"It's three in the morning. If this isn't an emergency, I'm hanging up.".
     "Owen, it's Jim. I've got a heads up on an apartment for you."
     "Dammit, Jim, it can wait until later. I have to work at 9:00.".
     "Okay, but $275 a month for two bedrooms will go fast. The ad is in today's paper, so you'll want a head start.".
     Owen sat up in bed, groping for the switch on his lamp. He turned it on, telling Jim to wait for him to find a pen.
     "Owen, who is it?", a voice came from the ceiling above.
     "It's Jim, Mom. He has a heads up on a place I can afford. But I have to get there early. Now, where is this place?".
     "About ten minutes walk from the store. Let me grab a paper.".
     Jim read out the information as Owen jotted it on the cover of a magazine.
     "Hillview Apartments? I drive past there on the way to work. Are you sure that isn't a misprint?".
     "The editor would triple check something like that. A two bedroom apartment, furnished, heat and water included, for $275 a month.".
     "That's a nice looking place. Okay, I'll go check it out. I'll call before work. Keep your fingers crossed for me.".
     "Hey, good luck. I'll stop by the store on the way to work. You're shipment comes in today, right?".
     "Yeah, we should have those DVD's you wanted. I've got the weekend off, so we'll grab a couple of movies for tomorrow.".
     "Sounds good. Sorry to wake you.".
     "No, it's okay. Thanks, I know you're not supposed to do that.".
     "Don't sweat it. You'd better get some sleep, you'll want to be up at five to call.".
     "Yeah, good night.".
     "Night."
     Owen hung up the phone and leaned over to set his alarm for 4:50 before laying his head on the pillow and falling asleep.

     "Hello, Hillview Apartments.", the voice was too cheerful for 5:07 am.
     "Oh, hello, I'm calling in regards to the ad in today's paper. I'm sorry to call so early.", Owen was almost surprised to get an answer.
     "It's alright. I was up early to take any calls we'd get. Did you want to come down and see it?".
     "Sure, when do you want me there. I work until 5:30 today, but I have tomorrow off, if that won't be a problem.".
     "You can come before work if you want. I'm here all day, so I can show you the place if you get here before work. It's been empty for two weeks, so anytime of day is fine.".
     "Really? Okay, I can be there in twenty minutes. Has anyone else called, by the way?".
     "No, you're the first.".

     Owen pulled up to the apartment building to find a man only a couple of years older than himself standing in the parking lot.
     He stepped out of the car, and the man walked up to him.
     "Hi, I'm Murray Sinclair.", he shook Owen's hand, "You're here about the apartment, right?".
     "That's right, I'm Owen Buchanan. Are you the super here?".
     "Not really. My brother and I own the place. We don't have a super just at the moment. Rob and I take care of anything like that.".
     "You live here in the building?".
     "On the first floor, apartment 11 and 12. You'll be in apartment 26. It's the apartment right above the communal lounge.".
     "Communal lounge? That sounds great. What's it like in the summer?".
     "It's nice. We've got A/C through the building.".
     "$275 a month, air conditioned, furnished, utilities included, and the last tenant moved? Was he insane?!".
     "Umm, well, yes, by the end. But you don't need to worry about him. I'm sure you'll do fine.".

     "Hey, Jim, it's me. I got the place!", Owen could barely contain his excitement.
     "Great! When do you move in? I need to be out of town that weekend.", Jim chuckled.
     "I talked Will into giving me a few days off. I've been keeping most of my stuff packed, and Uncle Steve is lending me his truck, so I'm moving in tomorrow. So don't worry, you're off the hook. Besides, you gave me the heads up, so I owe you. I'll let you help set up the A/V room, though.".
     "Alright, I'm in. I've got Sunday off, so call me anytime.".
     "Can you be here at ten? I'm going to up late, so I wouldn't mind if you drove.".
     "Sure. I'll see you then. I guess movie night is off, then?".
     "It's for a good cause. We'll have the A/V room.".
     "Sacrifices must be made. Bye!".

