LORRAINE: Yeah?

BUFFY: Hi. Uh, you must be the new manager. I-I'm Buffy Summers.

LORRAINE: I'm Lorraine Ross. They called me in when Manny did his disappearing act. You hear about that? Guy just disappeared.

BUFFY: Yeah. I think ... I think that used to happen a lot around here.

LORRAINE: Buffy Summers. I heard about you. Caused a big scene.

BUFFY: Oh, yeah. Practical jokes not really right for the workplace. I so get that now. Anyway, I just wanted to return my uniform.

LORRAINE: Oh. Most people don't even bother.

BUFFY: The DoubleMeat Medley ... is vegetables?

LORRAINE: How do you know that?

BUFFY: So I guess it's true.

LORRAINE: Um, close the door? Have a seat. It's a formed and texturized vegetable-based meat-like product, suitable for grinding. It's blended with large amounts of rendered beef fat for flavor.

BUFFY: Wait, the secret ingredient in the beef is ... beef?

LORRAINE: Buffy. You know something powerful here, do you understand that? The DoubleMeat reputation is built on a foundation of ... well, meat. You can't spread this around.

BUFFY: I get that. It's a valuable secret, isn't it?

LORRAINE: Is there something you want?

BUFFY: I really need money.

LORRAINE: You want money?

BUFFY: No! Well, I mean, yes, but, but no, I ... well, I, I want to work. See, I-I have zero money coming in, and there are expenses, and by the time I interview for a new job and get hired and go through a training process, it... well, I'd ... I'd really like to not be fired anymore.

LORRAINE: (small smile) Well, I don't want any more practical jokes. I mean it.

BUFFY: I promise.

LORRAINE: Well, I'm a little short-handed right now, and you're already trained ... (smiles) I think you can not be fired.

BUFFY: (relieved) Thank you. That's, that's great. And I can do the job, I promise that too.

LORRAINE: I certainly hope so. I don't like short-timers, Buffy. I like people who *want* to be here. Maybe you didn't take this job seriously before, but from now on? (re 5 year pin) See this? I want you to be shooting for this from here on out.

BUFFY: (brave little toaster) Right. Here on out.

written by: Jane Espenson; transcribed by Joan the English Chick (pisces@englishchick.com).. Full transcript at:
http://www.studiesinwords.de/112doublemeatpalace.html