House of Spoils (2024) Movie Script
[flames crackling]
[woman whispering low, indistinctly]
[low, indistinct whispering continues]
[mysterious music playing]
[low, indistinct whispering continues]
[whimpering]
[flames crackling]
[low, indistinct whispering continues]
[woman] Feed the soil. Feed the soil.
[women joining in] Feed the soil.
Feed the soil. Feed the soil.
- [gasping]
- Feed the soil.
Feed the soil. Feed the soil.
- [grunting]
- Feed the soil.
- [choking]
- Feed the soil. Feed...
[sizzling]
[overlapping chatter]
[Marcello] New order, table ten.
Three duck, two scallop, one cod.
[overlapping chatter]
[Marcello] New order, table two.
Two beef, two lobster, two duck.
Two beef, two lobster,
two duck.
Let's go.
[sizzling]
[Marcello] Jesus Christ.
What is this, amateur hour?
Where's my runner?
- Fifteen seconds. Zeb, let's go.
- [claps hands]
- [Zeb] Yes, Chef.
- [Marcello] I'm not interested
in your self-expression.
Clean this up.
[server] One of those ducks for ten
is changing to a cod.
I'm just putting it in...
[Marcello] Are you fucking
serious, culero?
Did you hear that?
Two duck, two scallop, two cod for ten.
This filet's about to look so sexy
you gonna leave your wife.
Would you fuck this filet, Feder?
- Oh, hell yeah.
- Hell yeah.
That's how it's done, people.
Watch and learn.
[ambient music playing]
[Marcello] Cooking excellent food.
You need the best ingredients,
mastery of classic technique.
That's a given.
But to be a chef,
you gotta love the taste of blood.
You gotta love the fight.
[exhales]
[men laughing]
[Marcello] That's why I named
my restaurant Taurus.
God is the bull, so I remember
not just to cook with my head
but with my balls.
[men laughing]
[man] Marcello Ricci, what a legend.
Have a charmed evening, gentlemen.
- Evening.
- [man] Good evening.
Come here. Have a drink.
What is it?
Look...
I want to start by thanking you.
The last seven years
have been an invaluable
- learning experience for me and...
- Jesus Christ.
You're leaving.
To where?
Menza?
You better not say Menza.
I'll kill Jasper.
- No.
- You're screwing me if you leave.
[breathes deeply]
So I'll double your salary.
You'd pay me that much?
Take a load off.
You're rich now. Be happy already.
I'm leaving to be head chef
at my own restaurant.
We have a beautiful site upstate.
"We"?
The restauranteur I'm partnering with,
Andreas Soltani.
Does this Andreas know how hard you worked
to get a spot in my kitchen?
What you're throwing away?
Why?
'Cause this is your dream?
No, no. Jesus, stop.
When everything falls apart,
which it most certainly will,
you've nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.
You're left with just you
and your choices.
You're a soldier, you've got skills,
but come on, kid.
You're not a boss.
I have to.
It's important to me
to leave on good terms.
I'll give you two weeks
and find you someone amazing.
Don't bother.
[ambient music playing]
[horns honking]
[upbeat music playing]
[vocalizing]
[vocalizing continues]
[vocalizing continues]
[music ends]
[wind whistling quietly]
[door creaking]
- [door slams open]
- [gasps]
- [wind blowing]
- [chimes tinkling]
[leaves rustling]
[birds chirping]
[leaves rustling]
[twig snaps]
[breathy sighing]
[birds chirping]
[breathy whispering]
- [horn honking in distance]
- [gasps]
[honking continues]
- [horn honking]
- Hey, city girl.
Where the hell you learn to park?
- No, I'm not talking to you, bro.
- [hip-hop music playing over speakers]
- [vehicle door opens, closes]
- I gotta go, dude.
[laughs] Yeah, I'll talk to you later.
[music continues playing]
It's all yours, baby.
How's it looking?
As nasty as I remember it?
It's even worse.
Don't expect me to do any scrubbing,
but, uh, how about we celebrate?
- Now?
- Right now.
Let's go.
It was a bitch to get a reservation
last-minute,
but I go way back with my boy Erik.
Uh, you're friends with Erik Haas?
Andreas Soltani. We're early.
You've been here before, right?
No, I haven't had a day off
in seven years.
[Andreas chuckles]
We ready?
- Yeah, we can learn a lot from this place.
- Yeah.
You know, small dining room,
nowheresville location.
They've shown that people will show up to
a high-end destination dining experience.
- Mm.
- We need to build some serious buzz,
some primo press,
and we gotta make you the next big thing.
Marcello Ricci's protge.
You know, I've got multiple sources
calling you that.
I do my homework.
- Look, the way I see it...
- Mm.
...we're asking people to go on a journey
just to get to our restaurant,
so we need to earn that.
I'm thinking downtown attitude,
- like Maman's or Frutta.
- Mm.
Everything is legit.
Sophisticated, first-motherfucking-class.
- Prestige for days.
- Mm.
Dominique Crenn meets
The Infatuation's wet dream.
- Mm.
- Wild. Feminine.
Feminine?
Yeah. You know.
Sexy ingredients that Hansel and Gretel
forage in the backyard.
- [chuckles]
- Harvested from our own bespoke garden.
Well, you have to leave that
to your old lady gardener.
- Huh?
- Boy, I'm from Newark.
I don't know shit about gardening.
And I'm a broke kid from Philly,
but look at us fucking now.
So... why did your other chef back out?
You know, did he get a better gig?
Magnus? Y-Yeah.
Yeah, something like that.
Magnus Sommerlatt?
Why, you know him?
No, I'm just a fan.
Crazy.
- Magnus Sommerlatt was your chef?
- Yeah.
- Sh...
- Pretty crazy.
[hostess] Mr. Soltani,
the rest of your party has arrived.
[Andreas] All right.
Shall we?
Ciao, bella.
[woman] Just a "quick bite
at your friend's place"?
- [laughing] You're a cocky bastard.
- [both kissing]
Hey, now, don't hate the player.
Lucia, let me introduce you
to the next big thing.
I've heard so much about you.
[server] Grilled oyster
with spiced green salsa and sea grapes
served with a spoon of herbed snail.
[upbeat music playing]
Just-cooked white asparagus
in a chanterelle broth
with smoked egg yolk emulsion.
- Mmm.
- Mmm.
It's earthy.
[server] Salt-cured duck
with a roasted chestnut,
black garlic rock, ant and mushroom oil.
[Erik] What, more wives?
[chuckles] I'm joking with you.
Yes.
[patrons] Chef Erik!
[Erik] Welcome, guys.
All right, I have to go powder my nose.
[Andreas ] Ooh, powder powder?
No, jackass. I have to pee.
[Andreas] Hey, what do you think of her?
What about her?
I know you probably want to bring
your own sous, but...
That girl's a sous-chef?
Yeah, I met her at March.
Killer rsum.
You're gonna love her.
I was hoping you'd roll with it,
but if it's too much, it's...
I didn't say that.
Hey, how about some shots?
Yes!
- Oh, my gosh, pechuga.
- On the house.
- [Lucia] Oh!
- Oh, my God.
[Lucia and Andreas exclaiming]
- [Lucia] Thank you.
- [Erik] Of course.
Okay, toast, toast, toast,
toast, toast, toast.
To doing the craziest,
dumbest thing in the world.
- Opening a restaurant.
- [Lucia squeals]
- [Erik] Skoal.
- [others] Skoal.
[Lucia] Oh, God.
[Erik groans]
- [Andreas] Yeah.
- [glasses set on table]
[Andreas] Ooh.
[Lucia] No way.
- [Lucia] What a meal.
- [Lucia and Andreas laughing]
- [Andreas] Oh, my.
- [Lucia] Yeah.
- Hey, Dre.
- Yeah.
What do you say
we give her a trial run, huh?
- Ooh, baby.
- Really?
Yeah, I mean, fuck it. Go ahead
and come in when the kitchen's up.
Thank you. I really appreciate it.
All right, here we go.
Hey, are you free on Sunday?
Our investor, he wants to meet you.
- Sample some of your, uh, menu ideas.
- Thank you.
[stammers] Yeah.
You-you can handle a meal, right?
- Oh, yeah, no problem.
- Okay.
Oh, can I help?
I got this one, but th-thank you.
Hey, Siri, confirm dinner with Toli.
I got you an Uber, okay?
This way, my love.
[door opening]
Thank you.
- [ambient music playing]
- [door closing]
Ciao, bella.
- [distant thunder rumbling]
- [door opening]
[door closing]
[thunder crashing]
[ambient music continues]
[matches rattling]
[pills rattling]
[scoffs]
[thump, creaking]
[creaking, thumping]
[sets down book]
[creaking continues]
[rain falling]
[thunder rumbling]
Hello?
[creaking continues]
[creaking continues]
[quiet scurrying]
[door creaking]
[floorboards creaking]
[ambient music playing]
Hmm.
[window rattling]
Ow.
- [rain falling]
- [sighs]
[wind howling]
[thunder rumbling]
[sighs]
[thunder crashing]
[sighs]
- [birds chirping]
- [floorboards creaking]
Shit.
Local kid.
- Alvin, right?
- Yeah.
Alvin, great. Okay, let's get to work.
[ambient music playing]
[music stops]
[woman over video] Hi, and welcome
to Gardening 101.
And what better place to start
than with your soil.
[Chef] Yeah, no,
I'm finding the best vendors.
I mean, this incredible
little seafood market.
But the best stuff is gonna come
from our veggie garden.
[Andreas over phone] The garden
that Magnus left?
Fully functioning.
Well, look at you.
A regular Barefoot Contessa.
You're hilarious.
[operatic aria playing]
Hmm.
[aria continues in French]
[crickets chirping]
[leaves rustling]
[aria fades]
[birds chirping]
[breathes deeply]
[scurrying]
Oh, fuck.
[Chef screams] Fuck me!
Damn it.
[yelping scream]
[Chef] Dre, we need to cancel tonight.
[Andreas over phone] What? No.
No, this place has an infestation problem,
and you needed
an exterminator here yesterday.
[intriguing music playing]
Oh, my God. Oh, my...
Fucking kidding me?
Oh, my God.
No, no, no, no.
[shakily] No.
Motherfucker.
- We need to move it. Right?
- [Andreas over phone] No.
It's too la... Toli already drove upstate.
He's a big fan of Marcello,
so just lean into what you know.
You said you can handle it.
[Chef inhales deeply]
Okay, yeah, no problem.
- [sighs]
- [crunching nearby]
Okay, now, here's the address of a place
with really good seafood.
Ask for Victor,
and then please show him the list.
Now, on the same street,
there should be a boutique grocer
that has everything else.
Uh, look for a guy, mustache,
Dusty, Rusty, something.
Tell him we only want the best.
You got it.
What's "proskyeto"?
Prosciutto?
Oh.
Use the list!
