MORENA
Episode 21
(That evening)
(Morena returns home)
Morena: Good evening uncle.
Uncle Roberto: Welcome back Morena, How was work today?
Morena: It was alright.
Uncle Roberto: Go and freshen up then you can have dinner. Prawns and c0cktail.
Morena: Uncle, I’m really allergic to prawns.
Uncle Roberto: Ohhh, Well then, Your aunt is ma-king lasagna, You can go have some later.
Morena: Alright sir.
(Meanwhile, In the kitchen, Aunt Maria eavesdrop on their conversation)
Aunt Maria: So that girl is allergic to prawns? Perfect!
(She takes some prawns, grinds it very well then pours it in the lasagna)
(That night)
Uncle Roberto: So Morena, I wanted to ask you something about the restaurant you work in?
Morena: Go ahead uncle.
Uncle Roberto: How is the restaurant? Is it productive?
Morena: Yes sir, it is. We get numerous clients daily.
Uncle Roberto: How about your colleagues? You do relate with them very well, Right?
Morena: Hmm…All except one.
Uncle Roberto: Who?
Morena: Cecilia. She’s a thorn in the flesh. Ever since I got a job at the restaurant, She never liked me.
Uncle Roberto: Well, I’ll advise you to ignore her and focus on your work. Everywhere you go, You must surely meet both good and bad people. It’s impossible for everyone to like you.
Morena: Yes Uncle, I’m aware.
(Aunt Maria enters the dining room)
Aunt Maria: Dinner’s re-ady.
Uncle Roberto: Yay!
Aunt Maria: (shouts) Juan! Juanita! Come down for dinner!!!
(Juan & Juanita enter the dining room and Aunt Maria serves them the lasagna)
Morena: (takes a bite) Aunt, It’s so delicious.
Aunt Maria: (fakes smiles) Hmmm…
Morena: So Uncle, As I was saying…. (coughs)
Uncle Roberto: Are you okay?
Morena: Yeah, I think so
Uncle Roberto: Sorry. Maybe we’ll continue with our conversation later, You shouldn’t talk while eating.
Morena: Ok sir (she coughs ha-rder)
Uncle Roberto: Morena, What’s wrong?
(She begins to cough uncontrollably)
Uncle Roberto: Juan, Bring her a glas-s of water!
(Juan does as instructed and gives her a glas-s of water and she gulps it down)
Morena: Thanks. (She looks at her hand and notices rashes) Oh my God…
(Aunt Maria smiles in satisfaction)
Juan: (shocked) What’s happening?
Juanita: As you can see, It’s rashes.
Morena: It’s itchy!!! (screams) AHHHH!!!!
Uncle Roberto: Sorry!!!
(Morena starts scratching her hand uncontrollably)
Uncle Roberto: (To Aunt Maria) Call Dr Hector, Now!
Aunt Maria: Ok darling (fakes sadness) Ohhh, Poor Morena…
(Later that night)
Uncle Roberto: So Doctor, How is she?
Dr Hector: It’s alright sir, It’s just a minor problem. She ate a food that she was allergic to that’s why she was coughing but she’ll be fine.
Uncle Roberto: Thank you very much Doctor.
Dr Hector: (smiles) I’m just doing my job.
Uncle: We really appreciate.
Dr Hector: I should be on my way now, Sir. Goodnight.
(He leaves the house)
Uncle Roberto: Sorry Morena. Maybe you’re allergic to one of the ingredients in the lasagna.
Morena: Probably.
Juan: (hvgs her) I’m glad you’re okay.
Aunt Maria: Me too. I was so scared.
Uncle Roberto: Get well soon…
Morena: Thanks.
Uncle Roberto: (to the others) We should leave her to rest. (To Morena) Goodnight.
Morena: Goodnight uncle.
************************
(Next Morning)
Morena: Good morning uncle.
Uncle Roberto: Morning Morena, How’re you feeling now?
Morena: I feel a lot better. Thanks.
Uncle Roberto: Just be careful of what you eat from now on.
Morena: Yes sir.
Uncle Roberto: Take this for transport… (He gives her $100)
Morena: (suprised) $100? (She hvgs him) I’m really grateful sir.
(Later that day)
(At Chuks restaurant)
(Mr Rodriguez enters the kitchen)
Mr Rodriguez: Andrew, Where’s everyone?
Andrew: They’re not here sir.
Mr Rodriguez: I can see that they’re not here! I meant where did they go?!!!
