TV SHOW TREATMENT, 2005
PILOT
It is 1966. Black-and-white scenes. A small BOY (THOMAS HENSCHEID, aged 7), sits at the dining room table of a rather dowdy kitchen. The walls are decorated with cheap carpets depicting "bellowing stags" and a framed embroidery of "Home – Sweet Home".
His mother MATHILDE, a tall, thin woman, is in the process of taking off her coat. Underneath, she is still wearing her work clothes from her job at the local hospital's cafeteria kitchen.
Abruptly, she places a hospital dish in front of the boy. He grimaces, removes the lid and stares at the food in front of him: disgusting potatoes, mushed-up vegetables and evil-looking meatloaf. Everything neatly arranged in its own portioned-off sections in the plastic plate. Beneath the skinny woman's strict gaze, the boy reluctantly begins to eat very slowly.
2005. Change to color. A MAN (THOMAS HENSCHEID, now aged 39), strolls along the food market on a sunny Saturday morning, engrossed in grocery- shopping. Everyone is evidently pleased to see him, smiling faces at all the food stalls. Discussions about various aspects of food-preparation are occasionally held for a few moments. With an expert's eye, Thomas examines each produce, makes his purchase, laughingly takes his leave and goes to the next stall.
Loaded down with shopping bags filled with fruit, vegetables, cheese and a fresh rabbit, he finally enters a restaurant. The MAITRE D' is obviously pleased to see him, relieving him of his bags and carrying them into the kitchen, where he deposits them inside a walk-in fridge.
Thomas walks up to a table; his girl-friend GABY, 36, gets up to kiss him. Thomas says hello to another COUPLE, then sits down himself. The WAITER places a glass of champagne in front of him, then an animated discussion ensues among the four. Thomas lights up a cigarillo appreciatively, studies the menu, discusses it with the CHEF, who has come out of the kitchen for that purpose.
(The previous scenes are without dialogue and feature only background music).