[Alvin sighs]
[vehicle approaching,
rock music playing over speakers]
[music stops]
There you are. Let me help you
because I gotta get this broth going
and... What is that?
Um, both spots are closed Sundays.
I tried to call, but my phone died.
I got everything, though.
Um, except they didn't have any monkfish,
so I got chicken instead.
[contemplative music playing]
Make it work. That's what we're doing,
we're making it work.
[Andreas] As you can tell, we're still
getting everything up and running.
All these pieces up here,
th-that all needs a finish.
Uh, come this way.
- Come. You're gonna love this dining room.
- [Lucia] Oh.
[Andreas] You, too, Chef Erik.
- It's really nice.
- [Lucia] Yeah.
- [Lucia laughs] A little creepy.
- [whispering] Oh, fuck a duck.
- [Erik] So, you hope to work here?
- [Lucia] Tomorrow.
[sighs]
[breathes deeply]
[Chef] We have a deconstructed
Caesar salad
with herb-roasted chicken
and grilled Little Gem lettuce.
Enjoy.
A good meal for my eyeballs.
- [Lucia] Mmm.
- Mm-hmm.
Nice. The chicken's so tender.
- [Lucia laughs]
- [Erik] But maybe, mm...
- The anchovies, right?
- Mm.
[Erik] Exactly.
It's a little bit, uh, over toppen.
But... still great balance. [chuckles]
[contemplative music playing]
Good croutons.
[crunching]
[sighs]
[sniffs, sighs]
[Chef] We have a caramelized onion soup
with charred shallots and onion foam,
served with a roasted almond pastry.
[crunching]
Mmm.
[sighing] Okay.
[chuckles]
We have a squid ink risotto
with calamari and saffron aioli.
[Andreas chuckles]
[squelching]
[suspenseful music playing]
[Andreas] Mm.
[Lucia] Love the saffron color.
Really nice.
[Erik] Mm.
[clears throat]
It was hot.
I'll get you another spoon.
You know, it just...
The-the spoon can get very hot.
[Andreas] What was that all about?
Look, I thought I saw...
You know what, never mind.
Well, just lay off the caffeine, okay?
Come, say hello. Come on.
I, uh, licked my plate clean.
But Hiral has a few thoughts.
Hiral Sen.
Nice to meet you.
Umi's Feast. I read your blog.
Do I smell a sneak peek
buzz piece in the works?
Um, I have a policy for friends.
If I don't have anything nice to say,
I don't write.
Well, we're not friends...
so, please, share.
The food felt safe.
Like you were checking off prestige boxes.
Fancy but derivative.
No risk. No soul.
Simply put, there was no voice.
Well, we had some setbacks tonight,
but we are still working out the kinks.
I'm sorry.
Best of luck.
[tense music playing]
[mouthing]
I told you we should reschedule tonight.
Look, there is something very wrong
with this place.
- You have...
- You are the chef.
This is on you.
[birds twittering]
[tense music playing]
[munching]
[exhales] Furry vermin.
You eat my tomatoes, and I will end you.
[music fades]
[crickets chirping]
[leaves rustling]
[sniffing]
[eerie music playing]
[grunts]
-
- [crickets chirping]
Ugh.
[grunts]
[metallic ringing]
[woman whispering indistinctly]
[indistinct whispering continues]
[indistinct whispering continues]
[whispers] Feed the soil.
[grunting]
- [knocking on door]
- [Lucia] Chef?
[knocking continues]
Oh, there you are.
Andreas wants to... talk.
What... happened to you?
I just...
Tell him I'll be right there.
[door closes]
No, I hear that, I hear that.
[Chef] Hey.
Okay.
All right, yeah.
Bye.
What is this about?
Toli wants me to look at some other chefs.
Mm-mm.
No way.
One impromptu dinner
and I'm getting hosed?
Toli liked it.
Before Hiral got in his head,
- he was gobbling it up...
- It doesn't matter.
Daddy Warbucks calls the shots.
Did you pull this shit with Magnus, too?
Is that why he left?
Call Marcello.
Maybe he'll give you your job back.
Give me two weeks!
Two weeks, no salary,
and I'll deliver a killer menu.
Andreas, I am all in here.
I want to make this menu so goddamn
incredible, and I know I can deliver.
Look, you want original?
I haven't even scratched the surface yet.
[engine starting]
I gave up everything...
my apartment, my job.
You owe me this.
[scoffs]
[sighs]
Two weeks, and you better
knock my socks off, you hear me?
[sighs]
[exhales]
- [Chef exhales]
- [Lucia] Hey.
Um, so I was thinking
about what Hiral said.
And obviously I have a ton of ideas,
but, you know, I'm sure you do, too.
Anyway, I'm just excited to riff,
you know?
[distantly] I'm kind of a nerd
for anything cutting-edge,
- so just here to be a resource. [laughs]
- [Chef] Mm.
[normal voice] Oh, curious,
what's your take on potato milk?
My take?
[laughs] I called up
some of the restaurants
on your bogus rsum, and I can tell you
three years at cold station
is a world away from sous-chef.
[stammering] Did you call March?
Okay, call them, 'cause I-I can do
the job, swear to God.
Those other pricks never let me
out of salads, all right?
Stupid big swinging dick club.
Welcome to my big swinging dick club.
You want the sous position, earn it.
Start by making me a decent espresso.
Yes, Chef.
[ticking]
[tense music playing]
[sighs]
[knife continues chopping]
[chopping grows louder]
Your knife skills need work.
[chopping continues]
You should know your knife so well
that you can cut blind.
Okay, I get it.
Okay, no, chill. Seriously, I-I...
I'll just do it again, okay?
[screams]
[chuckles] Not that its gonna make you
a better chef,
but it's a great way to scare off
line cooks
who think they can waltz their way
into a high-level sous position.
[chuckling]
Fuck this macho posturing.
- [scoffs]
- What are you trying to prove?
[ambient music playing]
[crickets chirping]
[ticking]
[ticking rapidly]
[music fades]
[gasps]
[quietly] Fuck.
Tastes like fucking baby food.
[metallic banging]
[banging loudly]
[yells]
[plates clatter]
[exhales heavily]
[groans]
[breathes deeply]
[intriguing music playing]
[groans quietly]
[laughs quietly]
Fuck a duck.
[birds chirping]
[gates clang against wall]
[birds chirping]
[sighs, sniffs]
[grunts]
[sniffing]
[grunts]
[munching]
- [light music playing]
- [birds chirping]
[light music continues
with melodic vocalizing]
[moans]
Mm-hmm.
Mmm.
- [retching]
- [music stops]
[coughs]
[sighs]
Oh, no.
[shivering yelp] Oh, my God.
[wet flatulence]
- [splatting]
- Fuck.
Friend or foe?
[breathes deeply]
[ambient music playing]
[sighs]
[sniffs]
[crunching]
[birds chirping]
[sniffing]
[door creaking]
[pages turning]
[Chef] What do you know about
the previous owner of this place?
We pay rent to a property manager
in Cincinnati.
He got it off some auction. Why?
Just curious.
This place is sort of becoming my muse.
- Your muse?
- Mm.
Well, just a reminder
your two weeks are almost up.
Soon.
I'm onto something.
[ambient music continues playing]
[Lucia] Wow.
I've never seen greens like these.
Are they mizuna?
Yeah.
Which farm?
Uh, it's a new vendor.
Sarah.
Sarah's farm.
- Woman-owned business.
- [sets down pot]
Excellent.
Yeah, she's, um...
She's kind of a visionary.
She, um... hybridizing plants and...
experimenting with new garden technique.
Kind of inspiring.
I can tell.
[ambient music playing]
[sizzling]
[grinding]
[sniffing]
[liquid sloshing]
- You want me to try this?
- Yes.
Go ahead.
[sniffing]
[Lucia breathes deeply]
Mmm.
It's so rich.
[laughs softly]
Yes, but it needs something to ground it.
- You know, like, uh...
- A sourdough?
- Yeah!
- Mm-hmm.
Wait, that's perfect.
You know, 'cause you don't want
to neutralize that funk.
Well, we can make some funky bread.
[Chef laughs]
- Mm. Mm, oh, we're in it now.
- Yeah.
[Lucia] Pepper it in.
Look, I know we said we made this
for the stew, but my gut is telling me...
Serve it alone?
- Exactly.
- Mm.
No, the mold bread is its own thing.
[Lucia] This is a real showstopper.
- [Chef] Mmm.
- Mmm!
But it's still a little stuffy.
- I want to invite people to mess it up.
- Right.
What if this is the problem?
[metallic banging]
[ambient music playing]
[birds chirping]
[buzzing]
- We're still using technique...
- Right.
- ...but, uh, we're not afraid of simple.
- Right.
You know, we listen to the ingredients
and the flavors,
and we let them take the lead.
[Chef] Ooh.
- Oh.
- Oh, come on.
[Lucia] Perfect.
[loud metallic clank]
You know them big swinging dicks
you were talking about?
[chuckles quietly]
Yep.
They stuck me in cold station
for years, too.
Fuckers.
And I fought with every bone
in my body to get where I am.
But I'm starting to think that time
in that kitchen fucked me up.
It's hard for me to get Marcello
out of my head.
[clicks tongue]
- [timer beeping]
- Oh, artichokes.
[footsteps receding]
[leaves rustling]
[rustling continues]
[intriguing music playing]
Can I help you?
Excuse me. Can I help you?
- Whoa.
- [Chef gasps]
Creepy.
What's that guy's deal, huh?
Maybe he was looking for the witch lady.
The previous owner?
Wait, you know about her?
Everyone who grew up around here
has a witch lady story.
What kind of story?
Scary one.
Curses.
Missing pets.
Alvin, you know that just because someone
called her a witch
doesn't actually make her one.
Uh, I don't know, Chef.
She had, like, this whole coven of women,
and they'd do witchy stuff
in the woods together.
Yeah.
It's called a garden club.
[laughs] A garden club
that sacrifices people?
Chef, I'm telling you,
she lured women to be part of her coven
by taking over their mind.
And when they finally broke in
to take her away or whatever,
the whole place was teeming
with bugs and mold.
[laughing quietly]
Mm-hmm.
Uh...
so...
[laughs]
Can you keep a secret?
Uh... sure.
I've seen her.
Like a ghost?
[laughs] I knew it.
I fucking knew this place was haunted.
Mm.
I can't believe you sleep here.
I would be scared shitless.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
She just wants me
to take care of her garden.
Carry on her legacy.
[Alvin] Huh.
Like a successor.
[Chef] Mm, sure. [laughs]
[Chef] "Life to death, fruit to spoil,
all creation feeds the soil."
[exhales]
[Alvin chuckling] I don't know, Chef.
I wouldn't eat anything from her garden.
[Chef chuckles] You've been watching
too many Tales from the Crypt, my dude.
- [Alvin chuckles]
- We're cool.
Back to the kitchen.
- [bird calling]
- [crickets chirping]
[Andreas over phone] Hey. Just confirming
that we are on for tomorrow at 7:00?
