2019-05-31 - Brunch At The Grizzly

Coming in from the rain, Jack may have foregone an umbrella. He was okay pulling up his jacket, good enough to keep his top half dry at least. His pants may be wet the way its pouring out there. There is a pause at the door to hold it upon for Sally. "Welcome to the Northwest, no need for coffee most days." One could sleep well in such a storm, but up and about in it was an eye opener for sure, if one wasn't awake already. Or maybe that's just his own case only. Still, there he is not so much looking around but giving his feet a little stomp to dry off at the entrance, as well as could be expected. "Makes me ready to skip breakfast and go straight for lunch. A good chowder warms the soul." He seems talkative for anyone that recognizes the local, usually he's quiet and keeps to himself, garage or at St. Mary's is where one might recognize him from. Unzipping his jacket, he'll let her go up to the hostess to express any seats they may like.

Stepping in right behind him, Sally slips off her old fashioned lemon yellow slicker and hangs it on a coat rack. If there's a coat rack. "I think I preferred the snow in Michigan. Something about frozen water." Taking a look around the diner she'd never been in before, she nods easily enough. "Lunch would be good. Honestly, either one would be fine with me. Lunch would probably be more filling if nothing else." She looks for a seat and leads the way over to an empty. "Church yesterday was good."

May had been sitting here for a bit working on her laptop. The sound of the fingers tapping on the keyboard can be hard. On her form is a black and red lacy dress with a long rain coat half folded up and resting next to her in the booth. As more come to the diner, she decides her work can wait, slowly closing her laptop and moving to slip it into her satchel. She softly comments, "Their chowders are usually good. Don't let the decor fool you." A soft, nervous smile given, the consultant is generally more of a reclusive house mouse but seems she has been actually leaving her house more often as of late.

Melisande comes in from the rain with an obvious sneer on her face already. She folds up her black umbrella and allows it to drip on the floor as she's seated at the counter. She lets out a disapproving sigh as she looks around the establishment. When the waitress walks up to her, Mel asks, "I'm guessing a mimosa is out of the question? Coffee, black, then." She pulls out her phone and uses the camera to check her make-up. Satisfied, she replaces it and settles into the stool. She then begins to take in a long look at all the people gathered, looking to get a read on the place.

No rush of his own, Jack does follow to the nearby booth. "It was good," is his only comment on church. Then a nod, "See, there you go, chowder is good." A slight turn towards May with the nod, a quiet thanks there in the nod alone. "Getting out of town?" Just the first four words that hit his mond when notting the dress and trenchcoat, mabye formal attire in his mind as he sits down acros from Sally. Even a pause to look up at the mimosa comment, "Never too early for a drink I guess." And if the right person is asked, they may even get it. Still he comes back around to Sally, "Well, I mean, depending on permits. You have some idea of warm brothy soup to go with the ribs and burgers? Its what folks like on a cold rainy morning?"

"I haven't found a chowder I didn't like," Sally responds to both Jack and May with a smile, opting for just that. "Chowder will be good for me. I'll try it. Though someday in this town I will try something other than seafood. I've had the Fried Fish a few times now." A drink is ordered to accompany, a sweet iced tea for this southern girl. "I'm not sure. Maybe some au jus or something to go with the brisket? What do you think?" Catching Melisande's actions, she smiles her encouragement. "I've heard good things about the coffee here."

May gently shakes her head no before she responds to Jack, "I was going to, but not with this weather, rather just stay close to home today. Too worried something crazy will happen on the road or I get another crazy nightmare or something." After a few moments she offers the suggestion to Sally, "Could always get a cup of soup and half a sandwich. I do it sometimes when I know I can't eat a whole bowl and a whole sandwich. I... think the soup of the day is the clam chowder today? I forget, I asked for the potato soup myself with a bit of cheese and bacon added into it." She hmms softly before she responds, "Maybe a french onion soup with a brisket sandwich? Could dip the sandwich into the soup like one would an au jus?" Her hands resting on the table as she awaits for her meal, she orders it just before everyone had started to arrive, another good reason to put the work laptop away. A glance to Melisande is given as she inquires, "Rough morning?"

