December 23, 2059. 2: 18 am. Daisy's 24 hour Diner. Sunnyside. (Queens Borough)

Jessy and Antonio are going out to eat, something that is rare now that HQ needs all man power active around the clock. On the clock all officers address each other by their last name, but being off the clock they call each other by their first name- only reverting back to formalities unconsciously.

Anna and Gabriel enter Daisy's Diner. It looks like the establishment is three trailers long and one high. The color scheme is comprised of pastel pink, blue, and silver with red and yellow neon lights. Near the front where people order are vintage Edison hanging pendant lights. The counter had a few elderly customers sitting and watching the small flat screen television set, broadcasting the NY 1 News.

Female News Anchor: ... in Rockaway, Queens the well known street gang, The Boys, have yet again struck the hearts of local citizens. The leader, Clyde, has taken responsibility to start a community service. Collecting trash, helping locals, and restoring properties to their former beauty is just one of the many...

They take a seat at a pink and blue leathered booth with a shimmery gold table toped with a glass finish. A young, teenage looking waitress strolled over, handed them two long, thin menus, and walked away saying, " I'll be back in a few." After a second Gabriel spoke.

Gabriel: I need the bathroom, watch my phone would you?

He walked off without a response.

Looking out the window, she saw a heavy down pour. It was drizzling when they came in, now it is mini flood worthy. The diner is on Queens Blvd, so Anna passed the time watching cars slowly navigate the slippery highway. She looked around. The chef behind the stove, located about ten feet from the counter, was one of the infected. He wears a white apron, pants, t-shirt, and hat with a red triangle pattern around the rim. You can tell he's infected because his eyes are bloodshot but not dilated. That could be seen as being on cannabis but drug use has gone down to a whopping one percent since 2020, so its unlikely.

Gabriel returned and so did the waitress. She pulled out a small yellow notepad that matched her uniform and a blue sparkly pen.

Waitress: Alrighty, what can I get y'all?

Gabriel: Uh, just a moment please.

She flipped around and walked to another table.

Anna: So, the Daisy cakes look nice, wh-

Gabriel: Anna.

Anna: ... I don't wanna talk about any of that right now.

The problem she's talking about is how she froze during the fourth riot. The police were in riot gear, and Anna was in the front line holding the more aggressive infected back from destroying public monuments. (There reason for it is because people appreciate what fallen army heroes do for them but not what they're trying to do.) Since the third riot on the ninth, the infected have been getting more vigorous.

Gabriel: Fine, what are you going to do for Christmas?

She thought for a moment while the waitress came back and got their order of Daisy cakes, spring burgers, and diet Daisy drinks.

Anna: I don't know, Mom wants nothing to do with me, and I don't know where Dad is.

Gabriel: Does your mom know?

Anna: Probably, but I don't want to talk to someone who refuses to talk to me because I didn't become a nun.

Gabriel: ... Do you want to spend the next few days with Lucas and I? Mom and Dad went back to the mother land this year to visit my great aunts and uncles.

Anna: I don't know, would Lucas mind? Heck, what am I asking? The little darling loves me.

Gabriel: So you're coming?

Anna: As long as you don't wear that stupid elf hat. Do you want me to come over tonight?

Gabriel: Yeah, if you're cool.

Anna: Sure, will you walk with me home to grab my stuff?

Gabriel: Yeah, that neighbor still a weirdo?

Anna: ... He asked me if I was married when I got home yesterday. Like as in he's interested in me kind of asked. So, I held up my hand and showed him Mary's old promise ring.

Mary is Anna's younger sister by two years making her 23. She got married to a nice young man in Brooklyn, then moved to Chicago. The two occasionally spend time together when birthdays come around  but not holidays because the roads and airlines are packed then. Mary gave Anna the promise ring because honestly, she didn't really like the looks of it. Its rose gold with a little pearl, her birth stone, in the middle.

Gabriel: Eww, isn't he some kind of a drug dealer?

He does look like a drug dealer because he is infected and he has long shaggy hair that makes him look like a slob. It doesn't help that he dresses like he's still in high school.

Anna: No, he just looks like it.

Gabriel: Well, do you have anyone you like young missy?

Anna: pfft, yeah right. The only males I'm close to is you and Lucas... Ooh, I got an idea, you can act like my partner if he is prowling around when we get there!

Gabriel: ... Sure, why not. If it keeps drug head away, I'm in.

Anna felt a little burn in her chest. She has felt that a few times in the past, like when Tony Anwor asked her to be his girlfriend. Or when Josh McMasson held her hand at a school pep rally. But this felt a little more real, not some teenage shyness. She felt happy... could I ... like Gabriel? No, no, I may like him, but he sure doesn't. How could he, she's a tall, muscular, quiet, bald- headed mouse. Not a beautiful, busty, outgoing lady like Gabs ex- wife was.