Look, I want to be real with you, Chef.
I got a lot of people knocking on my door
for this job,
so, uh, here's hoping you got some magic
up your sleeve.
- [chimes tinkling]
- [breathy whispering]
[breathy sigh]
[breathy whispering]
[creaking]
- [crickets chirping]
- [door creaking open]
[door creaking]
[creaking continues]
[low whispering]
[breathy whispering]
[door bangs open]
[sighs]
[wind whistling quietly]
[grunts]
[wind whistling]
- [ambient music playing]
- [crickets chirping]
Ugh.
[wind whistling]
- [loud metallic clank]
- [drops phone to floor]
[sighs heavily]
[grunts]
[crickets chirping]
[loud metallic clank]
[bottles rattling]
[eerie music playing]
- [rattling fades]
- [high-pitched ringing]
[Witch's breathy gasping]
- [music stops]
- [Witch whispering] Feed the soil.
[loud clattering, banging]
[Chef screaming]
[panting]
- [breathy moaning]
- [grunting]
[whimpering]
[panting]
[crickets chirping]
[sighs]
[ambient music playing]
[exhales]
[low, indistinct whispering]
[gasps]
[whispering continues]
[women] Feed the soil. Feed the soil.
[louder] Feed the soil.
Feed the soil. Feed the soil.
- [eerie music playing]
- Feed the soil.
[music stops]
[crickets chirping]
- [wind whistling]
- [leaves rustling]
[crickets chirping]
[sets down matches]
[inhales deeply]
[vehicle approaching]
- [footsteps approaching]
- [breathes deeply]
- [Lucia] You okay, Chef?
- [vehicle door opens]
- Yeah, I'm great.
- [vehicle door closes]
He's here.
- Go time.
- Yep. [sighs]
[clicks tongue]
We have a spicy soup of sprouting greens.
- [ambient music playing]
- [Chef clears throat]
Beet-cured trout with roasted baby beets,
trout caviar and pickled berries.
Striped bass with oyster lemon
butter sauce and purple radish blanket.
Mold bread with chive butter.
Wild mushroom stew with artichoke heart.
This looks like it came off
a bottom of a shoe.
[Lucia] Dre, just eat it.
Ea-eat... Wha... Eat this?
Scoop.
[Andreas] So I just scoop?
[Lucia] Yes.
[Andreas chewing]
[ambient music continues]
[Chef] And for our dessert,
wild berry mousse
with berry lemon tartare and fudge.
[breathes deeply]
[spoon clatters in dish]
What the hell have you been smoking?
'Cause whatever it is, I want some.
This is next fucking level.
I mean, how did you pull this off?
I mean, not that I didn't think
you had it in you, but I mean, wow.
I didn't even know
what I was eating half the time, but...
[distantly] I mean, seriously,
where did this even come from?
[eerie music playing]
- Uh, uh, yeah, I just sort of...
- [music stops]
did what you said, Dre,
you know, wild, feminine.
- [crickets chirping]
- [suspenseful music playing]
[exhales heavily]
[creaking]
[leaves rustling]
[creaking and rustling continue]
[chittering]
[Andreas] Welcome to fine dining
boot camp.
Next week, we kick off
with our friends and family dinner,
our dress rehearsal.
It's our chance to work out
some of the, uh, kinks
before our grand opening.
For pulling off a fine dining restaurant
in the boonies,
it is make-or-break.
So, who wants to make some money?!
[others cheering, applauding]
- [crickets chirping]
- [ambient music playing]
[light switch clicks]
- Jesus.
- [switch clicking]
[groans]
[whooshing]
[sighing]
[light buzzing]
[quietly] What the fuck?
[quietly] Whoa.
[someone breathing nearby]
[person breathing heavily, chewing]
- [person chewing, slurping]
- [light buzzes]
[low, breathy growling ]
Hey, man, you okay?
[chewing and slurping continue]
Look, I'm sorry, pal, but you...
you can't be here.
Okay?
[chewing and slurping continue]
[intense music playing]
Whoa! Whoa!
- [Andreas] What is going on?
- [Chef screams]
Magnus? Magnus, what...
What are you...
Jesus, Magnus, your fucking hand!
- [music stops]
- [indistinct radio transmission]
[Chef] That was Chef Magnus Sommerlatt?
Dre suspected he was living in the forest,
but I did not believe him until now.
Wait, what the hell is wrong with him?
- He wasn't always like that, was he?
- No. No, no.
At first, he seemed fine.
But things got super dark.
The job brought out the worst in him.
You know chefs...
they're all addicts or head cases.
But-but what happened to him?
Who knows? Um...
Too much stress, too much pressure.
Living in a haunted house?
- [ambulance doors closing]
- [sighs] It's so sad.
He was a great chef.
[ambulance engine idling]
[ambulance door closing]
[intriguing music playing]
[crickets chirping]
[Witch whispering indistinctly]
[whispering continues]
[Witch] Feed the soil. Feed the soil.
Feed the soil.
[door creaking]
[music stops]
[light switch clicks]
[light switch clicks]
- [indistinct whispering]
- [eerie music playing]
[high-pitched screaming]
[Chef yells]
Whoa, whoa.
[grunts]
[panting]
[music stops]
Leave me alone, you fucking witch!
[wind whistling]
- [leaves rustling]
- [branches crackling]
[wind grows louder]
[grunting angrily]
[grunting loudly]
[growling]
Feed your own fucking soil!
[grunts angrily]
- [panting]
- [bird cawing in distance]
[door closes]
[glass shattering]
[glass cracks]
If you're staring at me,
it means you don't know what your job is.
And if you don't know what your job is
in this kitchen,
you should probably be at Arby's.
[ambient music playing]
- Alvin.
- [Alvin] Yeah.
Get a list going, pal.
We're gonna have to source
from local vendors today, okay?
What? Uh, what happened
to your hookup, Sarah?
Fuck Sarah. That bitch is so not cool,
and we are no longer supporting
her operation.
But we-we built the whole menu around her.
There is nothing wrong
with a little arugula.
Clean that up, will ya?
I just... I-I wish you told me. It-it...
This is really frustrating to hear on
the day of the friends and family dinner.
This is the job.
Roll with it. Okay?
I don't see you moving. Did I stutter?
Look, get to work
or I will put you back in cold station
so fast it will make your head spin.
You can sleep your way into a job,
but it sure as shit
is not gonna help you keep it.
[knife chopping]
Good luck on your own, you sexist bitch.
[door opens, closes]
[ambient music continues]
You're trying to pull off a 50-head dinner
with no sous?
- What, are you crazy?!
- Oh, crazy?
Crazy like Magnus?
Well, no, I should've told you about that,
- but what I want...
- Yeah, you should have.
- Listen, listen, listen...
- I don't have time for this conversation.
Get out of my kitchen.
- [grumbles]
- [Ralphie] Chef.
- What?
- Table two is moving to bread.
- Already?
- Yep.
Okay. Okay.
Uh, Alvin, where are my chives?
Uh...
Uh, Lucia usually preps them, Chef.
Motherfucker.
[growls in frustration]
It's your lucky day, bud.
- [Alvin] Huh?
- Let's go.
[Ralphie] Chef, table ten's
still waiting on that striped bass.
God. I don't need them burnt.
I need them fucking delicious.
Give me that.
[cook] Shit. Um...
That's trash. Start again.
[spoon clatters]
[Ralphie] Table four's moving
real fast, Chef.
Table eight waiting for celery.
Let's pick it up, people.
[Ralphie muffled] Four's moving on.
How are we looking, Chef?
[whispering] No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
[Manny distorted] Are we good, Chef?
[eerie music playing]
Chef?
[mold crackling]
Okay. Okay, take them.
Go, go, go, go.
[Ralphie] Okay, just give me a second.
[intense music playing]
Two minutes.
[under breath] It's in your head,
it's in your head, it's in your head.
Alvin, chives.
You know what,
I'll do it myself, bud. Move.
[server] Hey, guys,
table two's getting really antsy.
What's the holdup?
Ralphie, you got this?
[Ralphie] We're behind. Get 'em out. Move.
[server] I got three. I need four.
- Where's the fourth one?
- Ralphie, answer me, goddamn it!
- [slashing]
- [Alvin] Oh!
- [knife chopping]
- Oh!
What are you looking at?!
[chopping stops]
[food sizzling]
[Chef] Well, don't everybody
just stand there.
Get me a goddamn first aid kit.
Oh, shit.
We've got four orders backed up. Let's go.
It's just a little blood. It's fine.
[Alvin] Ah, it's not under the sink.
[Chef] Manny, move your ass!
Keep things flying out!
- [door slams open]
- [Andreas] I need the first aid kit!
I need the first aid kit!
- [Chef] Dre, it's a little blood.
- I need the, uh, injection thingy!
What?!
Shellfish allergy, table 12.
It's on the fucking ticket!
Here, I got it. I got it.
[Chef] The fucking oyster sauce.
[Andreas] I got one! I got one.
Who knows how to use this?
- We need Uncle Rudy.
- Fuck Uncle Rudy.
Okay, move out of the way.
Move out of the way.
"Blue to the sky, orange to the thigh."
[woman] Oh, my God! Don't die!
It's okay, Aunt Gigi. It's okay.
- [Aunt Gigi gasps]
- Come on, Aunt Gigi.
[dramatic music playing]
[gasping]
- [high-pitched ringing]
- [heart pounding]
- [muffled thud]
- [ringing fades]
- [thunder crashing]
- [music stops]
[engine stops]
How is she?
She'll live.
[thunder rumbling]
Look, if I could move the opening,
trust me, I would,
but we're still on, okay?
Press and all.
[quietly] Okay.
You know, Toli has dropped out
as an investor,
and... I've been struggling
to bankroll this thing.
I've used my savings,
I've maxed out my credit,
[chuckling] I've even
borrowed from family.
I really believed you when you said
that you were ready for this.
And now I'm watching you fall apart.
[breathes deeply]
[ambient music playing]
[engine starting]
[quietly] Yeah, fuck no.
- [crickets chirping]
- [distant thunder rumbling]
[ambient music continues]
[birds chirping]
[music fades]
[knocking on door]
[Alvin] Chef?
Everybody's here.
Wh... what do I tell them?
[rustling]
[Alvin] Are we still opening tonight?
[door creaking]
Tell them I'm coming.
Yes, Chef.
Oh.
[wind howling quietly]
- Alvin?
- Yeah.
What happened to her?
The witch lady?
Uh...
I don't know, actually.
But they say it got so gnarly,
the town had to shut her down.
[footsteps departing]
- [rustling]
- [cutlery clinking]
- [clears throat] Afternoon.
- [server] Hi, Chef.
- Ralphie.
- What up, Chef?
- Manny.
- Hello, Chef.
- Feder.
- Yes, Chef.
Thank you for filling in.
- You ready for this?
- Absolutely, Chef.
