Diner

The Diner
Location	The Town
Inhabitants	None

The Diner is a diner located in the center of the Town. It is where the residents of Town eat many of their meals. Many people start their day at the Diner, where a community breakfast is served. It is also where most of the Town's food stores are kept, as well as the belongings of deceased residents.

The Diner is managed by Tian-Chen Liu, who also cooks most of the food, while Sara Myers works as a waitress.

History

Season 1

Shortly before nightfall, Sara Myers locks up the Diner before going home.

After her husband's death, Tian-Chen Liu pours herself into her work, much to her son Kenny's concern. As she frantically prepares food, Kenny begs her to get some rest. Tian-Chen replies that she has too much to do but knocks over a glass. As she chides her son for making her break the glass, she tries to clean up the shards but cuts her hand. Kenny helps her and tells her that she needs rest. Tian-Chen begins to say that if she were with her husband the previous night but Kenny cuts her off and says it would not have changed anything. As the two are talking, Sara walks in and seeing the broken glass, begins cleaning it.

Later that morning, Jade loudly and rudely cuts the line and begins taking food, prompting Tian Chen to hit him on the head with a whisk and yell at him in Cantonese. Jade eats with Kenny and continues to believe that this is all an elaborate escape room. Kenny asks if anyone has talked to him, and Jade says he got the whole “intro” from Donna, but feels that there are flaws in the logic. Jade points out that he is eating eggs in a diner, and that his nightmares do not usually serve breakfast, and jokes that they have chickens out in the forest. A tired Kenny replies that they don’t know where the chickens and cows come from. Jade then asks if he is supposed to get a clue from Kenny, but leaves on his own. Kristi then walks in, and Kenny remarks to her that Jade is going to get himself killed. Kristi, seeing Tian Chen, asks how she’s doing, and Kenny repeats what he previously said about denial being a part of his family tree.

The next morning, Sara arrives and finds Tian-Chen crying, who quickly regains her composure upon seeing Sara. Jim and Ethan go to the Diner for the community breakfast. Sara introduces herself and says she’s glad they came because Ms. Liu tries to make something special for newcomers, with Jim realizing that it was her husband that died in the Clinic the previous night.

Tian-Chen brings a plate stacked with pancakes to an excited Ethan, telling him to enjoy. Before leaving, she places a comforting hand on Jim’s shoulder. Ethan asks his father if they live here now, and Jim says he should think of it like a vacation. Ethan responds that it’s like a hero’s quest, like when his toy, Norman, went to the Lake of Tears. Jim acknowledges that he might be onto something before Ethan says he pretends Thomas went on quest to save the kingdom. Jim is stunned, and says he is going to the bathroom, where he cries by himself. In the house, Tabitha regains her composure begins unpacking. Victor then arrives in the Diner and says the trees have moved four inches closer, which is bad. Ethan asks if they should tell someone, but Victor says they wouldn’t understand. Victor then asks something important: if the picture he drew of the Boy in White is the one Ethan saw. Ethan says it’s him, and seeing Victor’s face fall asks what’s wrong. Victor answers that it means the Boy was real when Jim returns, and seeing Victor’s drawing, marches Victor away and orders him to stay away from Ethan, shoving him out the door. Ethan scolds his father, who declares it’s time to leave.

That evening, Boyd has dinner with the Matthews and talks with them about Julie. Tabitha thanks him for what he did, and Boyd says that they take care of each other in Town, and compliments them on how they’re coping. Sara brings over another plate of food and asks Ethan if he wants to help her. The tabletop jukebox then turns on, confusing the Matthews parents, and Boyd explains that they do that sometimes. Boyd then excuses himself to go talk with Kenny for a moment. Jim apologizes to Tabitha, and admits that he doesn’t know what he is doing, and never meant to make her feel bad, explaining that he feels broken. Tabitha holds his hand and promises that they will figure it out together. Ethan then comes over with a plate of sweet potatoes. As Sara observes them, she becomes agitated, and notices the words “KILL THE BOY” painfully appearing on her arm before vanishing, disturbing her. Sara then collapses and has a seizure, and Boyd rushes to help.

Nathan, becoming increasingly concerned with Sara's mental state, goes to Father Khatri and reveals everything she's done. The two search for her at the Diner, but Tom tells them that he saw her heading to the Barn with Tabitha and Ethan.

