE-04] On what? --- [CHECKERFLAG-9] Whether you notice. --- [sound: guitars explode] --- ## [FINAL CHORUS] [ALL] Mandatory overtime! Keep the wheels alive! One more pallet! One more drive! The shift keeps moving! The lights stay on! You don't know when The normal is gone! --- ## [OUTRO] [sound: PA system fading, forklift moving into darkness] [WORKER — male, quiet] See you tomorrow. --- [REDLINE-04] Tomorrow? --- [pause] --- [WORKER] Yeah. --- [sound: radio static] [CHECKERFLAG-9 — filtered radio, faint] Same route. --- [END TRANSMISSION]