Andrew: Morena & Nina went out for deliveries, Daniel, Cecilia & Alicia went to get more food items and today’s Rafael’s day off.
Mr Rodriguez: Alright then, I’m really hungry. Make me French fries and toast… I don’t want them soft, When you’re done, Bring it to my office.
Andrew: Okay sir.
(Andrew makes the food and goes to give Mr Rodriguez)
Andrew: Here’s your food sir.
Mr Rodriguez: I hope it’s not soft?
Andrew: No Sir. I made them ha-rd .
Mr Rodriguez: Good.
(Andrew leaves his office and returns to the kitchen)
Andrew: Morena, Nina. You’re back alre-ady?
Nina: Yup.
Morena: You made food for a client?
Andrew: No. For Mr Rodriguez.
Morena: Andrew, You nee-d to learn to arrange what you use to cook. Everywhere’s a mess.
Andrew: (sighs) I’m on it…
(Just then, Mr Rodriguez angrily enters the kitchen)
Mr Rodriguez: Andrew! What’s this?!!! (shows him the food)
Andrew: I don’t un-derstand sir.
Mr Rodriguez: The French fries and toast are so ha-rd , I almost lost a tooth while eating them, You nee-d to improve on your cooking!!!
(He looks around the kitchen and sees Morena)
Mr Rodriguez: Morena, Since you’re back, I want you to make me French fries and toast. Make them ha-rd but not too ha-rd .
Morena: Okay sir.
(Cecilia goes to meet him)
Cecilia: But sir, I can make it for you….
Mr Rodriguez: No, Don’t stress yourself. I want Morena to make it.
(Cecilia angrily goes back to sit down then puts her earphones in her ear)
Mr Rodriguez: Morena, Hurry up and make it.
Morena: Yes sir.
(He leaves the kitchen)
Andrew: What’s wrong with this man? He said he didn’t want the French fries and toast soft and I made them ha-rd and he’s still complaining.
Nina: (sighs) Some people are never satisfied.
Morena: Yeah, Mr Rodriguez complains a lot, He expects everything to be so perfect.
Nima: Well, Life isn’t a fantasy world. He should get used to imperfections!
Morena: Exactly. No one is perfect, Even Mr Rodriguez isn’t.
Andrew: Shhh…Cecilia’s here
Nina: Its alright, She can’t hear us. She has earphones in her ear.
(Unknown to them, Cecilia has been listening to their conversation and she records everything they say)
************************
(That evening)
(At the dish washing area)
Nina: I’m so tired.
Morena: Yeah me too.
Nina: What’s worse is that I’m working a night shift with Andrew today.
Morena: Oohhh, I s-en-se something ro-mantic’s gonna happen.
Nina: (sighs) Andrew and I are just friends.
Morena: (smiles) Hmm…That’s what’s they always say.
Nina: Well its true in my case.
(Pascaline enters the dish washing area)
Pascaline: Morena, You have a client.
Morena: Alright. (To Nina) We’ll talk later.
(Morena goes to meet her client)
Morena: Good afternoon ma, May I take your order?
Woman: I’d like a medium sized burrito.
Morena: Okay. Your order will be with you in 5 minutes.
(Morena enters the kitchen and sees Cecilia searching throu-gh her handbag and removing her money and mobile phone)
Morena: (shocked) Cecilia! What’re you doing with my bag? (confused) What the…Why’re stealing my money and phone?
Cecilia: I’m not stealing it, I’m taking it!
Morena: You’re taking it?
Cecilia: Yes! And I’m gonna sell the phone!
Morena: (angrily) If you don’t hand me back my money and phone right now, I’m gonna…
Cecilia: You’re gonna what?! If try anything funny, I’m gonna report you to Mr Rodriguez and tell him that you and your cohorts insulted him and called him unprintable names!
Morena: What?
Cecilia: Yeah that’s right. And I have evidence!
(Cecilia pla-ys the video recording of Morena, Nina and Andrew talking about Mr Rodriguez)
Morena: But Cecilia, You don’t have to do this. That money is all I have and the phone is the only way I can communicate with my family and friends.
Cecilia: Do you think I give a fv¢k? (She puts Morena’s phone in her pocket) Listen, If you tell anyone about this then you can say goodbye to your job.
Morena: But I went throu-gh hell to get this job…
(Cecilia ignores her continues searching throu-gh the bag and she re-moves all the money in it)
Cecilia: Okay good. That’s all the money.
Morena: Cecilia plea-se….
Cecilia: (hisses) Get out!