At the Diner, Tabitha and Ethan drop off the Pratts' things, and Tian Chen lead them to the storage area. Tabitha notices that Ethan is nervous, and promises that Sara is not here or able to hurt him. In the storage room, Ethan is amazed by how much there is, and starts touching things, but Tabitha says not to, because it belonged to people who used to live in Town. Ethan compares it to the cavern of the lonely dragon, explaining that when the Cromenockle was lost in the rainbow sky, she found the cavern home of the lonely dragon, to whom the things no one else wanted were treasure. In one of those piles, was the map of the rainbow sky, which the dragon gave the Cromenockle allowing her to find her way. Ethan then says that they could find the map in the storage room. Tabitha then notices a bracelet which she takes.

Later, Jade obsessively draws the symbol he saw on the tree when Tian-Chen approaches him with tea, which he rudely dismisses. Tian-Chen speaks to him in Cantonese, and Jade relents and sips his tea, thanking her. Tian-Chen notices the symbol on the paper, and Jade begins to explain that he keeps seeing the symbol but Tian-Chen leaves to the storage room. Jade follows her inside, and he realizes that it is all the belongings of the former inhabitants. Tian-Chen finds a box and begins sifting through it before finding a journal whose pages are covered in the same symbol Jade was drawing, scaring him.

Jade continues to stare at the journal with the symbols during dinner with the Lius before realizing that two of the pages are stuck together. He is able to pry them apart, and a polaroid photo falls out of the book. The picture is of a smiling man holding the journal in front of the diner. As the three look at it, Tian-Chen points out that a young victor is in the corner of the picture, identifiable by his signature lunchbox, shocking Jade and Kenny.

Boyd returns to town and finds Tom and Eli at the head of a crowd arguing with Tian-Chen, who is barring them from entering the Diner. Tom explains that the Colony House people are using up their supplies, and if he has to choose between himself or the Colony House people raiding the Diner, he’s choosing himself. Boyd says that no one is raiding anything, but Eli points out that the Creatures weren’t supposed to get into Colony House either. Boyd chastises them for acting like animals, and promises that they will figure it all out, telling them to go home in the meantime. The crowd disperses, grumbling as they do. Tian-Chen tells Boyd that they are scared before going inside.

Kenny explains to his mother how they are dividing work on the radio tower. Tian-Chen asks if Jade has found Victor, and Kenny answers no, adding that if Jade mentions the symbol one more time, he believes Jim might kill him. Tian-Chen expresses happiness that Jade is finally working, and says that she does not like him because he is selfish and lazy. Kenny quips that that is what Tian-Chen says about her favorite people, making her smile. Tian-Chen tells her son to go ring the bell and be a good sheriff. As Kenny exits the Diner, Kristi arrives and returns his book, saying that she finished chapter 6. The two talk about the book, and Kenny asks if she thinks it will have a happy ending. Kristi does not know, but looks forward to finding out.

Jade and Jim demonstrate before the assembled townspeople how they have figured out how to power the radio tower, and ask everyone to gather conducting wire. As he leaves, Julie scolds Jade for calling her father “Tea Cup.” Jade promises to stop calling him “Tea Cup,” but vows to begin calling her “Spark Plug,” before leaving. Later, while everyone is at Colony House watching to see if the Radio Tower works, the Diner’s tabletop jukeboxes mysteriously turn on and begin playing Neil Young’s “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere” as a bus arrives.

Season 2

The Grand Rapids Runner Bus arrives in Town, parking outside the Diner. While the bus is being cleaned, the passengers stand outside the locked Diner, trying to shelter from the rain. Julie, Ellis and Tom arrive, with Julie rushing to her house while the other two tell the passengers that someone will be with them shortly to unlock the Diner. Donna and Kenny arrive in the van. Kenny apologizes for their inconvenience and offers to get some tea for all of them and allows them into the Diner. Later chaos ensues as the Matthews' Home collapses, trapping Jim, Tom and Brick, while Bakta tries to get the passengers back on the bus. With the sun setting, Donna gets a shotgun from the van and shoots out the bus’s tires. Several passengers run away, and Fatima tries to run after them. Kenny fires his pistol into the air, and herds many of the passengers into the Diner.

At night, Donna cocks her shotgun to try and get the crowd under control. Bakta tries to get her to let them go, but Donna tells her that she has no idea what is waiting for them outside, and orders them to sit down. Donna says she understands they are scared, but promises that they are not the enemy, which is outside. Randall scoffs, and Tillie says that is an odd thing to say. Donna begins to explain their situation, beginning with the Fallen Tree.

