THE HEAD CHEF

Draft 1

Torrin Blades

torrinblades@gmail.com 10.06.2024
1 INT. STUDIO APARTMENT - MORNING 1

A small, cluttered room. The bed takes up most of the space.

The walls are adorned with various posters and sketches,
giving the room a creative but chaotic vibe.

On the nightstand, a faded sepia-toned 1980s photograph

captures a sharply dressed black woman and a young girl, the
girl licking cake batter off a spoon. The woman beams with
pride.

ASHLEY (25) and SABA (27) lay in bed. Saba's head rests on
Ashley's chest. Ashley stares at the ceiling, deep in
thought.

ASHLEY
(softly)
Hey, Sab. You ever think about the
fact that this is the worst it's
ever gonna get?

SABA
(groggily)
What?

ASHLEY
Like, think about when you were a
kid, and how badly you wanted to
grow up. You ever think about how
this is it?

SABA
Yeah, sometimes.

ASHLEY
I wonder if the kid version of me
thinks this kinda rocks, even
though the adult version of me is
broke and on the brink of death.

SABA
What do you mean?

ASHLEY
At some point, we're gonna die. Our
kids and grandkids are gonna die.
At some point, no one will even
know we existed. Nothing I'm doing
will have mattered.

SABA
Baby, it'll always matter. Because
it matters now. This moment, all of
these moments matter.

Saba kisses Ashley. They start to make out. A stray cat

crawls past the window ledge, breaking the moment. Saba
smiles while Ashley looks annoyed.
 2.

ASHLEY
This fucking cat.

Ashley rolls out of bed and heads toward the window.

SABA
Leave him alone, he likes to roam.

Ashley scares the cat away.

ASHLEY
He needs to help with the damn rent
or roam somewhere else.

She takes a moment to silently appreciate the nice city

morning. She picks up a cigarette pack next to an ashtray,
continuing their conversation.

ASHLEY
I mean, you found your calling,
though. Your art means something.
But I'm just surviving. Spinning
my-

She notices the cigarette pack is empty.

ASHLEY
Fuck.

SABA
What is it?

ASHLEY
Do you happen to have smokes?

SABA
(sighs)
Goddammit, Ashley! I literally told
you yesterday to grab some.

Ashley starts searching the cluttered room for spare change.

Clothes and textbooks are scattered everywhere.

Ashley checks under the couch cushions, in drawers, and her

backpack.

ASHLEY (to herself)

Come on, there's gotta be something
somewhere.

She finds a few coins, but not enough for a pack of smokes.

ASHLEY (CONT'D)
(Counting)
1... 25... 50... Fuck, I guess
we're quitting smoking... again.
 3.

Saba smiles lovingly. Ashley sits back on the bed, trying to

engage Saba sexually. Saba gets up and heads toward the
bathroom.

SABA
I gotta get to the studio... Don't
you start work today?

ASHLEY
Yeah.

Saba lingers for a moment in the bathroom doorway.

SABA
I can ask my parents-

ASHLEY
No.

2 EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - MORNING 2

Ashley exits the apartment and locks the door. She is

spotted by her landlord, FRANK, who wears a necklace with a
pendant of Jesus in agony.

FRANK
Ay, Ash! I got overdue bills, dude.
How much longer do I have to wait
for my money?

ASHLEY
Hey, Frank. I got a job now. I
start today, so I'll have your
money soon.

FRANK
Damn, Ash. It’s over 2 months late
now. So I'm gonna have to wait
another two weeks before...

ASHLEY
No... Well, yes. Okay, I’m a few
months late. But c'mon Frank, you
know this apartment is all I have.
You can trust me. When I say you'll
get it, you'll get it.

Frank has heard this a million times.

ASHLEY (CONT'D)
Remember the painting Saba made for
you? You love that painting.

FRANK
Yeah, it’s lovely. My wife adores
it, but-
 4.

ASHLEY
Exactly, and it's priceless.

FRANK
Ash, please? Can’t you get a loan
from someone, a parent? I'm
drowning here, I don't know how
much longer I can help you out.

ASHLEY
Just let me get the hang of this
new job...

Ashley dashes out to work, running away before Frank can

respond. The city noise envelops her as she blends into the
bustling sounds of a busy kitchen.

3 INT. THE MADHOUSE/KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER 3

A stove top flame ignites with a whoosh. WAYNE (52) places a

hotel pan filled with bloody meat on the counter. He hoists
a slab of meat from the container, slamming it onto a
butcher's block.

