MORENA
Episode 13*
(Morena breaks the k!ss)
Daniel: Ooohh, I’m so sorry about that…
Morena: No, no, It’s alright.
Daniel: I shouldn’t have k!$$£d you without your cons£nt. That was stupid of me.
Morena: Its fine. Let’s just hurry and get the food done.
(Afterwards)
Daniel: Finally. We’re closed.
Morena: Yeah, I should be heading home now, Goodnight Daniel.
Daniel: No, no, no, You can’t go out all by yourself at this time of the night. Don’t worry, I’ll drive you home.
(Later that night)
(Morena returns home)
Morena: Ohhh, Everyone’s alre-ady asleep…
(She turns on the light and sees Aunt Maria)
Morena: (startled) Ohhh, Good evening Aunty.
Aunt Maria: Where the hell have you been?
Morena: I was working a nightly shift that’s why I’m home late.
Aunt Maria: Since when did you start working night shifts?
Morena: We do work night shifts. Today was my turn.
Aunt Maria: Do I look like a fool? You went to see a man and now you’re here telling me “You were working a nightly shift”
Morena: But aunty, Its the truth.
Aunt Maria: Go back to where you’re coming from.
Morena: But Aunt, I’m telling the truth.
Aunt Maria: Look, I don’t want people to hear my voice, Just get out of my house.
Morena: (looks at the time) But It’s almost twelve…
(Aunt Maria angrily stands up and walks towards Morena, In fear, Morena leaves the house and when she does, Aunt Maria locks the door)
Aunt Maria: Silly prostitute.
(Outside the house)
Morena: Oh God, Its too dangerous for me to stay outside. (she hears thun-dercl@ps) And it’s gonna rain soon… Where do I go now? (she calls Daniel) Daniel, Where are you?
Daniel: I’m almost at my house. Is there a problem?
Morena: Could you plea-se come back to pick me up. I’ll explain everything to you.
Daniel: No problem.
(Daniel goes to Uncle Roberto’s house and sees Morena outside)
Daniel: Morena, What’s wrong? Why can’t you go in?
Morena: My aunt wouldn’t let me in. She accused me of staying over at man’s house and told me to leave the house.
Daniel: Don’t worry, Come in.
(Morena enters his car and Daniel drives to his house)
Morena: Your house is amazing. You live alone?
Daniel: Yeah… I can’t believe your aunt would do that to you. Isn’t she aware of the high crime rate in Mexico City? What if you got R@p£d or kidnapped?
Morena: Well Thank God none of that happened.
Daniel: Yeah but that was very inconsiderate of her. Anyways, I have two free rooms. You can pick one.
Morena: Thank you, I’m really grateful. (She heads into the hallway)
***************************
(Next Morning)
Juan: Mom! Where’s Morena?
Aunt Maria: She left very early this morning. Don’t worry, You’ll see her later when you get back from school.
(Meanwhile)
Morena: Good morning Daniel.
Daniel: Morning Morena, Hope you sle-pt well?
Morena: (smiles) I did…You’ve had your bath alre-ady?
Daniel: Yeah, And I’ve made breakfast – sandwich tuna.
Morena: Sounds delicious. I’m gonna go shower now, I’ll be out soon.
(At Chuks restaurant)
Nina: Woah, You and Daniel c@m£ to work together today. Tell me something, Are you two a couple?
Morena: No we’re not.
Nina: So you both coincidentally c@m£ together?
Morena: Look, My aunt refused to let me into the house yesterday because I c@m£ home late. Luckily, Daniel was there to help so he took me to his house and I sle-pt over.
Nina: Hmm…I’ll try to believe that.
Morena: (jokingly) Believe what you wanna believe, Nina. Daniel and I are just friends.
Nina: But seriously, Staying with a man you’re not married to is wrong.
Morena: I know that but I had no other choice. Either that or I might have been kidnapped or R@p£d.
Nina: I pray God t©uçhes your Aunt’s heart so she can st©p being cruel towards you….
(Cecilia overhears their conversation and goes to meet Daniel)
Cecilia: Daniel.
Daniel: What do you want?
Cecilia: Did Morena sleep at your house last night?
Daniel: Why’re you asking?
Cecilia: Because I’m your girlfriend. And I deserve to know.
