Gas, Food Lodging

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If it weren't for Elvia Rivero,

this story wouldn't even be worth telling.

Whenever Elvia

came to this dead old town...

well, it's like she woke the place up.

My hometown, Laramie, New Mexico,

it came alive.

Elvia Rivero was the one

who made me laugh when I needed to laugh.

She made me cry when no one was looking.

But most of all, Elvia could put into words

everything I was thinking.

It was Elvia who first gave me the idea.

It was decided then and there.

I knew what was missing from my life.

A man.

Sh*t!

Oh, no! Don't get me wrong.

Not a man for me, for my mom.

Then we could do all the dumb normal stuff

regular families do.

Hi, Darius.

Come in.

I can't. I have to go meet my stupid sister.

Maybe I want to sit at the counter.

Don't worry, as soon as I'm out of here,

you can do whatever the f*** you want.

Promises.

Hello, girls.

- Trudi.

- Thanks.

I'll send your favorite waitress over as soon

as she finishes the big party in back.

You want something to drink?

Yeah, a Slice, in a big huge glass

with some ice, please.

- She's waiting.

- What?

- Diet Pepsi.

- Diet Pepsi. Okay.

So, where is our favorite waitress, anyway?

I got the most amazing idea today, Trudi.

Oh, man!

- Lo siento, seorita.

- It's no problem.

It was an accident.

God, don't just stand there, wetback,

get a towel! Clean it up!

Glad he didn't spill it on me.

I have a date later.

Really? With who?

Nobody you'd know.

By the way, the name's Javier, not wetback.

My family's been in this town

for five generations.

Where is the b*tch? I don't have all night.

The old b*tch is coming.

She heard you. If I was you I'd just keep

my mouth shut on your date tonight.

You risk blowing it.

He's an idiot, he isn't interested

in my f***ing vocabulary.

I didn't say "old."

Oh, goody.

Come on, girls, make it quick, I'm snowed.

Why are you working two stations?

Unlike some people, I notice.

Yeah, some people notice.

What are you gonna have?

A dinner salad with blue cheese dressing.

No dressing, just a lemon wedge.

That's it? No way.

You're having some protein, Trudi.

- Come on, I had protein once already today.

- Like what?

- You're having the fish.

- Fish? Make me sick.

Fine. Bring it. I won't eat anything then.

- What are you going to have?

- BLT with onion rings?

Could I get another Slice

in a big glass with ice?

Where is Javier?

- He walked.

- He walked?

He just walked out?

That's just great.

I am not going out with a beautiful boy

smelling like grease and fish. F*** that.

- Where are you going?

- I'm not eating. Forget it.

That's just great, Trudi.

Eighty-six the red snapper.

The question was,

what sort of man would my mom go for?

My dad walked off

before I could remember things.

And I hadn't seen her with any other guy

in almost two years...

since the one who held the gun on us.

Before him there was this rich guy who took

me and my sister to Kmart one day...

and let us buy anything we wanted.

And we said, "Marry him, Mom."

But she said no because if she did,

it would be for the wrong reasons.

So that was the end of that.

Then there was this young guy.

He was more of a pal.

Now, he used to turn off all the lights

in the trailer and go, "Bring me the knife!"

And me and Trudi

would hide in the dark and scream.

Mom would get all mad at him and say:

"Stop it! You're getting them all wound up

before bedtime."

And we'd all laugh so she had to laugh, too.

I wonder whatever happened to him.

There are so many kinds of guys.

There's so many kinds.

But there was only one guy missing.

El Paso.

Last name, Evans...

- first name, John.

- I have a J. Evans.

Okay. Thank you. I'll take it.

- Hold for the number.

- Thank you.

The only man missing

was John Isaiah Perion Evans...

my dad.

Hello?

"And be sure to turn out the lights.

"We will.

"I did. She was the last one in there."

Where is your sister?

Shade, wake up and tell me where Trudi is.

God, Mom, I don't know.

I was having a good dream.

Go back to sleep.

This was amazing, Trudi.

You're really amazing.

- I'll call you tomorrow, all right?

- Okay. Yeah.

Now, get some sleep.

- Okay. Bye.

- Bye.

What? I had a date, so?

It's 2:
30, Trudi.

- You haven't been to school in two weeks.

- I have too.

Not according to this. This is bullshit.

You're going to school

or you're getting your ass a job.

- Fine, I'll get a job.

- Doing what?

I don't know. God, something.

- Would you lay off? I'm tired.

- No, I'm not finished with you!

You don't come in at no 2:30 a. m.

As long as you're living in my house.

- You got it?

- I got it!

I don't know how you piss the hours away,

but I got a pretty good idea.

- It's none of your business.

- Oh, no?

Whose business is it if you get knocked up?

Or if you bring home a nice dose

of the clap or AIDS? Answer me that.

- Whose business is it then?

- Not yours!

I wouldn't tell you sh*t if I were dying!

Listen to me, young lady,

you got three choices:

You go to school, you get a job,

or you get out!

Fine, then, I'm out of here.

I can't stand it here with you!

And you don't close the door in my face!

Come on, I have to go to school tomorrow!

- You're gonna shape up around here!

- Get out of my f***ing life!

Sweetheart. I can make you

very sorry you said that.

Go to bed, Mom!

I will go to bed when I want to,

you understand me?

Will the new girl come get her order?

Trudi, pick up.

Here you go.

- Will that be all?

- This will do. Thanks.

One moment.

- I ordered the Western Burger.

- Just a sec.

Sh*t!

That's his burger. You ordered

the French Burger, that's the Western...

Too late? It's okay.

- I'm sorry. It's my first day.

- It's all right.

I'm from England. We're used to bad service.

Is that supposed to make me feel good

or something?

Hello?

Anyone?

No! Stop!

Are you crazy, man?

You could lose a finger like that.

Sorry.

It's you?

Done any Mex bashing lately?

- What?

- I'm sorry.

You probably don't remember me.

I know all us "wetbacks" look alike.

I didn't say anything.

Wait a minute.

I do.

I do remember you.

You're the busboy who walked out.

You left my mom stranded at dinner rush.

God, who could forget.

You don't seem to be

much better at this job.

And in case you don't know,

most projectors have a knob for focus!

Goodbye, chula.

I think we've been over this

about a hundred times too many.

Look, Nora. Wait!

Come on, open up. Let me talk to you.

What, Raymond?

What's to say?

Maybe we could have a drink

or a cup of coffee?

Spend a little time together?

Julie, in all those years, never knew a thing.

We never hurt nobody.

I can't get it through your head that you're

not the only one with a family to protect.

My girls are grown up now.

I can't be messing with a married man.

I got to set some kind of example.

It seems to me that if I make you feel good...

that's the type of example

that would mean something to your girls.

Better than the role model

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