Scary Shawarma Kiosk
Scary Shawarma Kiosk
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First Shift Survival

Your first night shift at the shawarma kiosk can be overwhelming. This guide will help you memorize the basics, understand the layout, and prepare for your initial encounters with anomalies.

Memorize the Basic Recipe

Before your first customer arrives, you must know how to prepare a shawarma. The basic recipe is simple but crucial to memorize:

  1. Place Lavash: Start with a lavash wrap on the preparation board
  2. Add Sauce: Apply your chosen sauce evenly across the lavash
  3. Add Cheese: Place cheese on top of the sauce
  4. Add Salad: Add fresh salad ingredients
  5. Add Meat: Place meat from the rotating spit onto the wrap
  6. Roll It Up: Carefully roll the lavash to create the shawarma
  7. Serve: Hand the completed shawarma to the customer

Practice this sequence until it becomes muscle memory. Speed and accuracy are essential, especially when you're under pressure from multiple customers or potential threats.

Learn the Kiosk Layout

Understanding the physical layout of your kiosk is critical for efficient operation and emergency escapes:

  • Serving Window: Where customers place orders and you serve food
  • Kitchen Area: Contains the grill, preparation board, and ingredients
  • Refrigerator: Storage for meat and supplies (also a common source of jump scares)
  • Back Door: Your primary escape route during inspections and emergencies
  • Camera System: CCTV monitors to check customers before serving
  • Control Panel: Switches for lights, grill, and window shutters

Spend your first few minutes exploring the kiosk. Know where everything is located so you can react quickly when needed.

Cameras First Before Opening

One of the most critical rules for survival: always check the cameras before opening the serving window. This simple step can save your life.

Camera Check Protocol

  1. When you hear a customer approach, check the CCTV monitors first
  2. Look for obvious anomalies: distorted features, extra limbs, white eyes
  3. If the customer appears normal, proceed to open the window
  4. If anything seems suspicious, keep the window closed
  5. Use "Show Anomaly" feature if available to confirm suspicions

Never skip the camera check, even if you're in a hurry. Serving an anomaly can lead to immediate termination. It's better to miss a sale than to serve an impostor.

Keep Shutters Ready

The window shutters are your primary defense mechanism. Always be prepared to close them instantly:

  • Position Your Hand: Keep your hand near the shutter control at all times
  • Watch for Signs: Be alert for customer distortions, screams, or unnatural behavior
  • React Immediately: If something seems wrong, close the shutters without hesitation
  • Wait It Out: After closing, wait for banging/screaming to stop before reopening
  • Recheck Cameras: Always verify with cameras again after reopening

Practice closing the shutters quickly. In dangerous situations, every second counts. A delayed reaction can be fatal.

Early Jump Scares from the Fridge

One of the most common first encounters with anomalies happens when opening the refrigerator. Be prepared:

Fridge Safety Protocol

  • Expect the Unexpected: The fridge is a common source of jump scares
  • Open Quickly: Don't linger with the door open—grab what you need and close it
  • Recover Fast: If you see something disturbing, close the door immediately
  • Recheck Cameras: After a fridge encounter, always verify your surroundings
  • Stay Calm: Don't let a jump scare cause you to make mistakes with customers

Many beginners panic after their first fridge jump scare and make critical errors. Remember: the jump scare itself usually isn't immediately dangerous—it's how you react that matters. Stay focused, close the door, and continue with your shift.

First Shift Opening Checklist

Follow this checklist every time you start a shift to ensure you're properly prepared:

  • ✅ Turn on the lights to illuminate the kitchen
  • ✅ Turn on the grill to heat the shawarma meat
  • ✅ Read the safety rules posted on the wall
  • ✅ Familiarize yourself with the camera system
  • ✅ Locate the shutter controls and back door
  • ✅ Check refrigerator contents (be ready for jump scares)
  • ✅ Prepare a soda for smiling customers (per the rules)
  • ✅ Verify power levels are stable
  • ✅ Open the serving window only after checking cameras

Common First Shift Mistakes

Avoid these common mistakes that beginners make during their first shift:

  • Skipping Camera Checks: Always check cameras before opening the window
  • Panicking After Jump Scares: Stay calm and continue your routine
  • Forgetting the Recipe: Practice the shawarma recipe until it's automatic
  • Not Knowing Escape Routes: Memorize the path to the back door
  • Ignoring Warning Signs: If something feels wrong, trust your instincts
  • Rushing Orders: Speed is important, but accuracy is critical
  • Forgetting Rules: Review the posted rules before starting

Conclusion

Your first shift is about learning the basics and building good habits. Memorize the recipe, learn the layout, always check cameras, keep shutters ready, and don't let jump scares derail you. With these fundamentals in place, you'll be well-prepared to handle your first encounters with anomalies and survive long enough to learn more advanced strategies. Remember: every expert was once a beginner. Focus on the basics, stay calm, and you'll make it through your first night.