Robert entered the lobby to find Juno leaning against the counter where the front desk attendant was sitting and chatting about something. That was classic Juno. She would talk to anyone. She probably had more contacts in her terminal than anyone he’d ever met. Robert was more of a loner by nature, and making small talk was something he wasn’t comfortable with.

“Hey, Juno. You ready to go?”

She turned to him and brushed her hair over one ear as she said, “Yeah, just talking to Melissa here. She just started.”

Robert walked forward and extended a hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Melissa. I’m Robert.”

Melissa stood up from behind the desk and extend her five-foot frame over the counter to grab his hand. “Pleasure to meet you.” She looked back at Juno for a moment and smiled. “I’ve worked here for a week, and Juno’s the first person to actually stop and say hello. I was told not to expect much, but I had no idea I’d just be sitting here all day filing work orders and checking repair logs.”

Robert said, “Yeah, sorry, I haven’t said hello. People kinda stick to themselves around here. Maybe it’s different in one of the newer towers.”

Juno interrupted, “Melissa, Robert is just kinda shy. He’s a nice guy, but doesn’t really go out of his way to meet new people.” She winked at Robert. “But I’m sure he’ll try now that he knows you.”

Melissa blushed a little and said, “Oh, it’s all right. I’m not the most social person either, but I’ll try to say hi when I see you.”

Robert looked at Melissa and noticed that she was blushing slightly. She wasn’t much older than him, maybe one or two years at most. Probably graduated from some place recently and then got a job with the property management company that runs the tower. She was much shorter than Juno or him. She had a pleasant smile at the corner of her mouth and energy in her eyes that made Robert feel comfortable right away.

“Well, it was great to meet you, Melissa. I don’t want to be rude, but I’m super hungry, and it’s getting late.”

She smiled and said, “I totally get it. You guys enjoy your date. It was great meeting both of you. Don’t be strangers.”

Robert noticed Juno blush, and he said, “Uh, it was great meeting you too. See you later.”

Both Robert and Juno left through the automatic doors and headed down the street to their usual hangout. A holdover from earlier times where people served food rather than automated machines and belt-driven delivery systems. Sal’s Diner was an homage to the past. Robert wasn’t sure where all the knick-knacks and memorabilia had come from, but ever since he was young, Sal’s had been a place where his mom and he would go for birthday dinners or just to get out of the house.

Sal’s was a place where any time of the day or night, there would be people sitting and eating or drinking a coffee cup. There was always someone there, and they were almost all regulars. Juno knew a lot of them by name. Robert got a kick out of how easy it was for her to jump into a conversation with anyone there.

Sal had rejected most technology advancements that were unnecessary, like the chimes heard when opening doors all over the city. He had a bell tied to the door handle that rung every time someone entered or left. There was an actual waitress and cook on staff. They were all a part of Sal’s family, and Robert thought of them as an extended family. Every good memory he had during childhood usually had them in it.

A woman in her early thirties from behind the counter absently said as they entered, “Grab a seat wherever you like. I’ll be right with you.” As she finished, she looked up and immediately added, “Oh, Juno, I’m sorry. We’ve been slammed all day, and this is the first lull.”

“No problem, Mary. We’re just going to grab a booth. Take your time.”

Juno led the way to their favorite booth and slid into the vinyl diner seat. Robert took the opposite place and sank into the cushion. Neither of them needed a menu as they’d been coming to Sal’s for most of their lives.

“So, Elysium Online. That’s a big deal.” Juno said with a questioning look.

“Yeah, I was completely floored when he told me. I’d written it off as something I would read about over the next year and then, depending on pricing, join after the trial. I’m thrilled that you’re going to join us too.”

Juno blushed slightly and said, “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. It comes at a great time since I finish up with my summer term classes this week and have a month until the beginning of the next semester. This should be a lot of fun.”

