Chef
by Peter Stevens
June 2017
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CHARACTERS
CHEF, 35 an angry fallen reality TV star who demands perfection. Always in uniform.
KAY, 40, a ruthless TV producer who has seen it all. She's sacrificed everything for her career.
SHAN, 25, the hardest working production assistant.
CAROL DAWES, 37, the timid, mousy mom. She's grateful to live in a country with no war. Inside, she's a dark, wild storm of reckless addiction.
SISKO DAWES, 16, is the teenage son. He prefers logic over emotion. Always looking at a device, sometimes two.
TINA DAWES, 17, is the daughter. She's rebellious, scrappy and doesn't take shit.
BEEBEE DAWES, 9, is a silent, wide-eyed, constantly overwhelmed kid.
A whirlwind of cooking. The Dawes family is bossed around by Chef to make dinner in their small apartment.
CHEF
Let's hear those carrots chop! Yes! Massage that spinach. Whisking not stirring. Timing, people.
A Reality TV Crew films them.
CHEF
Smile! Fun! Yes! Mom, brother, sister! The little one! Working together!
(to camera)
This is how food heals- You're cutting them too small -Carol! That's basil not spinach. Where's the-
BEEBEE, 9, pours their entire pan of sauce into a large pot of boiling water.
CHEF
Nooo!
All stop.
CHEF
Why would you do that? The sauce! No!
Chef SLAMS a pot lid. Beebee is upset. TINA, 16, rushes to comfort him. Carol panics.
TINA
It's okay, Beebee.
CHEF
Not okay, dinner is ruined!
TINA
Stop yelling!
CHEF
Let me think -where's my goddam spinach!?!
SISKO, 17, typing on his smart phone.
SISKO
We can order Dorpy Burger.
CHEF
No fast food!
Chef grabs Sisko's smartphone in a tug of war.
TINA
Stop yelling at my family!
She throws a mason jar at Chef. It misses and SHATTERS.
CHEF
My grains!
CAROL
Tina!
The family leaves the kitchen in tears or anger. Alone, Chef turns the stove off.
CHEF
(to camera)
Did we get enough smiles to cut it together?
Carol wears a hot pink wig.
CAROL
I'm Carol. I'm the mother. Chef truly helped our family. We need money and your show pays some money. So much yelling but that's good because, in your country, to be yelled at is a job. (pause) Food heals.
The small room is crowded with a card table and chairs. Chef and the family pose around a glorious dinner.
ALL
Food heals!
They take their seats. There is an empty chair at the table.
Beebee looks terrified at the food.
CHEF
Do you have another face? Let's get some happy eating shots. Then you get paid, Carol, and I'm out.
TINA
(to camera)
We didn't even make this meal. He made us cry and then he cooked it himself.
CHEF
Wow, exposed. It's the teen who took on reality TV.
TINA
(rising anger)
You said your show would help my family.
CHEF
Calm down, yelly before your head pops.
TINA
You lied to us!
Tina throws a mason jar at Chef. It misses and SHATTERS.
CHEF
Those are my jars -can we take them away from her!?!
TINA
I hate you!
CAROL
Tina! Be a lady!
CHEF
It's fine, we'll cut away. I know it's hard for a teen to understand editing-
TINA
Edit this.
CAROL
Tina! Don't be that lady!
Tina flips a blurred finger to camera.
CHEF
We will. We definitely will.
OPENING TITLES
Kids and Chef smiling for the camera. Tina won't start until she looks off camera and sees Carol insist.
TINA
I don't know what we'd do without Chef. He came into our lives and saved our family. Food heals.
All awkward smiles and silence.
CHEF
(prompting)
Why?
SISKO
Oh yeah, why do you do it, Chef?
CHEF
I love food but I love people more. Let me take that again. I love food but I love people- (to Beebee) do you have any other face than terrified?
TINA
Yell at my brother one more time and-
CHEF
Enough from the loose cannon-
TINA
-I'll kill you.
