Ricky tied his apron around his waist before using his punch card to clock in.  He was a few minutes late for his shift, but no one really cared.  He worked the graveyard shift at a diner, which maybe drew in four or five people a night.  It was a job nevertheless and it kept Ricky just busy enough to not go insane.  

"Hey, Vinny." Ricky waved to the owner's kid who just enjoyed hanging out in the dive.  He dominated the corner booth, papers spread out over the whole table.  Vinny was always doing something, whether it be homework or planning a trip for himself.  Occasionally he brought in a friend in with himself, but usually, he was alone.  

"Hey," Vinny responded without looking up, hunched over a map.  Ricky brought the pot of coffee to him along with two mugs.  He poured a cup for each of them and took a seat, sipping on the caffeine.

Ricky examined a few papers, holding one up that had a dozen addresses scribbled on it.  "You goin' on a booty call tour?" He laughed a bit as Vinny snatched the paper from his hand.  Ricky pulled a box of cigarettes from his back pocket along with a lighter and lit up.  

"Not exactly..." Vinny sighed as he pulled a blunt from his backpack and snatched Ricky's lighter. "I'm going to Burning Man but I'm turning it into a week-long road trip." He explained as they both puffed away until a man came into the diner.  Ricky dropped his cigarette into the ashtray and got up, heading behind the counter.  

"Hey, how are you doin'?" Ricky asked as he passed him a menu and put the pot of coffee back on the warmer.  The man shrugged and ordered a coffee and an egg sandwich.  Ricky jotted it down on his pad and slid it through the chef's window.  He bent down to grab his book off a shelf, noticing a bit of scribbly handwriting.  

"Ryan was here." Ricky sighed and tried to wipe it away, but it wouldn't come off.  He grabbed a pen and scratched down next to the text "vandalism is dumb". He grabbed his book and set it on the counter, standing up and serving the customer before sitting down with Vinny again. 

They enjoyed each other's company quietly, smoking and sipping on coffee and flipping through pages.  There were only a few more customers and they were all quiet, so Ricky didn't mind serving them.

When the sun began to rise again, Vinny rushed off and Ricky clocked out, bringing his book home since he finished it.  He lit another cigarette for the way home, driving slowly. 

As soon as he unlocked his apartment door, he stripped down to his boxers and curled up on the couch, watching a few episodes of Dexter before falling asleep.

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