CONTESSA DOESN’T UNDERSTAND SMALL TALK (PART TWO)

The bell above the diner door jingled as a customer stepped inside, bringing a brief gust of cool evening air with him. Contessa noted his entrance, cataloging the way he hesitated before choosing a stool at the counter.

A few minutes later, Maggie, leaning against the register, gave her a sly look. “Alright, hon, pop quiz.”

Contessa straightened slightly. “I am prepared.”

Maggie smirked and nodded toward the counter, where the man from earlier sat idly stirring his coffee. “That guy’s been sitting there for ten minutes. You wanna be a proper waitress, you gotta make small talk.”

Contessa frowned. “What is the purpose of small talk?”

Maggie blinked. “You really don’t know?”

“I understand it as a form of communication,” Contessa said. “However, no information of value is exchanged.”

Maggie sighed. “It’s not about value. It’s about being social. People like a little casual conversation—it makes things feel… friendly.”

Contessa considered this for a moment. Then, with a small nod, she approached the customer.

“You are stirring your coffee,” she stated.

The man blinked up at her, as if pulled from his thoughts. “Uh… yeah?”

“You have been stirring for an unusually long time. This suggests distraction or indecision.”

Maggie smacked a hand over her face.

The man chuckled awkwardly. “Guess I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”

“What are you thinking about?”

He hesitated. “I… uh, nothing important.”

Contessa nodded. “Then why think about it?”

Maggie groaned. “Hon—”

The man let out a surprised laugh. “You know what? That’s a great question.”

Contessa blinked. “It is?”

Maggie dragged a hand down her face. “Oh, for crying out loud.”

He took a sip of his coffee, still smiling. “Yeah. Made me realize I was worrying about something that doesn’t really matter.”

Maggie stared. 

Contessa glanced between them. “Did I succeed at small talk?”

The man grinned. “You know what? Yeah, I think you did.”

Maggie sighed. “I give up. I don’t think you can fail.”