The restaurant owner came in early to prep for lunch… But someone was already inside cooking.
Sarah turns her key in the front door of Maple Street Diner at 6 AM sharp. The morning routine never changes.
Steam drifts from the kitchen windows. The coffee maker hums.
She pushes through the swinging doors. A man in chef whites stands at her grill, flipping pancakes with practiced precision.
Sarah: Who are you? How did you get in here?
The man doesn’t look up from the griddle. His movements are fluid, familiar with the space.
David: Morning, Sarah. Hope you don’t mind I got started early.
Sarah: Mind? This is my restaurant. You’re trespassing.
The back door stands open. Her spare apron hangs on his shoulders.
David: Relax. I’m just helping out. Figured you could use an extra hand.
Sarah: I didn’t hire you. I don’t even know you.
She reaches for her phone. The morning prep is already complete. Vegetables diced. Batter mixed. Coffee brewing in industrial quantities.
David: You will. I sent my resume last week.
Sarah: I never got any resume.
The grill sizzles. He plates three orders of pancakes with garnish she’s never seen before.
David: Check your email again. I’m very thorough.
Sarah scrolls through her inbox. Nothing. Her hands shake as she dials 911.
Sarah: There’s someone in my restaurant who won’t leave.
The dispatcher takes her address. David continues cooking, humming softly.
David: You’re making a mistake, Sarah. I’m exactly what this place needs.
Sarah: The police are coming. You need to go.
Two customers enter through the front door. They sit at the counter expectantly.
Customer: Smells amazing in here. What’s the special?
David slides the pancakes across the pass. The customers dig in immediately.
Customer: These are incredible. Best I’ve ever had.
Sarah stares as they eat. The recipe isn’t hers.
Sarah: Those aren’t on our menu.
David: They are now. I’m upgrading things around here.
Sarah: You can’t just change my menu.
The customers finish and leave cash on the counter. More than the usual breakfast charge.
David: See? Profit margins just improved.
Sarah: This is insane. You broke into my restaurant.
Officer Rodriguez enters through the front door. His radio crackles with static.
Rodriguez: Someone called about an intruder?
Sarah: Yes, this man. He was here when I arrived.
Rodriguez: Sir, do you have permission to be here?
David: Of course. I work here.
He gestures to the kitchen. Everything runs smoothly. Orders flow seamlessly.
Rodriguez: Ma’am, is he an employee?
Sarah: No. I’ve never seen him before in my life.
Rodriguez: Sir, I need to see some identification.
David reaches into his pocket. He produces a key ring identical to Sarah’s.
David: I have keys. Obviously I belong here.
Sarah: Those are my keys. He stole them.
Rodriguez: How did you get these keys, sir?
The morning rush begins. Customers stream through the door.
David: Sarah gave them to me yesterday. Right, Sarah?
Sarah: That’s a lie. I was here alone yesterday.
Rodriguez checks the locks. No signs of forced entry.
Rodriguez: The doors weren’t damaged. How did he get inside?
Sarah: I don’t know. But this is my restaurant.
She pulls out her business license. Her name clearly printed.
Rodriguez: Sir, this establishment belongs to Ms. Chen. You need to leave.
David: Check the partnership papers. I’m the new co-owner.
Sarah: What partnership papers?
David produces a folder from behind the counter. Legal documents with both their signatures.
Sarah: I never signed anything. That’s not my signature.
Rodriguez examines the papers. The notary stamp looks authentic.
Rodriguez: These appear legitimate. When were these signed?
David: Last Tuesday. We finalized everything at the lawyer’s office.
Sarah: I was at my daughter’s school concert Tuesday. I have witnesses.
Her phone buzzes. A text from an unknown number.
Text: “Hope you’re enjoying your new partner. – M”
Sarah shows Rodriguez the message.
Sarah: He’s been planning this. Look at the timestamp.
Rodriguez: When did you receive this?
Sarah: Just now. But it’s dated three days ago.
The kitchen timer rings. David removes fresh bread from the oven.
David: Sarah’s always been forgetful about business meetings.
Sarah: This is harassment. He’s trying to steal my restaurant.
More customers arrive. They order from David directly.
David: What can I get you folks? We have some amazing new specials.
Customer: We heard about the ownership change. Excited to try the new menu.
Sarah: There’s no ownership change. This man is lying.
Rodriguez: Ma’am, I need you to calm down.
Sarah: Calm down? He’s stealing my livelihood.
The lunch crowd grows. David handles orders efficiently.
David: Sarah’s having a difficult adjustment period. Change is hard.
Sarah: Stop talking like you know me.
Rodriguez: Sir, even if these papers are real, you can’t just take over someone’s business.
David: I’m not taking over. We’re partners now.
Sarah: Show me the canceled check. Show me the money transfer.
David: All electronic. Very modern. Very clean.
Sarah’s phone rings. Her lawyer’s office.
Sarah: Hello?
Lawyer: Sarah, I have some concerns about those documents you signed.
Sarah: What documents? I didn’t sign anything.
Lawyer: The partnership agreement. My office received copies this morning.
Sarah: Someone forged my signature.
Rodriguez: Ma’am, you need to handle this through the courts.
Sarah: He can’t stay here while we sort this out.
Rodriguez: If the papers are legitimate, I can’t remove him.
David: See? Everything’s above board.
The lunch rush peaks. Orders flow steadily.
David: We’re making more money than ever, Sarah. You should thank me.
Sarah: Thank you? You’re a criminal.
