Lou's Bar
By Sadesh Helendale

TYPE: Official

BACKGROUND: As a leader, my first order of business would be to maintain an active presence in the bar itself. Having worked in Lou's before, as well as many other CD businesses, I have seen what an impact a leader can have if they are a visible presence to the employees. Lou's is in a great position to generate new rp, further ongoing rp and set a standard toward moving CD back toward the original, darker theme I know the sim owners/admins would like to get back to. I say this because Lou's is normally a first stop for many new players entering the sim. If they are greeted with friendly ooc attitudes and engaging rp that fits the sim, they are more likely to stay and join in with others creating fresh new stories. Also, being someone who has been in the sim for years, I have many IC contacts to help connect the dots and introduce new players to old to keep players engaged. I think Lou's can also benefit from the revival of Fight Night, a HUGE draw in the past that can not only gather a crowd but, shows players who may not be as confident about their fighting skills how to have fair, give and take, IC combat. There is also opportunity for things like music nights, industry nights, cross business promotions, celebrations such as a little something for HPD to welcome the new Captain. As for frequency, Fight Night could begin as a twice a month event and, attendance warranting, can grow to once a week if the interest is there. To make new employees feel welcome and included, I think that presence I mentioned earlier is paramount. A steady attention to detail with the roster is needed to make sure that new employees are greeted, IC interviews done and constant interaction would add a richness to the employment experience that is often missed in roleplay. My character would fit in as a guiding hand, a person of authority in that she would expect employees to put the business first. This certainly doesn't mean she would be a squeaky clean bar manager. Sadie is only a reformed criminal on the outside, her time in the streets of Hathian can't be shaken that easy. You can expect her to turn a blind eye toward drug deals, a little paid for action down in the supply room, a helpful hand if given the proper motivation ($$$) to make sure that private conversations stay private, etc. Also, being a member of a large family, roleplay will generate based on family visits, possibly some shifts taken by the others if we're running short a bartender or bouncer.

UNIQUE: Lou's already has the hallmark of being a "hub" for new players. I think capitalizing on that will only work to grow the business. When I have worked as a bartender and saw the night was slow, it would only take a few IMs in the OOC group to gather those who were looking for roleplay to come on down and join in. Most times, the people who are standing around simply have no idea of what they can do, or feel as if they will be intruding upon roleplay if they were to join. As a business owner, I feel it would be my responsibility to take away the sigma attached to CD, as we have heard before that it is "cliquey" and open new and old players with open arms and interesting roleplay.

EXPERIENCE:As someone who has roleplayed in CD for years, I have a good idea of what management is looking for in regards to a return to core values. I was part of the darker, seedier side of CD and I am in full support of helping bring back some of that old school madness. I have ran a business in CD before, the Head Shop before the sim rebuild. So, I have actual knowledge of how to maintain an IC business in CD. I believe I am a fair, open roleplayer who is always willing to work to further a storyline. I am also willing to listen to, help roll out and support new ideas, even if they aren't something I would think of, as the best ideas can come from the most unexpected places. I really regard this role as very important and would treat it with the responsible approach it deserves. I have many years of RL bartending/managing experience so I am able to add some authenticity to the setting. Little things like staff meetings, monthly inventories and a reprimand if someone "misbehaves" can plant the seed for many a story arc. I also have sim management experience from past sims, so I am aware of how important it is to communicate with sim ownership to update and also stay on the same page as to how they would like the sim to come across.

IDEAS:As stated earlier, I would be the first to welcome new members of the staff, hold an IC interview or training session, something that would help them feel as if they are part of the team experience. For the new roleplayer who is not interested in a staff position, I would always teach and coach the staff to engage them in RP, to be OOCly inviting and answer any questions they may have about the sim in a friendly, informative manner. Of course, I will be doing the same.

OTHER:If there was a grand re-opening, a Fight Night would be awesome. It is the chance for people of all walks to come together and create in a way that is less prohibitive than seeing them on the street. Of course, there would be a bevy of bartenders and bouncers to engage those upstairs who do not wish to fight. Perhaps in wet t-shirts.