Wayne pulls out a shitty knife and performs a culinary

ballet. Quick strikes, precise carves. Shapeless heaps
transform into gorgeous roasts. He moves with practiced
ease, doing a hundred things at once.

Wayne chops onions, carrots, and garlic. He stirs a giant

gravy pot, breaks down celery and herbs, pours red wine
bottles into roasting racks, boils veal stock, and stirs the
gravy pot again. Roasted bones and apricots fly into the
racks. He sears meat in a pan, shoves hotel trays into
ovens, and turns timers.

The phone rings. Wayne looks at it, ignoring it. Shortly,

NICKY, the restaurant owner, walks by as flames roar too
high...

NICKY
Woah, Pops! Turn that shit down.
That’s too high.

WAYNE
Relax, big man...
(Gesturing)
The phone's ringing.

Nicky kisses his teeth and grabs the phone.

NICKY
Hello. Delivering when? No, not
next week, this week. Can you bring
'em to me on ice, or do I have to
send staff out? I can meet ya
halfway... Please?
(MORE)
 5.

NICKY (CONT'D)
I promise you, it's not what you
think. We're running low as fuck.
Thank you.

He hangs up, then—

ASHLEY (O.S.)
Hello?

Ashley stands at the kitchen entrance, unsure but

determined.

NICKY
(startled)
Scared me.

ASHLEY
I'm sorry. Nicky?

NICKY
Yeah, what's up?

ASHLEY
I’m here for the job.

NICKY
Oh my god, of course. Sorry, I
forgot. Nice to meet you.

ASHLEY
(hands him a resume)
You asked me to bring this...

NICKY
Thanks... Aloette, Quetzal, MoMo’s.
Wow, those are serious spots. So,
what are you doing here?

ASHLEY
Not many spots left. Been out of
work for months now.

NICKY
(off resume)
Welcome to the madhouse.

ASHLEY
Thanks. Ready to dive in.

Nicky introduces Ashley to the front-of-house staff, leading

her through the whirlwind of the kitchen. Cooks and servers
rush around, shouting orders and instructions.

4 INT. KITCHEN - VARIOUS SECTIONS - MONTAGE 4

Nicky introduces Ashley to different sections and their

heads:
 6.

5 INT. BAKERY SECTION 5

Head Baker, MIA, kneads dough aggressively, flour dusting

her apron.

MIA
Hey, fresh blood! Hope you can
handle the heat.

ASHLEY
I'll do my best.

6 INT. DISHWASHING STATION 6

Dishwasher, LEO, a lanky guy with earbuds in, nods at Ashley

while scrubbing a mountain of dishes.

LEO
Welcome to hell.

Ashley smiles.

7 INT. SOUS CHEF STATION 7

Sous Chef, AMARA, a stern woman with a sharp gaze, slicing

vegetables with military precision.

AMARA
Keep up, and you might survive.

ASHLEY
Challenge accepted.

8 INT. HEAD CHEF'S DOMAIN 8

Wayne, her estranged father, stands in his groove, cooking

up a storm. He looks up, and their eyes meet. An awkward
moment ensues.

NICKY
Pops! This is our new hire, Ashley.
Ashley, this is Pops.

WAYNE
(stumbling)
Uh... Shit.

Wayne wipes his hands on a towel hanging from his waist.

WAYNE (CONT'D)
Ashley. Nice to meet you.

ASHLEY
You too, Chef.

Beat as Nicky notices the tension.

 7.

WAYNE
If you, uh, need help with
anything, feel free to ask.

ASHLEY
Yeah.

Nicky continues the tour, introducing Ashley to the rest of

the team. Ashley can't shake the awkwardness, but she throws
herself into the work.

The kitchen is a dance of controlled chaos, and Ashley steps

into the rhythm.

Scene 4: The Kitchen Chaos

9 INT. THE MADHOUSE/KITCHEN - AFTERNOON 9

The kitchen buzzes with activity. Nicky wraps up the tour.

NICKY
Alright, so you’ve met everyone,
and I think they like you. I mean,
except for Pops. I don’t know if he
likes anyone.

Ashley tries to fake a laugh.

ASHLEY
Everyone seems really dedicated.

NICKY
You went to culinary school, yeah?

ASHLEY
Yeah, one of the many reasons I’m
broke.

NICKY
Humber?

ASHLEY
Humber.

NICKY
Sick. I went there too... Then you
know the drill: make family, wear
multiple hats, move quickly. We eat
together after dinner service at
11.

