The Café Americain II...under new management

[rashid]

Sitting on the terrace

looking out the old wooden gate it's like a scene from Ali Baba and his 40 theives. Tents, camels, milling tribesmen, donkeys laden with supplies, women tending to the cook fires, children running everywhere and in the middle of it all Dreams tent rises like a massive erection desperately trying to burst through it's clinging cotton confines. In its shadow, the ever vigalent abdullah serves his mistress as she serves master Artful - a most interesting juxtaposition...............

Cat??? would you be so kind as to share with me a tall, cold, tangy glass of white zinfandel? It's been a very long hot day, albeit a most productive one. Just look at what's been accomplished in only 48 hours...........

"Artful..... you're a good man, glad to have you aboard and ditto for your missus. If you need a place to rest your heads the MV Celestial Empire swings at anchor in the harbor with staterooms for six in whatever combination suites you and all the privacy you could wish for. make yourselves at home"

 

[Cathay]

Hmmm I would love an iced cold

very tall glass of zinfandel. It has been a long hot day.
And maybe, later....we could feel the breeze off that lovely
deck on das boot. I could use a little.........sea breeze.

 

[rashid]

It may be a while before we get the chance

to throw a dick party on board. Err - that was a typo - should be "deck" party but once typed it looked too good to fix it ;-)

Wonder if anyone else is gonna pitch in to ressurect the old girl and soothe some savage beasts........ Maybe we could convince Abdullah to build us a writers round table................... one hot seat and a rotating crew of coaches to be midwives to new stories.? just an idea -

 

[Cathay]

An excellant idea, my man!

That was the reason we joined to begin with. To toss out
ideas, help each other, feed our literary souls. Maybe if
I said ..... pretty please to that big handy Abdullah!

 

[~Dream~]

whoah ..sorry I had to leave the tent..

to come let ya know..not to try to correct you dear Rashid,but it's my Master Artful's tent,not mine and as for Abdullah ,i'm currently gonna be taking casting calls for His part ,for now ,He is solely in my imagination..

 

[artful]

Re: Sitting on the terrace

looking out the old wooden gate it's like a scene from Ali Baba and his 40 theives. Tents, camels, milling tribesmen, donkeys laden with supplies, women tending to the cook fires, children running everywhere and in the middle of it all Dreams tent rises like a massive erection desperately trying to burst through it's clinging cotton confines. In its shadow, the ever vigalent abdullah serves his mistress as she serves master Artful - a most interesting juxtaposition...............

Cat??? would you be so kind as to share with me a tall, cold, tangy glass of white zinfandel? It's been a very long hot day, albeit a most productive one. Just look at what's been accomplished in only 48 hours...........

"Artful..... you're a good man, glad to have you aboard and ditto for your missus. If you need a place to rest your heads the MV Celestial Empire swings at anchor in the harbor with staterooms for six in whatever combination suites you and all the privacy you could wish for. make yourselves at home"

Joining Rashid on the terrace, Art Tosses off the tequila, grabs a bottle of Crown Royal from a nearby table and pours a half shot in the tequila glass. Ahhh,...thank you for your most gracious invitation, and one day I hope to be able to do just that Rashid. By the way,...I have been extremely busy, and have not caught up on reading the Cafe thread,...I hope all is well with you and Cathay.

 

[rashid]

Re: whoah ..sorry I had to leave the tent..

it's my Master Artful's tent,not mine

Lol - but dear heart, I could hardly write it as "Artfuls tent where the lovely dream is resting" - It just didn't feel right. call it poetic license ;-)

Celestial Empire btw is 135' ex minesweeper, now refitted for civilian luxury with a proper lounge aft, a full galley, three double staterooms and crews quarters forward to accomodate 4, not counting the captains cabin just aft of the wheelhouse. She's a grand old ship, double planked from clear cedar and fitted everywhere with stainless fixtures originally intended to prevent the detonating of mines sensitized to iron ships.

She's a floating work of art and I treasure her above all else.