[door creaking open]
[Chef] Lucia.
Glad you're back. We need you.
Hey, Chef, can I, uh,
talk to you for a second?
Yeah, sure.
Can we go somewhere private?
I've got a bajillion things to do,
so go ahead and tell me now.
Well, um... [clears throat]
there's been a lot of ups and downs
in this kitchen,
and I'm here to, um...
What is this speech?
...like, get us on a level playing field,
and so, um, I have announced
that the chef for this evening
will be Lucia.
You fucking with me?
You said it yourself,
she knows the menu better than you do,
- so if you don't mind...
- What?
...feel free to, uh, take the night off.
No, no. Excuse me.
[footsteps departing]
Who knew about this?
[door opening]
[slams pen on table]
May I remind you that everything here...
the food, the functioning kitchen,
even the goddamned unclogged toilet...
is because of my brain,
my blood, my balls!
- You are so fucked without me.
- Oh, my God.
- You're fucked!
- Uh-huh.
Lucia? My God, that girl is so wet
behind the ears,
the press is gonna eat you
as a goddamned crispy bar snack.
Now, you and I,
we're gonna go back up there
and you are going to give me back
my kitchen!
Okay, you're right, you're right, okay?
It's fucked up how it all went down,
but guess what,
it's just fucking business.
Okay.
Okay, fine.
I'll just take it back. How about that?
- Hmm?
- My God, you see?
Just put yourself in my shoes
for one second.
- You are a liability.
- [chuckles]
Yes. And not to mention
you've been an asshole to everyone.
I am not an asshole, Dre!
I am just the boss!
Okay, fine.
You're the boss.
You're also fucking scaring me.
- [scoffs]
- Look at you right now.
I'm worried about you.
- No. Oh, oh.
- The pressure is getting to you.
Look. Stop, stop. Look what you're doing.
Look.
The pressure is getting to you,
and I just want to help you.
I just want to help you.
I don't want you to turn out like Magnus.
Okay? Okay.
[Chef sighs]
[Andreas panting]
[intriguing music playing]
I have everything on the line.
Open the gate, Dre.
- I can't.
- Open the goddamn gate!
This place didn't drive Magnus crazy...
you did.
- [gate rattling]
- You and this whole fucked up business.
- Open the gate!
- [quietly] I'm sorry.
Open the goddamn gate!
[grunting violently]
[screams in frustration]
- [bar clatters on floor]
- [music stops]
[quietly] Oh, shit.
- [Lucia] Dre?
- Hey.
Come on, this was a mistake.
Um, where is she? I need to talk to her.
She, um...
Yeah, she took a payout...
and she left, so...
[chuckles] She wouldn't just
walk out like that.
Yeah, it surprised me, too.
Yeah, it surprised me, too.
- [screaming] Help!
- [gate rattles]
Somebody!
[muffled] Can anybody hear me?!
[upbeat music playing over speakers]
- [low party chatter]
- [upbeat music continues]
[gate rattling]
Asshole.
[straining] This is my fucking kitchen!
- [screams, grunts]
- [bar clatters]
[groans]
[mysterious music playing]
[grunting]
[groans quietly]
Whoa.
[mysterious music continues]
[grunting]
Damn it.
- [metallic banging]
- Help!
- [banging]
- [muffled] Somebody help me!
Anybody?!
Help! I'm... I'm trapped!
[upbeat music continues over speakers]
- Hi.
- Oh, hello. Look how beautiful you look.
Thanks for giving us another try.
Up, keep it up.
[party chatter]
- [metallic banging]
- [yelling in frustration]
[banging]
[muffled] Can anybody hear me?!
- I'm trapped.
- [banging]
Really trapped!
[sighs heavily]
[bottles rattling]
No more spooky shit!
- [rattling continues]
- [eerie music playing]
[glass shattering]
[rattling continues]
What do you want from me?
- [rumbling]
- [rattling continues]
Oh, that's all you got? Huh?!
Huh?!
- Bring it to me! Let's go!
- [music intensifies]
- [crashing]
- [screams]
- [groaning]
- [glass shattering]
Stop!
- [groaning]
- [loud crashing]
- [rattling stops]
- [music stops]
- [debris falling]
- [breathing heavily]
[mysterious music playing]
[sighs]
[coughs]
[wind whistling quietly]
[flame flickering]
[breathes deeply]
[inhales deeply]
[groans]
[grunting]
Okay. [grunting]
[Lucia] Manny?
Why is the broth brown?
It's supposed to be clear and green.
This looks sad.
I did the same cook time,
but the vegetables are different.
I can't serve this.
The first course should have gone out
30 fucking minutes ago.
- Okay.
- Should I refire them?
Yeah, refire them.
Wait, no. Actually, no.
Uh, no, that's too much.
- Um...
- Let's fucking go. Let's go.
[grunting]
[grunting]
[panting]
[mysterious music continues]
[sighs] Jesus.
[grunting]
[trembling breaths]
Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
[whimpering]
- [Chef cries out]
- [debris falling]
[server] We have a spicy soup
of sprouting greens.
[party chatter]
[Chef grunting]
[quietly] Okay.
[mysterious music playing]
Oh, no.
[grunting]
[cries out]
[grunts] No.
[quietly] Oh, my God.
Oh, my...
[hyperventilating]
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
No, no! [screaming]
[whimpering cries]
[screaming]
[hyperventilating]
[coughing]
[shuddered breathing]
[quietly] It's okay. Okay.
[shuddered breathing]
[eerie whispering]
[grunting]
[mysterious music continues]
[mysterious music continues
with melodic vocalizing]
[whimpering]
[sniffles]
[quietly] "Life to death, fruit to spoil,
now is the time to..."
[optimistic music playing]
[melodic vocalizing continues]
[gasps softly]
[music intensifies]
- [glass shatters]
- [man shouting indistinctly]
- [crowd clamoring angrily]
- [music stops]
- [panicked gasping]
- [glass breaking]
[angry clamoring continues]
[grunting]
- [dramatic music playing]
- [cries out]
[wheezing gasps]
[grunting]
[grunting continues]
[breathing heavily]
[groaning]
[gasping]
[cries out]
[flames crackling]
[ambient music playing]
[woman grunts, panting]
[Witch] We know what the people call us.
They tell scary stories about us,
but they don't understand.
[woman's labored breathing]
[whooshing]
[wind blowing]
[Witch] As we tend to the body,
we tend to the heart.
We feed the soil with love,
nurturing the spirit so it can grow.
If that makes us witches,
then so be it.
[women] Feed the soil. Feed the soil.
Feed the soil.
Feed the soil. Feed the soil.
Feed the soil.
Feed the soil. Feed the soil.
- Feed the soil.
- [Witch] We only want to help you.
Here.
[dramatic music playing]
[chimes tinkling]
[music fades]
[rustling]
[dramatic music playing]
[Chef groaning]
[grunting]
[breathing heavily]
[laughs lightly]
[inhales deeply]
[sighs]
[crickets chirping]
[munching nearby]
[music fades]
[munching continues]
- [crunching]
- [sighs]
How do you fuck up a soup?!
- We're losing them.
- Quick. Take them, take them. Move, move.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,
something doesn't look right with that.
- Go.
- Are you serious?
Look, you told me we were behind.
Just get them out.
- Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
- [flames whooshing]
[Lucia] No. No, no, no, no.
No, no, no. No. Shit, no.
- Where the fuck's the fire extinguisher?!
- [Andreas] Fuck me.
- [Lucia gasps, coughs]
- Back up.
[Lucia screams] No!
[Ralphie] Alvin,
open those windows and get...
Here we go.
- [Ralphie] Open that door.
- [Lucia] No, no!
[dramatic music playing]
[Andreas] Napkin? They're coming,
they're coming, they're coming.
I think it's coming in two seconds.
- [feet squelching on floor]
- [gentle piano music playing]
[low chattering]
You know, to me, the role of chef
is, uh, an educator of people's palates...
- [Chef sniffs]
- [music stops]
[inhales deeply]
[Chef] Mm, mm. Mm.
[patrons exclaiming]
[Chef] Ugh.
[spits]
Hope you're all still hungry.
[patrons exclaiming]
- [smoke alarm wailing]
- Um... All right.
That's gonna turn off...
That's gonna self-turn off, I think.
Okay, that's smoke.
Okay, why don't we, why don't we,
why don't we get out.
Why don't we get out. Yeah.
- [alarm continues wailing]
- [patrons murmuring]
[woman sighs] Let's get out of here.
Turn off the fire alarm, now.
- How?
- Turn off... What do you mean how?
- [woman 2] This is absurd.
- [alarm stops]
- [man speaks indistinctly]
- [woman 2 scoffs]
- [patrons speaking indistinctly]
- [man] I know.
[mysterious music playing]
- [man] It's gonna be backed up...
- Hiral, are you coming?
Uh, I think I'll stay for a bit.
Okay.
[grunting]
[flames whooshing]
What do I tell guests?
Hey, we're still getting paid
for tonight, right?
Here's what we're gonna do.
Go get the tables and chairs.
Tell all the other servers,
bring everything out here.
We're gonna do it here.
Candles, settings, everything.
- Go. Go, go. Go.
- [server] Okay, you heard him. Let's go.
We're gonna finish over the fire.
[low, indistinct whispering]
Right here.
Move it right, right up,
right up against it.
Right here.
Take a seat. Welcome.
Thank you for the wait.
Thank you for the wait.
How are you guys doing? Good? Awesome.
- Excuse me.
- Thank you, my friend.
[Ralphie] Ooh, we heating up.
Let's get this on for you. [sighs]
My man. All right.
Got ourselves a kitchen here.
[breathes deeply]
[Lucia] Chef, um...
Just wanted to say, um...
- ...sorry. I...
- Lucia.
Tell me...
you ever skin a rabbit?
[steam hissing]
All right, potato and squash flying.
Step up.
Let's get a flow right now.
They've been waiting long enough.
Let's go.
[liquid bubbling]
[sizzling]
[cork pops]
[claps hands]
[heavy thud]
[inhales deeply]
[flatbread crunching]
[crunching]
[slurping]
[laughing]
[continues laughing]
[flatbread crunching]
[leaves rustling]
[upbeat music playing over speakers]
[sizzling]
- [upbeat music continues]
- Yeah, this is crazy.
- [party chatter]
- [Lucia laughing]
- Whoo!
-
Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
[party chatter continues]
[Manny speaking indistinctly]
[music and party chatter continue]
[upbeat music fading]
[woman vocalizing gentle melody]
[vocalizing continues]
[leaves rustling]
- [wind blowing]
- [leaves rustling]
[vocalizing continues]
[low, indistinct whispering]
[whispering and vocalizing fade]
- [upbeat music playing]
- [vocalizing]
- [vocalizing continues]
-
[vocalizing continues, growing fainter]
[melancholy music playing]
- [vocalizing fades]
- [melancholy music continues]
[vocalizing]
[music stops]
[light melody playing]
[somber classical music playing]
[music fades]
[woman whispering low, indistinctly]
[low, indistinct whispering continues]
[mysterious music playing]
[low, indistinct whispering continues]
[whimpering]
[flames crackling]
[low, indistinct whispering continues]
[woman] Feed the soil. Feed the soil.
