Keep Going

MOTE Prompt Response

Xander eased up from his kneeling position on the floor. He gazed around the main room of the pub, absently rubbing a hand across his lower back. The pub was finally coming together. The old hardwood floors gleamed in the afternoon sunlight streaming through the mullioned windows. Those windows. Man, they had taken a hell of a long time to get clean, but looking at the patterns on the floor now, and the way the light bent through them, he grudgingly admitted it was worth all the effort.

“It’s a slow process, I know. But continuation will eventually result in completion.” The low voice rumbled through the main room of the pub. Xander glanced over his shoulder at the portrait of a dragon reading a scroll hanging over the bar.

“Thanks, Quill. Or should I say ‘Captain Obvious.’ Yes, I know continuation will result in completion,” Xander said trying to keep the sarcasm to a minimum.

A chuckle reverberated in his head. “Well, you’re in a mood today. But remember, not all progress is useful, nor does it lead to completion. Some people will always find something else that needs to be fixed, thus resulting in a failure to complete anything. You have a concrete goal of opening this pub. Therefore, in your case, continuation will eventually lead to completion,” the dragon said.

“Well, yeah. That and eventually, I’ll run out of money if I don’t get the place open,” Xander said, still staring around the pub. “But more to the point, I think we’re done with the renovations and repairs. Now we just have to get the deliveries in and get inventory put away. I’ve even managed to hire staff. Damn, Quill. I think we’re actually on the verge of reopening!” Even as he said it, Xander realized it was true. Three months in the making, and at times it had seemed like endless work, but he was finally at the end, and there wasn’t a cliff, or a train heading toward him… just the light at the end of the tunnel promising new scenery, new friends, and a new life.

Loud knocking at the back door yanked his attention away from admiring the look of the pub. He jumped up and hurried over. Pulling open the door he found a beefy older man holding a tablet and standing next to a hand truck piled high with three cases each of gin and tequila.

“You, uh, Xander Williamson?” the man asked, glaring at his tablet. “I got your liquor, beer, and wine here.”

“Yep, that’s me,” Xander said, smiling happily.

The man glanced up frowning slightly at Xander’s enthusiasm. “Where do you want me to put it?”

“Oh, um, this way, please.” Xander turned and led the way back into the main area of the pub.

“Um, buddy, you ain’t gonna be able to store all the stuff you ordered behind the bar here,” the man said.

“Oh, I know. But I figure it’ll be easier for you to just put it all here. I have a hand truck, so I can move it once I figure out how much of each I want in the bar, and how much to put in the back. Is that okay?”

“Sure. I can do that. Hey, this place is nice. When you planning on opening up?” The man seemed to have come out of his earlier funk upon entering the pub.

“Thanks. I’ve been working on it for the last few months. I’m hoping to open in a week or two,” Xander told him.

“Well, I’ll have to come back by when you do open,” the man said, smiling. He held out his hand. “I’m Dragan Murphy. I guess I’ll be your delivery guy for the future.” He laughed at Xander’s raised eyebrow. “Yeah, Dragan. My mom was a fan of fantasy stories and the like. It’s Serbian, it means ‘dear’ or ‘beloved.’ But it sounds like ‘dragon’ so Mom was all in on the meaning and the sound of the name.” He shrugged. “There are worse names to have, I guess.”

Rather appropriate for this establishment, don’t you think? Quill commented in Xander’s head.

Shush.

Dragan gave Xander a quizzical look. “You, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine. Just a random thought. Um, yeah, it’s good to meet you Dragan. And I’ll definitely be announcing the opening online and in town, so keep your eyes open. I hope to see you here as a customer.” Xander shook the man’s hand again and walked him to the door.

“Okay, see you around,” Dragan said. He climbed back into his truck and pulled out of the parking lot.

Xander closed the door and returned to the main room. “Will you stop making comments like that when I’m talking to somebody? Please? I’m trying not to laugh and you’re not helping!”

“Sorry,” Quill said, his tone holding no remorse at all.

******

This week’s challenge was issued by AC Young: It was a slow process. But continuation would eventually result in completion. Check out the other challenges and responses over at More Odds Than Ends.