Luke's Diner, Thursday

[geniuswithasmartphone]

Hardison was all prepared for the next round in this weird food war that was going on between him and the staff. Clenching his fists and squaring his shoulders, he reminded himself not to lose his temper at whatever offensive nonsense they tried to pull this week. That was how they won. No. He was going to go in, remain cool, and calmly insist that they change their specials to something that wasn't ridiculous, dammit.

With one more deep breath, he stepped inside. "A'ight, let's talk Specials!" he called.

"Already done 'em," the busboy said, bringing the board back to the front window. "They're all kinda obvious this week."

Today's Specials
Spicy Tuna Rolls
Goan Fish Curry
Beer-Battered Fish and Chips
Largemouth Bass and Dried Shrimp Gumbo

Seemed like the staff was holding a grudge at something else this week!

Comments

Mod Your Diner

[geniuswithasmartphone]

The staff is here for all your vengeful fish-eating needs.

Talk to Hardison

[geniuswithasmartphone]

For once, he's not even mid-rant!

Re: Talk to Hardison

[imafuturist]

"If I order a coffee, will it have fish in it?" Tony asked, eyeing the specials warily.

Re: Talk to Hardison

[geniuswithasmartphone]

"I mean, I'mma assume not?" Hardison said, flashing Tony a sympathetic smile. "But I'mma give you 60/40 odds at best."

Re: Talk to Hardison

[imafuturist]

"You're all heart," Tony replied dryly. "Luckily I live on the edge."

Re: Talk to Hardison

[geniuswithasmartphone]

"Hey man, I can't be held accountable for the staff," Hardison said with a shrug. "They do what they want, no matter what I say."

Which was why they were usually feuding.

"I'd tell 'em to be good, but that might just make it worse. Best I got?" He shrugged. "Big tipper in the house!" he called.

The busboy practically teleported to Tony's side, order pad at the ready.

Re: Talk to Hardison

[imafuturist]

That made Tony crack up, nearly doubling over. "Is it that obvious?"

Because he was. He really was.

Re: Talk to Hardison

[geniuswithasmartphone]

"Cause we met, like, even one time," Hardison said, snickering. "C'mon man. Even if you weren't from the get-go, Steve woulda launched into a PSA about tippin' just for you until you mended your ways."

Re: Talk to Hardison

[imafuturist]

"I think I might have already paid for college for at least half the delivery people on island, just keeping Steve fed," he replied with a sheepish grin. "Coffee, please. And whatever fish thing you think will go with it."

Re: Talk to Hardison

[geniuswithasmartphone]

"Coffee and a gumbo, coming right up!" The busboy said, practically saluting, before vanishing into the kitchen.

"They been pushin' the gumbo on everybody today," Hardison noted. "I think it's vengeance. Fortunately, it's good as hell."

Re: Talk to Hardison

[imafuturist]

"Vengence on you or the island?" Tony asked.

Re: Talk to Hardison

[geniuswithasmartphone]

"On the fish? Or the island? Or both?" Hardison said, with a shrug. "I'm okay with eatin' some more bass after this weekend. Bein' stuck out in woods ain't my idea of fun without the rest of it."

Re: Talk to Hardison

[imafuturist]

"City boy," Tony replied, bumping his shoulder into Hardison's like he too wpuld never survive in the woods. "Thanks. For keeping an eye on Steve."

Re: Talk to Hardison

[what_the_shock]

"Let me guess - someone got trapped in that thing this weekend?" Miguel eyed the cook.

Re: Talk to Hardison

[geniuswithasmartphone]

Hardison shrugged. "Man, I ain't even asked," he said. "Because I do not need to know what ghosts were followin' 'em around if they were. Don't think I saw 'em, though."

In fairness, Hardison really hadn't had eyes for anybody but his crew. And Steve.

Re: Talk to Hardison

[what_the_shock]

Miguel pondered it for a second. "Yeeaah, probably best not to ask." Then he parsed what Hardison had said. "You got caught in it, too?"

Re: Talk to Hardison

[geniuswithasmartphone]

"Yup," Hardison said, tired. "Me'n my partners were campin' across the way at Selkie Lake. Wasn't far enough though."

Stupid camping.

Re: Talk to Hardison

[what_the_shock]

"Camping?"

Miguel wasn't going to ask why. Didn't mean he wasn't thinking it.

Re: Talk to Hardison

[geniuswithasmartphone]

"Eliot likes it," Hardison said with a sigh. "So we do it every so often cause it makes him happy."

Re: Talk to Hardison

[what_the_shock]

"I would've thought Eliot had better sense," Miguel said. Then he thought about it. "No, actually, I can totally see that. Think he'll let up now it ended in disaster?"

Re: Talk to Hardison

[geniuswithasmartphone]

"For a little while," Hardison said, thinking at Eliot at home. "But sooner or later, he'll get a hankerin' for fresh air," from Hardison's expression, one could have thought he'd said raw sewage "or goin' fishin' an' we'll be back."

Re: Talk to Hardison

[what_the_shock]

"Fishing? Seriously?" Miguel waved vaguely toward the freezer. "Isn't that what groceries are for? We've got plenty."

Re: Talk to Hardison

[geniuswithasmartphone]

"He thinks it's 'fun.'"

Those air quotes were audible.

Re: Talk to Hardison

[what_the_shock]

"He's got a shocking skewed idea about fun." Miguel rolled his eyes. "Fun involves indoor plumbing, at the very least, and cooking things you don't have to kill yourself."

OOC

[geniuswithasmartphone]

Kinda fascinated by the items that would have ended up around some of the NPCs, ngl.