Scoping Out The Place

Posted on Thu 2nd Aug, 2018 @ 4:25am by

1,236 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Oblivion
Location: Orchids and Jazz
Timeline: MD 9, 1935

Cheya looked at the list she had made since getting to the base, of things to check out;

- Tivoli Gardens
- Pub 10-42
- Bubble Tubs
- Pearl with a Chainsaw
- The River Walk
- San Diego Wildlife Zone
- Disney Interstellar Park
- Cosmic Creatures
- Olla Podrida Mall
- Horsefarm for Horseback Riding
- Orchids and Jazz
- Alpine Village
- Pale Moon Books


It had only been a couple of days and the list was already getting out of hand. She would need months to find time to do all these things, and that's only the beginning of it. The more people she met, the more recommendations and suggestions she would get, then even more time needed to complete those things. Still, no time like the present. She needed somewhere to eat tonight and had three potential places on the list. A chant of 'eenie meenie' made quick work of those three and Orchids & Jazz was tonight's destination for Cheya.

She tried to imagine the place in her head by the name - a place which played jazz and had orchids everywhere. She imagined some kind of crazy cat lady managing the place, but was sure that wouldn't be the case. Of course, she assumed there would be orchids everywhere; what if that was the food that was served up there?! She shook that thought away. People had suggested this place to her, so the food must be good as well.

She chose to wear something comfortable and slipped into a pair of skinny white jeans with a red crop top, which had a fancy bow near the middle of it to cover her stomach. She was confident in her body, but her stomach was the one area she would change if she could. She smiled at herself in the mirror, happy with what she was wearing and made her way to the restaurant.

"Good evening," the tall handsome human at the door said, in a voice like thick chocolate. "Welcome to Orchids and Jazz. Would you like a table this evening?"

She glanced at the man in front of her, immediately noticing his charm, "Yes please," she replied with a smile.

A subtle nod to Serena brought her forward. "Welcome. Is this your first visit to Orchids & Jazz?" she asked, leading the woman around the wall at the entrance. "And would you prefer a table near the dance floor and the music, or somewhere out of the way?" Ms Alia paused to let her take in the view of the restaurant, with the plants scattered among the tables with curved seating that offered more privacy than mere tables would have. "I'm sorry the upstairs is closed for a private party this evening, but please be sure to come again and sit there another time. It's quite pleasant, the music is there, but more muted, and it's a great place to come for conversations with friends, or a business meeting."

"It is my first time, hopefully the first of many," Cheya stopped and looked around to see where she would like to sit. "I think near the music. People surely must come here for jazz, so why not get as close as possible to it! I will have to find a friend for that first," She laughed at herself, realizing she probably sounded like an outcast rather than somebody that had just come onto the station.

"Friends abound on SB109. You'll soon find plenty. You just moved here, then?" Serena asked, leading her to a table just left of center, right in front of the Dendrobians. She waited as the woman seated herself.

"Let me be your first friend." She held out her hand, "I'm Serena Alia, and I'm the General Manager for Orchids & Jazz. The owner is Miss Jade Lantz, and you'll see her before you leave, because she makes a point of visiting all her customers in the dinner hours. Enjoy the combo for a while. They'll be joined in about half an hour by a new trio who just started here last week, the Maison Sisters. Their specialty is jazz songs of the 1930s and 1940s. I think you'll enjoy it."

Serena leaned over and turned on the table menu. "You'll find all our regular meals listed here, and tonight's special is Spinach and Cheese Ravioli with an antipasto plate, Italian bread with lime basil dipping oil, and roasted summer squash with pesto and Parmesan. Whatever you decide to try, dessert is on me, as your first friend in the Promenade. The Raspberry Panna Cotta is Italian, if you decide on our special, but you may choose any of the desserts. Now, did I overwhelm you?" she asked.

Cheya sat there a bit wide-eyed, just about taking in everything Serena said and smiled awkwardly, before realizing she was just staring at her. "Sorry, you did overwhelm a little bit! My name is Cheya, and I came here just a couple of days ago. The only person I've had a remote conversation with is my room mate, and that was brief!" She looked at the menu whilst continuing to talk. "It's nice for an owner to see all her customers as well, very personalized and unique service. Not something people do anymore, as well."

She continued to inspect the menu before putting it back down, "You know what, let me try the special. It's a special for a reason right?"

Serena grinned at her. "It is. Very wise of you to note that. We have the best chef in this section of the galaxy, perhaps the whole quadrant, and you can't go wrong trying one of her specials. I'll put that order right in for you, Cheya. What would you like to drink while you relax to the music?"

"Ooooo, the best chef?! I can't wait to try the food then!" She thought about what she wanted to drink. "You know what, I think I will have something alcoholic, why not. Heh. Gin and tonic if possible? Do you do elderflower tonic water?"

"I don't think we have the real thing," Serena said apologetically, "but we can certainly replicate something close for you. I understand it's almost as healthy as the actual elderberry. Gin, not a problem. We have Beefeater, Tanqueray, and Aviation American from the distillers, and of course we can also replicate others, should you prefer something else."

"Ahhh that's fine, replicated is fine. Tanqueray is my normal go to, or Gordon's. But we will stick with the real thing for the gin," Cheya smiled.

"Tanqueray and elderflower tonic water it is," Serena noted. "Enjoy the music while you wait. Jenna will be back with your drink shortly." As she moved away, the band played a rolling introduction.

"And now, fresh from New York City on earth, please welcome The Maison Sisters," the drummer said into the small mike near him.

Three women ran on stage as the jazz combo swept into their opening music, The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B. The applause had hardly died down when they swung into Chattanooga Choo-Choo.

"Blimey, classic jazz at the finest. Can't go wrong with Glenn Miller," Cheya murmured to herself, smiling as she watched the jazz combo perform. This was a perfect setting for her to go and was glad of the recommendation. She couldn't wait to try the food!

 

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