The Barman worked at the Chariot Square Hotel when Rufus Donahue was a paying guest there while on business from London. He had been interested in signing a deal with Nippersnapper, the starter company being formed by Sarah Barlow and Michael Bailey but Carla Barlow, finding that the designs had been made on her premises with her resources and staff, stepped in and claimed them for her own. She challenged Sarah and Michael's "advisor", Stephen Reid to rescue the deal with Rufus in exchange for 15% commission and a permanent contract, and in personal desperate financial straits, went to the hotel to find him.
Stephen was sat in the bar when Rufus appeared, berating the barman with his usual charm that he had ordered six bottles of lager half an hour before and heard nothing since. The barman told him they were ready, and Rufus snapped back that he might as well take them himself. Stephen took the opportunity to speak with businessman who wasn't interested in dealing with him anymore and departed for his room, leaving Stephen to note his room number from the drinks order.