"I said I'd pay for it," Quintet replies, with what she feels is a justifiable tartness. Touchy, much? "What's a Diner?"

Although, from context, she can guess that maybe it's similar to a cafeteria? In either case, she's not inclined to graciousness towards this guy. And then he just has to go and say something actually interesting.

Workshop. That was where technology was built; alembics as well as architecture. Now you've got her attention.

"If it's a workshop, what are you working on?"