2020-05-14 - Sneak Peek

It's early evening - a time when a restaurant is usually jumping, or at least starting to. But this one isn't open yet, as evidenced by drop cloths on a few things, a lack of tablecloths, boxes here and there, and a bar that isn't yet fully stocked. The lights are also on full and there's people moving here and there in plainclothes rather than chef's whites or the crisp clothing of professional servers.

The exception to this (as is usually the case) is Dante, who is seated at the piano. He's not playing it though - instead he's on a tablet and is thumbing through images with a furrowed brow. He told Elias to come by any time that evening - that he wasn't going home anytime soon.

Elias arrives at some point during the evening after doing whatever it is that Eliases get up to these days. He wanders on in after convincing whatever security is keeping people from doing just that that he's here to see Dante and the restaurant. He's very charming. And Dante probably let them know to let him in. He's dressed in a pair of jeans, a plain white button-down shirt and a grey vest buttoned over it, a pair of shiny black shoes on his feet, as he strolls across the place toward the piano and Dante, taking it in as he goes. He lets out a low whistle as he approaches.

Dante looks up from what he's doing at the sound of the whistle. At first, he looks faintly annoyed, but that melts away when he sees the source. "Oh, hello darling. Do you like it? I've been trying to put my own stamp on it, but truth be told a lot of the work was already done when I came on-board." He stands up from the piano and sets the tablet down, then goes in to touch Elias' arm and kiss him on the cheek.

"Well, it definitely is classy," Elias says as he walks over toward Dante, meeting him halfway. He brushes his fingers lightly against Dante's elbow and smiles, returning the kiss to his cheek before taking another look around. "I like the lounge the best, I think, though the restaurant is lovely. And you do look quite at home behind the piano." He then looks out, "Nice view, too."

"Yes, I really did get involved mostly for the lounge bit. Alas, the restaurant is a package deal." That seems to be a bit of a joke from the quirk of the edges of Dante's mouth. "If the workload so far is any indication, I certainly won't have that much time to indulge m'self behind the keys. At least to start. Drink?"

Elias chuckles a bit and says, "Well, there are certainly worse package deals to get into." Then he smiles and says "I have a feeling that once things get started and you find a rhythm, that you'll find a little bit of time to tinker when you can." He nods at the offer of a drink, motioning for Dante to lead the way.

"My fear is this will distract me from my writing as well. It already has," says Dante a bit sheepishly. "Though it's not the worst time for it as my first draft is with my editor. What shall you have? The bar isn't quite fully stocked, but it's very close. He walks behind and, then spins around, claps his hands gently and grins.

"Well, perhaps it will, a bit, but you can always hire on a manager to handle most of the day to day operations once things are settled and you have things running the way that you want them," Elias says. "Then you can do more directing and less actual hands-on, while you sit and write and idly observe your handiwork." Then he smiles and shrugs his shoulders, "Surprise me.. except not that.. thing with the hot sauce. Not that."

"That is the plan, but everyone's warned me that restaurants are far more work than they appear." Dante smiles a bit nervously. The nervousness is actually only apparent because Elias knows him by now. He chuckles at the comment. "Drat. There goes that plan. Whiskey?" He reaches for one of the amber coloured bottles behind the bar with a fancy label. "Haven't hired a head bartender yet. So the drink menu is a work in progress."

"They are," Elias says "From all that I've heard. Not that I've ever worked on or at a restaurant. The family business was always books." He smiles reassuringly, "You're going to do fine." Then he nods for the whiskey, content with that. "No? Do you have any prospects who are interested? And when is the place slated to open?" He settles at the bar, taking a seat and folding his arms on its surface comfortably.

Dante pours a generous amount into a classy crystal tumbler, and then pours a second for himself. "Ice or water?" he asks, using a glass eyedropper to add a couple of drops of water to his own. Just to open it up a bit and let it breathe. It's a fine 15 year old single malt - a Speyside. "A few interested people, but no solid prospects yet. A few others from further afield. They might take some convincing to move to Gray Harbor for a head bartender job though." He chuckles. "I might have to pay more than I was planning. And no set date yet. Everything I've read said setting an exact opening date is a bad idea. Better to just open with a soft launch when you're ready, then do a grand opening once you've worked the kinks out."

"Water," Elias says when asked, watching Dante pour and add that little bit of water to his own. He nods as he listens, not knowing a whole lot about the whole business. "I suppose that makes sense. Best to do things when they're ready, particularly when dealing with people's food or heath care." He smiles "So, despite all the work and chaos and newness, are you enjoying it?"

"It's been invigorating. Doing something new. Learning something new. The previous investor left this place in good stead before he left. Perhaps he fell into a Dream or something and decided this town wasn't worth it." Totally possible. Dante adds a careful few drops of water to Elias' drink before nudging it across the bar. "It might still go down in flames, but hey, at least then I'd get a hell of a tax write-off?" He cracks a grin and sips his drink.

