Dead Meat
April 19th, 2021
Starring: Tamara (female, 50’s), Coby (male, late 20’s)
A fast food chain corporate headquarters, Tamara’s office. She sits at her desk, which is filled with family photos, kids meal toys, the like. At the corner, an apple, which Tamara shines on her shirt. There’s a knock on the door. She puts the apple down.
TAMARA
Come on in!
The door opens, revealing Coby. He holds a stack of documents, looking appropriately stressed.
TAMARA
Well, well. Would you look who the cat dragged in.
COBY
Happy Monday.
How are you?
TAMARA
Oh, you know...an apple a day!
Tamara holds up her apple and takes a firm bite, chewing.
COBY
Yes, that’s...
May I?
She gestures to the chair across from her. He sits, placing a few file folders on the desk:
TAMARA
So. Coby. To what do I owe the occasion?
COBY
Um.
Listeria.
TAMARA
Oh.
That’s a new one.
COBY
Possible. A possibility. A possibility of possible Listeria.
TAMARA
Which plant is this?
COBY
Rhodes’ Mill. They’re saying it’s contaminated groundwater. Slid under the radar.
TAMARA
Clearly. So how much is at risk?
COBY
The meat or our reputation?
TAMARA
Yes.
COBY
Hard to say. It could be all of it or it could be none of it. We’re gambling blindfolded.
TAMARA
So if we trash it…?
COBY
We lose roast beef at nine restaurants for eight days. At minimum.
TAMARA
And if we were to...move forward with distribution?
COBY
Is that still on the table?
TAMARA
I don’t know...is it?
COBY
Um. Isn’t that your call?
TAMARA
It is. But let’s play make-believe. Let’s say you get to be principal for the day and I came to you with this. What would you be telling me?
Hypothetically, of course.
COBY
Well...
I would say the possibility of contamination makes the probability of an outbreak very possible.
TAMARA
Okay...
COBY
and if that possibility becomes a reality…
TAMARA
Mhmmm…
COBY
that would make a messy, expensive lawsuit a very probable probability.
TAMARA
But.
COBY
But
Um
Times are tough?
TAMARA
Very.
And?
COBY
And…
The guarantee of revenue outweighs…
TAMARA
Everything.
COBY
Everything. Even the health of our customers and employees.
TAMARA
You said it.
And let’s say our friends at the USDA expressed an intention to take action of the...legal variety...what would you say then?
Hypothetically?
COBY
I would say that...people get sick. And people can get sick from all kinds of things.
TAMARA
That they can, Coby. That they can.
…
So are we good here?
Coby is confused. Tamara smiles and nods. Coby is no longer confused.
COBY
Yes. Yes we are.
TAMARA
Love it.
Well I appreciate you bringing this to my attention, as always.
COBY
Just doing my job.
Coby gathers himself and heads for the door:
TAMARA
Coby?
Coby turns:
TAMARA
I’m proud of you.
I felt like you needed to hear that today.
COBY
Oh
Thank—thank you.
I did. Need to hear—
TAMARA
Good.
...
Get the door, will you?
COBY
Sure.
Coby nods and exits, closing the door behind him. Tamara looks down, facing all the files in front of her. Her mouth twists and turns, taking one last moment. Then she opens the first folder and starts to read, turning pages with one hand, holding her apple with the other. She takes a big bite.