At Your Service (Open)

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It was a slow night at the Rochester Inn lounge. Slow night were both good and bad. They were good, because Danny liked the pace. He didn't have any unexpected surprises(as opposed to expected surprises). He could keep up and give each patron the careful attention they required. They were bad, because that meant there was a high probability that he'd be going home with a very small collection of tips. It wasn't all the time. Sometimes they would have patrons who went out of their way to tip well. But most of the time it was considerably less than what they'd get on their busy nights.

Guess this was a good reason to assert a more healthy diet on Zeke, if just to save on money. They'd been eating pizza too much lately.

Overall, Danny enjoyed being a bartender. He liked having his own space separate from the rest of the world, a place he had complete control over, with nobody else invading. Nobody else to move things to where they shouldn't be moved. He could trust that if he put something somewhere, then it was going to still be there when he reached for it again. It made him more efficient that way. He also liked how clean the uniform was. Unlike what was expected at nightclubs, at a lounge Danny was required to wear a classy-like uniform as he stood behind the counter. Black slacks with a small white towel hung from his side, a white collared shirt, and a red and black vest over top of it. He could wear his hair combed down and to the side the way he preferred it, instead of in the messy manner that Zeke always encouraged him to wear it. It was too much trouble to take his piercings out before each shift and then put them back in, and since the manager didn't mind them(and actually said they make him look very chic), Danny chose to leave them in.

It was quiet at the moment, with only a handful of patrons scattered about the lounge - some together, some alone, but all with a drink in front of them whether it be alcoholic or soda or simply water. He kept his eyes on them as he washed a set of glasses, readying himself to step forward the instant one of the raised their hand to call for his attention, or when he noticed their water needed filling, or when their alcoholic drink was empty. In the last case, he'd immediately ask if they required another, then he'd fetch one for them. Or in the case of a simple beer, he'd already have one ready to open when he came to take away the empties. It was this sort of attention that got him generous tips on any night. It was harder to do on the busy ones though.

His eyes perked up. Ah! A new person! They'd just come in from the front lobby of the hotel and started crossing to the bar counter. Danny timed it so that he finished drying his last glass at the exact(or close to the exact) moment that they arrived. He offered the person a friendly smile. "Hello! What can I get for you? It's past happy hour, unfortunately, but we still have specials running until the end of the night. Half price on all well and domestics. We also have a fine selection of imports and six different beers available on tap, as well as a full bar for any number of mixed drinks." He rattled off those lines flawlessly. Of course he did, he'd memorized them long ago. It was still something he was proud of, just the same. Danny waited patiently for a response from the customer.

[Fleur Seomoon]

Fleur had decided she liked Pilot Ridge. Despite the unexpected problems with her sort-of-fiance (she really had no idea how that was going to end up, although she promised her parents that everything was going well), and the fact that she’d had to search around for places high-end enough for her to eat her meals (not to mention the small town lacked many luxuries San Francisco had), there were some perks to it as well. One of them was her recent co-worker, Jen, who she had decided was her soulmate in every sense of the word but sexual. It also felt nice to know she was likely one of the richest residents in town, and to feel like everyone was watching her strut down the sidewalk wherever she went in her chic outfits (this was probably just in her head).

One thing she had yet to do was check out the bar scene. Fleur wasn’t a heavy drinker, but she did go out on occasion, usually with a friend or two. But sadly, Jen was underage, and her other co-workers were busy this evening, so she decided she was going to have a date by herself tonight. Why not? She didn’t have work tomorrow, and maybe if she was lucky, she would find someone to entertain her for the evening.

She’d heard good things about the Rochester Inn lounge, and looking at it from the outside, they seemed accurate. It didn’t look like those dingy college-campus bars that she’d occasionally visited her last couple years of her undergrad years, which was a relief, because she’d barely been able to stand those places without wrinkling her nose in disgust at everything from the sticky bathroom floors to the too-loud jocks and frat boys getting wasted every Friday night. No, this looked far classier – maybe not classy enough for her Versace dress and matching heels, but she couldn’t expect that in this town.

As soon as she walked (strutted) inside, her eyes met that of the bartender. Fleur’s eyebrow rose, immediately judging him by his appearance. Clothes… Cheap, but tastefully chosen. Hair needed work, but his face was handsome enough, and the numerous piercings he wore were more intriguing than not. He would do. Especially given his very well-memorized greeting, which made her smile to herself as she strode in closer and took a seat at the bar across from him. “Darling, do I look like anyone who would want anything half-price?” she asked, crossing her legs and grinning coyly. “I’ll take a bottle of your most expensive wine.” Fleur knew she could probably afford the entire bar if she wanted it. She tossed her thick, silky hair over her shoulder and batted her eyelashes. “I’ll also take your name.” It wasn’t a request.

