Rifts - EotC - Silvereno
Re: Rifts - EotC - Silvereno
Shep takes a slow sip of his drink, trying to get a read on the table. "Yeah. Betty." He gives Herman a brief look, one eyebrow raised. "Hey, I'm not here to judge anybody's past. She asked about work, so I passed it along." He sets his glass down with a small shrug, a hint of amusement in his tone. "If Hatch wants to hire her, that's his call. Might be interesting for you, Herman."
Hatch grins wide enough to show trouble, "Boy, if you pull another one o’ them selfish stunts at the tables by tryin’ to hog all the winnin’s, then I'll hire her on the spot just so I can watch her whup you upside the head with that wrench of hers.”
Herman's grin fades, "She never asked if we were leavin'. So, I didn't see any point in lead'n her on."
"Or... You could have brought her with us?" Orin question drips sarcasm.
Hatch sighs like a man with arthritis, "Tell ya what, Shep. We do have some work back in Blue Spruce that could use her skills. I'll think on it and let you know later." Herman stares like he's just been betrayed, mouth agape with unchewed food showing.
An announcement over the restaurant and ballroom blares, "Hold 'em and Stud signups will close in ten minutes. We have eight seats available." The boys begin scarfing the food.
Hatch grins wide enough to show trouble, "Boy, if you pull another one o’ them selfish stunts at the tables by tryin’ to hog all the winnin’s, then I'll hire her on the spot just so I can watch her whup you upside the head with that wrench of hers.”
Herman's grin fades, "She never asked if we were leavin'. So, I didn't see any point in lead'n her on."
"Or... You could have brought her with us?" Orin question drips sarcasm.
Hatch sighs like a man with arthritis, "Tell ya what, Shep. We do have some work back in Blue Spruce that could use her skills. I'll think on it and let you know later." Herman stares like he's just been betrayed, mouth agape with unchewed food showing.
An announcement over the restaurant and ballroom blares, "Hold 'em and Stud signups will close in ten minutes. We have eight seats available." The boys begin scarfing the food.
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Rifts - EotC - Silvereno
Shep finishes the last fry on his plate and pushes it aside. He glances toward the gambling area, then back to the table with a small shake of his head. "You boys go win big. Cards were never really my thing." He stands and gives them a calm nod. "I'm going to take a walk, get a better feel for this place. I'll circle back in a bit."
He picks up his drink and heads off to see what else the casino has to offer besides gambling and the ballroom. oO( Maybe I'll run into Monkey so I can buy him that drink. )Oo
He picks up his drink and heads off to see what else the casino has to offer besides gambling and the ballroom. oO( Maybe I'll run into Monkey so I can buy him that drink. )Oo
Re: Rifts - EotC - Silvereno
Shep finishes the last fry on his plate and pushes it aside. He glances toward the gambling area, then back to the table with a small shake of his head. "You boys go win big. Cards were never really my thing." He stands and gives them a calm nod. "I'm going to take a walk, get a better feel for this place. I'll circle back in a bit."
All three finish at the same time, drop some credits for gratuity and rush away with only, "Yup!" and a thumbs up as they run off like children being told that it's recess time.
He picks up his drink and heads off to see what else the casino has to offer besides gambling and the ballroom. oO(Maybe I'll run into Monkey so I can buy him that drink)Oo
He eventually reaches a room he's not sure he should be in. Several musicians are gathered around, going over folders of sheet music, including a piano, percussion, a violin, cello and one clarinet. A man, who looks to be a singer or performer nods to them all, "I think we've got this. They'd be stupid not to hire us this time!"
Shep feels a tap on his shoulder, "Hey there!" comes Monkey's voice. "You play?" he points into the room.
All three finish at the same time, drop some credits for gratuity and rush away with only, "Yup!" and a thumbs up as they run off like children being told that it's recess time.
He picks up his drink and heads off to see what else the casino has to offer besides gambling and the ballroom. oO(Maybe I'll run into Monkey so I can buy him that drink)Oo
He eventually reaches a room he's not sure he should be in. Several musicians are gathered around, going over folders of sheet music, including a piano, percussion, a violin, cello and one clarinet. A man, who looks to be a singer or performer nods to them all, "I think we've got this. They'd be stupid not to hire us this time!"
