It Came From Denny's

"You're a hard, young man to find."

Jesse looked up from his book to find a well-groomed man, in a black suit, standing next to his table. As Jesse looked the man over, he quickly realized something was different about him, since he couldn't seem to make out any more details than that. But he often kept odd company, so it really didn't bother him. And it wasn't odd for people to approach him, no matter who they were.

"Would you care to join me?" Jesse asked, as he dog eared his book and set it aside.

The man nodded, and took a seat opposite Jesse, "Thank you."

"You know, I've heard people say a few times that I'm hard to find, but I purposely make myself easy to find," said Jesse as he sat up a little straighter. "I mean, I'm in a Denny's after all. Unless my parents sent you, in which case I certainly have made myself hard to find."

The man shook his head, "No, your parents have nothing to do with me being here."

"Okay, then what can I do for you Mr...." Jesse said leadingly.

"Black," answered the man. "You can call me Mr. Black."

Jesse grinned, "Alright, well what can I do for you, Mr. Black?"

"You know, I thought that you might be a bit more perceptive to who I might be," said Mr. Black. "After all, you flirt with me often enough."

Jesse's eyes went wide as he realized what the man was implying.

"Don't worry, I'm not actually here for you," Mr. Black quickly said, as he signaled to a passing waitress. "You're too well-liked for that. And far too young...and useful."

The waitress stopped by their table, "Can I get you something, Sir?"

"Yes, do you have any Key Lime Pie?" Mr. Black asked hopefully.

"I'm sorry, sir, but that's a seasonal item," replied the waitress. "Can I get you something else?"

Mr. Black nodded, "Cheesecake?"

The waitress pulled out her pad, "Alright, one slice of cheesecake. Can I get you anything else?"

"Coffee, please," answered Mr. Black.

"Alright, I'll be right back," replied the waitress, as she walked away.

"Right, so, where was I?" said Mr. Black as he looked back over at Jesse. "You're being awfully quiet, Jesse."

"I'm sorry," Jesse said softly. "I guess I'm just confused as to why you might be at my table if you aren't here to...collect me."

"Well, quite frankly, you have a very good reputation for being able to find things," Mr. Black replied frankly. "Things and people."

Just then the waitress returned to their table and set a mug and a plate with a slice of cheesecake down in front of Mr. Black.

"Thank you," said Mr. Black, as the waitress poured him some coffee into the mug.

"Of course," she replied as she turned to Jesse. "Can I get you anything, hun? More coffee?"

"Sure, thank you, Shelia," replied Jesse while keeping his gaze on Mr. Black.

She quickly poured him more coffee before hurrying away.

"So... what does the literal Grim Reaper need my help with?" Jesse asked as he picked up his mug and tentatively took a sip.

"Mr. Black will do fine. No need for any other names. I have so many, but I do have my preferences," said Mr. Black as he took a bite of his cheesecake. "And while this might be hard to believe, some people try to evade me. Rather successfully, I might add."

"I guess only gods can live forever," Jesse said carefully.

Mr. Black laughed, "Whatever gave you that idea?"

"Because they're gods?" Jesse said with a perplexed look. "Isn't that part of being immortal?"

"Most people seem to think that," Mr. Black replied.

"So... does that mean that you want me to find someone?" Jesse carefully asked.

"Yes," Mr. Black said simply, as he pulled out a slip of paper and slid it over to Jesse.

Jesse couldn't help but laugh at the idea of Death sliding him a name on a slip of paper. As if they were spies or something. He picked up the slip of paper and looked it over. 

As soon as Jesse read it, he looked over at Mr. Black in shock, "Are you serious?"

Mr. Black nodded, "Everyone has their time. She has gone a fair bit over that time."

"I honestly didn't think she was real," stated Jesse.

"Oh, I assure you," said Mr. Black. "She's very real."

"And why should I take this case?" Jesse asked as he quickly stuffed the paper into one of his vest pockets. "If you know anything about me, then you know I'm more inclined to play the hero than the villain."

