Hi there dear readers, it’s the Scribe of The Jukebox at The Diner. As promised, this adventure continues… Unlike Remo Williams. I love that I got to the point where I can say that. Capturing this story has been quite an adventure, and it’s time to say thank you to its biggest inspiration. Which I did recently in this Instagram Post:
For my new subscribers, that’s my friend Maddisun. Please take a moment to read why I dedicated the volumes of The Jukebox at The Diner to her.
When Volume Three ended, one little unresolved tale remained. Over the next several weeks, I’ll tell that tale to you, but to do that, Maddisun had to visit the diner, or rather, The Veil. I usually don’t foreshadow things too much, because to be honest with you, I rarely knew where the story was going myself. This time I know where it ends, and where this is going, but I can’t tell you how we will get there or what will happen once we arrive there. Intrepid investigators will surely find clues. Only the story knows for sure. =j
Previously on The Jukebox at The Diner...
9:45 PM
A Greyhound bus travels on a State Route in the middle of nowhere.
Monique, the driver, saw it first.
Two spotlights shone brightly into the sky.
Over the intercom, Monique announced: “Next stop, Charlie’s Corner. Looks like they’re throwing a party. I wonder who that’s for. Must be a famous rock star or something!”
Maddisun looked East from her window seat on the bus as it passed the road to the falls where Mouse raced her Impala backward not too long ago. She’d just flown on the reddest of eyes flight from Toronto to Spokane, only to find a Greyhound bus waiting just for her. The driver, Monique, introduced herself and filled her in. “Our mutual friend Charlie has some pull with Greyhound. He got permission for me to pick you up before the stop at the downtown terminal. I’ve been to the diner a few times, Sugar, and trust me, taking a few hours to decompress before you get there will do you good. Hop on in and let’s get you there.”
So they picked up about 15 passengers at the downtown terminal and headed South East. The only landmark Maddisun recognized along the way was just a while ago. She saw the signs of where Evel Knievel attempted to jump his rocket cycle across the Snake River Canyon.
Maddisun was watching the two spotlights crisscross each other in the night sky.
The bus started to slow down as it approached Westergaard Drive. That’s when Monique saw the flashing lights ahead.
“Nothing to worry about folks, just the local Sheriff here to escort our VIP on board.”
Maddisun noticed the two Sheriff’s cruisers ahead. The gang at the diner were having a little fun, for sure. As the bus turned onto the private drive, one of the cruisers took the lead and turned on the lights and siren. The second cruiser followed behind, lights and sirens ablaze as well.
At the diner, Danny started barking, and then Mouse heard the sirens.
“The Bus! The Bus!” -Mouse, imitating Tattoo from Fantasy Island. Mouse started laughing and turned to Charlie. “Remember like forever ago when I jumped in the cruiser that day you were Deputy and sang Beasties over the horn?”
“My ears are still ringing, Caffineasaurus Mousus Rex.”
Mouse and Charlie watched as the bus rounded the corner to the diner and pulled into the refueling station next to the barn, Maddisun looked out at Charlie’s Corner. The median caught her attention first. The Chainsaw Luna totem was still in her war paint.
Then she noticed the red carpet.
As she stepped off the bus, Monique gave her a little advice.
“Everything’s gonna be perfectly fine, sugar.” That made Maddisun laugh, and she showed Monique the tattoo on her left arm.
“Oh, girl! You’ll fit right in around here. Oh, here comes Charlie.”
As Charlie crossed the road, Maddisun noticed he stopped to check both directions. It reminded her of someone she met at a show in Kimberly, B.C. last December. It was part of a story she came to tell.
Behind Charlie, Jenny Portnoy, having sworn off “JePo” after her nightmarish run-in with Mr. Jones, was rolling more red carpet across the road in her Pink Ladies jacket, with another tucked under her arm.
The Sheriff’s cruisers had pulled into a very full parking lot. A black Impala resembling “Baby” from Supernatural, an old white Ford pickup, a brand new F-150 Lightning, and an old Ford Maverick painted like a Rally car. Also, what appeared to be a race-ready rally car that must be Samantha’s Cosworth, Maddisun thought. She saw the now-famous Ole’ Betty, a Chevy Silverado, a Barracuda, a blue and white ‘55 Chevy, and a gorgeous black Shelby Super Snake with “BLKPEARL” on the license plate. The spotlights had also attracted a few travelers, and several groups were already out on the picnic tables and in the diner.