Shep feels a tap on his shoulder, "Hey there!" comes Monkey's voice. "You play?" he points into the room.
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Rifts - EotC - Silvereno
"Hey, Monkey. I was looking for you. I do play a little harmonica." Shep flags down a passing cocktail waitress. "What’ll you have? I owe you a drink."
He drains the last of his old fashioned and orders a rusty nail for himself, hoping they can make it with something local if they don’t have the usual Scotch. "If you’ve got a decent local whiskey that’ll work instead of the Scotch, I’m not picky."
He drains the last of his old fashioned and orders a rusty nail for himself, hoping they can make it with something local if they don’t have the usual Scotch. "If you’ve got a decent local whiskey that’ll work instead of the Scotch, I’m not picky."
Re: Rifts - EotC - Silvereno
"Hey, Monkey. I was looking for you. I do play a little harmonica." Shep flags down a passing cocktail waitress. "What’ll you have? I owe you a drink." He drains the last of his old fashioned and orders a rusty nail for himself, hoping they can make it with something local if they don’t have the usual Scotch. "If you’ve got a decent local whiskey that’ll work instead of the Scotch, I’m not picky."
Monkey’s grin widens. “They sure do.” He guides Shep toward the main bar, which is a long stretch of polished wood glowing under amber lights. Rows of gleaming taps stand like chrome soldiers, and scantily clad servers weave through the haze with trays of cocktails, their laughter cutting through the low thrum of music.
Monkey approaches one of the tall bartenders, who's a broad‑shouldered man with a jaw like carved stone, polishing a glass with a dish towel so white that it almost glows. Monkey taps the counter, “Two rusty nails. Easy on the sweet for mine. And use the spruce‑barrel scotch.”
The bartender doesn’t speak. He just moves with smooth, practiced, almost balletic precision. Bottles spin through his fingers, catching the light as he measures out a shot of Barony Spruce scotch and a splash of some nameless spice liquor. He drops an apple wedge, a slice of plum, and a single cherry into each glass with ritualistic precision.
When Shep lifts his drink, the aroma hits him like a warm hand on the chest; rich, smoky, sweet enough to tease but not enough to hide the fire beneath. It feels like it reaches straight into his ribs and lights a small, steady flame.
Monkey takes a sip of his own, his eyes half‑closing in approval. Then he looks at Shep over the rim of his glass. "So, Shep… what do you want to check out around town?”
Monkey’s grin widens. “They sure do.” He guides Shep toward the main bar, which is a long stretch of polished wood glowing under amber lights. Rows of gleaming taps stand like chrome soldiers, and scantily clad servers weave through the haze with trays of cocktails, their laughter cutting through the low thrum of music.
Monkey approaches one of the tall bartenders, who's a broad‑shouldered man with a jaw like carved stone, polishing a glass with a dish towel so white that it almost glows. Monkey taps the counter, “Two rusty nails. Easy on the sweet for mine. And use the spruce‑barrel scotch.”
The bartender doesn’t speak. He just moves with smooth, practiced, almost balletic precision. Bottles spin through his fingers, catching the light as he measures out a shot of Barony Spruce scotch and a splash of some nameless spice liquor. He drops an apple wedge, a slice of plum, and a single cherry into each glass with ritualistic precision.
When Shep lifts his drink, the aroma hits him like a warm hand on the chest; rich, smoky, sweet enough to tease but not enough to hide the fire beneath. It feels like it reaches straight into his ribs and lights a small, steady flame.
Monkey takes a sip of his own, his eyes half‑closing in approval. Then he looks at Shep over the rim of his glass. "So, Shep… what do you want to check out around town?”
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Rifts - EotC - Silvereno
"Well, not exactly sure what there is to do." He takes a sip of his drink, enjoying the warmth of the liquor on the way down. "Why don't you tell me a little about the town from a local's perspective?" As Monkey starts talking, Shep listens to the conversations around him with half an ear.
Re: Rifts - EotC - Silvereno
"Well, not exactly sure what there is to do." He takes a sip of his drink, enjoying the warmth of the liquor on the way down. "Why don't you tell me a little about the town from a local's perspective?" As Monkey starts talking, Shep listens to the conversations around him with half an ear.