ASHLEY
Copy.

NICKY
We’re open 3-10 every day. In the
shits from 6 to 9.
 8.

ASHLEY
Copy. What’s it like when we’re in
the shits?

NICKY
Like juggling three stray cats with
rabies.

ASHLEY
(understanding)
Copy.

NICKY
Sick. Oh yeah, Leo's going on
break, can you cover dishes for me?

ASHLEY
(disappointed but compliant)
Yeah, no problem.

10 INT. KITCHEN - DISH STATION - MOMENTS LATER 10

Ashley begins her shift, trying to keep up with the fast

pace. Wayne notices her on dish duty and subtly redirects
tasks to others, but Ashley insists on doing her share.

WAYNE
Leo! Where the hell is Leo at? Why
he got this young girl carrying all
those plates.

AMARA
Leo’s on break!

Ashley struggles with a heavy load of dishes. She almost

drops a stack of plates but catches them just in time.

ASHLEY
(to herself)
Just keep going. You can do this.

11 INT DISHWASHING STATION 11

Ashley stands at the sink, flipping a clean cup rack over

for the servers to grab. Leo returns, looking frazzled.

LEO
Thanks for covering, Ash. I owe you
one.

ASHLEY
No problem. Just part of the job.

Ashley wipes her hands on her apron, glancing around the

bustling kitchen. She spots Nicky moving quickly between
stations and heads over to him.
 9.

ASHLEY
Hey, Nicky, what do you need me to
do next?

Nicky barely looks up, focused on chopping vegetables.

NICKY
Go see what Pops needs. We need
more salad dressing made, and
there's a table of twelve that
needs plating.

Ashley nods, turning to weave through the chaotic kitchen

toward Pops. She finds him stirring a large pot.

ASHLEY
Hey, Nicky said you needed help?

WAYNE
Yeah, we’re low on salad dressing.
And we’ve got a table of twelve
that needs plating. Can you handle
that?

ASHLEY
Absolutely. I’ll get on the
dressing first.

She heads to the prep area, quickly gathering ingredients

and whipping up a fresh batch of dressing. As she finishes,
Leo appears again, looking even more stressed.

LEO
Ash, I hate to ask, but can you
give me another hand? I’m swamped
at the dish station and can't keep
up with the-

Ashley glances at the clock, noting there are only a few

minutes left before the rush dies down.

ASHLEY
Sure. I’ll help plate the party of
12 first, then I’ll be back to give
you a hand.

She rushes to the plating station, expertly arranging dishes

with practiced speed.

The kitchen hums with coordinated chaos, everyone working at

full speed. Just as she finishes the last plate, she hears
Wayne call out.

WAYNE
What is Larousse? What the hell is
that? Some uppity shit that no one
eats?
 10.

Wayne picks up a copy of Larousse Gastronomique that's

sitting dangerously close to a stove top burner.

AMARA
It's an encyclopedia that you'd do
well to read yourself! I love it,
and I keep it by me at all times.
It's helped me grow as a cook.

Ashley eavesdrops as she clears dirty pots and pans from the
area.

WAYNE
A damn book Amara? You think you
can learn to cook from a book?

AMARA
I have learned, what are you
saying, I can't cook?

Ashley laughs to herself for a moment, but then her face

drops.

WAYNE
I'm saying I can teach you to cook
better than any book can.

Distracted, Ashley reaches for a seemingly dirty pan, but

it's hot. It hisses as it burns her hand. She winces in
pain.

ASHLEY
(muffled)
Ow! Fuck. Damn it.

WAYNE
You okay?

ASHLEY
I’m good, Chef. I can handle it.

Ashley pushes through the pain and continues working.

She returns the dolly of pots and pans to Leo.

LEO
Much appreciated, Ash.

ASHLEY
You got it!

12 EXT. BACK ALLEY - MOMENTS LATER 12

Ashley steps outside for a moment of peace, her hand still

throbbing from the burn. She leans against the wall, eyes
closed, trying to calm herself.
 11.

ASHLEY
(to herself)
What the fuck is he doing here.

Meow, meow. A cat, almost identical to the one from her

windowsill earlier, meanders around the alleyway. Ashley
watches it for a moment, her mind wandering back to this
morning.

She kneels down, extending her unburned hand. The cat

cautiously approaches, sniffing her fingers when the door
swings open, scaring the cat away.

NICKY
Ay, it's not break time, what are
you doing out here?