Charlie walked up and held out his hand.
“It’s so very nice to meet you Maddisun, welcome to Charlie’s Corner.”
After Jenny had finished rolling out the red carpet across the road behind Charlie in her “Pink Ladies” jacket, she held out the Pink Ladies jacket she had brought. Maddisun turned around and let Jenny put it on her.
“Welcome to the gang, girl. Let’s get this party started!” -Jenny
As Charlie, Maddisun, and Jenny crossed the road, a slowed-down acapella version of a familiar song came from the stage.
La, da-da-da, da-da-la, la-da-da-da-da
That’s when Maddisun noticed the band, just as another passenger, a teenage girl with her Mom and brother, noticed exactly who was on stage.
“HOLY SHIT IS THAT GUMMY BEAR CRUCIFIX!”
The teenager’s mother turned and said “Language Lyra!”
Charlie turned to Maddisun. “That’s my fiancee Samantha on lead vocals at the moment. My daughter Penny is on guitar to the right of her, and to Samantha’s left is Jessie, my daughter’s girlfriend. On drums is the one, the only, Isabella Flannagan, aka Mouse.
“HOLY SHIT MARGARET APPLE IS ON DRUMS!”-Lyra’s teenage brother.
“Language, Cash!” -Lyra and Cash’s mother.
As they got closer Maddisun and Samantha locked eyes… just as Samantha started singing.
If I told you how much I think about her / You’d think I was in love
Charlie whispered to Maddisun. “My fiancee can be a little forward.”
Maddisun just nodded.
'Cause I know her star sign, I know her blood type
I've seen every movie she's been in, and, oh, god, she's beautiful
That last line was supposed to be directed at Maddisun but at “oh, god” Samantha’s gaze turned towards the diner for a moment while she sang “she’s beautiful”.
Bella came skating out with a tray of Margaritas and handed one to Charlie, Maddisun, Jenny, and the teenage kid’s Mom. She’d changed into her Pink Ladies jacket, pink Maddisun shirt, and jeans, and introduced herself to her first customer of the night. “Hi, I’m Bella. Welcome to Charlie’s Corner. Would you like to sit outside?”
“Hi, I’m Frankie. I think Cash and Lyra want to sit outside, right?” Both Cash and Lyra nodded while their gaze stayed locked on the stage. Bella led them to a picnic table just as Samantha sang a modified chorus line to Maddisun and recreated a few poses she’d seen in some of Maddisun’s Instagram photos.
I know she's been asleep in my side of your head, and I can feel it
Samantha stepped off the stage and took a step toward Maddisun
I'm starin' at her like I wanna get hurt
Samantha uses her finger to outline Maddisun and then drops to her knees in front of Maddisun and Charlie.
And I remember every detail you have ever told me, so be careful, baby!
Charlie whispers to Maddisun. “Are you hungry?” Maddisun nods, she’s watching Samantha, who gets back up on stage.
She's got those lips, she's got those hips
The life of every fuckin' party
She's talented, she's good with kids
She even speaks kindly about me, ha-ha
Charlie grabs Bella’s attention after taking the order from Frankie, Cash, and Lyra who’s eyes still haven’t left the stage. Charlie signs something to her and she signs back and heads back into the diner.
Monique follows Bella into the diner and finds Sheriff Joey and Alice at the gang’s usual window booth at the end. Ed has taken up his old spot in the kitchen while Penny plays out on the stage.
“Well, this is fun. I knew Samantha was a bit of a sexpot but damn, that girl is sultry.” -Monique
Behind them, Bella skated back towards Charlie and Maddisun outside with a Styrofoam-to-go container.
“Welcome to the diner, I’m Deputy Sheriff Bella Price.” -Bella handing Maddisun the to-go container.
Maddisun opened it up and smiled.
Gummy Bear Crucifix was winding down Olivia Rodrigo’s “Obsessed” with a slowly fading out chorus.
La, da-da-da, da-da-la, la-da-da-da-da
“Thank you, Bella, I’m Maddisun, nice to meet you too! Thank you for the Pumpkin Pie!”
It was just barely 10 PM.