In a town defined by glamour and wealth, Rock 'n Java is the anti-Starbucks. It's poorly lit, cramped, and barely able to make rent. Or maybe that's just the look it's going for. Located in North Westwood Village, its proximity to UCLA and decidedly non-corporate, anti-establishment ambience are likely what keep it afloat. It sure isn't the coffee.
Inside, one can experience the smells of slightly-burnt coffee, stale baked goods, and a hint of mildew circulated by rattling ceiling ducts. The sounds, depending on how lucky you are, are either alt-rock piped through the shop's sound system or some college kid with an acoustic guitar and more guts than talent. If you're really unlucky, it might be poetry. There's space in the back for a full band, but only after dark. During the day, the back room is reserved for people who just want some peace and quiet.
+hangout/jump 28
RP Hooks
Rock 'n Java is the place to go if you're feeling anti-establishment and don't care what the coffee tastes like as long as it's strong and caffeinated. The coffee shop is primarily a hangout for:
Local UCLA students who want to get away from their overpriced sardine-can apartments for a few hours. There are more than a few regulars who basically live there and only leave when they need to sleep or go to campus.
Up-and-coming musicians who can't afford a real venue or just want to get in front of an audience - any audience. As long as you're not actively trolling, management will let anybody play, for free.
Everyone, really - Rock 'n Java is a public coffee shop, not attached to any sphere or player, and open to everybody. It's open mic 24/7, so feel free to RP a performance. It caters to UCLA students who can't afford to live anywhere better than North Westwood Village, so that level of wealth and talent is typical. But if you've got wealth and/or talent and want to slum it for whatever reason, feel free. But you'll definitely stand out, unless you're trying to hide it.
Now Hiring
Looking for low-skilled, mindless minimum-wage employment? Look no further! If you want to RP that you're ICly employed at Rock 'n Java, go right ahead! No stats needed, management is just looking for warm bodies and has no expectations beyond 'don't steal from the cash register'.
Rock 'n Java managers are strictly NPCs, and will generally remain offstage. If you want to RP having a job here, assume you filled out an application, the manager signed off with barely a glance, told one of the other workers to show you the ropes, then went back to the office to do whatever NPC managers do.
If you have Resources 2 or better, you should have a reasonable IC reason to be working for minimum-wage. A job at Rock 'n Java might be able to justify Resources 1.
Employees do whatever needs to be done - barista, cashier, janitor, etc. Anyone hired at R&J isn't just a barista, for example. Keep that plunger handy.
Musicians - no paid gigs here, but management won't bother you about tips. Whatever you get, you keep. If you're good enough to get tips, you're good enough to get people to come in and buy bad coffee and stale baked goods. Want to RP a solo performance, or a gig with your band? Go for it!
Coffee Shop Heroes
Are you an employee, or a fiend for bad coffee and bad music? Are you known for frequently inflicting Vogon-quality poetry on the patrons? Don't be ashamed -- find others with a similar lack of taste and standards! Feel free to edit this page and add a link to your character page below:
