LORD OF THE KITCHEN

scene one The curtain rises on a young lady named Rosetta holding a suitcase while standing in front of an expensive restaurant which is well known around the country for its rich and luxurious qualities. Rosetta: (exhales loudly) finally I'm here. the restaurant of my dreams. (she thought inwardly with a smile on her face) I can already smell the aroma of richly made meals. (closes her eyes and inhales with a smile on her face) this is your time, go in there Rosetta and show them what you are made of. (she smirks and heads in). exit's scene two Now in the restaurant Rosetta is led by the Assistant manager to the fully furnished kitchen, well design and decorated with standard and quality materials. the kitchen is filled with waiters and cooks moving about busily, putting on aprons, caps and nose marks Assistant manager: there is our boss (points at a handsome young man in his late 30's who is wearing a white hat on his head and an apron over his expensive looking T-shirt, while cooking) Rosetta: (stands still in a daze staring at him) Is he the head chef? Assistant manager: No! that is Mr. duke, the owner on this restaurant, but he loves the kitchen. he practically handles all of the cooking in this kitchen. well I won't blame him, he and his mom ran it together when she was still alive. O Madam Emilia, (puts on a sober look) may God bless her soul. Rosetta: Wow! I see (smirks, still staring at him) Mr. Duke. (mumbles with a smile) Assistant manager: you should go on and speak to him. Rosetta: alright, wish me luck. (exhales as she walks to him) Assistant manager: (stares at her with pity and exhales) this young lady really needs all the luck she can get. Lord God please save her soul from the deadly gaze of our young master. (shakes his head side to side and exits the kitchen) Rosetta: (stands beside Mr. duke, but not standing too close to him) Good day sir. i'm Rosetta. (smiles sweetly) Duke: (Ignores her while dishing out food on a flat plate) Rosetta: (thinks inwardly) is he deaf? why isn't he responding? maybe he didn't hear me. (speaks out) sir I'm..... Duke: (holds up a finger to shush her as he begins to wipe off oil stain from the edges of the plate with a serviette and later puts it on a tray and hands it over to a server) for the customer at table ten. (he says to the server) server: alright sir (nods and leaves with the tray of food) Rosetta: (thinks inwardly) don't tell me he is ignoring me intensionally. I won't take that. (speaks out) sir I'm Rosetta the new executive chef. Duke: (hits the serviette on his hand to the table as she fidgets. he glares at her with cold eyes.) Who do you think you are to come into my kitchen and Clam to be the executive chef?. Rosetta: (stares at him with a puzzled expression and Cleared her throat) sir I don't know is you are aware but your company sent an email to me saying that they saw the meals i made and posted online and they want me to be the executive chef of this restaurant. and I gladly accepted, that's the more reason I traveled all the way here from my country. Duke: (gazes at her in dismal as he thinks inwardly) so dad carried out his threats to get a new chief chef to replace me, I thought they were just empty threats, shoot!. I should have known he meant every single word. A week ago In duke's office at the restaurant his father Dr. Roderigo is seated on the office chair as duke walks in. Duke: (stands in front of the office desk facing his father) My workers said you were in my office and you sent for me. what do I owe this sudden visit? (holds his both hands behind his back) Dr. Roderigo: (stands up from the seat and walks close to duke as he places his hand on dukes shoulder) My son, you have worked really hard to make sure that this restaurant grows, and your hard work has paid off, this restaurant is now well known around the world as the most biggest, richest restaurant, with the best customer service rendering. Son, social media recommends this restaurant as the best all thanks to you. your mother will be so proud of you. Duke: (smiles) thanks dad. it really feels good to hear those words from you. sustaining the quality of this restaurant hasn't really been easy though, but God has been strengthening me. Dr. Roderigo: (pouts) I know right, you have worked so hard that you don't even have time for your own fiancee. (exhales) that's why I want you to step down and employ someone else to be the executive chef Duke: (widens his eyes in disbelief and bring's down Dr. Roderigo's hand from his shoulder as he frowns) Dad how could you make such a decision without asking if I was okay with it? how do you expect me to step down from handling the affairs of this restaurant? Dr. Roderigo: (smirks and chuckles) son, who says you won't be handling the affairs of this restaurant. you will, but not in the kitchen, not as an executive chef. Duke: (frowns) dad how can I monitor the affairs of this restaurant, if I'm not in the kitchen? Dr. Roderigo: you can do that right here, in your office as the general manager. you staying in that kitchen makes your workers think you are in the