Born To Lose

1: Diner

Karl felt the pull of gravity, and then his feet were touching the ground once again.

His eyes snapped open as he almost lost his balance, and his hands desperately found purchase against a brick wall. The world spun, dizziness threatening to take him over completely, but Karl took a deep breath and steadied himself.

A body brushed past him, shoulder bumping against his arm, and Karl jolted away from it.

"Watch where you're going." The offending person threw over their shoulder, not so much as bothering to glance his way as they kept on their path down the street. Karl murmured a quiet apology, frowning as he looked around and took in his surroundings.

Oh.

He was standing in a strip of shops, his back pressed against brick, his feet resting on newly paved concrete. People were rushing past, and a glance up at the sky told him that it was early evening. Rush hour, his mind chimed helpfully. Above him, street lights were slowly flickering to life. Cars cruised past on crowded streets.

He'd done it.

Karl let out a soft laugh, slowly peeling away from the wall and taking it all in with wide eyes. The cars on the road looked strange, nothing like what he was used to from the late 2010's, and the buildings around him featured nostalgic decor and the occasional neon sign.

So probably somewhere in the 80's, then. Karl let out another disbelieving laugh and made his way down the waiting street.

His mind whirred as people passed him by, the occasional odd look thrown his way. There was so much to do, and Karl had no idea where to begin. Jumping through time was one thing, but going back and changing what had happened to your friends? That was a whole other ball park.

Something drew his attention to a diner across the road, and before he knew it he was pushing open the glass door with careful hands.

The inside was exactly what he'd imagined a diner from the 80's would look like. Red booths lined the far wall, sitting atop a dirty checkerboard floor. Flimsy looking chairs and tables sat scattered about the floor, and the counter was fitted out with barstools. Karl even spotted a jukebox against the wall.

He kept his head down and chose the booth that was the furthest from the windows, just in case. It wasn't long before a waitress approached to take his order, and Karl felt around his pockets for any loose change he had on him.

She had a kind smile, he thought to himself. "What can I get for you?"

"I only have, uh..." Karl counted the crumpled bills. "Seven dollars. What can I get for that?"

She nodded, pulling the menu towards him. "You can get almost anything for that. Would you like me to give you some time and come back?"

Karl blinked.

Right. Inflation. Seven dollars would get him a lot further.

He tried for a smile, but it came out as more of a grimace. "What do you recommend?"

"My go-to is the cheeseburger with fries." She offered, pointing it out on the menu. Karl glanced down. A small part of him was shocked to see it listed for only $3.95.

"I'll take one of those, then." He decided, thankful that the awkward conversation could finally come to a close.

The waitress smiled and pulled his menu from the table. She made to leave, but there was hesitation, and before she had fully stepped away she was hovering beside him once more. When Karl looked up, he was greeted with a concerned frown.

"Do you want me to call someone? You don't look like you're doing too well."

Karl put on his best smile, but he could feel the exhaustion weighing on his bones. More than anything, he wished he could say yes and give her a phone number, and have someone come and collect him. Jimmy or Chris, or even Phil. Sapnap or George or Dream or Quackity– it didn't matter, anyone would have done. Tears pricked at his eyes, and he blinked them back as quickly as he could.