Participants:
| Scene Title | Helluva First Day |
|---|---|
| Synopsis | Laina meets some interesting people on her first day of work. |
| Date | March 9, 2011 |
The interior of the dessert bar is lit enough to see the drink menus and the tables but dim enough to preserve the intimate atmosphere that is evident in small tables made for two populate the dessert bar that is Oh So Sweet. Here and there, espresso colored wooden tables are pushed together to seat larger groups, straight backed black chairs surrounding them. Single lights on long cords drop down just out of head bumping range, lighting up the darker regions of the bar.
A massive oak bar takes up one side of the main room, a part of the building from ages past when it was just a bar, mirrors lining behind it to give the illusion of more space and reflect what light there is available. Glasses of varying types and sizes hanging down in holders, stacked against the mirror or under the counter and waiting to be used. And old fashioned looking machine rests in it's copper gleaming glory, capable of producing a variety of drinks like coffee, espresso, latte's, the list is endless. Backless stools line the customer side of the bar, red fabric to match the red damask fabric that hangs down the walls to help dampen the sounds of customers when the place is busy.
Across from the bar runs a glass faced refrigerated counter, shoulder height, filled with just about every possible dessert that one could desire and want, lit up and with little placards dictating what they are. The offerings rotate daily, sometimes every few hours and a door to the kitchen behind them gives access to staff to fill the orders and fill the showcase. The back room opens up to the main area, a small raised area for live entertainment to be had when the times are right. A door marked staff only in the far back leads to the kitchens and another to the restroom's and a private area that can be rented out for private parties.
Laina has been hired, certified, bonafide and tossed out into the deepend of the busy hours at Oh So Sweet. Brenda is nowhere to be seen, off on a smoke break, two others are working in the dessert bar making drinks and manning the dessert counter to fill the orders that come through. Raspberry pink shirts with the logo on them, black aprons with the same, there's a dress code to the place. Though the lights are more dim here at a little close to seven and 3/4's of the tables are filled with mostly couples or small groups, no children around.
Opening the door for Tahir, Hortense is out of her uniform, in tight jeans, open sweater, white lace shirt beneath and hair up to show off fair sized hoops. "So the deal was first date dutch, then second and third, option for the fourth." She still hadn't told him her name, but she wouldn't put it past him to have dug it up.
As if Tahir Avery Dunham would do anything so… bold. He's not going to just be coming around knowing people's names. That would ruin the fun and the possibility of nameless… well, you know. Tahir's got something of a one track mind, honestly. "I'm very much enjoying this deal so far. Though, we don't have to do the Dutch thing. I never liked that. Papa taught me to always pay."
Tahir is shrugging, looking as overdressed as he possibly does. He's decked out in a black suit, with a gray button up and a purple tie. His glasses are also lightly tinted with purple to match the purple Chucks that he wears on his feet for comfortability purposes. "Besides, I'm still tryin' to figure out if your jeans are painted on or not. Damn, girl!" Oh. Compliments?
Laina is excited to be at her first day at a new job. Especially in a place like this! She loves being surrounded by the smell and colors of the vibrant confections in the case. Even the uniforms are bright and colorful! For her first day at work, Laina is wearing a purple knee-length skirt, raspberry pink tights (the exact shade of the official Oh So Sweet T shirt), and purple ankle boots, with her uniform shirt and apron. Her hair is her natural blonde.
Her shift started at 4pm, and she spent the first few hours getting used to the way things are organized and getting to know her co-workers. But now the place is picking up. Laina smiles at the arriving customers. "Please, sit anywhere."
At least there's someone joining Tahir in being overdressed. Soleil Remi Davignon sweeps into the only sweet shop in New York who can get her crepes correct. She wears a knee-length white dress covered by a fuzzy black jacket, complete with a pair of ankle boots. All of her clothing is rather obviously designer label, from the way she pulls the outfit off. Removing the large, celebrity-style sunglasses from her face, she steps up to the counter, brows raised as she peers up at the menu.
