Max Lambert got to work at 12. His boss kept trying to pay him more to get in before the morning shift, but Max wanted to sleep in and putter around at home rather than use his mornings at work. Plus the other cook had the morning well covered. Dave. What a strange guy. Working this job. And driving what had to be a 35 thousand dollar
Subaru
. It didn't make sense.
If Dave was young, then maybe his parents were rich and got him the car. But Dave was nearly the same age as Max's parents. The guy showed up from nowhere. Ate here once and asked if they needed some extra help. He knew how to fry and scramble eggs. Make toast. Never showed up late. A model employee. Max hated this about Dave.
Until Dave showed up Max was the star of the kitchen. Well maybe that was just in Max's head. Unlike the other lifers in the
diner
who had no prospects, Max was going somewhere. Sure he was back home taking a year off from college while he figured things out. Sure that year turned into two. But he was still in his mid twenties. He could still go back to school. Maybe change majors to video game design and actually pursue something he cared about. Then he could wake up early and work as hard as possible and make something of himself.
"Max! Hurry up!" Linda screamed at him.
"Alright. Alright"
In the kitchen Dave was frying up bacon and sausage patties. Gave Max a quick look in the eye and a polite grin.