Chapter 14– The Waiting Room

Steamer marches on with something more than due diligence into the adjoining waiting room.

What stands out immediately is the abundance of seating. Even though the image is rendered in a high contrast, edge detected style, the geometry of the chairs is unmistakable. The room feels less like a cozy lounge and more like a cluttered throughput space, designed to hold many people, perhaps encouraging them to linger, though none are there.

There are multiple rows of chairs, arranged in a way that suggests efficiency rather than comfort. The chairs appear to be uniform, identical in shape and spacing, reinforcing the sense of order. The total number of seats is high for the size of the room, giving the impression that the space is meant to absorb a steady flow of people. The seating is arranged against the walls and in clusters, maximizing capacity while keeping pathways deceptively clear.

The chairs create a perimeter of waiting, guiding people to sit along the edges while leaving the center open for movement. The density of seating makes the room feel functional, almost institutional; like a Division of Motor Vehicles, clinic, or transit office, like those most often used by illegal aliens. The lack of soft furnishings or varied seating types suggests the room is meant for occupancy; comforting short term, or a disagreeable long term.

Because the chairs dominate the space, the room feels defined by waiting as an activity; a place where time is acknowledged, not escaped. The uniformity of the seating creates a subtle tension; the room is prepared for many people, even when empty.

Steamer seems observant, slightly anxious, and tries not to make sense of things. He doesn’t know what he’s waiting for. He’s trying to read the signs on the wall, but they're all blank. He only came in because the abstract receptionist told me to “take a seat and wait,” not indicating for what. Steamer kept thinking someone will come out of that hallway and call a name. But no one's come out. And he hasn't heard anything. Not even footsteps.

Steamer thinks: “Okay. I think it's some kind of orientation. For something I didn't sign up for.” A faint click echoes from the hallway. Steamer freezes. He waits. The room stays silent.

Steamer stands as he was getting extremely bored. He’s going into his room next door.