SCRIPT SYNOPSIS

A lot can happen in 24 hours.

You can lose your job, your self respect and even your mind. You can lose seemingly
everything.

Yet often what appears to be the worst thing in your life can actually turn out to be the best thing
in your life.

For you can also lose your heart and fall in love...

_________________________

THE EVENING BEFORE...

Toni Serban is the superstar chef at The Diplomat restaurant, celebrated and feted by all.
Unfortunately, his star far outshines that of the restaurant's owner, Vlad Sava, who is not happy
at being pushed into the shadows. Vlad neither likes Toni nor trusts him and is looking for the
right opportunity to catapult Toni's star into a black hole.

Although their relationship appeared to be a perfect match at the start The Diplomat is now
losing its regular customers. For the simple reason that Toni's culinary creations are becoming
ever more absurdly sophisticated. The patrons want simple food. Toni is unwilling to
compromise his 'art' and serve such fare.

Things come to a head when Toni refuses point blank to serve some of Vlad's wealthy and
influential friends Romanian cheese and tomatoes. An almighty argument breaks out as Toni
haughtily insults them as ignorant barbarians. An incandescent Vlad fires Toni. He's finished,
his career is finished.

NEXT MORNING...

As the sun begins to rise on a warm summer's day in Herastrau Park a disconsolate Toni sits on a
bench. After a moment he is joined by Micu, his ever loyal and ever resourceful factotum.
Toni's world has collapsed, it's the end. No restaurant, no career, no company credit cards,
company car, no more bills paid for his flash apartment anymore, just to name a few of the perks
he used to enjoy at The Diplomat. Micu reassures Toni that there are other doors to be opened.
And Micu has heard a whisper that a personage of high standing and birth is to visit Le Petit
Jardin. The very restaurant where Toni began his career. Further, the Very Important Person is
looking to hire a new chef. Micu advises Toni to drop Le Petit Jardin's owner, Mrs Morar a call
to offer his services.

Not so far away in Herastrau Park is Le Petit Jardin, a small but cosy restaurant, rustic, serving
good simple food and with an enchanting garden terrace overlooking the lake. It's a hive of
excited activity for no less a person than Prince Charles himself is to dine there today, to enjoy a

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small feast of traditional Romanian delicacies. With his small entourage they will celebrate the
Prince's beloved charity event - Save The Romanian Villages.

The head chef, Cat Domenico, passionate, loyal, is busily organising everyone for the big day.
Leon, co chef, ably and calmly helps her. Lucian, the Maitre'D, steadies himself by having a
few strong drinks.

However, at Le Petit Jardin things are not running smoothly. The owner, Mrs Morar, is a
troubled woman. She is in deep debt and facing the fact that she may have to sell her beloved
restaurant.

Toni meets Mrs Morar in the park. Toni lies that he has grown tired of the snobs who patronise
The Diplomat, he wants to get back to his culinary roots, to give something back to Le Petit
Jardin that it gave him when he was first starting out. What's unspoken between them is that
Toni knows, via Micu, that Mrs Morar has big financial problems. And that Mrs Morar knows
that Toni isn't telling the whole truth, if at all. But - they both need each other.

Mrs Morar takes up Toni's offer. Now she not only has Prince Charles but also the town's star
chef, exactly what she needs to raise Le Petit Jardin's status and save the restaurant. It's also a
lucky break for Toni.

It's the worst thing that could happen for Cat. Not only will she have the limelight taken away
from her on this important day, but she hates and despises Toni Serban. For they have a bad
personal and professional history. Cat only reluctantly agrees for the occasion and good of the
restaurant.

AFTERNOON...

Mrs Morar is with Prince Charles and his party at the Village Museum. Charles is looking
forward to eating at Le Petit Jardin.

Vlad has learned about the Prince dining at Le Petit Jardin - and that Toni Serban, the snake, will
be serving him some 'simple' dishes. Vlad is not a happy man.

An uneasy truce develops between Cat and Toni. Turning on all the charm Toni manages to win
over most of the staff, though Cat remains immune. She doesn't like his attitude on just about
anything. Toni wishes to change everything, declaring that the cuisine needs to be much more
sophisticated for his highness, not some peasant dishes. Cat hits back that this is exactly what the
Prince desires. Toni's manner is overbearing and arrogant, and he has no respect for Cat's
cuisine. Things explode when Toni completely dismisses her ideas. Cat storms out of the
restaurant.

It soon becomes evident that the restaurant can't cope without Cat's skill and knowledge. Toni
panics. He is forced to swallow his pride and find Cat, apologise and beg her to return to the
restaurant to help save the day. Cat gives Toni a tough time and only returns to the restaurant
after some wise and tough advice from her parents. And on certain conditions that Toni has to
abide by - one being that she is in charge.

