Here, There, Everywhere

Chapter Two

The night carried on till the diner eventually shut. Lauren waved goodbye to the last couple that left the door, watching them leave before she closed the door and flipped the open sign to closed. She turned around and leant against it, letting out a small chuckle. "I don't think it's been that busy in a while!"

Marci nodded as she and a few others of the waitresses and waiters sat down on the chairs. Marci chucked the cloth that she had been using to clean the tables down and closed her eyes. Her body felt like it was made of lead, she felt heavy from fatigue and just wanted her bed. She looked over at the big clock which ticked away above the serving bar. It had just gone midnight. She had been working for over seven hours, there was no wonder she felt so tired.

She had wiped tables down and served food to so many customers they all seemed to merge in to one, all of them looking the same. She'd wiped down tables and cleaned up the dirty dishes, it was so repetitive. Yet she actually surprised herself by enjoying it. She eventually found a rhythm that she could work with. She mainly did the job of cleaning tables and setting them up again, making sure every table has sauces and seasonings.

Lauren didn't seem to mind too much, she let Marci get on with it. She did cover a few of the tables in Marci's area, not that Marci cared much. She didn't mind talking to the people since it was work and she had too, but there was still that anxiety which bubbled in her. She hated that she was so nervous to talk to new people and to be around large crowds, she thought she would get used to it as she got older, but it hasn't seemed to have left her yet.

"You did a good job tonight Marci," Lauren commented as she placed her pen and pad of paper on the table that Marci was currently lounging at. Lauren took a seat opposite her, most likely resting her feet. "I wish we had someone like you out here more. I don't think I've seen the tables shine like that in a while!"

Marci let out a small laugh as she opened her eyes and looked at Lauren. Her blonde hair was still in a ponytail, but it looked a little frazzled from the hard work and all the movement. Lauren was looking at Marci with a smile, she was a friendly girl and Marci didn't mind her. "I guess it's the perks of being a dish washer huh?"

Lauren chuckled and agreed, nodding her head. A few of the other workers came out of the kitchen carrying their bags and uniform. They'd all changed back in to more comfortable clothes. They waved their hands as they said goodbye to the two girls. Lauren and Marci smiled and waved back. Marci didn't know them well, they were probably some of the newer staff and since she never really came out of the kitchen, she didn't really talk to them.

Tony soon came out the kitchen caring a tray with burger and chips on them. He smiled at the two girls as he placed it down on the table. "Here we go ladies, compliments of the chef, which is me. But seriously, thank you for the help tonight girls. I think that was our busiest day this year!"

Lauren nodded and shoved a chip in her mouth, closing her eyes and moaning at the taste. Tony was amazing at cooking food; no one could beat his burgers or his chips. Marci looked over at Tony and gave him a smile. This was sort of a tradition they did. Every Friday night Tony would make them all a meal, as a thank you. Normally Marci didn't stay around long enough to get one; she'd normally catch a ride with whoever was leaving. But tonight, she felt she should stay, plus she couldn't refuse the food, all the walking and socialising had made her ravenous.

"Thank you, Tony," Marci said, shaking some salt over the chips and grabbing the ketchup. She poured some on her plate before digging into the chips. She nodded in agreement with Lauren as they both shared a look. It was delicious. She'd miss Tony's cooking, the comfort that it brought her.

"Tony," Lauren started, smirking a little. Tony looked over at Lauren with a questioning look. "You know, I think we had more customers tonight because of little Marci over here. I mean the first night she comes out of that cave you call a kitchen; we have people flooding the floor! I think we have ourselves a lucky charm over here!"