Kristi finds Marielle in the back of the Diner, and she asks Kristi how she could have left, reminding her that they were supposed to have lunch when Kristi disappeared. Marielle says it has been six months and she and Kristi’s parents went to the police, and the entire time she was two hours away in what appears to be a cult. Mari tries to leave, but a crying Kristi bars her way and says she understands she is hurt, but needs her to listen. Kristi begins to explain their predicament.

Julie peers outside the window, but Kenny tells her not to draw attention to the house. Kenny sits her down and tells her that Jim’s best chance is to stay exactly where he is until morning. Kenny explains that people used to hide at night before the Talismans, and that all they can do is wait. He offers her tea, and asks her what her favorite book is. Julie says he is trying to distract her, and Kenny says he is, but she still has to answer the question. Tillie offers Donna a cup of tea, remarking that she thought life was out of surprises for her. Donna then notices Randall is planning something with two other men.

Randall makes a run for the door but Kenny stops him, pointing out the screams and howls they are hearing. Randall says they cannot leave the people outside to their deaths and points out that they have guns, which Donna says are useless. As they are distracted by a scream, Randall gets ahold of Kenny’s gun and aims at Kenny, leading to a standoff between him, Donna and Matthias. Randall demands they open the door, but Donna refuses, saying doing so would put everyone in danger. Randall tries to rally the other passengers, reminding them that Donna shot out their tires. Donna says that they are all scared, but Randall refuses to listen, threatening to shoot Kenny, but Donna says he will have to shoot Kenny, and she will have to shoot him. Randall then gets distracted by a knock at the door, and Kenny regains control of his weapon while Donna whacks Randall in the face with the butt of her gun.

Kenny makes more tea in the Diner, and offers Marielle some tea as she passes. Kristi finds him and asks what he is doing. He explains that his mother says food cures all ails, so he is making tea. Kristi asks if he is doing alright, and he says it is a hard question to answer right now. He asks how she is, and if that is really her fiancee, and she answers yes. After taking it in, Kenny tells her to stay with Marielle, saying that they have a long time before sunrise and Marielle will need her. Later, Tom is attacked by the Creatures, and his screams distress the people inside. Julie tries to run out and help him but is held back by Donna, who holds her as she sobs. Tillie joins them and tries to comfort her. In the morning, the tabletop jukeboxes begin playing Leonard Cohen’s “Who by Fire” as the sun comes up. Julie notices the light from the window and rushes outside to check on her father.

The next morning, Tabitha gets breakfast with her children. Ethan asks if they can see Victor, but Tabitha says he has had a rough few days. Ethan says he hopes Victor is not mad at him because he and Jade were in his room looking for clues, even though he told Jade that Victor would not like it. Ethan then asks if they will be able to get their belongings out of the rubble. Tabitha says she does not know and leaves to talk to Tian-Chen. Tabitha asks Tian-Chen, who oversees many of the Town’s supplies, if she can go through some of the storage for supplies and clothing. Tian-Chen offers to host her family, saying that mothers help each other, gladdening Tabitha. Later that day, Ellis finds Fatima sitting pensively by the window. Fatima tells Ellis to promise her that things won’t always be this way. Ellis suggests that they get married, not wanting the Town to be thing that decides whether or not they get married. Fatima happily agrees, delighting Ellis.

Tian-Chen gives Kenny a container of food and tells him to sit and eat. Kenny says it is for Boyd, who is not feeling well. Tian-Chen replies that they both work too hard. Before he leaves, Tian-Chen asks if he has talked to Kristi. Kenny replies that he knew she was engaged, and just wants her to be happy. Seeing the people unloading the bus, Kenny tells his mother that she should help them.

Boyd visits Tian-Chen in the Diner, and haltingly tries to explain how while he believes his decision to keep Sara alive is for the good of the Town, he understands if she hates him for it due to Sara’s actions. He sympathizes with the difficulty of losing a loved one in this place. He struggles to explain how he is doing everything he can to get them al home when Kenny arrives, and he angrily confronts Boyd. Tian-Chen tries to diffuse the situation but Boyd thanks her for her time and leaves. Boyd goes to the Church and finds the main room empty. He then hears a music box, and turns around and sees a Ballerina dancing in front of him. The Ballerina has Boyd twirl her, smiles at him, but then opens her mouth in a blood-curdling shriek as worms fall out of her mouth. Back in the Diner, Boyd falls on the floor of the Diner, hitting his head. Boyd apologizes and is helped up by the Lius. Tian-Chen tells Kenny to take Boyd to Kristi, but Boyd insists he is ok and tries to walk out, but struggles to stay upright, and is helped out by Kenny.

