Dine and Dash

INT. RESTAURANT — EVENING

An Italian restaurant is bustling with well-dressed customers. Lighting is cosy; noise level is high, O Sole Mio playing in the background. A table is set up in black cloth and lined with white plates, red napkins, and an array of cutlery and pillar candles that create the sophisticated atmosphere of a five-star restaurant.

MAIMUNA (20s) arrives late to a job interview she is intentionally unprepared for. She finds the interviewer sitting at a table for two, and hurries on over. INTERVIEWER (30s) stands up to greet her. She wears a floor-length evergreen thobe designed with a flounce sleeve, and a colour-coordinated hijab adorned with floral intricacies and miniature emeralds.

MAIMUNA

(frantic)

Hello, I’m really very sorry. I had this urgent meeting and they kept me for so long. My name is Maimuna Abu Hatem.

Interviewer, poised and relaxed, holds out hand to shake Maimuna’s, and Maimuna gladly takes it. 

INTERVIEWER

(smiles)

No worries. What is important is that you are here now. Please.

She gestures at the seat across from her. Maimuna plops her blue coat onto the back of the chair and takes a seat, placing one leg over the other. Interviewer sits back down and adjusts the lamp an inch closer to the centre of the table.

INTERVIEWER

My name is Laila – I am the hiring manager. I believe you are here for the assistant editorial position? 

LAILA appraises Maimuna, scanning her attire. Maimuna’s outfit is a combination of random pieces of clothing; a pair of plum corduroy jeans, an ochre long-sleeve mini dress and a deer-printed hijab subtly dotted with white spots. Laila forces a neutral expression.

MAIMUNA

(mutters, looks around)

Yes.

Maimuna sits back and taps her fingers on the table, and this is loud enough to be heard but faint due to surrounding noise. Her stomach growls. She doesn’t excuse herself.

LAILA

(notices)

I ordered a few things; they should be on their way.

Just as she says this, the Waitress arrives with two full courses: two classic tomato soups and grilled cheeses, a vibrant salad of five colours, king prawns drizzled in pasta sauce, a pesto pasta dish topped with pine nuts and a large sourdough pepperoni pizza. Waitress leaves. Laila moves the plates around until the space between each one is equal.

MAIMUNA

(covers mouth out of surprise as she smiles)

You really went all out, Mrs Laila.

LAILA

(gestures towards food, adjusts edge of hijab)

Please, enjoy yourself.

Maimuna uncrosses her legs and rolls up her sleeves. She dips her spoon into the glistening red soup, capturing the basil leaf floating in the centre and shoves it into her mouth. Laila brings a spoonful of soup to her mouth.

LAILA

As I was saying earlier, we are looking for someone to fill in the assistant editorial position at our publishing company. I will begin with a few questions. Can you tell me a little about yourself?

MAIMUNA

(looks up)

But why do you keep breaking apart your words? I will? Say I’ll. Let loose.

Laila puckers her lips and waits for a response.

MAIMUNA

(between mouthfuls of prawn) 

Yes, I recently graduated with a BA in English Literature. The subject is a passion of mine, and I’m bustling with ideas. The industry needs someone like me, don’t you think?

She eyes Laila, looking for a reaction. Laila smiles. Waitress comes back to serve two strawberry lemonades. Maimuna takes a couple of sips.

MAIMUNA

I read the paper that you guys published recently. It was groundbreaking – just phenomenal. I must say, I saw myself in it. The style of writing is so compatible with mine.

Laila drinks a sip of lemonade and puts it down perfectly parallel to Maimuna’s drink. Maimuna takes a generous bite of pizza and munches on it.

LAILA

(raises eyebrow)

Are you talking about the month-old paper? We have fallen behind on schedule.

MAIMUNA

(holds eye contact)

Yes, exactly – that one.

LAILA

I am glad you feel that way. As you know, we do not hire just anyone.

MAIMUNA

(nods as she takes another bite)

Of course.

LAILA twists the golden ring on her finger and stares intently at MAIMUNA.

LAILA

Can you elaborate on why we should hire you? What makes you a good fit for the company?

Maimuna adjusts herself in her seat and takes another sip of lemonade.

MAIMUNA

(distracted)

Totally, I’d love to tell you all about that. Why don’t we eat first?

Maimuna doesn’t wait for an answer. She dumps portions of various dishes onto her plate and eats away.

LAILA

(chuckles, sits back)

Enjoy the food, for sure. When you are done, I would like to hear your answer.

Maimuna swallows and munches for several minutes as Laila sits back and nibbles sparsely.

MAIMUNA

(pauses, looks uncomfortable)

This is really good. 

LAILA

(nods)

I am sure. But are you alright?

Maimuna stands abruptly and covers her mouth. Laila stands with her, looking visibly worried.

MAIMUNA

(eyebrows upturned)

Oh my goodness, I must excuse myself.

Laila points to the bathroom, and Maimuna hurries toward it, leaving behind a distressed face. Maimuna awkwardly tries to trip and make it look accidental, but fails. She glances back, hoping Laila didn’t notice. Laila is staring right at her.

Laila sighs and chuckles once Maimuna is out of sight. She waves to the waitress to come over.

LAILA

I would like all of this to-go, please. And box me up ten pieces of your chocolate cake, each in a separate box.

Waitress leaves and comes back with her food and the pieces of cake.

LAILA

Thank you. It is much appreciated.

Laila organises nine pieces of cake on top of each other and three boxes of food until they form an even block, and takes the one piece of cake left. She exits.

Ten minutes later, Maimuna peeks out of the bathroom to where Laila had been sitting before, but she isn’t there now. Maimuna notices the small table is crowded with a dozen white cardboard boxes. As she approaches, she notices an exceptionally long piece of paper lying atop it. It’s a bill that made it to four digits. Next to it, a note reads, “Hope there’s room for cake after a long dump :)”

MAIMUNA

(stomps her foot, shocked)

I didn’t even take a dump!

Someone pats her on the shoulder and she turns around, eyebrows furrowed.

WAITRESS

Mrs Laila knew. You’re not the first one.

FADE OUT

THE END

First written: Aug 28, 2022

Published: Nov, 2026