Tina prepares to throw a mason jar.
CHEF
She's got a jar!
INT. PRODUCTION OFFICE - DAY
Morning at a busy TV production office with staff pounding coffee and working on phones and computers.
On the wall is a line of posters for "Food Heals" featuring Chef smiling with happy families.
Further along there are posters for "Losers Can't Cook!", "Wrong Sauce!" and "So You Thought You Could Chef? Wrong!". The images are a yelling Chef in all his glory.
Chef and KAY, 40, a battle-tested TV producer, watch the footage of Tina threatening Chef.
SHAN the production assistant always follows Kay and takes notes.
CHEF
Losers. We'll save it by cutting to risotto close ups.
KAY
We're not worried about that, Chef. We're worried about that.
The image from dinner: an empty chair at the table.
CHEF
BLEEP. No.
KAY
There's no dad.
CHEF
I don't care. I'm sick of helping families. It's not me. I hate pretending-
CHEF AND KAY
"anyone can do a good job. I was born to yell at incompetence."
KAY
I know, Chef.
CHEF
I made one mistake and I'm condemned to an eternity in hell!?!
KAY
Food Heals has been a good show to rebuild your brand. It's not hell, Chef.
A commercial for Food Heals. In a professional kitchen, Chef grins with fresh produce. Laying it on thick:
CHEF
(to camera)
Join me each week as I help people with the power of cooking. (beat) Ordinary people. Even if they're no good at it.
The produce has cute little faces on it. Chef puts them together and grins, hating every second.
CHEF
(to camera)
Food heals is a show about family coming together. (beat) ARGHHHHH!
KAY
We need to put the family together for one shot. Find that deadbeat dad.
CHEF
(full pout)
I don't wanna.
KAY
Do you need to yell at someone to feel better? Shan, get in there.
Shan jumps in, wincing, ready to be yelled at. Chef turns away and makes a pouty noise.
KAY
Chef? Look at me.
Chef turns away and makes a pouty noise.
KAY
I was going to wait until we wrapped but... I have big news: Food Heals is canceled.
Kay snaps her fingers. Shan rips a Food Heals poster in half.
CHEF
I knew it! You were working against me the whole time! Traitors! All of you!
Chef immediately throws a fax machine out of the window.
KAY
Because I finally got you a new show.
Kay snaps and Shan rolls out a new poster for "This Angry Chef". Chef beams.
CHEF
Is this for real?
Chef mimes putting down the fax machine he's not holding.
KAY
I got us back in the 9:30pm game.
CHEF
Prime primetime...
KAY
We're going to cash in on your anger issues like the old days.
CHEF
What anger issues?
CIVILIAN (OS)
Hey! You could have killed me!
Chef looks out of the widow.
Looking down at a Civilian next to the shattered fax machine.
CHEF
Sorry. We're making a TV show.
CIVILIAN
Oh! Cool! Did we get the shot?
KAY
Chef, let's reshoot with this family and wrap the series.
CHEF
Yes, the last episode. Food Heals is dead!
KAY
Long live the Angry Chef. I'll clear it with the mom.
CHEF
I'll hunt down that deadbeat dad.
KAY
We're doing it Chef.
CHEF
It'll be just like before.
KAY
Our Golden Age.
Long pause. Will they kiss? Chef thinks so.
SHAN
Ahem. Sorry. (to Kay) You instructed me to give this to you in case there was any romantic tension in the room.
Kay opens and reads the letter to herself.
CHEF
There was no romantic tension-
SHAN
You were really leaning-
KAY
Ah, that's right. Ok, good. Let's go.
Kay exits, Shan follows. Chef is alone.
The kids are about to get on their school bus. Chef SCREECHES up in his sports car, blocking the bus.
Chef leans out the window, lowers sunglasses.
CHEF
Come with me if you want to save your family.
School Bus Driver BLARES HORN causing CHEF to drop his sunglasses on the road. Chef BLARES his horn right back.