ASHLEY
Sorry, I burnt my hand. I was
looking for the washroom and-

NICKY
We don't use outhouses, the
washroom's back this way

ASHLEY
Copy. Sorry.

13 INT. THE MADHOUSE/BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER 13

Ashley runs her hand under cold water, wincing. She glances
at a sign above the toilet:

"Ladies, please keep restroom clean. Put garbage in the

trash. Respect the madhouse family. Thank you"

She combs her hand through her hair, wiping flour from her
cheek and arm. She looks tired. Her hair is frizzy and her
cheeks are flushed. She glances at the clock. The ticking
grows louder, drowning out all other noise. Ashley is
momentarily frozen. Then, a text buzzes.

SABA
(TEXT)
How's your first day going,
superstar?

ASHLEY
(TEXT)
You won’t believe this shit.

SABA
Uh oh... What? Feeling like an
outsider?

ASHLEY
Worse. Feeling way too familiar.
 12.

SABA
That's good, no?

ASHLEY
Typically yes, but this is fucked.
Guess who the chef is?

SABA
Who?

Ashley begins typing.

ASHLEY
My fucking d-

Suddenly, someone bangs on the door. Ashley opens it to Mia.

MIA
Hey, sorry. I just need to use—

She gestures at the toilet.

ASHLEY
Oh yeah, sorry, no worries.

Ashley pockets her phone. They scoot past each other. Ashley
heads back to Nicky.

14 INT. THE MADHOUSE/KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER 14

Nicky comes into the kitchen and catches sight of Ashley.

NICKY
Ay, Ash! Come help me set up some
tables for the fam.

Ash follows Nicky to an empty section in the restaurant.

NICKY
You spray down that table and I'll
do this one. I swear these little
busser shits don't do anything.

They spray and wipe down tables.

NICKY
These tables used to be at the
Ritz-Carlton before it closed down.
Got 'em for super cheap. They’re
really nice hand-me-downs.

ASHLEY
They are nice.

NICKY
So, you liking it here? Think
you’re gonna hang with us for a
while?
 13.

Before she can answer, Mia comes in.

MIA
How can I help with prep?

She sets up utensils and glassware while Ashley and Nicky

begin bringing food over.

The kitchen team prepares a variety of dishes for the family

meal.

NICKY
Start with these--baked ziti. MIA
you wait a few more minutes to take
out the roast chicken, and then pop
in some garlic bread. Amara, are
you almost done?

Ashley nods and takes the dish to the family table. Amara
combines unexpected ingredients, like mango puree for the
sizzling roast chicken. Leo and Mia watch her, puzzled.

Ashley returns to the kitchen as Mia turns to pull the

chicken out of the oven.

AMARA
Try this.

Amara offers Ashley a taste test of her mango puree on a

spoon, sweetly cupping her other hand under the spoon to
catch any potential drip.

ASHLEY
Oh wow.

AMARA
You know what I’m saying?

Amara offers Leo a clean spoon, raising her eyebrows. He

hesitates but takes the spoon, scooping up a small amount of
the puree. He tries it himself.

LEO
Banging.

Nicky walks by and hands Ashley something to bring to the

table. Amara forces some food into his mouth. His face
drops, almost angry, it's so delicious.

NICKY
Fuck me.

Ashley and Mia continue to bring family style dishes out to

the table, setting everything down along the centre.

MIA
Family’s up! Dinner is good to go!
 14.

15 INT. THE MADHOUSE/DINING AREA - MOMENTS LATER 15

The crew enters, grabbing plates. The spread looks

beautiful. They sit at the dining table, a mix of tired but
proud faces.

LEO
Pops, you cook the roast chicken?

AMARA
That was me. With Pops' recipe.
Mango puree over the top.

WAYNE
Seriously? Mango on chicken?

MIA
Hey, don’t knock it til you try it.

LEO
Pass the ketchup.

NICKY
Ketchup? On ziti? You're a heathen.

LEO
Hey, don't judge my choices.

They laugh, sharing jokes and compliments about the food.

Ashley stares out the window, lost in thought.

WAYNE
Hey Ash, want me to make you a
plate?

NICKY
(wolfs down his food)
Yeah, Ashley, you’ve been working
hard. Come grab a bite.

Unable to hold back her emotions, Ashley’s eyes well with

tears. She storms out of the room in a huff. The crew falls
silent.

Nicky moves to follow her, but Wayne holds out his hand.

WAYNE
I got this.

