General Grawl x Captain Charles

Eating Out

That afternoon, Grawl and Chuck got back in the hovering car and coasted back into the main part of town where Grawl pulled into a parking lot. There were a few cars scattered here and there but it didn't appear to be too busy.

Chuck pointed this out as they got out of the car. "No offense, but are restaurats usually this barren? After all, it's practically dinner time," he said, glancing down at his watch as he did so.

"We made it just in time before the rush, I suppose," Grawl said. "Let's get ourselves a table."

They walked into the diner. Chuck looked around with a feeling of comfort and nostalgia, like he just stepped back in time 80 or so years. Vintage music played over the speakers, the lights bright and the walls a fresh turquouise blue with advert posters sponsoring soda brands or food items on the menu. The hard floors were checkered black and white and the tables and countertops were the pearly white with bright red booths at every table. To top the whole thing off, a jukebox with neon lights was in the corner playing the music.

Chuck couldn't contain his excitement. "Holy smokes...! This place is sick!"

An alien girl wearing a uniform came over to them and smiled. As if it couldn't get any crazier, she looked to be wearing roller skates! "Hi and welcome! Just a table for two?" she asked as she reached over to grab some laminated menus.

"Please," Grawl said.

"Okie-dokie! Follow me!" She did a little spin before gliding to an empty table. She set the menus down as the boys got situated in their booths. She then whipped out a notepad and took the pen that was hiding behind her ear. "Can I start you off with our refreshing Strawberry Moo-Moo Shake?"

"Just iced water is fine," Grawl said.

"What's the Strawberry Moo-Moo?" Chuck asked, genuinely curious.

"It's our specialty shake of the month, fresh from the Moo-Moos at our local farms with blended strawberries and whipped cream!"

"Oh-ho-ho, that sounds delicious. I'll take one of those!"

The girl scribbled on her notepad and skated away. "Coming right up!"

Grawl was slightly annoyed. "Really? You got the shake?"

"What? It sounded good!" Chuck smiled and leaned forward in his seat. "Oh, I get it. You're just too shy to get it. Worried about tilting your tough guy persona, huh general?"

"No."

"It's okay. I'll share it with you."

The alien rolled his eyes and shook his head, opening his menu. He'd been here many times before (no need to ask why) and had almost had everything. He figured that he'd just get his usual and leave it at that. He was more interested in what the human across from him would pick, anyway. Chuck skimmed through the menu with nervousness however, wondering exactly what he should get, let alone try. All of these ingredients were foreign to him, and based on the pictures he didn't really have a clue on what they'd even taste like. Everything was just so colorful to the point where it didn't look appetizing.

Eventually the waitress returned with their drinks. Grawl gave a soft "thank you" and she gave a nod of her head as she pulled out her notepad for a second time. "Are you guys ready to order?"

"I'll just have the Crispy Rings," Grawl said.

"Alright? And what for you?"

"Um..." Chuck rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm not sure what to get."

"Oh right! You're new here! My mistake!" She pointed to one of the food items on the menu. "Since it's your first time, I recommend the Jelly Burger. It's made from fried Moo-Moo meat and with a special jelly sauce. It's a little spicy and sweet, but if you like the Moo-Moo shake you'll love this! It also comes with a side of salted stiffsticks."