"I'd say you gotta touch to find out but you did that three times already" Not a criticism, she's figured out he's a player. Long as she doesn't marry him, she'll be fine. MAn doesn't know my name yet. But he knows my number Hortense smiles at Laina as she offers up instructions, turning to Tahir then tilting her head in the direction of the scattered tables as if to say, you choose, lets see how you pass this test. please not near the bathroom, I don't to smell people as they come in and out or listen to the toilets//
"I'm 'bout to touch it again. It's callin' me! Straight caaaallllliiiiin' me!" Tahir is smiling and he moves off towards one of the tables that are more nearest to the windows than anything else. Mostly because he's too busy looking around at the other people in the spot than actually worrying about sitting near the bathroom or anything. Plus? Being by the window means he can people watch. "I've been trying to think up a line about how you fit the name of this place so well, but it just ain't workin' out too well. So just pretend I said something flattering, okay?" Tahir's cracking a smile as he pulls out a chair for Hortense.
Player Vision Activated.
Targets Acquired: Laina. Remi.
No obvious looking, Tahir. Peripheral Status Only.
Laina walks up to Hortense and Tahir's table, bright smile on her face. She places two menus on the table. "Hi, I'm Laina. Would you like something to drink while you look at the menu?" She's waitressed many times before, at a number of different restaurants, but each is different. She's looking forward to getting to know the atmosphere, the regulars, everything that makes Oh So Sweet unique. She takes a pad and pen out of her apron pocket.
Remi steps over to a seat, settling down and removing her jacket. The white dress she wears has mid-length sleeves, a nice early spring dress. She leans against the table, not bothering with a menu. She already knows what she wants: crepes. With strawberries on top. They will be so delicious and so well earned. She can't wait. But alas, she must wait her turn. So she does, blue eyes scanning the room, mind quietly listening to those gathered.
He's late he's late he's late.
A meeting with Remi was planned at a small bakery that she suggested, promising crepes that were as good as the ones they had in Paris so many years ago. After cleaning himself up, putting on some clean clothes and a jacket, he made his way through the city, finding the bakery…wait, is this a bakery?
Looking in from outside, he checks his iPhone, checks the sign…yep, this is the right place. Dressed in khaki pants and a button down shirt with a long lined leather coat over it all to keep the heat in, he closes the door behind him and looks around for Remi. I hope she's here, I hope she's here…Remi! He grins as he catches sight of the woman in her lovely dress, making his way through the tables to join her at the table in the seat opposite. "Sorry I'm late. Have you been waiting long?"
"Uh huh" Hortense rolls her eyes at Tahir, settling down in her own seat, plucking up the menu to scan down it's list of calorie laden sweets, even - it seems - so Vegan options. When Laina enters her periphery, that shock of color "Holy explosion at the crayon factory" Meant in a nice way, she puts down the menu, giving the other woman the full of her attention. 'Strawberry shortcake, and I want an espresso please" A glance to Tahir, see what he orders, where he looks.
Tahir is looking dead at the menu. He's not about to be looking at other babes while he's with a babe. That's just wrong. Instead, mental notes are being made about the people that are in this place and their ratings on his personal Babe Chart. Which will mean coming back later to visit will be epically awesome. "Listen. I need the most biggest chunk of chocolate cake you can legally give me. And an epic amount of milk." Tahir is already licking his lips at the thought of such tremendously childish deliciousness that he's ordering. "… Chocolate. Chocolate Milk." Oh Tahir. Stay focused on the menu or Hortense. Menu or Hortense. He is not looking anywhere else right now.
Laina laughs at Hortense's exclamation and scribbles the order on her pad. She likes this woman's enthusiasm! Then, she also looks to Tahir, waiting for his order. Someone likes chocolate! She adds Tahir's order to the pad, completely oblivious to any untoward thoughts he may be having. "I'll be right back with your order!" And, with another bright smile, she's gone, away to the counter to repeat the order to those working behind it.
While waiting for the order for table 1, Laina approaches table 2, where Remi and Jaiden sit. She places two menus down. "Hi, I'm Laina. Ready to order, or do you need some time?" Then something clicks. "Hey, you're Remi, right? From Magnes' party!"
As Jaiden steps in, Remi's brows raise, the woman smiling. "Jaiden! Good to see you." She smiles softly, running a hand through her hair. "Non, I 'ave not been waiting long at all. I just sat down, actually." She smiles across the way to Jaiden, leaning back in her seat. "So really, you are very much on time, oui?" She chuckles softly, then.