“Yeah, I finish my class on Tuesday. I’ll be working each day, but I can get in a few hours of play. I’m curious about the entire thing. There’s almost no information on the actual mechanics of the game. Quantumsoft has really kept a tight lid on everything.”

Just then, Mary walked up. “Hey Robert, sorry I didn’t say hello earlier.”

“No problem.”

“So, what can I get you?”

Juno and Robert both ordered the burger with a side of hash browns to share. It was the same thing they ordered every time. Sal’s was the only place Robert or Juno had ever heard of that served hash browns all day. Robert often thought hash browns were the perfect food and way better than regular fries. Of course, the burger was a plant-based since an actual beef burger could cost a person about half their rent. Only the wealthy ate real meat anymore.

“I don’t know why I even ask. You two get the same thing every time.” Mary said with a smile.

Robert smiled back. “Well, you keep serving hash browns, and I don’t see it changing.”

“That will never change. Can I get you anything to drink?”

They both ordered water, and Mary went back to the counter to check in with her other patrons.

They made small talk about rumors they heard about the game and things they were planning to do if the stories were true. Juno asked about Robert’s mother and his work, and as usual, he deflected with just going over the basics.

He didn’t enjoy his job, and his mother wasn’t getting any better. Without gene therapy treatments, she wouldn’t ever get any better. Patients with ALS had a short life expectancy. If he couldn’t get the money for the treatments, she would probably only make it another two years—three at the most.

Once the food arrived, the conversation paused, and they focused on the food in front of them. Robert was starving, and Juno matched his pace. As they finished the last bit of food on their plates, they leaned back and smiled at one another.

Juno asked, “How are you doing, though?”

“What do you mean?”

She frowned slightly and said, “In the last several months, you’ve gone from a full-time scholarship student to working at a full-time job. You’re not that interested or challenged by it, and you’re taking care of your mother. I’m not criticizing or going to tell you I think what you are doing is wrong. I think you are doing what you can do to get through a tough situation, but I just worry about you.”

Robert thought for a moment about how to answer her question before saying, “I guess I’m doing fine. Obviously, I’d rather be in school full-time working on my degree, but now, that’s just not an option. I have one goal and that is to take care of my mom. I have no idea how I will do that, and it’s just a struggle to keep going like we are, but I have to try. She’s done so much for me.”

“Rob, I can’t tell you I have any idea what you’re going through, but I’m here if you ever need help or someone to just talk to.”

“I appreciate that,” Robert replied quietly.

They sat there for a few minutes, just letting the clattering and overheard conversations of the Diner fill the space. After several minutes of sipping on water and trying to avoid each other’s eye contact, Robert slid to the edge of the booth.

“Let’s get out of here. It’s really late, and we should get some sleep.”

He extended a hand to help her out of the booth. She took it hesitantly.

“Thank you. I have some studying to do in the morning and a paper to write tomorrow. We should probably get some rest.”

Before she could make a move, Robert walked up to the register. He swiped his wrist terminal over the checkout scanner, automatically paying for the meal they had just eaten.

A moment later, Juno joined him and said, “Hey, you didn’t have to pay. I can cover my end, at least.”

Holding up his hands, he replied, “I got it this time. You can get it next time.” He turned towards the door and said, “And thank you for worrying about me.”

She didn’t reply, just followed him out the front door, waving to Mary as she went. They lived only a few blocks from Sal’s, so they were soon back in the lobby, waving and saying hello to Melissa behind the front desk and walking towards the elevators.

“Rob, thanks again for dinner and the ticket. I’m looking forward to spending time with you... in the game, I mean.”

Robert frowned slightly and said, “Yeah, me too. In the game...”

They rode the elevators up to Robert’s floor in silence. “This is me. Drop me a message when you’re done with your stuff tomorrow. I’d like to get together with you and Sam before the Elysium announcement. We should do some planning.”

“Ok, I’ll message you when I’m free.” She answered as the door slowly closed, and she disappeared to the floors above.