If there was one thing Beth would give to Daryl, it was that he worked fast. In fact, as soon as he'd finished that damn vodka he was up and out the door getting shit done. He fled the bar without looking back, and for a little while she'd thought he'd really just abandoned her. He said whatever he needed to say to get out and that was it. However, soon enough, he came back, looking - for whatever reason - slightly embarrassed, and with a neatly folded uniform.

Beth was a little amazed really. After everything else that had happened, she didn't fully understand how it could be so simple for him. "How could they give me a job without even meeting me?"

Daryl had just answers her question with another. "Ever own anyone a favor?" Beth knew she sure as hell had, and she sure as hell would after that, so she just nodded. "Well, my...friend...she's the manager and she owes me a favor. So there you go." Daryl dropped the uniform in her lap. "You start tomorrow morning. Seven."

Now there she was, the next morning, shimming herself into the diner uniform and struggling with the zipper. She's taken no mind to the uniform before, but now, as she did a couple takes in the bathroom mirror, she was less than impressed. The skirt was too short and it was an awful shade of baby blue - with, of course a frilly white apron sewed on. But it would have to do. She was in no position to complain after all.

Beth checked the clock on the night stand. It was just after six. Daryl had said seven, but, of course, Beth hadn't slept a wink and already had an early start on the day. She didn't think there'd be any harm in showing up a little earlier. Besides, ambition was always supposed to leave a good impression.

Ok, you can do this. Beth nodded at her refection in the mirror, trying to reassure herself, then quickly slipped on her shoes and grabbed her purse. She really had no high expectations for what the day was going to hold, she'd be lucky if she went the day without dropping something and breaking it. But, she was thankful for the opportunity at least; and surprisingly thankful for Daryl Dixon. She wasn't quite sure if he did it out of the kindness of his own heart, or if it was in favor of his own agenda to get rid of her. But she'd like to think that, compared to their first meeting a few days ago, she was growing on him – at least just a little.

"Hey…Beth?"

Beth turned as she heard her named called. She saw Tara sticking her head out of the office door, squinting at her in the morning sun. She started walking towards the office. "Yeah?"

"You've been here a few nights, and Jim just wanted me to let you know he'd like some payment. Y'know, cold hard cash."

"Oh! Right." Beth could have kicked herself. She'd been going over numbers in her head all night, playing guessing games of her wage, tips and all the other crap she needed to do to get herself to Florida, but not once had she factored in the cost of the motel. "Yeah, of course. How much do I owe so far?"

"One hundred even."

"Okay." Beth pulled out the wad of cash her mom had given her and started pulling out five twenties. When she counted it last night there was just under five hundred dollars. But she could see now, it wasn't going to last very long. "Here you go."

"Woah, I was kidding about it being actual cold hard cash," Tara reached for the twenties and laughed. "What are you, a drug dealer?"

Beth went a little bit red and shook her head. Although, it could be an option, there was probably better money if drug dealing after all. "No, just a run of the mill waitress…barely."

"Right…have fun with that." And with those last words Tara disappeared back into the office, leaving Beth to carry about her business.

After her first day, she really was going to have to start properly crunching number; even if math gave her a headache and it really was a class she skimmed through. Some of the things they taught could actually, unfortunately, be apply to the real world. Or at least this version of it.

Beth stashed her cash back away in her purse and rushed across the street. Again when she walked into the diner, she got that homey feeling. However, it didn't last long, because soon someone was right in her face talking at her.

The person in front of her was dressed just the same in the horrible baby blue uniform. She was older, but maybe about a little younger than Annette, and had short grey hair. Her features were soft and her eyes seemed caring. However, the words spilling from her mouth were filled with authority.

Beth's eyes travelled down to her name tag, it said: Carol and underneath her name, clear as day, it said, Manager. She was Daryl's…friend?

"I'm sorry…I didn't quite catch that…" Beth could feel her face going red, she really wasn't as ditzy as she seemed.

The woman, Carol, sighed and repeated herself. "I said, are you the new girl, or do you just admire our fashion choices?"

"Oh no…I mean yes…I mean…I am the new girl!" Beth scrambled to find a clear thought.

"You're early." Carol said, it what was a less than enthusiastic voice.

Oh, yeah, great first impression, Beth. Ambition apparently didn't leave a great taste in someone's mouth during the tail end of the morning rush. "S-sorry."

Carol turned away and started walking, Beth guess she was supposed to follow her. "You're a stutterer. Daryl didn't tell me you were a stutterer."

"I-I…" Dammit. Beth took a deep breath; she didn't mean to sound so overwhelmed. "I don't usual stutter, I'm sorry."

"Stop apologizing, just don't do it in front of a customer." Carol said and Beth took a mental note to, again, keep her shit together. "Okay. Let's start this crash course."

The ins and outs of the diner were pretty simple:

- Beth didn't cook, she poured coffee, with a smile.

- She took plates to the tables, with a smile.

- If she dropped a plate, there was no way in hell she was to yell "OPA". People knew she wasn't Greek and didn't give two shits as long as they eventually got their bacon in a timely matter. With a smile.

- Payday was on Fridays and it was $9.00/hour. So she was going have to survive on tips. Which meant service with a smile.

"Get it? Got it? Good?" Carol asked as she turned, finishing her spiel.

Beth nodded. It seemed simple enough to her. "Yes, I'm excited to get started."

Carol laughed dryly. "Don't be, sweetie. You're on your feet all day, dealing with people who don't care and feel entitled. The only real breaks you get are your smoke breaks…do you smoke?" Beth shook her head. Carol laughed again. "Never mind, then."

"I don't mind." Beth smiled. "I'll take as many hours as I can get."

"Careful what you wish for. Lots of these ladies – including me – have kids …which I'm guessing you don't. Kids get sick and kids require attention even when there's bills to pay and you're a single mom. You'll be getting a lot questions about swapping or picking up shifts."

"I don't mind." Beth said again.

Carol smiled at Beth, the first warm, motherly smile she'd seen in a while, and handed her a coffee pot. Two people walked in the door just as Beth grabbed hold of the handle and Carol gave her a nod to go ahead as they sat down. Immediately, Beth walked over and asked the two of them if they'd like coffee, with a smile.