16980/What's the deal with diners

What's the deal with diners
Date of Scene:	21 January 2024
Location:	Tom's Restaurant
Synopsis:	Andi and Maddy figure out the deal with diners.
Cast of Characters:	Madelyne Pryor, Andi Benton

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Madelyne Pryor has posed:
Evening. Not night, but the sun is down because it's still mid January on the East Coast. Late enough that someone could be at a diner getting dinner if they wanted. Madelyne seems to be in that kind of mood, as she is sitting at one of the stools at the counter, looking at a menu. She seems bored with the offerings -- it's diner food, it's not really that exciting -- but she's perusing the offerings anyways. A drink sits in front of her, currently untouched. Coffee of some sort.

Andi Benton has posed:
Night arrives sooner in winter, though with the solstice behind them the days are slowly starting to get longer again.

Diner food is comfort food, and Andi Benton is wanting some comfort food right now. A big burger, fries, chocolate milkshake, that sort of thing.

Tom's in upper Manhattan fit the bill. She got a corner table over by a window, easier to separate herself from the rest even if the amount of people in here right now is sparse. It also lets her watch and observe under cover of eating. This includes people outside. It also includes the redhead over at the stool.

Madelyne Pryor has posed:
Madelyne Pryor hasn't noticed anyone watching her yet. She sighs, and closes the menu. When the waitress comes over she says, "Pastrami on rye, swiss and mustard, and a Coke." And then she starts to look over the patrons of the diner. A glance is given to the girl sitting off to the table to the side, but little more than that. She seems content to just wait for her food, for now.

Andi Benton has posed:
Andi Benton, the one with the purple-dyed hair, glances down at her food, partially eaten. It'd be rude of her to stare, but a look at her gives away her punk/goth leanings with the piercings and the black/purple motif to her clothing.

Overhearing the order for the pastrami, it leaves her to think about another place that's known for them, but is much, much more popular. Katz pops into her head and she looks back up for a moment.

Madelyne Pryor has posed:
Punk rock girl gets a bit more than a look every now and then. Maybe she's interested in the outfit, or maybe she's just considering her hair as purple as opposed to red. Either way, her food arrives, and she has a bite of the sandwich that she ordered. It seems it's fine. No Katz's but...fine. She takes her time eating her food, as she tugs out a cellphone and flips through it casually. Gotta keep up with the Gram and all.

Andi Benton has posed:
Andi Benton makes quick work of what's left of her plate, then orders a double dessert: cheesecake and a big slice of chocolate cake. While waiting for it, she shifts a little of her hair away from an eye and continues the sort of back-and-forth of looking at Madelyne and not, just like the redhead does with her. Eventually, they're going to catch each other in the act.

Madelyne Pryor has posed:
Madelyne Pryor is very good at being demure. She only half-catches Andi's glances, grinning a little as she does this dance of who is looking at whom. Eventually, once her food is gone and she's drank her drink, she gathers her things and stands up. The woman walks over to Andi's table and says, simply, "Let's go for a walk." It's not a request. She holds out a hand for the girl to take.

Andi Benton has posed:
Andi Benton now watches the woman fully as she takes care of her food and heads over. By that point, she's also dealt with her desserts and paid up, even leaving a good tip. Food service workers can have it rough sometimes.

"That's an interesting way of saying hi," she answers, giving Madelyne a curious look at the hand extended, which she doesn't immediately take. "Walk where?" is her next question.

Madelyne Pryor has posed:
"Does it matter?" Madelyne asks, smiling down at the younger woman. She adds, "The way you've been checking me out...I think we'll find something interesting to discuss." She waits, hand still extended, but adds, "Offer isn't gonna last forever, girl."

Andi Benton has posed:
"The name's Andi," the one at the table says, putting away a few of her things, including her own phone. "Just keeping an eye on who's around," she adds, playing at sounding distant.

All the same, curiosity grows at the offer. She's sure she can handle herself if any trouble is around the corner, so with a shrug she gets up. For the time being, hands plunge into the pockets of her winter coat instead as she moves for the door.

Madelyne Pryor has posed:
The hand not taken leads to a shrug from Madelyne, as she replies simply enough, "I'm Maddie," and then she motions for the door, leading her and the younger woman out into the cold. She walks with confidence, and sticks her hands into her pockets as well. "Why the need to keep an eye on everything around you?" she asks, looking down at Andi.

Andi Benton has posed:
Some places, there's a bit of snow to navigate around although most of it has been shoveled and piled up. It's that time of the year. Andi avoids any slipper spots with no trouble.

"When you're by yourself, sometimes you have to be more aware of what's going on," she offers. It's a somewhat evasive response, not indicative of the actual truth in her case, but it does make sense for the average person. "How was the sandwich?"

Madelyne Pryor has posed:
"Fair enough, and it was alright. It hit the spot. Mustard could have been a bit spicier though.." Maddie trails off as they walk along. She doesn't seem to mind the snow, or the cold. She just walks, occasionally turning corners as opposed to waiting for lights. They are heading northwards, mostly. "And I suppose watching when you're alone can be important, but here I thought you just liked the way I looked..." she gives a wink to the woman as she goes.

Andi Benton has posed:
Andi Benton sniffs. "It's not a five-star place, but diners aren't supposed to be. They're supposed to just make you feel good. That's what my father says." She keeps track of some of the places they pass, heading into a different section of the city. At the wink and tease, she covers for it by saying, "I thought I might have seen you around somewhere before. Lots of redheads, though."

Madelyne Pryor has posed:
"There are a lot of us running around, yes." Madelyne replies as she walks along with Andi. She looks the girl over and then adds, "Well, I was checking you out. You're pretty cute." She's straightforward! The woman adds something in a low tone to the girl as they walk down the street to parts unknown.

Andi Benton has posed:
Andi Benton tilts her head, a passing look of amusement at the acknowledgement of all those redheads out there. Then there's her, with her purple style. It's different. She isn't quite as blunt in comparison, but she does give Madelyne a curious glance. "Thanks..you have, uh, definitely your own style," she says, for a response.

Madelyne Pryor has posed:
The two walk down the street, murmuring to each other as night grows around them and the chill of the air makes them walk a little closer together. This of course leads to them just exchanging whispers in the dusk.