Jobhunting

Who: Kess and Ian
Where: The Drake
When: Afternoon

Kess decided that she was surely certifiable as she walked up the steps of the Drake. Sure, she needed a job, really needed a job, but word was that this place was not only damn fancy, but was run by the DiGiovannis. Another mob family, and non-too-friendly with the O'Malleys, her former employers. And yet here she was, walking into the place trying not to look nervous, casting around for someone who she may be able to talk to about a job.

Ian was still dealing with the aftermath of the ball. Things had to be put back in their proper order, employees who didn't live up to expectations dealt with and of course there was a influx of interest in using the Drake as a venue for other events in the next coming months. At the moment he was dealing with a sub par employee, a desk girl who'd been working in the coat room at the ball and mostly made a mess of things, giving people the wrong coats at the end of the night and such. Ian kept his strict rules about hiring those who wouldn't be able to figure him out, but she was too much of an idiot to do much of anything it seemed.

As Kess walked in, Ian was just ushering the crying and now no longer employed girl out of his sight and towards the side door of the hotel so as to not make a scene with her messy tears. He came around the counter, headed back towards his office when he spotted Kess, noticing that Dolores, his front desk girl, was obviously not interested in the young woman who'd wandered into the lobby. Sighing at being surrounded by idiots, even if by his own design, Ian made his way towards Kess, charming smile in place and greeted her. "Hello, welcome to the Drake, is there anything I can do for you?"

This was a stupid idea, she knew that, and she'd beena bout to just turn around and walk back out when the man came up to her and put her on the spot. "Actually - I was wondering if there were any vacancies going," she made herself ask, since she was here and all. The man could just tell her no, and then she could leave and - and she had no idea what. She needed a job.

Ian continued to smile brightly at Kess, nodding as she asked. "Vacancies as in a room? I'm sure we have something available in that regard," he explained motioning towards the front desk. Looking her over again, she didn't have the look of an out-of-towner trying to find somewhere to stay, but Ian made it a point not to ask questions about people's lives. Giving them room for them to talk was one thing, but asking directly was too intrusive. Still, she didn't fit the bill. "Or did you have something else in mind?"

"No, actually - not a room. I was thinking more along the lines of a job. I've got a great deal of experience tending bar, and some waitressing work," she said, refusing to talk herself out of anything possible, stomping down hard on her continued sense that this was a bad idea.

A job was a different story all together. "We have a few positions available," he told her, studying her features in a different light. "If you're interested in working in the restaurant you should inquire there, but if you're willing to consider something that doesn't involve food then I do have an opening for a desk clerk." Ian smiled outwardly which gave him an approachable feel, but really he was thinking of the girl he'd just fired moments before and how he'd been dreading doing the work to fill her position.

Kess wasn't at all sure she knew how to be a desk clerk. Actually, she had no idea what a position like that would entail, but she needed a job, she was friendly, approachable and she learned fast. "I'd be interested in the clerk opening," she said, determinedly, giving him her best smile. After all 'enquire in the restaurant' didn't necessarily mean there'd be any jobs going in response to her enquiries.

Ian nodded, and turned towards his office. "Right this way then, we'll have a chat about it." He led the way and then held the door open for her once there. "Feel free to sit," he told her motioning towards one of the chairs opposite the desk.

She walked across to sit where indicated, mindful to do so in the most lady-like manner she could. It wasn't her usual style, but if she wanted to land a job she so desperately needed, and at one of the poshest places in town, she needed to watch herself. And hope that they didn't ask too much about where exactly she'd worked before. "Thanks - thank you," she said, quickly correcting herself.

He continued to smile at her, noting that she'd corrected her words. Sitting behind the desk, he leaned forward resting his elbows on the desk top. "Typically, I do a more formal interview, but since you're here and I've got the position we might as well break with tradition." The smile he gave her was slightly playful and friendly, as if he wanted her to work there. "So how about we start with you telling me some about yourself, your name, where you're from, some of the previous work experience you have."

Here goes nothing, she thought to herself as she took a breath. "My name's Kessler Phizackerly, I've lived in Eidolon all my life, grew up here and never had the want to leave. I've worked in a variety of places, most recently I've been tending bar, but I've also done some book work in the past also, which i think would really help with working as a clerk here. I'm also a quick thinker and a fast learner, and I love working with people," she said, rattling off as much as she could think that might help her case, even if she exaggerated some bits of it. Like her 'book work' had actually been doing Eugene's taxes for him over the years they were together, but he'd been a right bastard about them being right, so she'd learned good and proper, that was for sure.