 

[artful]

The Table

A grand idea, I will have Dream get the measurements from you when she is fully recovered, and the quite capable Abdullah,will personally see to it's construction and finish. Do you have a preferred wood in mind to use,...our woods are
flush with selections.

 

[artful]

The Ship

Celestial Empire btw is 135' ex minesweeper, now refitted for civilian luxury with a proper lounge aft, a full galley, three double staterooms and crews quarters forward to accomodate 4, not counting the captains cabin just aft of the wheelhouse. She's a grand old ship, double planked from clear cedar and fitted everywhere with stainless fixtures originally intended to prevent the detonating of mines sensitized to iron ships.

She's a floating work of art and I treasure her above all else.

Being twice the length of a Torpedo Retrieving boat, I can readily see the ships image in my mind.

Having only a little Naval experience, though I spent years at sea,(tending to engines, boilers, and the likes), we 'snipes', (No NOT Wesley Snipes), were kept buried below decks most of the time.

The love of a ship is an honorable emotion. I rode many a wave onboard the U.S.S. Raleigh, (LPD1), and as it was the FIRST constructed.

My being assigned to it while still being constructed, being onboard for the shakedown cruise and Maiden voyage,...I also am a registered *plank owner*.

 

[rashid]

actually Yes

I do have a preferred wood - let's use Juniper - I love the colors in it - purples, reds, golden browns, all swirled together in an endless storm.

The perfect antidote to writers block. - We'll put it in the library among Kitsukes magic shelves. K ask for details when ready - I think this is going to work

 

[~Dream~]

Dream returns...

fully recovered and walks back to the Cafe,Where she finds her beloved Master and Rashid talking..
"Measurements?,Master? Did I overhear that you need me to take some measurements Sir?
Abdullah will be here soon Master for he was uh .."unavoidably" detained by 1 of his men who needed some help loading the chests of your jewels and spices into the tent...

 

[rashid]

Hi Dream

Welcome back. Here's what we're after - a round table large enough for at least ten plus one special chair for authors wishing to hear input from other writers on story development etc. A sort of "hot seat" if you will.

I'll leave the details up to you and Abdullah but remember the thing must fit in the library. The "hot seat" will be open to anyone with the courage and the desire to have their writing critiqued by his or her peers in real time. Simply submit a page or two and let nature take it's course.......

I'm looking forward to what you create -

 

[rashid]

and so to bed

it's late and I have a big day ahead so good night to you and sleep well.

 

[~Dream~]

You sleep well also..

dear sweet,Rashid
Abdullah and I shall work out a design for your table ..if it takes us all night ...mmmmm

 

[ARaynes]

There you are Aristio

 

[rashid]

grins - Hi dream

Thanks for the good wishes and the hard work on the table. It looks like the renovations are going full steam ahead. Gotta say I love this work - I've personally renovated and operated any number of bars, restaurants and small hotels in my day but I have never had a total carte blanche to fulfill all my fantasies. I've had a soft spot for this place for a long time because of it's setting and the basic idea of it. Having you guys share in the resurrection is especially wonderful to me because I do believe the place itself takes on the heart of it's inhabitants.

for now I need to get my work in RL done but "I'll be back" ;-)

 

[ariosto]

Thanks AR.

Wishing you well Rashid.
With the name changed indicating the 'new order'
I can honestly say that.

 

[~Dream~]

Thank-you Ari..

