She took it in and said she needed a job. Of course, she was given an apron right a way and put to work cleaning tables.

"Now, if you do that well enough, we'll let you wait on tables," the cashier said.

That was good enough for Ellie. She got to the task and saw once she got to the kitchen all the dishes were stacking up so she started washing those.

"That's not your job," the cook said who was getting ashes from his cigarette in the pancakes he was making.

"Sorry," she said, but she couldn't just let the dishes keep piling up. "Who's job is it?"

"I guess he forgot again," The old black man shrugged as he went back to his pancakes. "He's rather forgetful."

"How long have you been working here?" Ellie asked.

"Far too long, darling." He smiled at her then, and she went back to washing dishes in the half cold water.

"Does anything really work to satisfaction around here?" Ellie wondered.

"This is good as it gets."

And to think all this time all she really wanted was a hot shower. She shook slightly then feeling grimy, but what else could she do but to continue on with the dishes and utensils.

Finally, she looked back out at the diner and saw Kale at the counter.

"They put you work, already?" He waited for her to come out of the kitchen.

"There was a help wanted sign." She shrugged.

"You should have told me you were going," he said.

"I couldn't sleep," she said. "And it was early so I decided I'd just come here."

"And you walked?"

"Is that a problem?"

"No."

She brought him a cup of coffee. Of course, she was reprimanded that it wasn't her job. She just smiled.

"I think everyone is a robot here," Ellie said to Kale.