[women joining in] Feed the soil.
Feed the soil. Feed the soil.
- [gasping]
- Feed the soil.
Feed the soil. Feed the soil.
- [grunting]
- Feed the soil.
- [choking]
- Feed the soil. Feed...
[sizzling]
[overlapping chatter]
[Marcello] New order, table ten.
Three duck, two scallop, one cod.
[overlapping chatter]
[Marcello] New order, table two.
Two beef, two lobster, two duck.
Two beef, two lobster,
two duck.
Let's go.
[sizzling]
[Marcello] Jesus Christ.
What is this, amateur hour?
Where's my runner?
- Fifteen seconds. Zeb, let's go.
- [claps hands]
- [Zeb] Yes, Chef.
- [Marcello] I'm not interested
in your self-expression.
Clean this up.
[server] One of those ducks for ten
is changing to a cod.
I'm just putting it in...
[Marcello] Are you fucking
serious, culero?
Did you hear that?
Two duck, two scallop, two cod for ten.
This filet's about to look so sexy
you gonna leave your wife.
Would you fuck this filet, Feder?
- Oh, hell yeah.
- Hell yeah.
That's how it's done, people.
Watch and learn.
[ambient music playing]
[Marcello] Cooking excellent food.
You need the best ingredients,
mastery of classic technique.
That's a given.
But to be a chef,
you gotta love the taste of blood.
You gotta love the fight.
[exhales]
[men laughing]
[Marcello] That's why I named
my restaurant Taurus.
God is the bull, so I remember
not just to cook with my head
but with my balls.
[men laughing]
[man] Marcello Ricci, what a legend.
Have a charmed evening, gentlemen.
- Evening.
- [man] Good evening.
Come here. Have a drink.
What is it?
Look...
I want to start by thanking you.
The last seven years
have been an invaluable
- learning experience for me and...
- Jesus Christ.
You're leaving.
To where?
Menza?
You better not say Menza.
I'll kill Jasper.
- No.
- You're screwing me if you leave.
[breathes deeply]
So I'll double your salary.
You'd pay me that much?
Take a load off.
You're rich now. Be happy already.
I'm leaving to be head chef
at my own restaurant.
We have a beautiful site upstate.
"We"?
The restauranteur I'm partnering with,
Andreas Soltani.
Does this Andreas know how hard you worked
to get a spot in my kitchen?
What you're throwing away?
Why?
'Cause this is your dream?
No, no. Jesus, stop.
When everything falls apart,
which it most certainly will,
you've nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.
You're left with just you
and your choices.
You're a soldier, you've got skills,
but come on, kid.
You're not a boss.
I have to.
It's important to me
to leave on good terms.
I'll give you two weeks
and find you someone amazing.
Don't bother.
[ambient music playing]
[horns honking]
[upbeat music playing]
[vocalizing]
[vocalizing continues]
[vocalizing continues]
[music ends]
[wind whistling quietly]
[door creaking]
- [door slams open]
- [gasps]
- [wind blowing]
- [chimes tinkling]
[leaves rustling]
[birds chirping]
[leaves rustling]
[twig snaps]
[breathy sighing]
[birds chirping]
[breathy whispering]
- [horn honking in distance]
- [gasps]
[honking continues]
- [horn honking]
- Hey, city girl.
Where the hell you learn to park?
- No, I'm not talking to you, bro.
- [hip-hop music playing over speakers]
- [vehicle door opens, closes]
- I gotta go, dude.
[laughs] Yeah, I'll talk to you later.
[music continues playing]
It's all yours, baby.
How's it looking?
As nasty as I remember it?
It's even worse.
Don't expect me to do any scrubbing,
but, uh, how about we celebrate?
- Now?
- Right now.
Let's go.
It was a bitch to get a reservation
last-minute,
but I go way back with my boy Erik.
Uh, you're friends with Erik Haas?
Andreas Soltani. We're early.
You've been here before, right?
No, I haven't had a day off
in seven years.
[Andreas chuckles]
We ready?
- Yeah, we can learn a lot from this place.
- Yeah.
You know, small dining room,
nowheresville location.
They've shown that people will show up to
a high-end destination dining experience.
- Mm.
- We need to build some serious buzz,
some primo press,
and we gotta make you the next big thing.
Marcello Ricci's protge.
You know, I've got multiple sources
calling you that.
I do my homework.
- Look, the way I see it...
- Mm.
...we're asking people to go on a journey
just to get to our restaurant,
so we need to earn that.
I'm thinking downtown attitude,
- like Maman's or Frutta.
- Mm.
Everything is legit.
Sophisticated, first-motherfucking-class.
- Prestige for days.
- Mm.
Dominique Crenn meets
The Infatuation's wet dream.
- Mm.
- Wild. Feminine.
Feminine?
Yeah. You know.
Sexy ingredients that Hansel and Gretel
forage in the backyard.
- [chuckles]
- Harvested from our own bespoke garden.
Well, you have to leave that
to your old lady gardener.
- Huh?
- Boy, I'm from Newark.
I don't know shit about gardening.
And I'm a broke kid from Philly,
but look at us fucking now.
So... why did your other chef back out?
You know, did he get a better gig?
Magnus? Y-Yeah.
Yeah, something like that.
Magnus Sommerlatt?
Why, you know him?
No, I'm just a fan.
Crazy.
- Magnus Sommerlatt was your chef?
- Yeah.
- Sh...
- Pretty crazy.
[hostess] Mr. Soltani,
the rest of your party has arrived.
[Andreas] All right.
Shall we?
Ciao, bella.
[woman] Just a "quick bite
at your friend's place"?
- [laughing] You're a cocky bastard.
- [both kissing]
Hey, now, don't hate the player.
Lucia, let me introduce you
to the next big thing.
I've heard so much about you.
[server] Grilled oyster
with spiced green salsa and sea grapes
served with a spoon of herbed snail.
[upbeat music playing]
Just-cooked white asparagus
in a chanterelle broth
with smoked egg yolk emulsion.
- Mmm.
- Mmm.
It's earthy.
[server] Salt-cured duck
with a roasted chestnut,
black garlic rock, ant and mushroom oil.
[Erik] What, more wives?
[chuckles] I'm joking with you.
Yes.
[patrons] Chef Erik!
[Erik] Welcome, guys.
All right, I have to go powder my nose.
[Andreas ] Ooh, powder powder?
No, jackass. I have to pee.
[Andreas] Hey, what do you think of her?
What about her?
I know you probably want to bring
your own sous, but...
That girl's a sous-chef?
Yeah, I met her at March.
Killer rsum.
You're gonna love her.
I was hoping you'd roll with it,
but if it's too much, it's...
I didn't say that.
Hey, how about some shots?
Yes!
- Oh, my gosh, pechuga.
- On the house.
- [Lucia] Oh!
- Oh, my God.
[Lucia and Andreas exclaiming]
- [Lucia] Thank you.
- [Erik] Of course.
Okay, toast, toast, toast,
toast, toast, toast.
To doing the craziest,
dumbest thing in the world.
- Opening a restaurant.
- [Lucia squeals]
- [Erik] Skoal.
- [others] Skoal.
[Lucia] Oh, God.
[Erik groans]
- [Andreas] Yeah.
- [glasses set on table]
[Andreas] Ooh.
[Lucia] No way.
- [Lucia] What a meal.
- [Lucia and Andreas laughing]
- [Andreas] Oh, my.
- [Lucia] Yeah.
- Hey, Dre.
- Yeah.
What do you say
we give her a trial run, huh?
- Ooh, baby.
- Really?
Yeah, I mean, fuck it. Go ahead
and come in when the kitchen's up.
Thank you. I really appreciate it.
All right, here we go.
Hey, are you free on Sunday?
Our investor, he wants to meet you.
- Sample some of your, uh, menu ideas.
- Thank you.
[stammers] Yeah.
You-you can handle a meal, right?
- Oh, yeah, no problem.
- Okay.
Oh, can I help?
I got this one, but th-thank you.
Hey, Siri, confirm dinner with Toli.
I got you an Uber, okay?
This way, my love.
[door opening]
Thank you.
- [ambient music playing]
- [door closing]
Ciao, bella.
- [distant thunder rumbling]
- [door opening]
[door closing]
[thunder crashing]
[ambient music continues]
[matches rattling]
[pills rattling]
[scoffs]
[thump, creaking]
[creaking, thumping]
[sets down book]
[creaking continues]
[rain falling]
[thunder rumbling]
Hello?
[creaking continues]
[creaking continues]
[quiet scurrying]
[door creaking]
[floorboards creaking]
[ambient music playing]
Hmm.
[window rattling]
Ow.
- [rain falling]
- [sighs]
[wind howling]
[thunder rumbling]
[sighs]
[thunder crashing]
[sighs]
- [birds chirping]
- [floorboards creaking]
Shit.
Local kid.
- Alvin, right?
- Yeah.
Alvin, great. Okay, let's get to work.
[ambient music playing]
[music stops]
[woman over video] Hi, and welcome
to Gardening 101.
And what better place to start
than with your soil.
[Chef] Yeah, no,
I'm finding the best vendors.
I mean, this incredible
little seafood market.
But the best stuff is gonna come
from our veggie garden.
[Andreas over phone] The garden
that Magnus left?
Fully functioning.
Well, look at you.
A regular Barefoot Contessa.
You're hilarious.
[operatic aria playing]
Hmm.
[aria continues in French]
[crickets chirping]
[leaves rustling]
[aria fades]
[birds chirping]
[breathes deeply]
[scurrying]
Oh, fuck.
[Chef screams] Fuck me!
Damn it.
[yelping scream]
[Chef] Dre, we need to cancel tonight.
[Andreas over phone] What? No.
No, this place has an infestation problem,
and you needed
an exterminator here yesterday.
[intriguing music playing]
Oh, my God. Oh, my...
Fucking kidding me?
Oh, my God.
No, no, no, no.
[shakily] No.
Motherfucker.
- We need to move it. Right?
- [Andreas over phone] No.
It's too la... Toli already drove upstate.
He's a big fan of Marcello,
so just lean into what you know.
You said you can handle it.
[Chef inhales deeply]
Okay, yeah, no problem.
- [sighs]
- [crunching nearby]
Okay, now, here's the address of a place
with really good seafood.
Ask for Victor,
and then please show him the list.
Now, on the same street,
there should be a boutique grocer
that has everything else.
Uh, look for a guy, mustache,
Dusty, Rusty, something.
Tell him we only want the best.
You got it.
What's "proskyeto"?
Prosciutto?
Oh.
Use the list!
[Alvin sighs]
[vehicle approaching,
rock music playing over speakers]
[music stops]
There you are. Let me help you
because I gotta get this broth going
and... What is that?