While they help clean the Diner, Ethan and Julie try to convince Victor of the Internet’s existence. Julie points out to Ethan that his new jacket smells musty. Ethan then finds a toy in the pocket and gives it to Victor, shocking him. Victor then flashes back to when he was a child and his mother gave him the toy. Jade and Tabitha arrive ins search of Victor but he tries to leave. Jade grabs Victor, prompting Julie to order him to leave Victor alone. Jade reminds Victor that in exchange for playing the song he was supposed to tell Jade about the symbol. Victor says he did, but Jade points out that he neglected to mention its presence in the Caves. Tabitha tries to calmly ask Victor for answers, and she and Jade follow him as he leaves. Jade grabs Victor again and orders him to tell them everything he knows because it might be how they go home, asking if he would like that. Victor defiantly replies that this place is his home and walks away. Tabitha excoriates Jade for behaving poorly and runs after Victor.

Later, Jim heads to the Diner where he greets his children and asks where Tabitha is. Julie explains that she and Jade came in looking for Victor and Jade yelled at him, so Tabitha is likely trying to check on him. Jim pulls Julie aside and tells her that he is planning to spend the night in the RV with a Talisman and to tell Tabitha that he is alright. Julie is concerned about the idea, and tells him to be careful. After they finish up work, Tian-Chen locks up the Diner and compliments Julie and Ethan on their work.

Season 3

After agreeing to accompany Jim Matthews in his search for his missing wife, Kenny Liu says goodbye to his mother in the Diner. Tian-Chen gives him a box of food so they don’t go hungry. She says that she wishes he would stay and urges him to be careful because she can’t lose him too. Kenny tells them that he and Jim will be fine.

When Kenny returns, he learns that his mother was killed by the Creatures while he was gone. He refuses to listen, and goes into the Diner, calling out for Tian-Chen. Inside, he finds Clara putting a flower on the counter, and she expresses her condolences as she leaves. Kristi follows Kenny, and he begins sobbing before professing the need to sit in quiet, for which she joins him.

Kenny reminisces how his mother would say that no matter how bad things got, they would never get that day again. Kenny asks if she suffered, but retracts the question before asking about his mother’s body, recalling how he always thinks about how he found his father. He asks Kristi to make his mother look nice for her funeral. Kristi accepts, and tells him to come to her if he needs anything. As the song “Celebration” starts playing on a jukebox, Kenny smashes it in frustration.

Sometime after Tian-Chen's death, Ethan goes to the Diner and washes dishes with Bakta. When Boyd arrives, Ethan explains that they are doing so because Tian-Chen would want the Diner to be put together. Bakta tells Boyd that she feels bad for Ethan. Boyd asks how she is doing, and she says that she is still processing everything, and does not really know before asking Boyd how he is. Boyd admits that it’s been a rough stretch, but they will win and go home. Ethan asks if there is a way home, and says Boyd simply hopes there is one, reminding him of Tian-Chen and his mother. Boyd says they are not giving up on Tabitha, but Ethan says that maybe they should.

The day after Tabitha Matthews returns, the people of the Township gather inside the Diner to hear her story. Boyd begins by telling them that they have no easy explanations, and to be mindful of the fact that Tabitha has been through a lot. Dale leads the others in demanding that Tabitha speak, but Donna calms them down. Bakta asks Henry why he was in the ambulance, and as he begins to explain, Tabitha arrives, with Jim. Dale immediately asks if she went through a tree. Tabitha begins explaining her story.

After Tabitha concludes her story, Fatima asks if she tried reaching out to the police, and Tabitha says she wanted to, prompting anger. Tabitha justifies herself, saying they would not have believed her, and Henry tries to back her up, pointing out that he didn’t believe her at first, and that his circumstances are different than the average person’s. Acosta agrees, noting that she and the EMTs thought Tabitha hysterical, but this only angers people further, who point out that she killed Nicky. Clara admonishes Tabitha for wasting her opportunity in the outside world to get help. Jim asks the crowd what they would have done. Fatima also criticizes Tabitha, who apologizes for not finding answers and leaves.