      "That's the last of it! Sorry to leave without helping you unpack, but I want to get back before rush hour.", Steve set the box on top of the near overburdened table. He yawned and stretched his arms up over his head, nearly catching his fingers on the ceiling fan.
     "Thanks, Uncle Steve. I couldn't have done this without you.", Owen slapped his uncle playfully on the shoulder, "Give Aunt Jean a hug for me.".
     "I will. Oh, Andy and Tim are in town next week. Did you want to come by for supper on Sunday. They were hoping you'd be able to make it.".
     Owen winced slightly, "Ugh, after I took the four days off, I can't get any more days off until next month. Will would kill me if I even asked.".
     "Sorry to hear about that. Well, I really have to go if I'm going to beat traffic.".
     "Yeah, I'll see you later.".
     Steve shut the door after him, leaving Owen alone in a room full of boxes. He could hear Jim working in the room down the hall. Suddenly a cry of "Triumph!" came from the future A/V room and Owen heard the first notes of Bat Out of Hell. Owen yelled for Jim to turn it up, and grabbed the first box of clothes to and took it down to the bedroom.
     After spending an hour hanging clothes, Owen decided to switch to unloading dishes. He walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge, pulling out a bottle of water and drinking it all in a single breath. He ran some cold water from the tap and splashed it onto his face to wake himself up. Getting up early in the morning had never agreed with him.
     Owen absent-mindedly began to open the cupboards to make sure they were empty. Murray had told him that the apartment had been cleaned before he moved in, but Owen noticed during the first tour that he hadn't meant the closets and cupboards.
     Owen finished checking the floor level cupboards and was reaching for the first eye level door when he suddenly stopped in mid-reach. He went back to the last cupboard he'd opened and got down onto his knees. He opened the door and looked into the back. Tucked almost out of sight was the strange object. Owen pulled it out, not willing to believe it was what he thought it was. He knew that when people moved, they often let something behind, but this was completely unexpected.
     "Hey, Jim, come and take a look at this!".
     Owen drew the sword from its scabbard, admiring the intricate design of two rearing harts engraved onto the basket hilt. He held the sword pointed towards the hall as Jim came around the corner into the kitchen.
     "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!".
     "Whoa, where did you find that?", Jim stared wide eyed at the sword.
     "It was in the cupboard shoved into the back.", Owen tapped the cabinet with his foot," The last guy must have left it here.".
     Owen sheathed the sword, and handed it over to his friend. Jim drew the sword, examining the edge, and whistled admiringly.
     "This isn't a prop, either. Look at this," Jim held the blade towards Owen, turning it so he had a good look at the edge. It was razor sharp along the entirety of the blade.
     Jim held up the blade in a salute to Owen before sliding the sword into its scabbard once more and giving it back to Owen.
     "Personally," he said," I'd rather have a katana, but I suppose a broadsword does have a certain flair to it. So what are you going to do with it?".
     "I don't know. Murray said the last tenant left without a forwarding address, so I wouldn't know how to return it.", Owen scratched his head, "I'll just have to keep it here in case he comes back for it. I know I wouldn't feel right keeping it. I'd better take it to the landlord. It can wait until morning, though. I know it's early, but I've been up since six, and I really need a nap. You don't mind if I just crash, do you?".
     "No, I've got everything set up for you, so I'll just head home. Here, take this.", Jim tossed Owen his cell phone. "I'll give you a call tomorrow sometime. You can borrow that until you get your own line hooked up. It's got an hour prepaid, so you shouldn't have to worry about running out of time. I left the charger by the TV.".
     "Great, thanks! I'll get the door after you.".

     Owen shut off the stereo, enjoying the moment's quiet. Only a few muffled voices could be heard from the lounge below. Three men and one woman, he thought.
     After a quick stop in the washroom, Owen sauntered into the bedroom, digging a fitted sheet and his pillow cases out of one of the piled boxes. He made the bed, doing a sloppy job but too tired to care.
     Owen fell forward onto the bed, his face buried deeply in the pillow, waiting for blissful sleep to overtake him.
     He had nearly fallen asleep when he heard the voice from the closet.
     "Um, hi. Are we alone yet?".

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