Um, both spots are closed Sundays.
I tried to call, but my phone died.
I got everything, though.
Um, except they didn't have any monkfish,
so I got chicken instead.
[contemplative music playing]
Make it work. That's what we're doing,
we're making it work.
[Andreas] As you can tell, we're still
getting everything up and running.
All these pieces up here,
th-that all needs a finish.
Uh, come this way.
- Come. You're gonna love this dining room.
- [Lucia] Oh.
[Andreas] You, too, Chef Erik.
- It's really nice.
- [Lucia] Yeah.
- [Lucia laughs] A little creepy.
- [whispering] Oh, fuck a duck.
- [Erik] So, you hope to work here?
- [Lucia] Tomorrow.
[sighs]
[breathes deeply]
[Chef] We have a deconstructed
Caesar salad
with herb-roasted chicken
and grilled Little Gem lettuce.
Enjoy.
A good meal for my eyeballs.
- [Lucia] Mmm.
- Mm-hmm.
Nice. The chicken's so tender.
- [Lucia laughs]
- [Erik] But maybe, mm...
- The anchovies, right?
- Mm.
[Erik] Exactly.
It's a little bit, uh, over toppen.
But... still great balance. [chuckles]
[contemplative music playing]
Good croutons.
[crunching]
[sighs]
[sniffs, sighs]
[Chef] We have a caramelized onion soup
with charred shallots and onion foam,
served with a roasted almond pastry.
[crunching]
Mmm.
[sighing] Okay.
[chuckles]
We have a squid ink risotto
with calamari and saffron aioli.
[Andreas chuckles]
[squelching]
[suspenseful music playing]
[Andreas] Mm.
[Lucia] Love the saffron color.
Really nice.
[Erik] Mm.
[clears throat]
It was hot.
I'll get you another spoon.
You know, it just...
The-the spoon can get very hot.
[Andreas] What was that all about?
Look, I thought I saw...
You know what, never mind.
Well, just lay off the caffeine, okay?
Come, say hello. Come on.
I, uh, licked my plate clean.
But Hiral has a few thoughts.
Hiral Sen.
Nice to meet you.
Umi's Feast. I read your blog.
Do I smell a sneak peek
buzz piece in the works?
Um, I have a policy for friends.
If I don't have anything nice to say,
I don't write.
Well, we're not friends...
so, please, share.
The food felt safe.
Like you were checking off prestige boxes.
Fancy but derivative.
No risk. No soul.
Simply put, there was no voice.
Well, we had some setbacks tonight,
but we are still working out the kinks.
I'm sorry.
Best of luck.
[tense music playing]
[mouthing]
I told you we should reschedule tonight.
Look, there is something very wrong
with this place.
- You have...
- You are the chef.
This is on you.
[birds twittering]
[tense music playing]
[munching]
[exhales] Furry vermin.
You eat my tomatoes, and I will end you.
[music fades]
[crickets chirping]
[leaves rustling]
[sniffing]
[eerie music playing]
[grunts]
-
- [crickets chirping]
Ugh.
[grunts]
[metallic ringing]
[woman whispering indistinctly]
[indistinct whispering continues]
[indistinct whispering continues]
[whispers] Feed the soil.
[grunting]
- [knocking on door]
- [Lucia] Chef?
[knocking continues]
Oh, there you are.
Andreas wants to... talk.
What... happened to you?
I just...
Tell him I'll be right there.
[door closes]
No, I hear that, I hear that.
[Chef] Hey.
Okay.
All right, yeah.
Bye.
What is this about?
Toli wants me to look at some other chefs.
Mm-mm.
No way.
One impromptu dinner
and I'm getting hosed?
Toli liked it.
Before Hiral got in his head,
- he was gobbling it up...
- It doesn't matter.
Daddy Warbucks calls the shots.
Did you pull this shit with Magnus, too?
Is that why he left?
Call Marcello.
Maybe he'll give you your job back.
Give me two weeks!
Two weeks, no salary,
and I'll deliver a killer menu.
Andreas, I am all in here.
I want to make this menu so goddamn
incredible, and I know I can deliver.
Look, you want original?
I haven't even scratched the surface yet.
[engine starting]
I gave up everything...
my apartment, my job.
You owe me this.
[scoffs]
[sighs]
Two weeks, and you better
knock my socks off, you hear me?
[sighs]
[exhales]
- [Chef exhales]
- [Lucia] Hey.
Um, so I was thinking
about what Hiral said.
And obviously I have a ton of ideas,
but, you know, I'm sure you do, too.
Anyway, I'm just excited to riff,
you know?
[distantly] I'm kind of a nerd
for anything cutting-edge,
- so just here to be a resource. [laughs]
- [Chef] Mm.
[normal voice] Oh, curious,
what's your take on potato milk?
My take?
[laughs] I called up
some of the restaurants
on your bogus rsum, and I can tell you
three years at cold station
is a world away from sous-chef.
[stammering] Did you call March?
Okay, call them, 'cause I-I can do
the job, swear to God.
Those other pricks never let me
out of salads, all right?
Stupid big swinging dick club.
Welcome to my big swinging dick club.
You want the sous position, earn it.
Start by making me a decent espresso.
Yes, Chef.
[ticking]
[tense music playing]
[sighs]
[knife continues chopping]
[chopping grows louder]
Your knife skills need work.
[chopping continues]
You should know your knife so well
that you can cut blind.
Okay, I get it.
Okay, no, chill. Seriously, I-I...
I'll just do it again, okay?
[screams]
[chuckles] Not that its gonna make you
a better chef,
but it's a great way to scare off
line cooks
who think they can waltz their way
into a high-level sous position.
[chuckling]
Fuck this macho posturing.
- [scoffs]
- What are you trying to prove?
[ambient music playing]
[crickets chirping]
[ticking]
[ticking rapidly]
[music fades]
[gasps]
[quietly] Fuck.
Tastes like fucking baby food.
[metallic banging]
[banging loudly]
[yells]
[plates clatter]
[exhales heavily]
[groans]
[breathes deeply]
[intriguing music playing]
[groans quietly]
[laughs quietly]
Fuck a duck.
[birds chirping]
[gates clang against wall]
[birds chirping]
[sighs, sniffs]
[grunts]
[sniffing]
[grunts]
[munching]
- [light music playing]
- [birds chirping]
[light music continues
with melodic vocalizing]
[moans]
Mm-hmm.
Mmm.
- [retching]
- [music stops]
[coughs]
[sighs]
Oh, no.
[shivering yelp] Oh, my God.
[wet flatulence]
- [splatting]
- Fuck.
Friend or foe?
[breathes deeply]
[ambient music playing]
[sighs]
[sniffs]
[crunching]
[birds chirping]
[sniffing]
[door creaking]
[pages turning]
[Chef] What do you know about
the previous owner of this place?
We pay rent to a property manager
in Cincinnati.
He got it off some auction. Why?
Just curious.
This place is sort of becoming my muse.
- Your muse?
- Mm.
Well, just a reminder
your two weeks are almost up.
Soon.
I'm onto something.
[ambient music continues playing]
[Lucia] Wow.
I've never seen greens like these.
Are they mizuna?
Yeah.
Which farm?
Uh, it's a new vendor.
Sarah.
Sarah's farm.
- Woman-owned business.
- [sets down pot]
Excellent.
Yeah, she's, um...
She's kind of a visionary.
She, um... hybridizing plants and...
experimenting with new garden technique.
Kind of inspiring.
I can tell.
[ambient music playing]
[sizzling]
[grinding]
[sniffing]
[liquid sloshing]
- You want me to try this?
- Yes.
Go ahead.
[sniffing]
[Lucia breathes deeply]
Mmm.
It's so rich.
[laughs softly]
Yes, but it needs something to ground it.
- You know, like, uh...
- A sourdough?
- Yeah!
- Mm-hmm.
Wait, that's perfect.
You know, 'cause you don't want
to neutralize that funk.
Well, we can make some funky bread.
[Chef laughs]
- Mm. Mm, oh, we're in it now.
- Yeah.
[Lucia] Pepper it in.
Look, I know we said we made this
for the stew, but my gut is telling me...
Serve it alone?
- Exactly.
- Mm.
No, the mold bread is its own thing.
[Lucia] This is a real showstopper.
- [Chef] Mmm.
- Mmm!
But it's still a little stuffy.
- I want to invite people to mess it up.
- Right.
What if this is the problem?
[metallic banging]
[ambient music playing]
[birds chirping]
[buzzing]
- We're still using technique...
- Right.
- ...but, uh, we're not afraid of simple.
- Right.
You know, we listen to the ingredients
and the flavors,
and we let them take the lead.
[Chef] Ooh.
- Oh.
- Oh, come on.
[Lucia] Perfect.
[loud metallic clank]
You know them big swinging dicks
you were talking about?
[chuckles quietly]
Yep.
They stuck me in cold station
for years, too.
Fuckers.
And I fought with every bone
in my body to get where I am.
But I'm starting to think that time
in that kitchen fucked me up.
It's hard for me to get Marcello
out of my head.
[clicks tongue]
- [timer beeping]
- Oh, artichokes.
[footsteps receding]
[leaves rustling]
[rustling continues]
[intriguing music playing]
Can I help you?
Excuse me. Can I help you?
- Whoa.
- [Chef gasps]
Creepy.
What's that guy's deal, huh?
Maybe he was looking for the witch lady.
The previous owner?
Wait, you know about her?
Everyone who grew up around here
has a witch lady story.
What kind of story?
Scary one.
Curses.
Missing pets.
Alvin, you know that just because someone
called her a witch
doesn't actually make her one.
Uh, I don't know, Chef.
She had, like, this whole coven of women,
and they'd do witchy stuff
in the woods together.
Yeah.
It's called a garden club.
[laughs] A garden club
that sacrifices people?
Chef, I'm telling you,
she lured women to be part of her coven
by taking over their mind.
And when they finally broke in
to take her away or whatever,
the whole place was teeming
with bugs and mold.
[laughing quietly]
Mm-hmm.
Uh...
so...
[laughs]
Can you keep a secret?
Uh... sure.
I've seen her.
Like a ghost?
[laughs] I knew it.
I fucking knew this place was haunted.
Mm.
I can't believe you sleep here.
I would be scared shitless.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
She just wants me
to take care of her garden.
Carry on her legacy.
[Alvin] Huh.
Like a successor.
[Chef] Mm, sure. [laughs]
[Chef] "Life to death, fruit to spoil,
all creation feeds the soil."
[exhales]
[Alvin chuckling] I don't know, Chef.
I wouldn't eat anything from her garden.
[Chef chuckles] You've been watching
too many Tales from the Crypt, my dude.
- [Alvin chuckles]
- We're cool.
Back to the kitchen.
- [bird calling]
- [crickets chirping]
[Andreas over phone] Hey. Just confirming
that we are on for tomorrow at 7:00?
