You make a joke. And meet some locals

"Are you on the menu Max?" you leer, using the name you read off the tag on her uniform.

"Just what you see on the wall pal," she answers with a hint of a sneer. "Want me to read it to you? Or can you manage that for yourself?"

You chuckle and shake your head in apology, putting on your most charming smile. "My bad. I guess I was just channelling 1958. I haven't seen a roller skating car hop outside of a movie in my life. Let me apologise."

"You just did. And you're not the first mope to make the joke. No harm done, I'm a big girl. Now what do you want to eat? And if you say 'pussy' I'll drag you out and put a skate up your ass." She grins at you and snaps her gum.

"I'll have a cheeseburger," you laugh. "I'd say I don't eat pussy, but that would be a lie."

"Ain't you the answer to a maiden's prayer?" she snorts, scribbling on her order pad. "You want fries? Ok. The shakes are good. Best in town."

"Sure, Vanilla."

"Anything else? Ok. Be right up boss." She gives you a grin and a nod and skates away, her short skirt flicking from side to side to show off her firm rump. You smile and shake your head as you recline the seat slightly and sit back to wait. A silver SUV pulls into the slot beside you and you glance over to see a pretty brunette in the passenger seat nod at you, then turn to the driver and say something.

"That's a Pink Rose parking sticker on the windshield isn't it?" the passenger says with a smile. "You one of the new teachers?"

"That's right."

"Cool. We met one of your colleagues the other night. Brian Watts? Yeah, he sat in with us for a couple of numbers."

"Excuse me?" you reply, puzzled.

"We play in a band with Christina Thorpe. She brought him along to our last gig. He played some harp with us. I'm Vicki Marlowe, and this is Carmen Donner. She's bass, I'm keyboards and vocals." The driver leans forward to look at you and gives a small wave and a smile. You smile back, bemused at the conversation. Both women are professionally, even conservatively dressed, and seem the least probable members of a band.

"I'm Darnell Sharp. What kind of band?"

"Rock, mostly covers. We're Sister Tina Torrid and Crazy Train. We play bars mostly. Weekend gigs. It's fun, you should come see us. We have a website, check us out. And if Tine doesn't bring him, drag Brian along, he's a gas. Are all the new men hot as you two?"

"You know it," you laugh, enjoying Vicki's frankness. "What do you two do in real life? You're not exactly dressed like a couple of rockers."

"Carmen sells real estate. I'm a funeral director. No shit!" she laughs at your surprised expression. "I really am."

Your conversation is interrupted by Max gliding up with a tray to hang on your door. "Here you go boss. Cheeseburger, fries, vanilla shake. We were fresh out of pussy. Try again later." She snaps her gum and grins before gliding away again. Vicki and Carmen burst into gales of laughter.

"You were hitting on Max? Watch yourself teach, she's got a mouth on her. But maybe not in the way you were expecting."

You shake your head ruefully and smile back. "Yeah, she got me pretty good. She's got that tough waitress thing down."

"That she does. Her and the food make this place worth coming to. How's your burger?"

"Great," you nod. "Really good!"

"The advantage of a nice simple menu. Burgers, fries and shakes. The place has been here for 60 years. Some people think it's a retro joint, but the fact is it's never changed. Hey good talking to you Darnell! Our take out is here. Come see us play sometime and bring the other guys along. And if you're looking for a house call Carmen. If you're looking for a coffin, call me." She laughs and the two women wave as they pull out of the parking spot and leave you to finish your lunch.