MORENA
Episode 41
(Later)
(Isabella finishes cooking and serves Morena)
Isabella: Food is re-ady! Salsa and spicy lamb ba-lls. Bon appetité.
Morena: (sniffs the air) Mmm…The aroma is wonderful!
Isabella: (smiles) Thank youuu!
Morena: (takes a bite) So delicious! Where did you learn to cook like this?
Isabella: It’s all thanks to the culinary school I went to.
Morena: It’s really paying off.
(Diego returns home just then)
Morena: (hvgs him) Diego!
Diego: Morena! It’s great to see you. How’s your Dad?
Morena: He’s better now. He was discharged yesterday.
Diego: That’s good news
Morena: Yeah, I was hoping to see you at the hospital the other day but I didn’t.
Diego: I know. I had to leave for work because my boss was calling me back.
Morena: Ohhh I un-derstand.
Diego: (sniffs the air) Wow! What’s this magnificent smell?
Morena: (points at the food) As you can see…
(Diego takes a bite)
Diego: (closes his eyes) Mmm, So delicious…
Morena: Do you see? Encouraging someone will take them a long way. If you had broken up with Isabella and dejected her. None of these would’ve happened.
Diego: You’re right.
Isabella: (remorsefully) Morena, I’m really sorry for the way I treated you…
Morena: I forgive you. Besides, All that is in the past.
Isabella: Thank you…
Morena: it’s fine (To Diego) I just wanted to pay you a visit before I go back to Mexico City.
Diego: When are you going back?
Morena: Tomorrow.
Diego: Wow. So soon?
Morena: Yea, I told my boss I’ll be taking a three day break. And again, Many clients will be awaiting my return.
Diego: Okay.
(In Mexico City)
(Daniel goes to Mr Chang’s house)
Daniel: Good morning Mr Chang.
Mr Chang: Good morning Daniel. You didn’t tell me you were coming.
Daniel: I know, I just wanted to pay you an impromptu visit.
Mr Chang: Ok. Have a seat.
(Daniel sits down on the couch)
Daniel: I c@m£ to tell to you that I’ve alre-ady resigned from Chuks restaurant.
Mr Chang: Ok.
Daniel: So do I nee-d to go throu-gh an interview to become the manager or…..
Mr Chang: (smiles) There’ll be absolutely no nee-d for that….You have the position alre-ady!
(Daniel looks at him in shock and excitement)
Daniel: Wow…
Mr Chang: Yeah. Let me just hurry up with breakfast. I’ll take you to the restaurant.
Daniel: Okay sir.
(At Chuks restaurant)
Mr Rodriguez: Everyone! The CEO’s wife is around. I want you all to behave well and comport yourselves. un-derstood?
Everyone: Yes.
(Just then, The CEO’s wife – Morgana saunters into the kitchen)
Everyone: Good afternoon ma.
Morgana: (ignores their greetings and looks around) Why are there few cooks at work today?
Mr Rodriguez: Umm….Daniel has resigned, Morena is on leave and today is Andrew’s day off. Its just Rafael, Nina, Cecilia and Alicia at work today.
Morgana: Whatever! (sternly) Anyways, My husband and I had a discussion and we agreed that there nee-ded to be few adjustments to this restaurant! He would’ve been here but he traveled to Costa Rica for an important business meeting. So he s£nt me here instead. (To Mr Rodriguez) See me in the office right away!
(Morgana leaves the kitchen and Mr Rodriguez follows her)
Alicia: Woah, That woman looked damn furious. But bro, I’m scared…. She said she’s gon’ make “few adjustments”?
Rafael: Yeah.
Nina: I’m actually quivering with fear right now.
Rafael: Well, I do not have any query to answer because I’m always diligent at my work.
Alicia: (worried) I’m really scared. I just pray this woman doesn’t fire me….
Cecilia: (laughs) Why are you all scared and trembling?
(Cecilia notices Alicia starring at her with murdery eyes)
Cecilia: (To Alicia) What is it? Why’re you looking at me that way?