SISKO
You didn't save our family.
CHEF
I know. I'm back to fix that. Grab my shades?
TINA
I was the one who called your show to help us. You lied.
Chef is almost entirely out of this window trying to pick up his sunglasses.
CHEF
Hey! In life there's something called reshoots.
Tina prepares to throw an apple. Beebee stops her.
SISKO
We have school.
Beebee picks up Chef's shades and hands them to him.
CHEF
I called your school.
TINA
Really?
CHEF
Yup. The dean said, take these kids and open their eyes to the school of life.
SISKO
We go to different schools, each has a principal not a dean and none of them would tell a stranger to "take these kids"-
SCREEEECH. Chef does a burnout circle.
Kids are not impressed.
Bus Driver lays on the HORN. Chef holds HORN longer.
CHEF
(over the horn)
All day.
TINA
We'll do it if you pay our Mom triple.
SISKO
And bring us to Dorpy Burger.
CHEF
Gross. No deal. Enjoy your day at school.
TINA
We will.
They play a game of chicken. Chef pretends not to care. Kids pretend to board the bus. Bus Driver is irritated.
CHEF
Fine. You win.
Kids CHEER. Chef throws out a small box.
CHEF
Wear those garbage bags.
A fast food burger franchise. Chef's sports car is in the drive through line.
The Kids wear huge garbage bags to protect the seats.
CHEF
Ten Double Dorpy Burgers, ten extra Dorpy fries and ten Dorpy shakes -extra Dorp.
Kids excited. Chef pulls ahead to the pick up window.
CHEF
Where does your deadbeat dad live?
TINA
Why do you assume we have a deadbeat dad-
CASHIER
That'll be $112.50 -hey aren't you Chef?
CHEF
Fast food is a crime against humanity.
Chef smacks the bags out of the cashier's hand and SCREEECH peels out.
TINA
Chef! You didn't pay!
SISKO
You didn't get the food!
CHEF
It's our duty as human beings to fight that trash.
Chef fist bumps Beebee.
SISKO AND TINA
Why!?!
Chef slams on the BRAKES. He takes his sunglasses off.
CHEF
Fast food is toxic poison.
SISKO
It tastes good.
CHEF
It's a slap in your face. Poor quality, rushed, fake -it's not food. Are you writing these down?
Beebee stares.
CHEF
Take notes this is gold. You know fast food is actual BLEEP right?
Beebee horrified.
TINA
Language. And no it's not.
CHEF
Yes it is. They colour it and sculpt it into burgers. (to Beebee) That face is right on.
SISKO
Millions of people eat fast food every day-
CHEF
Yeah, Mr. Number Facts? Millions of people die every day as well.
SISKO
Ok but if they're not the same people you don't have a point-
CHEF
Food is meant to be crafted with care. Dignity. Love.
TINA
You're the perfect person for that.
CHEF
Yeah. I am. Now, losers, consider yourselves kidnapped. Give me directions to your deadbeat dad or I'll abandon you here.
Tina and Sisko look at each other.
Kay sits with Carol. Kay snaps and Shan puts sugar in her coffee. One snap, two snaps and a half snap.
KAY
Carol, we need to talk.
CAROL
Do you have my money in cash?
KAY
Yes. Here. And we want to offer you more money for reshoots.
This has Carol's full attention.
KAY
But we need some changes.
CAROL
Yes change.
KAY
We have a rule in TV: a family can have one weird thing.
CAROL
Okay.
KAY
You've got to lose the hot pink.
CAROL
Oh.
Carol takes off her wig.
KAY
Your daughter is a maniac-
CAROL
I'm sorry.
KAY
No, it's great. Extreme. Great TV. She's the weird one.
Carol nods.
CAROL
Yes weird one.
KAY
A TV family can't have two weird ones. You need normal family and then one kid is a magician, right? Or a normal family and one parent is a caveman unfrozen from a glacier. That's actually a good idea.
Shan writes it down.
