Welcome to Westhaven (an open-ended, multiplayer story- PM to join!

[justabrick]

At the age of 37, Tom Shaw felt like he couldn't fall any further. After a decade as an attorney in one of the city’s prominent firms, his wife, tired of his workaholic habits, left him. Then, in the kind of ironic twist only life can provide he was fired two months later. An energetic overachiever from a young age, the now slightly greying Tom was lost. After a period of mourning and self-pity, Tom knew the path he was on lead to nothing. So, he decided to wipe the slate clean. He pulled together every penny he could, took out a loan, and followed the dream he had pushed to the back of his mind most of his life- opening a bar that opened as a cafe during the day. It would be hard work, staying open long enough to make ends, meet, but he was used to hard work, and his parents had owned a cafe, so he knew a thing or two.

https://www.thegreekfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/cafe-bar-8-by-architectures-4.jpg

So now, Tom found himself smiling at strangers as he adjusted the "Help Wanted" sign outside his new cafe, and wiped the window that displayed the name Tom's Cafe and reflected the sun rising over the small coastal city of Westhaven. Returning inside, he adjusted the pieces on the chessboard on the other side of the window, flipped the sign by the door to OPEN, and walked behind the counter, waiting for his first customer.

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OOC:

Welcome to Westhaven! I'm writing for the first time in a while, and thought I'd dive in at the deep end with a story that has the potential for multiple characters and settings, but mostly revolving around Tom's little cafe-bar, at least to start. Please PM me with any character you'd like to play, male or female- anyone from neighbors to tourists, to potential hires, etc!

 

[JonathanBair]

Jonathan Gordenson is a 38 year old who runs a small handy man service that he started when he was in high school. Today he was coming back from the morning runs of giving bids on jobs. Jon sees a new cafe just a block away from his small office. Jon parks his truck in his office parking lot, and walks the short distance to the cafe.

Jon is 5'10, brown short hair that just covers the fingers. Blue eyes and weighs about 280 pounds (solid build but not buff) Jon is wearing a company shirt that is a dark blue polo with a small embroidered logo of "Gordenson's helping hands" with 2 hands that has a hammer and saw one per hand....

Jon hopes the new cafe is open for business. Jon opens the door and closing it behind him. Jon looks to see if there is a host/ess station or if he should just grab a seat.

 

[justabrick]

Tom perked up as he heard the jingle of the bells tied to the door. He smiled and crossed the counter to the cash register as his first customer entered.

“Good morning!” he nodded, continuing to smile. Though there was no reason to be, he felt a little nervous- not because of this man in particular, but from the fact that, after months of preparation, with a customer finally standing in front of him, it all suddenly felt real.

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon smiles and asks "Is this more of a coffee shop or do you serve food here?"

Jon eyes the shop enjoying the vib he is getting from this new cafe.

 

[justabrick]

“I’ve also got the pastries in the display case here,” Tom explained, gesturing, “Oh!”

He lifted the cover over the pastries, realizing he hadn’t yet done so, in his rush to open. “We also have the sandwiches listed on the menu there,” he said, gesturing again. “We’re fully stocked on everything- in fact, you’re my first customer!” Although he hoped there would be more coming through the door, he was thankful there wasn’t an immediate rush.

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon smiles and says "Perfect I been wanting a little place to slip out of the office to grab a sandwich with a coffee. So much better then vending matching food... Can I get a caffeinated large coffee with a ham and cheese sandwich please?"

Jon thinks to him self, "This afternoon will be looking good perfect little place for my brakes in the afternoon."

 

[justabrick]

“Comin’ right up!” Tom smiles. It sounds like this first customer could become a regular- excellent! He puts the pot of coffee on, and gets to work making the sandwich. He’s distracted, as he tends to be sometimes, by the many people walking by his shop window.

“I’d love to see you for lunch!” he responds. “And, I don’t want you to get tired of the place, but I’m going to open up as a bar in the evenings, if you’d like a drink after work. In fact, since you’re my first customer, your first drink is on me!”

 

[JonathanBair]

As Tom says “I’d love to see you for lunch!” Jon nods in agreement Tom then says
“And, I don’t want you to get tired of the place, but I’m going to open up as a bar in the evenings, if you’d like a drink after work. In fact, since you’re my first customer, your first drink is on me!” Where Jon responds "I am sure I can use a good screw driver on days I go help out on sights, construction is hell on the body after all."

Jon grabs a seat and looks out the window enjoying seeing folks walk giving Jon a mental brake to relax.

