Slow Burn

2~ Southern Hospitality

You arrive for your first day on the set of Everett Flynt: Taste of the World as the new culinary producer...

...When you find the entire kitchen up in flames!

Fulin
"Oh my god! What do I do?"

You search desperately for a fire extinguisher, when Everett slams the door open.

Everett
"What the hell is going on in here? You have answers for me, Fulin?"

Fulin
"It wasn't my fault. It was already like this. I didn't-"

Everett
"You failed me on your first day! Doug was right. You should have stayed a no-name line cook forever..."

You suddenly jolt awake in your seat, right as the airplane pilot makes an announcement over the intercom...

Pilot
"We'll be making our decent to New Orleans in thirty minutes..."

You put your head in your hands in both relief and trepidation.

Fulin
(Oh god... What was I thinking taking this job? Everett's gonna realize I'm a fraud and throw me off the plane...)

You feel a gentle tap on your shoulder and turn to see a young woman sitting across the aisle.

Vivian
"Hey, I'm Vivian. You okay? You kept muttering 'Fire, fire!' unde your breath, which was mildly concerning..."

Fulin
"Sorry, I just had a nightmare. I just hired on the show, and I'm pretty sure it was a complete fluke. I don't belong here."

Vivian
"Ah, good 'ol imposter syndrome. Don't worry, I'm 100% in the same boat."

Vivian
"I'm the Head Designer for the show, so I'll be leading the restaurant remodeling and makeover."

Vivian
"Which is my own nightmare, since I'd never been on a TV set, let alone led a whole construction team!"

Fulin
"How'd you get the gig?"

Vivian
"Zara plucked me off the internet. Her assistant saw my home makeover vlogs and thought my subscribers would translate into views."

Vivian
"Moral of the story... Us two newbies should stick together."

Fulin
"Thanks, Vivian... We're a team now."

Vivian
"Good. Be careful what you wish for! I'm gonna ask your opinion on color swatches all the time now."

Vivian
"The distinction between Peach Sunrise and Bare Beige is very subtle but essential. It's all about the warm versus cool tones..."

Fulin
"I look forward to it."

Fulin
"Although it does seem like there are a lot of, um, characters to contend with on set."

Vivian
"Are there ever!"

Vivian leans across the aisle hesitantly.

Vivian
"Between you and me, I think Everett's been especially prickly because he's been out of the limelight for a while and is adjusting back to it."

Fulin
"Yeah, I remember watching him compete against Antoine Duval on that cooking competition show, The Knife's Edge."

Fulin
"They kept butting heads, and then Everett stormed off and quit during the finale, right?"

Vivian
"Believe it or not, I actually attended that finale. I was getting some behind-the-scenes footage for my vlog..."

Vivian
"...When I stumbled into Everett and Antoine right before the show. Everett said to him, 'You crossed the line.'"