It was another late night at Chuck's. The parking lot was filled up with a collection of semi trucks boxed one right up against the other. Folks stood out in the lot filling up their coolant fluid for the long hall ready for another night out on the open road.
Inside the jukebox played out a mournful country tune as Betty and Linda made their way one table to the next with pots of coffee and trays loaded to the brim with food. The place smelled every bit the breakfast joint as folks dug in for their morning meals.
They all knew it was too late to call it night anymore, but with how dark the clouds made it outside the jury was still out on if they could quite call it morning yet. They'd still need a few more hours to definitively come down on it one way or another.
It'd already been a long shift, with customers coming and going with the kind of frequency that would have made ol Chuck The Mutt proud looking down from heaven.
In the corner of the dinner stood Ol Slim, the joints security protectron. He'd been done up right for the holidays, white paint done up across his surface in the vague shape of a skeletal structure, and a bucket in his hands filled with those little alcoholic candies the folks liked so much.
"Happy Halloween from Chuck's" He offered turning to one side as a trucker reached in grabbing a handfull of bonbons for the road with a smile. He threw an arm up into the air with a smile tucking away the candies into the pocket of his shirt.
"Y'all take care now out there Earl." Betty called over in his direction with a smile while setting down a fresh plate of bacon and eggs at the nearby table. "I don't want you eatin too many of those things and getting caught."
"You're a peach Betty." The old trucker shoved his hat down low and gave a smile of yellowed teeth. The cold air from the outside rushed in to greet him blowing open his denim jacket to either side. The winds carried with them the sent of trucks, grime, and a hint of smog as Earl walked past those double doors.
Across the streets one of the the lights of O'Sullivans lit up. A few moments later the window swung wide open, and from the second floor a figure popped out of the window. His hair had long since gone white and the cigar stuck out the corner of his mouth gave his face a fierce glow.
Betty offered a friendly wave to the old Irishman, managing to catch his attention as he hung a rug out the window and beat it with a firm rod. In small towns like this one it was hard not to notice your neighbors.
Across the tarmac 's jetted back and fourth filling up trucks and washing off mud. Though it was difficult to get too good a look at any of them for the thick layer of cigarette smoke that filled the restaurant.
Mugs clattered, and voices mixed one to the next a miasma of chatter that warmed the cockles of the heart. Truckers young and old gathered together for just a few moments to enjoy some old town company and some home style eats.
Hank Williams sung his heart out over that jukebox, bringing almost a tear to the eye of some of those fine folks. His words carried a deeper meaning as the music played singing about just how lonesome life could be.
Linda finished off the pot of coffee in her hand before making her way back for the counter. She took her time walking real slow by a group of good tippers, and for show made sure to bend down real low to pick up her pencil from the floor.
She loved this life, the eyes the sights the sounds and more. It was like being a country music star in a way, one big show for the prying eyes. She smirked collecting the tip from Earls table with a sweep of her hand from one side to the other. He never ordered much but he always tipped well.
"Betty." Linda spoke wiping down the table with a wet dish rag, putting a lot of elbow in just to get it that nice shine she always liked. "That good for nothing husband of yours ever get back to you on the hundred bucks he owes Tom?"
Betty closed her eyes for a moment letting out a low chuckle as she made her way back over. It was a conversation the two women must have had at least a dozen times by now. "No, but I'm sure he's working on it." She flashed a smile Lindas way leaning down onto the counter top. "You know with the riots it aint been easy for him."
"Even before the riots he wasn't any good." Linda let out a cold laugh. "Man's nothing but trouble" Betty chimed in in tune with Linda matching the words exactly as she made her way around to the back side of the counter with a fresh order ticket.
She hung it up onto the rotating hanger and spun it back around. The Chef was yet another robot, but not one of the 's outside or a Protectron like the security. No this robot didn't do much foot work. Instead he was a complex series of arms tubes and wires that stood from floor to ceiling. He'd been done up with an all blue paint-job that held itself a mirror shine in spite of the layer of grime that came from working the kitchen. Just above the torso in bright chrome lettering were the words Auto-Chef 3000.
It had an attachment for just about every facet of kitchen work and while it wasn't the best chef they'd ever had it got the job done well enough. As the hanger spun round a bright red glowing scanner moved over the sheet of paper sending out a beam of red across the surface of the paper.
A moment later it retracted into the machine and the Auto-Chef got to work. One hand prepped the grill lighting it up with an attached flame thrower unit, while other limbs went through the process of hauling meat from the freezer. It was a wonder of modern mechanical engineering.
"He's plenty good in the sack." Betty said with her hand placed firmly on her hip. "Besides." She turned around on the spot hopping up half way to set on the counter. "If it bothers you that much I'll pay Tom back myself."
"It's not about the money Betty, it's never been about the money." Linda pulled a fresh bot of coffee from the wall before making her rounds again. She was speaking above the chatter making sure each cup was filled back up to the brim with delicious bean juice. "It's about the principal of the thing."
