Appetite for Love Page #3

Okay, thanks.

How about an egg- white omelet

and three sides of hash browns.

Coming up.

This looks good.

Give me a couple of these.

I think if we just sit down

and communicate...

...we can figure this out.

It's really just a couple

minor adjustments.

Willy, my family's been running

this restaurant for 50 years.

I think I got it. Thanks though.

- It's Mina, for the record...

...and here's the thing. Before ICB

launches the brand nationally...

...corporate wants to give

the place a little makeover.

Freshen it up and

retool the menu a bit.

- Absolutely not.

- Okay, well...

...I don't think you're quite

understanding the situation.

I don't think you understand.

There is no situation.

Yeah.

I'm on my way.

You're right, there is a situation.

- What's going on?

Lucien, cover for me,

I got a 10- 84.

- Yes, sir.

- What's a 10- 84?

Assisting a citizen.

It's usually something stuck up

in a tree like a kite or a cat.

I'll see you when I see you.

You've got to be joking.

What, he works for the

fire department now?

He is the fire department.

Hello?

Where is everyone?

- I'm closing early.

Got a town council meeting

in here tonight...

...and I'm off to coach

the youth basketball team.

But you can't just do

all this other stuff.

The restaurant needs your

undivided attention.

You know, I'm sick of you

telling me what I can...

...and can't do in my restaurant.

- That's what I've been...

...trying to tell you.

It's not your restaurant anymore.

The deal your dad made requires

you to comply with any...

...and all changes

ICB deems necessary.

What?

They own and operate Hart's now,

and they can do whatever...

...they want with the chain.

The look, the menu, everything.

I'm sorry, but you don't have

a choice, Clay.

And if you don't comply

with the rebranding...

...they will get rid of you.

- Hey, man.

- Hey, buddy!

Can I get a whiskey?

You know what, make it a double.

- I take it you heard Willy's back?

- Oh, yeah. I heard.

Paisley's not gonna be

too happy about that.

What are you talking about?

We broke up last week.

Well, thanks for telling me.

You know, Clay...

...it's not good to hold all

those strong emotions stuck inside.

- What are you doing?

- I'm helping you process.

You know, it's the whole

empathetic bartender thing.

The deal was that you were supposed

to be my partner, not my therapist.

Right, which reminds me,

that, as the new co- owner...

...of this fine establishment...

...you get to choose a drink

named after yourself.

Deacon, this is serious.

She's going to take away

my restaurant.

Willy works for the company

that bought Hart's.

She was sent here to change

everything.

- What are you talking about?

- She's gonna turn it into...

...one of those generic diners,

like Grayson's.

But Hart's has been

in your family for 50 years.

What am I going to do?

Well, you and this Claytini...

...will figure something out.

Hey, how's it going?

You have no idea how happy

I am to hear your voice.

Well, you have no idea

how desperately I miss you.

- What are you doing tonight?

- Well, first...

...I'm schmoozing clients,

followed by crossfit at 9:00...

...and then Chloe and Kenline

are taking me to some...

...after- hours lounge in the

back of a butcher shop.

I miss my life in the city.

How's it going?

I texted you, but...

I know, Sorry.

It's been a rough day.

Well, how does it feel

to be back?

Like a high- school

reunion from hell.

It can't be that bad.

Let's see, no hotel room,

forced to stay with my artsy aunt.

Ran into my high- school nemesis

and the owner of Hart's...

...died three months ago.

So, pretty bad.

I'm sure you'll get it all

smoothed out.

They don't call you

"the fixer" for nothing.

- People call me that?

- They will after you nail this job.

I just want to finish

and come home.

Home to a condo with a steam

room and a clawfoot tub.

A hot bath does sound nice.

Gotta go, clients are coming.

Keep thinking about it, okay?

Bye.

Well, I think we've waited

for him long enough...

...so why don't we just

get started. We think...

...Hart's has become synonymous

with all things American.

Hence, our re- branding

starts with the...

..."Americana Extreme" menu.

- Americana Extreme?

- It's a twist on everyone's...

...favorite comfort foods,

hamburgers, hot dogs...

...chicken, barbecue, ribs.

All of which our vendors

are set up to provide.

- What's the twist?

- It's not actual food.

Why don't we just

watch the presentation...

...and I'll take questions

after, okay? Thanks.

International Corporate Brands

is a global brand...

...management firm that

oversees 50 businesses worldwide.

You always used to come here

when you were avoiding something...

...or someone.

Yeah, well, now I'm just trying

to get a catch of the day.

And as admirable as that is,

I don't think corporate...

...would appreciate you undermining

their commercial fishing suppliers.

I can't believe you discovered my

plot to destroy the world economy.

I need you to come back

to the restaurant...

...and help motivate the employees.

I need you to be the manager.

So, now you need my help?

We want you to stay

and run the restaurant.

It's best for everyone.

- Okay.

We'll just keep things

the way they are then.

I don't know how you thought

this would play out...

...or what your dad told you, but

this is what happens in a takeover.

Changes are made. And besides,

the other stores...

...have already started

re- branding. Charlotte, Knox...

You know what?

I might not be able to stop them

from destroying the other...

...five restaurants, but I can

sure do something about this one.

A property deed?

I inherited the Sycamore Springs

restaurant when my dad passed away.

The title to the restaurant

is in my name.

- What?

- ICB may own the name Hart's...

...but the restaurant is mine.

I'm not sure your father

was authorized to do that.

Yeah, maybe, maybe not.

But if ICB wants...

...to fight me on it,

I'll see them in court.

I've seen the numbers.

You're in the red...

...no matter whose name

is on the deed.

- We'll make it up in the summer.

- No, you won't.

All this local,

organic produce is perishable.

Using our vendors

will cut your costs in half.

And with our marketing,

you'll get more tourists.

It'll boost business for everyone

in Sycamore Springs.

Since when did you care

about Sycamore Springs?

You left and never looked back.

- I know, but that's me, not you.

You're established

in this community.

So let me get this straight.

You want to turn a small...

...farm- to- table family

business into a factory?

A factory that serves pre- packaged,

frozen food disguised...

...as old- fashioned home cooking?

- It's Americana Extreme.

- It's wrong.

- It's profitable.

- What's wrong with you?

- I'm not the enemy here, Clay.

I'm here to help.

And if you don't do something...

...you'll be out of business

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