Look, I want to be real with you, Chef.
I got a lot of people knocking on my door
for this job,
so, uh, here's hoping you got some magic
up your sleeve.
- [chimes tinkling]
- [breathy whispering]
[breathy sigh]
[breathy whispering]
[creaking]
- [crickets chirping]
- [door creaking open]
[door creaking]
[creaking continues]
[low whispering]
[breathy whispering]
[door bangs open]
[sighs]
[wind whistling quietly]
[grunts]
[wind whistling]
- [ambient music playing]
- [crickets chirping]
Ugh.
[wind whistling]
- [loud metallic clank]
- [drops phone to floor]
[sighs heavily]
[grunts]
[crickets chirping]
[loud metallic clank]
[bottles rattling]
[eerie music playing]
- [rattling fades]
- [high-pitched ringing]
[Witch's breathy gasping]
- [music stops]
- [Witch whispering] Feed the soil.
[loud clattering, banging]
[Chef screaming]
[panting]
- [breathy moaning]
- [grunting]
[whimpering]
[panting]
[crickets chirping]
[sighs]
[ambient music playing]
[exhales]
[low, indistinct whispering]
[gasps]
[whispering continues]
[women] Feed the soil. Feed the soil.
[louder] Feed the soil.
Feed the soil. Feed the soil.
- [eerie music playing]
- Feed the soil.
[music stops]
[crickets chirping]
- [wind whistling]
- [leaves rustling]
[crickets chirping]
[sets down matches]
[inhales deeply]
[vehicle approaching]
- [footsteps approaching]
- [breathes deeply]
- [Lucia] You okay, Chef?
- [vehicle door opens]
- Yeah, I'm great.
- [vehicle door closes]
He's here.
- Go time.
- Yep. [sighs]
[clicks tongue]
We have a spicy soup of sprouting greens.
- [ambient music playing]
- [Chef clears throat]
Beet-cured trout with roasted baby beets,
trout caviar and pickled berries.
Striped bass with oyster lemon
butter sauce and purple radish blanket.
Mold bread with chive butter.
Wild mushroom stew with artichoke heart.
This looks like it came off
a bottom of a shoe.
[Lucia] Dre, just eat it.
Ea-eat... Wha... Eat this?
Scoop.
[Andreas] So I just scoop?
[Lucia] Yes.
[Andreas chewing]
[ambient music continues]
[Chef] And for our dessert,
wild berry mousse
with berry lemon tartare and fudge.
[breathes deeply]
[spoon clatters in dish]
What the hell have you been smoking?
'Cause whatever it is, I want some.
This is next fucking level.
I mean, how did you pull this off?
I mean, not that I didn't think
you had it in you, but I mean, wow.
I didn't even know
what I was eating half the time, but...
[distantly] I mean, seriously,
where did this even come from?
[eerie music playing]
- Uh, uh, yeah, I just sort of...
- [music stops]
did what you said, Dre,
you know, wild, feminine.
- [crickets chirping]
- [suspenseful music playing]
[exhales heavily]
[creaking]
[leaves rustling]
[creaking and rustling continue]
[chittering]
[Andreas] Welcome to fine dining
boot camp.
Next week, we kick off
with our friends and family dinner,
our dress rehearsal.
It's our chance to work out
some of the, uh, kinks
before our grand opening.
For pulling off a fine dining restaurant
in the boonies,
it is make-or-break.
So, who wants to make some money?!
[others cheering, applauding]
- [crickets chirping]
- [ambient music playing]
[light switch clicks]
- Jesus.
- [switch clicking]
[groans]
[whooshing]
[sighing]
[light buzzing]
[quietly] What the fuck?
[quietly] Whoa.
[someone breathing nearby]
[person breathing heavily, chewing]
- [person chewing, slurping]
- [light buzzes]
[low, breathy growling ]
Hey, man, you okay?
[chewing and slurping continue]
Look, I'm sorry, pal, but you...
you can't be here.
Okay?
[chewing and slurping continue]
[intense music playing]
Whoa! Whoa!
- [Andreas] What is going on?
- [Chef screams]
Magnus? Magnus, what...
What are you...
Jesus, Magnus, your fucking hand!
- [music stops]
- [indistinct radio transmission]
[Chef] That was Chef Magnus Sommerlatt?
Dre suspected he was living in the forest,
but I did not believe him until now.
Wait, what the hell is wrong with him?
- He wasn't always like that, was he?
- No. No, no.
At first, he seemed fine.
But things got super dark.
The job brought out the worst in him.
You know chefs...
they're all addicts or head cases.
But-but what happened to him?
Who knows? Um...
Too much stress, too much pressure.
Living in a haunted house?
- [ambulance doors closing]
- [sighs] It's so sad.
He was a great chef.
[ambulance engine idling]
[ambulance door closing]
[intriguing music playing]
[crickets chirping]
[Witch whispering indistinctly]
[whispering continues]
[Witch] Feed the soil. Feed the soil.
Feed the soil.
[door creaking]
[music stops]
[light switch clicks]
[light switch clicks]
- [indistinct whispering]
- [eerie music playing]
[high-pitched screaming]
[Chef yells]
Whoa, whoa.
[grunts]
[panting]
[music stops]
Leave me alone, you fucking witch!
[wind whistling]
- [leaves rustling]
- [branches crackling]
[wind grows louder]
[grunting angrily]
[grunting loudly]
[growling]
Feed your own fucking soil!
[grunts angrily]
- [panting]
- [bird cawing in distance]
[door closes]
[glass shattering]
[glass cracks]
If you're staring at me,
it means you don't know what your job is.
And if you don't know what your job is
in this kitchen,
you should probably be at Arby's.
[ambient music playing]
- Alvin.
- [Alvin] Yeah.
Get a list going, pal.
We're gonna have to source
from local vendors today, okay?
What? Uh, what happened
to your hookup, Sarah?
Fuck Sarah. That bitch is so not cool,
and we are no longer supporting
her operation.
But we-we built the whole menu around her.
There is nothing wrong
with a little arugula.
Clean that up, will ya?
I just... I-I wish you told me. It-it...
This is really frustrating to hear on
the day of the friends and family dinner.
This is the job.
Roll with it. Okay?
I don't see you moving. Did I stutter?
Look, get to work
or I will put you back in cold station
so fast it will make your head spin.
You can sleep your way into a job,
but it sure as shit
is not gonna help you keep it.
[knife chopping]
Good luck on your own, you sexist bitch.
[door opens, closes]
[ambient music continues]
You're trying to pull off a 50-head dinner
with no sous?
- What, are you crazy?!
- Oh, crazy?
Crazy like Magnus?
Well, no, I should've told you about that,
- but what I want...
- Yeah, you should have.
- Listen, listen, listen...
- I don't have time for this conversation.
Get out of my kitchen.
- [grumbles]
- [Ralphie] Chef.
- What?
- Table two is moving to bread.
- Already?
- Yep.
Okay. Okay.
Uh, Alvin, where are my chives?
Uh...
Uh, Lucia usually preps them, Chef.
Motherfucker.
[growls in frustration]
It's your lucky day, bud.
- [Alvin] Huh?
- Let's go.
[Ralphie] Chef, table ten's
still waiting on that striped bass.
God. I don't need them burnt.
I need them fucking delicious.
Give me that.
[cook] Shit. Um...
That's trash. Start again.
[spoon clatters]
[Ralphie] Table four's moving
real fast, Chef.
Table eight waiting for celery.
Let's pick it up, people.
[Ralphie muffled] Four's moving on.
How are we looking, Chef?
[whispering] No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
[Manny distorted] Are we good, Chef?
[eerie music playing]
Chef?
[mold crackling]
Okay. Okay, take them.
Go, go, go, go.
[Ralphie] Okay, just give me a second.
[intense music playing]
Two minutes.
[under breath] It's in your head,
it's in your head, it's in your head.
Alvin, chives.
You know what,
I'll do it myself, bud. Move.
[server] Hey, guys,
table two's getting really antsy.
What's the holdup?
Ralphie, you got this?
[Ralphie] We're behind. Get 'em out. Move.
[server] I got three. I need four.
- Where's the fourth one?
- Ralphie, answer me, goddamn it!
- [slashing]
- [Alvin] Oh!
- [knife chopping]
- Oh!
What are you looking at?!
[chopping stops]
[food sizzling]
[Chef] Well, don't everybody
just stand there.
Get me a goddamn first aid kit.
Oh, shit.
We've got four orders backed up. Let's go.
It's just a little blood. It's fine.
[Alvin] Ah, it's not under the sink.
[Chef] Manny, move your ass!
Keep things flying out!
- [door slams open]
- [Andreas] I need the first aid kit!
I need the first aid kit!
- [Chef] Dre, it's a little blood.
- I need the, uh, injection thingy!
What?!
Shellfish allergy, table 12.
It's on the fucking ticket!
Here, I got it. I got it.
[Chef] The fucking oyster sauce.
[Andreas] I got one! I got one.
Who knows how to use this?
- We need Uncle Rudy.
- Fuck Uncle Rudy.
Okay, move out of the way.
Move out of the way.
"Blue to the sky, orange to the thigh."
[woman] Oh, my God! Don't die!
It's okay, Aunt Gigi. It's okay.
- [Aunt Gigi gasps]
- Come on, Aunt Gigi.
[dramatic music playing]
[gasping]
- [high-pitched ringing]
- [heart pounding]
- [muffled thud]
- [ringing fades]
- [thunder crashing]
- [music stops]
[engine stops]
How is she?
She'll live.
[thunder rumbling]
Look, if I could move the opening,
trust me, I would,
but we're still on, okay?
Press and all.
[quietly] Okay.
You know, Toli has dropped out
as an investor,
and... I've been struggling
to bankroll this thing.
I've used my savings,
I've maxed out my credit,
[chuckling] I've even
borrowed from family.
I really believed you when you said
that you were ready for this.
And now I'm watching you fall apart.
[breathes deeply]
[ambient music playing]
[engine starting]
[quietly] Yeah, fuck no.
- [crickets chirping]
- [distant thunder rumbling]
[ambient music continues]
[birds chirping]
[music fades]
[knocking on door]
[Alvin] Chef?
Everybody's here.
Wh... what do I tell them?
[rustling]
[Alvin] Are we still opening tonight?
[door creaking]
Tell them I'm coming.
Yes, Chef.
Oh.
[wind howling quietly]
- Alvin?
- Yeah.
What happened to her?
The witch lady?
Uh...
I don't know, actually.
But they say it got so gnarly,
the town had to shut her down.
[footsteps departing]
- [rustling]
- [cutlery clinking]
- [clears throat] Afternoon.
- [server] Hi, Chef.
- Ralphie.
- What up, Chef?
- Manny.
- Hello, Chef.
- Feder.
- Yes, Chef.
Thank you for filling in.
- You ready for this?
- Absolutely, Chef.
[door creaking open]
[Chef] Lucia.
