joseph stands just outside of the dream park gates. it's the end of his shift. he is smoking. it is quiet.

a group approaches from behind joseph. a family. they are talking. joseph turns his head to regard them. they do not look happy. they are all speaking over eachother. they do not sound happy.

joseph continues to watch out of the corner of his eye. mild interest. he can only make out bits of the conversation. they 

as they get closer their demeanor shifts. their upset expressions dampen until they are blank. their eyes are empty. they stop making noise. 

they all stop at once. right next to joseph. they stand there. frozen. for only a few moments. maybe 10 seconds. it feels like longer. joseph can't look away.

their expressions change suddenly. there is light in their eyes again. they look happy! the family starts to walk again, out of the park.