There really are a lot of weirdos in the world, and there seems to be an accumulation of them in the city. I guess that's population density in effect.
…
We had walked around the car meet a few times and talked to quite a lot of people, but it was getting late, and some of us were getting hungry.
Nathan was the one who made the offer first, "Hey, guys I'm getting kind of hungry. Does anyone want to find someplace to eat before we all head our separate ways?"
What followed was a cacophony of voices in agreement, "Yep." "Sounds good to me." "Absolutely." "I thought you would never ask."
With that a few of them pulled out their phones and started looking for a restaurant that was still open.
After a few short moments Layla spoke up, "Well it's after midnight so not many places are still open. So how does the Diner sound? Does that work for everyone?"
What followed was another round of agreements.
Once the place was decided we started walking. It was a 10 minute walk but no one complained because the parking prices in the city can get pretty pricey.
It is normal for parking to cost up to 20 bucks, though that is only an extreme case. It is usually only a few dollars.
While walking we continued to make idle small talk.
Mariana and Seth started talking about some games they were looking to play.
Seth started, "Hey babe, have you had a chance to look at the new games coming out yet?"
Mariana replied disheartened, "Yeah, honestly, nothing really seemed that fun to me."
Seth agreed, "Yeah they have really been shitting the bed with the games they have been releasing.
I just had to pop into the conversation, "Man, you said it. There have only been absolute stinkers coming out lately."
Seth asked, "Oh, do you play a lot of video games?"
I replied, "I mean… I used to play a lot. But there just haven't been any games I really want to play. I have just become more of a reader than a gamer. Which really pisses off my friend. He plays loads of games, but he is kind of a DoD andy."
Seth returned with, "Yeah there just haven't been any fun games. But, your friend plays Dereliction of Duty?"
I continued, "Yeah he plays a lot of FPS style games, which are fun, but they're not really my thing any more."
Now it was Mariana's turn to hop in, "Oh, I get that. I love FPSs but I have been having fun playing more story driven games. Which is something Layla can get behind. Since she sucks at FPSs."
Layla interjected, "Hey I'm not that bad."
Mariana shot back, "Yes, yes you are."
Layla huffed to herself and Mariana chuckled.
Layla then said under her breath, "I just don't have enough time to get good at games."
Samantha piped in, "Oh I know babes, you have it so hard always working on that car."
Layla quipped back, "I do. I really do."
My only thought at this moment is, wow, that was kinda cringy. But, if this is how they do things, then who am I to judge?
We continued to make small talk as we made our way to the diner.
…
Once we arrived, the diner was fairly crowded. There were a few familiar faces that I had seen at the car meet. I guess other people had the same idea as us.
A passing waitress quickly called out to us, "You guys can just find a seat anywhere I'll be with you shortly."
With that we found a booth to sit in, since there are seven of us it is a tight squeeze.
We naturally settled on guys on one side and ladies on the other.
We had only just finished getting everyone seated when the waitress from before showed up and placed a stack of laminated menus on the table while saying, "Here are the menus. I'll give you a minute to decide."
After saying her piece she turned and hurried off.
No one even had time to say thank you before she was gone.
Samantha led by asking, "Well should we?" While gesturing to the pile of menus.
I was sitting on the end so I grabbed the menus and started handing them out.
Now let's see what they have.
Eggs, waffles, pancakes, omelettes, hashbrowns, steak burgers, chicken wings, sandwiches, seafood platters, appetizers, entrées, and of course desserts.
These were all of the categories on the Late Night Menu.
Yeah, categories, not items. Plus the sides that come with the meals.
…
A short while later the waitress came back and took our drink order.
Everyone got their own things, the one I took note of was Layla ordered coffee.
I ordered my good old Cherrywine.
I noticed something on the menu so I had to ask since she ordered it. "So, Layla. I noticed that the menu says that the coffee is imported from Columbiania."
Columbiania a very real South Amerikan country in the very real South Amerikan continent.
"Yes, it is. And it tastes amazing. They really take pride in their coffee." Layla said.
"I love when people take pride in their craft." I stated.
Layla replied, "Me too. It's something I really respect and hope to apply to myself."
"Well your car certainly attest to that conviction."
"I'd hope so, with how much effort I've put into that car."
About that time our drinks showed up, and the only thing I could smell was the divine smell of the coffee.
"Wow, that coffee smells good."
"I told you it would, do you want a sip?"
"No I'm alright, I don't like coffee, so it would only be wasted on me. I only hope you can enjoy it even more for me." I said while slightly cringing inside.
Even the others at the table seemed to smirk at what I had said.
But, Layla seemed happy, so I was ok with the slight embarrassment.