Sharing The Load

Posted on Sun Sep 18th, 2016 @ 5:58pm by Cadet Senior Grade Eli Ziyad & Jackson Banning V & Camille Ross

Mission: Further Challenges
Location: The Nexus CLub

* The Nexus Club - Jackson’s Office *

Jackson leaned back in his chair and propped his feet up on the desk. It has been a busy night as usual. He sighed aloud as he untied his bow tie, then reached for the glass of lemonade he’d brought from the bar. He missed Oz. With the Admiral gone, she had practically been living in his office overseeing the station. And with Vic gone on a mission, it had been a very hectic night. He and Jan could’ve used another pair of hands.

He sipped the lemonade and as he sat in the lovely silence of his office, thinking back over the evening. Suddenly, an idea popped into his head with such force he choked on the lemonade. He blinked a moment, then began to smile. It was a very good idea, for a lot of reasons. He took another sip, then addressed the computer.

“Computer, can ya beep the crew out front and tell Camille to get back here?”

=^= Acknowledged. =^=

Jackson’s smile widened. If this worked, he just might get a night off out of this deal, and that was a very good thing indeed.

Finishing up her conversation with one of her regulars, Camille made her way to Jackson’s office. Knocking on the door out of polite habit, she waited for his usual response to her action before entering.

“Get in here Camille!” he called out. As the door opened, he waved her on inside. “Want somethin’ ta drink?”

“Force ‘a habit sorry. And aye, I’ll take whatever’s goin’. Everything alright?”

“Yeah, have a seat.” He pulled out the bourbon from the bottom drawer and two small glasses, then filled them. He passed one to Camille, then raised his. “Bottom’s up, kiddo. Helluva night wasn’t it?”

“Uck it’s nae been too bad. Busy, aye, and would’ae been useful havin’ the extra hands on hand, but I think we’ve managed.”

“My thinkin’ exactly.” Jackson nodded, then drained his glass. “Vic’s gonna be away a little while longer on his vacation, too. Which is what I called ya back here ta discuss.”

“Oh really? That’s nae a problem, I can keep pullin’ the longer shifts tae cover if that’s what yer worried about?”

“Well, yes and no.” Jackson studied her for a few moments. “How long have ye been with us here Camille?”

“I think it’s somewhere around two years now, potentially nearing three, but who’s keeping track eh?” she let out a small laugh.

Jackson nodded slowly. “Seems like yesterday sometimes. Anyhow, that’s long enough in the trenches, as they say. We’ve got Desta now who can handle the seatin’ and I have a better idea for you. With Vic off, and even when he’s back, Jan and I would love to have days off now and again. Sam’s coverin’ the bar now that Vic’s a partner but what we need is a right hand, so to speak. An assistant to help run the place so the three of us aren’t livin’ here. Ya get my drift?”

“Jackson, are ye sayin’ you want me to be some sort ‘a manager?”

“That’s right. You know the workin’s of this place as well as any of us. Hell, you’ve done the job on occasion so why not? It will ease thing up for all of us and Sam can continue to run the main bar. We’ll need another waiter but that should be easy enough to manage,” Jackson answered. “So?”

“Well o’course I’d love tae! I love this place an ye’know it holds a special place in me heart so I’d be honoured at managing it for you,” Camille replied, a tear starting to form in her eye.

“Good! What that means is that at any given night, one or the other of the three of us can be off, except for your days off. That way none of us gets worn out.” He refilled their glasses. “Welcome to a deeper trench.”

She reached her arm forwards to clink their glasses together in celebration. “Thanks Jackson, and pass my thanks on tae the others too if you see ‘em before I dae. And o’ course I’ll be around to cover any shifts you lot need off - not like I got much else tae be at with Pat keepin’ so busy.”

“Yeah, welcome to life in the Fleet. Glad I retired an’ get to kick up my heels when I please.” He grinned at Camille.

“Cannae really complain can I when I knew what I was getting in tae from the beginnin’,” she replied with a smile. “Anyway, we’re not here to reminisce, you need tae be giving me me orders on keepin’ this place right when you lot are away,” she added with a cheeky grin.

“We’re gonna leave the hirin’ of a new waiter to you. Also, find us another host since you’ll be busy doin’ other things now. Desta will take over your old job but she can’t be here every minute we’re open or we’ll wear her out. You can train the new host and let Sam deal with gettin’ the new waiter used to the place.” Jackson smiled, pleased with himself. “Any questions?”

“Nae problem boss. May take me a few days tae get it advertised and interviews done, but I’ll do me best tae make me replacement top notch,” she said, finishing with a satisfactory nod of her head.

Jackson nodded. “Have Des help show her the ropes, then I want you to show Des all the extra stuff you were doin’ so she can deal with it.Then everything should run smooth.” The doors opened and Eli poked his head in. He was off tonight, so was in casual clothes.

“Hey you two.”

“Evenin’ son.I was just tellin’ Camille about my idea.” At Eli’s expectant look, Jackson nodded. “Yup. She’s gettin’ herself even deeper in here. However, I’m about to hit the trail. You two lock up?”

Eli smiled first at Jackson, then at Camille. “Sure thing. Ready Camille?”

“Hi Eli, and I suppose I have tae be otherwise this place as his place dunnae run on it’s own,” she said as she got up and followed Eli. “G’night Jackson,” she turned and said to him, with a smile they both knew was saying how thankful she was for her new position at The Nexus.

Eli led the way out and back to the main lounge area. The waiters were busy removing table cloths and cleaning up. Eli watched them in silence for a moment before he spoke. “A lot of what you’ll be doing is stuff I did.” He laughed lightly. “But this is my last year and Chance and I will be busy both here and off station so I’m glad you’ll be dealing with it. All I have to do is show up for my set now.”

She hit him playfully on the arm, “rub it in why don’t ye?” She paused for a minute, looking around at the waiters and the room in general. “Awk I cannae complain. This place gave me a lifeline when I needed it when I arrived here, so this just feels like the next step.” Turning back to Eli she said “O’ course I’ve got big boots to fill... literally” she said looking down to his feet, “but I’m up tae the challenge an’ the fun an’ games that’s gonnae come with it.” She couldn’t help but let a naturally content smile spread across her face.

Eli understood the sentiment. “Jan and Jackson have a way of doing that you know. I don’t know what would have happened to me when I got here if not for them. I was a political refugee on the run and fearing for my life, with no way to know what would happen. They became my family. Same for Desta. She went through so much worse than I could even imagine and yet, look at her now. Look at all of us.”

“When ye put it like that Eli me leaving me ex donnae sound as bad as,” she laughed a little to herself. “But yer right in that we’re a family here. And we’ll be right beside you and Chance as you finish up yer trainin’, an’ by right beside you I mean I’ll be here coverin’ fer ye both,” she said with another chuckle.

“I’ll remember that.” He looked out to see the last of the clean-up crew leaving. “Alright there goes the last. I’m meeting Chance and Sam at Lao’s, you want to join us?”

“I’d love tae, but it’s been a long day and right now all I wannae do is head back and curl up in bed with a chick flick. Next time, I promise.”

“Sure thing.” Eli patted her shoulder. “Congrats again. I”ll see you tomorrow.” He turned and slipped out the door by the bar.

“Thanks. Take care an I’ll see you t’morrow,” she said as she watched him head out. Taking one last look around before closing up for the night, Camille let out a contented sigh as she thought about the new adventure that was about to begin.

****************
Jackson Banning V
Owner & Promoter
The Nexus Club

Camille Ross
New Manageress
The Nexus Club

Cadet 4th Class Eli Ziyad
All In The Family