A 1930's Harlem Cabaret IC thread

[Armphid]

Fionn

Fionn bristled a bit as Jasmine joined the stranger on the dance floor, then shrugged it away. Wasn't his place to interfere with her fun, or the business of the cabaret. A few more people had trickled in, but for the money to start coming to the bar, they had to start dancing. As the band came to life with an upbeat number, he took a long sip of the whiskey, noticing for the first time the nervous little (to him) blonde man. Fella seemed pretty anxious about something. He shrugged, watching Jasmine as she began to sway and shimmy to the blaring jazz.

He looked over at Madame Rose, deciding to head a potential problem off now. "If ye permit me Madame, it's nae right fer a lady to go without a drink." "Name yer poison, my treat." She turned to regard him as he moved to the stool next to her. He lowered his voice a bit. "Madame, I know that me claim to Jasmine is a bit out o' line in regards tae our agreement...but as I'm nae taking the leftovers so tae speak, I'll pay in full." "Only fair." Internally he winced, that was a fair amount of money...but it was worth it to him to prevent trouble here. The Flower Garden was his haven in this damn city...and he wasn't about to risk his access to it. Or to Jasmine, especially to Jasmine.

 

[stalwartone]

Sammy

" 'Mah dear', he says! Sho means you must've grown up wid class, or ya want sumthin'...."


Sammy smiled his best smile, the one used early in the deal. "Is there something that says it can't be both?" A hand waved to the band, and he waited for the music to start. Her smile was an added bonus. Something usable for the investors. "So, how long can you spend on the dance floor in one night?"

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Yeah, and she knew she was in for a con. Despite that drawl and friendly attitude, the last thing she was was slow. Madame Rose had taught all of her girls well.

"Too long, axtually. But Ah'm afraid that I cain't spend too long on de flo' tonight. Got prior engagements. But Ah can humor ya wid a dance fo a bit, anyway..."

 

[stalwartone]

Sammy

Sammy smiled, showing no incensement at her polite bypassing of the question. He'd have been surprised if she'd immediately agreed to anything, or made overt sexual comments in this environment. She might be a working girl or simply one of the dancers hired to keep the people not interested in paying for sex busy down on the floor. No matter.

"I'll take the dance, then."

As the music started, he began working his way through the movements, concetrating primarily on keeping to the beat and not stepping on her bare feet.

"Would you take it wrong if I said you reminded me of a young Theda Bara?"

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Irene

She hated to admit to herself, but she was one of the working girls as well…although she knew, slowly, but surely, she was inching out of that way of life. Spent more time cleaning, cooking, and dancing than she did on her back nowadays. Besides, most men that walked into the Garden were looking for white women, rather than brown-skinned. She couldn’t help but to feel slightly put out by that, but, whatever….Someone would find her pretty….like Fionn did.

Smiling to herself, his question seemed to come from a million miles away. Looking back up to him, she smirked.

“Ah’d say you were. Ah ain’t no white woman lookin’ lak she needs some sleep. Ah also don’t make mah eyes real big and tighten up mah lips like Ah had just drunk some bad milk….”

She wanted him to come on ahead with his con - she knew it had to be something about acting. It usually always was.

"Ah always liked dat Anna May Wong...But mah favorite is Josephine Baker. She is so purdy and elegant! Ah wish ah could be like her...."

 

[stalwartone]

Sammy

He smiled at her commentary on Theda Bara. Her description wasn't quite what he would have used for the screen vamp, but it did describe one or two of her publicity stills.

"Well, I like Anna May Wong also, but she get's so few real roles. Ms. Bara, despite the original reports to the press, was a simple woman from mainstream America. The everywoman, you might say. And, well, Josephine Baker has a bit of a reputation for her banana dance."

He geared up for the shot. Josephine Baker may be the point for this one.

"Of course, Ms. Baker does have the publicity to get time on stage, even if she isn't, well, white."

