Post by ethan collins on Jun 9, 2010 11:01:50 GMT -5
Ethan Collins stood proudly watching over the crowd like a proud parent watches his child take its first steps on its own. Ethan dressed in a black dress shirt with silver vertical lines tucked into black slacks, stood on the second floor holding onto the wooden railing and tapping it with his right index finger ever so gently. Behind him, patrons were eating dinner, below him, patrons were drinking. Both sets were enjoying themselves thoroughly. The upstairs dining room was modestly full for nine o’clock in the evening. The downstairs tavern was almost at full capacity, but that was good sign. Rather have a fine for too many people than have no people at all.
Ethan’s eyes scanned the crowd, looking for no one in particular, just watching and observing. Caleb Townsend sat on the stage to Ethan’s left with a three people he knew from school –they formed the house band. That sat playing a round of songs, mostly requests from the crowd, he was going to be there for a while. Ethan smiled; the crowd was enjoying the house band. This was evident by a gaggle of college girls, home on holiday, hording and practically barricading the stage and staring at the band.
Ethan figured he had the best seat in the house, able to keep his eyes on all the happenings. But alas, he needed to make rounds, to check on patrons and perform his host duties. Rourke was not exclusive; however, he just wanted to make his patrons feel like it was exclusive.
Ethan walked around the upstairs dining room and lounge checking on each and every guest; asking how their evening was going and if he could get them anything else and if so he would get his staff to retrieve the request right away. Ethan had been lucky to find a good staff. A lot of them were locals who went to school, so they were committed to a long term employment. Ethan was particular about that; he liked familiarity when it came to business matters.
“Familiarity breeds comfort.” That was their grandfather’s business slogan. Their grandfather, Patrick Liam Rourke, their mother’s father, had been a successful business man owning a restaurant in downtown London. It had been lost one of the many bombings on London during the Second World War. Rourke was Ethan’s homage to his grandfather, a man whom he revered and loved.
After finishing with the upstairs patrons, Ethan walked the fifteen feet or so to the staircase that lead downstairs. Placing his hand on the railing, Ethan glided down the stairs. Ethan nodded to the two females who passed him while he descended into the crowd below. Both were very attractive, one was a blonde and the other, a redhead, both had blue eyes. Most likely Irish, beautiful smiles, college age, about twenty-two, maybe twenty-three years of age. As he stepped foot onto the first floor he glanced back up the stairs, the duo had disappeared. Ethan frowned to himself, “Off to business,” he thought.
Ethan then crossed through the crowd and over to the bar. “How’s it going Jamie?” he asked the bartender. “Are we getting low?” Ethan stayed on the opposite side of the bar; Jamie was the best bartender he knew; so he would not invade her space. Her realm was behind the bar, Ethan need not contend with that. And damn was Jamie worth it, she was a one woman show, flipping bottles and entertaining the ladies and the guys at the same time. Jamie looked at Ethan, “We’re good for now. I’ll let you know if we get low. Crowd is thirsty tonight.” Jamie said taking her attention back to her job. “That’s what I like to hear.” Ethan said, with a smile as he walked away. He had slightly expected some of friends to show up, but he had yet to spot them if they had shown. He knew that Archie would be here, Ethan had offered free drinks to his family.
But Ethan had an ulterior motive to offering Archer drinks. One reason was that Ethan wanted to take care of his family, but a little more selfish reason was that Ethan wanted Archer to be his chef. But Archie had yet to give a final word to Ethan’s offer. And in all honesty, Ethan would probably bug his little brother until he finally said ‘yes.’ Ethan looked down at his watch, nine fifteen. A decent hour, the restaurant would be closing soon and the patrons from upstairs would most likely move from upstairs to downstairs.
Ethan then moved on from the bar and began to glance around at the crowd, he went up to the doormen, and went to check on the entrance. Again, Rourke was not exclusive, the doormen were there for security, more for a ‘what if’ scenario. From there, Ethan moved on the outskirts of the crowd saying hello to a few familiar faces and flirting with a few females here and there. Ethan was normally all business in these scenarios, but a little bit of pleasure did not hurt every now and then.
Things were running smoothly, good reviews all around, from people, from the papers, and most of all from his family. His grandmother had told Ethan, his grandfather would be proud of him and it was an inheritance spent well. That is what mattered most to Ethan, the approval of his family. Rourke was a success in all accounts.
Music: Hot Mess by Cobra Starship
Mood: Jovial
Word Count: 922