(Cecilia pushes Morena aside and leaves the kitchen
MORENA
Episode 22
(Morena sadly goes back to the dish washing area)
Morena: Oh God, When will all these problems end? Ever since I c@m£ into this restaurant, That girl has been bent on ma-king my life a living hell.
Andrew: Who’s that?
Morena: It’s Cecilia. She stole my money and phone.
Nina: (confused) Why would she do that?
Morena: Because she recorded all what we said about Mr Rodriguez and she threatened to report.
(Nina looks at Andrew worriedly)
Nina: You should have taken her phone as well.
Morena: And you think she’ll give it up without a fight? And when that happens, I’ll get suspended, AGAIN.
Andrew: And I warned you guys not to talk about him in her pres£nce.
Morena: This isn’t the issue here, Andrew!
Andrew: Well, This is a small issue. All we nee-d to do is get her phone and delete it.
Nina: But it’ll be locked.
Andrew: Then we’ll find a way to get her to put in her f!ngerprint.
Nina: Cecilia doesn’t use f!ngerprint.
Andrew: Ok now we have a problem.
Nina: Even if she did, You really think you’ll be able to get her to put it in? She has the upper hand on us now.
Morena: (sighs) I’m on the verge of losing my job and only God knows what I went throu-gh to get it.
Nina: It’s alright, Morena. We’ll definitely find a way out of this.
(Pascaline enters the dish washing area)
Pascaline: Morena, What’re you doing in here? Aren’t you supposed to be ma-king food for your client?
Morena: (sadly) I know. I just c@m£ here to get something.
Pascaline: Hurry up.
(Morena leaves the dish washing area and Pascaline follows her)
(That evening)
Daniel: (To Morena) Are you re-ady to…(notices her sad mood) What’s wrong?
Morena: Its nothing…
Daniel: Are you sure?
Morena: Yeah…You were saying something?
Daniel: Yeah, I wanted to ask if you’re shift’s over so I can drive you home.
Morena: it’ll be over very soon.
Daniel: Alright. I’ll wait for you.
Morena: Okay thanks.
(That night)
Morena: (gloomy) Good evening Uncle Roberto, Good evening Aunt Maria.
Aunt Maria: (spuriously) Evening.
Uncle Roberto: Welcome home… (notices her sad mood) What’s the matter? You look glum?
Morena: Ohhh, I just had a bad day at work today.
Uncle Roberto: Sorry, Well it happens.
Morena: I know.
Uncle Roberto: I tried calling you, You weren’t reachable.
Morena: Ohh, Umm… My phone’s battery died. I should go in and charge it.
Uncle Roberto: Alright. There’s some mac and cheese, You can warm it up in the oven.
Morena: Okay sir.
************************
(Meanwhile)
(At Diego’s house)
Isabella: (checks cookbooks) So which of these delicacies should I make for you?
Diego: (points) That one.
Isabella: Easy peasy.
Diego: Wow, The culinary school is really paying off and you’re a really fast learner.
Isabella: Thanks, I’ll go make it right away….You have all the ingredients right?
Diego: (checks them) Yeah I should.
Isabella: (smiles) Alright then.
(Later)
(Diego goes to meet Isabella in the kitchen)
Diego: Hey babe, How’s it going?
Isabella: Great. Its not that ha-rd , Once you know the ingredients to use, when to use it, the quantities and all that.
Diego: Yeah.
Isabella: Thanks for ma-king me learn. I owe it all to you.
(She hvgs Diego, He breaks the hvg and k!sses her)
Diego: I love you, Isabella.
Isabella: I love you more.
(Diego carries her and gently places her on t©p of the cabinet and continues k!ss!ngher but she breaks the k!ss)
Isabella: Diego! Not now, I’m cooking.
Diego: Hmmm…
Isabella: Don’t worry, When I’m done, I’ll meet you in the be-droom.
Diego: Alright, Mrs Magirology.
(Isabella smiles at Diego as he leaves the kitchen)
(Next Day)
Uncle Roberto: Morena, Why have you been looking sullen since yesterday?
Morena: Its nothing uncle.
Uncle Roberto: Ok. (He hands her money) Use that for transport or to buy anything you want.
Morena: (gloomy) Thank you very much uncle, I really appreciate.
(Uncle Roberto stares at her as she leaves the house)
Uncle Roberto: I wonder what’s wrong with her? I just hope she gets better.
(Juan & Juanita enters the living room)
Juan: Dad, We’re re-ady.
Uncle Roberto: Ok. (To Aunt Maria) Take care of yourself and the house alright?