Melisande looks to the pretty couple and then over to May, a sorta smile forms across her face at the mention of nightmares. "Do you get nightmares on the road often?" She asks, interested now. As to the question directed at her, she answers, "Well... I've woken up in this rather small town, wondering if I came all the way out here for nothing. I see that there's only one decent club and the rest of the town seems to be rather... lacking." She sighs audibly. "In order for me to build up a nightlife here there has to be... oh.. I don't know... actual life?" When the coffee is poured, Mel gives the waitress a fake smile as thanks. "Can I get an egg-white sandwich on rye, please? Thankyousomuch." She returns her attention to May. "Rough morning doesn't begin to explain it."

Jack is unsure of nightmares and having them on the road, unsure himself even as Melisande asks for clarificaiton. His only advise towards May, offhanded, "Could wait it out too, could clear up come noon." When or if the temperature balnces out after morning warm up that brought in the storm most likely. Though about food, he may have some comments, mostly for Sally "French onion and au jus, those would be good at the Firehouse." Though here, he's sticking to clam chowder and orders as such when its his turn for a go with wait staff, and a coke. He was inded ready for lunch, no coffee for him. He's ready to go on but something about night life. "The night has a life of its own," who know what that has to do with giving the town an actual life or starting a night life. Deadpanned even, then a pause, "Try it like that show about baseball in Iowa, built it, they may come?" Maybe not much help at all for making a nightlife in Gray Harbor.

It wasn't the first time Sally had heard mention of nightmares but it's nothing she had experienced before. May does get a curious look, especially after the question from the other woman as well. In the meantime, she does change her order, taking May's suggestion. "I want the cup of soup with the half sandwich. Make it a Reuben but on wheat not rye." The order made, she waits for Jack's then the waitress goes on to turn it in. "I find the town to be.. different. In an odd sort of way. I've opted to stay anyway and open a restaurant though. The Firehouse will be done in the near future with Jack's help. He's been doing so much of the physical labor. What sort of nightlife are you interested in?"

May hmms softly as she looks to Melisande, "Oh... I suffer them no matter where I am actually. And... this town is small but there is plenty of life here. Most days. It also isn't tourist season yet, we get swamped around then. I am May Cumberbatch by the way." To Jack she nods before she responds, "I suppose I could but I do have a bit of work to do that I am on a touch of a deadline for. Just taking a bit of a coding break." A giggle given at the quote from 'Field of Dreams' before she responds, "You'd be surprised how lively a place can get when it just opens here to be honest. Opening night parties are a pretty big hit here." Sally would recognize a glimmer within May. At the mention of the firehouse she inquires, "What sort of place with the Firehouse be? I could help set up a personal TOS system if you need it. I am a wonder with code."

Melisande thinks as May goes on about her nightmares and absorbs the info coming from Jack and Sally, about their new establishment. "Interesting. I'll have to speak with the owner of the Firefly before I decide whether or not I want to open up my own club. I'd rather work with the locals than to try to compete. Plus, I'm all about the party, not so much the running of the building." She gets up from her seat and walks over to May's table first, and then to Jack and Sally's briefly placing a business card on each, before returning to her seat. "Melisande Clancy. Event planning and promotions. All my contact info and social media is on that card. I walk into clubs and ensure that there's at least a good 100-plus people in there all spending money and bringing in revenue. If the opening parties in town are as lively as you say, then there's already a customer base for what I have." She grins, returning to her seat as her sandwich is brought over. "Thank you,dear." She says to the waitress, warming up to the town already, thinking of the possibilities.

Jack tends not to smile much, if at all. But he does catch the giggle after his reference and raises a brow. Maybe a thanks for catching that, or an agreement that its funny and fitting. "An odd sort of different," he sort of rephrases what Sally said with his own curiousity. "There you go, ask and they'll help, or talk about it." As in, take the offer for the system code help, could be slick. A look to Melisande, "So, you could recommend making a place, any place, some sort of like .. wedding venue?" That is what he got out of event planning and promotions. Curious as well about opening nights and large crowds. That might not be his comfort zone, he gladly takes his coke when delivered to take a drink and look between the ladies, more to Sally, same brow lift, both brows even, like more opportunity for a business owner. Not his strong suit, a public face though.

