Observant
Shaun’s eyes followed the older man from across the room. He had been observing him for days, unable to shake the feeling that there was more to his daily visits than met the eye. Something about the man’s routine didn’t sit right with him.
It clearly wasn’t the food that brought him back—most people barely finished their first plate, let alone returned for more. Yet here he was, again and again. Shaun couldn’t help but wonder what his real reason was.
Showing Up Like Clockwork
For nearly a month, the old man showed up at the diner like clockwork. Every afternoon, without fail, he’d slide into the same booth by the window and order the same meal. To most, he blended into the background—but there was something deliberate about his presence, like he was waiting for more than just coffee.
Then came the shift. Subtle at first, his murmurs became more frequent—soft, almost whispered words that he didn’t seem to realize Shaun could hear. It was as if the old man wasn’t just talking to himself, but to someone long gone, or someone who never showed up. Something had changed, and Shaun could sense the weight behind it. Would you like this to be part of a larger story or kept as a standalone piece?
Occasionally Caught Fragments
Shaun occasionally caught fragments of the man's muttered words as he cleaned the counters—quiet, almost desperate phrases like “Forgive me” and “I’m sorry for this.” Though the man never addressed anyone directly, his tone carried a weight that Shaun couldn’t ignore.
The uneasy murmurs began to gnaw at Shaun’s thoughts. Something didn’t sit right, and his gut told him this wasn’t just idle mumbling. Despite not knowing what he might uncover, Shaun felt he had to dig deeper. Whatever was happening, it felt like a storm was brewing just beneath the surface.
Curiosity Got The Better Of Her
Shaun locked eyes with the man for a moment before curiosity got the better of him. With a friendly grin, he approached and asked whether the man was enjoying his usual order.
To Shaun’s surprise, the man had chosen something truly odd: an onion sandwich slathered in mayonnaise. But just when Shaun thought things couldn’t get stranger, the encounter took an even more unexpected turn.
Completely Ignored
The man completely ignored Shaun, making it clear he wasn’t in the mood for small talk. Curious and confused, Shaun peeked beneath the table—and what he saw instantly brought tears to his eyes. It wasn’t just shocking; it was heartbreaking.
At that moment, the man finally looked up. Realizing his secret had been exposed, the elderly man calmly asked Shaun to sit. Though scared, Shaun did as he was told, settling across from him. What followed in that conversation would alter Shaun’s life in a way he never could have imagined.
The Quiet Town
Shaun Donald was raised in the quiet town of Folks, where he learned early on to keep to himself. Naturally introverted, he preferred solitude and followed his parents' advice to be wary of strangers. Their words stuck with him, shaping a cautious and observant approach to the world around him.
Yet even the most careful habits couldn’t shield him from fate. One ordinary day turned into something unforgettable when Shaun found himself trapped in a difficult situation—one he hadn’t seen coming. It all came down to unfortunate timing, caught in the wrong place at exactly the wrong moment.
A Neighbourhood Diner
At just 20 years old, Shaun landed a job at a neighborhood diner. Though the pay was modest, he saw it as a stepping stone to fund his college education. Still living with his parents, he was able to save most of his earnings, determined to build a better future for himself.
However, Shaun never imagined the job could be dangerous—until the day an elderly man walked through the diner's doors. What started as a typical shift quickly spiraled into something far more serious, changing the way Shaun viewed the world—and his role in it—forever.
Settled Comfortably
Shaun had settled comfortably into his job at the diner. After months of practice, he had mastered the art of taking orders with ease and charm, often earning generous tips and the satisfaction of a job well done. He was beginning to feel confident—maybe even a little proud of his growing skills.
However, that confidence was about to be tested. One day, an unusually demanding customer walked in—someone no amount of friendliness or efficiency could please. Shaun tried his best, but the situation quickly spiraled out of control. What started as a routine interaction would soon take a tragic turn, one that would change the course of his shift—and his life—forever. Would you like help continuing this story or turning it into something else, like a script or short story?
Great Service
Though Shaun always offered great service and received decent tips, the diner rarely saw much foot traffic. Most days, it sat nearly empty, with only a handful of customers trickling in as evening approached.
He often found himself puzzled by how the place managed to stay in business, but he didn’t dwell on it—he was simply thankful to have a job. That quiet routine was suddenly interrupted one day when an old man stepped through the door.
Stooped Shoulders
The old man didn’t stand out—stooped shoulders, worn coat—but there was something quietly unusual about him. Ignoring the plush booths and cozy corners, he chose a creaky, timeworn seat by the window. No one else paid him much attention, but he moved with a purpose that hinted at something more beneath the surface.
Shaun noticed him right away. The man barely glanced at the menu before setting it aside, uninterested. Sensing something strange, Shaun hurried over to greet him, but the old man’s cold stare and tight-lipped silence made it clear—this wasn’t someone eager to chat.
Straight Forward
"Hello, sir. I'm Shaun, and I'll be serving you today…" Shaun began before being interrupted by the old man, "I'll have my favorite sandwich - toasted cheese, mayo, and onion."
Shaun was taken aback by his straightforward demeanor. He didn't take it. Personally, it was part of the job. He bowed his head and went back to the kitchen.
No Tip
After serving the old man his food, he slowly ate it over the course of an hour before paying for the bill and leaving without saying a word or even tipping Shaun.
