Located at the stoplight, just across the street from the bank, Flo's diner had been in business in Elk Ridge for sixty years. The sun has no risen yet, and the lights are on as the workers get ready to prepare for breakfast. The employees all wear blue shirts and black slacks.

Among these employees is Ben Song, who appears to everyone else as Danny Roberts. Addison Augustine accompanies him, unseen and unheard by everyone, except for a feral cat in the alley behind the diner.

"I'm with you," says the observer, holding the handlink.

The leaper walks towards a container on the wall, containing time cards. He quickly finds a cardboard timecard with Danny's name on it. After watching a dark-haired female coworker punch in, Ben looks at the time card, and inserts it.

"We're decades from computerized time systems," he whispers.

"All right, people," says the owner, a portly man in a gray moustache. "The sooner we get ready, the sooner our customers have breakfast on their plates, and the happier they are, and the more tips you get. So let's get going."

Ben starts by taking a rag and wiping down the surfaces of the tables in Danny's section.

The dark-haired lady unlocks the door, and about three people, wanting a really early breakfast walk in.

"Doesn't look too busy," says Ben.

"This is dairy country," says Addison. "Sometimes, the dairy farmers drive to town to have breakfast here after they finish their chores."

Within the next hour, more people come. Ben asks for orders, writes them on a little notepad using a Bic ballpoint pen, and then walks on over to the kitchen to give the order. Pretty, soon, Ben takes a tray and brings breakfast over to the waiting patrons.

"Just keep up the rhythm," says the observer.

"Herb," says the owner.

"Hi there," says a man in his early fifties, with a little gray in his black hair.

"You usually don't have breakfast here. You're always at the pasteurizing plant first thing in the morning."

"Today's a special occasion," says Herb. "My boy Randy's visiting"

"That's right," says his son. "Came from from Indiana State."

"Where is that?"

"Terre Haute," replies Randy.

"Excuse me, Herb," says the owner. "Danny, I believe the Butlers here are in your section ."

"Uh, yes, sir," says Ben. He walks up to the family, noting the middle-aged man, his wife with shoulder length light brown hair, and the young man with light brown hair, looking to be in his late teens, wearing an Indiana State University T-shirt.

"Hello there," Randy says to the leaper, coldly.

"You know him?" asks the woman.

"Danny Roberts here was in my high school graduating class last year," replies the young man. "I think we had math class in the 10th grade."

"It's been so long ago, Randy," says Ben. "It's good to see you."

"I am sure you are busy. Maybe we'll catch up later today."

"I look forward to it. Now, what would you three like to order?"

Ben takes orders from the three of them.

"Ben," Addison says to the leaper, "Randy's hiding how he feels about you- Danny. Better watch out."

"Got it," says Ben, before heading to the kitchen.

The observer eavesdrops on the Butlers' conversation. Much of the conversation is about Randy's experiences at Indiana State, his mother's experiences at the various civics clubs in Elk Ridge, and his father's experience running the plant.

Ben comes to service them, and Addison notices that Randy is frequently asking for more cream, more sugar, more salt, more water, and other stuff. She can tell the young college student is not doing this merely because he is hungry.

Finally, Ben gets the check, and delivers the receipt to Herb, who signs it.

"How are you doing?" asks the owner.

"It was great," replies Herb, standing up from the vinyl seat. He places his hand on the leaper's shoulder. "Take care of this boy. I might offer him a lucrative position at the plant."

"You all take care," says the owner as Herb and his wife and son leave. He then looks at Ben.

"You do have other customers, Danny," says the owner.

"Right on it."

A few hours later, the leaper closes up, getting the checks for his last customers.

"You did it," says Addison. "Got through your first morning shift."

Ben walks to the time card puncher and punches Danny's time card.

"I understand you're trying out for NASCAR," says Flo's owner.

"Yeah, that's right," answers the leaper.

"Listen, the two reasons I'm letting you take the busy Independence Day season off is that you're one hell of a good waiter, and you told me two months in advance."

"Got it.:"

"And remember, after you're done with the races, you work double shifts three days in a row."

"Yes, sir."

Ben and Addison leave the diner.

"What a morning," says Ben. He looks down Elk Ridge's main street and sees a bar. "I could use a drink."

The observer smiles.

Less than ten minutes later, Ben leaves the bar.

"I forgot that Danny is only eighteen," says the leaper.

"Danny Roberts would have a much easier time getting booze this year, than Taylor Swift would in 2006," says the observer.

"I still have to go to his second job."

oooooooooooo

In my shoes

Walking sleep

In my youth, I pray to keep

Heaven send

Hell away

No one sings like you anymore

Black hole sun

Won't you come

And wash away the rain?

Black hole sun

Won't you come

Won't you come

Ben, Bump, and Lenny all look at the drive shaft from the Chevrolet Camaro in the garage of the Union 76 gas station as "Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden plays over a Sanyo boombox.

"Yeah, this really is busted," says Bump. "A driveshaft. We'll need to get a new one fast. Time trial's tomorrow."

"We could order through Amazon," says the leaper.

"This is the era of dial-up, Ben," says Addison.

"Amazon?" asks Lenny. "Is that some sort of auto parts store."

"I think they're out of driveshafts now."

"We'll just have to find one," says Lenny. "This could be a big opportunity for us. Fireball here has enough skill to give Jeff Gordon a run for his money."

The observer touches the handlink's screen. "Jeff Gordon won the championship on November 12, 1995, at the Atlanta Motor Speedway."

The four of them hear a car approaching the pumps. Bump and Lenny start shaking their fists.

"Come on, Fireball," says Bump. "you ain't getting' out o' this just 'cause you're our driver."

Ben joins in.

And he has the odd finger.

"Go take care of our customer," says Lenny.

The leaper walks out and notices a green 1987 Ford Mustang convertible. He recognizes Randy Butler.

"Uh, hi there," says Ben.

"Fill it up, Roberts," says Randy.

"Uh, sure." Ben takes the gas pump and starts filling up the gas tank.

"How are you doin', Roberts?" asks Randy.

"Uh, fine. Getting ready for the big race."

"Heard you got yourself a new girl."

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Here's what I don't understand," says Randy. "How a fine girl like Nadine can be going out with trash like you." He walks right into Ben's face. "I mean, I really can't figure it out. Maybe you could explain it to me."

Both leaper and observer know that this young man means trouble.

"Maybe you should try calming down," says Ben.

"Maybe you should try calming me down." Randy goes nose to nose with Ben. "Come on, trash. Let's go."

Ben rebounds quickly, ready to fight.

"Don't do this," says Addison.

"What are you talking about?" Ben asks the observer.

"We're talking about settlin' this," says Randy. "If you're good enough for Nadine, prove it!"

"Don't do this, Ben," says Addison. "Ziggy found out what went wrong. Danny was blinded in his right eye because of this fight. He never got to race again."

"Enough of this dance," says Randy. "I'm taking you down."