"Sally Storm." Inputting her own name in there. "It's a pleasure to meet you, May and I would be very interested in talking to you about the system for the restaurant. Opening the Firehouse Burgers and BBQ in the old original Fire Station downtown." Those who lived in town all their lives may have heard or seen that it's haunted. Or played in the abandoned building as kids and discovered the resident haunting. As Melisande approaches she gives the woman a smile. "I would love a club or place to let my hair down and have fun. Thank you." She does take the card and slips it into a notebook she carries. Then there's Jack mentioning a wedding venue and her brows shoot up. Misunderstanding of course. Relieved when her sweet tea is delivered. She takes a drink before offering to May and Melisande both. "I'd like help with all I can get. Planning, the Point of Sale, anything."

May picks up the business card, curiously looking over it as she listens and softly hmms. "Party planning. I could bring this up to the captain for police functions, unsure if he'll listen but it can't hurt right? I... never really do parties myself, well... for myself. More a um... homebody I guess." Homebody is one way to put it, the little computer specialist (hacker) tends to rarely leave her house but lately (the past week) has been more active within the town. A smile and nod is given to Jack at his unspoken raise of the brow. She hmms softly before she adds on, "Could always meet with the various restuarant owners around here and see who would be willing to host and cater events and who would be only willing to cater as well, it would give back to the community and help your business thrive a little if you have local cuisine to offer as some of the options. If you do go the wedding venue sorta route, perhaps a mobile one? Would be more customizable I think? I... really am not knowledge on that... if we were talking computers... that is my ballgame." She looks back to Sally with intrigue as she responds, "Oooh barbeque? Please tell me you will have the sweet barbeque as an option? Like a brown sugared one or something?" The mention of the where causes May to look curious at to what building before she responds, "I can come by later or we could discuss it at my place? I live right around from the beach." A brief pause as she softly pauses and looks to Sally and Melisande, "It is very pleasant to meet both of you by the way." Her cheeks flushing a bit as she had realized she forgotten to mention that at some point.

Melisande's phone rings and she stands up to answer it, walking away to a quiet booth to handle the call.

Names are going around, Jack sort of sits up or moves a little in discomfort even. Not the friendly make acquaintainces sort perhaps, he does say almost as a cough, "Jack." His name given, all is in order. So is his chowder, delivered as food comes out, he finds a spoon to stir it up, and inhale the warm fumes. "I think your set for a few years with this reception, for the Firehouse." He's good with the short name, as he offers that to Sally. "I think if we get all the guts ready, you're up and running for more help like that. Not to late to make changes if the planner thinks it could be better, but air, electircal, plumbing mostly in order." A turn back towards May, "So you do coding for the Police, or like you contract with the city?" He caught a few things in what she said, enough to have some understanding, and its her ballgame, he gives a little pitch to see how its fielded.

"Oh yes sweet barbecue, tangy, different sauces for different tastes." Sally gets more animated about it, her smile eager. "I haven't got to cook for people in too long. I really miss it." Considering something she adds as her food arrives. "Maybe I should cater for the lady's party events. That would be fun working together. Or just offer catering for anyone too. Like the Police and City Hall. Things like that." She nods to Jack. "Yeah once the interior is finished with the repairs we can get the appliances all moved in. The walk ins are ready to be installed, both the fridge and freezer."

Melisande finger-waves as she talks on the phone and heads out.

May explain to Jack, "Oh, I am a consultant for them when the crimes involve computers or the internet and also forgeries. I just do coding for anyone really. I like setting up systems and things. Also I can give better security than any of those little programs you can buy for it." A brief pause before she asks, "You do handy work Jack?" At Sally's words, she look overjoyed as she responds, "I am so happy to hear that, sweet barbeques are my favorite, pulled pork with a really good sweet barbeque... damn... now I am craving that." She laughs a bit before nodding in agreement, "I think it would be good, about the catering." She offers a wave to Melisande as she takes her leave and looks back to Sally as she continues to say, "I could try to help set up a inventory tracker as well, it would make it so you would just have to double check to make sure the cooks are putting in the correct amount of things they take out of the freezer and walk-ins, also would help with keeping track of food cost to make it most profitable, tracking what sells best and all."

