RYAN'S FAM. STEAKHOUSE, INC. v. Brooks-Shades

On August 27, 1998, Betty Brooks-Shades and Robin Taylor, former employees of a Ryan's Family Steakhouse restaurant in Foley, filed a complaint against the operator of the restaurant, Ryan's Family Steakhouses, Inc.,* and the restaurant's former general manager, Edward Gonzales. A total of five plaintiffs filed the complaint, but only Brooks-Shades and Taylor are parties to this appeal. The complaint alleged assault and battery, invasion of privacy, and the tort of outrage.

On October 14, 1998, Ryan's and Gonzales filed a "Motion to Dismiss or, in the Alternative, to Stay the Proceedings…