Nodding along with her explanation, Ian continued to look interested in what she was saying, though he was only paying attention to bits and pieces. Typically when hiring someone he didn't concentrate on capabilities of the person, but the person as a whole. Most of the work for a desk clerk a child could handle, but it took a certain type of person to do it at a place with connections like the Drake. "It's a pleasure to meet you Kessler," he started once she was finished. "I don't believe I properly introduced myself. I'm Ian Sullivan, I run the hotel. As for the desk clerk position we have available, it's pretty straight forward. You'd work a few days a week, running our front desk, which is mostly checking guests in and out, delivering messages and greeting people as the come in. Probably a little bit easier than tending bar." He punctuated the statement with another charming smile.

"Kess, please," she told him, concentrating on coming across as friendly and trustworthy and all in all a potentially model employee. Even if it was in a reputedly mob-run place, though she knew she'd relaxed when she heard the name 'Sullivan' - better that than, say 'DiGiovanni'. Maybe this place wasn't all it was reputed to be. "And that sounds like the kind of thing I could cope with."

"Kess then," he told her, nodding and smiling as if he liked the name. "The hardest part of the job is dealing with our guests. Sometimes they can be challenging." He didn't elaborate because he was curious how she'd react to that.

"Challenging doesn't bother me, Mr. Sullivan," she told him, smoothly, thinking back to the time she broke a guy's nose for causing trouble in Babylon. Of course, she figured the rules would be different here. Fancy place, a much more hands off approach. In some ways, she thought that might actually be harder, but she was willing to give it a go.

"That's reassuring," he told her. "I take it you have experience in that arena then?" He gave her an amused smile, just a regular bloke who'd been to a bar before and seen how men could behave when they'd been drinking.

Kess was of the opinion that 'challenging' in an upmarket place like this meant some snooty cow of a high society lady deciding that her room was facing the wrong way, or that her little pet pooch hadn't got the right complimentary hand basket. Something pointless like that that could only be dealt with by unflinching politeness and the ability to deal with the inanities of others. "I'm sure I can cope with whatever the position may require of me, Mr Sullivan," she said, trying to sound capable.

"I don't doubt that," he told her, using his most reassuring tone. He liked this girl, she seemed eager to please, which was more than he could say for the last one. "Do you have any questions for me regarding the position?"

"When can I start?" Kess asked, crushing the last of her doubts in the face of an actual, possible job. And one that Eugene couldn't use against her. In a reputable place - everyone said that, even if there were questions in regards to mob ties. The Drake was still one of the best places in town.

Ian chuckled lightly at that. "Isn't that supposed to be a question I ask you?" He smiled again and flipped through the calendar on his desk that he kept the work schedule in. "The girl whose position you'd be filling doesn't work again until the day after tomorrow, but if you can, you could come in tomorrow to do training. Either with myself or one of the other desk clerks."

Kess actually blushed a little at that. not much, but she realised that she'd put her foot in it with that one - luckily it hadn't done her any harm. "I can be here tomorrow, Mr Sullivan. And thank you - you won't regret it," she promised him.

"I doubt I will," he told her, hoping he was right. Filling the open space quickly meant he wouldn't have to worry about the schedule being messed up, but it also meant he'd have to keep a close eye on her to make sure she wasn't a threat to the delicate balance he'd put into place. "We don't have a specific uniform for the front desk, but I expect you to wear something appropriate to the level of dress we attempt to maintain. No slacks, a nice blouse, your hair done."

"Of course," Kess agreed, smoothing down the lines of the skirt she'd worn. She wanted to ask about pay, but didn't really dare. In a place like this, she assumed it would be 'adequate' - and it wasn't like she'd turn the job down because of it. She really needed this job. "thank you for seeing me, Mr Sullivan - I won't take up any more of your time," she said, giving him another smile.

"Not a problem," Ian told her. moving around the desk to open the door and hold it for her again. "Tomorrow there'll be some forms to fill out, just so I have all the proper information on file and such, but we should be able to get you set up right away. Thanks for coming in."

She had a job. And it had only involved wandering round the streets asking everywhere she could in order for her to get it. Her feet ached, but she felt good, all her misgivings dismissed in the pure joy of knowing she could keep a roof over her head and food on her table. "Of course - I'll be here bright and early. Thank you Mr Sullivan," she said, with a bright smile, holding her hand out to him.

"I look forward to it," he told her with a smile that seemed genuine, and took her hand giving it a firm shake, testing her on her handshake. "Have a good rest of your day."

"And you too," Kess said to him before turning and walking out.