Leering in through the rubble, Rorry could hardly see over the wall, whatever it used to be must have been a pretty popular place.

Rusted cars with shattered windows surrounded the old…diner?

Through the decay and dirt, she could see a Welcome sign that read Frannie's Diner, decorated in saturated blue, yellow, and reds.

This place is ancient….

It’s had to have sat here in the radiation zone for at least fifty years, maybe more, tugging on her mask Rorry made sure it was settled in, dust and spores floated around every inch of the parking lot.

Walking up to the old door she pushed yet it didn’t open, sealed shut by rot, rust, and dirt.

“Come on…open up.” She groaned as she pushed harder until the door flung open, a bell rang and she fell to the floor.

With a thud, her heart pounded and she went silent….listening for any mutants that may have heard.

To her relief, it was as quiet as a mouse, well, a mutated pipe rat more like it.

She had never gone this far into the Rad zone, it was days away from the nearest settlement, and getting hurt or attacked would mean the end for her.

Looking around, the old Diner was pretty grubby, having been pretty close to a nuclear explosion not many had dared to get this close.

Taking a small scanner from her pocket she attaches it to her wrist.

Beeping, it states.

Radiation Levels 983/1000 proceed with caution.

The shot she took before she left would only keep her safe a thousand and below, she’s had radiation poisoning once and she thought she was going to die.

Since the fallout medicines have been discovered to treat it, but she doesn’t have the nickel for that.

“Let’s hurry up here…” Mumbling, she grabbed her pack of tools and began looking around for any parts to scrap, being a parter was tough work, but it paid well.

And there wasn’t much work for a girl, unless you wanna sell your assets which she certainly lacked, having a rectangle-like body, tiny figure, and overall nasty appeal.

She had gray scraggly hair, and bags under her pink-colored eyes, hazed from years of sleep deprivation.

Wearing an oversized gray and brown bodysuit, she didn’t mind the dust and grime that accumulated on it from crawling around in the gunk.

After demolishing an old rotten ice cream machine, a few chairs for their metal, and a door handle she stepped in back.

Dust greeting her as before her laid a large square box.

Walking up to it her eyes shimmered, it was old tech! It had to be full of good parts!

I’ll make a neat nickel from this!

Running her hands along the side, she read the words model 03 Yellow Coat.

“Huh, must be an old bot—“ She began to say when the box chimed, lighting up in a colorful pattern as she leaped back.

Dust began to fly through the air as Rorry fell to the ground with a clatter of old dishes falling with her.

Arms reached out of the box as glowing eyes gazed upon her from the dust.

“Welcome to Frannie’s Diner! You don't seem to be the Chef! Allow me to escort you back to the Diner!”

Cheerfully smiling, a tall bot, no.…man stepped from the large coffin-like box, he wore a large striped suit and seemed to be a clown of sorts.

Grinning, he had this pep in his step and giddy to his gears.

“W-wait you’re still functional-?” Rorry muttered out as he grabbed her by the arm, dusting her off with a giggle.

“Snaps! It sure is dusty in here! How many times do I have to tell him to clean up!” Bobbing his head back and forth, he grabbed a broom and began to sweep up the dishes that fell, putting them in the trash.

Backing away to the wall, Rorry took a deep breath, her eyes darting around, what was this?! An old bot that was still functional?!

Sure it wasn’t uncommon that old tech still worked but he was in mint condition.

“What day is it? If there are customers it must be a weekday!” He said with a grin.

“It’s…..um…..wait! How do you still work?!” Rorry asked, pushing herself off the wall.

“What do you mean? Have you never seen a bot before? Oh, that must be it! Well, Jeepers creepers I must have startled you, little lady, I’m sorry!”

Patting her head, his eyes flicker from squares to a small loading symbol.

“I’m a Robotic Artificial Neurodivergent Droided Yellowcoat! Also known as Randy! At your service, after all, the customer is always right!”

With that, he spins on his heel and starts to walk to the door. “I better go check the time! We can’t open late now! Lunch rush always makes me go bananas!”

“W-wait!” Rorry said, reaching out but he already opened the door, looking to see the once colorful diner gray and dirty.

Walking out, silence filled the room as Randy held the broom close, turning his head.

“Haha…well it sure has changed or maybe I’m just trippin and slippin.” Pursing his lips together he looked around more, searching for anyone but it was eerily quiet.

Walking up to the door Rorry stared at him, she knew most bots didn’t have opinions or emotions but seeing his face, it awfully felt like he did.

And that made her stomach clench with pity.

“Chef will be back in due time! I’m sure of it! Time to—“ Randy began to say, as Rorry spoke up, breaking him away from his little fantasy.

“It’s been over fifty years since your little diner has opened, buddy….you've been powered off for a while.”