An Application For The Hydra

Posted on Thu Oct 7th, 2021 @ 5:36pm by Michelle Erilin & Anara Joval

Mission: The Dexic Negotiations
Location: The Hydra Lounge

Michelle walked into the Hydra Lounge on board the Chimera and stopped, looking around it at the tables and the stage set up in the corner. Her face brightened at how cozy it felt versus the constant 24/7 hecticness of the station's primary bar. She squeezed the thick folder that was in her hands that had the crest of the Drumpf Intergalactic Hotels and Casinos company on it, which held a hardcopy of one each of her application to the Chimera's Bar, the acceptance of the application, the letter of recommendation from the owner of the 614 Bar and Casino as well as a more general letter of recommendation from DIHC's HR department, duly noted as read by the owner themselves.

She wore her best dress, one that accentuated her figure to the best it could and provided customers an enticing view of her cleavage in an effort to drive sales. It was a sinful red in color with reasonable flat shoes that put her 5 foot 3 inch form to no measure of great height as she approached the bar, "Hi, I'm looking for Anara Joval?" She asked the woman behind the bar.

Anara was working on a new menu for the food replicator. She was to add a few dishes and drink specials to enhance the ambiance of the lounge. Possibly have more themed event as well. She looked up from her PADD to see the petite woman in the dress and what looked like some sort of portfolio. "You found her. What can I do for you?"

Michelle smiled brightly as she came the rest of the way up to the bar, "Hi, I was in touch with you while you were on your way here to the Starbase and put in an application for the 'help wanted' ad you'd put out on subspace?" She extended her hand, "I'm Michelle Erilin, I've got the confirmation you sent me and two references in case you needed them."

Anara gestured to the floor. "Please, have a seat. I'll be right with you." She slid the PADD away. "May I get you something to drink or eat?"

"A lemon-lime soda if you wouldn't mind, Madam Joval." Michelle knew it was safe to ask for a drink at interviews, it helped keep the mouth moistened, but snacks? She could really go for some fried cheese sticks, but it would be bad form. She picked a seat at a table close to the bar so that Anara wouldn't have to go very far and sat there primly, as proper as she could. First impressions stuck firmly in someone's mind and she REALLY wanted this particular job on this particular ship.

Anara went to the replicator and keyed in requests for several items. She took about a minute before joining Michelle at the table with her drink and a sampler platter of various appetizers. She took a seat across from Michelle. "So what made you decide upon the Hydra Lounge?"

Her eyes drawn to the sampler platter briefly in appraisal, Michelle kept the smile on her face, "It was mostly a way to get off the Starbase if I'm being perfectly honest about it. I managed to get off of Jovash where I mostly grew up, up to the Starbase when I got a job at the 614 Bar and Casino four years ago, but I'm a bit fascinated with the stars. Most of the ships coming through already have their staffs filled out with servers and since I just turned twenty-one a couple weeks ago, I'm not eligible yet to try to get a contract to run a lounge on a Federation starship, nor do I have the experience for it yet. But when the opportunity came up with the Chimera, I saw my chance." She had another major reason, but it was purely personal and... Perhaps it could be a trump card to use if needed, but she didn't want to have to use it.

She took a breath as thoughts ran through her head, "I'm actually capable of handling a wide variety of clientele at various needed speeds of service. Drumpf Intergalactic Hotels and Casinos runs establishments primarily in the heart of the business sectors of planets and starbases, so by working there it was basically sink or swim with whether or not I could handle it. And Drumpf wouldn't have kept me if it weren't a profitable move to make." Michelle's smile remained on her face, "I can host events, handle parties of all types, referee tournaments ranging from darts to Dabo and even assisted in the running of a large poker tournament two years ago that was held in our establishment."

Anara looked through Michelle's portfolio and was suitably impressed by both the resume and the photos of events her applicant referred to. She looked up from the papers and photos and studied Michelle's expression for a minute. She took her PADD and keyed in the name of four mixers, each with multiple ingredients to properly make. She slid the PADD across the table to Michelle. "Make one each of those."

Michelle nodded and exhaled deeply as she looked over the different drinks, recognizing all of them instantly. A Long Island Iced Tea, a Tequila Sunrise, a Boilermaker and a Terran Mai Tai, not to be mistaken with the Risian version that all too many people preferred. She left the PADD where it was on the table and breezed back to the bar and before touching anything looked it over, seeking out the ingredients.

Michelle started off with the Long Island iced tea, grabbing one of the cocktail shakers from under the bar and filling it halfway to the seam with the crushed ice, adding in equal parts of vodka, gin, rum and tequila, then a slightly less than equal amount of orange liqueur, then sealed the top and shook it vigorously for a few seconds before pouring it into the glass with a flourish that caused a brief whirlpool effect, topping it off with some cola and a wedge of lemon.

Her second drink, the Boilermaker, was the simplest of the lot, she drew the beer into a glass with a deftness that left vitually no 'head' at the top, since that was discouraged for the purpose, then drew a bit in a glass to get a quick taste before searching the liquor selection for the drink that would go best, which she chose a moderate Irish whiskey that she poured into a shot glass and set next to the beer.

