The Pelican
Sarna News
Located in the Solaris City's Black Hills, The Pelican is a high-class bar with MechWarriors and their guest as their usual clients.[1][2]
History[edit]
The Pelican was named for the original proprietor, a MechWarrior named Paul Slater, whose nickname was won thanks to his skills at hunting opposing 'Mechs in the water environment of the arenas. The venue is a perpetually popular night spot and enjoys brisk trade and local clientele, so much so that on busy nights the doormen are instructed to admit only celebrities and regular patrons. Fight nights (Tuesdays and Thursdays) make the club closed for general public, allowing the MechWarriors to watch the games on closed-circuit Tri-Vid.
The Pelican's management turns a blind eye to most of what goes on in the club, but draws the line at fights or concealed weapons.[1]
The Club[edit]
In 3053 the main room of The Pelican is impressive. A domed glass roof reveals the sky and the walls are lined with monitor screens and projectors simulate environments ranging from various arenas to deep space and underwater scenes. At the center of the club there is a trivid projector capable of producing full-size reproductions of arena matches. The projection area, surrounded by a circular bay, allows watching a simulation of a fight between two full-scale BattleMechs from less than ten feet away. It is the club's pride and joy, being impressive to say the least.
Always full, when crammed it can take up to ten minutes to walk from end to end.[2] Flanking the main room, there are two seating areas where food and drink for customers who need a break from the hectic activity are served: the Blue Room and the Green Room. Service is slow but friendly, with food being mediocre and at high prices. Those small rooms have a small trivid projector in the center and flatscreen monitors on the walls to provide diversion for the diners, who can enjoy rebroadcasts of both recent and famous fights.[1]
Many of The Pelican's regular customers desire privacy on occasion while in the club. Eight rooms are available for these special guests, either for a small fee or as a complimentary service depending on the customer. Those rooms do have a closed circuit camera, which for the right price — often more than the room itself — can be disconnected by one of the managers.[3] Outside of customer areas there are the kitchen, an employee lounge, and storage section and the management office.
The Pelican serves such Davion beers as Conner's Dark.[2] The establishment is also known for Pelican Shooters, a novelty drink which is the focus of a drinking game in the bar. Always made as pairs, the drink consists of a large tumbler filled with multiple forms of alcohol resulting in a vile brown color, topped with some form of celery, onions or other unsavory edible matter. The bartender then relates to the patrons the story of the pelican that supposedly sought a fish in the polluted river just north of the bar, so filled with waste and sewage that it actually caught fire. The bartender then produces a pair of sardines as he intones that another pelican arrived as the first spotted a fish between the smoke and flames, dropping the sardines into both drinks before setting them ablaze. The first drinker to finish their drink, fish and all, is the winner, with the loser having to pay for a round of drinks for the entire bar.[4]
Employees[edit]
- Lou Kinsel is the owner. A slave to his beeper and completely devoted to his business. A likable fellow, he seems to known everyone and it is happy to meet new people. A savvy businessman and expert troubleshooter who thrives on overcoming any obstacle that dares cross his path. No stranger to the underworld elements on Solaris, he has so far managed to remain free of any "business entanglements" and intends to remain independent as long as he is able.[5]
- Arnold Willis is a high-strung but capable chief with an irritating smirk who ensures meals and other snacks are prepared.[6]
- Travis "Trac" Trunoff is the head bouncer of The Pelican. Handling a six-man security staff and bragging he defeated a Smoke Jaguar Elemental in hand-to-hand combat on Idlewind. He is huge and handsome and one of the best in the business. Strong and silent, he rarely speaks, but when he does, his words are often inspired by his obsession with ancient oriental philosophy. He has worked at The Pelican for only a short while, but he already has the trust of Lou. He is something of an enigma, but his coworkers are fond of him.[7]
- Shanna Scott is one of the hostesses. A young and lovely woman smarter than people think. She is Lou's niece. Her looks make some patrons see her only as part of the scenery, but regular customers know there is more. She serves as Lou's connection to the Solaris underworld and her vigilance is what has kept The Pelican free of syndicate control until now.[8]
- Gerald "Jerry" Eastman is one of the bartenders of the club. Already working in the club long before Lou owned the place, he is a veteran bartender who has worked in most of the hot spots in Solaris City at one time or another during his career. Friendly and confident to most, he is an expert listener and very perceptive.[9]
- Dillon is one of the bartenders at the club, circa August 3054. Personable and friendly, Dillon is knowledgeable about the movers and shakers of the Games, information he is more than willing to share for a price.[2][4]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Unbound, p. 58: "The Pelican"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Main Event, ch. 6, pp. 61–65
- ↑ Unbound, p. 59: "The Pelican - Private Rooms"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Main Event, ch. 8, pp. 75–83
- ↑ Unbound, p. 60: "Lou Kinsel"
- ↑ Unbound, p. 58: "Kitchen"
- ↑ Unbound, p. 60: "Travis "Trac" Trunoff"
- ↑ Unbound, p. 60: "Shanna Scott"
- ↑ Unbound, p. 60: "Gerald "Jerry" Eastman"
Bibliography[edit]
- Main Event (novel)
- Unbound