"BUS STOP"

"Liz! Cola needs a refill!" the manager announces across the diner.

"On it, Wendy." Elsbeth says. She stops wiping down the countertop and walks through the swinging double doors behind her.

The dog wears a light-green and white striped waitress outfit, as do the rest of the waitresses who work at the diner. Elsbeth thinks to herself as she walks to the back. Jade's Diner uses the shade of green as its interior theme. The countertops, seats, stools, the whole restaurant is colored the same damn shade of green, and Elsbeth has to clean every bit of it. Elsbeth herself is a Xolo, a hairless type of dog from Mexico. The Xolo arrives back at the front and begins refilling the soda fountain as Jade, the owner, walks in.

"Liz, honey, the counter is filthy!" he exclaims.

Elsbeth turns and explains herself to the owl clad in tweed. "Sir, I was - but Wendy said to refill the soda!"

The owl only slows his walk to further ridicule her. "Don't give me those excuses, you make more in tips alone than anyone else who works here." He disappears through the double doors.

"Fruitcake." The Xolo mutters as she carries on with the soft drinks. She instantly changes her demeanor as a few customers walk in and gleefully begins chatting with them.

As much as Elsbeth hates the monotony of the constant chores pushed onto her, she could talk with the customers for hours. She's always been a people person, and she quickly overcame the language barrier after her family moved to America when she was younger. The rest of her shift is much of the same routine. Elsbeth changes out of her uniform and into a simple blouse and jeans in the employee restroom. Exiting and returning to the front, she bids farewell to the regulars before leaving the restaurant fifteen past seven.

Elsbeth exits the diner and breathes in the cooler outside air. She steps aside to lean against the wall and spend a little while to unwind. Evening has begun to grace the city of Twentynine Palms, and the sky has bled an orange hue which darkens the land. After a few minutes, the Xolo continues her commute back home and arrives at the bus stop after a short walk. A red panda stands next to the bench, having a smoke. Elsbeth takes a seat. He wears a brown leather jacket and black jeans. The red panda shows an interest Elsbeth as well.

"Don't see many red pandas around here." Elsbeth says. The man looks intrigued. He takes the cigarette out of his mouth.

"Sure." He nods. "I can't say I recognize your species." He speaks with an unfamiliar accent.

The Xolo perks up. "I'm a Xolo!" She pauses and looks to the side. "Well, actually the full name for it is a mouthful." She trails off.

"Let's hear it." The amused panda says.

"Xoloitzcuintli!" She says with a grin.

He chuckles. "What was that?"

Elsbeth clears her throat. "Show-low-its-squint-lee!"

"What a mouthful. You from down south?" He gestures towards her, still holding the cigarette.

"Yup! Only as far as Mexico." She tilts her head. "Where are you from, India?"

The red panda smiles. "Texas, but my family is from Nepal."

"Oh, sorry!" The dog is embarrassed.

"Don't worry." The panda explains. "Most out here peg me as Iranian. Not that they'd be too friendly to me anyway." He takes a drag from his cigarette.

Elsbeth lets out a breath of relief. She pauses for another moment. "I'm Elsbeth! What's your name?"

The panda looks around for a second. "Name's Fred." He says. "Elsbeth. Interesting name."

"Yeah." She says. "Papa wanted to name me Elizabeth but my mother hated someone named Elizabeth, so he suggested Elsbeth instead! He got it from some book or something. I like the name!"

"Me too." Fred says. "A name fit for a saint!" He holds his cigarette up in a cheering motion. The Xolo blushes.

The two sit for a moment. "Long way from Texas, Fred!" says Elsbeth.

Fred takes in a breath. "Yeah." He says with a sigh. "Looking for something new, I guess." They both share a knowing silence. Before long, their attention is drawn to the bus nearing its stop.

"Oh! Late as ever!" Elsbeth jokes and stands up. The bus stops with a hiss and opens its door. "Is this your bus too?"

He shakes his head. "Nah." He smiles. "I'm waiting for a friend."

"Alright, then!" Elsbeth hops onto the bus' steps. "Nice to meet'cha Fred!" She gleams. "I work at Jade's Diner on Adobe Road during the weekdays. You should come by sometime!"

The panda still wears his smile. "You know, I think I will, Elsbeth."

They share a wave farewell. Elsbeth turns, pays a small handful of change for her ticket, and finds a seat as the bus begins its motion. Fred stubs out his cigarette out on the edge of the trash can next to him and flicks it in.