(Alicia hisses loudly at her)
Cecilia: (boldly) Come and chase me with a knife let the CEO’s wife FIRE you! Mad Dog!
Alicia: (furiously) Cecilia, I don’t got you time….I don’t got you time you this stupid bit-ch!
Cecilia: (hisses) Get out!
(Just then, Pascaline enters the kitchen)
Pascaline: Alicia. The CEO’s wife wants to see you in the office now.
Alicia: (nervously) Ohh okay. (to herself) Damn! My palms are fv¢kin’ sweaty.
Cecilia: (sings) 🎵 Oooohh, Someone’s gonna get fired today….🎵
Alicia: (To Cecilia) You bit-ch, Just pray I don’t fv¢kin’ meet you here by the time I return or else, You gon’ die!
Cecilia: (hisses)
(Alicia stares at Cecilia with raged-filled eyes)
Pascaline: (calls her attention) Alicia!
Alicia: Oh sorry. Let’s go.
(Pascaline and Alicia leave the kitchen)
Alicia: (taps Pascaline) Babe. Ain’t you scared?
Pascaline: Just calm down….
(In the office)
Morgana: Alicia right?
Alicia: Yes ma.
Morgana: (checks some files) Hmmm…Your records in here are very bad! You’re very troublesome, You’re a fighter, You chase and threaten your fellow colleagues with a knife, You’re a bad cook, You waste food ingredients….
(Alicia stares at Mr Rodriguez for a moment)
Alicia: I’m really sorry ma. I promise, I’mma change from now on, I ain’t gon’ slack off…
Morgana: (furiously) Oh will you just shut up, You this Alicia or whatever they call you! You nee-d to invest in some Proper English! Your grammar is TERRIBLE!
Alicia: I’m sorry ma.
Morgana: Sorry for yourself! What kind of vernacular English are you even speaking?! This isn’t the ghetto park or prison yard where you can speak anyhow you like, You wanker!
(At the mention of the word “wanker”, Alicia stares at Morgana with murdery eyes)
Morgana: (notices this) Ohhh you want to beat me?
Alicia: (diverts her eyes away from Morgana) Sorry ma.
Morgana: You know what? You’re FIRED!
Alicia: (remorsefully) Madam plea-se i’m sorry….
Morgana: Don’t disturb me plea-se! Just pack your things and exit the restaurant immediately!
Alicia: (crying) I’m sorry ma….
Morgana: (angrily) Leave before I call the security!
Mr Rodriguez: Alicia, I’m so sorry….
Morgana: And why’re sympathizing with her? You’re FIRED too!
Mr Rodriguez: (confused) But ma, What have I done wrong?
Morgana: It’s really surprising that you’re asking me this question. Do you think my husband and I aren’t aware of the atrocities you’ve been commiting? slee-ping with female employees? Squandering the restaurant funds on your girlfriends? Look, My husband has been far too lenient with you but not this time! (To Pascaline) Pascaline, You’re no longer the cashier. You’ve just been relieved of that position.
Pascaline: (nervously) But ma, What crime did I commit?
Morgana: Calm down. You didn’t allow me to finish….You’re now the new manager of Chuks Restaurant.
(Mr Rodriguez stares at Morgana in utter shock)
Pascaline: Wow! This is an honor!
Morgana: It’s alright. You have all the redeeming qualities my husband and I are looking for. You’re kind, loyal, diligent (looks at Mr Rodriguez) Not like this dereliction! But I’m going to give you a warning – If I notice any slacking off, I’ll replace you with someone else. Is that clear?
Pascaline: Clear ma.
Morgana: Good. (To Mr Rodriguez) Take your infatuation somewhere else! Now, get out of this office! (looks at Alicia) And take your girlfriend with you.
.
.
.
MORENA
Episode 42
(At Rodriguez’s house)
Alicia: (crying) Bro, So it’s over?
Mr Rodriguez: (angrily) You better don’t disturb me. After all, you’re one of the reasons I got fired.
