well i've been afraid of changing;

“Secret bunker just off the A34?” Adele joked, raising an eyebrow. “You could try to kill me, but… you’d have a fight on your hands. I’m stronger than I look.”

“No, this one is actually in the United States, and it’s a real one. In Utah.” Eleanor sighed, “good to know someone else has a bunker, though,” she sighed. “I’ll be honest, I couldn’t hurt a fly. I struggle to lift my dog into the bath.”

“It had been, but it wasn’t good. Macaroni and cheese is one of those meals I like in theory, but not so much in practice. So I’ll stick with language for now.”

“Devestating. Absolutely devestating,” Eleanor frowned. “Maybe you just need to eat good macaroni and cheese.”

“Sunshine? In Ireland? Must be the end of the world.”

“I’m assuming it is. The apocalypse is nigh. I’m heading to the secret bunker of an unnamed celebrity my brother Evan introduced me to. I wish I could share names, but -- well, I’d have to kill you.”

“Pizza and chips! Yes! This is why you’re my platonic soul mate, Ellie.”

“Ditch the platonic we’re just soulmates.”

Peter climbed in next to Eleanor and the bar was pushed down. “I want anything greasy and fattening and delicious,” he laughed. “You know what sounds better than a cheeseburger? Pizza! We should find some pizza!”

“Oh no, pizza sounds so good right now,” Eleanor groaned. “When we get down we’re gettin’ pizza and then some, what do you call them? Chips? Whatever doesn’t matter I’m callin’ them what they are -- we’re gettin’ fries.”

Peter shook his head a bit. “Yeah, Ellie. We’ll still be able to see our houses,” he laughed. “Yes! Food sounds amazing!”

It was Eleanor and Peter’s turn to get on the ferris wheel, so they slowly boarded and sat beside one another. “Food is gonna taste so good I’m so hungry. I only ate breakfast today and -- a sample of the fried egg cheeseburger from Hindenburger. In case you’re wondering -- it was good.”

“Jesus… it’s not going anywhere,” he shook his head and ran to keep up with her. “Love, we’re not going to see America.”

“Oh right,” Eleanor giggled and stopped running as soon as she reached the line for the ferris wheel. “We’ll still be able to see our houses, though. That’ll be fun. Then we can pick where we wanna get food after this.”

“For fuck’s sake, Ellie, I’m right here. No need to blow out my ear drum…” he said covering his one ear. “Yes. Yes we must go there! We can look down at all the peasants!”

“You’re not goin’ fast enough,” Eleanor shouted again, pulling on Peter’s hand before starting to run at the ferris wheel. “We’re gonna be able t’see our houses and maybe even America if we’re lucky.”

“I was a student in England, so I’ve had all manner of things on burgers. There’s creative, and then there’s things that just don’t work. Macaroni and cheese? Not a good shout.”

“Has it been fried? Because, well, fried macaroni and cheese is the greatest thing to ever be invented. I’m including the invention of language.”

“No matter which Hinderburg you look at, it seems a bit of a sketchy name to give a burger stand. Although I have to admit – these are good burgers. Dodgy, potentially offensive name or not.”

“I mean, it’s a pretty terrible name but -- I haven’t had a burger like this in a long time. They’ve got fried eggs on burgers. Most places around here wouldn’t entertain the idea. You can clearly tell the owners are American -- offensive name included in that deduction.”

Prue smiled back, specially after she noticed that she was putting some money on the tip jar that was on the counter. Thing had been gathering dust all week. She went of to fetch some jelly and came back moments later. ❝We had the morning rush but it’ll be smooth sailing til lunch time. Body by blueberry?❞ Prue did find that amusing and so she grinned. ❝Sounds more like a strip club.❞

Eleanor smiled, “That’s good -- I mean, working in food service can be tough. You deserve a break.” She realized the connection between her comment and the idea of a strip club could happen, but when she looked back at her college years -- for the most part, that wasn’t even a possibility. “Blueberry is my stripper name,  Blueberry Banquet,” Eleanor laughed. “I’m really bad at dancing so they don’t let me go on stage, like ever. I’m only there to look pretty and smell delicious.”

❝Good choice.❞     Prue smiled back, trying not to come off as a total bitch this early in the morning. She didn’t mean to be, but after everything she’s been through who could blame her? She headed over to where the scones were kept and reached for one, placing it on a plate. ❝They’re really good. We’ve got jelly too… if you want any.❞

“Thank you, I try to make excellent decisions,” Eleanor grinned, reaching into her pocket and quickly placing a tip in the tip jar. “I'll take some jelly, that sounds great actually,” Eleanor said walking over to the pickup area. “Have you been busy this morning? I worked in a cafe in college and the best mornings were the slow ones. I’d steal day old blueberry muffins to bring back to my dorm to keep myself alive,” she laughed. “Body by blueberry,” she gestured to herself, trying to get a laugh out of the young girl.

     Prue tried her best not to roll her eyes and instead offered her a smile that didn’t look right on her face. ❝Comin’ right up.❞ All that time just to order black coffee? She served her the one they had out and placed the mug on the counter in front of her. ❝Here ya go. Fancy a pastry? It’s butter scone Tuesday.❞

     In fairness, Eleanor hadn’t intended to take a long time to order her coffee this morning, but after a long night helping her father unpack, she wasn’t sure what level of caffeine she needed to get through the day. “Thank you,” Eleanor smiled, sorry for her earlier behavior. “Butter scone? Oh, yeah -- I was looking at the list of pastries earlier,” Eleanor lied, “sure, I’ll take one.”

❝Are ya gonna stare at the menu all day or are ya gonna order?❞

“Alright then,” Eleanor groaned. “Black coffee.”

“I shall just keep Erin inside, locked in her room and wrapped in bubble wrap, until she’s like forty. That should keep her safe from Jokers and Batmans right? Like, maybe I’ll let her have a Robin or be Catwoman, but… That’s a big MAYBE.”  His eyes went wide at the idea of a large glue gun, way to large to use. “I want one. Even if it scares me, I want one because I love the words industrial, glue and gun. Well, glue gun together, no comma between them…” At her compliment, he grinned widely. “Sometimes you just need compliments like that to remember why you’re a freelance illustrator.” He teased her with a small smile.

“I recommend keeping her in bubble wrap and duct tape until she’s about forty just in general. It’s probably safer for her that way. Children are our future, sure, but does anyone make sure the cute little kids stay free of Joker encounters?” Eleanor smiled. “I can find you an industrial glue gun if you want. They’re actually handy despite all of their flaws, their hot -- metal flaws.” Eleanor laughed, placing a hand on her hip. “Compliments keep the world goin’ round. Also, I thrive off of them -- I’m a writer, I didn’t get into this for the money, I clearly got into it for the compliments,” she joked. “So, if I get ‘em, I gotta give ‘em.”

“We’re too much alike. Except I don’t have a dog. I do have a vibrator. And an almost husband, too, I guess.”

“You’re like a young mind I can mold. Ah, youth. Sweet youth. A vibrator is useful, an almost husband -- is not. I had one once. I recommend the dog.”