Frances arrives at an exclusive, experimental restaurant on the last night of her holiday, where she is turned down from ordering the coveted set menu by herself as it requires a minimum of two people. After resisting this rule with the Maitre d, Frances eventually accepts an offer to share the set menu with a stranger, informing him immediately that she really is looking for solitude and would appreciate his silence. While trying to fulfil this request, the affable Martin can’t help but keep running his mouth, until Frances abruptly excuses herself to the bathroom. Washing her hands, Frances is covertly presented with the option of sitting with a new dinner date – one who is guaranteed not to disturb her. Unsure, Frances takes a chance on this ‘dummy date’, Doug, finding him as delightfully stoic and silent as promised. As the meal unfolds, the pair seem to have an uncanny number of similarities, sharing mannerisms and eating styles. With the courses geared towards sharing, the two inevitably begin to wordlessly fall in love, all but eating the final course out of each other’s mouths.
Against her cynical nature, Frances asks Doug if she were to stay for another night, would he dine with her again? Before he can answer, the Maitre d informs Doug that he’s needed at table 8 for another solo diner. Frances learns that she’s been set up with dates for her meal, as clearly stated on her itemised bill. Seeing both Martin and Doug eating with new partners, Frances leaves the restaurant more jaded and solitary than ever.
Denied the set menu for dining alone at a famously exclusive restaurant, Frances makes an unexpected deal with a stranger to access both the menu and a night of peace and solitude. However, her quest for quiet is immediately challenged by her talkative companion, Martin. Desperate for a silent meal, she eventually opts for a new “dummy date,” Doug, who is as stoic as promised, leading to an uncanny, wordless connection.
