Beyond Friends Episode Four - "Waiting for a girl like you."
Guest Star
Courteney Cox As Monica Geller
"Green Onions"
Chandler got up around five in the morning and placed a phone call. He chatted with an unknown person for a couple of seconds, then hung up. He tiptoed quietly into Rachels new room. He stood by the door frame watching her peacefully sleep. Chandler was surprised that she could sleep so well after all that had happened the previous day. But then again they had spent the night moving furniture and getting adjusted. He sighed quietly and moved from the door. Rachel stirred for a second and then went back to sleep.
Chandler walked down the alley and around a corner. Then he came upon a large door. He knocked quickly. The small slit in the door opened and a pair of eyes peeked out.
"Password?" The voice said reluctantly.
"The Chan man is here." Chandler said.
"Right." The door opened to reveal Monica Geller. "I don't see what the cloak and dagger routine is all about...if you wanted to see me..."
"I know but I don't want Rachel to know that I'm here." Chandler said hugging Monica."How you been?"
"Great." Monica said. "Now I know you been talking to Rachel again, how is she?"
"Not good." Chandler sat down next to a cutting board. He played with a stray garnish with his free hand. "She lost her job at Bloomingdales. Downsizing."
"Oh my god!" Monica said sitting across from him. "I had no idea."
"Thats not even the whole story. She lost her apartment too."
"Oh my god. Where is she staying?" Monica asked as they drifted around the room.
"Shes with me for the time being."
"Oh." Monica said. "So you two aren't..."
"No, no." Chandler said. "We're not like that."
"Okay. So know that I know the painful truth about Rachel, what can I do to help?" Monica said.
"Can you give her a temporary job here?" Chandler asked. "Just till she gets back on her feet."
"What do you think she wants to do in a restuarant? I mean as work." Monica asked.
"Well thats the kicker." Chandler said. "She doesn't know I'm here asking you for the job. Thats why I asked you to come here so early."
"Oh?" Monica smiled a little bit.
"I told her that I knew someone who could give her a job. She asked me the rest of the night for clues so she could guess." Chandler smiled. "Rachel can be stubborn when she really wants to."
"I know what you mean." Monica said.
"So, what do you have available?" Chandler said.
"Well, let me think. All my cooking related jobs are taken. The only thing left is a waitress position and I'm not sure she would take another waitressing job after Central Perk." Monica said thinking about it.
"Hey, ifs its a job, I'm sure she'll take it." Chandler said standing. "Thanks Mon, you're a peach." He added kissing her on the forehead.
"Anytime, Chan-man." She said as Chandler opened the door.
Chandler's apartment.
"What?" Rachel said nearly spitting out her coffee when Chandler told her the good news. "What did you say?"
"I said that I got you a waitressing job at Monicas." Chandler said. He was smiling when he brought her the news with a cappucino with a large dollop of whip cream on it. "I was so sure that you would take this job that Monica already scheduled you for work on Friday."
"I dont know Chandler. I was a horrible waitress at central perk and I know I'm already destined for disaster at Monicas new place. I don't know, I just don't know."
"Come on, Rachel. Please try for me. If it doesnt go well after a week or maybe two I will see what I can do about getting you a job interview in the fashion department of my workplace."
"You have a fashion department?"
"Thats besides the point." Chandler said. "Can you try for me?" He said smiling. "I know you'll be better at this, it's not just coffee anymore."
"Sure, I'll get to serve filet en trouse' and spit in some jerks tomato sandwich. I'm definately in the high life now." She said rolling her eyes.
"You're turning into me." Chandler said. "Thats not a good thing."
"You mean I'll start to be incredibly generous to all my friends who don't thank you till its too late and they forget that did such a great thing for them?" Rachel asked.
"I guess, some aspects are easier to rub off than others."
"Thanks Chandler, for all you've done." Rachel smiled and hugged him. "I promise not to let you down." She kissed Chandler on the cheek. "I'll reward you by cooking dinner."
"Great!"
"Tonight, Mr. Bing, our specials are oatmeal flambe and a slice of weak tasting buttered bagel or you may have the excellant charred chicken breast, with potato slices." Rachel smiled. Chandler sat down at the kitchen table and thought for a minute.
"Sounds good, madame, but whats with the burned theme?"
"Well your over tends to burn anything larger than a pretzel stick." Rachel said pointing out the oven. "Otherwise I'd use the microwave and I'm afraid of accidentally blowing it up and wiping out two blocks while I was at it."
"Why dont we go out and eat." Chandler suggested. "Cooking should be left to the experts."
"Race you to the subway." Rachel grabbed her coat and ran out the door. Chandler picked up his keys, his jacket and looked around. "This is gonna be a great year."
The restaurant
Monica was in the front of the restaurant when Rachel and Chandler came through the door. Just as they were about to be asked if they ahd a restaurant, Monica came to the rescue.
"That's okay, they are with me." Monica took Rachels hand and led her to a booth. Chandler couldnt help but follow.
As they sat down, Monica gave Rachel a menu. "So, are you gonna work for me?" Monica asked.
"Yes," Rachel said. "But it's gonna be weird to have the head chef as my boss and friend." She mused.
"I know." Monica said. "Anything you want to order guys, you can have it. It's on me tonight."
Monica left Chandler and Rachel to peruse the menu. Rachel looked over the restaurant, absorbing every detail.
"I think I'm gonna like this." Rachel smiled as Chandler looked up.
"I know."
