Six months in, Michel's hands had hardened, but something in his chest had softened. Calluses formed where soft executive skin had been, but the real change ran deeper. He knew every janitor, security guard, and maintenance worker by name. Learned their kids' birthdays, their dreams, their struggles. The invisible workforce had become his universe, and he'd discovered it was full of stars.
There was Marcus, the security guard who studied for his degree between rounds. Leticia, who cleaned the cafeteria while building a catering business. James from maintenance, whose daughter had just gotten into medical school. They shared their 2 AM world like a secret city, each of them building something beyond what daylight eyes could see.
David had stopped being embarrassed to say his dad was a janitor. The shift had been gradual—first mumbled admissions, then matter-of-fact statements, finally something approaching pride. Sophie drew pictures of him with a mop like it was a superhero's staff, complete with cape and muscles. "Daddy cleans up the messes," she'd explained to her teacher. "He makes things better."
Maria had found her own rhythm, her tamale business growing from necessity to passion. The kitchen smelled like corn husks and red chile, Sophie measuring masa while David designed flyers. They'd become a unit, each playing their part, the shame transforming into something fiercer—determination.
One night, cleaning the IT department, Michel noticed their inventory system—the one he'd helped design years ago—still running. But full of inefficiencies now, patches on patches like bandaids on broken code. His fingers itched with the old knowledge.
He left a note: "Small adjustment to SQL query could save 3 hours processing time nightly. Just a thought. – Night custodial"
The next week, another note appeared: "It worked. Who are you? – Jenny, IT"
Michel smiled, tucked the note in his pocket. For the first time in six months, he felt like more than just a ghost haunting his former life. He was still here. Still useful. Still Michel Martinez, even if the nameplate had changed.