The Tequila Sunrise was next, with the orange juice going in the first glass first, then mixed with about half that amount of tequila, then used a long-handled spoon to mix them with one hand while she expertly applied sea salt to the rim of a highball glass. As she stopped stirring, she added large ice cubes to the glass, then found the grenadine pourer and poured a third of the alcohol's amount into the glass before slowly pouring the orange juice/tequila mixture into it. A slice of orange and a pair of cherries on top of the ice finished it off.

Last but not least was the Terran style Mai Tai, where she added the white rum with an orange curacao, some lime juice and some orgeat she had a bit of a worry before she found plus some lime juice into a shaker. She topped it off with crushed ice and shook it gently for a mere three seconds before pouring it into a glass. Very gently, she poured a dark rum over the top and placed a wheel of lime rather than a wedge on the edge of the glass and scrounged a sprig of mint to put decoratively on the top of the glass.

She placed the drinks on a round tray and deftly used one hand to sweep it from the bar top and brought it around, using that same movement method that made it look like she were gliding across the floor rather than walking and set the tray down in front of Anara with a professional smile and stood back awaiting judgment.

Anara took small sips from each glass and gave Michelle an appreciative nod. The taste of each drink was perfect. Michelle certainly knew her mixology. She set the last glass back on the tray and extended her right hand. "Jobs yours. We will work out paperwork and details later this afternoon."

"Of course, Madam Joval." Michelle shook her hand firmly, "And thank you very much. If you'd like, I can leave you with this." She patted the folder on the table, "It's got a copy of all of my various licenses and qualifications. I'm not just licensed for alcoholic drinks, but also able to determine the various poisonous drinks for different species, as well as prepare drinks with the Druran venom from Andoria. It's a very uncommon drink, but some of the warrior caste from Andoria as well as Naussicans actually enjoy it for the 'danger' from the venom."

Michelle was actually beaming at that one, "Of course the normal gambling licenses in addition to being a qualified card dealer. I'm half-Betazoid, so I had to get the license that details what I can and can't do regarding empathic readings, but it comes in handy for knowing when to cut someone off." Her smile became slightly fixed, but she went on because this one was in there too, "Also, I'm a licensed courtesan. Nothing illegal, of course, clients must be registered and during my time with Drumpf was separate from my duties in the bar setting. Section Four of Paragraph Seventeen in the basic Drumpf employment contract was very explicit and we can work that into whatever details you desire." Best to bring the elephant in the room out right away.

"First thing. It is Anara." She handed back the folder. She gestured about the lounge. "I don't run a house gambling business, though I don't stop side wagering between customers on the dom jot or pool table." She paused for a moment before addressing the final bit of information Michelle disclosed. "As for that last bit, what you do in your off time is only your business."

"It was the same with the 614 Bar and Casino, Anara." Michelle said calmly, "But I felt it was something that needed to be brought up and explained, given that it is in this folder. If you ever want to know the safeguards that go into it, I would be more than happy to give you any of the details you desire. I'm into full disclosure and don't want you to have any unpleasant or unexpected surprises. I know that every business runs differently and has different needs and desires, so it's best to be honest and up front."

Anara drummed her fingers on the folder as she studied Michelle's expression. "Well, the ship will be undergoing a refit and I would like your input on improving the Hydra Lounge. Think you're up to the task of helping me make this the best lounge in the sector?"

"The 6-1-4 Bar and Casino has been reputed to be one of the best, so I dare say I'm absolutely up to the task." Michelle smiled widely, already seeing the opportunities for herself and her resume for the eventuality of moving on from this job, "Placement of tables, entertainments, I already see you've got a good selection of drinks and I can provide information and advice about the local area's likes and dislikes as well. What sort of limitations has um... It'd probably be the Captain, what sort of limitations has the Captain given you on redecorating?"

Anara gave a look around. She hadn't really discussed the matter with the Captain as yet, so wasn't sure what could and couldn't be done. "We can come up with some ideas and see if the Captain can get the starbase engineers to accommodate us. Sound good to you?"

“Sounds great to me.” Michelle agreed, “I’m sure that we can put a design together that we can make changes to on a seasonal level, or even locational or theme. Keep everyone interested and happy by not having the same thing day in and day out.”

Anara gave a soft laugh before shaking hands with Michelle. "Exactly." She handed Michelle back her paperwork. She then took a PADD and keyed in Michelle's name to the Hydra Lounge staff. "You can head to the ship's officer and receive quarters assignment now. We will start your familiarization with work tasks tomorrow at oh 800 hours. Enjoy the rest of your day and...take one of the drinks if you like."

While of the four drinks, the Mai Tai was probably her favorite by taste, it was far too much alcohol for the morning, so she chose the Sunrise, first reaching into her pocket and pulling a small cylindrical item out and checking it, “Alchodote.” She explained in a word, “Best not to be impaired at all when it can be helped.” She smiled again, this would be fun, “See you in the morning!”