CHARMED
"Who Wants To Own A Restaurant?"
By J. B. Tilton and Angela Roche
Email: K
Disclaimer: "Charmed" and all related characters and events are the property of the WB television network, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.
(Authors note: This story takes place between season 5 episodes "A Witch In Time" and "Sam I am".)
Piper enters a reality based television show where the grand prize is the winner's own restaurant.
ONE
Piper came down the stairs and headed for the kitchen. Leo had all ready orbed out saying something about a weekly White Lighter meeting. She could hear voices in the kitchen so Phoebe and Paige must all ready be up. As she entered the kitchen she was surprised to see Leo sitting at the table with Phoebe and Paige.
"Leo?" Piper questioned, "I thought you had a meeting with the other…."
She stopped short when she noticed another man sitting at the table. It took her a moment to realize who this stranger was.
"Mr. Joshua?" Piper questioned.
"You remember me," said the man. "I'm very flattered. And, please, call me Wesley."
"Okay," Piper said, looking confused at the others. "How could I forget the best customer I ever had at Quake? What are you doing here?"
"I tempted for him a few weeks ago," Paige said. "We got to talking one day and your name came up. He was delighted to find out I was your sister. It seems he's been hoping to find you since you quit Quake."
"What about?" Piper asked.
"Well," said Phoebe, "Paige, Leo, and I have all discussed it and talked it over with Wesley. We've decided that he's going to help us with your birthday present this year."
"Wait a minute," said Piper. "We don't do birthdays. Phoebe, especially, knows that."
"This is different," said Phoebe.
"Piper," said Wesley, "do you remember what I do for a living?"
"As I recall," said Piper, "you're an executive for a television company or something like that."
"You have a good memory," said Wesley. "Actually, I'm a television producer. Recently, I was approached about producing a new reality based television show. I immediately thought of you. As luck would have it, Paige came to temp for me a couple of weeks ago, as she said."
"What does this have to do with a birthday present for me?" Piper asked. "I don't even get that much of a chance to watch television."
"The name of the show," Wesley said, "is 'Who Wants To Own A Restaurant?'. The grand prize is a restaurant completely outfitted to the winner's specifications."
"Piper," said Phoebe, "if you win you could finally have your dream. You'd have your own restaurant."
"I can't do that," said Piper. "Those shows take months. I have the club and the house to worry about. Not to mention the uninvited guests we have. Besides, I'm pregnant now. There's no way I could take on something like that."
"We're going to help," said Paige. "I can do more of the housework. So can Phoebe. And we can all help out at P3."
"Besides," said Phoebe, "most of the filming is going to be done over a three week period. All you would have to do is come up with a meal for each day of competition. You do that all ready."
"As for uninvited guests," said Leo, glancing at Wesley, "you always say we can't put our lives on hold simply because 'people' drop by unannounced."
"I seem to be the subject of a conspiracy," said Piper.
"A conspiracy of love," said Phoebe. "Besides, if you say no you'll be turning down our birthday present to you. That would make all of us very upset."
"Playing the guilt card, huh?" Piper asked.
"Hey, whatever works," said Paige, smiling at Piper.
"Here's the contract," said Wesley. "Look it over and give me a call. We're supposed to start filming a week from Monday."
"Don't I have to audition or be interviewed or something?" Piper asked.
"Consider this your interview," said Wesley. "Besides, as one of the executive producers I do have some say over who's on the show. Let me know you're decision as soon as you can."
"You three seem to have this all figured out," said Piper after Wesley had left.
"We've covered everything," said Phoebe. "You go into the studio where they're going to film it every day. You get to come home at night and on weekends. While you're filming every day the r4est of us will take care of the club and the manor."
"And I'll help out, too," said Leo. "I did bartend at the club when you first opened it, remember?"
"And if any demons should suddenly drop in?" Piper asked.
"We'll deal with that when and if it happens," said Paige. "Besides, like Leo said, you're the one who's always saying we can't out our lives on hold simply because demons might attack. Come on. Just agree to it."
"You always did say you wanted your own restaurant," said Leo. "You only opened the club because it was less risky and less expensive. This could be your big chance."
"Et Tu, Leo?" Piper asked, smiling slightly.
"It will give you the chance to do what you love most," said Leo. "Cook."
"Well," said Piper, picking up the contract, "I guess I should read this ting over so I can see what I'm getting myself into."
"You know our workload just doubled, don't you?" Phoebe asked Paige as Piper went into the living room with the contract.
"Yes," said Paige. "But it's worth it."