Army of Sin - Season 2 - The Gathering

Episode II - The Band of Misfits

Location: Eze, France…

The office was quiet save for the rhythmic ticking of the clock hanging against the wall. Seconds turned into minutes increasing both Abigail's frustration and her anxiety. Her mother had always told her that her temper would one day land her in hot water; a statement motivating her to master self control. Yet this old, miserable man with his booming voice and fiery eyes invited her furious side out to play. Beyond the door, she could still hear the sounds of the kitchen - butter sizzling in a welcome skillet, the twack of knife on cutting board and of course, Chef's barked demands. Hearing the sounds intensify for a brief second as Madam Gigi opened the door to the office, Abigail straightened her spine before assuming a neutral expression. The door closed with a gentle snick, taking with it the comfort of the kitchen. Behind her she heard the rustling of Madame Gigi shrugging out of her chef's jacket before coming around to take the seat behind the desk. The bags beneath her eyes did nothing to diminish the slender woman's elegant finish or to hide the sharpness that looked out from behind gold-rimmed spectacles. Steepling her fingers, Madame Gigi leaned back in her seat, eyes switching from the young woman before her to the happenings in the kitchen in the background.

"What are the ingredients in a Poulet de Provencal?" The Head Chef asked softly, resting her forearms on the hand-carved mahogany of her desk.

"Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, shallot, cremini mushrooms, chicken breast halves-" Abigail paused her checklist as she saw her boss hold up her hand. 

"What was that?"

"Chicken breast halves Madame." 

"Would you say chicken is important to a Poulet de Provencal?" Madame Gigi asked with a twinkle to her eyes.

"Oui,Chef."

Madame Gigi paused before continuing, "Why are you here?"

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Gigi saw the young cook's shoulders stiffen, even as her chin tilted slightly.

"To learn from one of the best culinary minds in the world," the young woman replied.

"There are many of us worldwide. There was no need to find you in the French countryside, with nothing other than rudimentary French vocab," Gigi replied, removing the spectacles before rubbing the bridge of her nose. "I will ask again, why are you here?"

"What does it matter? I am fired anyway, right!?" Abigail's neutral expression slipped for a moment as fire bled into her words

Gigi smiled at Abigail's horrified expression, seeing nothing more than a talented, but troubled adolescent before her. "You have a job here as long as you would like Abi - may I call you Abi?"

"Oui Chef."

"Now, over the duration of your stay here, you shall get to know us better and vice versa. In the meantime, Remy will be your designated French teacher."

"Merci Chef, merci beaucoup," the cook replied, "I mean, Madame Gigi."

"Either title is fine," Madame Gigi dismissed the apology, coming to place a hand on Abigail's shoulder, "We each have our own story, however, you will not be cuddled in my kitchen. Entendu?"

"Understood, Chef."

Gigi clapped cheerfully, "Good! Now that that unpleasantness is over, you can return to work. Food is energy and energy is food. We don't serve bad food at Le Sanctuaire." Smiling at the absence of tension across the young cook's shoulders, Gigi shrugged back into her chef's jacket, before pulling the sliding door.

"Oh, by the way, try not to hold Chef's voice against him."

"He hates me doesn't he?" Abigail asked with her head bowed.

"Poor child, he spent his formative years aboard seagoing vessels. All those whistles, alarms and horns damaged his hearing. Not to mention added flavour to his language," Gigi laughed softly, a melodic ripple of sound as the gold of her spectacles caught the light. "Not to worry, you will get to know the rest of the band in due time."

"The band?"

"The Band of Misfits!" Madame Gigi replied with a smile, ushering her newest employee back into the myriad sounds of the kitchen.

Chef barked for a required side dish.

Remy responded while continuing his ministrations.

Moggo continued at the washing station.

"Be sure to apologize before you return to your station," Gigi called over her shoulder. Madame Gigi Sonnet stopped at each station throughout the kitchen to check on her 'band members' nudging Moggo with her elbow before smiling at the face he made in response. She captured a kiss Remy blew her way before placing the imaginary gift into her breast pocket. She punched Chef in the meat of his arm, scampering through the door as he shouted at her to behave.

Best. Job. Ever, Gigi thought as she walked out into the dining area, greeting customers both regular and new.

                    
                      END OF EPISODE