Glad you're back. We need you.
Hey, Chef, can I, uh,
talk to you for a second?
Yeah, sure.
Can we go somewhere private?
I've got a bajillion things to do,
so go ahead and tell me now.
Well, um... [clears throat]
there's been a lot of ups and downs
in this kitchen,
and I'm here to, um...
What is this speech?
...like, get us on a level playing field,
and so, um, I have announced
that the chef for this evening
will be Lucia.
You fucking with me?
You said it yourself,
she knows the menu better than you do,
- so if you don't mind...
- What?
...feel free to, uh, take the night off.
No, no. Excuse me.
[footsteps departing]
Who knew about this?
[door opening]
[slams pen on table]
May I remind you that everything here...
the food, the functioning kitchen,
even the goddamned unclogged toilet...
is because of my brain,
my blood, my balls!
- You are so fucked without me.
- Oh, my God.
- You're fucked!
- Uh-huh.
Lucia? My God, that girl is so wet
behind the ears,
the press is gonna eat you
as a goddamned crispy bar snack.
Now, you and I,
we're gonna go back up there
and you are going to give me back
my kitchen!
Okay, you're right, you're right, okay?
It's fucked up how it all went down,
but guess what,
it's just fucking business.
Okay.
Okay, fine.
I'll just take it back. How about that?
- Hmm?
- My God, you see?
Just put yourself in my shoes
for one second.
- You are a liability.
- [chuckles]
Yes. And not to mention
you've been an asshole to everyone.
I am not an asshole, Dre!
I am just the boss!
Okay, fine.
You're the boss.
You're also fucking scaring me.
- [scoffs]
- Look at you right now.
I'm worried about you.
- No. Oh, oh.
- The pressure is getting to you.
Look. Stop, stop. Look what you're doing.
Look.
The pressure is getting to you,
and I just want to help you.
I just want to help you.
I don't want you to turn out like Magnus.
Okay? Okay.
[Chef sighs]
[Andreas panting]
[intriguing music playing]
I have everything on the line.
Open the gate, Dre.
- I can't.
- Open the goddamn gate!
This place didn't drive Magnus crazy...
you did.
- [gate rattling]
- You and this whole fucked up business.
- Open the gate!
- [quietly] I'm sorry.
Open the goddamn gate!
[grunting violently]
[screams in frustration]
- [bar clatters on floor]
- [music stops]
[quietly] Oh, shit.
- [Lucia] Dre?
- Hey.
Come on, this was a mistake.
Um, where is she? I need to talk to her.
She, um...
Yeah, she took a payout...
and she left, so...
[chuckles] She wouldn't just
walk out like that.
Yeah, it surprised me, too.
Yeah, it surprised me, too.
- [screaming] Help!
- [gate rattles]
Somebody!
[muffled] Can anybody hear me?!
[upbeat music playing over speakers]
- [low party chatter]
- [upbeat music continues]
[gate rattling]
Asshole.
[straining] This is my fucking kitchen!
- [screams, grunts]
- [bar clatters]
[groans]
[mysterious music playing]
[grunting]
[groans quietly]
Whoa.
[mysterious music continues]
[grunting]
Damn it.
- [metallic banging]
- Help!
- [banging]
- [muffled] Somebody help me!
Anybody?!
Help! I'm... I'm trapped!
[upbeat music continues over speakers]
- Hi.
- Oh, hello. Look how beautiful you look.
Thanks for giving us another try.
Up, keep it up.
[party chatter]
- [metallic banging]
- [yelling in frustration]
[banging]
[muffled] Can anybody hear me?!
- I'm trapped.
- [banging]
Really trapped!
[sighs heavily]
[bottles rattling]
No more spooky shit!
- [rattling continues]
- [eerie music playing]
[glass shattering]
[rattling continues]
What do you want from me?
- [rumbling]
- [rattling continues]
Oh, that's all you got? Huh?!
Huh?!
- Bring it to me! Let's go!
- [music intensifies]
- [crashing]
- [screams]
- [groaning]
- [glass shattering]
Stop!
- [groaning]
- [loud crashing]
- [rattling stops]
- [music stops]
- [debris falling]
- [breathing heavily]
[mysterious music playing]
[sighs]
[coughs]
[wind whistling quietly]
[flame flickering]
[breathes deeply]
[inhales deeply]
[groans]
[grunting]
Okay. [grunting]
[Lucia] Manny?
Why is the broth brown?
It's supposed to be clear and green.
This looks sad.
I did the same cook time,
but the vegetables are different.
I can't serve this.
The first course should have gone out
30 fucking minutes ago.
- Okay.
- Should I refire them?
Yeah, refire them.
Wait, no. Actually, no.
Uh, no, that's too much.
- Um...
- Let's fucking go. Let's go.
[grunting]
[grunting]
[panting]
[mysterious music continues]
[sighs] Jesus.
[grunting]
[trembling breaths]
Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
[whimpering]
- [Chef cries out]
- [debris falling]
[server] We have a spicy soup
of sprouting greens.
[party chatter]
[Chef grunting]
[quietly] Okay.
[mysterious music playing]
Oh, no.
[grunting]
[cries out]
[grunts] No.
[quietly] Oh, my God.
Oh, my...
[hyperventilating]
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
No, no! [screaming]
[whimpering cries]
[screaming]
[hyperventilating]
[coughing]
[shuddered breathing]
[quietly] It's okay. Okay.
[shuddered breathing]
[eerie whispering]
[grunting]
[mysterious music continues]
[mysterious music continues
with melodic vocalizing]
[whimpering]
[sniffles]
[quietly] "Life to death, fruit to spoil,
now is the time to..."
[optimistic music playing]
[melodic vocalizing continues]
[gasps softly]
[music intensifies]
- [glass shatters]
- [man shouting indistinctly]
- [crowd clamoring angrily]
- [music stops]
- [panicked gasping]
- [glass breaking]
[angry clamoring continues]
[grunting]
- [dramatic music playing]
- [cries out]
[wheezing gasps]
[grunting]
[grunting continues]
[breathing heavily]
[groaning]
[gasping]
[cries out]
[flames crackling]
[ambient music playing]
[woman grunts, panting]
[Witch] We know what the people call us.
They tell scary stories about us,
but they don't understand.
[woman's labored breathing]
[whooshing]
[wind blowing]
[Witch] As we tend to the body,
we tend to the heart.
We feed the soil with love,
nurturing the spirit so it can grow.
If that makes us witches,
then so be it.
[women] Feed the soil. Feed the soil.
Feed the soil.
Feed the soil. Feed the soil.
Feed the soil.
Feed the soil. Feed the soil.
- Feed the soil.
- [Witch] We only want to help you.
Here.
[dramatic music playing]
[chimes tinkling]
[music fades]
[rustling]
[dramatic music playing]
[Chef groaning]
[grunting]
[breathing heavily]
[laughs lightly]
[inhales deeply]
[sighs]
[crickets chirping]
[munching nearby]
[music fades]
[munching continues]
- [crunching]
- [sighs]
How do you fuck up a soup?!
- We're losing them.
- Quick. Take them, take them. Move, move.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,
something doesn't look right with that.
- Go.
- Are you serious?
Look, you told me we were behind.
Just get them out.
- Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
- [flames whooshing]
[Lucia] No. No, no, no, no.
No, no, no. No. Shit, no.
- Where the fuck's the fire extinguisher?!
- [Andreas] Fuck me.
- [Lucia gasps, coughs]
- Back up.
[Lucia screams] No!
[Ralphie] Alvin,
open those windows and get...
Here we go.
- [Ralphie] Open that door.
- [Lucia] No, no!
[dramatic music playing]
[Andreas] Napkin? They're coming,
they're coming, they're coming.
I think it's coming in two seconds.
- [feet squelching on floor]
- [gentle piano music playing]
[low chattering]
You know, to me, the role of chef
is, uh, an educator of people's palates...
- [Chef sniffs]
- [music stops]
[inhales deeply]
[Chef] Mm, mm. Mm.
[patrons exclaiming]
[Chef] Ugh.
[spits]
Hope you're all still hungry.
[patrons exclaiming]
- [smoke alarm wailing]
- Um... All right.
That's gonna turn off...
That's gonna self-turn off, I think.
Okay, that's smoke.
Okay, why don't we, why don't we,
why don't we get out.
Why don't we get out. Yeah.
- [alarm continues wailing]
- [patrons murmuring]
[woman sighs] Let's get out of here.
Turn off the fire alarm, now.
- How?
- Turn off... What do you mean how?
- [woman 2] This is absurd.
- [alarm stops]
- [man speaks indistinctly]
- [woman 2 scoffs]
- [patrons speaking indistinctly]
- [man] I know.
[mysterious music playing]
- [man] It's gonna be backed up...
- Hiral, are you coming?
Uh, I think I'll stay for a bit.
Okay.
[grunting]
[flames whooshing]
What do I tell guests?
Hey, we're still getting paid
for tonight, right?
Here's what we're gonna do.
Go get the tables and chairs.
Tell all the other servers,
bring everything out here.
We're gonna do it here.
Candles, settings, everything.
- Go. Go, go. Go.
- [server] Okay, you heard him. Let's go.
We're gonna finish over the fire.
[low, indistinct whispering]
Right here.
Move it right, right up,
right up against it.
Right here.
Take a seat. Welcome.
Thank you for the wait.
Thank you for the wait.
How are you guys doing? Good? Awesome.
- Excuse me.
- Thank you, my friend.
[Ralphie] Ooh, we heating up.
Let's get this on for you. [sighs]
My man. All right.
Got ourselves a kitchen here.
[breathes deeply]
[Lucia] Chef, um...
Just wanted to say, um...
- ...sorry. I...
- Lucia.
Tell me...
you ever skin a rabbit?
[steam hissing]
All right, potato and squash flying.
Step up.
Let's get a flow right now.
They've been waiting long enough.
Let's go.
[liquid bubbling]
[sizzling]
[cork pops]
[claps hands]
[heavy thud]
[inhales deeply]
[flatbread crunching]
[crunching]
[slurping]
[laughing]
[continues laughing]
[flatbread crunching]
[leaves rustling]
[upbeat music playing over speakers]
[sizzling]
- [upbeat music continues]
- Yeah, this is crazy.
- [party chatter]
- [Lucia laughing]
- Whoo!
-
Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
[party chatter continues]
[Manny speaking indistinctly]
[music and party chatter continue]
[upbeat music fading]
[woman vocalizing gentle melody]
[vocalizing continues]
[leaves rustling]
- [wind blowing]
- [leaves rustling]
[vocalizing continues]
[low, indistinct whispering]
[whispering and vocalizing fade]
- [upbeat music playing]
- [vocalizing]
- [vocalizing continues]
-
[vocalizing continues, growing fainter]
[melancholy music playing]
- [vocalizing fades]
- [melancholy music continues]
[vocalizing]
[music stops]
[light melody playing]
[somber classical music playing]
[music fades]