(Morena and Cecilia separates)
Rodriguez: What have I told you two about fighting? Don't you know it's against the restaurant's policy?
Morena: I'm really sorry Sir, Cecilia was the one who intentionally poured the plate of food I was going to serve a client.
Cecilia: It's a lie sir, I didn't pour anything.
Rodriguez: You both should pack your things and see me in my office, Now!
(Rodriguez leaves the kitchen)
Morena: Oh no (looks at Cecilia angrily) Do you see what you've caused? I pray I don't get fired.
(In Rodriguez office)
Rodriguez: So you both had the audacity to violate the restaurant's rules? Didn't I give you two a first warning?
Morena: Please sir, Give me a second chance. I promise I won't fight again.
Rodriguez: It is what it is. You both violated the restaurant's rules and have to pay the price.
Morena: Please sir, Don't fire us.
Cecilia: Sir please, Forgive me.
Rodriguez: Very well. Since you both are good cooks and important elements of this restaurant... I won't fire you.
Morena & Cecilia: Thank you sir.
Rodriguez: But you'll both go on one week suspension and I'm going to deduct your salary by 50%
Cecilia: Ah!
Rodriguez: Pack your things and evacuate the restaurant immediately!
Morena: (gasps) But Sir please, We're sorry.
Rodriguez: That'll be all. Please leave my office.
(Morena and Cecilia leaves his office and goes back to the kitchen)
Andrew: What'd he say?
Morena: Well, He said he isn't going to fire us but we're gonna go on a week suspension and our salaries are going to be deducted.
Andrew: That's not fair. But you should've explained to him what transpired between you and Cecilia.
Morena: I did. But it fell on deaf ears, He told us to leave the restaurant immediately.
Andrew: Cecilia! Do you see what you've caused?!
Cecilia: Shut the fuck up! Wasn't I affected too? Besides, If your stupid friend had never come to this restaurant, I would never have gotten suspended!
(Cecilia packs her things and leaves the kitchen)
Andrew: (about Cecilia) Just watch that viper go...
Morena: (sighs) I should have listened to you and ignored her.....My dad and uncle are going to be so disappointed in me. I let them down
Andrew: Calm down. It wasn't your fault.
Morena: Yes it was, I should've heeded your warning. (looks around the kitchen) We'll need to do something about the spilled food and broken plates.
Andrew: Don't bother. I'll clean them up.
Morena: Ok thanks. But what about my client, He hasn't gotten his order yet.
Andrew: I'll go attend to him.
Morena: Just make him a medium plate of chilaquez, that's what he ordered...Thank you very much.
Andrew: No worries...
Morena: Where's Daniel?
Andrew: He went out with Nina to go get some food items. He'll probably be back soon.
Morena: I'll wait for them outside the restaurant.
*************************
(Outside the restaurant)
Daniel: Morena, What're you doing out here?
Morena: (sighs) I got suspended. Because of Cecilia.
Daniel: How?
Morena: She poured my client's food away and I got angry and fought her.
Nina: (sighs) You shouldn't have done that. Cecilia hates you and will always try to get on your nerves. You retaliating only shows that her plans are working. She can never be happy that you're a better cook than her.
Morena: I know but at that point, I was really furious.
Daniel: What're we gonna do now? Should we go and plead on your behalf?
Morena: Don't bother, He isn't even going to listen to us.
Nina: This is bad. How many days?
Morena: Seven.
Daniel: (sighs) Terrible. Cecilia will pay for this!
Morena: There's nothing I can do, I just have to accept that.
Daniel: Don't worry, My shift will be over soon. I'll drive you home.
Morena: Alright. I'll be here waiting.
(Meanwhile)
Pascaline: Sir, You wanted to see me?
Rodriguez: Umm...Yeah, I want to let you know that I'll be employing a new cook to substitute for Morena and Cecilia. Her name is Alicia, Get her T-shirt ready, She's medium.
Pascaline: But sir, Morena and Cecilia will only be absent for a week. Is it really necessary to employ someone to replace them?
Rodriguez: How dare you question my orders?
Pascaline: I'm sorry sir.
Rodriguez: Good. Now leave my office.
(That evening)
(At Uncle Roberto's house, Morena rings the doorbell)
Juanita: I wonder who that is.
Juan: Its Morena.
(Juan goes to open the door for her)
Juan: (hugs her) Morena! I've missed you.
Juanita: (quietly) Ugh, She's back.
Aunt Maria: So you finally decided to come back to the house? Where did you go to last night?
Morena: Umm, I went to a friend's house to sleep over.
Aunt Maria: Aaah! So you did go to a man's house?
Morena: I had no other alternative Aunty. You locked me outside where it was really perilous.
Aunt Maria: Just get out of my sight!
(Moren goes into her room)
Juan: Mom, Why did you lock Morena outside of the house?
Aunt Maria: It was just a slight misunderstanding honey. (looks at the time) it's past your bedtime already, You and your sister should go to bed.
Juan & Juanita: Good night mommy.
Aunt Maria: Good night my little angels.
****************************
(Next Day)
(At Chuks restaurant)
Nina: Hi, You must be the new cook. I'm Nina.
Alicia: I'm Alicia.
Rafael: (To Alicia) Hey, I'm Rafael. Nice to meet you.
(He shakes her hand)
Alicia: Nice to meet you too.
Rafael: Don't worry, You're gonna enjoy our restaurant...Feel at home.
Alicia: Thank you.
(Pascaline enters the kitchen)
Pascaline: Alicia, You have a client.
Alicia: Okay. I'm coming...
(Alicia goes to meet her client)
Alicia: Good afternoon sir, May I take your order?
Man: I'd like kebab and fruit punch.
Alicia: Okay. Your order will be with you in 10 minutes.
(In the kitchen)
Rafael: Umm...Alicia, Nina and I will be at the dish washing area, Feel free to call us if you need anything.
Alicia: No worries...
(In the dish washing area)
Nina: Wow, I like the new cook already. She's so gentle, prim and proper.
Rafael: Yeah me too, I wonder how she's gonna handle Cecilia's bad attitude and bullying, Because she'll be easy to push over.
Nina: Yeah I know, Too much gentility brings insults.
Rafael: Exactly.
Nina: (sniffs the air) Hold on a minute....Do you smell smoke?
Rafael: No, Why?
Nina: Hold on, I'll be right back...
(Nina runs into the kitchen and sees smoke everywhere)
Nina: (coughs) What's burning in here? Alicia! What's going on here?! (coughs) Do you want to burn down the restaurant?!
Alicia: I'm really sorry, It was just a small mistake.
Nina: Small? Everywhere is smoky and I can barely breathe and you call it a small mistake?
Alicia: Well, I was trying to make the kebab and it got burnt...What do I do now?
Nina: Don't you know what you're supposed to do?!
Alicia: Please help me, I don't know what to do. I'm still a novice.
Nina: You're still a novice? Why then would you apply for this job if you're still a novice? I doubt if you got this job on your own merit because clearly you're a terrible cook!
Alicia: (angrily) You bitch...Who do you think you talkin' to like that? If you don't take your time, I'mma rip your head off!
Nina: (suprised) But I was just...
(Alicia angrily grabs a knife and slowly advances towards Nina)
Alicia: You were just what?!
Nina: (scared) Alicia, Are you crazy? Put down that knife!
Alicia: You still talkin'? GIRL DO YOU THINK I'M JOKIN' WITH YOU?!!!
(Alicia rushes towards Nina with the knife in her grasp, Causing Nina to run out of the kitchen in fear)