25. Burritos

The restaurant was organized in a cafeteria fashion, with a long glass-screened counter putting the day’s menu on full display. There were many people both sitting and at the counter, all of them men. The only women in the room were behind the counter. There was more beef stew on offer than anything else, and it was clearly popular among the crowd that day. 

“What may I serve you?” said a light-skinned brunette with high cheekbones and Asiatic eyes.

“Two asadero cheese burritos,” said Lilo, "one with beans, the other one with chiles."

“For you young man?” the woman asked Ervey.

“Uhh,” Ervey stuttered. 

“The asadero is what this place’s known for,” said Lilo, “get at least one with asadero.”

“Yes, one beef and asadero” said Ervey.

“Together or do you want one burrito of each?” said the lady rapidly.

Ervey seemed not to understand her. He looked over at Lilo instinctively. 

“Two of each,” Lilo said to the attendant.

They walked to the cash register to pay, and by the time they got there their burritos were ready. The cashier, a darker-skinned version of the first attendant, pushed their order across the counter in two plates.

“Thirty four pesos,” she said.

“We’ll take them in a bag to go please,” said Lilo, his wallet already out and ready to pay.

“What are you doing?” asked Ervey, “I’m paying. Why don’t we sit here to eat?”

“Because we’re running pretty late,” said Lilo.

Ervey stepped back slightly.

When they were back at the truck, Ervey squited at Lilo.

“They were all police,” said Lilo, “don’t want to be in the middle of a crowd like that.”

“Really? How could you tell,” said Ervey.

“People with a swagger but who don’t look like they’re from,” said Lilo, “didn’t you notice all the long jackets? To cover their guns.”