16 EXT. BACK ALLEY - MOMENTS LATER 16

Ashley vomits behind a dumpster and then takes a deep

breath. She leans against the wall. Wayne exits the
backdoor, handing her a cup of water. The tension is
palpable.

WAYNE
Want one?
 15.

Wayne offers Ashley a cigarette. Ashley stares at it.

ASHLEY (hesitant)
Fuck it, yeah. Thanks.

They share a quiet moment, smoking together.

ASHLEY
So, how long have you been here?

WAYNE
Long enough to see a lot of people
come and go.

ASHLEY
Guess it’s a tough place to stick
around.

Wayne doesn't respond immediately, taking a long drag

instead.

WAYNE
You know, Ashley, it’s okay. We
don’t have to talk about this now.

Ashley clenches her jaw, trying to hold back her anger.

ASHLEY
You couldn’t be there for me, but
you’re ‘Pops’ to everyone else? You
left Mom to handle everything on
her own. She had to be both parents
for me. And where were you? Hiding
in this kitchen, playing family
with strangers.

WAYNE
(sighs, looking genuinely
pained)
Fuck, okay. I don't know what you
want me to say. I know I fucked up.
I’ve been fucking up my whole life.

Ashley shakes her head, looking away from Wayne.

WAYNE (CONT'D)
This place... it’s like the family
I never had.

Ashley's eyes angrily dart to Wayne. He immediately regrets

the words he's used.

WAYNE (CONT'D)
No... I mean-

ASHLEY
(vitriol rising)
Family you never had?
(MORE)
 16.

ASHLEY (CONT'D)
What about the family you left
behind? Mom was killing herself
trying to keep everything together.
(Beat)
I grew up thinking I did something
wrong. That I wasn’t enough to keep
you around.

WAYNE
(struggling to find words)
Ashley, I...

ASHLEY
(cutting him off)
You what? You had your reasons?
Save it. You chose this place over
us. You chose to disappear.

WAYNE
(voice breaking)
I didn't feel like I had a choice.
I couldn’t handle the pressure, the
responsibility. But here, in this
fucking madhouse, I found a way to
make it work. They treat me like
family because I put in the work.
It’s the only place where I feel
like I matter.

ASHLEY
(tears streaming down her
face)
Do you hear yourself? You think
knowing that you’ve found your
purpose here while we were out
there struggling makes it better?
Mom busted her ass every single
day. She cried herself to sleep so
many nights, and you... you just
vanished. And now you want to play
the victim because you couldn't
handle being a dad?

Wayne rubs is head.

WAYNE
Ashley, it's more complicated than
that-

ASHLEY
My name is Ash.

WAYNE
Ash... I didn't expect to be in
this position. I didn't expect to
see you here, but now that you're
here, I want to make it up to you.
 17.

Wayne takes a half step towards Ashley.

WAYNE (CONT'D)
I know I can’t change the past. I
know I’ve been a fuck-up your
entire life. But we still have
time. We can still try to build
something... if you'll allow that.

Ashley stares at Wayne, her eyes filled with a mix of anger

and pain.

ASHLEY
(voice cold, detached)
I don’t think I can trust you. I
don’t know if I even want to.

Wayne nods slowly, absorbing her words.

WAYNE
I understand. Just... just know
that I’m here, and I’m not going
anywhere this time.

They sit in silence, the unresolved tension hanging heavy in

the air. Nicky opens the door, interrupting the moment.

NICKY
What up team, we good?

WAYNE
Yeah man, everything's good.

Ashley masks her emotions and heads inside. The kitchen is

winding down. Ashley begins helping to clean up, scrubbing
counters and wiping down surfaces.

17 INT. KITCHEN - EVENING 17

Nicky is busy organizing the station, checking the schedule

for the next day. Ashley approaches him, taking off her
apron and folding it neatly.

ASHLEY
Sorry... I didn't mean to storm out
like that. I was just feeling-

NICKY
No problem. First days can be
rough. You were sick.

ASHLEY
Thanks.

Nicky nods and returns to his tasks. Ashley heads to the

back area where her co-workers are wrapping up their own
duties.
 18.

Ashley approaches Leo, who is stacking plates.

ASHLEY
Hey, Leo. Really nice meeting you.

LEO
No problem. See you tomorrow?

ASHLEY
See ya.

She moves toward the exit past Mia, who is putting away
utensils.

ASHLEY
Mia, thanks for helping set up.

MIA
Anytime. Welcome to the madhouse.
See you bright and early?

Ashley gives her a pained smile. Finally, she walks past

Amara, who is wiping down the prep stations.