Then, she blinks, peering up at Laina. "Oui, I am."
On time? He glances at his pocket watch before tucking it back in to his hip pocket. "I guess I am, at that." He looks up to the waitress and smiles. "Bring me whatever you like the most." He pauses when she recognizes Remi, apparently. Magnes' party? Who's Magnes?
Don't worry Tahir, Hortense won't mind if eyes stray, hers does to the rear end of the aussie as he goes by Damn then back to the menus in the middle of the table. "Chocolate cake. Nice. Classic, decadent, milk as well. Simple tastes that are at odds with the flamboyant nature of the man across from her. "Hortense"
Likely he's going to be happy that she told him her name instead of him having to fish for it. "Hortense Tennenbaum."
Tahir Avery Dunham does not stray. He actually has some sort of, what is it, moral fiber in his being that makes him want to respect whomever he happens to be with at the moment. It just so happens that he wants to be with a lot of whomevers. As long as they fine. And the one he's with (and the others in this place) are very fine. More mental notes are taken, such as names and faces.
"Seriously?" Attention is drawn back to his date at this moment, as she drops the bomb of her name on him. "Hortense Tennenbaum." Tahir rolls it over his tongue for a few moments (which gives him time to scope out Laina's goods in idle passing) and then he cracks a gigantic smile, reaching up to pull off his stylish specs. "Lovin' it!" Oh, he's going to have so much fun with that name. So so so much fun.
Dammit. How is he going to scope out Remi's goods? Damn, that table having chairs. Hrm.
Laina makes a note on her pad to bring Jaiden a piece of the delicacy the chef was claiming that morning to be his specialty of the day. "And anything to drink?" she asks him. "So good to see you again, Remi! What'll you have today?" Laina is happy to see someone she recognizes in the city, but she also wants to stay somewhat professional. After all, it is her first day.
Remi turns a smile toward Jaiden. "Magnes is a friend of mine. 'E plays piano at ze ballet studio." She chuckles softly, then turns to peer up at Laina. "Get 'im one of ze cafe au lait, oui? And I will take one, as well, with ze strawberry crepes." She flashes a bright smile up to Laina, before turning to peer around the room, as she is wont to do. It happens, when you can hear thoughts. Her eyes land on Tahir for a moment, a knowing smirk forming on her face, before she grins back over to Jaiden.
Jaiden is sitting with his back to Tahir, so any glances, grimaces, or the like are completely missed since he's paying more attention to Remi than to anything else. "You realize this is going to completely kill my diet, right?" He smirks at Remi, reaching across to pat her hand lightly. "So, what've you been up to recently, M'dear? Getting ready for a big show?"
Whatever quip that Hortense is going to toss back at him, regarding her name, or even his choice of tie is drowned out by her phone, bleating out touching meeeeeeeeeee, oh god you're touching me, touching youuuuuu, oh yeah I'm touching you as her ringtone. "Fuck" She's got a dirty mouth on her at times. "Fuck. Sorry, sister"
Hortense turns away from Tahir, an apologetic look on her face as she answers with a terse "The hell now Mar?" Whatever is spoken on the other side, She looks over to Tahir, shock. "Yeah. Yeah I'll be there in like… five" Likely more, but she's hanging up, digging in her purse for a twenty to toss it down. "I owe you, big time, gotta go. Some shit's happening with my sister, some asshole, she needs a ride. Stay, enjoy your cake" And the view. This at least means he might be able to move to a different table, get a good look at Remi! And with that, Hortense is striding out of the restaurant.
"Burn." Tahir is not about to let what just happened ruin his cool. Not at all. He's too busy reaching to make sure his stylish glasses are back on his face and that he's looking as amazing as he always believes himself to look. He's just one of those egotistical dudes that doesn't let anything phase him. He's focused right now and that means he's going to wait on his cake and his milk and he's going to go to town.
She just couldn't handle how hot you are, Tahir. It happens. Maybe you should turn down the masculinity. Naaaaaaah. Fingers drum and there's a low whistle that comes from Tahir's lips as he waits patiently for the chocolatey goodness.
Laina jots down Remi's order and the two drinks and is on her way again. She drops off table 2's order and picks up the order for table 1. "Here ya go!" As she sets the chocolate milk and chocolate cake down in front of Tahir, she asks, "Is your friend coming back?" She gestures to the strawberry shortcake and espresso still left on her tray.
