FFWD Weekly
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Travel by Leonard C. Alan and Dana Wilson At the commencement of a two-month odyssey through interstate America and small-town U.S.A., our arrival was hailed not with the pomp and circumstance of 4th of July fireworks, but instead with the senseless destruction of a small piece of local American history. This tasteless tragedy, perhaps spawned more from the Black Lodge than logic, is casting a mysterious gloom over North Bend, Washington not felt since Laura Palmer's murder. However, instead of murder, this time it was arson – the torching of Twede's Café, formally known as the Mar T Diner, famously known for its cherry pie and "damn fine coffee" in David Lynch's cult classic Twin Peaks. The café, situated an hour east of Seattle near Mt. Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest, was featured as the shady R&R diner during the two-year TV show. Kyle Twede, 43, owner of the doomed café, said the devastating fire would affect everyone in the valley. Twin Peaks fans bring tourism and revenue from as far away as Germany and New Zealand. Despite the $250,000 U.S. in damages, the café's owner vows to have Twede's open in August for the Twin Peaks festival featuring celebrities from the show and movie. "This year Laura Palmer might be coming," he says with a boyish grin. Twede escorts us into his café and several people follow to offer their assistance and sympathy. A waitress enters with tears in her eyes. Black soot covers the old 45 vinyl records on the walls, the antique soda fountains, the entire ’50s wraparound counter and bar stools, including the fifth one from the front door where Special Agent Dale Cooper enjoyed his first bite of cherry pie. Another waitress and her husband are surveying the damages. She picks up a fork from its resting place on a black napkin, only to reveal the pristine white imprint from where it had lain, reminding one of nuclear shadows. Twede says the arsonists first broke into the café, stealing a mere $450, then set two fires in the back of the restaurant. "If I was going to rob Twede’s for money, I would leave it standing so I could rob it again," says Twede. Twede's was lucky not to be completely burned down, says local firefighter Lieut. Ron Gotts. Fortunately the arsonists did not use flammable liquids, and the 35 firefighter and local volunteers contained the blaze to the back third of the café. There have been no arrests made as of July 6. Although there is a lot of speculation and numerous theories – many locals believe that it was either the midget, the giant, or the one-armed man — we're placing our money on the Log Lady. Until this crime is solved, in a town like North Bend, no one is innocent.

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