Alicia: (crying) I was the one of the reasons that got you fired? Do I fv¢kin’ look like Cecilia? Ain’t she the one you been sleepin’ with? I swear to God, If you call ma name again, I’ll fv¢kin’ decapitate you!
Mr Rodriguez: Will you be quiet plea-se! You’re the reason I got fired and not Cecilia!
Alicia: (furiously) It seems like this guy thinks I’m jokin’
(Alicia runs out of the room amd goes to the kitchen to gr-ab a butcher’s knife)
Mr Rodriguez: What the heck…
(Alicia runs back to the room but Mr Rodriguez shuts the door on time)
Mr Rodriguez: (from the peephole) Alicia! Are you out of your mind? Drop that knife!!!
Alicia: (enraged) I swear to God, If you fv¢kin’ step out of that room….(holds the knife ti-ghter) I’mma stab you to death!
(Alicia locks Rodriguez inside the room to prevent him from escaping)
(Meanwhile)
(In Balacar)
Mr Castillo: I’ll miss you, Morena.
Miguel: Yeah me too
Morena: I’ll miss you both as well.
(Morena hvgs her dad and her brother)
Mr Castillo: Safe Journey!
Miguel: Bye!
Morena: BYE!
(Morena waves back as she enters the cab and the cab takes off)
(In Mexico City)
(At Uncle Roberto’s house)
Uncle Roberto: (soliloquizes) I still can’t believe all these happened, it’s still like a dream…
(Someone knocks on the door)
Uncle Roberto: I’m coming!
(He goes to open it and sees Morena)
Morena: (hvgs him) Good afternoon uncle!
Uncle Roberto: Welcome back Morena. How was your journey?
Morena: Wonderful…
Uncle Roberto: And your Dad?
Morena: He’s fine. Thank you so much for paying his bill.
Uncle Roberto: You’re welcome.
Morena: What’s happening? Why is everywhere deserted? Where’s Aunt Maria, Juan and Juanita?
Uncle Roberto: (sighs loudly) Morena. Juanita’s dead and your Aunt…(hesitates) She got arrested.
Morena: (shocked) Oh my goodness! What happened?
Uncle Roberto: The day you left for Balacar, Your aunt poisoned the food she gave to you and you were oblivious of that. You gave the food to Juanita and later that night, She complained of stomach ache before she fainted and by the time we got to the hospital…(sighs) She was alre-ady dead. Her b©dy has alre-ady been taken to the morgue.
Morena: (covers her mouth in shock) Oh my God…
Uncle Roberto: Right now, Juan is in the room. He cried himself to sleep last night.
(Morena stares at him, unable to say anything.
(Meanwhile)
(Mr Chang takes Daniel to the restaurant)
Mr Chang: Daniel…Welcome to Chang’s Restaurant!
Daniel: (opens his mouth in awe)
Mr Chang: These are the cooks. (points) Joel, Natalie, Ken, Mason and Courtney (to the cooks) This is Mr Daniel, The manager and supervisor.
Daniel: Good day everyone.
Cooks: Good day sir.
Mr Chang: Daniel, Work starts right away. I’m leaving my restaurant in your care and I know you won’t disappoint me.
Daniel: I won’t Sir.
Mr Chang: I’ll take you to your office. Follow me.
Daniel: Ok sir.
(Mr Chang takes Daniel to his office)
(At Chuks restaurant)
Nina: I still can’t believe that Alicia and Mr Rodriguez were fired.
Andrew: Me neither.
Cecilia: (laughs mockingly) Well it was their fault. They deserved what they got!
(Cecilia relaxes on the chair)
Cecilia: (sighs in relief) Finally! There’s no one to disturb my mood any longer, No Daniel, No Morena, No Alicia….
Nina: I miss Alicia actually….
Rafael: Me too.
Cecilia: (cuts in abruptly) Why would anyone want to miss that mad dog?
Andrew: You wouldn’t un-derstand. You were always at loggerheads with her, Just like you are with Morena.
