ySDTIlDfS rp OP here are two American truisms that simply cannot be denied: our love affair with cars and our love affair with food (the greasier the g better). But we're a society, and as our cars get faster, so does our food. In fact, our quest for instant gratification has become so intense we have managed to merge our two true loves into one: the fast food drive-thrCall it convenient, but we see it as the downfall of American civilization. By the mere act of driving up to that stall and talking into that empty black hole, we are turning our backs on one of the greatest and most uniquely fast-movin- u. American inventions ever: the diner. Granted, since its inceptionTnore than 100 yearS ago, many different names have been bestowed upon our beloved creation - cafe, truck stop, luncheonette, cookin' - but greasy spoon, house of down-hom- e an)Migmey) t still Ja$te$ t hjyame. . v: if 13c X'3 ' A. him ? 'v Hi kT'W'J if- f't i.fi r$!i . , - W ,'Cx, " ''.x- - - - ' a . 'SoV.V'-- CV; March 17, 2000 l