Mr. Black took another bite of his cheesecake and seemed to think it over, "That's a fair question. I don't make deals often but if you help me, then I'll make it worth your time."

"And I have your word on that?" Jesse said, quickly realizing what that might mean if he meant it.

"What do you take me for? A demon?" Scoffed Mr. Black. "Besides, this job shouldn't take you far."

"I know it won't, I've seen her around. That's what concerns me," replied Jesse. "Why can't you take care of this yourself? I mean, you've come this far, and you clearly know she's here."

"Everyone has their limits," said Mr. Black. "This just happens to play into one of mine."

"Yeah, and what limits are those?" Jesse asked curiously.

Mr. Black ignored the question, "I'll wait here and finish this wonderful dessert while you complete the job."

"If finding her isn't the problem, then what exactly do you want me to do?" Jesse asked cautiously. 

"Just talk to her," Mr. Black replied simply. "She'll fill in any gaps I've left, and she'll know what I want."

Jesse stared him down for a moment, trying to decide if he really wanted to do this. And Mr. Black was apparently very aware of what he was thinking.

"It'll be worth your time," Mr. Black stated simply.

Jesse didn't exactly like the position this put him in, but he finally sighed and stood up. Mr. Black grinned and went back to eating his cheesecake, as if it was the most interesting dessert in the world.

Meanwhile, Jesse looked around the room, searching for who he needed to find. After a few passes and not seeing who he was looking for, he picked up a fork from off of the table and struck his coffee mug. The dull sound echoed slightly, and the room started to become hazy, as suddenly several layers of people appeared throughout the room. The layers overlapped and intertwined, showing many more people than were physically present. 

Jesse continued to scan the room and finally spotted who he was looking for. He quickly took note of the color of the layer she was in and then counted the layers he saw before that one. Finally, he struck his mug again, but this time he hit it several times, and on the final strike, he hit it hard enough to shatter.

But rather than the mug breaking, the entire room did, quickly falling away to reveal the same room but filled with the right person.

She was sitting in one of the booths, in the far back corner, wearing a headscarf and sunglasses, obviously trying to avoid attracting attention, but in all the wrong ways. Sunglasses indoors made her stand out more than it did to help keep her hidden.

Jesse looked back down at his now empty table, just wanting to confirm that Mr. Black had indeed been left behind, before he started to make his way over to her table to join her.

"Is this seat taken," Jesse asked politely, as he approached.

The woman looked up, in surprise, and quickly assessed him. Jesse wasn't exactly sure what she was looking for, but whatever it was she must not have found it as she smiled at him.

"Why hello there, my dear," she said candidly, as she leaned back in her booth and draped an arm over the back. "It's always nice to have an adoring fan stop by. Please, have a seat."

Jesse grinned and took a seat, "I have to admit, as beautiful as you are, I've never really been a big fan of Greek Mythology."

"Mythology?" she laughed. "And what part of me is a myth, Darling?"

Jesse grinned, "That's a good point. I wouldn't have taken you for a Denny's fan."

"Everyone likes a Grand Slam, Darling," she replied very matter-of-factly. "Even me. But if you're not a fan then to what do I owe this visit?"

"I'm sorry, I should have introduced myself when I sat down. I'm Jesse..."

"This isn't my first time here, Darling, I know who you are," she says hastily, dropping the facade. "And I know what it is you typically do. Why are you here? Who sent you to find me?"

At this moment, Jesse wasn't entirely sure he really wanted to be here. While he may not know much about her place in the Greek mythos, he knew enough to know she was dangerous. Jesse stared into her sunglasses and replied, "I'm guessing that you already know the answer to that."

She sighed, "Of course, who else would be looking for me, these days anyway." She gave Jesse a very annoyed look. "Why would you, of all people, work for him? That isn't your reputation. What's he offering?"

"It's temporary, extremely temporary," Jesse rushed to say. "I honestly wasn't sure I'd even take the job, but..."

