SHREDS & Leftovers (english)

The Gourmets 08

When Gina has paid the bill at last, she waits expectantly in front of her wares. But nobody shows up to bag her purchases.
Thomas grimaces again when he realizes who exactly is holding up the line at the cash register.

Back in her hotel room, Gina opens a bottle of wine, takes a few sips. There is a knock on the door and a MESSENGER from Spunik TV delivers a monitor and several video recorders, which they immediately proceed to connect. There is a call from Dr. Kleber to welcome her to Munich. He asks with obvious disdain in his voice whether she really wants to live in that particular area of town and suggests a first meeting in the morning.

Gina places a video of Thomas' show into the VCR, turns on the radio, and prances back into the kitchen. She puts away the groceries and begins preparing a meal. From the doorway, she lifts her glass to Thomas who is visible on the TV screen.

Peter, who lives in the room next door, is busy writing a poem, an opened can of cheap ravioli in front of him, from which he takes an occasional spoonful. A delicious odor drifts out of Gina's room across the hall to Peter's desk. Magically attracted, with a bottle of cheap wine in his hand, he knocks on Gina's door. She looks at him with surprise and invites him to stay for dinner, not entirely unhappy about the sudden company.

She examines the label of the proffered wine bottle politely only to hide it quickly beneath the sofa while Peter's not looking.

On the monitor, Thomas is busy hosting his show. Disgusted, Peter watches for a while and then asks Gina, who is cooking in the background, why she wants to ruin the evening by watching such a stupid, boring programme.

GINA
Don't worry! As of tomorrow, this will be my show. And not be boring anymore!

About a dozen important-looking STAFF MEMBERS, Thomas, Maurice and Caroline amongst them, are involved in discussions, hovering in small groups in Sputnik TV's board room. Gina enters on-time, dressed in her best business outfit. All conversation stops as everyone turns to stare at her. Her voice somewhat shaky, she calls out "hi" to everyone, but nobody moves nor replies. Finally, Caroline walks up to Gina, introduces herself and shakes her hand in a friendly manner.
Somehow the face seems vaguely familiar to Thomas.