"I'd try them all," says Jack, after nodding a little to the taste of chowder he just enjoyed. Good enough to debate a few crackers, make it last longer, his eyes glance towards the ones brought with the soup. He looks up towards Sally, indicating all the BBQ flavors she offered in what he'd try. "Oh yeah, just meant a good time to look at a sales system." Spoon goes down, he grabs a pack one handed and uses teeth to rip it open and dump the crackers in the bowl. "Sometimes, around St. Mary's a little and my shop, but not so much what I do for a living." Handy work. "That's the reaction, start talking about her BBQ and can't help but want some. I'm trying not to think about some back ribs." He pushes down the crackers as he regrabs the spoon. A brow raises towards May again, "Could you tie it into the meter system, like get a rough estimate of utilities in the system before they bill you for it." He has no clue himself.

"What a great idea. I'd love the ease in tracking what sells best and on what nights and inventory, and the security of course. I'll definitely be getting with you to set up things. And I'll even throw in some sweet pulled pork once we're opened." The possibilities are endless and Sally seems genuinely encouraged. "I think if you think about any barbecue, Jack, you start wanting some." Just taking a guess, she doesn't know him that well yet. "I do know while Jack is a great handyman in the firestation, his first job is a mechanic on vehicles."

Whatever shyness is normal about May is entirely gone in this moment when she is talking about code. A smile curls her lips as she explains, "I can write up an algorithm that will tell you how much of each item was used, as long as the preppers and cooks keep up on their entering into the system. It would catalog the amounts used and one can put into the system the cost of item by weight. Generally there are common averages. As for vechicles.... my engine needs new spark plugs... I think. I don't know anything about cars really. Just... code. So if you could look at it, I would appreciate it. The guy who was suppose to do it flaked on me. I think my look freaked him out a bit." A gentle shrug of her shoulders, seeming her being in her gothic-esque makeup most of the time. It just happens sometimes.

"True enough," agrees Jack in his casual sort of manner, responding to BBQ talk makes him hungry. Then a double nod, confirming his preference is indeed vehicles. "I thought about getting a barrel grill for the yard, but with the Firehouse as sort of a neighbor," vicinity wise, not all the way across town, "No point." Spoon down, napkin to beard a moment, "They're loss May. I can take a look, you can stop by the shop or let me know where to get under the hood. I can check your cables too, see if we can make it run longer before needing more."

"I can close up shop every night at the beginning. I'll want to do that anyway until I find someone I am sure I can trust. I have the disadvantage of not knowing too many people in town. Now, Jack here is trust worthy. He's helped me a lot with my own old truck. Gave new life to her." Sally quietens down so they can make plans, currently taking bites of her soup and her half sandwich, very much enjoying the food.

May gently nods before she responds to Jack, "I'll have to have her towed over. She kinda old but it is my first car, so a bit of attachment, ya know?" A brief pause before she adds on, "It is a 2000 Ford Taurus." She looks to Sally as she responds, "I.. could try to help with front of house if you needed? Also I can help with background checks for hires too. WHen it is needed." Most of her food had been eaten throughout her listening, very little remains now as she pushes her plates away from herself and begins to take a set of cleansing cloths and begins to wipe down her hands.

"That's still new in my books, you're in good company," returns Jack to May. "My truck's an 83, Sally's here is a 70. You spoke the magic words when you said Ford." As a mechanic, he takes all makes and models of course, but he can joke around about make preference, even if he doesn't smile when he makes the joke. He uses the time they talk about Sally's place and May's offer to finish his soup as well. Using that coke to clean his palete. Then one hand finds an upper thigh where he sits as he puts the cup down, nodding yet again. "See, you're turning local there Sally. What some of the chains miss coming to a place like this, put all their brand up, instead of using the community. It'll be spiffy if that planner gal helps with opening."

