Luke's, Thursday

[betterthanaplan]

Duke had plans later. Which meant that, though he had his paperwork spread out across one of the back booths and was staring down at them, his attention was very much elsewhere.

His waitstaff were seeing how tall and precarious they could build a tower of glassware and napkin dispensers before he noticed and told them off.

It was a good three feet high so far, and showed no signs of stopping.

Today's specials
Hot fudge sundae burger

Yeah, he hadn't noticed the specials board yet, either.

Luke's was open and OCD free.

Comments

[crimson_sister]

Neither Lucille nor Tisarwat was particularly talented when it came to cooking, so when Lucille passed the diner on her way home from a walk, she stopped, considered it for a moment, then entered.

Her eyes went to the menu, then the rather impressive tower and then back to the menu.

"I do hope the special isn't the only thing on the menu."

[betterthanaplan]

"Nah," Duke said distractedly. "We can make most things."

Then it occurred to him to look up. The waitstaff groaned as he took in the diner with a perturbed look.

"Are you all kidding me?"

[crimson_sister]

"Most things?" Lucille said. "In this place, that is quite impressive."

She didn't care if he was distracted, unless it interfered with her ordering food.

[betterthanaplan]

"Pretty sure the freezer exists in its own pocket dimension. You have anything in particular in mind?"

[crimson_sister]

"Then I would like to have roast lamb with mint sauce, yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and gravy," Lucille said. "And cranachan for dessert. For two, to go."

He had said most things. Lucille's childhood family dinners had been few and terrible, but at least the food had been good.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke nodded. "Might have to google that last one, but the rest we can probably do. Right, Greg?"

The cook gave them a thumbs up through the window.

"Anything to drink?"

[crimson_sister]

Perhaps she shouldn't be, but Lucille was a little bit surprised. Not in a bad way though, this meant she could surprise Tisarwat with a nice dinner.

"A bottle of read wine, please."

It would go well with it.

She added, amused, with a nod in the direction of the tower: The decoration looks a bit fragile."

[betterthanaplan]

"If it falls over, they're the ones who have to clean it up and buy the new glassware," Duke said with a shrug.

The nearest waiter looked at the tower and winced.

[crimson_sister]

"That should teach them," Lucille said, smiling.

"Roast lamb was always served during my family dinners. I haven't had it served like this since my parents died."

[betterthanaplan]

"Well damn." Duke gave her a wide-eyed look of sympathy. "Glad we could give you a bit of home. How long since they passed?"

[crimson_sister]

"My mother died seven years ago. They were both horrible, and I am happy to be rid of them," Lucille said with a smile. "The family dinners were the only time we got roast meat and dessert though."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke laughed. "Alright, I get that feeling. Don't think I ever got a hot meal out of mine, though."

[crimson_sister]

"Then I hope you are rid of them too," Lucille said, still smiling.

[betterthanaplan]

"They've managed to pop back in from time to time to make my life as hellish as possible," Duke said. "But yeah, mostly."

[crimson_sister]

It would be so much easier if you just killed them, Duke.

"I hope you find a way to get rid of them permanently, then."

[betterthanaplan]

You'd think, but his dad had been dead for almost 30 years, and that had not stopped him from showing up to harass him last time he went home.

"There were, uh. Extenuating circumstances," Duke said. "Probably won't be repeated."

He knew to avoid certain areas of Baltimore now, for instance.

[crimson_sister]

"If not, I find determination is helpful," Lucille replied. "I wish you the best of luck."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke huffed a laugh. “Yeah. Thanks.” He offered his hand. “I’m Duke, by the way. I’ve seen you around, but I’m not sure we’ve met.”

[crimson_sister]

"I don't think we have. I am Lucille Sharpe."

She wasn't used to shake people's hands, but she did, very lightly.

"I own the flower shop."

[betterthanaplan]

She had a very “not from this era” feel to her, so Duke took that light handshake in stride. “Oh cool, he said. “You get it from Seivarden?”

[crimson_sister]

"Yes, but I never knew her," Lucille said. "My friend Tisarwat does, and she suggested I take over when Seivarden left, although I understand she is back. I worked for Iris for a while when I returned to Fandom."

[betterthanaplan]

"Oh yeah, Iris is in my class. She runs some kind of lab?"

[crimson_sister]

"Pick Your Poison is a shop that sells bath products," Lucille clarified, well aware of the side business. "Your class?"

[betterthanaplan]

"'Fandom Home Companion'," Duke said, doing airquotes. "Basically, how to clean up after Fandom goes nuts. The moose picked it, not me."

[crimson_sister]

"Ah, the moose. I am supposed to teach myself this semester, in the Career Development class."

She still hadn't quite decided on what.

"The man who organised it says it is a way to trick the school to let anyone who teaches go on paid vacations."