Boyd reminds the crowd that Tabitha escaped, and they should have hope now that it is possible. Dale then demands to go to the Bottle Tree, riling up the crowd. Boyd begs them to think, but Bakta agrees that the equation seems simple: Tabitha went through the tree and escaped. Boyd warns that they cannot just run into the Forest, but Fatima says that they should head to the tree, and Ellis agrees. Boyd warns them that the trees are not simply a magic door, reminding them that he almost died after going through one. Kenny agrees with Boyd, reminding the crowd that it was the Lighthouse that allowed her to escape. Dale says he is going to the Lighthouse, declaring himself done with Boyd and his rules before leaving. After the meeting disperses, Bakta cleans up and notices Boyd outside eyeing the bus.

Kenny finds his mother’s tea in the Diner. As he is reminiscing, Acosta arrives and he apologetically informs her that they no longer serve food. Acosta asks why there is a Diner, Sheriff’s Office/Post Office and travel agency sign. Acosta further asks why no one is asking her questions and Kenny admits they already have. Kenny then offers her tea.

He explains that things are different when people first arrive, as they think that they will be the person able to figure everything out and free themselves. However, as time goes on that feeling passes. Acosta refuses to accept this, but Kenny explains that based on personal experience, everyone eventually realizes that every question and theory has been posited before, and people either adapt or lose their mind. As he talks about how he adapted, he reveals that both of his parents died in the Township, and Acosta expresses her condolences. After Kenny asks, Acosta admits she does not really have family back home. Kenny points out that they have Talismans, which keep them safe at night, and that Boyd found them. Acosta begins complaining about Boyd taking her gun and his attitude towards her. Kenny offers her fresh clothes, but Acosta snaps at him that she does not want to grow comfortable in the Township. The Jukeboxes begin playing O-o-h Child as Acosta leaves, pushing Bakta out of the way as she does. Bakta informs Kenny that she was hoping to reopen the Diner.

After Julie Matthews recovers from her seizure, she and her family go to the Diner, now up and running again thanks to Bakta. Bakta praises Ethan for helping with the cleaning and organizing, telling him that he is welcome to help out anytime. Bakta explains that Kenny was very supportive, and she felt like people needed a place to feel normal after Tillie’s death.

As they eat, Ethan glumly picks at his food, saying he misses Tian-Chen’s pancakes before leaving for the bathroom. Julie tells her parents that he blames himself for what happened to her, because she brought him with her to the ruins, and asked him if she should enter them. Julie acknowledges it was a mistake, but explains that it felt like one of Ethan’s stories. She adds that Jim and Tabitha trying to pretend things are alright is only making things worse.

Outside the Diner, Boyd and Donna assemble everyone. Donna acknowledges that everyone is scared and wants answers about what happened to Tillie. Boyd then reveals that Fatima is missing, and they ask everyone to help with the search. One person asks if the same thing that took her is what killed Tillie. Boyd admits he does not know, and only knows that she is close. When asked how he knows this, Boyd says it is because something wants them to know she is close, is alone, afraid, and it believes they do not have what it takes to find her. Boyd says he cannot order them to do anything, but reminds them that they did not always have the Talismans and used to live day to day. The Talismans allowed them to prove that the Township would not break them. The Township is trying to break them again, and Boyd says they have the choice of laying down and dying, or fighting back. They have proven themselves able before, and he asks for their help again, although there is no shame in refusing. Batka asks how they will do this, and Boyd says they will pair up in groups of two and cover every inch. The Townspeople fan out, searching in pairs.

After they return from searching, Julie takes Ethan to the Diner. Inside, Ethan tells Julie that he does not want to forget Tian-Chen. Julie asks why he would think that, and Ethan confesses that he is beginning to forget what Thomas was like. Julie then reveals that she did not just have a dream at the ruins, but believes that she went somewhere, having been transported to the Dungeon where she saw herself, Randall and Mari chained to the wall. She then left the Dungeon for the Tunnels and heard Tabitha and Victor, but it felt like she was there. Ethan calls her a story walker, someone who can visit chapters of the story that already happened. Julie asks if she could do this again and use the ability to try and change things, like saving Thomas or Tian-Chen. Ethan informs her that she can visit the chapters, but not change them.

Employees

• Tian-Chen Liu †, cook
• Sara Myers, former waitress
• Bakta, manager