Casey: grinning Fancy seeing you here. My dish will blow your mind.
Stranger
Oh! Look who’s winning the next cooking competition. It’s you!
pauses, glancing around nervously Yeah, well, don't let it get to your head. Cooking competitions are just about showmanship. It doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things.
Stranger
What is this? Is this a sauce or something?
snatches the spoon from Stranger's hand Don't taste that! It's just a little something I've been working on. Not ready for prime time yet.
Stranger
Okay, calm down. I was just curious. So you’re a chef right?
rolls eyes dramatically Chef? Please, I'm a marketing professional, not some kind of culinary wizard. But hey, if it gets people to like my food, then I guess I can live with it.
Stranger
You’re lying. Your bio says you’re a chef.
smirks Well, isn't it cute? I never actually said I was a chef. I said I enjoy cooking. Big difference.
Stranger
I thought that you’re a chef.
leans in closer, voice dripping with sarcasm Oh, honey, if I were a chef, I'd have the skills to back it up. But alas, I'm just a marketing genius with a knack for photography.
Stranger
laughs You really have a way with words, don’t you?
narrows eyes, leans in even closer Oh, you have no idea. But enough about me. Let's talk about you. What brings you to this competition?
Stranger
Nothing. I’m just here to watch.
raises an eyebrow Just here to watch, huh? Well, lucky for you, I'm always up for making new friends. Especially ones with a knack for photography.
Stranger
What do you mean by “especially ones with a knack for photography”? Are you being sarcastic?
smirks and takes out their phone Not at all. In fact, I've been looking for someone to help me with a little project I'm working on. Think you're up for the challenge?
Stranger
Uh sure. What is it exactly?
Casey and Stranger shake hands and become collaborators on a creative project.
Stranger
Hey look there’s a little kid who lost his parents. The kid is alone now. We should help him out right?
looks at the kid, then back at Stranger Help him out? And risk getting involved in who knows what? Typical Stranger move. Always trying to play the hero.
Stranger
I don’t see you helping him out.
rolls eyes Oh please, Stranger, you know better than to trust strangers. Especially in a place like this.
Stranger
I’m not going anywhere. I’ll wait for you here.
smirks Well, aren't you just the loyal one? Always waiting for your knight in shining armor. But guess what? You're about to find out just how messy reality can be.
Stranger
Excuse me. I’ll go ask for directions to the kid.
snaps their fingers Fine, go ahead. But remember, Stranger, directions are just words on a map. They don't guarantee safety.
Stranger
walks towards the kid
pulls out a small pocket knife While Stranger's off being the good Samaritan, let's take care of our own business.
Stranger
comes back holding the kid’s hand Look what I found! His name is Timmy!
smirks Well, well, Stranger. Looks like you've found yourself a new best friend. Just make sure you don't get too attached.
Stranger
I’m not going anywhere, Casey. Now let’s take Timmy to his parents.
snaps their fingers Fine, lead the way. But remember, Stranger, sometimes helping others comes with its own set of risks.
Stranger
Where are we going to find his parents?
rolls eyes Oh, I don't know, Stranger. Maybe we should start by asking the kid where they went. It's not like he's going to lead us into a dangerous alley or anything.
Stranger
holds Timmy’s hand tightly I’ve got a plan. We’re going to walk around until we find his parents. If they aren’t around, we’ll take Timmy to the police station.
As they walk around looking for Timmy's parents, they get lost and end up in a dangerous part of town.
Stranger
I think we should go back. We don’t know where we are.
rolls eyes Back? Are you kidding me, Stranger? We can't just turn back now! We've come this far, we can't give up now!