Scene 24

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Chris, dressed in business attire, sits at a table with an entire cheesecake. He waits with excitement. MS. APPLETON, an African-American business woman, enters.

CHRIS
Ms. Appleton?

MS. APPLETON
Yes?

CHRIS
Chris. Nice to meet you.

MS. APPLETON
The restaurant’s smaller than I expected.

CHRIS
(trying to be friendly)
No, I’m freeloading on a coffee shop for interviews.

MS. APPLETON
Wouldn’t your office be more appropriate?

CHRIS
I don’t have an office yet. Would you like to try a piece of live chocolate cheesecake?

MS. APPLETON
Let’s get on with the interview.

CHRIS
OK.
(admiring resume)
I see you’ve managed Organicville culinary for 5 years. Great fit for a live foods restaurant.

MS. APPLETON
Live is a very small niche market.

CHRIS
(shaken)
I need someone who can help select the space, get permits and licenses, hire staff, find funding--

MS. APPLETON
Do you know how competitive this business is? ... I gotta’ go.

Ms. Appleton leaves.