TITLE: THE CATERING CRISIS
INT. COMMUNITY HALL KITCHEN – AFTERNOON
A busy wedding reception is about to begin.
In the kitchen, four teenagers in aprons stand around an empty table.
SOPHIE – organised, trying to stay calm.
JESS – sarcastic, practical.
MAYA – anxious.
TARA – overly optimistic.
Outside the kitchen door we hear wedding guests arriving.
The table in front of them is completely empty.
Maya checks her watch.
MAYA
The wedding starts in fifteen minutes.
Jess opens the fridge.
It's empty.
JESS
Well… good news.
The others look at her hopefully.
JESS (CONT'D)
The fridge works.
MAYA
There's nothing in it!
Sophie checks her phone again.
SOPHIE
The delivery truck should be here.
TARA
What did they say?
Sophie reads the message.
SOPHIE
“Running slightly late.”
Maya opens another cupboard. Also empty.
MAYA
Slightly late?!
Jess opens a box.
Empty.
JESS
We are a catering company… without catering.
Tara tries to stay positive.
TARA
But technically we are still a company.
No one responds.
Outside we hear laughter and music beginning.
Maya peeks out the window.
MAYA
People are arriving.
Jess leans against the counter.
JESS
Maybe they won't be hungry.
The girls stare at her.
JESS (CONT'D)
I'm trying to help.
Sophie starts pacing.
SOPHIE
Okay. Think.
She opens every cupboard quickly.
Nothing.
MAYA
This is a disaster.
TARA
What if we cook something?
Jess gestures around.
JESS
With what?
Tara checks the pantry again.
TARA
We have… salt.
A beat.
JESS
Excellent. We'll serve seasoned air.
Sophie suddenly stops pacing.
SOPHIE
Call the delivery company.
Maya dials quickly.
Everyone waits.
MAYA (on phone)
Hi, this is the catering order for the Harris wedding…
She listens.
Her face slowly drops.
MAYA (CONT'D)
You what?
The others lean closer.
MAYA (CONT'D)
You delivered it… where?
Silence.
She hangs up slowly.
JESS
Please don't say Antarctica.
MAYA
Another wedding. The girls stare at her.
TARA
Another wedding?
MAYA
Across town.
Jess sighs.
JESS
So someone else is enjoying our chicken.
Outside the door a voice calls:
VOICE (O.S.)
Catering? Are we ready to serve?
The girls freeze.
Sophie straightens her apron.
SOPHIE Okay.
The others wait.
SOPHIE (CONT'D) New plan.
JESS
Please tell me this plan involves food.
Sophie opens the kitchen door.
The girls step out toward the reception.
SOPHIE We stall.
They walk out.