Gotta Start Somewhere, Hon!

Today was a no paperwork day for Hywel. He was just here to relax, maybe test out some of the new drinks that the mixologists had come up with. It was still light, the sky only beginning to fade into the soft pastel pinks and oranges that overlooked the beautiful view of Brooklyn Bridge.

"So what else do we need to order?" he asked Jamie, the man in the storeroom who was pulling out bottles here and there.

"I think we're running a bit low on the elderflower syrup; there's four bottles left. We only use it for the seasonal special and the fizz, but we probably need more of that." The man shouted, as Hywel noted it down on the clipboard he had.

"Oh, forgot to mention boss, some of the highball glasses were cracked the other day; I think some of the guests got a bit rowdy. Might be good to get some spares, you know?"

Great, rowdy guests. They weren't common but any weekend had their fair share of drunk men and women; it was a popular place for tourists and locals alike. That was fine, highball glasses were at least easy to procure; it was the strange beakers and strange alchemic bottles that had to be custom ordered.

"Anything else?" he called out. They'd have to do kitchen orders too, but that was for another day. Their business was booming and while the chef's finger foods were absolutely amazing, he had considered expanding it to a simple boozy brunch menu and perhaps a few more substantial dishes, for those who liked to drink through their dinner times.

When there was no reply, he nodded. "Great, I'll go order those, we can discuss the new menus tomorrow? We're doing a tasting Friday morning, don't forget!" The others cheered, ribbing the chef with their excited comments for the new expansion. Right, he still needed a couple of servers. The staff wasn't big; they had a couple of servers and bartenders, but he had moved the manager of the branch up to the East Village one because they needed more help there, and it was closer to home for the guy. So now he was doing all of that in the Brooklyn branch until he could train a new one.

He could order the stuff tomorrow; there was nothing in a hurry and free, one day delivery wouldn't work in the afternoon anyway. Great, his work was done, at least for now.

"Here boss, try this one, might be good for the summer menu."

Hywel glanced at the drink. "That just looks like a pornstar martini," he raised a brow, "what's the difference?"

"Ey, just try it," the man snorted, "added a bit of spice to it, chili flakes and mango actually."

Huh, that sounded pretty delicious. He took a sip, nodding, before giving the man a smile. "Tastes pretty good, I'll consider it, but we'll need a good name for this." The bartender nodded. He was about to head up to the office when someone entered the bar. He frowned, glancing at the clock.

"Hi," he called out, "we're not open yet, but we'll be ready for you in half an hour."

He raised a brow as the woman stuttered. Well, she wouldn't be the first person he'd hire. She was a bit nervous, stuttery, which in his experience, meant she wasn't a natural chatty type. People who were naturally social butterflies did better for roles at the bar, that was something he learned as he went. It also meant they'd mess up less. Confidence mattered plenty in a bar like this; there were precise measurements to be made and difficult customers to handle at times. It was a bougie sort of place too, would she really fit in?

Hywel doubted it plenty, but she seemed...how could he word it better, but...desperate? Hywel didn't have much of a heart for other people these days–he had lived long enough and seen enough death to feel unphased by most people and their problems, but he wasn't heartless. He could at least give the girl a chance, even if first impressions didn't seem too great.

"What's your name?" he gestured to one of the bar tables, moving to sit on the stool, "and do you have your resume with you? Any reference letters? I can take a look at them now."