Daniel: Girlfriend? The last time I checked, We broke up.
Cecilia: Ohhh.
Daniel: Yeah. And do you think I’ll keep fawning over you forever? I’ve learnt my lesson. You’re nothing but a hollow gold digger.
Cecilia: How dare you use such words on me…Hold on a minute, You have feelings for Morena isn’t it?
(Daniel ignores her)
Cecilia: Ohh so that’s the way its gonna be? Fine, I don’t even care, Go and meet your new girlfriend. I shouldn’t have been wasting my time with a broke as-s fool like you all these while when I have lots of rich men who’ll do anything to have me.
Daniel: Go and meet them then.
Cecilia: I will…But you’ll never find someone like me!
Daniel: I pray I don’t.
(Cecilia leaves him)
*************************
(Later)
(A man enters the restaurant and Cecilia rushes to him as usual)
Cecilia: Good afternoon sir, May I….
Man: There’ll be no nee-d. Morena will take it.
Cecilia: (thinks) No problem, I know what to do!
(Morena goes to meet him)
Morena: Good day sir, May I take your order?
Man: I’d like a medium sized plate of chilaquez.
Morena: Okay Sir…
(Later on)
(Morena finishes cooking for her client)
Morena: Hmm…Perfect, This looks so appetizing.
(When Morena carries the food, Cecilia intentionally bu-mps into her, breaking the plate and pouring the food away)
Cecilia: (giggles) Ooops, Sorry. Didn’t see you there.
Morena: You’re a liar. You bu-mped into me on purpose.
Cecilia: But I alre-ady told you “Sorry”.
Morena: ”Sorry” isn’t gonna fix what you’ve done.
Cecilia: Whatever.
(Morena cleans up the spilled food)
Morena: This is coming out of my paycheck…
(Andrew enters the kitchen)
Andrew: What happened here?
Morena: Cecilia poured my client’s food away. On purpose!
Cecilia: But I alre-ady told you sorry, What else do you want from me?
Andrew: (To Morena) Just ignore her plea-se. Does the food still remain?
Morena: Yeah. Just little.
Andrew: Just dish it out and serve your client. Leave this frustrated creature alone.
(She goes to dish out another plate, This time, Cecilia knocks the plate from her grasp)
Morena: (angrily) You poured it away again?!
Cecilia: Yes! Do your worst!
(Morena angrily walks to Cecilia but Andrew holds her)
Andrew: Morena plea-se, Just leave her alone because if you get into a fight, You might get sacked. (To Cecilia) What the hell is wrong with you?
Morena: Seriously I’ve had enough of this girl’s attitude!
Cecilia: What will you do? Or do you think your new b©yfri£ndis here to fight for you? Trust me, I’m going to rack you down.
Morena: Ohhh you think I nee-d someone to fight for me?
Andrew: Its okay guys, Let’s not fight.
Morena: This girl has been on my n£¢k ever since, And I’ve just been keeping quiet!
Cecilia: Keeping quiet? What will you do?!
(Cecilia walks to Morena and hits her. At this point, Morena breaks free from Andrew’s grip and attacks Cecilia and they both engage in a serious fight, Morena gra-pples Cecilia and hits her severally then knocks her to the floor, straddles her and beats her up, Andrew tries futilely to separate them. Alerted by the noise, Rodriguez enters the kitchen and sees them fighting)
Rodriguez: What’s going on her
MORENA
Episode 14
(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: plea-se 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: plea-se sir, Don’t fire us.
Cecilia: Sir plea-se, 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: (g@sps) But Sir plea-se, We’re sorry.
Rodriguez: That’ll be all. plea-se 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 fv¢k 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 nee-d 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-shi-t re-ady, She’s medium.
Pascaline: But sir, Morena and Cecilia will only be abs£nt 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: (hvgs 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 misun-derstanding honey. (looks at the time) it’s past your be-dtime alre-ady, You and your sister should go to be-d.
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 nee-d anything.
Alicia: No worries…
(In the dish washing area)
Nina: Wow, I like the new cook alre-ady. 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 ba-rely 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: plea-se 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 bit-ch…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 gr-abs 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 pla-yIN’ WITH YOU?!!!
(Alicia rushes towards Nina with the knife in her grasp, Causing Nina to run out of the kitchen in fear)
To be CONTINUED