2019-10-16 - A Plumbing Affair

Gina looks up from her cell phone, and she doesn't /quite/ smile. But there might have been a firming of the corner of her lips that the highly observant might've noticed. "Hey." She sets the phone into one of the oversized front pockets of the shift, reachingto check the sorbet brand and after a moment, comment, "It'll do." Before she takes a spoon that might've been waiting, digging into the pint directly from the container, leaning forward onto the counter. "You don't have the weird murder-flu or whatever? Keep hearing that was a thing while I was out of town."

Geoff leans against the counter not bothering to look at the nearby menu as he shakes his head "Nope, I've already been through the death flu and am over it. It royally sucked." wrinkling his nose he shares "The words part is when the Dreams hit and you're stripped of your mojo." taking a spoon he leans over and scoops out some of the treat to sample it, musing over the flavors before swallowing it down, confirming "It'll do."

"Huh. Haven't heard much about it. Didn't know it fucked with the glint and glimmer. That why things felt a little stranger when I got back?" A spoonful of the sorbet: small spoonfuls at a time, maybe to make sure there's no brainfreeze, maybe just to savor the flavor. "Haven't slipped by yet. But you know me. I live pretty low key." Or as low key as someone who shines like Gina does can, anyway.

Geoff leans back to catch the attention of a passing waitress, "I'll go with a burger and hashbrowns, thanks." and with that he is paying her no more heed, confident that his order was probably going to maybe get put in. With a wry grin he teases Gina "I'm pretty sure if you ratcheted up to low-key people would wonder why you became so extroverted all of a sudden, Gina." side eyeing her he looks her over as if to make sure she wasn't latent carrying the death flu and ready to give it to him "How was the vacation? Where'd you go?"

"Bet my life's much more relaxed than yours." Gina says, pointing at Geoff with a spoon, before having another spoonful. "Had enough drama growing up. I'm enjoying my retirement." From? Well, Gina won't specify, perhaps figuring (wrongly or rightly) that Geoff can fill in enough blanks himself. But at his question, she shrugs, "Funeral for one of my ex-stepdads. Figured I'd go pay my respects. German guy." Gina says, as casual and easy as if it was a completely random happenstance. She hesitates for a small moment, having another spoonful of sorbet before adding, a little EXTRA casually, "Swung by the UK after to visit some sights before heading back. Mostly it was the Germany thing, though."

Geoff offers a dip of his head as if to offer the condolences he certainly won't verbalize, "The UK sounds nice, I always thought it would be a blast to visit there. Though I've heard that with my record leaving the country is a pain in the ass for actually getting any place to let me in." here he cracks a smile as if it were the punchline of a joke, "I'm kind of surprised you didn't hit Paris to visit the catacombs or check out the sick ossuaries they got set up." gesturing with his spoon he asks "Did I ever show you the momento mori ink I've got on me?"

"I've already been a few times. Kind of over the top." Gina says, sliding her spoon through the sorbet to trace the outline of a crude skull. "They're cute, though. Different kinds of fun." A tooth of the skull is dug out, enjoyed, before both Gina's brows rise, "Don't think so. Not afraid to incite my voracious carnal lusts?" That deadpan, slightly surprised tone. After all, Gina does so love messing with the expectations of her staff.

Geoff shakes his head from where he sits near Gina, his voice completely deadpan as he responds "Every time we meet it is a dance of lust and passion, what's another drop in the tide, hmm?" His eyebrow arching at this as if to ask what the worst that could happen would be. That would be when his burger and hashbrowns are delivered, though he doesn't pay much attention to the food, instead his attention still on Gina.

Cracks through the door wearing navy overalls pinned by medallions emboldened a shiny bronze color, a red flannel shirt below and caterpillar boots colored chestnut brown that reach his ankles. One of the overalls' buttons looks popped and its dangle hangs from his torso, the other barely hangs around his shoulder. He holds a toolbox blasted with tools so full one has to wonder how they don't all spill down with his awkward walking. His face's exceedingly tanned and greasy with an afternoon of nothing but work, his beard spilled and wet with sweat.

A cacophony of grunts and gritty, hoarse harumphs echo off of him as if he was trying to clear his throat all the way from the door on the path to the counter, right beside Geoff; right across Gina. Unceremoniously, he dumped his metal box of implements out on the counter and gave the two one hard, judging look.

