INT. BREAK ROOM – DAY 6

Craig is sitting at the table. He flips to the last page of his notebook.

CRAIG

Are you ready for our final fixer-upper?

Trevor brings over a tray holding a plate of chilly fries and soup.

TREVOR

Royal Menu Taste Testing is now underway. Here is our first choice.

He sits the fries in front of Craig.

CRAIG

Looks good. Smells good. But does it taste good?

He tries a couple. Immediately regrets it.

CRAIG

Hot! Hot!

TREVOR

Those are super, spicy chilly fries. Though, I think they could use a little more kick.

Craig frantically searches for something to wash it down with. He reaches for the bowl of soup and takes a big gulp. He spits it out.

CRAIG

What is that?

TREVOR

Brussels sprout chowder. It's for the non-meat eaters.

Craig grabs a bunch of napkins and scraps off his tongue. He dumps them in the trash.

CRAIG

You're going about this the wrong way. People enjoy simple with a hint of something extra.

Trevor collapses into a chair.

TREVOR

I'm all out of options. Maybe we should forget the whole thing.

CRAIG

We are not quitters. Let's just work with what we have.

He writes in his notebook.

CRAIG (CONT'D)

Instead of super, spicy chili fries, we can serve regular chili fries. And instead of Brussels sprout chowder, a nice salad?

Trevor nods while enjoying the fries, which don't affect him at all.

TREVOR

That is why you would make a great assistant manager one day.

CRAIG

Is that an offer?

TREVOR

No. You're way too young

CRAIG

But...Nevermind.

TREVOR

However, I can offer you my burger if you want. I don't think I have any room left.

He takes his burger out of his lunch bag and hands it to Craig. Craig bites into it. He drops his pen.

CRAIG

Where'd you get this?

TREVOR

It's my grandma's recipe. She used to make it for me all the time until she taught me how to make it myself so I'd stop being a pest.

CRAIG

Do you think she would mind us using the recipe for the theater?

Trevor grins, his face covered in chili sauce.

TREVOR

I don't see why not.

CRAIG

Then our Royal Menu is complete.

He lifts the burger ceremoniously into the air.

CRAIG (CONT'D)

Say hello to the Royal Burger.

INT. FOYER – LATER

Luke stalks down the lobby, snarling at everyone he passes by. A patron approaches him.

INNOCENT PATRON

Could you help me?

Luke attempts to keep the frown on his face, but he's struggling against the kindness of his heart.

LUKE

Abort. Abort!

He runs away.

INT. TICKET TAKING-LINE – CONTINUOUS

Derek stands at the front of the line, the picture of apathy. He snatches a patron's ticket, rips it sloppily and throws it back. The patron is appalled. Derek scowls.

DEREK

Is there a problem?

The patron shakes his head and hurries off.

DEREK

Break time.

He walks away and bumps into Luke. Luke scowls.

LUKE

You didn't say excuse me.

Derek stops and turns to face him.

DEREK

That's because I didn't feel like being excused.

A few feet away, Craig and Trevor watch the scene unfold.

CRAIG

Man. Why is everyone so mean today?

He waits for Trevor to recite his line. He nudges him.

TREVOR

Oh. It's because I fired Daisy. Daisy was so nice. She made the Royal Cinema a happy place. But now that she's gone, happiness has left the building.

Craig discreetly gives him the okay sign.

LUKE

You think you can just bump (bumps into Derek) into people whenever you want?

DEREK

I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. And right now, I don't want to put up with this anymore. I quit.

LUKE

Not if I quit first!

Lovesick Patron jumps out of the crowd.

LOVESICK PATRON

No!

She runs up to Luke and hugs his waist.

LOVESICK PATRON (CONT'D)

You can't quit. I don't care if Daisy stays just as long as I have you, Luke.

LUKE

It was you? You've been threatening the Royal Cinema?

LOVESICK PATRON

Yes. The day we met, I fell in love with you. I thought we'd be together forever. Then I saw you kissing Daisy in the box office. I was heartbroken.

DEREK

I'd like to hear this story myself.

LUKE

We didn't kiss. We were looking for tape when she tripped and fell into my arms—Oh, I can see how that looks bad.

LOVESICK PATRON

Oops. Looks like this was just a big misunderstanding, not a love triangle. I guess this means you can bring her back, right?

Daisy emerges from the crowd.

DAISY

I never left.

TREVOR

Security, take this girl away. She is band from this day forward. (snickering) I've always wanted to say that.

Two security guards each grab an arm and escort Lovesick Patron away.

LOVESICK PATRON

I will always love you, Luke. Our love shall never cease, dusk or daylight.

She and the security guards exit.

LUKE

She was such a nice girl. But I will still be discarding her heart card from my trophy wall.

DAISY

Thank you, guys, for standing up for me. (to Derek) And you.

She kisses him on the cheek.

DAISY (CONT'D)

Thanks for being a great friend.

DEREK

Maybe you should get fired more often.

Among the crowd, Pirate Patron thrusts his fake sword in the air.

PIRATE PATRON

To the plank, me say! (on looks) Sorry. I really can't get enough of that movie.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO