"Come on, pick up the pace, or do all those muscles really slow you down?"
"Any faster and I would have to start running," I objected to the sarcastic remark, but lengthened my stride nonetheless to keep up with the impatient woman as we wove in between the busy production. "Also, just who exactly are you?"
"I'm the person who was put in charge of this shit show, and is supposed to make miracles happen," The woman muttered with a deep scorn, "Though it seems like I'm eternally cursed to fail at everything I try."
I clicked my tongue, "I didn't catch a name in all of that."
The woman sent a sideways glance back at me before responding, "You can call me Lois, you're Ramon Young, right?"
I nodded, "Yes, that's me. Should I ask why you know my name and why it seems like I should have known, whatever is going on, was going to happen?"
"Yes, you should ask, because any minute now I'm going to need you to sign a contract saying that you're willing to be recorded and have your image released," Lois detailed as stress bled from her voice.
"Well then, I'm all ears," I replied light heartedly, which I could tell Lois did not appreciate, but at that point, I couldn't be bothered to work around her mood when I was caught so off guard.
"Long story short," Lois started with a sigh, "My boss caught wind of Colette being in town and did some snooping, eventually finding out where she was staying, and told me to make a story out of it. I interviewed her and found out about your little personal arrangement. That was supposed to be the extent of everything, but then my boss wanted to make a whole thing out of it, and I went along with it because I wanted to advance my career, but I apparently work with idiots who can't do something as simple as make a phone call or send an email."
"And now you need me to agree to this whole thing at the last possible minute or else your career is fucked and probably your job as well," I surmised while slowly nodding my head, "I can see why you're so stressed."
Lois scoffed, "Oh, I'm not just stressed, I'm one piece of bad news away from a full blow melt down that gets me admitted to the psych ward!"
"So you really need me to say yes to this deal, don't you?" I asked only to stop as Lois whirrled around to face me and threw out her arms, "Yes, I do, and I'm willing to do damn near anything, is that what you wanna hear, you sick fuck? What's next, you gonna ask me to blow you in exchange for signing the damn contract?"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," I held up my hands to stop Lois before she could say something even more insane, "None of that will be necessary, I'll sign the contract, no need for any sexual harassment."
Lois blinked as if she couldn't believe what I had just said, "Really, just like that?"
"It may not look like it, but I've been preparing all week to cook, and I'm not gonna let something as little as possibly thousands of people watching deter me," I answered confidently, " One thing first, though, I want to see Colette."
---
"Who is it?! I said I did not wish to be disturbed!"
Even through the door of the camper, acting as her temporary changing room, Colette's French accent was unmistakable.
"It's Ramon, Colette. I think we should talk, given that I just found out a few minutes ago that our cook-off is now a public affair." I said, raising my voice so I could be heard through the door.
There was a pause befor colette replied, "Come in."
Pushing the door open, I stepped inside the camper and found Colette standing in the middle of the room, dressed in a freshly pressed chef's uniform, looking the part of a professional.
"What do you mean, you just found out?" Colette asked, though her tone made it sound like a demand more than a request.
"Exactly that, I pulled up to my restaurant to get ready and found an entire production crew waiting for me," I explained as I crossed my arms, "Luckily, I ran into Lois, and she told me everything."
"Good, then we can start the competition as planned," Colette said resolutely, clearly not concerned with the details.
"Yeah, but I still have one question," I continued, making Colette narrow her gaze, "One only you can answer."
"And that is?" Colette muttered darkly.
"Why did you agree to do it?" I said simply, "What's in it for you?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Colette stated with a burning fire in her eye, "My talent is finally being acknowledged! None of the other chefs I faced would risk having their defeat filmed for the entire public to see. But I knew you would be different. After today, I'll have the momentum I need to finally begin moving out of the shadows and show the world why I am one of the greatest cooks to ever live!"
I pursed my lips, "That is, assuming you actually beat me."
Colette stalled for a second before smirking, "Of course I will! I've beaten chefs who've been cooking longer than either of us has been alive, who own restaurants so exclusive that it takes years to get a reservation. Your small-town comfort food is nothing compared to theirs. I can't believe you even think you stand a chance!"
"Well, if that's the case, maybe I should just head back to my apartment and forget this whole thing," I muttered with a disappointed sigh, "Why try when I'm destined to fail?"
"Yes, leave while your pride is still in- w-wait, what did you say?" Colette interrupted herself as she registered my words, "You're giving up?"
"No," I smirked, "I just wanted to see the look on your face if I threatened to."
Colette glared at me, "Before I just wanted to get this done with, but now I think I'll take great pleasure in humilating you."
"The feelings mutual," I replied before turning around and walking out of the trailer.
"So how did it go?" Lois asked as I stopped beside her, "Just a bundle of joy, isn't she?"
"That's one way to describe her," I muttered, which made Lois smirk as she held out a bundle of papers along with a pen, "Still feel like going through with all of this."
"More than ever," I said while picking up the pen and looking for the dotted line.
---
After signing the contract, everything became a blur as I was whisked away to get camera-ready. Though that lasted only a few seconds after the hairdresser and the makeup artist realized there was nothing to improve on. After that, I managed to break away from the production team and get all the tools and ingredients I needed from the restaurant, bringing them out on a cart.
After asking around a bit, I was finally shown my station for the event. The entire stage was divided into three parts, with one being the judges' table in the very middle, and two identical mock kitchens on either side. They were set up with large wooden countertops in front with four-burner stoves along the back with ovens underneath.
At the same time, I was setting up, Colette made her appearance, sparing me only a single hostile glance before moving to her own station and beginning her own preparations.
--[3rd Person]--
"And we're live in three…two…one…"
"Hello and good morning, everyone. My name is Lois Lane with Channel 9 news, and today, we are hosting a very special segment, a cooking competition, between Ramon Young, head chef and owner of Ramon's Grillhouse, a restaurant that is quickly growing to be a town staple, and Colette Tatou, a chef of great renown who has made it her mission to prove that she stands at the top of the culinary world. Today, each chef has been given the same task: cook three dishes for our panel of judges, an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert. Each course will have its own round, during which the judges will declare the better dish. For those counting, you know that means it's best out of three. Which means stick around until the very end to see who will come out on top!"