for the good wishes...always LOVE a gentleman..
Rashid,Sir? I asked Abdullah to join me in a drink because of it being such a scorching day and all but perhaps he is still hard at work on his designs I asked for him to carve into the table.
The wood was taken from a solid piece of Juniper that was extracted from the heart of an ancient tree that was cut down by pirates who had abandoned their keel.
Seems that the pirates efforts all lie in stealing a ship instead.The single piece of Juniper wood was salvaged and sold many times from one owner to the next,until My Master,Artful came upon it and bought it last year.. Personally,I think He purchased it because I commented on how beautiful it was.. He's ALWAYS doing things to bring happiness to my eyes.. such as the necklace I'm wearing(shows Rashid The small,beautiful heart-shaped diamond neclace) also a gift from my Master,"He said He liked the way the sun caught my eyes as it reflected off the diamond".
The wood ,Rashid,is in the awkward shape of a giant boomerang.... and resembles an artists pallete,of course the shape ,we feel,will allow more free space around the table for the placement of some executive type chairs,,,,
and the center(Author's) chair would be situated at the Natural inset of the table .. ALL my Master's idea .. I assure you..

 

[rashid]

The table

is perfect - had I spent days sketching and re-sketching, I could not have done better. That the wood has history makes it even more appropriate as a place where authors can work together to create, critique and grow in stature. That it was crafted by a sailor and a son of the desert with the help and love of a beautiful woman can only add to it's power as a catalyst. Job well done!!!!! I shall provide master Artful with a small token of my appreciation to give to you when I see him next. Grant Abdullah a favor to be redeemed when needed. Thank you.

 

[artful]

Re: The table

is perfect - had I spent days sketching and re-sketching, I could not have done better. That the wood has history makes it even more appropriate as a place where authors can work together to create, critique and grow in stature.

Rashid, some little while ago, I bade Dream to sort through my documents, and bring forth the certificate of ownership. This certficate will not only convey ownership, but also authenticates the genesis and history of it.

I myself have inspected it's condition, as the sun broke clearly above the horizon. The wood has no need of carvings or etchings, to mar it's natural beauty. The swirls are hypnotic as they are, perhaps allowing those who sit, to draw that which they seek from their minds.

Ahhh,...Dream,...there you are. Dream,...having produced the certificate, also presented a quill pen, which she daintily dipped into a full inkwell and handed to Art, so he could sign. With a flourish, Art signed the certificate, and waved it gently in the air.Artemus

The ink having dried,...Art handed it to Rashid, and continued with. "Since early morn, 7 men have been scraping their calloused hands, across the face and edges of the wood. The smoothness of the wood was beyond compare, even before they started.

An ancient finish,"Immortalene", has been obtained
from a vase sealed with "Immortafene", and Abdullah applied the one coat necessary, shortly after having installed a single pedestal composed of the finest Ebony at a strategic point.

As I myself, saw to the placement of the pedestal, I can assure you it will easily bear 7 times the weight of the table, with ten strong men standing on its surface. It will soon be brought forth for your approval and placement.

I happened to notice after the pedestal had been stoutly affixed, that in the shade of the table surface, the pedestal can barely be seen, causing the table top, to take on the appearance of floating in mid air.

Dream,...direct Abdullah, to have his men bring forth the *TABLE*.

 

[~Dream~]

As You wish Master...

Dream leaves the Cafe for a bit to go have Abdullah bring the *Table* as instructed by her Master...

 

[~Dream~]

the *table* arrives...

Dream,Abdullah,and 7 of his men enter the cafe carrying the table..
It is placed in front of Dream's Master and Rashid..
"Master?' I apologize for our delay ,but as beautiful as this table is,it is also quite heavy Sir..,"I do humbly apologize for us being so late to both you and Rashid,(Dream lowers her head)sad that she has possibly "disappointed" her Master..

 

[Cathay]

Good morning world!

I've just come in to do a little polishing. Time to wash the
windows, polish the shutters and open this place up and let
a little light in. I've got a load of books to unload, some
heavy linen paper and quills. Hmmm should I bring in a typewriter? I think not.............

 

[cgraven]

Walking in to my 1st home at Lit, memories rush in around me and tug at my heart strings.

Rashid, you old desert warrior “Best of Luck”

I leave and old copy of The hunch back of Noter-Dame on the bar as I did on that 1st day. I make my way out in to the hot noon day sun of the busy streets

 

[Sandia]

Please excuse the interruption... I only wanted to make sure I can find this place again.