SHIFT CHANGE

[INTRO] [sound: time clock beeping, locker doors closing, forklift keys jingling] [PA SYSTEM — neutral announcement] Shift change in progress. [sound: lockers closing, boots walking] [CHECKERFLAG-9 — male, crisp filtered radio voice, calm rally co-driver] Line's staying open. [REDLINE-04 — male, close vocal, tired] I thought we were done. [CHECKERFLAG-9] So did they. --- [VERSE 1] [REDLINE-04 — male, energetic lead] The badges looked older The uniforms changed Different names Same loading lane Old company logo Faded with age Still pulling freight Still turning the page --- [WORKER — male, casual coworker] Morning. --- [REDLINE-04] Morning? --- [WORKER] Close enough. --- [CHORUS] [REDLINE-04 — male, powerful] Shift change! Who's arriving? Shift change! Who's surviving? Same forklifts! Different crew! Everybody acts Like nothing's new! --- [CHECKERFLAG-9 — filtered radio] Continue route. --- [REDLINE-04] Copy. --- [VERSE 2] [REDLINE-04] One vest was yellow One vest was blue One wore a logo Nobody knew An old punch badge Hung by a thread He nodded once That's all he said --- [WORKER — older male, calm] Long night? --- [REDLINE-04] Yeah. --- [WORKER] You'll sleep eventually. --- [pause] --- [REDLINE-04] Eventually? --- [WORKER] That's what they say. --- [BRIDGE] [sound: radio static building under guitars] [REDLINE-04] Checker... Do you know these people? --- [CHECKERFLAG-9] Some of them. --- [REDLINE-04] From this shift? --- [pause] --- [CHECKERFLAG-9] From shifts. --- [guitar build] --- [FINAL CHORUS] [ALL] Shift change! Keep it rolling! Another crew Without controlling Old boots! New floor! Who's been here The night before? Shift change! Same routine! Somewhere between What was and what's seen! --- [OUTRO] [sound: forklifts passing in opposite directions] [WORKER — male, walking away] See you yesterday. --- [pause] --- [REDLINE-04 — quiet] ... Yeah. --- [CHECKERFLAG-9 — faint filtered radio] Keep moving. [sound: radio static fades] [END TRANSMISSION]