6 - Neon
The theme from the Pink Panther apparated from my back pocket. I scooped out my phone. How did I not put it on vibrate, getting rusty are we Rain. The screen read “Stark”. Damn. What did he want.
I picked up the phone and wedged it between my chin and shoulder.
“Rain” I said a tad too curtly “ I’m busy. What do you want?”
“And a good day to you too” came the gruff voice of detective Murphy Stark of Millenium City Major Crimes division. “I got something, I could use your help on”
I started stuffing the file into the bag on my hip.
“I’m on a job, and last I checked the MCPD doesn’t pay consultants” I responded. In truth it was nice to hear his voice. But I was not kidding about the money. I had to pay my rent after all.
“A favor then? It’s a delicate case and I could really need a woman’s delicate touch on this”
“flattery won’t get you anywhere with me Stark. You know I’m strictly a material girl.”
“I’ll buy you lunch then how about that? Well dinner I guess. I promise you, you’ll want to see this. It is one for the history books” He said.
He was teasing but I could tell how serious he was about whatever this was.
“Is that right?” I said coyly, “Tell you what I’ll give you 5 minutes. Neon Diner in 20? your treat”
“Already on my way” He said. “Knew you couldn’t resist my charms”
“Bye Stark” I said with exaggerated chipper joy.
“Rain” he respond and the line clicked off.
What harm could there be in giving the police 5 minutes of my time. He wouldn’t rope me into anything. He was a friend and I’m never one to pass up a free meal.
The street was obscured by mist. Rain was in the air but the rainfall hadn’t started in earnest yet. The red neon sign emerged from the mist like some …..
I pulled my coat closer, I liked the rains. The neon sign spells “Neon Diner” in bold stylized 80’s letters. The 24 hour diner was located in a second floor concrete overhang overlooking a monorail
I didn’t care much for the theme but the food wasn’t half bad and it was close to the 5th precinct station house.
I walked up the old iron stairs. I could hear the hum of electricity from the old transformers and the rattle of wheels on rail. The monorail and public transportation was a proud tradition in Millenium City. Old, neglected. proud.
I entered the Diner through the frosted glass door accompanied by the chirp of the attached bell.
Inside was the thick delightful smell of coffee and grease. The low rattle of kitchen bustle and 80s classics. And they were playing Toto. I couldn't help but smile.
The waitress was a plucky middle aged tired woman, crows feet and wrinkles at the corners of her mouth from smiling. A pair of reading glasses in a string around her neck. Dirty apron with a notepad and a couple of pencils in the pocket.
“What will it be?” she asked, pencil in hand.
“Coffee, black” said Stark in a practiced monotone.
She turned to me “What about you sweety?”
I eyed Stark. Then smiled at the waitress and put down the dingy menu.
“Steak & Eggs, fries of course. A chocolate shake. Coffee, milk, foam and lots of cinnamon. oh and give me some of that hot sauce on the if you don’t mind. Thanks” I said smiling gleefully.
Stark looked at me like he was trying to conjure dormant laser vision to fry me. I just give him a knowing look. He did say this was his treat. What can I say.
“I’ll have a piece of the cherry pie then” Stark added as the waitress was about to leave.
“Coming right up” she said, walking to the kitchen.
I turned back to Stark.
“So what's up” I asked “not a social call you said”
“It's been a long time” he said “how are you doing?”
“You know. Keeping on, keeping on” I narrowed my eyes suspiciously “You are stalling” I said “why?”
The gruff old man looked at me earnestly. “All business huh, Rain. Can’t two old friends just catch up?” Stark said “He worries about you you know”
An old anger began to rear its ugly head. “Dad sent you!? Really” I all but yelled.
Calm down Rain, that squeaky tone doesn’t suit you. “And you use work as an excuse” I shock my head at him. “I could just go, you know, I don’t need this”
“You won’t and you do” he simply said and we both knew how right he was.
The waitress appeared to have impeccable timing as she swooped in to save us from old resentments. My dad managed to fuck things up without even being present. That just great.
The waitress gave Stark his pie and coffee and I got my drinks. “I’ll be right back with your food in a second. Is everything else fine?” She asked
“Just peachy” I said “Thanks”
I took a long sip of my shake, closing my eyes as the cold chocolatey liquid of joy filled my chest. A sigh of content escaped me. I looked up at a smiling Stark. I quickly put down my drink, embarrassed. I must have looked like a little kid.
Well I felt like a petulant child for snapping at him like that.
“Sorry about that” I said and meant it, “It’s just… Well he could talk to me directly instead of getting his friends to bribe me with chocolate” I pushed the straw around my in shake. “not that I’m complaining about the chocolate, mind you”
“He wants to give you your space.” Stark said
“Space, Yeah, he’s good at space” I grumbled. You’re doing it again Rain. “Sorry”
“Ha” He said. “Something funny?” I said
“You are your father’s daughter all right, that is for sure. there is only one person I know more stubborn than Jonathan Lake” he stabbed a finger at me. I made a face. He laughed again and I couldn’t help but smile.
The rest of my food arrived and I got stuck in.
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