Customer comes in
Sprinkled all along the Pennsylvania, New York and New
England highways, diners are a slice of mid 20th century Americana
that remain today. The regulars are loyal and swear by the traditional
home cooking….
Patsy: The special today is: the open Roast Beef sandwich, tato bites, creamed spinach and a slice of shoofly pie.
Harry: (looking over menu) is that with gravy?
Patsy: Now Harry you know darn well Bob puts lots on gravy on the open Roast Beef...
Harry: I'll have the special then. And tell Bob..I'd like gravy on my tato bites too. Any special charge for that Pats?
Patsy: Don't start with me Harry. Who's been putting gravy on your tato bites for the past 23 years? You just relax. Bob'll make sure there is plenty of gravy if I have to ladle another cup or two on myself.
Patsy: GET ME ONE SPECIAL! FLOAT IT!
(Customer walking in diner)
Patsy: Hey Fred.
Fred: Hey Pats! Cold day out there! Start me off with a hot cup of coffee will ya?
Patsy: Nearly poured Fred. You having lunch?
Fred: What's the special?
Patsy: The special today is: the open Roast Beef sandwich, tato bites, creamed spinach and a slice of shoofly pie.
Fred: I thought Bob always had au gratin potatoes with the open Roast Beef.
Patsy: He fried tato bites today.
Fred: Hmmmm..... I like the gravy on my au gratins..
Patsy: I'm sorry Fred. Have the chicken dumplings. You like that.
Fred: Not on special though is it..?
Patsy: No Fred. Sorry.
Fred: Just give me the special. Have Bob put gravy on the tato bites and spinach then.
Patsy: You got it Fred.
Patsy: GIVE ME ANOTHER SPECIAL BOB. FLOAT IT!
Fred: Hi Harry.
Harry: Hey Fred. I heard your truck pulling up.
Fred: Yup....I'm gonna fix the brakes soon. Just haven't had time to drive 40 miles to the nearest mechanic now that Dave's Garage closed down.
Harry: I know it. My muffler is nearly shot. I miss Dave.
Fred: Yea....He could fix anything.
Patsy puts the specials out and grabs the pot of gravy.
Patsy: Who needs more gravy?
Harry: (looking over his plate which is immersed in gravy) Let me eat down a bit. It'll overflow.
Fred: Same here.
Patsy: Ok boys. Now look..Bob's got plenty here. Don't be shy about speaking up.
Bob: (yelling from the kitchen) I've got plenty of gravy back here! You fellas eat up!
Fred and Harry: Ok Bob!
Customer comes in
Patsy: Hey John! Grab a seat.
John: I smell gravy.......what's Bob making today?...the chopped sirloin? his open roast beef sandwiches? the Salisbury? maybe the beef tips? or...
Patsy: The special today is: the open Roast Beef sandwich, tato bites, creamed spinach and a slice of shoofly pie.
John: Hey Fred, Harry..
Fred and Harry: Hey John.
John: Oh the opened Roast beef..hmm....Millie said we were having a roast tonight with potato filling and gravy. So..I don't know. Hate to have the same thing for dinner and lunch. (thinks a second) How about having the special but just make it a gravy sandwich? No roast beef.
Patsy: That's fine John. I'll give you an extra slice of butter bread, too.
John: You're gonna spoil me Pats.
Patsy: ONE SPECIAL BUT SPARE THE MOO!
.
Harry: I'm ready for more gravy now Pats.
Fred: Same here.
Patsy refills their plates to the brim with gravy.
John: I just got back from visiting Norm in the hospital.
Harry: Oh how's he doing John? I've gotta run by and see him later.
John: He's doing ok. He's one lucky guy. Doc said it was a miracle his heart could pump anything through those arteries. But he's gonna make it.
Fred: Glad to hear it. We can't lose anymore of our poker buddies this year.
John: Yea its been a rough year...three… three of the best guys you’d ever hope to know in one lifetime…all gone now.
Harry: (takes a deep breath) Yea....Its been a terrible year.
Patsy brings out John's lunch.
Patsy: Now who needs gravy?
Bob: (yelling from the back) I'm making more gravy! There's plenty!
Fred: Not here Pats..ready for that pie. (yelling) Bob, the gravy was delicious as usual!
Harry: Bring on the shoofly.
John: We've been so busy at the mill. I've had to work an extra shift the past few weeks to fill in until we can get a replacement for Tony.
Harry: They still haven't found anyone since he…(sighs)?
John: Its near impossible. Its sad really. When Millie and I moved here 30 years ago this was a growing little community with fine neighbors, and the mill kept everyone working.
Harry: I know it. Even this place has slowed down.
Bob: (yelling from the back) My business has been off for several years now.
Patsy brings out pie and serves it.
John: Word down at the mill is that they may move the place. Its not that they can't get the business..its just trying to find employees these days.
Fred: Its like that all over. Lately I spend nearly my entire Saturday's running over to other townships to do my errands because so many of the shops have closed down here.
John: Well Norm is thankful he had his heart attack right
here in the diner. Patsy knows exactly what to do.
Patsy: Comes with practice. I can drive the route to
the hospital with my eyes closed.
John: Well all I know is I hope I have MY heart attack in here!
Light chuckles from the group.
Harry: Who had their heart attack first? Was it Stan or Mitch?
Fred: Mitch, because Stan drove him to the hospital. Then the strain of having to drag Mitch into the emergency room made Stan have his heart attack.
Harry: Right, that was a sad day. If I recall correctly, then the orderly had one dragging them both to gurnies. By the time they found everyone...
John: Yup.......I just don't know how much more loss this town can take.
Bob: (yelling from the back) Well they'll have to carry me out of this place. Cause if there is even one last person left in this town I'll be here. I love this place.
Harry: You're the best Bob!
Fred and John:Yup!
Patsy: Can I get you boys anything else?
Harry: Just the usual, Patsy, a cup of your strongest, black coffee to go. Gotta get back to the post office and I'll be wanting to sleep like a baby this afternoon without it after this deliciously, filling meal.
Fred: I have to leave, too, but business is so slow nobody minds if I nap at my desk ... see you guys for breakfast.
Bob: (from back) The breakfast special is the eggs, biscuits, sausage and gravy!
Harry: Save me a plate Bob!
Fred: Me too Bob! See you then.
Patsy: Take care you two.
Customer walks in as Fred and Harry leave.
Patsy: Hey Ernie. Sorry to hear about your brother. We're going to miss him here... The special today is...
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