Mark sat in the corner booth at Granny's, crouched over his steaming cup of coffee - as if he was trying to make himself invisible. He could tell enough from the small-talk that roamed the diner that Knox, Ruby, and himself were considered 'town heroes'; and Mark couldn't hate it more. 

He was never one for being in the spotlight, for as long as he could remember. He had simply been doing his job - and it shocked people to a point of reverence. At this, Mark couldn't help but sneer; who [i]wouldn't[/i] have gone after Mason in the mines? He was simply the best one trained for the job. 

As he lifted his mug to take another drink, he couldn't help but ponder on the boy's name - [i]Mason[/i]...it sounded so familiar to him: yet he never knew anyone of personal significance named Mason. So then, why would this one boy give him an almost painful sense of nostalgia and dysphoria?

He would have continued this thoughtful reverie, when suddenly, Leroy plopped down on the other side of the booth, holding his own mug of coffee in hand. "You look down, Tin Man. Why aren't you celebrating with everyone else?" The janitor asked with a hint of sincerity to his voice. 

"No need to." Mark replied simply. Suddenly, his eyes shot up to lock onto Leroy's. "Tin Man? That what they're calling me now?" He asked, his tone holding a mixture of both amusement and melancholy at the same time. 

At this, Leroy held both hands in the air, as if warding off suspicion. "Hey, it wasn't me who started it; talk to your pals at the fire station." He answered innocently enough, though Mark was more than certain that Leroy had something to do with the naming. 

Mark decided to drop the subject, and switch back over to the earthquake. "Why is everyone celebrating? We just rescued a boy that was trapped; anyone would have volunteered."

"Yeah, but [i]you[/i] did. Along with the town skank and Captain Dismal. You saved a kid, whether it was your job or not. So quit being an asshole, and suck it up for the rest of the town." Leroy admonished, but with more sternness to his tone instead of outright anger. 

Leroy clapped Mark's shoulder firmly with a sharp nod before getting up from the booth, standing by the table for a few moments after. "Oh, hey, I'd be careful around the newcomer..." 

"And why is that?" Mark asked, sounding somewhat tired. 

"Rumor has it he's Regina's new pet," the short man began with an almost dark smile hidden behind his bushy beard before continuing, "I saw him come out of her house this morning, but never go in. Which means he's either sleeping with her, or--"

"--Came in through the back door? The Mayor [i]hates[/i] newcomers." Mark interrupted impatiently, apparently trying to blast holes through his friend's theory. 

Leroy seemed to fumble for a response, his eyebrows furrowing at Mark. "Well, yeah, but..." he exhaled deeply. "Just keep an eye out, alright? Be seein' ya Tin Man." And with that, the janitor left the diner, leaving a very confused Mark at the booth.