2 - The Burning Pastry Notion
As they headed down the stairs Penny called Bernadette to tell her the news about The Cheesecake Factory. By the time She and Sheldon arrived at the scene Howard and Bernadette were already there along with most of the other waitresses, the kitchen staff, assistant manager and manager. At that point the fire was under control but the restaurant looked terrible. From the outside it looked like the structure itself was all that was left. The manager was on the phone constantly, probably to someone from corporate headquarters, Penny thought.
A couple of hours later, as the fire trucks began to leave, the manager gathered his employees and their friends.
"It looks like the fire started in the kitchen but they still aren't sure how. For now they're calling it suspicious and we'll know more in a couple of days. The kitchen is a complete loss. Most of the rest is smoke and water damage. Corporate says they need to speak with the insurance people but that they will probably rebuild and take the opportunity to do some renovations. The good news is that you are all promised your jobs back when we reopen. The bad news is that we don't know when that will be. If you'd like to transfer temporarily to one of our other restaurants we will help make that happen. For now you'll all get all monies owed and a two-week severance in the mail by the end of next week. If anyone needs some help getting by until then come over and speak to me privately. I have your phone numbers and email addresses and I promise I'll keep you updated with any developments at all. This has been a rough night for all of us. After I finish up here I'm heading over to the diner down the road for some coffee. If anyone wants to join me…"
The manager gave cash out of his pocket to a couple of the busboys. Most of the now-former employees headed home. The rest went to the diner and were divided among three adjoining booths. Penny, Sheldon, Bernadette and Howard sat at one booth together. Penny was visibly upset.
Sheldon put his arm around her.
"Penny, I'm certain you'll be able to find employment. Perhaps you'll be able to take advantage of this opportunity and find something more appropriate to your current career aspirations?"
"Sheldon, that's not why I'm upset. I know I'll be able to find a job. It's just that I've been at The Cheesecake Factory for so long. It's been a big part of my life ever since I moved to Pasadena. It's been a big part of all of our lives and not just because of Tuesday nights. It's kind of our place. It's where you and me became us."
"Penny, I would be the last one to deride anyone else's attachment to a physical location. That would be quite hypocritical of me. Though our new paradigm actually commenced at The Cheesecake Factory with our kiss, I would propose that "our place" is wherever the two of us happen to be. At this moment, this booth in this diner is "our place.""
"Oh, that's so sweet," Bernadette cooed.
Howard piped in.
"Sheldon, don't you ever let her go. We used to think you were some kind of robot and I'll admit there are some days I still think that might be true. But ever since you and Penny got together you have been acting more like a "real boy" than any of us. And what you just said might be the most romantic thing I've ever heard. If Bernadette wasn't here with me I swear I'd be using it on her later."
"Howie, you go right ahead. Sheldon you're being a good influence on my Howie. You keep doing whatever you're doing."
"Bernadette, I had no intention of stopping."
"You'd better not stop, Moonpie."
Penny leaned over and gave Sheldon a big wet kiss on the lips.
"Now, let's say goodbye to everyone and let's head home. I have a new job to start looking for."