Amy out back.

You head toward the back of the diner, looking for your waitress Madge so you can ask her for a diet drink for Ellen.

You don't see the waitress, but you notice the back door near the restrooms has been propped open. You look out and see Amy leaning on the back wall.

"C'mon out, champ," Amy says. "Y'looking for me?"

Ellen's roommate stubbs out her mooched cigarette and looks up and out at the night sky.

"Quitting is hell," Amy says. She flips the butt into the darkness.

Amy's shirttail is hanging loose. She takes a bandanna from her jeans pocket and wipes her chin and cheeks, then pockets it again. Her pants seem to be buttoned crooked. She comes out with a pack of gum, takes a stick of gum and pops it in her mouth.

"What's wrong?" you ask. "Are you worried about Ellen?"

Amy continues to stare up and out, chewing on her gum. "Worried?" she says. "I guess. Maybe appalled would be a better word."

"About her, um, girlfriend?"

Amy tilts her head. "You tell me," she says. She spits out her gum. "Just a f'rinstance. What would you think if your naïve little blonde roommate suddenly started going out in the evening, getting secretive about her phone calls and lying about the amount of time she was spending with..."