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Slowly Toni and Cat begin to work in harmony, both learning and benefiting from each other.
They warm to one another and, for the first time in his life, Toni relaxes and begins to enjoy
himself. There are several mini crises, several embarrassing moments, before the Prince's arrival
which are successfully averted by Toni and Cat working as a team.

EVENING...

The Prince arrives and the event is an unqualified success. The food is sumptuous and the
atmosphere magical. As Toni and Cat work together they understand they share the same
passion for food and ambitions. Seemingly not made for each other they compliment each
other. Toni opens up to Cat showing an unexpected side to his character, lighter, self
deprecating. Cupid is set to fire his arrows at the couple...

When it all goes out of control. A drunken Vlad, accompanied by some of his crony friends,
arrives at Le Petit Jardin determined to see with his own eyes how the great Toni Serban is
performing. Vlad is surprised that Toni seems to miraculously to have mastered the art of simple
food. He's impressed. He is also impressed by Cat and regards her lustily. Vlad hits on her
hard. He has an offer to make her - why doesn't she and Toni come to work at The Diplomat.
Vlad has no problem re-hiring Toni. Cat is confused by what Vlad means. Toni quickly
intervenes explaining that he has no intentions of ever returning to The Diplomat and demands
that Vlad takes his hands off Cat. Vlad refuses and Toni hits him. Vlad merely cruelly smiles
before revealing loudly to everyone present that Toni is a fraud. Toni is only here to impress
Prince Charles, to get the post as the Prince's next head chef. Cat is furious as Toni was merely
using them all for his own benefit. A fight breaks out and everything descends into chaos. The
Prince is quickly escorted out of the restaurant, Cat squares up to Toni informing him that she
can take care of herself, and Toni is knocked unconscious.

DAWN...

When Toni finally regains consciousness dawn is breaking over the park. The restaurant is
empty and a shambles. He's found by Micu and Mrs Morar who explain some of the events after
he was punched out - it's not pretty. Toni feels that once again all is lost. Mrs Morar isn't so
sure, and urges Toni to go and find Cat to see if this is true.

Toni discovers Cat on the park ferry. He opens up his heart to her, sincerely apologizing for the
carnage and embarrassment he's caused. Toni has learned a lot today and it's all thanks to Cat.
Cat gives him a rough ride. Through a rapid sequence of short flashbacks the chaos of the
previous evening is revealed.

Cat then finally relents admitting that if nothing else it was a truly memorable day. She will
recover but can Toni? Toni has a plan - he wants Cat to be his head chef, with a guarantee that
she will have full control over the kitchen in his new restaurant. Cat's bemused, what restaurant?
Toni reveals that he knows Le Petit Jardin has deep financial problems and may have to close.
So he intends to buy it. He wants Cat to be his partner. Mrs Morar will still be involved as will
everyone else, except Cat will be the 'star' chef. Plus, Toni admits that this has been the best day
of his life - he thinks, no he knows, that he has fallen in love... Will Cat accept his offer? Cat

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looks at him. Then she kisses him. She does accept though there are a few other conditions to
be agreed to first...

_______________

As Toni and Cat's love affair plays out the park is also witness to other complimentary and
supporting love stories.

Cat's father, who is the captain of the ferry, and her mother who collects the passengers' tickets.
Their relationship is one of love being perpetually rekindled and forever growing into a stronger
bond. Of never taking each other for granted.

Of Laura, a shy young student who is walking Toni's beloved dog, Doru, in the park and whose
world is turned upside down when she accidentally meets Alex. Alex is a trainee chef with big
ambitions. He is in the park to run the charity mini marathon to raise funds for the Save The
Romanian Villages campaign. This is short lived when he is chased by Doru as the race starts.
Injuring himself Alex meets Laura who is desperately apologetic for the incident. She freaks out
when the enthusiastic Doru runs off. Laura explains that she can't lose the dog as it belongs to
Toni Serban. She is going to be in big trouble if she doesn't find him. Alex considers
everything and makes the decision to help her find Doru.

As they search for the dog they get close to one another. At the moment when they might kiss
Laura discovers that Alex has seemingly only been helping her find Doru to get a chance to meet
Toni Serban. He has been using her. Alex attempts to explain that it's only half the truth, he
really has fallen for her. Laura doesn't believe a word he's saying and pushes him into the lake.
Alex can't swim. Laura jumps in to save him - and so does Doru who helps her drag Alex safely
out of the water. Alex sincerely declares that he does care for her... Laura is happy. Alex is
happy. And love is in the air.

And of two young children, Radu and Elena. Elena, a refined young lady, who is targeted by a
group of rough kids in the park. She is rescued by the shy but big hearted Radu who bravely
chases them away. Slowly but surely they also connect as they explore the park and its very
special and secret places. And in doing so realise they share the same dreams. And so, in one
way or another, everyone ends the day at Le Petit Jardin after falling in love.

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