Bright floors eternal

She had a look on her face like she hasn't slept in centuries. Which I suspect is true.

A thousand years ago, when High Lord Kevin of The Mall reigned supreme over miles and miles of uncharted semi-marble tiled floor, The People of The Land of Phil planned a raid on his rich kingdom. On they came, merciless People that they were, with intent to destroy and loot, loot and destroy, and bring something cool and some chocolate for the kids waiting at home, too. On they came, and Kevin refused to fight. Look around you, he said to the astonished people of Phil. Look at the goodness and the richness of the Mall. Isn't there enough for all of us? Must we fight and kill? Must we shoot and kick? Must we punch each other in the teeth and pry each other's heads open with a sharp metal stick? I mean, for god's sake, what do we have an arcade her for?

The People of Phil were so impressed with Kevin's insight and naivety, they stopped fighting. Perhaps a deal can be arranged, they said. And so, a pact was made; The People of Phil could come and go as they please, taking whatever they like from the goodness of the Mall (within reason, of course); and in exchange, they will provide 100 of their men and women for the service of the Mall, who will keep it clean and tidy and will wax the floors every tuesday. But, alas, what the people of Phil did not suspect was that at the moment that Kevin uttered the words of the pact, a powerful magic has been triggered; power that will assure that the pact will be kept no matter the cost, no matter the time.

And from that day on, centuries upon centuries, they walk the wide hallways of The Mall, restless, sleepless, ageless, and wipe and sweep and clean and polish and cleanse and push around those little carts of theirs. Their bodies ache, their minds prey for forgiveness, kindness, a moment of sleep, to merciful death; but none will come, for the pact must be kept, and will be, until the last Mall should fall.

I asked one of those old, tired, restless cleaning women once if all this was true. "Saliamo" she replied, "Undiso derstezno nay englizi, nay nay." I took that as a yes.