The Benbow Inn needed a new cook. It was as simple as that. Sarah looked down at her pocket watch and sighed. Already she had interviewed three applicants today, and it wasn't even noon. The first had been too quick-tempered; the second hadn't had enough experience; and the third had spent more time staring at her chest than answering her questions. Sarah rubbed her temple again and studied the bland wood of one of her tables. It had been a week since she had felt the old ache of loneliness, and she had decided to do something about it. Instead of wallowing in her own sadness, she would fix the situation. Actually, it worked out quite perfectly. She would gain a new companion (not to mention some extra help) and her customers would finally have a bit of variety to look forward to.
A faint knock at the door broke Sarah out of her thoughts. "Come on in," she said cheerfully, rising from her chair. The alien that walked through the door nearly made her sit back down in shock. He filled out the entire doorframe. He was tall and wide, with a nose almost as wide as his face and a smile to match. Sarah noticed in dismay that he was missing one of his teeth. But that wasn't what drew her attention. All his right limbs (even his eye and ear) were cybernetic implants. A few of the gears clicked and whirled in the eerie silence as Sarah continued to stare at him.
"Aye, I'll admit t'at it 'tis a sight," he chuckled, removing his hat. Coming farther into the room, he laid his hat on the table. Sarah shook her head at her own rudeness.
"I'm sorry," she said, quickly making her way over to him and holding out a hand. He studied her carefully, his eyes lingering on hers before accepting her hand. "Pardon my rudeness, you just…surprised me," she smiled meekly. "I'm Sarah Hawkins, the owner here. You must be Mr. Silver."
"John, lass. T'e name's John Silver," he smiled warmly, shaking her hand.
"All right…John...why don't we sit down and get this over with?" Sarah replied, motioning him to sit down. As he sat down, the chair creaking under his weight, Sarah couldn't repress a smile. "So, what qualifications do you have?"
John Silver leaned back, his mouth turning up into a smirk. "Well, ye might say t'at I've worked sev'ral times as a cook."