Remi offers a small laugh, shaking her head. "It just gives you an excuse to work out later, oui? Zat is 'ow I look at it." As if Remi needed to work out. Or even worry about sweets. Even if she is skinny as all get out, she's all muscle, really. It's just lean muscle, rather than being bulky.
"True, true. I get a decent-enough workout working on cars for people, but I do run and the like every other day to keep my endurance up. YOu know how important that is." Jaiden laughs softly, leaning back a little in his chair, looking Remi over with a smile. "You look beautiful today, by the way." Time to turn on a little charm.
Tahir looks up at Laina with some sad eyes. "Don't think so." Even if they are partially hidden behind his specs, he still has that saddened expression on his face. "She…" There's a pause as Tahir looks across the table at the now vacant chair and he sighs. "It was time for her to move on. That's all." Tahir drops his head a bit and pushes at the cake and the milk. Just to slide it away from him a bit. "I think I'm going to go find somewhere to sulk my sorrows away. How much do I owe you for adding a little flavor to the end of my most recent relationship?" Tahir reaches for his wallet as he throws out the 'broken up' bait.
Laina gives Tahir a sympathetic smile. "Well, there's no better way to drown your sorrows than with chocolate. How long were you together?"
As Jaiden excuses himself to handle a 'family emergency' of his own, Remi blinks a few times, sending him off with a kiss to the cheek and a small wave. Then, the redheaded telepath is very much interested in Tahir's little charade, waiting for her crepes. She'll bring him his food when she sees him next, which will undoubtedly be soon. As Tahir, the unfortunate recipient of Remi's curiosity, pulls the 'broken up' bait, she lets out a chortling sound, shaking her head slowly.
"Seems like just yesterday." Tahir answers with acute honesty. He's just looking through his wallet now, as if trying to count out the right amount of money. Without knowing how much. "It's not her. It's me. I am considerably not boyfriend material." Tahir frowns and looks at all the chocolate with longing eyes. "I can't eat that now. It wouldn't taste the same without her here to share this moment." Sigh. Tahir comes out with a hundred dollar bill. "Here. That should be good, right? You can keep the change…"
Laina looks from the hundred dollar bill to Remi laughing a table away, and back to the hundred. For a few seconds, she just stares dumbly, not sure what to do. "Umm …" Then Brenda's words come back to her. "We … we're not allowed to accept bills over $20. Let me get you your check and a to go box." With another sympathetic smile to Tahir, Laina walks away. Well, that was awkward.
Remi watches Tahir, quietly laughing behind her hand at his act. It's funny, because she can see right through him. So she just giggles to herself, shaking her head. Silly boys, lying to get into a woman's pants.
Hundred dollar bill is scribbled on and tossed on the table. Underneath the twenty dollar bill that's already there. Obviously, one must be for the deliciousness and the other must be a tip… with a message on it. Either way, Tahir Avery Dunham is up and out of his seat, spinning off towards the exit without even tasting the deliciousness that was set upon his table. For he must get out of here before she makes him carry that chocolate cake around the city!
Laina returns to the now empty table with the to go box and minus the tray that had held the strawberry shortcake. She just stares for a moment before picking up the money. She notices the writing and focuses to see what it says.
And Remi is quietly listening in on Laina's thoughts to pick up on whatever the writing was on the hundred dollar bill. She watches Tahir pass, for a moment, before smiling and digging in to her coffee and crepes. That's what she came here for in the first place.
Call: <Phone Number> to Thank Me. Laina reads the words on the hundred dollar bill. She holds it up to the light, but it looks legit. She stuffs it into the pocket of her apron. After cleaning up the chocolate cake and milk, she returns to Remi's table, where one of the other servers has already brought the woman her crepes. "Sorry about that. Do you need anything else, or are you good?" She smiles at Remi.
The woman smiles up to the server, waving a hand. "Non, I am fine. Thank you for your concern, Madamoiselle." She offers a cheerful smile, sipping at her coffee. She's in happy foodie land right now.
Laina walks back to the counter, thinking. A hundred dollar tip on my first day … And a guy's number … Wow, this job rocks!