Man at War – Excerpt No. 137

The notable exception was a piano bar and lounge located right above the kitchens. This was open because the human staff and guests needed a place to eat. The Grand would never stoop so low as to have a cafeteria and mess hall.

For the most part the lounge was nearly complete. The wooden bar along the far wall, but selection was sorely lacking. Then there was the raised stage occupying the middle of this space with a concert level Grand piano. A shame that they haven’t hired a pianist or even a singer.

Nevertheless music hung in the air, giving the space some well deserved life. Evelyn made the recommendation early on to use a phonograph in the interim to make this place more welcoming.

a cinematic photo of a massive Art Deco lounge with a long polished wooden bar along one wall, adorned with elegant bronze fixtures, luxurious booths with plush velvet seats, and a grand concert piano at the centre on a raised stage with intricate carvings, set against a backdrop of ornate plasterwork and crystal chandeliers, with patrons and staff dressed in formal attire suitable for 1915 Canada, including suits, hats, and elaborate dresses, captured in a warm and inviting photography style with soft lighting and rich textures.

Disclaimer: This novel is an work in progress and readers may encounter grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Please view this a draft and not a published work.