"Ugh my head hurts..."
"It hurts because you're hung over", said Paul. Fausto looks over to him and says, "Yeah you're probably right. I need another drink."
"Another one?", asks Paul. "Yeah you ever hear about "hair of the dog", Paul?", asks Fausto. He nods his head and Fausto explains, "It's an old Scottish saying, "If this dog do you bite, soon as out of your bed, take a hair of the tail the next day". Supposedly it works but I can't tell if it does, then again, who am I to not trust a thousand year tradition".
Paul looks at Fausto with a slight frown, "Whatever, I just need water. Water is the best cure for a hangover." Paul takes a second to think and finishes his sentence, "Wait, water and food. Yeah, water and food is the best cure for a hangover, not drinking more." Fausto chuckles and tells Paul, "Yeah I guess food will go well with a hangover, a nice hearty meal."
"Oh yeah man, like something with meat", happily says Paul. Smiling, Fausto agrees. Both of the men smile with joy as they begin to reach the city limits. For a moment, they forget what has happened the previous night with the Military Police Jeep and for Fausto, whatever he experienced by touching that moss. However, something seemed off within Saint Christopher's Ridge and they both picked up on it.
"Hey, are you sure we are back home?", asks Fausto. Paul nods to him and say, "Yeah this is home alright, I think". They notice landmarks of their home but that feeling of unease grew. That uncomfortable sensation began to wrap around their entire body, then Paul pointed out, "Where is everyone? For a Saturday morning, the streets seem empty."
"Yeah, you're right...", murmurs Fausto. Paul points to the first restaurant they come across and decide that place is as good as any. "Hmm, "Dean's". I haven't eaten there since I was a kid", says Paul. "Do you know if they sell beer?", asks Fausto. Paul looks at Fausto with disappointment and doesn't reply to him. "Well do they Paul?", asks Fausto again.
They both enter the diner and the place looks lonely. Just the sound of the ceiling fan and the juke box playing Motown music are the only indication that people are present. "Excuse me?", asks Paul but there is no reply, so he shouts it this time," Excuse?! Is anyone here?!"
Fausto gives Paul a nudge with his elbow and tells him, "Paul I don't like this, something feels wrong." Just as he is saying this, an elderly woman comes from the kitchen door and with a smile says, "Oh my, I didn't know we would get customers this early. I apologize but please come in take a seat."
The waitress escorts the both of them to a booth and tell's them, "I'll be right back, I am going to go fetch the menu for you two boys." With a smile, Paul says, "Thank you. " However, Fausto doesn't say anything to her, instead he just to crack a smile through the clear nervousness on his face. When the waitress left, Fausto looks over to Paul and tells him, "Ok something is really, what the hell does she mean she isn't expecting people this early. It's Saturday, families are bound to come to these places on the weekends. Right?"
"No yeah, you're right, somethings really off but let's just try to stay calm. If we freak out, who knows what will happen", says Paul. The waitress returns with two menus in her hands and asks, "Alright boys, what will you be having this beautiful Tuesday morning?"
"What did you say?", asks Paul. The waitress looks at him with suspicion, and says, "I asked what will you be having." The two men looks over at each other and Fausto asks, "Did you mean Saturday morning?"
"No, Tuesday morning? That's what today is February 18, 2003. Or Tuesday", says the waitress.