Eva's Wine Cellar

Did you try some of the Sugar-Free Organic Chocolate Fudge Cookies with White Chocolate Chips, Angelique? Tico left a few...

Do come back and join us when you have the time. I've been wanting to ask you where you got that wonderful red hat.

No, I haven't read that book. I was not at all impressed with the film, but I really should know better than to judge a book by its film. I will have to pick up a copy if you recommend it.

Yes, I agree about saloons and festivals and cafe's. The more the merrier. ONE Wine Cellar is quite enough, though, I think. I simply cannot be any more magnanimous than that this morning. Not before coffee, anyway.

<aside> Jacques...would you bring me a cup of Jamaican Blue Mountain...extra cream and sugar, please? <looking around> Would anyone else like some, too?

Buck, hurry get me out of here *she screams* She is starting to tempt me. *one strong pull, and Buck succeeds in taring Angelique from the door*

<Montana strolls in with her head down, wondering if Eva will let her stay>

: slides eva a few thousand green papers ;-) :

dont worry eva.
your celler doesnt use the word Assy..
you are above the rest.
For a place to go that requires me to wear clothes...
this is #1

pay the bills, pay the help, everyone will come back to the best and the reliable.
Maybe this would be a good time to redecorate if you want?
Expand? Build on? orjust enjoy some peace and quiet..

SHEWOLF!!!

Oh, my! Look at all of this cash! I can't believe it! I don't know where to start! You're incredible!!! It's just so........so........

<faints>

Whoa.

What happened to me?

<Jacques gently lifts Eva's head and pours a few drops of champagne down her throat>

Where am I? What time is it? What day is it?

<sitting up>

Ooh, my head! I think I'd better just sit here for a little bit.

<notices large pile of money next to her on floor, Shewolf standing over it, grinning>

So....it wasn't a dream after all!

Eva.. darling..
if you needed cash all you had to do was ask
sheeesh

>giggle<

Bbbut....this is SO MUCH!!!



I hardly know where to begin!

"Excuse me, Miss Eva, but there is the little matter of the back wages you owe us."

Oh! Of course, Jacques! I couldn't forget you and Sophie! You've been so diligent around here, keeping the place up while I'm off gallivanting. You're absolutely right. I should pay you first. <peeling off several thousand for each> And here's a little something extra, just for your loyalty. <peeling off a few more>

"That is very generous of you, Miss Eva. Now, if you please, I would suggest we pay the chocolate supplier and the wine merchant. We haven't been able to pay those accounts in full for some time, and they've been most patient."

You're right of course, Jacques. <hands him a bundle of 100s> Take this and pay them off at once. And send them a little something extra by way of thanks. Yes, that's right, a nice bottle of champagne for the chocolatier and a tray of truffles for the wine merchant. I'll handwrite a thank-you note to go with each.

"Ahem. And one last commitment, Miss Eva."

What would that be, Jacques? Isn't everything taken care of now?

"Well, ma'am, I hate to seem ungrateful, but you have promised Sophie and myself some vacation time. We've been here for six months without a break."

NO!!! <embarrassed> Have you really?! How unforgiveable of me! I am so sorry! Well! I'll fix that right now. Pack your bags, you two. I'm sending you to a friend's villa on Lake Como for two weeks.

"But, Miss Eva! How will you manage around here without us?!"

Sophie, Sophie, don't you worry. We will pour our own drinks, and I'll have a caterer bring in food. <light bulb goes on over head> I know! I'll ask StrayCat if she can send over some of her chef's creations from time to time. Osso is right. There are advantages to having friends in the business. Now, you two go on...and don't worry!

<Sophie unties her apron, Jacques puts his suit coat back on, and the two of them saunter toward the door, arm in arm>

<giggles> I just KNEW the two of them had something going on! Now they'll have some time to find out if it's serious. Ah, Lake Como. What a perfect spot for romance. That reminds me...I must call my friends there and tell them Jacques and Sophie are coming. <rushes off...turns at door> Oh, and please, everyone...help yourselves to the bar!

<picking up phone, dialing international area code for Milano>

Hello, Luigi? It's Eva. I have a favor to ask. Remember when you and Emilia were staying at my place in Venezia last spring and you said to consider your place on Como as my home away from home? Wellllll......

<a few minutes later>

That's marvelous! Yes, fresh flowers on the terrace would be just the thing! Sophie loves yellow roses, you might want to ask for those. And Jacques? As long as he has a nice, soft bed (use those 800-count linens I sent you for Christmas!) he'll be happy. I think you'll enjoy having them. They are quite unobtrusive, you'll hardly know they're there.

They should be arriving tomorrow morning. Can you send your pilot to the Milano airport to pick them up? That would be great!

Thank you SO MUCH! You two are simply the best! Ciao!

<click>


Luigi and Emilia's villa......

Osso looks around for Dys and Diane, bottle with waxy plastic escarpment near the top in her hand.... and a couple of nifty glasses in the other..., says, would you like ice with that?

Yes, friends, the rumors are TRUE! Stray Cat has indeed eloped with her handsome fella and left the Bistro to moi!

It has been a very exciting day, I tell you!

What a time I picked to send Jacques and Sophie away for a vacation! I have more business now than I can manage effectively. I'm going to have to run an ad for some temporary help, I think. I hope I can find some decent people.

<flops into chair beside fireplace> Whew! What a day! Would someone bring me a nice glass of wine? Oh, I forgot. That's my job now. <stands up wearily> I guess I'll have to get it for myself.....

Sell the bistro,
add several 'theme' areas to your cellar..
attract the same business, just consolidate them to one bar.
you can do it superwoman..

I have a better idea, shewolf.

The two places have slightly different clientele and very different atmospheres. And I don't want to close either. What I need is trusted employees to manage them. Of course, I have Jacques here, and Sophie used to own her own restaurant, so the Wine Cellar can function quite well in my frequent absences. I've offered the job of Bistro Manager to Angelique. I do hope she takes it. I think she'd be marvelous at it.

I'd really like to have you on the Bistro's management team, too. I haven't thought of an appropriate title just yet, though. Any suggestions?

Guiltily sinking down into a soft, luxuriant chair to share some Makers Mark with Osso and bask in the civilized atmosphere Eva provides with such grace. These places of sweet fantasy are even more important during tragic times, even though it may seem like a guilty pleasure.

Just want all of you to know how I value your friendship. My life is more beautiful for knowing all of you. In these times, it is important to recognize all who make life sweet, even as we grieve for the innocent victims of disaster.

Love to all,
Diane

I love you too, Diane. <BIG hug>

Yes, escapism is important. Very.

Have another.



You like the sugared grape thingy? It's so fun, isn't it! Sophie showed me how to do that.

me ?

Yeah you! Who better?

My god--shewolf as the manager of a swinging bar and social club. WOW! That would be the place to BE. I might even drink enough to start singing the Yellow Rose of Texas. But let's not go there tonight...