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The Rochester Inn was likely the nicest hotel establishment in the immediate area. There were nicer ones in Burlington, but for the small town, this was definitely a place meant for the upper class, which Pilot Ridge did have it’s fair share of. There was a tall gentleman who often came with who Danny assumed was either a close friend or lover, given their interactions with one another. They also had out-of-towners who would come specifically to the hotel while they were out on holiday; businessmen, politicians, that secret person from overseas who would rent out the top two floor simply for security’s sake. Those sort either always tipped well, or….they didn’t. Danny was beginning to suspect that the rich simply had no concept of money and just handed out bills for tips, never actually looking at what the number was on them. Danny was once tipped $100 for making a single martini. He’d also spent whole evening taking care of another high-profile person and his company only to be tipped $5 in ones….

Consequently, based on his previous interactions, he could tell from the moment this woman walked into the lounge that she was, as they would say, of a ‘high pedigree’. Not so much in her looks(Danny didn’t understand how someone could phenotypically look ‘rich’), but of the way she dressed. Her walk. Her posture. The way she wore her hair. Not to mention her make-up. She was no high-class call-girl either, which he’d seen his fair share of as well(and was often told to look the other way on by his boss. They didn’t want to lose the client’s patronage, after all).

Knowing this, Danny also knew that it was often considered an insult to the rich to even suggest anything half price…most of the time. There were some who would fight tooth-and-nail to get their whole bill comp’ed when it was less than $10. Either way, it didn’t matter. Danny was required to offer anyway. It was simply another part of his job. Danny nodded his head respectfully to the woman. “As you wish, ma’am.” He immediately spun on his heels and fetched the bottle she requested. A Sauternes white wine, a mix of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

“Our 2005 Chateau Climens, Barsac,” he explained as he popped the cork on the fresh bottle. He grabbed a wine class from the overhang and set it on the counter, then filled it halfway, all as he continued his explanation. “Reports from critics say that it’s flavor soars from the glass with layers of clear honey, marmalade, nectarine and minerals. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh, vibrant honeyed fruit that builds and builds in the mouth in tandem with a killer line of acidity.” He smiled as he handed the woman her glass. “And my name is Danny Kim,” he said, offering his full name. Another requirement. It supposedly made customers feel more personal with him than him being a simple bartender. Danny didn’t quite understand it. He recorked the bottle and set it in a small bucket of ice. He wouldn’t ask for hers, though. Another requirement. They could ask for his, but he couldn’t ask for theirs in return. There was a logic in there he couldn’t quite see, but since it’s what his boss advised, he’d do it without question. That didn’t mean he wasn’t allowed to converse. No, that was encouraged very much. “I trust your evening is going well?” he said, offering a pleasant smile.

[Fleur Seomoon]

If Fleur was impressed with the service here, she would come back. If not, she would find another place for her weekly(ish) drinking nights, if there were any others in town that even suited her tastes. She hoped that this Inn would meet her expectations, because otherwise she might have to travel some distance further to find a bar that was up to her standards. Similarly, she always tipped appropriately for the service she was given – if she felt like her needs were met, she gave generously; if she felt like she was being treated poorly, she would give barely anything. She would just have to see how this young man behaved.

She didn’t feel insulted, per say, at the half-price offer; Fleur just wanted him to know that she was likely more well-off than most of the people that came through these parts (at least, she guessed as much, although some would say she was vain and incorrect in assuming how much money she had in comparison to others, especially since most of it was from her parents). She gave him a sweet smile as he responded and told him,”Please, sweetie, call me Fleur. Ma’am makes me feel like an old woman.” And she was not old (nor would she ever let herself look that way, if she could help it).

She waited expectantly to see what he pulled out, and found herself pleased with his selection. Fleur was even more impressed and listened in respectful silence as he chattered out a rather long-winded description of the wine in question. “Goodness, do you know that much about every wine in your stock?” she asked curiously as she took the glass and gave it a small swirl in her hand. “Thank you, Danny.” Already she was very intrigued and impressed with him. A large tip was likely in order. She took a short sip of the wine and waited for the flavor to saturate her tongue before she smiled pleasantly. “2005 must have been a good year,” she determined, taking another drink before setting the glass on the counter. It was a very pleasant wine, even though she typically favored reds.

“It is, very well,” Fleur replied with a smile up at the young man. “I just moved here from San Francisco a month or two ago, so I’m still getting used to the small town atmosphere. It’s… Quaint.” That was one word to describe it. Stifling and limited were others. She took another sip of wine. “I was going to have one of my coworkers come with me tonight, but they were all busy. How terrible is that?” Fleur gave him a sappy, sad smile. “I guess I need to make some other single friends in town.” Wait, had she just admitted that aloud? She wasn’t single! Just… Having complications with her marriage plans.

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Danny nodded, his best customer service smile fixed on his lips. “Of course, Miss Fleur,” he replied, amending the title to something more suitable for a younger woman of her position. And yes, this woman did seem to be of quite the high position. “And if I may say, you are the furthest thing from being old.” He was hoping that was an acceptable compliment. Though in his experience, a woman was never old and always gorgeous, no matter it’s truth.

