RP: Fun at the Five

[shh_constance]

Date: March 28th, 2005
Characters: Constance Montgomery, Wayne Hopkins
Location: Five Alarm
Status: Public
Summary: Connie has dinner at the Five Alarm and meets Wayne.
Completion: Incomplete

Comments

[shh_wayne]

The power outage had surprisingly shown Wayne that he relied too much on Muggle electric. He'd been raised in the Muggle world, though, and still spent a lot of his time there due to work and his family. He knew a few basic charms that Andrew had taught him, so he had light and could heat food, but he'd not had a chance to beg his brother to come convert his kitchen into a wizarding kitchen. Maybe this weekend he could whine enough for Andrew to give in and visit Stoatshead Hill.

Until then, he was thrilled that the pubs in town were converted already. Tonight, it was the Five Alarm, since he'd been to Socks last night. He entered the pub and noticed that it was busier than usual, which meant others in town must have the same issues with their kitchens. He saw a stool at the bar, so he headed over and took a seat before reaching for a menu.

[shh_constance]

After ordering her food, Connie went up to the bar to get her own drink. The waitress had seemed frazzled enough keeping up with all the food orders - the Five Alarm was busier than she'd ever seen it.

She slid in an empty spot next to a man that looked vaguely familiar and she smiled. "Hope you don't mind the squeeze, I just need to get a pint," she said before giving the barman her order.

[shh_wayne]

Wayne couldn't decide between fish & chips or roast beef and mash. One was definitely heavier than the other, so maybe he should go for the beef. He was debating his choices when someone brushed up against him.

He looked up and smiled at a pretty blonde. "Why would I mind being squeezed by a beautiful woman?" he asked with a grin. "Seriously, it's not a problem. Place is crowded tonight."

The barman took her drink order, so he went ahead and ordered a pint with the beef and mash.

[shh_constance]

"It is," Connie agreed with a grin. "I managed to snag a table, if you'd like to join me," she offered, pleased by the compliment. She took her pint from the bar, waiting for his answer.

[shh_wayne]

Someone bumped his other side and he grinned at the woman. "You know, it's dangerous to invite strange men to share your table," he said. "However, since I'd rather eat without getting bumped, I'm gonna take advantage of your lapse in judgement."

He took his pint and stood up, stretching before he followed her to a table. "Name's Wayne Hopkins."

[shh_constance]

Connie laughed. "Very true. Though it's also dangerous to eat with strange women," she said with a wink.

She offered her hand once she had set down her pint. "Connie Montgomery. And did you, by chance, go to Hogwarts?" she asked. "The thing is, you look rather familiar, and unless you've been in America recently, I'm sure I'm recognizing you from there."

[shh_wayne]

"Ah, but I like danger," he said, laughing as he ran his hand over the back of his head.

"Nice to meet you, Connie Montgomery." He sat down and took a drink of his pint. "Yeah, I was at Hogwarts. Been to America, too, but the last time was business to Miami over a year ago, so probably not familiar from that short visit."

[shh_constance]

"Cheers to danger, then," Connie said with a smile, clinking her glass with his. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Wayne."

Connie shook her head. "I was at Miami for Spring Brek, but I'm almost positive it was Hogwarts. You weren't in Gryffindor, though, I'd remember that," she said.

"What type of business brought you to Miami, if you don't mind my asking?" she said, curious.

[shh_wayne]

"Nice to meet you, too, Connie."

"Nah, I was there in the autumn," he said. He grinned. "You were Gryffindor? No wonder you didn't care about inviting a stranger to share your table. All that daring boldness at work. I was in Hufflepuff, probably a couple years older than you."

He grinned. "I don't mind you asking. I'm in hotels and resorts. Family owns a hospitality company with properties all over the world. I'm actually working an inn west of town."

[shh_constance]

"Yes, Gryffindor until my fith year, then my parents placed me and my sister in the Salem Witches Institute," she said. She tilted her head to look at him, "I was a year below Potter - he makes a good reference point, doesn't he?" she said with a laugh. "And you don't look that much older - I'd say three years, tops."

She took a sip of her ale. "Oh, that sounds interesting," she said with genuine interest. "Does that mean you get to travel a lot to check up on all the hotels?"

[shh_wayne]

"Just a year? Well, I was in Potter's year, so you're not so young, after all," he said with a grin. "And, yeah, Potter makes a good reference point, it seems."

He shrugged. "I used to travel a lot more, but I've been in my current position for the last couple of years, so my travel now is generally just in Britain. I have to attend meetings sometimes at other properties, though, so it just depends on the year's agenda. Right now, I'm working on opening our first wizarding inn here in town. Nothing too big, but it's shaping up pretty well."

"What do you do, Connie?" he asked, sipping his pint.

[shh_constance]

Connie smiled. "That will be nice - how large an inn are you planning?" she asked.

"I'm opening a magical supply shoppe," she replied. She waved her hand and took a sip of her drink. "You know, cauldrons, toys, candles, things like that. Not exactly what I want to be doing, but that's a long and complicated story," she said with a laugh.

"Where's the best place you've ever traveled?" she asked.