This choice: Working at the Quantum Diner • Go Back...Chapter #4Working at the Quantum Diner by: BeeJay   "So," Gabby asked, "what all does that involve? I mean, I can't imagine we'll be getting customers like her every day, especially out here."
"Not out here, no," Mike replied. "But, tomorrow, we'll be somewhere else. And somewhen else."
"What do you mean?"
"This diner travels through time, appearing at a different place every time. Don't ask me how it works. Somebody - who knows who - made it this way. The closest any of us come to hearing from them is, sometimes, the radio plays a song that seems to fit the situation."
Gabby remembered the song that played when she walked in. "'This is what you need; I'll give you what you need.'"
"Exactly. On the bright side, as long as you're working here, you won't age a day. And, if you get sick, you'll be fine the next day."
Gabby watched the woman as she got up to leave, waving as she walked out the door. "There are other bright sides."
"That's true. Why don't you have a seat? We'll give you a welcome meal, on the house."
Gabby sat in a booth. "What are the specials?"
"Never mind the specials," Mike said, handing her a menu. "Just order anything you like off the menu."
She opened the menu, and scanned the selections; when she reached one item in particular, she looked up. "You guys have tortilla soup?"
"If you see it on the menu, then we have it."
"I don't mean to offend, but... " She pointed at Ed. "Your cook doesn't seem like they make traditional Mexican food."
"Give it a try," Ed replied. "One order of tortilla soup, coming right up."
Within a matter of minutes, Mike brought Gabby a bowl of tortilla soup. Taking a spoonful, she sipped,... and set the spoon down, tears filling her eyes.
"Is it alright?" Mike asked.
"It's... it's just like Mama used to make it." She turned to Ed. "How did you get her recipe?"
"I've always been a good cook; here, I just seem to be capable of more. You asked for it, and I knew exactly how to make it. I could maybe write it down for you; but I never tried making it before."
Right now, Gabby didn't need it written down; she just ate her soup, the flavor and heat feeling like a hug from her mother.
******************************
The hours passed, and other customers came. None of them seemed to be troubled; but being hungry, or needing directions, were no less important than talking someone out of going back to a bad situation.
Finally, it came time to close up for the night. The neon sign was switched off, and Mike locked the front door.
"Could I have the keys?" Gabby asked.
"Don't have any," he replied. "Why would you need them, anyway?"
"I... I kind of live out of my car. Well, by that, I mean I sleep in it."
Ed smiled. "Maybe you did before; but whoever built this diner provides for us in surprising ways. Follow us."
She followed the two to a door in the back marked EMPLOYEES ONLY. Mike opened the door.
To Gabby's surprise, on the other side of the door was what looked like a suite of hotel rooms. "How did this get here? Where is it, even?"
"More questions we don't know the answers to," Ed replied. "All we know is, there's clean sheets and jammies, and you'll find a nice clean uniform hanging in your closet tomorrow. And you've got a private bathroom, so you don't have to worry about any of us seeing you naked."
Mike and Ed each went to a different room.
Gabby went to a different door, and found the room inside exactly as Ed described it. She showered, changed into the nightgown provided, and went to bed.  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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