SHREDS & Leftovers (english)

The Gourmets 02

At a TV studio, leaning casually on a counter, Thomas Henscheid is just completing hosting his weekly show CULINARIA.
Right after the taped session is finished, his assistant, the rather chubby CAROLINE PAEFFGEN, 29, hurries up to him and tells him excitedly that Dr. Kleber, the owner of the TV-station and Maurice Hubert, the programme director, are waiting for him at the Ristorante TURRINI.

Thomas has a feeling of foreboding, grimaces and walks to the studio exit, but not before stopping in front of a mirror and trying to hide the obvious beginnings of a tummy underneath his shirt.

DR. FRANZ XAVIER KLEBER, 59, is lying asleep in the large, luxurious bedroom of his hunting lodge near a pristine Bavarian lake. Next to him, a PRETTY YOUNG THING in her mid-twenties.
On the floor, lingerie, a champagne cooler with melted ice, empty glasses and champagne bottles.

Dr. Kleber wakes up, looks at the clock, curses, jumps out of bed immediately, then grabs the phone.

Thomas, who hasn't even bothered to take off his make-up, rushes into the restaurant and walks up to the table at which MAURICE HUBERT is seated. The latter is speaking on the phone while watching with interest as the young, good-looking WAITER walks off in the distance.

Thomas sits down at the table completely out of breath and tries several times to catch Maurice's attention, but he is busily attempting to solve a relationship issue with his partner while ignoring Thomas entirely. Irritated, Thomas pulls his own mobile phone out of his coat pocket at last and dials a number.

Shortly thereafter, the good-looking waiter appears at the table and whispers something into Maurice's ear. He gets up and walks to the restaurant telephone, while never ceasing to speak into his own mobile.

It is Thomas on the other line wanting to know why the devil he needed to get there in such a hurry only to listen to Maurice's "marital problems". Maurice returns to the table and, in his effusive French way, begins to tell Thomas a juicy bit of gossip about a famous chef, his girl-friend 30 years his junior and their cocaine consumption.

Thomas isn't the least bit interested and demands an explanation.