ASHLEY
Night, Amara. That mango puree was
something else.

AMARA
Glad you liked it. Tomorrow we try
dragonfruit.

ASHLEY
What was the name of that book you
like?

AMARA
Oh! Larousse Gastronomique! It's so
worth it, don't listen to that old
man.

Ashley gives a half laugh and raises her hand goodbye.

She turns to leave and makes eye contact with Wayne, who is
finishing up a sauce at the stove. They both pause for a
moment.

WAYNE
Ay, good work today.

ASHLEY
(hesitant)
Yeah, sure.

They nod awkwardly, the tension between them still palpable

but slightly eased.

With that, Ashley heads out of the kitchen through the back
alley, leaving her apron on a hook by the door.
 19.

She steps outside, taking a deep breath as she exits the

building. The evening air is cool and refreshing, a stark
contrast to the heat and chaos of the kitchen.

18 INT. STUDIO APARTMENT - NIGHT 18

The small, cluttered room looks cleaner than before.

Ashley and Saba lay in bed, Saba's head resting on Ashley's

chest.

SABA
Holy shit, your dad!?

ASHLEY
I literally couldn't believe it.

SABA
You really left me hanging on that
one, like, "Guess who the chef is?"
A fucking axe murderer and now
you're dead?

Ashley laughs.

SABA (CONT'D)()
No, but seriously, I immediately
had that weird feeling in my gut.
(Beat)
So what did you do?

ASHLEY
I mean, fuck, what could I do? I
sort of just stuck it out,
pretended we just met. It was one
of those damned if you do, damned
if you don't type of deals.

SABA
So did you guys, like, talk though?

ASHLEY
Uh, sort of? I don't even know how
to describe it. We were smoking-

SABA
(half serious)
Smoking? I thought you were
quitting.

ASHLEY
Ugh, I know... but-

SABA
I'm kidding, go on.

ASHLEY
No, you're right. I should quit.
 20.

Ashley gets quiet for a moment.

ASHLEY (CONT'D)
You know what, the whole vibe of
the place is like this weird...
dynamic, like you already know
you're about to get exploited when
they say they're "a family", but
then I have my real family there,
or I mean, my biological family or
whatever, and that's even more of a
red flag.

SABA
It's so cheap to use the family
card, especially when everyone is
there to earn a living.
(beat)
So, what did you talk about?

ASHLEY
(pauses, processing her
thoughts)
It's all kind of a blur. I
initially ran outside because I
needed to yack, and for a while I
felt like I couldn't let it out.
Then afterwards, I felt lightweight
and empty, and my ears were
ringing.

SABA
(softly)
Did you ask him anything?

ASHLEY
(nods slightly)
I just kinda asked him why, you
know? I hadn't seen his face
outside of pictures in so long, so
I was having a hard time even
believing I was standing in front
of him. I wanted to beat his ass,
but he also looked... worn. Part of
me just felt bad for him. Then I
felt bad for myself because I'm
standing there right next to him.
Hell, we smoke the same damn
cigarette brand, and it made me
scared.

SABA
Did he mention how long he's been
working there? So crazy you've been
so close, yet so far for so long.
 21.

ASHLEY
I know, it's always felt like that
too, like I would bump into him one
day. The kid version of me would
have loved to see my dad. But
now... it's complicated. I always
thought he left because he didn’t
care, but seeing him there, working
his ass off... I don't know, maybe
he was telling the truth and just
couldn’t handle it.

SABA
(holding Ashley’s hand)
It’s okay to feel that way, but
don't speak for him. He made his
decisions and you don't need to
come up with answers on his behalf.

ASHLEY
(softly)
I know... It just got me thinking
like... maybe the apple doesn't
fall too far from the tree. If my
dad could forget about me because
of something like The Madhouse,
what will I do when I find my
passion?

Beat.

SABA
Ash, you are not your dad.

ASHLEY
It's just scary. I like the people,
the food is good, and the menu is
interesting. I like the job--I need
the job. If it were any other
place, it wouldn't be so... weird,
but-

SABA
Wait, are you going to keep working
there?

Ashley doesn’t answer immediately. She looks over to the

photograph of her and her mom on the nightstand.

SABA
Ash? You're going back?

Before Ash can answer, the cat meows outside the window,
crawling along ledge, breaking the moment once again.

They both look over to the window. Ash smiles and then
squeezes Saba closer, her answer hanging in the air.

The cat meows.

 22.

FADE OUT.