KAY
You follow? You can have one family member who has a parrot on their shoulder OR a wheelchair. But you can't have both. It's too different. You'd never see a family with a wheelchair and a parrot on TV. You with me? Every TV family gets one weird thing.
CAROL
Okay.
KAY
Great. So you got firecracker daughter and we need you to be...
CAROL
Normal family?
KAY
Carol, I love you. Now, you've got this quiet, mousy thing going on. We have some extra cash for you.
CAROL
Yes.
KAY
We're going to go shopping.
Carol gets wild eyes.
KAY
Let me show you some looks.
Kay snaps her fingers. Shan hands her a briefcase. Kay snaps and snaps and snaps until Shan realizes she needs to take the photos out of the briefcase and hand them to Kay.
KAY
These test well for you. Librarian style. Lots of browns. Glasses. I thought -Carol?
Carol is gone. The door has been left open.
KAY
Where did she -why didn't you stop her -where's the money?
Shan is at the window. Kay joins her. Carol is in the distance, speed walking away.
KAY
This is my fault (to Shan) and your fault. Forty:sixty. After her! (beat) Thirty:seventy.
CHEF
Your deadbeat dad lives here?
They are in front of a huge mansion.
CHEF
Oh, I get it. I see him.
Chef runs at the GARDENER, 55, a calm man. Chef tackles him to the ground.
CHEF
Stop watering these flowers and start watering your children.
Chef looks at the camera to confirm how cool that was. Chef pushes Gardener to hug the children.
CHEF
Hug them. Tell them you love them.
GARDENER
These aren't my children.
CHEF
That's cold. I don't like them either but they exist.
DEMAR, 40, the wealthy owner walks out in his fancy robe.
DEMAR
Hey, get off me lawn. (beat) Son?
SISKO
Hey, Dad.
Chef confused.
Kids are calm and sitting on couches. Demar sits with his new perfect family, WIFE and TWO KIDS.
CHEF
I see how this works. You get all these riches and your children get nothing? That's fair to you?
Chef prepares to smash a vase.
EX-HUSBAND
Well, only Sisko is my son. That's $12, 000.
Chef puts down the vase and grabs a smaller vase.
CHEF
Oh, that makes it better. You abandon your son!
EX-HUSBAND
Sisko, you know you're always welcome to stay here. That's $8, 000.
Chef puts down small vase and points to a painting.
EX-HUSBAND
$70,000. Children, you know you're all welcome to stay here at any time.
Kids avoid eye contact.
CHEF
I see what this is really about. You want them to keep them here in your prison, you deadbeat-
DEMAR
No, I'll buy them their own house (to Sisko) I will. It's good to see you son.
CHEF
I see what this is really about. You won't pay alimony you rich, deadbeat slime-
DEMAR
I do pay. The courts limit my payments because of Carol's issues.
TINA
She has addictions.
SISKO
Gambling. Pills. Consumerism.
DEMAR
I'm sorry? Who are you?
CHEF
I'm their chef. (finds the camera) I'm their chef.
SISKO
He's going to save our family for his reality TV show.
Demar skeptical.
DEMAR
I think the only thing that's going to help our families is open communication and grace-
CHEF
Stop with your deadbeat dad tricks.
DEMAR
I'm trying to be the best father I can be. They made it clear they chose Carol. She forbids them to see me.
CHEF
Huh? Why?
The Kids won't answer.
CHEF
What is going on!?! Why don't you live here with tis dad!?! And why is your gardener putting grass in my gas tank!?!
We look out the window and the angry Gardener is shoving clipping into the sports car.
DEMAR
Ronson is probably upset with you and the kids chose Carol because-
CHEF
Stop. Don't. We've all seen TV. You know TV? Right? We know how it works. I have a simple reality show. I'm looking for a simple loser dad. BLEEP. How many dads we got?
TINA
Two. Demar and... Beebee and I have a different dad.
CHEF
So he's the deadbeat?
TINA
Half of that is true.
