When Strangers Appear

Thanks!

We're not open yet.

Yeah, but the sign says "open." We don't open till 12:00.

It's five to. I just figured you wanted to rob the place,

or you really needed coffee bad.

So, there's the cash register,

there's the bathroom and there's your coffee.

Thank you.

I passed you, didn't I?

Well, you could say that.

Sorry. I didn't see you till the last minute.

It's all right. Tomorrow's wash day, anyway. What do you want?

I need to use the bathroom.

How much is, like, a hot dog?

A hot dog is $1.50.

What do you got for 80?

A half a hot dog.

Look, you go and whatever and I'll see what I can dig up.

Oh, and if the cops come, I won't tell them where you are.

It's a joke.

Well, you look almost presentable now.

Thanks... for the food.

Oh, it's nothing. I mean, I'm lucky if I get to cook this much in a shift.

You know, sometimes I get whole days where I don't even get...

one customer.

Of course, before they built that interstate, this place used to be packed.

On a slow day, there'd be standing-room only.

And on a busy day, it would be gridlock right out to the car park.

Only people who come here now are locals.

They're all too busy boiling babies and burning books...

to bother coming in here for brunch.

And everybody else is either lost, trying to be lost or they're just...

looking for the beach.

You don't talk much, do you?

Um, I'm sorry. I haven't eaten for a while.

It's okay. Are you in trouble or something?

What?

Oh. No, it was... it was an accident.

What kind of accident?

The kind that's not meant to happen.

Okay, I was just gonna ask...

Look, I'm not on the run from the cops, okay?

I'm sorry. I haven't slept in days.

I don't know where I am. I...

I was just wondering if you're planning on going surfing.

What?

There's a surfboard attached to the roof of your car outside,

and I was wondering if you were planning on going to Moses Beach.

No. No, I don't surf. The car's not mine.

- It's a friend's. He let me borrow it. - Borrow it.

- Yeah. - While leaving his surfboard still attached.

I really don't want to appear ungrateful, but aren't you...

meant to be behind the counter or something?

If a customer comes, I'll be as attentive as I need to be. But until then,

I am enjoying your explosive company.

I know it's you.

Go home, Lynda. There's a 500-yard restraining order on me, remember?

It didn't work last time, and it won't work this time either.

You know, I can't believe you're doing this in front of your own kid.

I mean, what kind of parent are you?

You just stay away from Bryce!

You get out of here right now,

or I will give you a reason for your restraining order.

You stay away from him!

- Hey. - Hi.

- Hey, is this the right way to Moses Bay? - It is.

See, I told you.

Yeah, I'll have two eggs, fried, bacon, tomatoes.

Lots of bacon and some toast, white.

With coffee and juice. You got any pancakes? Is that it?

- Sure. - Yeah, I'll have the same thing he's having,

except without the pancakes, and do you have sausage?

Just what's in there.

The same thing he's having, but coffee with cream, please.

Yeah, give me a chocolate milkshake and toast. We'll take a booth.

- Thank you. - All right.

So, how far is Moses Beach?

Five miles.

Thanks.

Man, there ain't no towels or anything in there.

Could we get some, um, cream for the coffee?

Cream... for the coffee.

Maybe a towel.

- Hey, don't forget my shake. - Yes!

Geez, what is up with her?

They're after me.

Excuse me. Skim is fine. Half and half is fine.

Anything is fine, just as long as it comes from a cow.

Please.

God.

- They're after me. - Hey!

You all right?

I've just had a long day.

Oh, yeah? It's not even lunchtime.

The whole thing. Thanks.

- What are you doing? - They are looking for me.

- If they find me, they'll kill me. - What are you talking about?

Just don't let them know I'm here or we're both dead.

Look, if they're after you, then why are they ordering breakfast?

- Your car is parked outside. - I don't know.

- Just don't let them... - Excuse me.

Can I get some more coffee?

- Can you give that to your friend? - Steven.

Thanks.

So, uh, what are you guys doing here anyway?

Surfing.

Surfing. That's all you're doing?

- Yeah. Why? - You're not, like, looking for someone.

For an old friend or something?

No. Those two morons are my only friends.

Good. Because I think I might have a problem.

- A problem? - I thought maybe you could help me out.

What sort of problem?

There is this guy who...

Hey, who owns that car outside?

- What? - That one out there.

So, what kind of problem?

Oh.

There's this guy who's supposed to bring the bacon today,

and he didn't come, so, I, um...

I'm sorry the pieces are kind of small.

That's it?

Yes, it is.

I was only asking because it's got a Jannison Swallowtail on the roof.

And they're pretty rare.

No, that car's been there all morning.

I-I think it may have been stolen or something.

Thanks.

So, catch a good wave.

"Catch a good wave?"

What, isn't that what you guys say?

Maybe about 30 years ago.

Thank you.

Get outta here right now or I'm calling the cops.

- What the... - I mean it!

You cut the wire?

No, I didn't. He must have done it when he was in the bathroom.

You take one step closer to me, and I am going to kill you.

I didn't cut the wire.

Get out!

- You're in danger now too! - I said, "Get out!"

Look, if this is some kind of trick...

I said if this is some kind of trick...

- Are you all right? - Please, help me.

I can get you a doctor. No, no doctor.

- I-I think you need to see... - I said no doctor.

So, you sure you're okay?

Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for the lift.

It's a good thing I came back, otherwise you'd be walking home, huh?

Yeah, it's lucky.

It's really weird that a rat would eat through your telephone line.

Well, not really, it's happened before.

I got a cell phone if you wanna call the phone company.

It's all right. I can do it when I get back.

So you live at the Skyliner Motel?

What?

Why, what's so funny?

Oh, I don't know. It's just a surfer with a cell phone.

It's just... it's kind of weird.

So, why'd you come back?

I-I was worried about you.

I was a bit worried about you, but, I, uh...

I don't know. I guess I wanted to ask you out.

Well, you are giving me a ride home.

That's not exactly what I had in mind.

What did you say your name was again?

Peter.

Well, thanks for the lift.

You're welcome.

And if you need any towels or blankets or anything, just call me.

I'll be in the office till 12:00.

Okay.

Look at that.

Where am I?

It's okay.

I just got you some Tylenol and there's a sandwich in case you're hungry.

I wanna take a look at this, okay?

This is getting worse. Who did this to you?

Those guys. They did it.

Where am I?

You're at the Skyliner Motel.

And don't worry. Nobody knows you're here.

- You run this place? - At night.

Where's my car?

Your car is parked out in back.

You need to see a doctor. You gotta get stitches.

Can you do it?

Um, I uh...

Happy to make you breakfast, happy to drive your car here

which is probably stolen to my motel...

I can make you a sandwich but sewing human flesh,

that's where I draw the line.

Diner in the day, motel at night.

You work harder than anyone I know.

Well, it wasn't really that hard until today.

Anyway, I own them both.

My dad left them to me when he died.

I'm sorry.

Anyway, I don't really own them, the bank does.

I'm just the proud owner of a big fat mortgage.