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The Mothership: Zingerman's!

August 14, 2005 from Delicious! Delicious! www.deliciousdelicious.com

EXT. HIGHWAY 23--DAY

The music can be heard blaring from the typically white rental car as it passes mile after mile of green farmland. The car speeds past a large blue sign that reads "Welcome to Michigan."

INT. CAR

Caryn makes a valiant attempt to drown out the radio with her stellar, off-key singing. She proudly wears a faded, dark blue t-shirt with MICHIGAN printed in maize-colored letters.

Another sign approaches in the distance. Caryn leans forward to see it. As it comes into focus, she grins: "Ann Arbor, 39 miles."

INT. SMALL GROCERY--ANN ARBOR, MI--DAY

Caryn enters the traditional, Mid-Western house that has been transformed into a haven for any discerning cook. It is a small space, but the shelves are lined to the ceiling with delectable goodies.

Caryn picks up a basket as she is greeted from behind the bread counter by a COLLEGE WOMAN with pigtails and a wealth of earrings.

COLLEGE WOMAN

Can I help you?

CARYN

Yes, just one sec.

She scans the rows and rows of hearty, golden breads stuffed with everything from olives to chocolate and cherries.

COLLEGE WOMAN

Have you been to Zingerman's before?

Caryn looks up and smiles.

CARYN

Yes, many times.

And indeed she has. Caryn fills her basket with unusual expertise, knowing exactly what she wants from the enormous selection of fine cheeses, imported dried pastas and rare teas. She doesn't miss the meat counter or the array of chocolate. When one basket is filled, she grabs another.

INT. ZINGERMAN'S NEXT DOOR--LATER

The coffee house is filled with dining tables where the delicatessen patrons enjoy their prized sandwiches. Caryn sits at a table, patiently reading a catalogue. Several large bags brimming with her loot fill the other chairs at the table.

A WAITER sets a basket in front of her. Tangy sauerkraut topples out of the side of the reuben sandwich and into the basket. Caryn picks the kraut up with her fingers and tastes it. It is good, but it is not why she is here.

She gently scoops the sandwich into her hands and sinks her teeth through the crispy rye bread and into the tenderest corned beef known to man. She has travelled across the country for this moment and it is worth every mile.

INT. SMALL GROCERY--LATER

Caryn lugs her bags through the store on her way to the car when she is stopped by the pigtailed woman from before, now behind the deli counter.

COLLEGE WOMAN

How was everything?

CARYN

Oh, it was perfect, thank you.

Caryn turns toward the door, but hesitates a moment before turning back.

CARYN (CONT'D)

Actually, I'll take another one of those reuben sandwiches to go.