"But even those small drops lead to such intense and unforgettable moments." Gina continues in that completely same tone, not even looking up at the....person who walks in. She does smile, just a little, "So yeah, totally don't remember seeing the ink. So don't think I have." But ahh, then Nasir is /there/, and Gina's apathetic gaze lands on him, taking him in...and then she proceeds to have another small spoonful of sorbet and glances at the rafters, before looking at Geoff again.

Geoff dips his head somberly for Gina definitely speaks the truth and likewise not bother to even glance towards the sweaty man who settles down beside him "I'll have to show you sometime, I rather like it." then his companion is looking away to the newcomer so Geoff spares a look back to his place to ready those hash browns with copious amounts of hot sauce and ketchup. also side-eying Nassir just a little before he looks back to Gina with a hint of a grin "I've also been thinking about getting some moths added, but still on the fence with whether they might be overkill.

Nasir remained relatively unscathed by the disdainful and not-so-disdainful looks, making a little ritual in the lingering silence to reach out and grab two pieces of tissue he'd fold into padded triangles before running an up and down sweep of his face, cleaning and cleansing the amounting grease off his cheeks and hard, wrinkled forehead. He bit his lower lip more from the inside than outside and finally exhaled, speaking thus gruffly; "Alright so let's pause whatever the fuck this is," he holds each of his palms open - one tucked in with the crunched tissue under his thumb - to motion outwardly for the two of them, as if mixing them together; "And jump on more important matters for a second," he set his feet together, aligned his shoulders and threw the bundled, soggy tissue off to the nearest basketcase, landing it in. "Crazy fucking thing here, Jinna, Tina or whatever, tried to poison me last night. So what the fuck right? What's with the omelet man?" his words were more demand than anything else, and he looked questioningly at the Gina.

"Our torrid and passionate love is endless, and can't be stopped." Gina says blandly, but her attention does turn to look at Nasir, enjoying her top-class, fancy lemon sorbet that definitely isn't on the menu. Judging by the bag near Geoff, it was probably brought over. But both Gina's brows at the accusation of poisoning. And she...shrugs. "The omelettes here are shit. Check the internet if you don't believe me. Or just ask anybody. But who am I to fuck with your free will to order what you want? You asked for an omelette, I gave it to you. Ordering it and eating it is on you. Not gonna be responsible for your shitty decision making skills."

Geoff glances at Nassir as he interrupts though as soon as the word omelette is mentioned he breaks out in a broad grin "Hey look man, you ordered the omelette on your own, you should have known better." at the comment about freewill he nods along "You saw it before you and still chose to eat, who is Gina to stop you from choosing how you live your life." With a sigh Geoff shakes his head in disappointment at the man's lack of appreciation for the ramifications of freewill

Marion strolls into the Diner and looks around. They see Nasir. They walk over. "Heya," Marion says to Nasir. "Who are your friends?" And then, to the 'friends': "Marion Tsai. Nice to meet you."

That thing one would once call a neck which held Nasir's particularly rugged head slowly began to cave in on its own weight, like a pyramid whose segments fell under the weight of Gina's implications that now manifested. He was positively revolted and made almost childish, disgusting sounds and 'eughs' as his eyes squinted as hard as squinting could possibly go, his lips tensing in an outward pucker of pure distaste. "Oh no," the calamity.

After some hard shuddering and double-take of Geoff, he swallowed hard the stack of mouth water that pooled in the back of his throat and forged on into the conversation. "Look homie, I was high as shit and drunk. I don't need this right now. I didn't order a fucking omelet, I don't like omelets-- it must've been a joke. My shit is them hamburgers." as he spoke, he tried to convey the assertiveness of his points with an outstretched right hand, its index finger pointing at Geoff, and Gina, then Geoff, then Gina again, as if this was alien invaders and he was shooting down their points with his gun for a finger.

It was amidst such muted 'pows' from his briskly brushing lips that Marion spooked him from a flank, forcing him to turn; to widen his eyes and look at the outline of a friend in shock. "Holy shit you're alive. These monkeys aren't my friends- they're the enemy."

Gina doesn't look at all disturbed by Nasir - but she's a girl of few expressions and fewer shits given. Marion is given a glance at their arrival, but Nasir classifies the relationship - though Gina adds, "Have to care to be your enemy. I don't. Really, really don't care what you do or don't need." Gina has another spoonful of the lemon sorbet, taking her time, "You asked for waffles. Then you asked for burgers. I asked if you were sure. You then ordered the omelet. I gave you an omelet. You ate it. Transaction complete. " Gina ticks off the salient points with her spoon.