same level with them, I don't want that. you will listen to me and step down as executive chef. Duke: (smirks) I see what this is all about. you are ashamed that your son is a mere chef, while your friends, their sons are engineers, lawyers and doctors, right? (chuckles) you have always wanted me to study law, so I could be called to bar, then eventually become a chief judge. but I refused, cause that's not my thing, I love the kitchen. but you will never understand, because you are so selfish. you know how much mom cherished This restaurant, it was not too big then, she would look at it every morning and say that one day it will grow so big. you were never around. you were always going on business trips. so I and this restaurant became her only joy, and when she died I swore to maintain her joy. now that her dreams have come true. you are here to make me step down for a nobody (glares at Dr. Roderigo) never. I will never. (straightens his shirt) now if you would excuse me, I have meals to prepare (turns to leave) Dr. Roderigo: (speaks out loud angrily as duke walks to the exit door) I went on those business trips just to make life easy for you and your mother. so you have no right to stand there and tell me that I'm selfish. I also helped to grow this restaurant too, you know.(duke exits the office.) present day Duke: (glares at the suitcase on her hand and later stares at her) what gave you the right to bring in a suitcase into my kitchen, what if there are smelly rats inside? Rosetta:(frowns and grit's her teeth angrily) there are no... (hold back her self and grin's) I'm so sorry sir, I didn't mean to co.... Duke: (interrupts her) shut up and get out. who even let you in here? Rosetta: (puts on a sad look while facing the ground) I'm sorry sir. (turns to leave) Duke: (speaks out loud as she walks to the exit door) if I see dirty, smelly rats in this kitchen, due to that ragged looking suitcase you brought in here, you will be hell dead. Rosetta: (heads to the exit with a frown as she thinks inwardly) how could he say such things to me in front of all this people (about to cry but holds back her tears as she walks out of the kitchen.) exit's Scene Three As Rosetta comes out of the kitchen an older lady, madam Bridget walks up to her madam Bridget: (smiles) miss Rosetta, I'm madam Bridget the expediter of this restaurant and also, the keeper of the fresh flowers here. Dr. Roderigo informed me of your arrival. would you like me to show you to your room? Rosetta: (smiles) yes I would love that, thank you. madam Bridget: (stretches forth her hands to collect Rosetta's suitcase) let me help you with that, I know you most be stressed out from the long journey. Rosetta: no ma'am don't bother your self, I can handle this on my own, it's quite heavy. (smiles) madam Bridget: alright then, please follow me. (they both exit) Scene Four Madam Bridget and Rosetta walks into a fully furnished bedroom which has a Mimi toilet. Rosetta: (stunned) Wow! this is huge (looks around) can I ask a question? madam Bridget: (smiles) go on, I'm all ears. Rosetta: (puts down her suitcase on the bed and looks at her) on our way here we passed other rooms, right? madam Bridget: (nods with a smile) mmmmhmmm. Rosetta: this is meant to be a hotel and not a restaurant, don't you agree with me.(puts on a confused look) but why did the boss make it so? madam Bridget: (comes closer to Rosetta and pulls her gently to the bed as they both sat down) I don't want to sound like a gossip, but since you are now part of us, I think it's your right to know. (looks side to side to observe the area, then placed the edge of her palm on the side of her mouth as she whispers) when master duke's mother, madam Emilia, was still alive, this restaurant you see now, was a small eatery. (puts down her hand and smiles) I was the only one working with her then, I was the dish washer then. most times young master duke would assist me to wash dishes. he loves the kitchen. (smiles) I remember the first time he chopped onions and when the liquid got into his eyes he cried all day, thinking he would get blind. Rosetta: (laughs) I know that feeling. madam Bridget: to make him stop crying, his mother made his favorite, bean soup. (smiles) she was such a good cook. (puts on a sober look as tears flows from her eyes) when she died young master duke was 13 years old, he was still so young. he was so broken. (exhales sadly) then he vowed to protect and grow this restaurant. Rosetta: now I see why he left it as a restaurant, he maintained his mother's legacy. hmmmmm. madam Bridget: (stands up) I have waisted much time here, I have to go now. please make your self comfortable. your apron and toque blanche will be sent to you tonight. Rosetta: (confused) pardon? toque what?! madam Bridget: oooh! "toque blanche" is a french word for white hat. Rosetta: alright! (nods in confirmation)"toque blanche" madam Bridget: alright then, have some rest now, so you can resume work strong and healthy tomorrow morning. (exit's the room) Rosetta: (lays on the bed and thinks inwardly) I know it's not easy to lose a parent at a young age, but must he be that rude to me. the last time I checked, I didn't even offend him in any way. how could he say smelly rats are in my suitcase. (pouts) he's such a dooshbag. (yawns) I'm so tired. (closes her eyes and sleep's off.) ....... Lights out ........ Scene Five At seven o'clock in the morning Rosetta takes her bath and quickly gets dressed putting on an apron and a white hat as she heads out to the kitchen. Rosetta: (on getting there she sees the workers all lined up facing Duke while he speaks angrily to them all. she joins the line and whispers to the pastry chef.) what happened? what's going on? pastry chef: (whispers, while her eyes are still fixed on Duke) master Duke is not in a good mood today. Rosetta: what happened, did anyone offend him? pastry chef: no one did. (muttered slightly loud) he is just scolding everyone for no reason. (pins her lips Immediately and widens her eyes in fear) Duke: (now mute glaring at them all) who said that? (everyone looks at them selves in confusion) don't play dumb with me. "he is just scolding everyone for no reason", I heard that. (shouts out angrily) who said it? (everyone mumbles not wanting to take the blame) you all will lose your jobs if I don't get an answer right now. Busser: (shivers) it was the pastr...... Rosetta: (cuts in) me.. (exhales) it was me. Duke: (glares at her with a frown) how dare you murmur such about me. step forward. Rosetta: sir!! (heart beats fast as she walks forward) sir. (now standing close to him as she trembles in fear.) Duke: (lift's up an eyebrow and stares at her in dismal) you don't look like someone that can cook. you should be in a school for gossipers, don't you think so? Rosetta: (stares at him with a puzzled expression as she clears her throat). actually sir, I can cook. (smiles) I'm a really good cook (she winked her eye as He frowns the more) Duke: then let's see if that's true. challenge me right now in cooking, any person's food that the customer compliments more, is the best. (smirks) you can cook huh. we will see about that. (Rosetta stares mute at him) afraid? (smirks) Rosetta: (chest's out boldly) count me in. (smiles stiffing her lips together) soon the battle began, the chefs all stood mute, watching as they both cooked the same meal in different pots with the ingredients of their choice. they sliced and chopped each of their vegetable produce with so much grace and steadiness. the sound of knifes sharpening each other filled the kitchen. Duke and Rosetta would glare at each other when ever they added a spice to their food, Rosetta glared at him playfully not holding anything in mind but Duke glared at her with so much anger and hatred in his eyes. It was now forty minutes and they were finally done. though Duke finished before rosetta. they served their food on plates and and placed it on trays. each tray had a written note with their names on it. Duke: (smirks and speaks to the servers) go out their and give out this meals to any customer you see there. if they ask tell them it's on the house. if they need more they should hand the written note on their trays to any server stand by. but they would have to pay for it. got that? servers: (All twelve of them answered in chorus) YES SIR.... (they began to take out the meals to the customers who were already seated) Duke sits restlessly, waiting for the response of the customers while Rosetta stands, resting her back on the wall and staring at him as the chefs all gets to work.. Rosetta: (thinks inwardly while gazing at duke) why is he so uptight. it's just a silly cooking competition between the both of us, not an international cooking awards competition. why is he acting like his life depends on it? (immediately a server dashed into the kitchen with a written note as duke stood up immediately with a slight smile on his face.) 1st waiter: a customer said he wants to bye more of ...... (everyone in silence to hear the order. as Duke's heart unknowingly begins to beat fast) master duke's food (hands over the note to duke) Duke:(collect's the note and smirked as he glared at rosetta) who's the winner now huh?! Rosetta: (smiles) congrats sir, you deserve it. (duke still glares at her as five other servers dashed in, later on two followed) servers: (one speaks first) the customers ordered for more of.....(the servers reads out the name on the notes in chorus) the executive chef Rosetta's food. (Rosetta smiles happily) Duke: (snatches the note from one of the servers and reads it as he frowns and squeezed the note, tightening his fingers to a fist) what gave you all the right to call her an executive chef? server 1: we are sorry sir, but that's what is written on the.... Duke: (shouts angrily) shut up... (glares at rosetta with so much hatred as he walks out of the kitchen) Rosetta: (in a daze, thinks inwardly) Jesus Christ. the deadly gaze in his eyes were like guns pointing at me, already shooting me down. why is he so bitter towards me? (smiles and thinks inwardly) maybe he is upset that I beat him to his own game. then I will prepare something delicious that will make him happy. (smirks) ........ lights out ........