Elias opens his mouth to say that it won't go down in flames, and then pauses, remembering that they are still in Gray Harbor and says, "Well, at least it will be an adventure, one way or the other, and learning and experiencing something new is a worthwhile endeavor." He takes the glass and lifts it a little in Dante's direction, then takes it up and takes a sip before setting it down again in front of him.

Dante looks out over the piano bar and beyond, past the silver tree to the restaurant proper. "Perhaps I'm a snob, but I feel as if the town needs a place like this. There's no shortage of places to have a casual bite and drink, but there's nowhere for people to get dressed up to go to. I may love my suits, but I'd rather not always be the only one in the room in one."

"I think it does, too. I think every place needs someplace where people can go out and have a little bit of fancy, someplace to celebrate, take a date, enjoy a night on the town that is a little more special than jeans and sneakers at the pizza joint. I'm just used to having to drive a while to get to it, This will be a good thing," Elias says as he folds his arms on the bar once more. "Give me an excuse to wear my suits more often, too. Wouldn't want to come visit you just wearing any old thing."

Dante chuckles. "I've already told Cris that he needs to update his wardrobe a bit if he's going to be here more. You don't need the help though do you? You're more casual than me, but you've got the eye for fashion." He leans on the bar towards Elias, that touch of sharkiness appearing. He tips some of the amber liquid past his lips. "It's selfish of me, really. I wanted somewhere in this town where I could feel at home instead of that English guy in a three piece suit in a bar."

"While my wardrobe in the formal department is not nearly as extensive as yours, yes, I have a number of suits of varying degrees of appropriateness for this sort of a place. I just tend toward the more casual every day," Elias says with a smile as he picks up his glass and takes another sip from it. "I'll bring them out for you, though." He chuckles and reaches out to brush his fingertips lightly along Dante's jaw, "But you're that striking Englishman in a fantastic suit in a bar. And you'll be that no matter where you go.. well, minus the bar bit."

"I don't want this to be the kind of place everyone feels the need to dress up, but to leave their denim at home and break out a nice pair of slacks and a button-up or a dress or a nice top. I don't think I'm the only one who feels good when they look smart. And this town could use a little more of feeling good, don't you think?" Dante grins at Elias and leans a little further across the bar. "You're stylish everyday as well. I do appreciate casual style even if I don't 'rock it' often," and yes, those quotes are audible.

"Why not? I mean, it's fine if you'd rather it wasn't that sort of place, but I think it would be nice to have a place like that, where people felt it was a special enough place to get dressed up to go to -- an evening at the casino, dining in the restaurant, lounging in the lounge," Elias says with a little quirk of his lips. "But yes, this town could definitely use some feeling good." That much he can certainly agree on. Elias laughs and says, "You can certainly rock a more casual style. I've seen it. And have a deep appreciation for it as much as your suits."

"Well, as nice as that would be, it's a practicality thing. Gray Harbor isn't exactly an affluent town. And I don't want people to find this place so stuffy that they don't feel welcome. Which is why I'm trying to keep the prices affordable. Not an everyday sort of place, but not a once-a-year place either." Dante fingers the pattern on the crystal glass. "It's a fine line to walk. I don't want to price myself out of the market, but I also want this place to feel special." As for his casual style? "Ah, as you've noticed, I don't wear that style out of the house much. I think the town would die of shock at this point."

"Good, I kind of like that I get to see it in private," Elias waggles his eyebrows. "It's like lingerie, except not at all." He laughs then and nods about the decisions that Dante has made about the place, "And that is why you are in this business and I am not, because I would likely make it stuffy and then no one would come and I'd end up with no customers and shut down." He chuckles. "I will stick to writing and poking my nose into the metaphysical where it doesn't belong, and idly supervising a bookshop that pretty much runs itself."

"Lingerie except it's denim and a t-shirt?" says Dante with a soft chuckle. "Yes, well, I've always been a pragmatist when it comes to business. I write what I know will sell, because that's a realistic way to make a living at it. The same for this place." He looks around. "And this side, anyway, is supposed to be a bit more casual but still upscale than eating on the restaurant side. There are small plates here that I intend to be quite affordable, and some cheaper options for drinks as well. It will take time to find a balance." He tilts his head. "Do you want to come back to mine tonight? Meet the gremlin?"

Elias laughs and says, "Yes, something like that." He then nods and says, "Well, I'm looking forward to tasting the menu and seeing what drinks your bartender comes up with." He then finishes his current drink, setting the glass down on the bar. "I'd love to come back and meet your strange little feline. Maybe you can put on some jeans and a t-shirt for me, too." He's clearly teasing, but seems more than happy to come along. "I'm yours for the evening."