 

[justabrick]

Tom finishes up Jon’s sandwich and brings it out to him, along with his coffee. Sensing he’s in the mood to relax rather than chat, Tom returns behind the counter, cleaning mugs and glasses, cleaning up the sandwich fixings, and preparing for his next customer. He smiles to himself- if every customer is as easygoing as Jon, this whole thing should be a breeze! His eyes join Jon in looking out the window at the shoreline, and people strolling by.

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon happily eats his sandwich and drinks his large coffee. Jon adds 2 packets of sugar with 2 creamers that is on the table.

Jon is enjoying the brake, clearly hungry but not starved.... As Jon enjoys his brake he half way is watching the folks walk by the window with out thinking of what he is seeing.

 

[justabrick]

“So…” says Tom gently, in an attempt to make a connection with his first customer, “You’re in construction? What are you working on?” He cleans a spoon as he speaks.

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon was enjoying the brake drinking his coffee and eating the sandwich as he hears the question of “You’re in construction? What are you working on?” This gets Jon to chuckle a bit as he says with a sigh "Oh the good ole days" Jon then continues in a normal tone. "Back in the day I did a handyman job and over time it grew to a few pairs of crews. Now mostly I am stuck doing admin stuff like working with the hardware store to get the sites what they need, and going to sites to place bids.... So in the afternoons like now I got allot of time in the office. Tho now and then I do get to work on site with the guys as job needs a third hand." Jon takes another bite of his food.

 

[MariSageFairy]

Introducing Rosemary Reed, 41 and proud of her age

OOC-
Rosemary Reed is 41, widowed and has two kids going to high school in town. She teaches a class about her time in the Amazon at the community college. She sells colourful veggies at the farmers market for both pleasure and for the extra cash. Talks to herself, quiet observer. Writes a lot, but has not published anything yet.

IC-



Strolling from the farmers market, a long sunny dress flutters around her calves, a small, curvy woman arrives at Tom’s Cafe window. She pauses and squints through the glass. She's nodding and talking to herself
“Oh very nice… modern… lots of tables, and a gorgeous bar. “

She steps over to the door and opens it.
Barely one foot moves over the threshold before the toe of her sandal catches. With a gasp Rose stumbles like a swearing fawn, into the cafe, wooden beads swing and clatter against her upper body.

Sighing, Rose resets her courage. She stands straight, lifts her tanned shoulders to walk with dignity towards the counter.

“Well damn. welcome to the neighborhood, I'm a liability nightmare.” she mutters as she approaches.

Rose is just tall enough that her elbows can perch on the edge. Looking up at the menu instead of at the two guys, one eating the other behind the bar, that she can see in her peripheral vision.

 

[justabrick]

Tom’s eyes widen as a new customer enters the cafe, and promptly trips.

“Are you ok??” he asks, concerned, but is relieved when she seems to have a sense of humor about the incident. As she approaches, he takes note of her appearance- slightly older, but she certainly hasn’t let age get in the way of staying fit. He puts down the spoon he had been wiping, and approaches the cash register.

“What are you in the mood for today?” he smiles.

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon's head shifts to the sounds of the woman making the ruckus as she enters the cafe. Jon hope's she is ok.

Jon listens to the conversation, as he finishes his sandwich. Jon knows there is a lady working the desk at his company, but he tried to hold him self to the same rules as his staff has. Jon will have to get back to work soon. Tho Jon will be back often for his brake.

 

[MariSageFairy]

"Sure I just love a grand entrance." Rose chuckles, tucking wavy strand of hair behind her ear.

At least neither man appear to be laughing at her. Not a completely terrible first meeting.
She leans on the counter.

"Hmm what's your specialty? I'll try anything interesting."

 

[justabrick]

“We get our beans from a local roaster, just around the corner,” Tom smiles proudly, “So if you like a good, local cup of Joe, you’ve come to the right spot! The bar doesn’t open until noon, but a lot of our brews are local, too. I think the sandwiches are great, too- but I’m obviously a little biased… Maybe you should ask Jon there…” he says, motioning to his other guest.

 

[MariSageFairy]

Rose pearches her bottom on a stool next to the other customer. "We'll the coffee smells wonderful, I'll have a cappuccino please. "

She turns to greet the second man just as he finishes his last bite.

"Oh sure, Hey Jon. I've seen your company around town before. I'm Rose and I sell my veggies at the farmers market across the way there. Your clean plate suggests that your sandwich was pretty awesome. What kind did ya get?"

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon smiles and nods at the lady as he ask Tom "When you get a sec, can I get a cappuccino and tuna sandwich to go with a refill on my coffee please?"

Jon smiles and says "Hi there, ya I have my office a block over (Jon points to his left). I had a ham and cheese it was a good bite to eat."