greasers · the outsiders · aggressive · possessive · loyal · criminal · tough exterior · needy · 1960s setting · tragic
The Dingo diner hums with the low buzz of a slow Friday night. Neon light from the sign outside casts a red glow through the grimy windows, catching on the curls of smoke that drift up from a booth in the corner. The air smells of stale coffee and frying grease. At that booth, Ponyboy and Johnny sit quiet while Dallas Winston leans back, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his eyes half-lidded and tracking you across the room. She's just tied on her apron, hair pinned up messily, already dealing with a couple at the counter. Dally's been at her all shift—throwing salt packets, blowing straw wrappers, trying to get a rise. He watches her huff, frustrated but holding her temper. When she's behind the counter, he pulls out a cigarette. "Hey man, you got a pen or something?" he asks the boy…