Chef gets it. Oops. Sad silence.
Chef offers the small vase to Tina. She throws it. It SMASHES on the painting which CRASHES onto the large vase.
Chef looks out the window and sees the Willy Gardener still going.
CHEF
BLEEP.
Carol is on the slots. Kay and Shan arrive.
KAY
It looks like the cats have caught the mouse.
CAROL
Uh-oh.
KAY
Carol, where's the money?
Carol shrugs.
KAY
You don't know or you don't want to say?
CAROL
I don't want to say.
SHAN
Aww.
KAY
Don't feel sorry for her. She's an adult. Carol do you have a gambling problem?
CAROL
(sadly)
I don't think so.
KAY
Hey, it's okay. It's fine.
Kay hugs Carol.
KAY
We picked out some things for you to wrap the show.
Kay snaps and Shan holds up a shopping bag. Kay keeps snapping until Shan takes out a brown outfit and holds it up.
KAY
We thought that these were less show stealing colours- Carol? Where did she-
They look around.
KAY
She picked my wallet on that hug. My keys. My car keys!
Kay and Shan run to the exit.
Kay and Shan run out of the doors in time to see Carol driving away in Kay's car.
KAY
Shoot the tires!
Kay snaps and snaps.
KAY
Pass me a gun!
Shan checks her pockets. Of course she doesn't have one.
KAY
Twenty:eighty.
Chef is in the produce section with Beebee who is eyeing a pineapple.
CHEF
Go ahead.
Beebee gets closer. Looks to Chef. Looks to the pineapple.
CHEF
Yes. Pick it up.
Beebee touches it and recoils in fear.
CHEF
It's not that sharp. You're overselling it.
Sisko and Tina return with a basket of produce. Sisko, as always, looks only at his phone.
SISKO
These are cross-referenced for in season and local.
CHEF
See? Great organic produce. The best things in life aren't electronic.
SISKO
But this enabled me to access the information to decide-
CHEF
Don't add a point after I make a good point.
Beebee points at the pineapples.
TINA
You want one?
CHEF
Why doesn't the squirt talk?
TINA
We don't know. He never has.
SISKO
You're the one who's supposed to help us.
Chef grabs Sisko's smartphone.
CHEF
Let's start by practicing eye contact.
Sisko has dramatic spasms of an anxiety attack. Chef watches in confusion.
CHEF
You're putting me on.
Tina grabs the phone and gives it back to Sisko.
TINA
Don't! He's a really messed up kid.
SISKO
I don't have to look at you to hear you.
TINA
(Tina style whisper)
He has serious social anxiety.
CHEF
That's way too loud for whispering.
SISKO
Thank you.
Beebee still scared of the pineapples.
CHEF
Just pick one -ugh, how does your mom deal with you?
TINA
(snapping into anger)
Don't pretend you know the first thing about what our mom has been through.
CHEF
What are you doing? We were having a nice time -tell me you don't have jars.
TINA
Our mom sacrificed everything for us and now she's a wreck. We're trying to help her but we can't. Your show promised-
CHEF
No one likes this rising anger thing -do you have a jar?
TINA
I don't have jars -I thought you would help me because we both have anger issues.
CHEF
I don't have anger issues.
Beebee carries a pineapple and puts it in the basket. Tina and Sisko are shocked.
Beebee proud.
CHEF
Don't look at me like that. I don't like you.
SISKO
You really have to know him to understand what a huge moment that was.
CHEF
Low bar. Let's get back and finish this show.
TINA
But we don't have a dad.
CHEF
Don't worry. I got it.
Kids and Chef are setting the table. Carol arrives home.
Carol is impressed by the dinner.
CAROL
For me?
TINA
Surprise!
Kay enters.
KAY
Yes, surprise, where's my car?
Carol shrugs.
KAY
You don't know or you don't want to say?
CAROL
I don't want to say. (beat) Four hundred.
KAY
You sold my car for four hundred dollars?
Carol shrugs. Kay fumes.