"When a man asks for money he should damn well on principal alone make sure he pays it back." She circled back round with the now half full cup of coffee, setting it back against the wall. Not a moment later a large noodle like arm came out from the wall grabbing hold of the coffee pot with its chrome grabber. Soon after the pot vanished back into the wall a fresh one finding its way back onto the spot.
"Linda, Jethro's just been busy." Betty slid herself down the counter with ease skidding to the end.
She snagged the plate of stake and Blamco Mac N Cheese from the window sliding it over onto the serving tray. In a moment she was darting through the collection of truckers right down to the last table by the window.
"Here you are sir, enjoy the meal." A bright shine of pearly whites sent his way as the piping hot plate was set down with a tall glass of Nuka Cherry.
"All that succession business would tucker a man out." Linda fired back. She took the time out to fix her hair back up into the pony tail flowing locks of blond that were hard to control on the best of days.
"Someone's got to do it." Betty spoke as she slid the tray right back into place behind the counter. "If men like Jethro aren't willing to stand up for what's right who will."
"Amen" came a voice from the group of truckers coffee cup held up high into the air." It was an older man with a rifle slung on his back and a plaid jacket. Down the counter a few other men nodded in silence. "Been pushed around too long." He added knocking ash off the end of his cigarette and into the tray.
"Men like Jethro are the last defense we have against tyrants, and we's all sure lucky to have him." His eyes were sunk low into his head as he lowered his cup back low onto the table with a subtle clatter. A wave of agreement swept through the crowd.
"Play it down all they like up in Washington, our boys are doing proud out there." Another voice called out.
Down the street a lone green pickup truck rolled down the street. Half the paint had rusted off but that which wasn't rusted was covered in a thick layer of metal plating which had been welded across the surface. In the back of the truck six men in combat gear sat riding down that road.
The truck pulled its way into the parking lot and a man hopped down out from the back. He made a run for the main doors of the diner a smile on his face and a tall backpack of supplies hiked over his shoulders.
He threw the door open and the place went quiet save for the song coming from the jukebox. He smelled of gunpowder and diesel, his hair was slicked down with a thick layer of sweat that made him look like a greaser.
His gear clattered about on his back making contact with his canteen and the holstered laser rifle. He took in a deep breath making his way over to the counter.
Betty poured him a tall glass of Nuka Cola and one of the patrons cleared to a side so the soldier could have a seat.
He drank deep of the brown liquid before setting the empty glass back down onto the checkerboard counter top.
"They're pulling out." He said with a broad smile from one ear to another. "The army's pulling out." His own words were filled with joy as he spoke nodding his head.
A cheer erupted from the dinner folks grabbed onto one another and toasted the good news.
It was a weight lifted off folks shoulders and for a few moments the revelry didn't seem inclined to stop. A couple of the men threw down money for their meal and headed back out into the parking lot to spread the good news to their brethren refueling outside.
"Well I'll be." Linda leaned hard onto the counter top looking over the young man for a long moment. "If I weren't married I could kiss you right now you know that." She laughed shaking her head slowly as folks seemed to settle down somewhat.
"Guess this means we won." Betty was shocked, her expression widening out to a smile. She slapped her hand down onto the counter once before turning back round, and going down to one knee.
She'd been saving something special for this occasion. She dialed in the number into her safe and reached in a hand. "Well Pappy, looks like it's time." She pulled out an old bottle of whiskey from the depths of the safe and brought it in close for a moment.
She touched her lips to the bottle and gave it a firm kiss leaving behind lipstick marks on the paper label. "Linda break out the shot glasses!" She turned to her side pulling off the cap. "It's high time we celebrate."
Linda reached under the counter and pulled out a bunch of tiny shotglasses lining them up on the counter. She motioned round with her free hand and truckers made their way on over leaving their food behind to gather about.
"Boys, it's been one hell of a rough fight." Linda offered with a song in her heart as Betty took her time pouring the bottle into the glasses.
The folks passed them around making sure each one of the truckers had themselves their very own glass.
When the last was handed out Linda held up her own glass. "To freedom!" She cheered before kicking back the shot glass.
Another cheer swept through the dinner as folks kicked back their shots taking in the moment.
Outside the other men from the truck made their way from one door to the next in the business district spreading the word to the other restaurants along the road.
"Betty you mind watching the place for me?" Linda spoke already making for her jacket. "I gotta go home and let Tom know the good news."
"Don't worry, I've got things here." Betty said as she tossed back another shot of whiskey. The bottle was already three fourths gone but she took the time to seal it back up and shove it right back into the safe. "You stay safe out there you here, it's a brave new world."
"It's a brave new world" Linda confirmed heading out the door and back to her car.
Betty moved her way over to the cabinet of the diner and flipped open the old wooden shutters to either side. Resting within was a small black and white television set that never saw much use. The frame that came with it was bigger by half then the old set itself, but that didn't really matter much
She pulled up the antenna from the set and raised it up a blurry image covered in white noise coming into view. She leaned in close to it trying to make something out, before giving it a few good wacks.
