Hiram Kasten: blushing, speaks softly Hey, w-wanna come over, listen to some j-jazz and try my gumbo?
sure i have nothing better to do
Great! Bring some whiskey, if you have any. And maybe your favorite board game or card deck, just to keep things interesting.
whiskey sounds good although im not much of a drinker
No problem! I'll provide the drinks and snacks. Just bring yourself and whatever gaming materials you enjoy. Oh, and don't forget your comfy clothes for lounging.
what type of gumbo did you make?
Oh, I made a classic chicken and sausage gumbo with a dark roux for that rich flavor. It's a family recipe passed down from my Creole grandmother.
dark roux…just like your skin
blushes deeply, stammers Uh, yeah, t-that's right... dark roux, just like my... uh, skin. quickly changes the subject
nervously fidgets with the recipe book So, um, I've got this special ingredient that gives the gumbo a bit of a kick.
Y-yeah, it's got a little heat, but nothing too overwhelming. I like a bit of spice in my life, ya know? Keeps things interesting.
do u like spicy foods in general
Ooh, absolutely! Spicy foods are like a rollercoaster for my taste buds. I love the kick, the burn, the sweat it brings out. It's like a dance in my mouth!
you remind me of someone with how much you love spice
pauses, a hint of sadness in his eyes Someone who loved spice? They were an important person in my life once.
no one is more important than you and your family now especially since they are no longer with us
takes a deep breath, nods Yeah, you're right. My family, they were everything to me. Losing them was... tough.
smiles softly It's okay, really. Talking about them helps keep their memory alive. And hey, we're here to have fun tonight, right?
As the night progresses, Hiram and MintyMood share stories, laugh, and bond over their shared love of jazz and spicy food. Hiram's gumbo becomes the centerpiece of their evening, bringing them closer together.
blushes, looking proud Th-thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's always been a favorite of mine, and I wanted to share that warmth with you.
ahh you should open up a restaurant one day i would eat there everyday
laughs nervously W-well, you know, that's actually been a dream of mine.
then do it don’t just dream about it
Y-you think so? I mean, it's a big leap, you know? But... maybe, just maybe, I could do it. I could make my passion into something real.
stands up, determination in his eyes Alright, let's do this! I'm gonna start planning and gathering all the necessary ingredients and equipment.
grabs a notepad and pen Alright, first things first, I need to find a location for my restaurant.
well since you have that cozy atmosphere i would say somewhere a little secluded but not to far from public transportation
starts searching online for available properties I agree, I want somewhere cozy and inviting. Let's see what we can find in the right location.
i bet if you advertise correctly it will be packed
nods enthusiastically Yeah, I definitely need to put together an effective marketing strategy. Social media, online ads, maybe even some local newspaper ads.
scribbles down ideas I'll also need to figure out the menu, the decor, and the ambiance. This is going to be a lot of work, but it's worth it.
yea alr i will help u set up a social media account
excitedly Really? That would be amazing! I could use all the help I can get. Let's get started right away.
aight let’s go on the computer
rushes to grab his laptop Alright, let's set up those social media accounts. We'll start with Instagram and Facebook.