Entry #A-7: "Artisan" [Text, Action]

[dead_black_eyes]

[There is a lot going on right now. Murders in Vegas, police trials staggering to shameful conclusions, and L's own latest case- which he's technically no longer supposed to be investigating, but is- are all very distracting.

It's not like he needs sleep or anything, though; the coffee shop's construction is right on schedule. It just finished, in fact. As promised, he's taking a break from perusing Greek newspapers to make an announcement... and to remind the people who said they'd help a couple weeks ago about their commitment.]

Construction's done on the coffee shop and these are the open temporary positions I need filled immediately.

Movers: Basically just move objects from point A to point B. Some of them are heavy.
Painters: Solid colors and also a mural.
Promoters: Hang out at Urban Outfitters and craft bars to hand out posters and spread the word.

These are the permanent positions I'm taking interviews for starting this evening. Experience is a plus, but not necessary unless otherwise noted.

Manager: Experience required. Job entails scheduling workers and running the shop.
Assistant Managers: Hiring two. Need to be equally comfortable behind the counter and dealing with paperwork.
Baristas: Hiring up to 8 for now. Duties include making coffee and food, running the cash register, and keeping the bathroom really clean.
Bartenders: Hiring up to three. Must be over 21; we have a full bar that opens at 2:00 each day.
Vendors: Sell your handcrafted items and help us support our boarded employees.
A fantastic accountant: Lots of experience mandatory
A fantastic lawyer: See above.

Numbered individuals get priority, obviously. As I mentioned before, if your living situation is complicated, there is an apartment upstairs with six cots, two showers, and lockers for personal belongings. Just mention it during your interview and we can put you up as soon as the cots are upstairs.

Respond here or drop by in person. I'll be at the shop all day today, and... honestly for the next week I'll be there almost constantly.

[And, in fact, he will. He's been neglecting his sleep, though, so when you stop by the newly constructed Espresso Yourself, you're likely to find him dozing on the lone sofa in the empty expanse of the shop, practically buried in paperwork.]

Comments

[dead_black_eyes]

There's the sofa, but... the second floor has some cots. I guess I could take a rest up there... if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me, right?

[He shuffles toward the door that leads upstairs.]

[belphe]

[As he goes, she trails after him, making sure that he doesn't fall along the way. As they make the trek upstairs, she takes in the amount of work that's been done in such a short time. It's quite a sight more involved than the predecessor business...]

[dead_black_eyes]

[The upstairs area is unfinished, but impressive for what it is. It smells like plaster and drywall, the floor is unvarnished wood, and there are two full bathrooms with toilets, sinks and showers that are fully functional, even if both rooms lack doors. There are six lockers and six cots in the open main area.]

So... those are the cots. They got moved up here yesterday. If you need to use the bathroom, you can, but let me know so I can face away from it and plug my ears.

[belphe]

[Duly noted...]

I'm fine for now, thank you.

[Though unfinished, it's all certainly more comfortable than the places the homeless numbered would end up sleeping if left to the city's devices.

She approaches the nearest cot to set the sack lunch beside it]

I don't suppose you have anything to make them up with, yet?

[dead_black_eyes]

No, not yet. There were some sheets but they turned out not to fit.

[He opens one of the lockers, revealing fitted sheets that were, in fact, too large for the narrower frame of the cot.]

I guess it'll do in a pinch.

[He starts attempting to make the bed. His lack of coordination due to exhaustion, combined with his clumsy hands, made it a slow and difficult process to witness.]

[belphe]

[She stands by a moment before moving to intervene, gently taking the fitted sheet from him to attempt to put it on herself. With some cajoling, she manages to get all four corners more or less into place, though the way the sides sag proves well enough what he was talking about

It should be fine for now. [she agrees, moving to take another down to serve as a makeshift blanket]

I have to give you credit...when you initially said you were going to rebuild the business, this is far more than I expected.

[dead_black_eyes]

Yeah... a lot of people are really surprised, because my track record for incompetence is actually pretty remarkable.

[As usual, his attempts at self-deprecation are far too close to the truth to be remotely amusing.]

[belphe]

It wasn't that I didn't think you would reopen the shop, L.

[Actually, yeah, it had crossed her mind]

It's more that I didn't expect you to take things this far. You don't seem to like to deal with others much.

[The spare sheet is held at the ready, waiting for him to climb into the cot so she can drape it over him]

[dead_black_eyes]

[He crawls onto the cot, looking mildly uncomfortable at the prospect of being tucked in by his therapist.]

People aren't as difficult when you sign their paychecks and might stop, if they aren't pleasant. It's also hard to not be grateful when so many people want to help so much. It must be a good cause if everyone's willing to pitch in, right?

[belphe]

[Not that it would be, by far, the most uncomfortable situation created since he'd moved in. As he settles in, she lets the sheet settle over him, listening to him talk.]

That's true...and it IS a good cause, L. It's offering jobs and shelter to people who are, increasingly, going to be drummed out of society as things get more intense.

But please don't lead yourself to believe that you're responsible for all of them. You'll burn yourself at both ends...

[Now that he was actually laying down and sort-of tucked in, her concern was beginning to ease]

[dead_black_eyes]

It is going to get more intense, isn't it? It's probably too much to hope for that everything just settles quietly... but in that case it's good to be prepared.

[He stifles a yawn. He feels even heavier on the cot than he did sitting up, the floating transparency of the caffeine gradually wearing off as his total exhaustion seeped back into his limbs.]

So many are so irresponsible. If I can, and I don't, then my second chance has no point at all...

[belphe]

If you can, then you absolutely should. But don't neglect yourself. It's all right to hand things off to someone else to take care of now and then.

[A hand passes soothingly over his tangled mop of hair]