BROOKE’S FIRST DAY AT WHATABURGER
SCENE 1 — WHATABURGER — AFTERNOON
The restaurant is busy.
Customers move through the dining area. Orders are called from behind the counter. Employees rush between the kitchen and front counter.
The smell of burgers and fries fills the air.
The front doors open.
Brooke walks inside, holding her phone and a small folder. She looks nervous, but there is excitement in her eyes.
Today is her first day at Whataburger.
She takes a deep breath and looks around.
BROOKE
This is it. My first day.
She smiles nervously and walks toward the manager.
The manager looks at her paperwork and then gives her a quick nod.
MANAGER
Brooke, right?
BROOKE
Yes. That’s me.
MANAGER
Good. Welcome to Whataburger. We’re happy to have you.
Brooke’s face brightens.
BROOKE
Thank you. I’m really happy to be here.
The manager points toward the dining area.
MANAGER
Before you start, I’ll show you what you’ll be doing today.
Brooke follows.
She expects to hear something about taking orders or working at the counter.
Instead, the manager stops beside a cleaning cart.
Brooke looks at it.
Her smile slowly disappears.
MANAGER
For your first day, we’re putting you on cleaning duty.
Brooke stares at the mop, bucket, and cleaning supplies.
BROOKE
Cleaning?
MANAGER
Yes. Tables, floors, trash cans, bathrooms—whatever needs attention.
Brooke forces a small smile.
BROOKE
Okay. I can do that.
The manager hands her a pair of gloves.
MANAGER
Great. Start with the dining area.
The manager walks away.
Brooke looks down at the gloves in her hands.
She sighs.
BROOKE
First day… and I’m already cleaning.
She puts on the gloves and grabs the cleaning supplies.
SCENE 2 — WHATABURGER DINING AREA — LATER
Brooke wipes down the first table.
A customer leaves behind empty cups, napkins, and food wrappers.
Brooke collects everything and throws it away.
She moves to another table.
Then another.
The work seems endless.
She looks toward the counter.
Other employees are taking orders and preparing food.
Brooke watches them for a moment.
She imagines herself doing something more exciting.
Then she hears a voice behind her.
MANAGER
Brooke!
She turns around quickly.
BROOKE
Yes?
MANAGER
Don’t forget the floors.
Brooke looks down.
The floor is covered with crumbs and spilled soda.
She closes her eyes for a second.
BROOKE
Right. The floors.
She pushes the cleaning cart across the restaurant.
She begins mopping.
A few customers walk around her.
Brooke tries to stay out of their way.
Suddenly, someone spills a drink near the counter.
Brooke looks at the mess.
Her expression drops.
BROOKE
You have got to be kidding me.
She grabs a towel and walks over.
SCENE 3 — WHATABURGER — AFTERNOON
An hour passes.
Brooke is still cleaning.
Her hair is slightly messy now.
She looks tired.
She wipes sweat from her forehead and leans against the cleaning cart.
BROOKE
How long is one shift supposed to feel?
She checks her phone.
Only a short amount of time has passed.
Brooke’s eyes widen.
BROOKE
That can’t be right.
She puts the phone away.
A coworker walks past her.
COWORKER
First day?
BROOKE
Yeah.
COWORKER
You’ll get used to it.
Brooke looks at the mop in her hand.
BROOKE
I hope so.
The coworker smiles and walks away.
Brooke returns to work.
She cleans another table.
Then she notices a large mess near the entrance.
She stares at it in disbelief.
BROOKE
Seriously?
She takes a deep breath.
BROOKE
Okay, Brooke. Just do it.
She starts cleaning again.
SCENE 4 — WHATABURGER RESTROOM HALLWAY — LATE AFTERNOON
Brooke pushes the cleaning cart toward the restroom.
She stops outside the door.
Her face shows complete exhaustion.
She looks at the manager approaching.
BROOKE
Is there anything else?
MANAGER
Actually, yes.
Brooke’s eyes widen.
BROOKE
What else?
MANAGER
The restroom needs cleaning.
Brooke looks toward the restroom.
Then she looks back at the manager.
She tries not to complain.
BROOKE
Okay.
The manager walks away.
Brooke slowly pushes the cart inside.
She begins cleaning.
After a few minutes, she steps back and looks around.
BROOKE
At least that’s done.
She takes a deep breath.
Then she hears a customer call from outside.
CUSTOMER
Excuse me! There’s a mess over here!
Brooke freezes.
Her eyes close.
BROOKE
Of course there is.
SCENE 5 — WHATABURGER DINING AREA — EVENING
The restaurant becomes even busier.
Brooke moves from table to table.
She carries trash bags.
She wipes tables.
She mops floors.
She cleans spills.
Every time she finishes one job, another one appears.
Her patience begins to disappear.
Finally, Brooke drops the cleaning cloth onto the cart.
She looks exhausted.
BROOKE
I can’t believe this.
She takes out her phone and checks the time.
Her shift still has more time left.
Brooke stares at the screen.
BROOKE
I’m never going to survive today.
She puts the phone away.
A coworker approaches.
COWORKER
You okay?
Brooke looks at her.
BROOKE
Honestly? No.
The coworker laughs softly.
COWORKER
It’s your first day. Don’t worry.
BROOKE
I thought I was coming here to work, not become the entire cleaning department.
The coworker smiles.
COWORKER
Just get through today.
Brooke looks around the restaurant.
She takes a deep breath.
BROOKE
Okay. One more hour.
SCENE 6 — WHATABURGER — EVENING
Brooke finishes cleaning the last table.
She stands there quietly for a moment.
Her feet hurt.
Her arms feel tired.
She looks at the spotless table and gives a small, exhausted smile.
BROOKE
At least I did it.
The manager walks over and checks the area.
MANAGER
Good work, Brooke.
Brooke looks surprised.
BROOKE
Really?
MANAGER
Yes. Everything looks much better.
Brooke smiles slightly.
BROOKE
Thank you.
The manager nods.
MANAGER
You’ll be getting more responsibilities as you learn the job.
Brooke’s smile disappears for a second.
BROOKE
More responsibilities?
MANAGER
Of course.
The manager walks away.
Brooke stares after him.
BROOKE
More?
She looks at the cleaning cart.
Then she looks toward the busy counter.
BROOKE
Maybe tomorrow will be different.
SCENE 7 — OUTSIDE WHATABURGER — NIGHT
Brooke finally walks out of the restaurant.
The doors close behind her.
She stops on the sidewalk and takes a long breath of fresh air.
Her first day is over.
She looks down at her clothes and shakes her head.
BROOKE
What a day.
She pulls out her phone.
For a moment, she considers calling someone.
Instead, she smiles to herself.
BROOKE
I got through it.
She starts walking.
After a few steps, she stops and looks back at the Whataburger sign.
Her expression becomes determined.
BROOKE
Tomorrow, I’m going to do better.
She turns around and continues walking.
The camera slowly pulls back as Brooke disappears down the street.
Her first day was exhausting.
It wasn’t the job she imagined.
But she had survived.
And tomorrow would bring a brand-new challenge.