Setting: "The Daily Grind" coffee shop.
(The scene opens in "The Daily Grind" coffee shop. MARIA is behind the counter, looking at the menu board. MR. HARRISON approaches, looking at his phone.)
MR. HARRISON: (Slightly rushed) Good morning. Can I get a large latte, extra hot, with almond milk?
MARIA: (Smiling nervously) Good morning! Okay, a large latte, extra hot, and… did you say oat milk?
MR. HARRISON: (A little more flustered) No, **almond milk**. A-L-M-O-N-D. It's for my wife. She's very particular.
MARIA: Oh, right! Almond milk. Got it. And anything else for you?
MR. HARRISON: No, just that. And could you make sure it's *really* hot? She complains if it's not.
MARIA: Absolutely! I'll make sure it's piping hot. That'll be $5.50.
(Mr. Harrison pays. Maria starts making the latte. She seems to be concentrating hard. After a moment, she hands him a cup.)
MARIA: Here you go! One extra hot almond milk latte.
MR. HARRISON: (Takes a sip, his face immediately scrunches up) Oh, no. This… this isn't right. It tastes like regular milk.
MARIA: (Worried) Oh, I’m so sorry! I’m sure I used the almond milk. I pulled it from the blue carton.
MR. HARRISON: (Sighs) The blue carton is usually regular milk here. The almond milk is in the green one, I think. Look, I’m really in a hurry. My wife needs this.
(DAVID, the manager, walks over, having overheard the last part of the conversation.)
DAVID: Is everything alright here, Mr. Harrison?
MR. HARRISON: David, good morning. Not exactly. I think there's been a mix-up with my order. I asked for almond milk, but this tastes like cow's milk.
DAVID: (To Maria, calmly) Maria, did we use the green carton for almond milk?
MARIA: (Looking down) I… I used the blue one. I thought… I'm really sorry. I'm still learning where everything is.
DAVID: (To Mr. Harrison, with a reassuring smile) Mr. Harrison, I sincerely apologize for the **mistake**. We’ll make you a fresh one right away, on the **house**. Maria, can you get that started with the green carton, please? And make it extra hot.
MARIA: Yes, absolutely! (She quickly goes to remake the drink, checking the cartons carefully.)
MR. HARRISON: (Relaxes slightly) Thank you, David. I appreciate that. These things happen, I suppose.
DAVID: Exactly. We aim for perfect every time, but if we make a mistake, we **fix** it immediately. We **value** your business.
(Maria returns with a new latte, looking more confident.)
MARIA: Here you are, Mr. Harrison! This is definitely almond milk, and it’s very hot. My **apologies** again.
MR. HARRISON: (Takes a sip, nods, and smiles) Ah, much better! Perfect. Thank you, Maria, David. Have a good day.
(Mr. Harrison leaves. David turns to Maria.)
DAVID: Good job handling that, Maria. Everyone makes mistakes, especially when they're new. The important thing is how we fix them. You did well to apologize and then correct the order. Next time, just **double-check** those cartons, okay?
MARIA: (Relieved) I will, David. Thank you for helping. I felt terrible.
DAVID: Don't worry about it. It's a **learning experience**. Now, let’s get ready for the next customer!