Bread Basket

(to Camera)

Nia: I come here every Friday. Just for the bread. Best bread in town. CHEF MICHAEL, 40s, sits across from her, agitated. Nia holds up a finger to camera as if to say “one sec.”

(turns to Chef)

Nia: Can I help you?

Chef Michael: Can I help you?!

Nia: Maybe? How were you thinking?

Chef Michael: You came in here yesterday, right?

Nia: Yes?

Chef Michael: And last week too.

Nia: I come here every Friday.

Chef Michael: Did you not like the service?

Nia: Is that a trick question?

Chef Michael: You come in here, once a week, for months. You eat my bread. But only the bread. You don’t order anything else, besides a drink, and you don’t tip!

Nia: This is starting to get weird. Gimme a sec. First of all, I do tip.

(to Camera)

Nia: 2. I order a drink, usually lemonade, a dollar 50. Bread is free. I leave 45 cents on top. That’s a 30% tip I’ll have you know. It really is. Nia turns back to Chef.

Chef Michael: $1.95 total and you put it on credit card! It doesn’t even cover my minimum. And bread. Is not. Free! I make my bread from scratch. Every day! (takes her bread basket away) From now on, bread is not free!

(to Chef)

Nia: Some people... Am I right? Look, Chef...

Chef Michael: Michael.

Nia: Ooo, that’s a handsome name. Michael gets flattered, taken aback.

Nia: I come here for the bread. It’s not free. I pay 45 cents for it. It’s delicious. It’s heaven. It’s why I come here. It is my Friday. Don’t take that away. You know the only thing that’s missing?

Chef Michael: What’s that?

(flirting)

Nia: Someone to share it with. Chef sits a little straighter, at a loss for words.

Chef Michael: Well, I... suppose it’s - it is just bread.

Chef Michael: 3. It’s nice to have someone to share it with. Someone who appreciates it -

(flirting)

Nia: Oh, I do. Chef smiles big and puts the bread in the middle. He takes a bite while smiling right at her.

(to Camera)

Nia: Okay, I don’t come here just for the bread. Nia takes a bite of bread too and smiles at Chef.