Chapter 1
Sitting on his brown felt armchair Harvey watches the TV. There isn't much on, most of the time he keeps it off. He was bored though and didn’t have much else to do. Watching the TV made Harvey feel lazy. Feeling hungry he goes to the kitchen of his small flat. Harvey lives alone; he didn't mind that big city life wasn't for him. The town of Kaplin seemed like a good fit for him. The fresh air and not being able to see his neighbors was a bonus. When he did live in the city the people in the house over from his would blast music every week. Getting to the fridge he looks at the calendar. Today he was supposed to call his friend Thomas. He had to be driven to work since Harveys car was in the shop. It broke down one day. Briskly walking over to the red wall phone, he picks it up. Dialing numbers, he hopes Thomas will pick up and hasn't fallen asleep yet. As the phone rang, he was thankful to hear Thomas’ tired groans on the other side.
“Hello, you're still picking me up right?
Harvey asked silently, pleading for a yes.
“Yeah of course, wait right now?”
“Yes! Right now! I'm not trying to get fired.”
“I’ll be there soon”
Thomas said as he hung up the phone. There really wasn’t much to do while he waited. Thomas lived on the outskirts of town. At least a thirty or so drive. Going back to the fridge Harvey took out a sandwich. It was one he made for his lunch, but he felt too hungry to wait.
Going over to the coat rack he started to get ready for the ride over. Today it was going to rain. Harvey always felt the rain was annoying. Especially when it got his socks wet. Getting his shoes on he heard a horn out front. It was Thomas. Standing up he shuts the light off and rushes outside and hopping into the car.
“Hey, you ready?”
“Yes, I’m ready now step on it.”
“Ok their boss.”
Thomas says, mocking Harvey. It was frustrating but he didn’t really care. Thomas had done much worse before.
“Mia was supposed to join me for dinner the other day, but she couldn’t. I think she said she was going to her dad's house.”
“Oh, yeah that sucks, I hate when people cancel on me.”
“Hey Tom, how did you get here so fast?”
“I was already driving this way.”
“You were?”
“Yeah, I was going for a drive.”
“Oh really?”
“Yeah, I got bored.”
As he drives off Harvey looks around, opening the glovebox. It had mint chocolates inside. Taking one out and eating it.
“What, didn't you brush your teeth this morning.”
He looked at Thomas with a disappointed look.
“Really…”
Harvey said. It started to rain. Pouring rain. Sounded like tapping on the windows.
Looking out the car window Harvey watches as the rain rolls down from the windows. Thomas had been friends since childhood. And the road was quiet, only the odd car every so often going past. They were supposed to be heading straight to Harveys job site, but Thomas was hungry. Now they were on their way to ‘The melting pot’, a diner that’s a way down the road. It was a small stop on the side, but it could use some work on the outside. The wipers of the car squeaked like a dog toy. Harvey just sat there in annoyance but didn't bother to say anything, he knew that there was no point in arguing. He was too tired. Looking at his watch it’s 3:15 A.M.
“Can you hurry up? I'm getting hungry too.”
Harvey said as his stomach growled.
“What, do you want to end up in the ditch? The road is soaked.”
Thomas responded, sounding aggravated most likely because of the hunger. Over the tree line a faint glow of lights appeared; Red, blue, and Purple. They were close.
Going around the corner Thomas pulled into the parking lot of the diner. The rain is coming down a little harder now.
“Let’s go.”
Thomas said, they both opened their door and headed towards the entrance. It was a nice-looking place. Their shoes splashing in the puddles in the parking lot they made it towards the entrance. Once they made it inside, they kicked off their wet shoes on the floor mat.
“Hello, welcome to 'the melting pot' diner, let me get you seated here.”
The waiter said. He was balding and had a stubble.
“Just over there at booth 6.”
He said pointing at a booth across the room. It was empty. The table was spotless. Going over to the table they sat down, picking up a menu.
“So, what are you going to get?”
Harvey asked as he was surfing through the very limited options.
“I’m just gunna get a sandwich, what ‘bout you?”
He asked me to put his menu down.
“Ah, the same as you.”
“Really?”
Thomas asked, slightly disappointed.
“Yeah? Is that a problem?”
Thomas just shook his head.
“What can I get you guys?”
The waiter asked, though it's not the same one. He has nicer hair and was clean shaven. His teeth were less yellow too.
“Two sandwiches and two cokes.”
The waiter smiled and walked away after writing some things down on a piece of paper. On the side of the booth table was a newspaper.
The newspaper was torn around the edges, clearly being old.
“1986, This is from a little while ago.”
Harvey said with a chuckle. A sad attempt to try and make Thomas laugh.
“It’s 1997, it's eleven years ago.”
“Yeah, but still, I was what…twelve.”
“Yeah. That's math.”
Thomas was too hungry to care for anything.
“Goddamn, what is taking so long.”
“Tom. Relax, it's been five minutes.”
“Yeah, well it feels longer.”
“You're just hungry. Fatso.”
“What did you just call me?”
Thomas said, staring into Harveys eyes.
“Nothing…nothing.”
“Yeah, sure.”
He said not believing a word of it. The waiter came by holding a few plates, looking at both the plates and the table trying not to drop it.
“Here are your sandwiches.”
He says placing them on the table with shaky hands. He looked nervous.
“Sorry, it’s my first day on the job.”
“Oh, that's ok.”
“Thank you,”
He said walking away.
“That was nice of you.”
Harvey said with a smirk.
“It was his first day on the job, I remember mine.”
“Do you know?”
“Yes of course I do.”
“Alright.”
They start to eat their sandwiches.
Harvey is still reading the newsletter as he’s eating. His sandwich is a little stale. Looking up at Thomas he opens his mouth as if to say something.
“Were you going to say something there?”
Thomas asked, noticing Harvey.
“No, I wasn’t going to say anything.”
“Ok…”
“Hey Harvey, I got to use the washroom I’ll be back, ok?”
“Alright.”
He said as Thomas stood up and walked away. As he entered the washroom an old looking man with a ragged coat walked over. He was hunched over as well. He looked around before leaning close to Harvey.
“Hey, Harvey.”
“What? Who are you?”
He sounded raspy and out of breath. Like he couldn't speak right. Something was off but Harvey couldn’t tell. The old man speaks again.
“Where are you going. Will lead to nothing but dread.”
“What do you mean?”
“Just go home.”
The old man turns around and starts to walk away.
“Wait! Don’t leave yet…”
Harvey tries to say but his voice trails off. Once the old man leaves through the front doors of the restaurant Thomas exits the washroom. Noticing this he goes back to eating, finishing his food.
“Hey, I'm back.”
Thomas says as he sits down at the booth. Harvey just yawns.
“So, what happened while I was gone.”
“Not much really.”
“Ok, I’m done eating you ready to go?”
Thomas said Putting his hands on the table getting ready to stand up.
“Yeah, I’m ready.”
He says although still a little confused about the old man. It was the strangest interaction he has had in a while. Before he stands up, Harvey leaves a twenty-dollar bill on the table. Once they get to the door they leave. The rain seemed to calm down, it was pouring out like it was when they got there. Walking to their car Thomas steps in a puddle soaking his shoes and sock.
“Damn.”
He said looking down and seeing how wet it was. Harvey laughs a little before getting in the car. Sitting there he waits for Thomas to enter. As he is waiting, he sees the old man by the side of the building. Just standing there not doing anything, staring at him. He felt unsettled but then Thomas got in and started the car.
