Episode 3 – Naomi’s Blunder.

Characters: Luke, Naomi, Marina, Roberto, Steve, Jenny

Setting: in the kitchen restaurant just after the fire. Sound of kitchen noises, people talking in background, fire extinguisher going off (if possible!)

Marina: Well done Roberto – luckily you know how to handle a fire extinguisher! What happened?

Roberto: The new waitress - Naomi - decided that there was not enough excitement in her life, came round our side of the serving counter and knocked over a pan of hot oil which caught fire on the gas burner. Suddenly – inferno!!

Naomi :I’m really sorry Marina. My customer was complaining about the length of time he’d had to wait for his order. So I came in here and saw his dish just sitting on the hot plate by the hobs. So I came round the chef’s side of the counter to get it and – well, my arm just knocked the pan off the hob and ( near to tears)

Roberto: Don’t you know it’s a golden rule that the waiting staff stay their side of the service counter and the chefs stay their side?

Naomi : Yes, but I was only trying to help . You were all so busy and….

Roberto : The only thing is it looked worse than it really was – and at least it proved that those new fire extinguishers are pretty effective.

Steve: Okay, okay. Well, thanks Roberto, for dealing with it so speedily. Now everyone, the drama is over, let’s get this mess cleared up and get back to work. There are still hungry customers to feed! [to Marina] I am just glad it wasn’t anything more serious. Marina: Yes, come on everyone – back to work! You too Naomi.

[People chatter as they go back to their places : FADE] [Jenny’s Office: Knock] Jenny: Hello

Marina: Jenny, Steve….. could I have a word?

Jenny : Yes, of course, Marina. What’s up?

Marina : Well this business of the fire in the kitchen wasn’t too serious thank Heavens, but it does bring up a very important point. We really do need to look into the training we give to the new staff – what if the fire had been more serious or Roberto hadn’t been there?

Jenny : Yes, you’re absolutely right . I’ll get onto organizing some further Health and Safety training right away. That OK with you, Steve? Steve: Yes of course. Good thinking, Jenny. The sooner the better I’d say. We really need to tighten up on all our procedures on health and safety, fire drills etc – especially if we’ve got the prospect of this big conference coming up.(to himself) Hmm, fire drills, that gives me an idea…(changes tack: aloud) . Anyway I’m off home now – see you all tomorrow.

Jenny & Marina: Bye

FADE DOWN

FADE UP STREET. Naomi : Oh Luke, I felt such a fool! I know I shouldn’t have gone the other side of the serving counter, but I was just trying to help…

Luke: Don’t worry – it could have happened to anyone!

Naomi : Do you think I could lose my job? I need the money …oh I’m such an idiot!

Luke : Listen, it wasn’t such a huge mistake – we’ve had waitresses do much worse …of course they were usually fired…[Naomi: What] Only joking. Look, don’t panic, there’s no way they’ll get rid of you right now!

Naomi: Why not? Luke: Because they need all the staff they can get. If this conference comes off they’ll definitely need all the regular staff to help and they’ll probably have to hire extra staff too – new people that will need the experience of people already working here.

Naomi: well yes – if the conference comes off. But do you think we have a good chance of getting the contract – I mean there is the Continental Hotel nearby, that is much bigger than we are. They always have conferences on, it’s a speciality of theirs.

Luke: Well, the Continental may be larger than us, but we are more modern. They haven’t had a refurbishment in years.

Naomi: Yeah… the hotel itself may look a bit dated but they do offer more facilities than we have – they’ve got an outdoor pool, for example, and a huge exercise room. Luke: Yes, but an outdoor pool won’t be much of an attraction in February, will it? (Naomi laughs) And we’ve got a sauna and gym that’s absolutely state-of the-art now. And we’ve got much better business facilities than they have now - wireless internet access, DVD presentation points etc – that’s probably more important to the conference organizers. Naomi : Yes, but the Continental charge less for their rooms than we do. The way things are today, I bet price is going to be the deciding factor.

Luke: I wouldn’t be so sure. Service is important too, and we have the best receptionist in town working here, even if I say so myself. And I am sure that none of their waitresses is quite as …[laughing] as helpful as you are in the kitchen! Naomi : Oh…Thanks! Just when I was starting to forget my embarrassment! Luke: C’mon I’m only joking… hey, do you have to go straight home? Why don’t we go out for a drink and you can tell me about some of those crazy vegetarian recipes you say are so brilliant! Naomi : Oh that would be great Luke!. I really need to unwind after all that drama.

FADE OUT

FADE IN RESTAURANT Roberto: Marina, can I speak to you – it’s important!

Marina: Sure, what’s it about? Roberto: Well that new girl – I’m worried… we need trained staff to work here, I can’t spend my time looking after every newbie you hire…I’ve got enough on my plate with my kitchen staff without having to keep an eye on the serving staff… Marina: Okay, what do you mean exactly Roberto. Roberto: Well, to begin with…[fade]