He found it hard not to feel a little scorned for not getting anything from the old man. But he knew the next customer would be more generous. But things were about to get interesting.
The Next Day
The very next day, Shaun waited patiently for business to pick up, but he couldn't believe who he saw come through the door. It was the very same old man from before.
Shaun's heart dropped, he believed in second chances, but he expected more of the same. The diner was understaffed, so he had to serve him again. He approached the man and dared to ask him again.
Same As Before
The man asked him for the same order as the previous day. Shaun, once again, gave him his sandwich and watched him from the other side of the diner.
Shaun had the opportunity to examine the old man more closely since the business was so slow. Between wiping down countertops, he looked over at him occasionally, but he wished he hadn't.
Strange Behavior
Shaun noticed that the man's behavior was a little out of the ordinary. He would take a bite of his sandwich and stare forward at the bench opposite him. It was as if he was dining with a ghost. It sent a shiver down Shaun's spine. The old man was making Shaun feel uncomfortable, but he'd just have to deal with it since he was a customer. But things ran a lot deeper than he knew.
The old man's history was a long and complicated one, but no one in public ever considered what he could have been through. He looked like he was in his late eighties or even early nineties.
Respect
Shaun was taught by his parents to never trust strangers, but he was also taught to respect his elders. This meant that he was in a tough position.
He felt like he should try his best to get the man to open up to him, but his gut told him something was wrong. He had no idea what kind of mistake he was about to make.
Getting Into A Routine
Over the next few days, Shaun got used to seeing the old man walk in through the door and sit down in the same rundown booth. He'd order the same thing every time and stay there for an hour every time.
He'd mostly stare ahead, but he'd occasionally look around before taking another bite of his sandwich. No one had any idea what he was actually doing.
Inspecting The Place
Shaun started to get suspicious of what was really going on. It was as if the man was inspecting the place. She didn't want to assume the place, but what else could he have been doing?
It was as if he was trying to work up the nerve to do something, but he hadn't done anything yet. Shaun was wondering what he was going to do.
Needed To Figure It Out
Shaun thought long and hard about it and decided he needed a plan. He needed to find out what the man was doing so that he could protect his community if it came down to it.
The man would barely ever talk to him and order the same thing. What was his endgame? Shaun was nervous and knew he had to work up the nerve and do something before the old man did.
Another Set Of Eyes
It seemed that Shaun wasn't the only one watching someone. Another set of eyes was watching Shaun as he went about his day as a waiter.
They didn't seem as patient as Shaun and would start a confrontation soon. They watched both Shaun and the old man and had to intervene before something terrible happened.
The Manager
While Shaun was so fixated on the old man, he had no idea that someone was watching him as well. He had finally had enough and walked behind Shaun before putting a hand on his shoulder.
Shaun jumped back and looked at whoever was behind him. His fears were abolished as soon as he recognized the man as his manager. But he had no idea what he was about to say.
A Warning
The manager stared at him with a serious look on his face before saying, "Look, Shaun. Be careful. I've seen him before; he comes into the diner once a year for a few weeks and then disappears again."
"He's never done anything bad, but he's clearly been going through some things. Try to be understanding, okay?"
Bewildered
Shaun couldn't believe what his manager was saying. Something was clearly off about the man, and his manager wanted him to ignore all of the red flags.
He was bewildered. But when the manager finally checked the security footage, he'd understand why Shaun was so concerned.
New Behavior
Shaun's anxiety only grew more intense until he couldn't hold it anymore. He had to do something, despite the warning from his manager.
He was wiping a table next to the man when he heard him say something under his breath. "I'm sorry" and "Forgive me" were the only words he could make out. He knew he had to stop this.
Confrontation
Shaun knew enough was enough and approached the man under the guise of kindness. "How's the meal, sir?" But he was only ignored again.
That's when something caught Shaun's attention. He saw the glint of something shiny from underneath the table. He took a closer look and froze instantly.
A Gun
Shaun didn't need to look any closer to know what it was. The old man had a gun holstered on his waist. But it was already too late; the old man noticed him and, for the first time since he walked in, spoke to Shaun.
"Sit down, would you?" He said plainly. Shaun felt he didn't have much of a choice and sat across from him. That's when the old man spilled everything.
Reaching
"You know, I've been lonely for the longest time ever since my wife died. There isn't much point to anything anymore, so let me do one last thing." He said before reaching for his waist.
Shaun was trying his best to fight back tears as the man reached for his waist. He didn't want to die this way. But the manager was watching the cameras.
Actions Taken
The manager rushed out of his office with a phone in his hand and stared at Shaun. There wasn't much else he could do to help his employee.
The old man didn't shift focus and continued to reach for his waist. Shaun closed his eyes and felt a tear roll down his face. "Here you go." He heard the old man say.
Actions Taken
The manager rushed out of his office with a phone in his hand and stared at Shaun. There wasn't much else he could do to help his employee.
The old man didn't shift focus and continued to reach for his waist. Shaun closed his eyes and felt a tear roll down his face. "Here you go." He heard the old man say.
The Tip Of A Lifetime
Shaun opened his eyes and saw something he never expected. The man had placed a stack of bills on the table in front of him.
"My name's Smith, and this is your tip for serving me all this week." He told him. But the man's story hadn't been told yet. He was about to explain everything to Shaun.