@guywiththegun liked for a starter.
It was one of those kinds of diners that he and his family would stop at on road trips and Jesse would always get as many pancakes as his mom would let him order (but only eat half) and his dad would get coffee that smelled like dirt and chat with the locals about what kind of jobs they had in a town like this.
Except now Jesse was the one ordering the dirt-smelling coffee and asking about jobs.
No luck, though. No jobs, and the coffee was barely keeping him awake. He ordered another one to go with what change was in his pocket (a couple cents short, but the waitress took pity on him) and went out to the parking lot to wait for someone to head to their car. First ones out where a young couple, maybe his age, looking happy. Definitely local; that wouldn’t work. Next was a family, two small kids. No way they’d say yes. Then, a guy by himself? Worth a try.
“Hey, uh.” He hurried over to keep step. “Sorry, could I hitch a ride? Just... wherever?”