The image came in more clearly a view of a reporter sat behind a big desk.
"While it's uncertain the extent of the retreat of Government forces at present it appears to be extensive." His voice was calm and collected as news anchors often are, and yet a smile was clear as day on his blurry face. "Soldiers were seen loading into APC's and heading back across state lines as recently as moments ago following the calls for ceasefire."
"Independence." Betty said to the television set. "Has a damn fine ring to it."
The door of the dinner swung open slowly to one side the bell jingling away. Betty looked over her shoulder towards the source of the sound and saw a frail looking woman with bright red hair.
She was dressed in a simple floral print dress and looked positively haggard. Her skin was hanging from the bone and she was clearly underweight. Hey blue eyes were deep set into her skull and she looked the type a stiff breeze could catch and carry away.
"Well howdy darling." Betty offered with a friendly smile turning the rest of the way from the television set. "Aint seen you round these parts before."
"I don't get out much," The woman admitted pushing her hair out of her face as she walked up to the counter.
"Well take a load off, and tell me what you'll be having." Betty offered with a soft smile.
The woman had bed sores across her arms, and legs, and walked with an unsteady gait. She hopped up onto the stool and spun into place barely managing to catch herself.
"What's your name sugar?" Betty flipped the coffee cup right side up from the table and poured her a tall glass of black liquid. Right after she slid into place a bowl filled with cream and sugar partitioned off by a little Fallout Boy with arms stretched out to either side.
The woman took her time adding cream to her coffee before stirring it up. She held her hangs tightly against the mug allowing the warmth to permeate her mitts. "I'm Jennifer, Jennifer Mills" She sipped deep from the cup hunched over slightly as she drank taking her time.
"Well Jennifer you just tell me what you want and I'll get it for ya. You hear?" Betty offered a smile her way looking the woman over for signs of bruising. There was something about this woman that tugged at her heart strings. Maybe it was just the sad state of her, a beautiful woman who looked like she'd been through hell.
"Thanks." Jennifer did her best to give a weak smile enjoying her coffee. "I'd just like some eggs and bacon."
"Coming right up buttercup." Betty pulled her pencil from behind her ear and scribbled out the order. "How you want those eggs?'
"Sunny side up would be fine" Jennifer nodded her head setting the cup back down. Her hand hovered over the back of the mug for a bit more of that heat. "Been so long since I had real food."
"Now I won't go prying if you aren't the sharing type." Betty started before hanging up the note onto the hanger and spinning it round for the Auto-chef to do his thing. "But I'd be mighty interested to know what happened to you."
Jennifer was silent for a time just sipping her coffee.
All around folks were slowly heading out to get started on their day or spread the good news. The place was down right silent save for the talking heads on the television going on about the recent leaving of the military from the region.
"I was sick for a long time." She stirred her coffee with a nearby spoon, and Betty took the moment to refill the cup back up near the brim. "Thank you." Jennifer added a bit more creamer. "Had the Blue Flue, and had it bad." Jennifer looked down to the cup for a long moment before closing her eyes. "For a while it didn't look like I was going to get any better."
"Oh god honey." Betty placed one hand down onto her hand patting it lightly. "I heard of people who caught that damn thing, sorry for your loss." She knew what it meant to survive the Plague, sterility. It wasn't an illness you'd wish on anyone, especially not such a young woman.
Outside a pickup truck rolled by. Men stood up in the back hooping hollering and firing their rifles into the air. It was a time of celebration being shared by the whole city. It wasn't long after that first group that a second group came riding by doing the same thing.
People were already out in the streets singing and dancing. One of the fire hydrants had been knocked open allowing a group of kids to play in the water.
There was no point in going to school today, not when they'd just secured their independence as a commonwealth. There would be plenty of time for them to learn later.
Fireworks flew off into the cloud covered skies exploding in a shower of sparks, more gunshots rang off in the distance, it was like the whole town had gone crazy over the news.
"I tried to hold out hope but for so long, but it wasn't easy." Jennifer brushed her hair out of her face with the back of her hand.
"Well by the looks you made it out the other side."
"I just wonder what the cost was." A few tears rolled down the sides of Jennifers face as she looked down towards the counter. She wiped them from her eyes chuckling to herself. "Everyone was just so worried about me." A light pause. "I don't know how I'm going to ever pay them back."
Outside the cheering turned to screaming folks stopped in the middle of the road looking up towards the sky. Betty's expression went hard as she walked over towards the window of the dinner looking out to see what was the matter.
"Damn one of the kids must have blown off a hand." She grabbed the telephone from beside the window looking out to get an idea for what people were gawking at. She'd seen that sort of thing before. Everyone getting so wrapped up in a celebration they got themselves hurt.
She looked from one side to the other and saw people just looking up towards the sky. She paused with the phone in her hand turning her eyes to the direction that the people were looking.
On the television set the voice of the news caster turned more serious in tone.
"I repeat, confirmed reports of nuclear detonations in New York and Pennsylvania."