Rafael: I miss her ghetto talks and craziness.
Andrew: (laughs) Yeah me too.
(Just then, Pascaline and a young lady enters the kitchen)
Pascaline: Everyone plea-se come together!
(Andrew, Rafael, Cecilia and Nina walks towards her)
Pascaline: This is Gina, The new cashier. (To Gina) These are the cooks. (points) That’s Rafael, Andrew, Nina and Cecilia.
Gina: Hello everyone.
Everyone: Hello.
Pascaline: As you all know, This is a new regime. I want you to all to obey the restaurant’s rules and policies, work ha-rd and make enough money for the restaurant and also for yourselves.
Cecilia: But Pascaline, You don’t have to….
Pascaline: (interrupts her) Shhh… It’s no longer “Pascaline”, It’s now “Manager”.
(Cecilia hisses at her)
Pascaline: That remind me, While I’m upstairs, I don’t want to hear any form of shenanigans. un-derstood?
(Everyone except Cecilia nod their heads in affirmation)
Pascaline: Cecilia?
Cecilia: (scornfully) Ok.
Pascaline: Good. (To everyone) Dismissed!
(Pascaline leaves the kitchen)
Cecilia: (about Pascaline) Stupid idiot.
Nina: Guys, Since clients aren’t coming until later, I’m going to the meeting room to watch TV, Are you coming?
Andrew: Yeah.
Rafael: Me too.
(When Nina, Andrew and Rafael leaves, Gina approaches Cecilia)
Cecilia: (eyes her angrily) What is it?
Gina: Hi. I’m curious to know what happened to your face? It’s severely disfigured…
Cecilia: (furiously) You’re very stupid for that question!
Gina: Oh, I saw your face and I felt extremely bad for you. Sorry for the intrusion.
Cecilia: (hisses) Sorry for yourself! plea-se just get out of here!
(Gina quic-kly leaves the kitchen)
(That evening)
(Uncle Roberto and Morena goes to visit Aunt Maria in prison)
Policewoman: Your husband and niece c@m£ to see you. You have five minutes!
(Aunt Maria goes to see them)
Uncle Roberto: (stares at her with immense anger)
Aunt Maria: (crying) Morena…I’m so ashamed of myself…. I’m truly sorry for….
Uncle Roberto: Oh, Now you’re sorry? Because your daughter died and you got put in prison?
Morena: Uncle plea-se…. (To Aunt Maria) I forgive you Aunty. But I’m afraid its too late for your redemption.
(Aunt Maria cries ha-rder)
Aunt Maria: I know that and I’ve accepted my fate. I’ve learnt my lesson the ha-rd way, I ruined my life and that of my families…
Uncle Roberto: (cuts in) You haven’t ruined anyone’s life ap@rt from yours, Maria! My life is still intact!
Aunt Maria: (remorsefully) My husband…
Uncle Roberto: Who’s your husband? I am not your husband! Infact, I don’t even know you! (To Morena) I’ll be waiting for you outside.
(Uncle Roberto leaves)
Aunt Maria: (crying) Roberto! Come back!
(The policewoman returns)
Policewoman: Your time’s up!
(Aunt Maria looks at Morena with teary eyes as she’s being taken back to her cell)
(That night)
(In Mr Rodriguez’s house)
(He manages to unlock the door then swiftly packs his luggages and other valuables then sneaks out of the room. He ti-p toes to the living room and sees Alicia fast asleep on the couch)
Mr Rodriguez: Perfect.
(He attempts to open the door but it’s locked)
Mr Rodriguez: (quietly) What the hell? This crazy bit-ch locked the door!
(He searches for the keys but doesn’t find it)
Mr Rodriguez: Argh. Where on earth did this psycho keep the keys?
(He searches Alicia’s b©dy carefully and finds the keys in her br@)
Mr Rodriguez: This bit-ch thinks she’s so smart…
(Mr Rodriguez re-moves the keys from her br@ and rushes to open the door, He then sneaks out of his own house and runs away)
To be CONTINUED