I saw the incident as I was cleaning up after the video gamers had left

I was the third cleaner

But divorced from the others as I was on the far side of the auditorium

The virus destroyed the first cleaner by the fire door

And the second one as he walked down the steps with waste bags in hand

Viruses often escape after video game conferences but this was exceptional as two had escaped.

But they had not noticed me as I was in the shadows

I destroyed the first virus with a surprisingly accurate shot

It dissolved into powder on impact

But my cover had been broken so I hid in a china teapot that I had purchased earlier

I say teapot but this was no ordinary teapot as it was cased in a outer skin made of tin

It dated from the 1950s

There were no video games in the 1950s and viruses did not exist

But outside of my small china teapot there was a virus and it was hunting me down

I was thinking fast wondering if viruses had a conception of teapots

Would it seem odd to the virus that an insulated teapot had been left on a games table

In a straight draw I knew that I would lose as the virus was much faster than me

There was also another problem as the virus was increasing in size due to the electricity in the air

It was moving towards me slowly and was taking a great interest in the teapot

I knew that I only had one shot if I lifted the lid and surprise was my only advantage

As it had been when I destroyed the first virus

I wondered at the weight of the china lid and hoped that it would inhibit my shot

And then it happened I jumped from the teapot and fired my gun but my chamber was empty

The virus did not return my fire but began to encircle me

I knew then that it intended to dematerialise my body slowly and painfully

My gun dropped to the floor as I awaited my fate

There was no escape

And then the virus exploded before my eyes

It had taken a direct hit and had dissolved into a pile of blue dust

I looked to see where the shot had come from and saw my supervisor standing on the stage

She was wearing a light blue nylon overall and was smoking which was against house rules

The immediate danger was over although we were both aware that there might be other viruses lingering between the tables

So we both cleaned and ensured that we remained fully armed and alert at all times

I am glad to report that nothing happened and we finished our shift without further disturbance

The supervisor asked me if I could walk her home as the whole episode had shaken her up

Later as I sat in my small flat I reflected on the evening after deciding to place my insulated teapot permanently on display