In response to her inquiry, Danny nodded once again. “Of every wine we get in stock, I make it my business to know as much as I can from them, so I may divulge such information to any customer who asks.” It helped increase sales to know what he was serving. Many of his customers have expressed their appreciation for it. It also gave him a higher capability for offering recommendations. They appreciated that also. “You’re welcome,” he replied to Fleur’s gratitude. He offered a softer smile. “It was a very good year,” he agreed.

Danny kept his attention on the dark-haired woman, only briefly turning his eyes away to check the status of the other patrons in the lounge. He would excuse himself should one decide to hail him, but otherwise, Danny would continue to play yet another important role of the bartender. A conversation partner. “I understand the change. I come from New York City myself and remember it being quite the adjustment.” He’d been young and wasn’t aware of anything resembling small town living. Quaint was an accurate description. Danny shook his head, hoping to show sympathy for her ‘plight’. “It’s unfortunate they could not join you, Miss Fleur. Though a woman of your stature seems to not be one to have trouble in making friends. I’m sure you’ll find a suitable companion by the end of the night if you wish to.” That was not to imply anything more than he thought she was good at making friends, though he didn’t think that she could possibly take it as anything more.

[Fleur Seomoon]

Fleur let out a soft, tinkling laugh as the younger man commented on her age. Or rather, her lack of it. “You’re a very wise man, Danny,” she told him, mirth sparkling in her eyes. Of course she knew she wasn’t old, but it was…. Pleasant, to hear such a thing from a handsome man’s mouth. Fleur bit her lip, letting her gaze drop slightly to take more of him in as she sipped at her wine. She wasn’t technically engaged at the moment, so surely a little harmless flirting wasn’t a terrible thing to do…?

She sat back with a quiet sound of amazement at Danny’s reply, unsure if she should be skeptical or not. “You must have an amazing memory,” she commented, also getting a kick out of his speaking mannerisms. He seemed incredibly intelligent, and Fleur would be lying if she said that wasn’t attractive to her. “After all, how many wines do you have in stock?” It was a fairly decent-sized bar, anyway. So far things were looking good for a big tip and also return trips to the Inn. Fleur smiled back at the bartender as she took another delicate sip, leaning more into the counter but still maintaining a very lady-like posture. Just to show how interested she was.

She noticed him glancing around the rest of the room and politely stopped speaking for a few moments in case he needed to tend to anyone else. He was working, after all, and Fleur wouldn’t keep him from doing his job. “New York? I’ve been there many times,” she replied with a grin. “I recently graduated in fashion design and business, so it’s one of my favorite cities for that reason… As well as others.” If she didn’t end up in Paris, NYC was her next choice. She didn’t plan on staying in this tiny place for very long. Fleur finished off her glass of wine and passed it over for another as Danny spoke, and she rose her brow in mild surprise, but also interest. “You’re not speaking of yourself by any chance, are you?” she chuckled, the wine already getting into her system and making her even more bold than usual. “Ah… I suppose I could find someone else to converse with, but I’m quite enjoying my company already.” Fleur gave him a small, sultry smile. “Although I know it’s your job to make the lonely feel less so.”

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“You’re too kind,” he replied, nodding at the returned compliment. It was simply a matter of fact that all women - young or old - were always to be treated as though they were in their prime and as the most gorgeous royalty on Earth. That got the best tips, in his experience.

Danny smiled to her second observation. “Yes, I do,” he said without modesty. “A perfect memory, in fact.” Which was a fact. It was as simple as breathing for him to pull up any memory of his and describe it to someone exactly, right down to the very words written on a page. Unfortunately, it was also this ability of his which contributed to his speaking peculiarities. “We have a total of [number] types of wines, [number] of brands, and [large number] of individual bottles.” He kept track of the inventory on a daily basis. It was easy for him to know from a glance whether anything was missing when he compared it to the memory of the day prior.

While Danny had no issue with being a conversation companion to the customers sitting at the bar, that did not mean that he was free to neglect the rest of the patrons in the lounge. Luckily, there didn’t seem to be anyone yet, so he returned his attentions to the lady in front of him. “I can understand why. The shopping district there is quite extensive and very popular among fashionistas.” Though he was only from the northern outskirts of the city, he had made a trip or few down to the heart of Manhattan with his mother when he was younger or when he was home on summer or winter vacation. Christmas was an especially nice time to explore the downtown area.

As Miss Fleur finished her wine and set it down, Danny was already pulling out the chilled bottle again and pulling the cork off so he could pour her another glass the moment it was pushed towards him. Part of the job was anticipation, and he was confident that Miss Fleur would be wanting to finish most of the bottle tonight, if not all of it. Or if not, he would package it up for her to take home, as he’d done for many others. Danny smiled at her suggestion. “If that is your wish, then I would be happy to offer you conversation, provided business remains at it’s current pace.” He leaned in slightly, though kept his posture upright and professional. “That is an unofficial requirement of my job.” It wasn’t listed in the job description, but it was well known yet unspoken among the entire staff.