chapter 3

Marie once again used the CCTV feed to spy on her unwitting victim, aside from the money, Marie’s sole reason for keeping a job as thankless as this was customers like Jack. Big fat guys who knew how to eat. She licked her lips at the prospect of filling Jack’s gut full of fattening diner food and let out a giggle as she noticed him exhale heavily before tucking into what would essentially be his second meal of the morning. She quickly filled another glass of soda so as not to be suspicious by her absence and returned to Jack’s table.

“Here you go sugar” she announced melodically as she placed the soda in front of Jack.

“You needn’t fuss over me like this miss”

“Oh nonsense, it’s my prerogative to look after our fine customers and seeing as you’re the only one in this morning I guess you’re the sole recipient of my service. And you needn’t call me miss, it’s Marie.” she replied

“Well, Marie I do appreciate it.” he replied between a mouthful of fries.



Marie decided to take advantage of the new found familiarity between the two to get to know Jack a little better.

“Do you mind if I sit and chat with you, a while Jack?” she asked, donning her best puppy dog expression “we don’t get many folks through here at this time of morning and I get awfully lonely.”

“Well, I don’t see any problem with that” replied Jack as he continued to nourish himself on his second cheeseburger.

Marie slid into the seat opposite Jack and began with her charm offensive.

“So, tell me Jack, what is such a fine gentleman doing out of bed at this ungodly hour?”

“I’m a long-haul delivery driver” he replied as he snagged another onion ring “my drop isn’t awake yet so I thought I'd get a bite to eat before I make the delivery.”

“A long-haul driver huh?” replied Marie, feigning interest “that must be awfully interesting.”

Jack just nodded in the affirmative as he continued to plough through his current meal.

“Must be awfully lonely too”

“Yeah, it can be” said Jack wistfully

“I know that feeling all too well Jack” she sighed “but at least you get to travel plenty and see all those different places.”

“That’s true” he replied as he exhaled heavily.

“How’s that burger hun? Hitting the spot?”

“It sure is Marie, I gotta say even though I wasn’t expecting to eat this much, this has been one of the best meals that I've had in a long time.”

“Now that is a mighty fine compliment Jack but it can’t surely be true. Don’t you have a woman at home that can fix you up something better than a simple cheeseburger?”

“Ah, no. No I don’t actually.” replied Jack sadly “The missus left... well... she took off with my no-good brother a good six years back now.”

“Oh sugar. I’ve gone and put my foot in it again haven’t I?”

“No, that’s ok. You weren’t to know.”

“Well, I have to tell you Jack. Your missus must be crazy because if I had a man at home that appreciated my cooking the way you do, I wouldn’t ever leave his side.”