LINCOLN, MADISON, REAGAN, SAM, ADAM, and CHASE are about to walk into Lorenzo’s Kitchen by SugarCity when LINCOLN notices a sign.
LINCOLN
Do you all see that? SugarCity Presents Lorenzo’s Kitchen by SugarCity?
SAM
Sounds lengthy.
ADAM
Also sounds like Lorenzo’s losing control.
CHASE
Pretty soon it’s just going to be SugarCity’s Kitchen at this rate.
MADISON
Don’t even say it.
They all walk inside the restaurant. LORENZO walks up to them.
LORENZO
Welcome to SugarCity Presents Lorenzo’s Kitchen by SugarCity!
REAGAN
You’re okay with this?
LORENZO
Just some experimentation.
CHASE
Big word!
LORENZO
Thank you.
ADAM sees HARRY out of the corner of his eye.
ADAM
What is Harry wearing?
LORENZO
Clothes.
LORENZO looks over to HARRY.
LORENZO
Yeah, clothes.
SAM
Looks like a dumb uniform to me.
HARRY runs over to the group.
HARRY
What’s not to love about this uniform? Other than green being my least favorite color, the candy designs looking stupid, and SugarCity emphasized way more than Lorenzo’s Kitchen?
LORENZO
Mine’s coming soon.
HARRY
Yeah, Lorenzo got the size they make for people after they eat too much SugarCity candy.
MADISON
I’m sure we’ll get used to the new uniforms. Let’s just go about our day as if they don’t exist.
HARRY
That’s what I’m telling myself. Hasn’t worked so far.
FRED walks over to the group.
FRED
Howdy! Like the new uniforms?
After a long silence:
FRED
I take it that’s a no. You’ll get used to them.
LINCOLN
They don’t scream Lorenzo’s Kitchen to me.
FRED
Me neither. This is SugarCity Presents Lorenzo’s Kitchen by SugarCity. The top executives at SugarCity have ordered a greater integration of SugarCity into Lorenzo’s Kitchen for optimal profit.
ADAM
Optimal profit can’t be hit unless you give restaurant goers a product they enjoy.
FRED
Our research department found this design to be best with focus groups.
REAGAN
Consider us the focus group that hates them.
FRED
As I said, you’ll get used to them. Go about your day now.
FRED walks away.
LINCOLN
Is it me, or has Fred gotten more controlling?
HARRY
It’s not you.
LORENZO
I get it. SugarCity is a business and he wants the best for Lorenzo’s Kitchen.
REAGAN
No, he wants the best for SugarCity. It’s just convenient for you that this venture is working. But make too many changes and you lose customers.
LORENZO
I’m just gonna play along. I sold the restaurant to SugarCity, after all. Let’s head on over to the bar.
Everyone starts walking.
MADISON
Uh...Lorenzo?
LORENZO
Yes?
MADISON
What are those decorations?
LORENZO
The sports memory!
LINCOLN
The other ones.
LORENZO
Stuff from SugarCity about their history and whatnot.
SAM
Seems like an awful lot of stuff.
LORENZO
It is. But Fred says this is what’s best for SugarCity.
CHASE
What about what’s best for Lorenzo’s Kitchen?
LORENZO
What Fred says, goes. Whether I like it or not.
REAGAN
Is that what Fred told you?
LORENZO
Yes.
LINCOLN
Lorenzo, I don’t like the direction this place is headed. Let SugarCity take over everything and next thing you know you’re going out of business!
LORENZO
They may seem like stupid changes right now, but...wow, you’re right. What do I do?
ADAM
Talk to Fred about it.
LORENZO walks over to FRED.
LORENZO
Hey Fred. I have issues with these uniforms and the stuff on the walls. In fact, everyone at the bar does too.
FRED
They can leave if they don’t like it. This is what SugarCity wants.
LORENZO
Be honest, do you like this?
FRED
Well...actually, no, I don’t. But I’m employed by SugarCity, so for the sake of my job, I love the changes. Including ditching the regular menu for a day soon. Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s closing time.
LORENZO
Right. I’ll see you later.