The Crow Bar
A Location for use in your games
Squatting under the super-slab near a run-down shopping area, the Crow Bar forms a central part of the local nightlife.
On approaching, the first things to notice are the blaring music and scintillating light-show emanating from inside. The lights shine out through a large hole blasted in the side wall (now plated closed with plexi-glass, and building up with graffiti), that looks in to the dance floor that forms the back-room of the bar. But the only access (without military hardware) is through the front doors.
Steel shutters, armoured cameras, motion-detectors and other security devices are prominent around the entrance, which leads to a short hallway. This area is usually occupied by Dave, the security guard. Dave's excessive bulk is mainly formed from the advanced bio-tech implanted as part of his military service. Enhanced muscles, sub-dermal armour, wired reflexes and superior senses helped his Special Forces missions, until he was discharged under circumstances that are best not to ask about. He still sports the regulation crew-cut hair and combat webbing, but keeps his medals and beret out of sight, only for viewing by favoured guests. Dave will ensure patrons do not bring unnecessary armaments or attitudes into the bar, stowing confiscated hardware in a secure locker, and issuing a bio-tag receipt, for collection on exit. He also oversees occasional 'Lost Property Auctions' of uncollected items. These vary from umbrellas and jackets to assault rifles and grenades, but are by invitation only. Heavy blast shutters can seal the interior of the bar from this area.
Once inside, the main bar is filled with a motley crew, comprised of three main demographics: wage-slaves drinking away their woes, small-time fences and con-men plying their trade, and a few Corporate Executives slumming it between contracts, or being subjected to Team Building Exercises. A reasonable variety of food and drink are available, but mostly from the lower end of the quality scale. Management did try to go up-market, introducing cocktails, and high-class liquor, but the locals could not afford it, and the Corps wanted a more "authentic" experience. There are still a few bottles left, for those brave enough to ask.
The walls are covered graffiti, mainly tags from small-time gangs, and vulgar attempts at poetry. One area seems to hold a continuing 'conversation', going back several years and detailing the relative merits of the authors' mothers. Flyers from several local businesses are stacked on a table near the bar, including some uncommon services.
The corridor to the back room is covered with posters. Most are advertising gigs and events, but there are a few Situations Vacant and other trade flyers. The back room itself opens up to a large dance-floor, with raised stage at the far end. The entire area is covered with graffiti, posters, and trinkets that have been affixed to the walls. Some have immediate meaning, like the souvenirs from visiting bands. Others, such as the children's toys, set of cogs, and assorted books, are less obvious. It is said that the suit of armour propped in the corner is an authentic medieval replica.
Even through the day, this area is littered with corner-punks, and in the evenings gets very busy. Gigs get loud and raucous, and often end in violence. A lot of the visiting bands (with names such as "Blitzkrieg Blind", "Septic Soylent" and "Four Skin-Jobs and a Pianist") encourage this behaviour, although some try to direct it towards the "enemies of the people", i.e. the Government, Corporations (generally, or specific), and anyone else they happen to have a grudge against. Furniture here is cheap and flimsy, with an eclectic tone (read: grabbed from wherever), while the fittings are secure and sturdy, the better to survive the nightly onslaught.
Behind the scenes, the Crow Bar is a hive of activity. Keeping the beer flowing is a full-time job for "Quartermaster" Norton, and when not tucked away in his office, he is often found unloading deliveries, or restocking the bars. The kitchen is run by To Hal, who keeps her few, ever-changing staff in line with a grating laugh, and juggling of knives. "John Smith" runs the bar, and organises the bar staff. No easy task, when they have to deal with the customers here! All of these answer to Fletcher, who tries to avoid actual hands-on involvement, prefering to make plans behind the scenes, and complain bitterly when they don't come to fruition.
A little-known feature of the Crow Bar is the fact that it serves as a base for The Fusers. Beyond a door marked "Staff Only. No Unauthorised Persons", and subtley watched by 3 'plain-clothes' Fusers, a set of concrete stairs leads to a dimly-lit basement, where several of the gang-members hang out, and hold meetings with potential 'clients'. This area also has a dumb-waiter link to the kitchens, and a concealed exit that leads to the appartments that the Crow Bar backs onto. While The Fusers' activities are varied, they concentrate on protection rackets (through sub-contracted corner-punks) and fencing of illegal goods (often quite exotic or esoteric). Some of this merchandise find its way to Dave's auctions, while most is distributed through numerous gangs, fixers and edge-runners who don't ask too many questions. Fletcher has an uneasy position, as The Fusers form a large proportion of his income (through extra trade, elaborate orders, and an 'understanding' regarding the basement, the movement of goods and people, and other arrangements), and they do help with security for the bar. But they also draw some unwanted attention, and Fletcher is not happy with some of the business that The Fusers are involved in.