2019-05-31 - Job Interview

Declan enters the Pourhouse around eight at night. He's here about a job, but he didn't dress business casual. He wears a pair of older jeans, a long black t-shirt with sleeves that show off his arms, and slick black boots. His hair took him a little longer than normal - he wanted to make sure and get it right. Hoping he dressed the part, confident steps take him over towards the bar. Declan looks around for the owner. He knows Mariah by reputation or social media, friend of a friend, but they've never met. When he doesn't see her, Declan sits on a stool and waits.

Mariah's where she usually is, behind the bar. When Declan sits down at the bar the woman gives him a smile, "What can we get you?" she asks him. She's dressed like she normally is, jeans, boots and a dark colored t-shirt. Her makeup is done meticulously, but it's nothing anything weird. She dries off a few glasses while awaiting his answer.

How'd he miss her? He must be blind. Declan looks up. "Heard you were hiring," he replies. "I'm Declan Hopper, bartender. And handyman. But I'm here about bartending." Leaning back a little, gaze still on her, he adds, "It'd be a ten year journey to get a job at this place. I've been eyeing it since..." he shrugs. Since he poured his first shot, probably.

Mariah looks at him and there's a bit of a smile, a hand offered out in greeting, "Nice to meet you, Mister Hopper. I'm Mariah Bellerose, the owner." she tells him. "We are hiring for a bartender currently, but this place isn't the top of the dream jobs pile, we make it a fun atmosphere either way." she chuckles. "It's a lot of blue collar locals that make up our business. Tips are decent for bartenders though." she admits. "And we get the occasional rough necks that I have to escort out. So just giving warning." she muses.

Declan takes Mariah's hand and gives it one firm shake. "Just call me Declan," he replies. "Yeah I've lived in Gray Harbor my whole life. Might not mean a lot to some people, but," she smiles a little, "a job like this means more to me than most." His hand lowers and rests on the counter. "I gotcha. I've no problem with that. How long you owned the place?"

Mariah gives his hand a friendly shake and there's a smile, "Declan it is." she tells him. "And we get a lot of Townie's in here, so you'll probably feel comfortable." she states. "Does the bar hold sentimental value to you or just because it's been here forever?" she asks him. "And just a few years on owning. I'm hoping to slowly get the smoke smell out of the place." she chuckles.

"Yeah," Declan answers vaguely. "Couple firsts in here for me. Used to be a guy, he was really good, who could do all those flair moves you see in movies. He poured me my first Johnnie Walker. Twenty-third birthday. He moved on. Few bachelor parties," but not his, and he chuckles. "Lotta memories." Declan looks over at a wall. "Yeah? Good luck. You'll probably have to sand the whole place."

Mariah gives Declan a nod to that, "Well, places like that are nice to have about. Most places in Gray Harbor are more...weird than sentimental. So I'm glad someone besides myself has a soft spot for it." she smiles. "It's basic pay per the usual bartending job, tips is where it's at. So if you come in, have a good attitude and all that I'm sure people will be looking to tip you well." she admits. "We don't have an insurance package or anything like that. If I ever hit the lottery though I'll buy you guys one." she promises. "Are you looking for full time or part time?" she asks him.

"Sure, I've been around the mill a couple times. If you give me a couple days and it doesn't work out... I'll move on. It happens," Declan says with a nod or two. He waves a hand. "No worries." Shaking his head, Declan adds, "I have a handyman service, self-employed, that I do during the day as my six to four. I can work part time no problem. If you need someone full time, I can swing it if you give me a week or two to wrap up what I have on my schedule. I have a couple commitments I can't break, jobs for family and friends. After that," his hands open up. "I'll work what you got."

Mariah pulls out a phone and starts to put in some information, "Alright Declan." she smiles to that. "How about you come in tomorrow and see about working a evening shift with me, I'll show you the ropes and how everything works and then we'll introduce you to Teresa who is my other bartender." she states. "We can go over paper work tomorrow. Just got to make sure everything is on the up and up and if you have your bartending license you could bring that so I can make a copy." she tells him with a smile.

Declan nods a few times. "You got it." He stands up. "I'll come in just after happy hour?" he asks. "Or do you want me here earlier?" As he waits, he looks off behind Mariah. His attention eventually returns to her with a smile.

"Sure, that would be perfect time wise." Mariah tells him with a smile. Then she holds her phone up, "I've got you on the calendar, so I don't space it." she grins. "We won't stress you out too much tomorrow. "Friday and Saturday are our busiest days generally. Paycheck days." she admits.

Declan nods a couple times, grinning. "Cool. I just didn't want to screw up your routine. I'm excited already." Declan checks the date and time. "Here, here's my contact information, in case something comes up." He pulls out his wallet and leaves his handyman service card. His cell and email are on it. "Yeah, can't wait to see some tips. Bills will hopefully get paid. You need anything else? Don't want to take up too much more of your time, as you're working and all." He gestures to the rest of the bar.

"I'm glad you're excited." Mariah smiles to that. "And wear what you like...as long as it's not assless chaps or something like that." she laughs. "While I don't mind people dressing nice or a bit provacative to get more tips, we aren't a strip club." she muses. "Other than that, no getting drunk on the clock and if there is a violent occurence or weirdness please get me asap." she states. "And nah, don't need anything else for the moment." she tells him. "Did you want a drink?" she asks.

Declan laughs pretty loud. "Uh," he keeps chuckling. "Yeah, no worries on the chaps. What you see is probably what I'll wear. I'll keep the S&M gear deep in the closet." Flashing a short-lived grin, he adds, "You got it. I don't drink much anyway. Do you want me to call you or the cops first, or...?" some places have different policies. Mentions of weirdness are mostly ignored. His lips twitch ever-so-slightly, but that's all. "What? Oh, sure. I'll take the IPA you got on tap."

Mariah gives a chuckle, "I figured, just was jesting." she tells him. "And me first. Generally cops don't need to be called unless there's guns and knives involved. The guys tend to calm down if you bring a bat out. Or if you glare." she chuckles. "IPA coming right up." she states as she gets a glass and pours his drink.

"Yeah I gotcha. It was pretty funny. I have worked... uh. Well, you know how some people can get on a wild night. I'll stay cool, though." Declan watches her pour, quiet for a moment. "You got it. You first, boss. No one's messed with me in awhile, but. It happens." His arm rests on the bar while he waits. "So how'd you come by the place?"

Mariah gives a nod to him and settles the glass down, "Yeah, me first." she agrees. "And you don't have to call me boss. No one does really." she chuckles. "And if came up for sale and I bought it, no real drug out story." she admits to that.

Declan smiles, salutes her with the glass, and takes a sip. "Sounds like a story in itself. But I'll leave you alone." IPAs are bitter, but he doesn't seem to mind as he takes a long gulp. "I won't bend your ear anymore." He pulls his wallet back out and drops a few bills on the bar. "I'll see you tomorrow, after happy hour. Can't wait to learn the job and get started." He'll finish about three-fourths of his beer over the next four or five minutes. As he does, he speaks with one of the regulars, a man he knows. After that, Declan leaves for the night.