Amateur Talent

Posted on Fri 27th Oct, 2017 @ 6:58pm by Lieutenant Commander Andrew Eberstark

901 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Unity Week
Location: Orchids & Jazz, Deck 600
Timeline: MD 4, Late Evening

Slowly, Jade had worked her way through most of the evening's guests, and things were winding down. Docha and her backup were about to take their last break of the evening. This was a time that was pleasant for the owner, and she leaned against the beautiful and highly polished 300-year old wooden bar. Propping her chin on her hand, she listened to the end of the song and joined the light applause.

As the group stepped off the stage, probably going to the staff lounge for water and food, Jade straightened up and noticed a lieutenant walking toward her.

Walking up to the bar as quickly as he could, Andrew spoke to the person behind it, not really looking to see who it was, "You don't happen to have any Ratzeputz hidden anywhere behind there would you?"

"Hello, Lieutenant," Jade greeted him. "As a matter of fact, I do, but I don't recommend it unless you really like it. I don't think the brand my supplier gave me is the best example of the drink. It does have the advantage of being a synthahol version, though, so it's up to you."

Looking up, raising an eyebrow at the response and voice from behind the bar, Andrew stiffened his posture, "Miss Lantz. I wasn't expecting you behind the bar, much less to say you have that available. Although, I'm not sure if being the synthahol version is considered an advantage. I've been waiting on some of the good stuff getting delivered from Earth in the near future. Haven't gone this long without it for as long as I can remember actually."

Stopping his audible reminiscing, Andrew smiled, "Anyway, why not? I'll try a glass if you don't mind. It's actually pretty hard to mess that up. May I also ask why the owner is sticking around late this evening serving drinks?"

Lantz laughed, "Oh, I often do. I skip the breakfast shift, leaving that to my staff, but I do like the late nigh hours, and sometimes I get a chance to play a little music." She walked a couple of feet to the right and pulled a red and blue labeled bottle from the refrigerated under-bar section. Walking back, she snagged a glass with the other hand and popped the cap off. With a flourish, she poured the liquid into the glass. "There you go. Tell me what you think of it. It isn't a beverage on which I'm expert."

He gave a nod of approval as she handed the glass over, "Sometimes I wish I could skip breakfast. But I guess that's what coffee's for," raising his glass. "This is always a good nightcap," taking a sip, Andrew sat in a few moments of silence to analyze the drink before placing it back down at the bar, "Like I said, hard to mess up," shrugging before giving a small smile, "Or maybe I just haven't had the stuff in a while, and I lost my pallet for it."

Glancing over at the empty stage where the previous band had just taken a break, and taking another sip, he asked, "You get to skip the morning shift and play too? Maybe I picked the wrong profession."

Jade laughed, "Could be, but there are downsides to everything, I think. We have a great morning coffee bar that starts at 6, if you're running slow sometime."

Wiping the bar out of habit, she added, "I'm not sure if your comment means the Ratzeputz is terrible or not, but if you want something different, I'm happy to dispose of it and give you something else. You know, if you're stopping here late in the evening, you can always play a little yourself. What's your instrument?"

Smiling, Andrew took another sip, "I'll keep that in mind. Always interested in stronger and darker coffee. As for the Ratzeputz, it's perfectly fine. Sorry for the confusion," looking down at his glass, mostly empty he glanced back up at the woman, "I'll probably be ordering another one so that should answer your question."

Looking back at the empty stage, Andrew raised an eyebrow and hesitated, before answering her question, "Well, I guess that depends on your definition of play. I haven't touched my violin or cello in the past half year, so I'm not sure if the sounds that'll come out of either of them would be considered music," finishing his drink, he asked the obvious question in return, "I'm assuming you've also been known to play a note or two?"

"Umm," she nodded. "Alto sax. l love the sound of a mournful horn." She straightened up as she saw Serena approaching. "Brush up and come see me. We'll play something one of these quiet nights."

Turning to her assistant, as she approached, Lantz said, "About time you were leaving. You work too hard."

Laughing, Serena tossed back, "Hardly work at all, you mean. I wanted to make sure everything was set so I could leave early tomorrow. Thanks for being so flexible." Looking at Andrew, she asked, "You did say 1800 would be good, didn't you?"

Giving a nod of appreciation at the owner and a smile at Serena, Andrew replied, "That's the plan if you're still interested," finishing his drink he glanced back at Miss Lantz, "And I'll be sure to practice before I embarrass myself too much up there. Even if it is a quiet night."

 

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