The Dive

Posted on Mon Apr 28th, 2014 @ 6:12pm by Samanthia Akiashiro

Mission: Picking Up the Pieces
Location: Deck 2301

The Dive was a rough n tumble type of bar tucked into a nook, big enough to hold 15 tables. Along one wall, privacy booths and a bar and limited storage for the bar's supply of refreshments. The lighting was low with various bright spots of neon advertisement of various drinks, both legal and semi-legal.

The usual crowd of roughnecks from various different departments throughout the station was present, either to forget the hard days work, stave off homesickness with an exotic drink of questionable origins. It was a place that you entered at own risk and to blow off steam. Even gamble if that was your forte', but be prepared to pay the price of your folly.

The patrons looked up as a lone female entered the establishment and watched her make her way through the slightly packed room. The silence was thick and filled with curiosity. Only sound was coming from old battle scarred jukebox in the corner. The song was broken and scratchy, but the patrons didn't care as it foiled a lot of devices designed to pick up private conversations.

Samanthia could feel the patron's watching her every move as she wove between tables heading to the door near the end of the bar. Pausing, she whispered softly to the bartender and he nodded as he reached under the bar. A soft buzz was heard by those nearby. She pushed through the door, giving glimpse to the stock stored in back in the dim yellow light.

She leaned against the stack of crated Romulan Ale, waiting for the Manager to finish up with the books.

"Heyas, Sammy!" Standing up and moving to her.

"Hi, Rodderick," Samanthia smiled as she stepped forward to get and give a hearty hug, "Hows business?" Stepping back from him, thankful she was wearing an old t-shirt and jeans. Her hair tied back into a ponytail.

"Doing good, despite the occasional raid by Security." He smiled. "Those Holo-projectors were a smart addition to the storage room."

Samanthia smiled as she had rigged up a very lifelike holographic wall to conceal the semi-illegal drinks that was tied in with the SIF and shields.

"Anything new, I need to know about?" Samanthia looked over the stock visible in the dim lighting.

"They tried to shut us down and we just either move or re-open once they leave." Rodderick spoke as he shrugged his shoulders. "It seams command likes this place as long as there is no death within the establishment. And no Veeps get hurt to bad or any visitors to the station."

"Well.... It's like we can't stop them coming in here. Once they get the word. But this is well off the beaten path." Samanthia moved into the makeshift office and looked through various ledgers, under the watchful eyes of Rodderick.

Rodderick smirked, "Those are the ones that complain when they rack up a gambling dept." Watching her as she goes through the ledgers. "Thinking that since Federation has no currency, that they can run up a dept..."

"Refuse to serve them then. No payment for service, they get no service." Looking up at him as she interrupted him. "Pass the word to the card sharks not to allow them into their games and anyone to play with them if they don't produce an Item of Value. Even if it is a contract of promised service equal to the dept they may accrue. If they don't sign..they don't play."

Rodderick nodded with a slight smile, "damn, I should've thought of that...." letting his voice fade.

"This way, we have something to prove that they are the welshers, not us." Samanthia smiled warmly at him as she closed the last ledger and replacing it where she pulled it from. "Should discourage them from coming here if they aren't willing to pay."

"It'll cut down on business..." Rodderick frowned, sitting on a crate of Ritorian Jelly.

"This place ain't designed for the tourist, but for the station personnel to blow off steam and relax without Big Brother babysitting them all the time." Samanthia stood up, looking down at Rodderick. "The books look good," She smiled at him and exited the storeroom and office into the bar proper, followed by Rodderick.

Samanthia moved back through the bar, nodding to various patrons that held some power in the criminal element of the Station. She veered off from her path and moved to the bar to watch the patrons after spotting several visitors that were obviously not station personnel. She motioned the tender to her as he approached them.

"Yeah Sammy?" he spoke as he fixed a drink for her and sat it on the bar before her.

"Don't serve anyone till they pay for their drinks in advance," Samanthia spoke softly, just loud enough for him to hear.

"Why?" The bartender looked puzzled at her.

"It's very expensive to buy the drinks I have imported for the customers we serve here. Unless you want to make up the difference?" Samanthia hated to make ultimatums to loyal staff.

He looked thoughtful and nodded, "will do boss," He smiled and moved off back to deal with the two newcomers.

She listened to the ensuing argument erupt between the customers and the bartender, who kept his voice soft as the two customers began to yell at him, demanding service. She signaled to of the bouncers to close in on the two being loud and argumentative.

The two visitors see that they was out numbered, got up and left the Dive, in disappointment. "This was a waste of trip." Disappearing up the corridor towards the Central lifts.

Bartender nodded to Samanthia, getting one in return from her.

Seeing Rodderick move amongst the patrons, passing the word about the change in policy. Getting a lot of smiles and nods amongst the rougher card sharks. Seeing several of the patrons leave their games and meeting at another table and quietly conferring with each other as a new way to fleece those that visit here.

Samanthia finished her drink and stood up as she turned to face the room and exit. Getting thumbs up from several patrons as she moved towards the exit.