A LITTLE ROMANCE IN THE BIG CITY

by Fernando Vieira

SCENE 3

A coffee shop. A barista and a

cashier are busy helping
customers. PEDRO is waiting in
line.

CASHIER
(Calls out an order.)
Venti, seven-pump vanilla soy, twelve-scoop matcha, hundred-
eighty degrees, no foam, green tea latte.

BARISTA
Got it.

KAREN enters the shop and stands

behind PEDRO.

CASHIER
(Notices that KAREN
has entered.)
Oh Jesus. Here's your favorite customer.

BARISTA
She better not try me today. I don't care if I lose my job.

CASHIER
Next person.

PEDRO
Hey, How you doing?

CASHIER
Hey buddy. I'm doing great. Yourself?

PEDRO
Great!

CASHIER
You want the usual?

PEDRO
Yes, please.

CASHIER
(Calls out the order.)
Grande, iced chai latte.
 2.

BARISTA
Iced chai, got it.

CASHIER
No pastry today?

PEDRO
You know me already. I'll get a cupcake too. That's all.

CASHIER
Fantastic.

As CASHIER finishes the

transaction, BARISTA raps the song
WAP while he prepares the
beverages.

BARISTA
There's some $%*& in this house
There's some $%*& in this house
There's some $%*& in this house
There's some $%*& in this house
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, you tellin' with some wet, wet, wet
Bring a bucket and a mop for this wet, wet, wet
Give me everything you got for this wet, wet, wet

CASHIER
You better cut it out. She's looking at you.

BARISTA
Fuck that bitch.

CASHIER
You're too much...Insert your card please. Thanks.

PEDRO
He's got skills.

BARISTA
Seven pump vanilla soy, ready.

CASHIER
I love my job. Have a good day Pedro.

PEDRO
You too.

PEDRO steps away from the register

CECILIA enters, but does not notice
him. He notices her, but he is too
shy to approach her.
 3.

CASHIER
Next person...How can I help you?

KAREN
You should know what I like already. You see me everyday.

CASHIER
(Calls out the order.)
Venti, skim, extra shot, extra whip, extra hot, sugar-free
caramel macchiato.

KAREN
(To the BARISTA.)
Make sure it's extra hot.

CASHIER
Anything else?

KAREN
No. Can you check the balance on these gift cards? I know
there's money on some of them.

CASHIER
This one has five cents...This one has zero dollars...This
one has zero dollars. This one has ten cents. And this one
has zero dollars.

KAREN
That's impossible. I know one of them must have at least ten
dollars on it.

CASHIER
That's all there is.

KAREN
When was this one used?

CASHIER
Let's see. It was used yesterday at the Columbus Circle
location. You used it up.

KAREN
Are you sure?

CASHIER
Yes. Look, it says here.

KAREN
I know I had more than that, but I'll just pay with credit.

CASHIER
Insert your card please.
 4.

KAREN
Can you call corporate?

CASHIER
You have to call yourself. The number's on the back of the
card.

KAREN
Why can't you call?

CASHIER
We're not supposed to call.

KAREN
But it's you guys fault. I know there's gotta be some
remaining balance.

CASHIER
There is. There's ten cents.

KAREN
You know I know your district manager. Right?

CASHIER
Okay.

KAREN
(Breathing heavily.)
This is ridiculous. I hate coming to this location. You guys
are the worst.

BARISTA
(Half singing in the
background)
My neck, my back, lick my uhm just like that.

CASHIER
You're wild today.

KAREN pays and steps away.

CASHIER
Next person please.

CECILIA approaches him. We can't

hear their interaction.

BARISTA
Iced chai?

PEDRO
Thank you.
 5.

BARISTA
Welcome.
(Rapping again as he
makes the beverage.)
There's some $%*& in this house
There's some $%*& in this house
There's some $%*& in this house
There's some $%*& in this house

KAREN
(To the BARISTA.)
I'm in a hurry. Can you speed it up?

BARISTA
I thought you said you wanted it extra hot.

KAREN
Yes.

BARISTA
Then you have to wait for it to get really hot. There's
nothing I can do about it.

CASHIER
(Calls out the order.)

Grande vanilla latte.

BARISTA
Got it.

CECILIA steps away from the

register and finally notices PEDRO.
KAREN stares at them as they talk.

PEDRO
Hey.

CECILIA
(Surprised.)
Pedro?