"That would be amazing, and definitely background checks. I like to know who I am working with." Like the others, Sally finishes off her lunch.. brunch in between talking, even her tea is finished. "Yeah my pickup is an old one but I am pretty attached to her." A nod to Jack as well. "If she's around I'll get with her, if now, maybe I can pull off a grand opening too. Get the word out on my blog or something." She puts some money on the table to cover her meal. "I have to get back to work, but if you two want to work things out on getting the vehicle going, it's a good opportunity, since todays work is looking over applications I've been getting."

May giggles a bit as she muses to Jack, "I know, I know. Fix or repair daily. I could bring her by the shop in a bit? I have to catch an Uber to the house from here." She fishes a two index cards from her bag and begins to write on them, an index card offered to Jack and Sally as she says, "That has my number on it and list of things I do. On yours Jack, it lists my car info on the back. And previous issues I have had with it. The best I recall at least."

"Right," Jack rhetorically muses, or one might suppose with his lack of enthusiasm, "Figure on Repair Daily. The little asterisck fine print, unless you have it in for regular maintenance." Taking the card from May, he gives a nod to Sally, "I'm sure it will be grand, yeah, I can figure this out, catch up later after work." She has work now too, hiring folks, sounds serious. He turns to May, "You're call, if you have it out on street or something, I can just swing by and exchange your plugs, clean your cables. The wiring might help." As he looked at the issues on the back, "You're call though." Danger stranger and all that, he tucks the index card into a pocket for later. It won't fold too much, hopefully.

Sally accepts the card and smiles as she inputs the number into her phone before sliding the card into her notebook. That notebook had every important paper she had at the moment, she was using it for everything. As for the fix or repair daily she laughs, shaking her head which fans her hair out around her features. "FORD. First on race day. Nothing wrong with a Ford, ever." With a grin, she gets to her feet. "Sure, give me a call and I'm sure I'll have an all new list by the time our paths cross again." A smile to the both of them, "See you soon!" With that, she breezes out. Stuff to do!

May offers a wave to Sally as she leaves before her attention looks to Jack as she responds, "We could head over to it if you want, it is outside of my house. I just didn't wanna assume you were free to do that this moment." She begins to get her things packed up as she inquires, "Were you free now?"

"I've two cars in the garage," says Jack, fishing out some cash from a pocket. Crumpled up style, its a pretty efficient system. He takes half a moment to get a couple tens together, and some ones. Enough for his chowder, drink and a tip himself. "Another will come by in a few hours, I think I'm good to come check it out." He stands even, one finger hitching into a back pocket because his hands don't fidget, a place holder. "Save you an uber ride, can't have that. It'll cost you more in the rides then it would to just throw in some new plugs. It keeps storming like this, I'd feel better knowing you had a vehicle running."

May blushes a bit as she responds, "Oh. sure... I don't have a garage so we'd need to wait for it to stop drizzling, wouldn't we? Unless you meant towing it to your shop?" She stands up, placing her money down on the table, most of it is unfolded and looks like she keeps it that way, her wallet looking like a folded up ouija board. "A ride would be appreciated though," is added on shortly after.

"Nah, no more than 30 and you should be good to drive," returns Jack, just a slight glance at the wallet design, but averted because he might look like a pick pocket if he continues glancing at it. "Get you home, you can wait it out inside. Later we can figure out a visit to the shop for you, save future uber trips. Unless you like that, like Metropolitan and all." He may be stoic, he may be from a small town, but he's not too far out of date. "Give me five, I'll bring my truck to the front, save you the rain as much as I can." He'll nod, dash out, she can follow or wait. Its a 83 blue and white ford truck, looks newer than others of its kind. The paint job is white and dark blue, not factory ford, its a little darker. "You point, I'll drive. Know much about computers and cars, I'm curious about some of my systems monitors, they don't always agree with the actual problem." Which may be more a mechanic with enough experience versus something wrong with the terminals.

May easily accepts the ride, handing over the five and following him out. She'll give directions to her house. And arrange a time and day for her car to be picked up to be worked on and she look over Jack's security systems for him.