The Apprentice 2, Episode 4: Eating Their Words

At Mosaic, John is working on the “look and feel” of the restaurant. He’s outside, creating some quick paintings. Chris comes by and makes some profanity laced smart comments about John’s artistic ability. Chris is a jackass. John is a little worried because he knows that they’re going to be judged on the décor, so if the customers don’t like it, he’s in trouble. John hangs up his paintings, and the team thinks it looks great – even Chris.

Elizabeth asks Jennifer C. for a team of women to help her promote the restaurant. Jennifer can’t spare as many people as she wants, which sends Elizabeth into a tailspin. She actually starts to cry and says that she feels like she’s being set up to fail. Maria and Ivana try to reassure her, but Elizabeth is terrified that she’ll end up looking incompetent. Jennifer M., who seems to be the voice of reason, says Elizabeth needs to get over it.

Lil Stacy and Jennifer C. talk about the next item on the agenda. Jennifer says she needs to stay at the restaurant to “oversee” everything, then accuses Lil Stacy of rolling her eyes at her. Lil Stacy swears she didn’t, and as the two of them argue, Lil Stacy tells us in an interview that Jennifer C. is irrational and argumentative. Yep, I think I can see that. Jennifer orders Lil Stacy to get dressed, then complains that “this one” won’t listen to me. How condescending. Lil Stacy says that Jennifer must earn her respect, and that’s obviously not happening.

Apex’s restaurant opens. Jennifer M. says that disputes are brewing, but that the team is trying to come together to win the task. Maria works the crowd. Sandy says in an interview (in which her hair is in an exceptionally fluffy ponytail) that she was in charge of the décor, and she’s really happy with how it turned out. Jennifer C. points out the centerpieces to two older women and asks them what they think. The women admit that they don’t love the décor. They expect an Asian restaurant to be red. In an interview, Jennifer C. says that she backs Sandy’s choices, and she thinks the place looks great. In fact, she actually argues with the customers about whether or not the place looks good. Jennifer, leave them alone and let them eat. You can’t talk them into liking your color scheme.

At Mosaic, Chris has a really difficult table. The customers have litany of complaints about the food. In an interview, Chris says that the customers were “four gay guys,” so they’re just going to be too critical. Oh, really? He then goes into the kitchen, gossips to Wesley about the customers, and suggests that they send John there to give them… hmm… how do I put this in a family web site? Let’s just say that Monica Lewinsky would be considered famous for what Chris suggests. Wow, that is inappropriate – but it gets worse. Chris then suggests to John that he go to the table, pretend to tie his shoelaces, and give them a nice view of his heiney. I’m not sure if John is gay – Chris never says that – but Chris does say that John is the best looking guy and should go and flirt with the guys. John does serve the customers their next course, and although he doesn’t “accidentally” drop something, he does flirt a little with them. In an interview, he says that he has no problem whatsoever with using whatever assets he has to succeed. He gives the customers complimentary t-shirts, and the men leave, apparently charmed.

Jennifer C. fawns over a table of customers, telling them about a billion times that it’s “good” that they’re happy with their meal. She totally hovers over them and really needs to back off. Ivana says that the women have a tendency to stand in clumps and that there’s too much chatting going on. She tries to disperse them and send them off on different tasks, which is smart. Ivana is actually showing more leadership than she did when she was in charge.

Pamela feigns spilling a bright red drink on a customer’s white suit, and the customer seems amused. Andy says that he was in charge of serving, and that he was terrible, but that the customers seemed to be having a good time. The last customer leaves, and Mosaic celebrates.

Apex winds down for the night as well, polishing off the last of the food. Jennifer C. says in an interview that she needed to “nip in the bud the cattiness and backstabbing.” I pause my TV for a few minutes while I laugh my head off. Then, just as I was regaining my composure, she adds that she is “great at bringing people together,” sending me into gales of laughter once again. Jennifer M., voice of reason, says that the team is working in spite of Jennifer C., not because of her. I hope that Jennifer M. volunteers to be the next project manager, because I’d like to see more of her.

At this point, it really looks like Mosaic has things sewn up, doesn’t it? I really hope that they win, because it would be frustrating if we found out that those sneaky editors had led us down the wrong path. Go, Mosaic!

The teams gather in the boardroom, and Bill reads the Zagat’s results for Apex. He reads that they had creative food, a stark and uncomfortable setting, slow service, and “too many women in black milling around like a bunch of uptight stewardesses.” They scored a 22 for food, 16 for décor, and 19 for service for a total of 57 points. Carolyn reads that Mosaic had delicious food, a creative and stylish setting (in spite of some “itchy fur-covered chairs”), and “hot eye candy waiters” who were anxious to please. Mosaic scores a 22 for food, 18 for décor, and 21 for service. Mosaic wins! Jennifer C.’s mouth falls open in shock. She says that she ran a tight ship and can’t believe they lost. Trump tells Mosaic that they have the opportunity to meet a great leader, former New York City major Rudy Giuliani.

Mosaic gathers in Guiliani’s office. The former mayor points to a sign he keeps on his desk, which proclaims in bold letters, “I’m responsible.” He tells them that one of the most important parts of leadership is to know what you believe in. That will guide you. In an interview, John says that it was an incredible experience, one he’ll never forget.