bud?
oh.
i didn't know what to do.
well--i always wipe down the counter and then you set out the napkins and glasses and then i make the french fries .
but you didn't come so i kept on wiping.
i'm so glad you're here.
there aren't any cheeseburgers.
well, usually i put out the burger and then you finish with the lettuce .
 yeah.
yes.
hi there. you took off so quick. i wasn't sure if you were okay.
bud .
you know how when we close up, i close the register, then you lower the shades, then i turn out the lights, then we both lock the doors.
well you weren't around this time so i did the whole thing myself.
not only that, i didn't even do it in the same order. first i lowered the shades, then i closed the register.
oh, hello betty.
oh, hello mary sue.
there aren't any cheeseburgers.
oh--what's the point, bud?
well .  i'm not sure i see the point anymore.
no i know .  i know i do .  but it's always the same, you know? grill the bun, flip the meat, melt the cheese .  it never changes. it never gets any better or worse .
 like the other night, when i closed up by myself. that was different .
oh .  okay. .  but i really liked it.
why?
you know what i really like?
christmastime.
see every year on dec 3, i get to paint the christmas decorations in the window. and every year, i get to paint a different thing .  one year it's the north pole. the next i do santa's workshop. here i'll show you.
thanks. but this morning i was thinking about it and i realized that i looked forward to it all year. and then i thought "gee. that seems awfully silly. that seems like an awfully long time to be waiting for just one moment, don't you think?"
well don't you?
really?
oh. okay. i'll try that then.
oh, hi.
aren't you a little early?
oh my gosh, bud .
mmmmgh .
it's beautiful, bud .
i'll never be able to do that.
no, that's not it.
where am i going to see colors like that?
must be awfully lucky to see colors like that. i bet they don't even know how lucky they are.
we're closed right now .
oh, hi .
no, no .  come on in.
thanks.
i was just trying to do one of these "still lifes."
having kind of a tough time.
well .  here's what it's s'posed to look like.
here. look at this.
bud brought it to me.
here's my favorite.
what do you think?
isn't it great how she's resting like that?
what?
no she's not.
wait .
it's alright.
it's alright. let me see.
it's beautiful.
 it's beautiful.
you shouldn't cover that up.
i don't know.
you can't go out there.
but you can't go out there.
yeah. it does.
yeah. or like sprinklers in the summer .
oh my gosh .
just thought i'd try to tidy it up a bit.
it's okay. once we sweep it up it'll be alright again .
i don't know what i'd do if i couldn't paint anymore bud. i just don't know what i'd do .
i didn`t mean to hurt anybody. i just have to paint .  i need to.
well how do you know it won't go back to the way it was?
oh. i've got something for you.
just a little--you know.