CHAPTER SEVENTY FIVE –RISING TENSIONS

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Mario, his chef's hat askew and a wild look in his eyes. "Ladies, we have an emergency! Luigi has gone and used up all the paprika for his new 'revolutionary' pasta sauce. How am I supposed to make my world-famous goulash without paprika?" Tina sighed, sharing a look with Laura. "Mario, honey, I hate to break it to you, but I don't think anyone has ever ordered goulash here. This is a diner in Miami, not a Hungarian bistro." Mario's mustache bristled with indignation. "That's because they haven't had the chance to try MY goulash! It's a culinary masterpiece, I tell you!" Laura, sensing an impending meltdown, stepped in. "Hey, Mario, why don't we see if we can find a substitute for the paprika? I bet we could come up with something even more exciting for your goulash." Mario's eyes lit up. "A new spice blend for my goulash? Genius! We could call it... Fierro's Fiery Fusion Goulash!" He dashed back to the kitchen, muttering excited