"I see, he's offered a favor, at the very least, if not a full request," she said bitterly. "He knows that no one can refuse such a boon. Especially from him." 

"Considering the lovely ladies, you have hidden under your scarf, and the reputation of your dazzling eyes, I thought you would be working for him too," Jesse said frankly.

She looked around the room briefly, "He isn't here, though, is he?"

"Yes and no," replied Jesse. "He said something about limitations, but he wouldn't elaborate."

"Smart man...or beast...or whatever it is that he is. At least he knows what his limits are," She said as he sized Jesse up again. "I could run, you know. Take care of you first, so you can't follow me."

Jesse nodded, "Yeah, not much I could do about it, either. But I'm not here to hurt you. I'm not even sure how."

"I figured you'd say something like that," She said with a heavy sigh as she slumped back in her seat. "This isn't fair."

"Why is he after you?" Jesse asked curiously.

"Mmmm, because he always collects on his debts," She explained. "I've been dead before, you see. Got my head cut off by some do-gooder who didn't understand the world. I was just the means to an end for someone else. You know how that kind of fuckery typically plays out."

Jesse nodded, and she continued, "And so, when he came to collect me, he made me an offer. He saw the value in my talents, so why wouldn't he want in on that? Anyway, he said he would bring me back if I did his dirty work."

Jesse looked at her with a confused look, "Wait, you died? Gods really can die then."

"Oh, you sweet thing, I'm not a god," She said with a bit of a giggle. "I'm an unlucky Priestess that was cursed by a god. But don't let their power fool you. They can certainly die. I've killed a few myself, over the years."

"Oh, I didn't know that," said Jesse.

She cracked a smile, "Have you met many gods in your time here?"

"Actually..."

"Never mind, I don't really want to know. They're all about as fascinating as a lump of coal," she quickly interrupted, with a dismissive wave. "And they're all manipulative assholes."

Jesse laughed, "No comment."

"That's okay, Darling, I understand." She said with a smile. "Although, I suppose that's one of the things that interested me about his offer, all those years ago. He isn't a god. He's above that...beyond that."

"So, what about your deal changed?" Jesse asked. "I mean, your deal with him sounds like a win-win."

"You can only kill so many everyday clueless fucks before it isn't fun anymore," She said very flippantly as if it was the most obvious fact in the world. 

"Oh."

"Oh, come on dear, they aren't all like you and I," She offered in an almost caring tone. "In fact, most of them aren't. It got boring after a few centuries. Although, it was fun to work with different sculptors over the years, and make the world think they were great. I have obvious talents in making stone statues and all. And they were at least worth a good lay."

Jesse giggled, "That could be fun."

"Oh, it was actually some of the best years of my life, my dear," she said wistfully. "Although, I also worked with some artists that were better than I was. They were always the most interesting."

"So, after a while, you just stopped," stated Jesse.

"Yes. I just woke up one day and decided that I didn't want to do it anymore," She said. "For years and years, it was just assignment after assignment. Black was my best color, it seemed. But I just wanted to live for myself, for once in my life. I mean, I'd grown up devoted to some fuck that thought himself a god. I got my head lopped off and then I served...something even greater. But never once had I really done what I wanted to do. I mean, sure I seduced a few people that were truly worth my time, but it was never my idea. So, I took back that time that I lost."

"That seems fair."

"And not to mention, it took him so long to notice that I wasn't doing the job anymore that I started to think that he wouldn't come back," She added in a very confident tone.

"Maybe he did and thought you deserved the break?" offered Jesse.

She seemed to think about that for a moment, before replying, "...perhaps. That would be very unlike him. He's extremely...absolute. But then again, I've done some amazing work for him over the years. I just got comfortable with the idea that he would never come to visit again."

Jesse grinned, "Well, you know what they say, nothing is certain except death and taxes."

"One of which I have always avoided, actually," She said proudly.

Jesse flashed her a surprised look, "You've never paid taxes?"

