MOST PEOPLE WHO GOT OUT OF WORK at eleven at night would just go straight home to bed. some people may curse their bosses for keeping them on shift so late. few people would sit atop a brick wall around the back of their place of employment, enjoying the almost-midnight air along with a cigarette. tramp was one of those few. tony’s had had a busy night, with customers filling almost every table. all of those customers and all of their hungry mouths all made dirty dishes, and someone had to clean them. a moment alone with a smoke was a way to clear his mind of all of that.
when he saw his friend also on his way out of the establishment, he nodded in acknowledgment with a friendly but tired smile. “nightmarish tonight,” mike sighed, following up with a barely audible chuckle. “man, i sure hope i’m not cleaning plates forever. tony’s is like home, but i don’t think i can do it.”