It should also be noted that Gina is dressed with her usual flair, today hearkening back to the 60s and 70s. A shapeless mini shift dress, black, with a blue-and-green striped shirt beneath, indigo stockings, and black kitten heels. There's even a pair of round blue shades tucked into her purple hair, completing the look. The smoky eye and dark purple lips are apparently just what her mood is. And the music currently playing is K-Pop, leaning more towards the less rap-heavy songs. She also throws Geoff a Look that shares just how tiring her life is sometimes.

Geoff gives a dismissive wave at being called an enemy "If I were your enemy then you wouldn't be sitting within arms reach of me." This is spoken with the easy going confidence and assuredness of one who has had enemies in the past and dealt with them. With a click of his tongue he shakes his head "You're stoned off your ass, old man. You should get some coffee and go sit somewhere where you can't hurt yourself or pick fights." Geoff shoots Gina back a long suffering look as if he can appreciate her pain.

Marion raises their hands nonthreateningly. "Hey, hey, hey. Nobody's anyone's enemy here. Nasir was just joking. We're all chill. Right, Nasir?" The man gets a glance before Marion looks at Gina. "Do you guys serve waffles?" they ask. "I love waffles. Waffles and hash browns... mmm. The best." They're wearing skinny jeans, converse shoes, and a dark denim jacket over a grey t-shirt. It's some horrible mixup of the 80s and modern fashion.

Nasir must've appreciated a different kind of humor off of Geoff at his statement since it had transformed his disgusted face into shook amusement. He turned his head in hilarity, lines of mirth cracking on the flanks of his eyes as he shook his head, entirely joyous of the exchange, so much so he almost forgot Gina. And the grudge. "I'm putting this one in the book," he warned, his expression going flat immediately, being entirely the opposite of the careless, undisturbed and disconnected woman who didn't spare a hint of dirt off her shoulder for Nasir, who instead pointed at her like aiming down the barrel of a gun. "The book of grudges."

Marion's defense was entirely ignored, indeed.

"Did you seriously just make a Warhammer reference?" Marion asks incredulously. "You are /such/ a nerd."

Geoff and Gina, over there harmoniously exchanging suffering and defending the Den. Continuously mucking the waters about their relationship status. For the lulz. But Gina turns her attention to Marion and pulls a notepad from one of the large front pockets on her dress. "Pretty sure he was wasn't. Luckily, still don't care." Gina drawls, taking down the order before impaling it on the spoke for incoming orders. Both brows raise at Nasir's reference, even after Marion points out the reference Gina doesn't get, "Could've saved yourself some time and just done that in the first place without getting in my face. So you ordering something or just here to admire my great taste?" Said without any sass, just a bland query just this side of impolite.

Nasir was forced to break character at the continuous reflection off of Gina, the 'grudge' falling short as his mouth split open into a brief, twitched smirk. "Fuck, she's going to make one hell of a petty diner lady when she's old," he reasoned, entirely with Marion- perhaps he had gotten to the point where he just assumed he was entirely phased out of Gina's mind, with how openly he spoke of her - and continued to do so - right then. "Don't talk about Warhammer in the presence of these... people. Either way, I'll talk to Alexander, something tells me he has a hand in this omelet shit anyway. I've got to go-- Marion, you stay. Speak well of me in my absence."

Marion shakes their head. "Nasir, you're an idiot," they say amiably. "And I'm going to have to end up apologizing for you being so goddamned weird. But that's all right. I'll have waffles." They look at Geoff and Gina. "He's an idiot," Marion says with a shrug.

"Figured that out last night. Confirmed since he can't tell I'm already a petty diner bitch." Gina tells Marion, having one last spoonful of the sorbet before she closes it up to tuck in the freezer, for later consumption. "You want a drink or something?" Gina's already heading towards the coffee machine, to prepare a cup. "You look vaguely familiar. Do I know you?" Gina doesn't seem to attach too much importance to the fact.

Geoff has been gnawing on the food in front of him, enjoying the burger and hashbrowns alternating between each as eats so as to not overly finish one before the other. Gesturing with his fork he chimes in "It's true, Gina's petty diner bitch puts all others to shame. Too bad there isn't some sort of indifference Olympics for them all to compete in."