KAY
Chef, let's wrap this. Where's our deadbeat dad?
CHEF
Kay, here's the thing. That's a cliche. We made an assumption-
KAY
Where's the deadbeat dad?
CHEF
There is none. I thought we'd take this chair away and maybe...
Looks to the Kids.
CHEF
I could sit symbolically as a father figure-
KAY
No.
CHEF
No?
KAY
No, you're the Chef.
Pause
CHEF
I really thought that was the thing. (pause) I figure you'd go for that.
KAY
Plan B.
Kay snaps. Shan brings in DEADBEAT DAD 1, DEADBEAT DAD 2, and DEADBEAT DAD 3.
KAY
Children, these are actors. Pick your favourite dee bee dad.
DEADBEAT DEAD 1
Sorry I missed your softball game.
DEADBEAT DEAD 2
You have a birthday every year?
DEADBEAT DEAD 3
(heavy accent)
I stole your bicycle again?
(their voice)
Can I do another take on it? I have other accents and ideas for backstories-
KAY
Kids, choose.
TINA
We want her.
Tina points at Shan.
KAY
No. That's my production assistant.
TINA
She's our dad or we're not smiling for camera.
KAY
BLEEP it. Shan you're the dad.
DEADBEAT DEAD 3
I can PA.
KAY
Yep. Let's wrap this.
Shan hands her headset to Deadbeat Dad 3.
Later. The "family" poses around the meal for the camera. Shan is dressed as a Dad with a fake moustache.
ALL
Food heals!
CHEF
Let's eat.
SISKO
Peas, father? They're in season.
SHAN
(deep voice)
Yup.
All the Kids smile as they share a meal.
KAY
We got it?
DEADBEAT DAD 3
Got it. We'll get some B roll of the empty plates.
KAY
Good. And that's a wrap.
Chef says goodbye to the Kids.
CHEF
Thanks for the fake smiles.
SISKO
Thanks for the day off school.
CHEF
We did what we could.
TINA
I guess our family is pretty messed up.
Kay storms past.
KAY
Agreed. Chef? I'll see you at the press conference. We can announce the new show.
TINA
You have a new show?
KAY
So long to this mess. Your mother is a loon.
Kay exits.
CHEF
Good luck with everything. What could we do? The show is only twenty-two minutes.
TINA
Yeah. Sorry there's no quick fix.
Chef turns to walk away.
SISKO
It's like fast food.
Chef turns back.
CHEF
What?
SISKO
You're kinda like the fast food of helping families.
CHEF
What do you mean?
TINA
Rushed, mashed together, insulting. No understanding. No real love.
CHEF
Yeah...
Chef walks away. Shan appears still dressed as a Dad.
SHAN
Goodbye... kids?
SISKO
Bye, Dad.
Chef drives. His own voice echoes with previous dialogue.
CHEF (VO)
It's a slap in your face. Poor quality, rushed, fake... meant to be crafted with care. Dignity. Love... why is your gardener putting grass in my gas tank!?!
The engine chokes and sputters.
Chef pulls over. Gets out and walks, hanging his head.
SAD JAZZ MUSIC plays. Chef looks to his left and sees a car driving alongside him. The DRIVER is blasting the sad music for him. Chef nods and continues to walk.
A dingy, sparse apartment.
Chef arrives home. He opens a laptop on a TV tray and plays a YouTube video while he makes a pie.
In stark contrast to his dingy apartment, the kitchen is tidy and decked out.
NEWS ANCHOR (in video)
Has Chef gone too far? Viewers are up in arms over the primetime Emmy-award winning show, "Wrong Sauce". For the second straight episode Chef has spent his entire show berating one contestant for her lacklustre pesto.
A clip from Wrong Sauce plays. It's in a studio kitchen.
Contestant, MARSHA, 40, has stepped forward.
CHEF (in video)
Peanut butter? What possessed you to add peanut butter?
MARSHA (in video)
I like peanut butter.
