COFFEE STAIN

[INTRO] [sound: forklift engines, scanners, radio chatter returning] [CHECKERFLAG-9 — crisp filtered radio] Back on line. [REDLINE-04 — close vocal, confused] Yeah. [CHECKERFLAG-9] Route is moving. [REDLINE-04] I know. [sound: forklift rolling] [VERSE 1 — REDLINE-04] The floor looked different But nobody said The same painted arrows The same overhead The lights were familiar The sounds were the same But something was missing I couldn't explain [WORKER — casual] You good? [REDLINE-04] Yeah. [WORKER] First overtime? [pause] [REDLINE-04] What? [WORKER] Nothing. [VERSE 2 — REDLINE-04] I checked my pockets I checked my time I checked the radio Still on the line No one was worried No one looked scared Like everyone knew I had been somewhere [WORKER 2 — noticing] Coffee. [REDLINE-04] What? [WORKER 2] Your shirt. [sound drops briefly] [REDLINE-04] Oh. [CHORUS — CALL AND RESPONSE] [REDLINE-04] What does it mean? [WORKER] Nothing. [REDLINE-04] Then why look? [WORKER] Because we know. [REDLINE-04] Know what? [WORKER] You'll find out. [VERSE 3 — REDLINE-04] A little brown mark On an old work shirt A simple reminder Of a place that hurt Not from the lifting Not from the strain Just from trying to remember A missing frame [CHECKERFLAG-9 — radio] Keep moving. [REDLINE-04] You knew? [CHECKERFLAG-9] I heard stories. [REDLINE-04] About me? [pause] [CHECKERFLAG-9] About things like this. [sound: guitars build] [FINAL CHORUS] [ALL] Same floor! Same lights! Same endless overtime! Same route! Same line! Different place in time! No warning! No sign! No reason to explain! Just a coffee stain And a story with your name! [OUTRO] [sound: forklift passing, warehouse continues] [REDLINE-04] Nobody's going to ask? [WORKER] Ask what? [pause] [REDLINE-04] Never mind. [CHECKERFLAG-9 — radio] Ready for the next run? [REDLINE-04] ... Yeah. [sound: radio static] [END TRANSMISSION]