Marion frowns pensively. "Hmm. Maybe? Oh, yes--coffee. Please. You wouldn't happen to have espresso, would you? For cappuccinos?" The thick-rimmed glasses are, it would seem, proof positive of Marion's hipster status. Their brow furrows. "Were you... Mr. Castro's daughter? The one all the younger kids flocked to because you got to go vacationing every summer, right?"

It was difficult to keep a straight face when betrayed on so many fronts. He drew in a deep breath and managed only to keep it cool by a hair's breadth, for even his face went red with disdain entirely at Marion. "Really man? You're like- you're supposed to be here, up in arms, for me. And I haven't even walked out that door and you're already talking some mighty shit," Nasir took a step back, and towards the door; he staggered away, and in its direction still, pointing at Marion. "To the book," he thusly judged, disappearing out the entrance now exit with only a newspaper swishing around in his absence.

"Definitely a local, then." Gina comments, neither confirming or denying - but really, it's very likely an indirect confirmation. "We only do coffee. Decent coffee, though. I drink it." With a touch of caramel syrup, which she is pouring into her cup before tasting. "Can't really be assed to teach people how to use an espresso machine. But there's water, juice, tea, whatever. Gina. That's Geoff." A slight headtilt in Geoff's direction.

Geoff slides from his stool and tosses some money on the counter "Well I'd probably better get going, I need to stop on the way home and pick up some groceries. I can't just eat every meal here, or at least that's what I'm told." he cracks a cocky grin and offers a wave to the two "I'll see you around sometime Gina. We really should hang out more."

Marion waves. "Good to meet you, Geoff. Good to meet you, Gina. And normal coffee is fine. So you're the only worker here? Management must be tight."

"No. But I hate waiting tables, so Tal and Pepper handle that." Gina's dark eyes flick towards a table, where a rather androgynous blond with short hair is getting their nails painted by a gangly mohawked young thing that looks barely out of an 80s punk high school. Apparently, there are decals involved in that nail placement. Pepper is the one who gets up to go get people thing-- when they ask. The Grizzly isn't exactly a place known for proactive customer service. But you do get your food, and it's usually still hot when you get it. "And I don't cook." She does take another sip of her coffee, before moving to to prepare another cup, setting it down before Marion. If they drink, they'll notice it's surprisingly good coffee. Nothing outrageous, but it's definitely not bulk Folger's.

Marion takes a drink. "Mm. That is good. You know, the coffee here is better in Seattle. Which I suppose makes sense, since Seattle is responsible for Starbucks." They look at the androgynous youth, and grin. Good fashion sense. Then Marion's attention is turned back to Gina. "So you're the cashier... no, that doesn't make sense." They lean forward, elbows on the table, examining the mystery. "Manager?"

"We grind in the morning and midday." So fancy! At the guessing, Gina just collects her own coffee cup once more. "Owner. Bought it after I got my mom's life insurance money and moved back here." Said with nary a blink or quiver of the voice. "Shut it down, made it not a death trap fire hazard, reopened. Dad helped before he retired to California." Which very likely explains why she's comfortable being the petty diner bitch.

"Owner," Marion repeats, leaning back in their seat. Mystery solved. "Well. Congratulations, then. That would explain the customer service." They take a long drink of coffee. "Nasir probably deserved it," they admit. "He's taken to flights of fancy. By which I mean doing stupid things without thinking. What did he end up doing this time?"

Gina shrugs. "He was high and drunk last night, made fucked up life choices, and decided to blame me for them." Said casually. Almost dismissively, as if it really isn't all that important. "Long story short, he ordered the omelet." Depending on how long Marion's been back, they may have heard about the Grizzly. Which is nearly always followed by the warning never to order an omelet. "So I gave him one. And he ate all of it, like a dumbass high off his shit." She shrugs. Siiiiiiiiiiips. "Not the worse bullshit I've dealt with."

Marion stares.

Marion stares. "He ate an omelet at the Grizzly. Wow. No wonder he looked so miserable today." They don't seem bothered about insulting the food of the diner to the owner's face. "I'm going to make fun of him for that for a while," they say with a grin. "Not great that he was high and drunk, though..."

Were it another food item, Gina might be peeved - a strong might, but there exists the possibility. The omeletttes, though? Those are infamous. And so Gina just shrugs, "Exactly. I don't take responsibility for other people's shit choices. I barely tolerate people on good days." She finishes her coffee, "Anyway, later." And as easily as that, Gina turns and heads back into the kitchen, even as "Pepper" moves to put on an apron and head behind the counter, as easily as that. People skills? Maybe not Gina's forte.