CHEF (in video)
Well thank God you don't like fast cars or I'd be eating a BLEEPing carbonator wouldn't I, Marsha?
MARSHA (in video)
I don't know. Maybe?
CHEF (in video)
Did you spit in the pesto as well? Did you spit in the pesto as you spat on the history of cuisine in northern Italy?
Later. Chef in his undies in silence on the couch.
Chef makes a call on his phone.
The night shift at a noisy factory full of CLANGs. Marsha's phone is vibrating. She wears a hardhat.
MARSHA
(speaking over the noise)
Hello? Hello? Who's there?
In Chef's apartment, he says nothing.
MARSHA
Who is this?
Chef hangs up. He hangs his head. Chef's phone RINGS.
MARSHA
Someone at this number called me? If this is about cleaning my ducts I told you take me off your list-
CHEF
Marsha?
MARSHA
Who is this?
CHEF
It's Chef.
MARSHA
Chef? Chef.
CHEF
You remember me?
MARSHA
Yes. You remember me?
CHEF
Yeah, of course. How are you doing?
Chef watches the muted video of Wrong Sauce where he's yelling at Marsha. She's upset. The crowd is horrified and laughing.
MARSHA
I'm great but I can't really talk. I'm at work.
CHEF
Ok. (beat) Where are you? There's a lot of banging.
MARSHA
I like your new show.
CHEF
Really? You watch it?
MARSHA
Sometimes. If I'm not on nights. I like how you help those families.
CHEF
Yeah.
MARSHA
Okay, it was nice talking to you-
CHEF
Marsha? Did you ever start that restaurant?
MARSHA
I have to go.
Marsha hangs up. Chef is alone.
A press conference.
KAY
You've been invited here for a special announcement. Get ready. Foodies, fire up your "blogosphere".
A FOODIE in the crowd presses a button on their smart phone and a LOUD POWER UP HUMMING kicks in.
KAY
We've been developing a new show with an old favourite. Let the hub bub begin.
The crowd starts to make HUB BUB sounds.
KAY
Chef?
Chef joins Kay at the podium.
CHEF
I'm excited to announce my new show.
Chef sees that the Dawes Kids are at the press conference. They smile and give him the thumbs up.
KAY
Chef?
CHEF
We're excited to bring you a special new season of Food Heals. We're doing the whole season with one family, there they are, the Dawes.
Reporters look at the kids. Tina grabs Shan who is confused. Is she really in this?
CHEF
Yes. All of them and we're not leaving until they have all healed.
KAY
What are you doing? That's a terrible idea for a show.
The crowd of reporters looks confused and disappointed. Foodie powers down their "blogosphere".
The crowd begins to file out.
KAY
Wait! That was a fun prank.
CHEF
No it wasn't! I'm serious.
Kay storms off. Chef follows.
CHEF
Kay!
Kay gets in the elevator. Chef tries to join but she shoves him and closes it.
CHEF
(to camera)
She didn't see me.
Kay gets out of the elevator, Chef bursts out of the staircase doors. Kay makes a scene in front of the entire staff.
KAY
I worked my ass off, I rebuilt your brand, and you throw it all away-
CHEF
Kay, we can do it together.
KAY
Together? You're selfish, impulsive-
CHEF
I thought you'd be excited-
KAY
You've BLEEPed me over again.
Kay exits. Chef is devastated.
CHEF
(to cameras)
Leave me alone. Can't I have one moment in peace!?! Out! Everyone out! Turn the damn cameras off for once.
Everyone in the office leaves.
Chef walks to the corner of the production office and sits behind a partition. The camera spies on him.
Beebee is there, looking at Chef.
CHEF
What are you looking at? I said I wanted to be left alone.
Chef pouts. Beebee walks over and hugs Chef. Chef hugs back.
Chef checks to make sure the cameras are capturing this gold TV moment.
CHEF
Is it on? Doublecheck that it's on.
Chef returns to his heartfelt hug with Beebee.