Rodriguez: I’ll file a report, but this seems like a civil matter.
Sarah: Civil matter? He broke into my restaurant.
Rodriguez: With keys. And partnership papers.
Sarah watches customers enjoy David’s food. Her regular customers.
Customer: This new chef is amazing. You made a great choice, Sarah.
Sarah: I didn’t choose him. He’s not supposed to be here.
Customer: The food’s never been better.
Sarah: But it’s not my food. It’s not my recipes.
David: Recipes evolve, Sarah. Businesses grow.
Sarah: Not without the owner’s permission.
Rodriguez: Ma’am, I suggest you contact your lawyer immediately.
Sarah: I’m calling him right now.
She dials. Her hands tremble.
Sarah: David, someone’s trying to steal my restaurant.
Lawyer: I’ll review everything. Don’t sign anything else.
Sarah: I didn’t sign anything in the first place.
The afternoon shift arrives. Sarah’s regular employees.
Employee: Hey Sarah. Who’s the new guy?
Sarah: He’s not supposed to be here.
Employee: But he knows all our systems. Even the POS codes.
Sarah: How does he know our codes?
David: I’m very observant. Very prepared.
Sarah: You’ve been watching us. Studying us.
David: I prefer the term “research.”
Rodriguez: That’s concerning behavior, sir.
David: It’s called due diligence. Standard business practice.
Sarah: Standard stalking, more like it.
The health inspector arrives unexpectedly.
Inspector: Routine inspection. Hope that’s okay.
David: Of course. We run a clean operation.
Sarah: He’s not authorized to speak for this restaurant.
Inspector: Who’s in charge here?
David: We both are. Equal partners.
Sarah: That’s not true. Check your records.
Inspector: I have Sarah Chen listed as sole proprietor.
David: Recent changes. Paperwork’s being processed.
Inspector examines the kitchen. Everything spotless.
Inspector: Impressive setup. Temperature logs are perfect.
David: We take food safety seriously.
Sarah: Those aren’t my temperature logs.
Inspector: Someone’s been very meticulous.
Sarah: Because he’s been here illegally, documenting everything.
Inspector: The logs show consistent monitoring for weeks.
Sarah: Weeks? He’s been breaking in for weeks?
David: Not breaking in. Consulting. Preparing for partnership.
Rodriguez: Sir, that’s still trespassing.
David: Prove I didn’t have permission.
Sarah: I’m proving it right now. Officer, arrest him.
Rodriguez: I need more evidence of criminal activity.
Sarah: The forged documents aren’t enough?
Rodriguez: That’s for the courts to determine.
The dinner crowd begins arriving. Reservations under names Sarah doesn’t recognize.
David: Evening rush is starting. We should focus on service.
Sarah: These aren’t our usual customers.
David: New marketing brings new clientele.
Customer: We saw your ad online. Drove an hour to try this place.
Sarah: What ad? I didn’t place any ads.
Customer: The social media campaign is brilliant. Very engaging.
Sarah checks her restaurant’s Facebook page. Posts she never made.
Sarah: He’s been impersonating me online.
Rodriguez: That could constitute identity theft.
David: I was helping with marketing. Sarah’s not very tech-savvy.
Sarah: I never asked for your help with anything.
The evening continues. David orchestrates service flawlessly.
David: See how smoothly everything runs? We make a great team.
Sarah: We’re not a team. You’re a criminal.
Rodriguez: I’m going to need both of you to come to the station.
Sarah: Finally. Thank you, officer.
David: This is unnecessary. We can resolve this privately.
Rodriguez: Too many irregularities. We need official statements.
Sarah locks the cash register. The day’s earnings are substantial.
Sarah: He’s not touching this money.
David: That’s our money, Sarah. Partnership profits.
Sarah: Your fake partnership doesn’t entitle you to anything.
Rodriguez: The money stays locked until this gets sorted out.
Sarah: How long will that take?
Rodriguez: Depends on the investigation. Could be weeks.
Sarah: Weeks? I can’t operate like this.
Rodriguez: You might need to close temporarily.
Sarah: This is my livelihood. My daughter depends on this place.
David: See? You need me. I can keep things running.
Sarah: Over my dead body.
Rodriguez: Let’s avoid dramatic language, ma’am.
Sarah: He’s destroyed everything I’ve worked for.
The last customers leave. The restaurant falls quiet.
David: We could have been great partners, Sarah.
Sarah: You’re delusional.
Rodriguez: Sir, you’re under arrest for criminal trespass.
David: This is a mistake. Check the paperwork again.
Rodriguez: The paperwork’s suspicious. We’re investigating forgery.
Sarah: Thank you. Finally, some justice.
Rodriguez cuffs David. He doesn’t resist.
David: You’ll regret this, Sarah. I was your best opportunity.
Sarah: My best opportunity is getting you out of my restaurant.
Rodriguez: Ma’am, you’ll need to secure the premises tonight.
Sarah: I’m changing all the locks first thing tomorrow.
Rodriguez: Smart thinking.
Sarah: And installing new security cameras.
Rodriguez: Good idea. This guy was clearly planning something.
David: I was planning success. Prosperity. Growth.
Sarah: You were planning theft.
Rodriguez loads David into the patrol car. The restaurant empties completely.
Sarah stands alone in her kitchen. Everything exactly as it should be.
Sarah: Tomorrow, we start over. The right way.
She turns off the lights and locks the door. Her key works perfectly.
The morning will bring new challenges, but tonight, her restaurant is finally hers again.
