Power Rangers GPX SIU side story: Mary Lou's Grill

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It was about nine-fourty-something in the morning on Saturday, February 4, when Maria Aparicio went to a country style diner for the first time in Carbondale. It was not something he felt proud of, though. Many an American sitcom that she enjoyed watching in Brazil (which is not her homeland, but a place she's lived in exile) had an episode where they'd go to a greasy diner with greasy food and greasy tabletops and greasy-haired waitresses.

Yeah, she hates grease.

"Come on, it's not gonna be that bad," said Sean.

"Why here?" she asked, shivering and shoving her hands in her jacket pockets as they walked down Illinois Avenue.

"I popped in my head," said Sean. "I mean, Rob says he liked this place." This was usually a side anyone other than the other Power Rangers saw of him, a calmer, cool Sean O'Callahan. In the heat of battle, he's one of the most intense fighters you'll ever see, and outside of battle he's pretty blunt and sarcastic. But don't take the author's word for it. "He says it's 114 S. Illinois Ave." The place moved one building south a year later.

"Wonderful," she said sarcastically.

"If you don't want to come you can turn around, you know," he said, getting back into his usual hostile tone of voice. "But I did it to make you feel better after what happened yesterday."

Carbondale is officially listed as a city by the State of Illinois, but is more of a large town. But who cares, it's a nice place. The two had passed the Strip, where all the bars and clubs were, the Dairy Queen (the first one in the state of Illinois!) and getting close to the Amtrak station, which meant Mary Lou's Grill was getting close.

The restaurant was on the corner of W. Main Street and S. Illinois Avenue with a large "MARY LOU'S" sign in white letters on a maroon sign above the main entrance and Saluki imagery on the building. Guess who they support.

It was a small, diner-like place that certainly looked right out of a country TV show but with a little bit of urban/suburban influence. The walls were plastered with photos of celebrities and famous SIU Salukis. It wasn't too crowded, but there weren't a whole lot of people there. Some George Strait song was playing on the floor was a red-and-white checkered tile design and Sean and Maria took a seat at the diner.

"This place looks tacky," she said.

"Good morning sweeties," said the waitress, handing them their menus. "Would you like our biscuits and gravy to start off?"

"Sounds good," said Sean.

"Biscuits and gravy?" said Maria.

"They're supposed to have the best in the area," said Sean. "I'd like some coffee, cream and two sugars."

"Black and two sugars," said Maria. "I can tell whatever coffee you have is not—"

"Maria!"

"It's fine, we're not Starbuck's," said the waitress. "I'll wait for your orders."

"You're that kid who was grabbed yesterday, right?" They heard a voice to their left. A man, somewhere in his late 40s and appeared to be a long-time resident or native of the area, topped off with a Cardinal's hat and an accent was looking at them. He showed them the front page of the Southern Illinoisan. Sean's image was plastered on the front, being held up by the neck by Ronald, the man who attacked yesterday.

Even though he's one of the strongest human beings on the planet, Sean touched his neck. There were still bruises from Ronald's fingers. He'd threatened to strangle him in the most horrendous way; he'd be strangled for hours. His comrades would be tortured and feel the worst pain imaginable and their begging for death would be ignored. He had no idea Ronald of the Ouroboros Society had such a sadistic streak.

"Never thought I'd see something like that here," said the old man. "I reckoned all these darn 'Power Ranger' fights were just a TV show, but things have changed. I don't reckon I like it."

"Biscuits and gravy are complimentary sweetie," the waitress interrupted, giving them their biscuits slathered in country-style gravy and their coffee. "Would you like to order?"

"I'd like some pancakes," said Sean.

"Scrambled eggs," said Maria.

"Thank you darlings," she said.

"I don't like it," the man said after patiently waiting for the waitress to finish.

"Don't like what?" asked Sean.

"What's the name of those fellers with the snake tattoo?"

"I don't know," Sean lied.

"My corn field got defaced by those fellers," said the old man, "And now I see them assaulting innocent college kids, those fellers have no conscience. May God have mercy on them."

Sean doesn't believe in God, but this seemed interesting. "You think so?" he asked.

"A feller like that who attacks college students," said the old man, "Is not a just man."

Sean and Maria looked at each other. Maybe they actually had some supporters for once (in the main GPX continuity, they're on the receiving end of attacks from a Glenn Beck-style madman). "So what about the Power Rangers?" asked Sean.

"God bless 'em," said the farmer. "Whoever they are, they're doing the most thankless job imaginable. I remember when I was reading comic books as a young'un. I can imagine being a superhero is hard."

"I guess so," said Sean.

"Although I do want a word with whoever designed their costumes," said the farmer. "And I thought underwear on the outside was silly."

It's not like we can do much about it, thought Maria. She took a sip of her coffee. "This isn't so bad," she said.

"You like it?" asked Sean, "Wow!" She hit him on the arm.

"I tell you, if that feller ever comes near my cornfield," said the farmer, "I'll introduce 'im to my thirty-ought-six."

"Um, Sean?"

"American gun thinking," said Sean. "Don't get too worked up."

Maria sighed and shook her head at typical American insanity.

She was hungry, so she swallowed her health-loving pride and took a bite out of her biscuits and gravy. "This is good!" she said.

"That's what I've heard," said Sean.

"Enjoyin' yourself, hun?" said the waitress. Maria nodded eagerly. It wasn't as orgasmic as the chocolate cake from the department stores owned by Hitomi's family (whenever she wanted a non-sexual orgasm, she ordered one of those), but it tasted fantastic! "Your eggs will be up soon."

"Hey, don't eat that so quickly," said Sean.

"I might as well splurge—that's the word, right—every now and then!" Maria replied. "But you're taking me to the co-op next time."

"Those hippies," the farmer muttered. "But they do pay well."

"I think I'll go to Tres next time," Sean said to himself.

"Here's your food darlings," said the waitress.

"Wow, I didn't know you were hungry for—" Maria stopped him in his tracks with the most evil glare she'd even given.

"I'm splurging for once," she said.

"I take it she's health conscious?" said the waitress.

"Very," said Sean. "Well, she does eat eggs, but only reluctantly."

"Because the dorm food—"

"Ohh, that's why," said the waitress.

"See, I have someone who understands me here," she said. "More coffee, por favor?"

"Are you from Mex—"

"Venezuela."

"Sorry."

"Although she has been in exile in Brazil," Sean said through some pancake-in-mouth. "And she's been having a rough week, so you can kinda-sorta forgive her for her rude behavior today."

"What about last night at Pinch?" Maria shot back.

"I had three Amber Bocks," said Sean.

"You two make a good couple," said the waitress.

"WE ARE NOT A COUPLE!"

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"Did you like that?" Sean asked after they left.

"It was pretty good," said Maria. "But I'm probably not eating there anymore."

"Why?" asked Sean.

"Too much grease."

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End

Mary Lou's grill is a real and popular place in downtown Carbondale right across from the train tracks near the old train station. It's as country-style diner and I've eaten there before, but I haven't been there in years (and they moved from their old location! Carbondale changed way too much, even when I was down there!).

Hope you enjoyed this!