Lieutenant Commander Artinus Serinus - Bow tenders (part 1)

[Joseph George]

((Serinus Quarters (Room 9), Deck 2, USS Arrow))

It was the last day, and Artinus was scrambling. While he had been so kind, to give himself the day off, he was still hard at work. After a lot of effort from many of his colleagues, some from Excalibur, The Starboard Bow was almost ready to go.

The Magna Roman Security Chief had put out feelers to fill the bartending position that their combined efforts had made possible. And this afternoon, he would be conducting interviews. He had studied each of the applicants, and picked out four of the best candidates for hour-long meetings. Ideally, he could snag two, so that they would not have to work 7 days a week.

It was just about time, so he rose from his desk and grabbed his personal PADD. Walking over to Tlhirgoni', he leaned down and gave the tiny Targ a couple of careful scritches.

Serinus: See ya later.

She snorted in protest, and he felt as guilty as ever, as he moved over to the door and exited their quarters.

((Starboard Bow))

He sat quietly at the left table as he waited for the first arrival, she was to his surprise, and delight, fifteen minutes early.

Serinus: I wasn't expecting you yet.

The honey blond woman, with bright hazel eyes smiled at him. Her hair was in an interesting updo, a braided beehive. It must have taken a stylist quite some time to work that one out.

 Artinus gave her a small, friendly smile back.

Dane: My father was in the fleet, I know how much you all value extra punctuality. And when I saw that the Security Chief was the one conducting the interview, I knew I had to be at my best.

Artinus nodded at that.

Serinus: I must confess, this isn't within my usual duty, but I am the one who spearheaded this project. I'm Artinus Serinus, by the way. Please, have a seat.

The woman, a Centuarian from a no name colony not too far from the Romulan Nuetral Zone, as he recalled, graciously took a seat.

Dane: Melissa Dane, a pleasure to meet you Artinus Serinus. Magna Roman, perhaps?

Artinus chuckled.

Serinus: Indeed.

Dane: My sister dated a Magna Roman when our dad was stationed on Deep Space 4.

Serinus: I see.

Dane: Nice guy, not as handsome as you, but almost out of Cathy's league.

Artinus chuckled at this. He didn't know if this woman's flirtation was genuine, part of a ploy to put her job application over the top, or most likely some of both.

She was attractive herself, if not his kind.

Serinus: I'm flattered, but since you were so kind to show up early, why don't we get underway?

Dane: Of course.

Serinus: You've been tending bar for 13 years now?

Melissa nodded enthusiastically.

Dane: I have. I've worked in trashy dives, upscale cocktail bars, and raging clubs alike. I can decant any wine, pass out beers like a madwoman, or throw together any jello shooter that a heart could desire.

Her wide range of experience was impressive, and her confident manner was a hiring manager's dream.

Serinus: You sound like you could work in any bar in the quadrant. What makes you want to serve the crew of the USS Arrow?

Melissa smiled wider.

Dane: The best years of my life were spent when my dad was stationed on the California Class Anaheim. The crew was one big, happy family. I'd like to experience that feeling again.

The Arrow was a family, indeed. Close-knit, but there was plenty of squabbling. The kind of thing that most kids on starships were shielded from. There was no way that she would be able to recapture the most idyllic point of her childhood. But perhaps, this woman could still become part of the family anyway, and some kind of happiness here.

Serinus: That sounds lovely. I'm sure you know that you'll be expected to do a lot of extra work, since most fleet bartenders end up becoming unofficial counselors? 

Dane: That was the impression I've gotten over the years, yes. I'm always happy to lend a friendly ear, or a couple of wise words. You learn a lot about people tending bar. You see people at their lowest, and when they are unabashedly happy.

She knew just what to say, he'd give her that.

Serinus: Great. Let's get you behind the bar, and see what you can do.

NT/TBC

  

 

 

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- Lieutenant Commander Artinus Serinus

   Chief of Security

   USS Arrow, 

   NCC-69829

   Publicity Team/Social Media Team

   C239607AS0 -