Aunt Maria: I will.
(At Crenshaw Elementary School)
Mrs Carlotta: Alright clas-s, That’s all for today on social studies. Don’t forget to do all the as-signments and study.
Students: Yes Mrs Carlotta.
(Mrs Carlotta goes to her desk)
Juan: (To Juanita) I wanna go to the toilet. I’ll be right back.
Juanita: Okay.
(When Juan leaves, A fellow clas-smate, Sergio, goes to meet Juanita)
Sergio: Hey there.
Juanita: Hi.
Sergio: Juanita right?
Juanita: Yes, Now what do you want?
Sergio: I wanted to say that you look really beautiful today and your hair do is quite exquisite.
Juanita: Whatever.
(Sergio attempts to t©uçh Juanita but she gives him a solid sl@p and his recommended eyeglas-ses drops to the ground and breaks into pieces, Mrs Carlotta sees this)
Juanita: How dare you t©uçh me?!
Sergio: (sadly) My specs! She’s broken my specs!
Mrs Carlotta: (angrily) JUANITA!!!
Juanita: Yes Mrs Carlotta?
Mrs Carlotta: Why did you sl@p your fellow clas-smate?
Juanita: Because my mom says boys are evil. They’ll ruin my life.
Mrs Carlotta: But he only complimented you.
Juanita: He should’ve done that without tou-ching me.
Mrs Carlotta: (angrily) Go to the Principal’s office, NOW!!!
(Juanita leaves the clas-sroom for the Principal’s office)
Sergio: (sadly) I can’t see properly…
Mrs Carlotta: Calm down Sergio, Don’t get yourself worked up unnecessarily. I’ll make sure she pays for it. Remember it’s one of our school rules: Whoever damages another pupil’s item must replace it.
***********************
(At Chuks restaurant)
Cecilia: NINA!
Nina: (angrily) Any problem?
Cecilia: When I call you, You say “Yes”, un-derstood?
Nina: Yes.
Cecilia: Good. Umm… I’m supposed to go and deliver food by 11:30. So you’re going to deliver it for me, I’ll give you the address.
Nina: (angrily) Ok.
Cecilia: And Andrew, Where’s Morena?
Andrew: She hasn’t come to work yet.
Cecilia: She better be here before 10am if she knows what’s good for her.
(Cecilia leaves the kitchen)
Daniel: Why has Cecilia been ordering you guys about?
Andrew: (sighs) We were talking sma-ck about Mr Rodriguez, She recorded everything and threatened to report to him if we don’t do her bidding.
Daniel: Whoa, This is BAD.
Nina: (sighs) Tell me about it….I’ve alre-ady scru-bbe-d her feet this morning, TWICE!
Daniel: Well if she’s threatening you guys using a video recording, Just steal her phone.
Nina: And how would we do that? Cecilia never goes anywhere without her phone.
Andrew: Well, You know what they say, There’s a solution for every problems…
Nina: And what’s the solution to this problem?
Andrew: I haven’t figured it out yet. But trust me, I will…
(Later that day)
Cecilia: Morena!
(Morena goes to meet her)
Morena: Yes?
Cecilia: You’re gonna do something for me.
Morena: What would that be?
Cecilia: From now on, You won’t be attending to your clients…
Morena: Why?
Cecilia: Because I would.
Morena: Huh?
Cecilia: Yeah you heard me! From henceforth, Your clients are now my clients! Do you un-derstand that?! I’ll be taking their orders, cooking for them and collecting all the ti-ps. (smiles) You’re okay with that right?
Morena: (sadly) Yeah.
Cecilia: Good. Now get out of my sight.
(Morena leaves the kitchen)
Cecilia: (smiles in satisfaction)
(Daniel goes to meet Cecilia)
Daniel: Umm, Cecilia plea-se I’d like to talk to you.
Cecilia: If it’s about Morena, Forget it.
Daniel: But what you’re doing to her is pure wickedness.
Cecilia: (laughs) Pure wickedness? I haven’t even started with her yet. When I do start with her, What then will you call it?
Daniel: Let’s strike a deal.
Cecilia: What deal?
Daniel: You can order me about, Do anything you want with me, Hit me if you like, sl@p me if you like….Just leave Morena alone, plea-se!
Cecilia: What would I wanna do with you? You’re just a dirty fleabag. Besides, Now that I’ve finally gotten her in my grasp, You think I’m just gonna give it up? NEVER! (She takes a step closer to Daniel) Morena is going to rue the day she stepped into this restaurant.
To be CONTINUED