She laughed, "Have you, Darling? We aren't really fixed to one place, are we? And I don't officially exist in some realms."

"I suppose that's true," grinned Jesse. "But I'm also only 16 years old."

"Are you now?" She said with an amused smile. "And I'm not a day over three hundred."

Jesse giggled, "I also don't get paid in money, most of the time."

"That's the ticket!" She said with vigor. "Favors can mean more than money in our world."

"So, I'm guessing he came to collect?" asked Jesse, referring to their mutual 'friend'.

She looked very thoughtful at that question and took a few moments before finally replying "Yes and no. He never really came for me again. It was more like I had this feeling that he was trying to...call me home, as it were."

"And even now, he would rather have me talk to you than come over here himself," offered Jesse.

"Well, that and he can't find me," She replied with a short laugh. "Finding someone that doesn't want to be found, when they're hiding here, can be very difficult.... unless they know how, that is. Which is why he came to you, I'd imagine?"

"Yeah, I suppose I've earned a rep for being able to do that. I mean, finding those that don't want to be found," said Jesse. "So, now what? You know he wants you to come home..."

"Dying isn't home, dear, it's the next adventure, the beyond, the ever-after," she quickly interjected. "And... and..."

As she trailed off, she seemed to be looking through him, lost in thought.

"You said it yourself, you were tired of what was expected of you, so you claimed your life back," Jesse said quietly. "Have you done it all? Did you live the life you always wanted?"

She softly smiled, as if remembering, "Yes. The last fifty years or so have been absolutely wonderful."

"What have you done?" Jesse asked.

"Oh, everything I could, my dear," she replied with much enthusiasm. "I saw every sight there was to see. I made love to movie stars. I've tried everything there is to try. I even had a child of my own, watched them grow up...let them have the childhood that I never had. I even have grandchildren now, though that isn't always as glamorous as it sounds."

Jesse giggled, "I can imagine. Although you can always spoil them rotten and then just hand them back to their parents."

"Is there any other way to be a grandparent?" she said playfully. "Still, it was...what I wanted."

"What do you have left to do, then?" Jesse asked curiously.

She sighed, "See one more sunset, drink one more margarita, have one more good time...is it wrong to want as much time as possible?"

Jesse shook his head, "No, I don't think so. But are you really doing any of that by hiding here?"

"Oh, I see where this is going," She said with a speculative tone. "And this is exactly why he asked you to talk to me. I guess taxes really are the only thing I'm ever going to avoid."

Jesse giggled again, causing her to smile.

"You certainly have an infectious way about you. And you're a good boy, my dear," She said almost fondly. "Don't ever lose your ability to relate and be kind. I've lost my way before and it absolutely sucks to learn the lessons that come from that."

"Yes ma'am, I'll try," Jesse promised.

"Good," She said firmly as she looked across the room, "I'm ready now, you overwhelmingly dark oaf. I can see you now. You can stop pretending to politely finish your dessert."

Suddenly, Mr. Black appeared directly next to Jesse.

"Jeez!" Jesse said with a jump.

Mr. Black grinned, "Sorry to startle you. Remember, I'm not here for you. So please take a few deep breaths."

"Quit frightening children, my dear, he has enough to deal with without you shaving years off of his life," Medusa said as she began to stand, "I'm ready to go. Will you be a gentleman and escort me home?"

Mr. Black offered her his arm, "Of course."

She smiled down at Jesse, "Good luck, Darling, and remember, Death owes you a favor."

Jesse quickly stood, leaned in, and kissed her cheek, "Good luck."

"Thank you, my dear," she said as she stood tall, and gave a quick glance at Mr. Black, "I might need it."

Jesse then watched as Medusa, on the arm of Death himself, walked towards the front door. 

He slowly wandered back over to his table and sat back down. As he sat, he realized that acknowledging Death had brought the room back into focus, so his coffee was waiting for him without any effort on his part.  

As he picked his coffee back up, and took a sip, he smiled. Never a boring day at Denny's.