PEDRO
I noticed you from the moment you entered, but I was waiting
to see if you recognized me.

CECILIA
Oh my God. This is funny. What a coincidence!

PEDRO
Nice meeting you (in person).
 6.

CECILIA
Likewise. How are you?

PEDRO
I'm great...On a little coffee break.

CECILIA
Me too.

KAREN
(Loud.)
Is it done sir?...
(Muttering.)
He's so fucking slow.

BARISTA
It's almost done ma'am.

KAREN
It's not even that busy. You know you're really slow? This
is midtown. Customers around here are busy people.

CASHIER
Why does she keep coming back?

BARISTA
It's ready Karen.

CECILIA
I know that woman. She's awful.

BARISTA
I can see that. How do you know her?

CECILIA
She's a client in my office.

BARISTA
She looks miserable. I feel bad for her.

CECILIA
I don't. I hate her.

KAREN
Sir?

CECILIA
Here we go.

KAREN
You made it too hot. This is going to burn me.
 7.

BARISTA
You asked for extra hot.

KAREN
But this is too much. It shouldn't be that hot.

BARISTA
Then wait a few moments before you drink it.

KAREN
They need to train you better because...

BARISTA
No.

KAREN
What?

BARISTA
I'm trained, I know what I'm doing and I'm really good at
what I do.

KAREN
Excuse me? Don't talk to me like that.

BARISTA
I'm talking about myself and my skills are not up for
debate. I just want to make that clear. Thank you.

KAREN
If I burn my lip, it's on you.

BARISTA
No, it won't.

KAREN
Do you know who I am?

BARISTA
Yes. Do you know who I am?

KAREN
You're nobody.

CASHIER
Don't pay her any mind.

KAREN
You know I can get you fired.

BARISTA
No, you can't.
 8.

KAREN
Ha! I'll show you.

BARISTA
Try it. I'll be here.

KAREN
We'll see.

BARISTA
I mean it. I'll be here.

KAREN walks away as she mutters a

series of expletives.

BARISTA
Have a great day...Witch.

CECILIA
(To the BARISTA.)
She is pathetic!

CASHIER
She comes here everyday and there's always something the
matter with her.

BARISTA
She's mental. For real.

CECILIA
Absolutely, but you handled her well.

BARISTA
One of these days, I won't be so nice. And if they fire me,
that's fine. I'll get another job. What's the problem? I'm
not gonna let anyone disrespect me.

PEDRO
(To Cecilia.)
That's New York City for you. You gotta be tough to deal
with some of these people.

CECILIA
You're originally from Miami, right?

PEDRO
I was actually born here, but I lived in Miami for years.
There's crazy people there too though.

CECILIA
Oh, I know.
 9.

PEDRO
Are you feeling better?

CECILIA
What do you mean?

PEDRO
You said you weren't feeling well yesterday.

CECILIA
Oh yes. I'm feeling much better, thank you. Sorry about
canceling at the last minute.

PEDRO
I was soooo disappointed.

CECILIA
I'm sorry.

PEDRO
I'm kidding. Well, I was disappointed because I really
wanted to hang out with you, but we can still do it, right?

CECILIA
Yes. That would be nice.

PEDRO
When are you free?

CECILIA
Let's play by ear, but I think the weekend is probably best.

PEDRO
That works. Maybe this Saturday?

BARISTA
Grande vanilla latte.

CECILIA
Thank you.

BARISTA
Thank you, Cecilia. Have a good day.

CECILIA
Why don't you shoot me a text?

PEDRO
Alright. I'll do that. Should we aim for Saturday for now?

CECILIA
Yea. That sounds good.
 10.

PEDRO
Excellent.

CECILIA
(Sipping her
beverage.)
This is so good. I needed some caffeine.

PEDRO
Same here.

CECILIA
I have to run back to the office now. It was nice meeting
you.

PEDRO
Same! Which way are you going?

CECILIA
I'm heading towards fifty second.

PEDRO
I'm walking that way too.

CECILIA
Alright.

PEDRO
I still can't believe we finally met.

CECILIA
I know.

CASHIER
Have a good day!

PEDRO
You too guys.

CECILIA and PEDRO exit.

BARISTA
(Resumes rapping.)
Bring a bucket and a mop for this wet, wet, wet
Give me everything you got for this wet, wet, wet.

END OF SCENE.