He flashes an easy grin and gestures upward toward the sparkling crystal chandeliers swaying high above. “Now, if you’re lookin’ for a local’s perspective, here’s the honest truth. Folks from the surrounding communities come into town for the usual, like work, gear repairs, a stiff drink, a hot meal, a little dancing, a little gambling… and, well, whatever other entertainments strike their fancy.” He glances towards the barely dressed floor runners.
He leans in slightly, lowering his voice like he’s sharing a well‑worn secret. “But gratuity? Especially over at the mechanics’ bay? Locals almost never tip. It’s the tourists and newcomers who keep the money flowing, and believe me, we appreciate every coin.”
Another sip, another knowing smile. “Now, the well‑to‑do types sometimes tip, sure… but most of ’em end up drinking, eating, gambling, or romancing their money away before the night’s over. Not that I’m complainin’. Just means I gotta save a little harder if I ever want to travel.”
He glances left, then right, as if weighing two very different worlds. “Word is, things out west are rough as a rusted nail, and out east, the laws’ll squeeze the fun right outta you. What have you heard about the other regions?”
He flashes an easy grin and gestures upward toward the sparkling crystal chandeliers swaying high above. “Now, if you’re lookin’ for a local’s perspective, here’s the honest truth. Folks from the surrounding communities come into town for the usual, like work, gear repairs, a stiff drink, a hot meal, a little dancing, a little gambling… and, well, whatever other entertainments strike their fancy.” He glances towards the barely dressed floor runners.
He leans in slightly, lowering his voice like he’s sharing a well‑worn secret. “But gratuity? Especially over at the mechanics’ bay? Locals almost never tip. It’s the tourists and newcomers who keep the money flowing, and believe me, we appreciate every coin.”
Another sip, another knowing smile. “Now, the well‑to‑do types sometimes tip, sure… but most of ’em end up drinking, eating, gambling, or romancing their money away before the night’s over. Not that I’m complainin’. Just means I gotta save a little harder if I ever want to travel.”
He glances left, then right, as if weighing two very different worlds. “Word is, things out west are rough as a rusted nail, and out east, the laws’ll squeeze the fun right outta you. What have you heard about the other regions?”
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Rifts - EotC - Silvereno
Shep studies the glass between his fingers for a moment before answering. "I suppose that about sums it up. If a fella keeps his head low and tries not to draw attention, you can usually survive anywhere." He gives a small shrug and looks up at Monkey. "Far as I'm concerned, every place has its price. You just pay it one way or another. We had a zombie outbreak back home last year. Lost a lot of good people."
His eyes go distant for a moment as old memories collide with more recent ones. He tries to force them back down. "...Lost a lot of friends," he says softly, staring into his drink without really seeing it.
His eyes go distant for a moment as old memories collide with more recent ones. He tries to force them back down. "...Lost a lot of friends," he says softly, staring into his drink without really seeing it.
Re: Rifts - EotC - Silvereno
Shep studies the glass between his fingers for a moment before answering. "I suppose that about sums it up. If a fella keeps his head low and tries not to draw attention, you can usually survive anywhere." He gives a small shrug and looks up at Monkey. "Far as I'm concerned, every place has its price. You just pay it one way or another. We had a zombie outbreak back home last year. Lost a lot of good people."
His eyes go distant for a moment as old memories collide with more recent ones. He tries to force them back down. "...Lost a lot of friends," he says softly, staring into his drink without really seeing it.
"Zombies? I thought they were just stories. Did you get them all?" Monkey seems morbidly interested, yet concerned for Shep as takes another sip. "Spent most o' my life here. Well, you have a friend in me. My brawn with your brains... we could handle just about anything, eh?"
His eyes go distant for a moment as old memories collide with more recent ones. He tries to force them back down. "...Lost a lot of friends," he says softly, staring into his drink without really seeing it.
"Zombies? I thought they were just stories. Did you get them all?" Monkey seems morbidly interested, yet concerned for Shep as takes another sip. "Spent most o' my life here. Well, you have a friend in me. My brawn with your brains... we could handle just about anything, eh?"
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Rifts - EotC - Silvereno
"I wish they were just stories," Shep says as he regains his composure and focus. "There were no other incidents by the time I left, but we never did figure out why it happened."