You check out the lamp in the corner.
The bulb inside is still there, though when you pull the string to click it on, there's no response. You're not sure what else you expected - even if the lamp itself was in any condition to trust running electricity through it wouldn't pose a fire hazard, the wiring of the building you're in is more dubious than gas station sushi.
MIKI
It's pretty dark in here. I almost wish that worked.
You turn towards Miki, who you hadn't realized watched your little lamp test.
MANDY
It's weird. You wouldn't know it was morning if you hadn't seen outside already.
MIKI
Bet you twenty bucks the place is haunted to shit.
MANDY
I don't have twenty bucks on me.
Despite your feigned annoyance, you can't help but crack a small smile. Miki's always been closer to you than the rest here, other than Vince.
MANDY
How's your whole video game thing going?
MIKI
Uh, my what?
MANDY
That horror game you were working on. The visual novel.
She takes a sudden interest in her phone, picking at the case on it. It chips away some of the color on her nail polish, too.
MIKI
Well, y'know. Got sent off to business school. That's kept me pretty busy.
MANDY
Oh! I thought you wanted to go to California, though?
Miki shrugs as she looks at everything in the room but you, making a face.
MIKI
Yeah, well. Yeah. It wasn't a great plan, it would've left me with a pretty useless degree. I make good money nowadays, managing people's finances and shit.
MANDY
Wow. You're the last person I would've imagined to do that kind of thing.
MIKI
I mean, sometimes things just don't pan out. You should know that.
MANDY
What do you mean by that?
MIKI
I mean, your whole life went to shit after Laney's accident.
MANDY
...Uh huh.
Thankfully, she seems to recognize the overstep.
MIKI
I mean, like, just- sometimes things just happen. That's all I was saying.
MIKI
Not that Laney's accident was just a thing, I just- like, fate and shit, you know, it just doesn't plan the same way you do and-
MANDY
Gotcha, Miki! Well, I'm glad you're doing well for yourself!
You don't give her the chance to reply, stepping away to go up the creaky old stairs further down the hallway. You can hear her curse to herself behind you, but you don't turn around to talk to her again, your blood pumping too hard for you to properly think. Vince can help, if you can just find your way to him. If you can fucking find him.