He moved into the final moves of the dance, hearing the band start to wind up.

"Don't you think that anyone should be allowed to work on the stage, and have anyone that wants to allowed to come and watch their work?"

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Irene

She frowned, and inched away from him. Time to end this.

“Ah do, but whatevuah you’re tryin’ to sell me, come on out wid it. Ah don’t really lak playin’ deese sort of games.”

She already knew her game plan, like she had told Madame. She was going to work hard, and culture herself! She would go to the library and teach herself French and go on to Paris to make it big, just like Miss Baker had! Since her first plan had ended up like this…but she couldn’t give up. She knew she was going to be somebody…!

 

[stalwartone]

Sammy

"Ah do, but whatevuah you’re tryin’ to sell me, come on out wid it. Ah don’t really lak playin’ deese sort of games.”

Sammy offered a partial shrug of apology, then held up his hands in a motion of framing her face.

"I'm looking for a face. Someone new and exotic, that no one's expecting. Preferably one that can sing and dance, as well."

He dropped his hands, his face softening. She'd been put on the defensive, it was time to let her think she had the complete upper hand.

"I wouldn't want to insult you by demanding that you leave all of this for an unknown. But perhaps you would know of someone.."

 

[Rhovan]

Otto Weiss

Otto took the bottle the man offered him, no one spoke around Otto. He didn't mind...they left him alone, and he was more than happy to leave them alone. It wouldn't do well for Otto to make his life any harder than it already was.

He opened the bottle slowly, his whole body looking like he expected to be arrested at any moment. He hunched over the bar a little, taking a draw from the bottle and letting out a resounding cough. His eyes teared up a bit at the edge on the moonshine he was drinking. He set the bottle down and pulled a square of cloth from his pocket, dabbing at his lips before putting it back.

"Harsh...but it'll serve," he thought to himself as he stared at the bar top, knowing that he wasn't wanted here, just his money was.

 

[spreadnready]

Belle

Madam Rose walked over to Otto. She was escorting a young woman by the arm.

"Otto," the Madam said curtly, "this is Belle."

Madam Rose paused for a moment to let Otto appreciate the girl. To increase the intrigue, she had dressed the girl in a chastity belt. Belle's long red curls had been arranged to seductively dance between her large round breasts, which had been pushed up to overflowing by her tightly strung corset. Her nipples had been coloured with rouge and were erect and bulging towards Otto.

"She's only just arrived here," Madam Rose informed Otto, handing him the key to Belle's Chastity belt, "I would appreciate it if you could help, well, ah, break her in. Make sure she knows what to expect. Make sure she likes it, but don't be too gentle."

Madam Rose pushed Belle towards Otto and walked away. Otto pulled the girl towards him and began fondling her through the corset and chastity belt. She tried to pull back, not knowing what was to happen to her, but Otto held her tight. He got up, taking his drink in one hand, and roughly escorted Belle out from the room with the other. He could sense her nervousness and fear and it made him hard with anticipation.

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Irene

"Uh-huh....." She could hardly stop herself from rolling his eyes. "Ah'm flattered, but Ah thank you should try sumone else. Ah would lak to be a movie star, dat is fo' true, but Ah thank Ah would have better luck wid someone dat didn't come into this kinda place...."

As the music slowed, she pulled away. But as if to show there was no hard feelings, she gave him a bright smile. "But Ah do thank ya very kindly! Fo sho, reall-ah."

Hopping over to the darkened table where she had discarded her stockings and heels, she flopped down on a chair. Tugging on her stockings with the same eagerness that a child would have shown, she stood up to fasten them to her garter. Despite the utter...'sex appeal' of her outfit, she had come to see it as no more than a uniform. Besides, she had seen one of those fliers where Miss Baker had danced in nothing but a banana skirt! Imagine that! Her folks would never believe it.

As she slipped on her heels again, her face grew thoughtful. Maybe she should start trying her own thing, rather than copying the movies....And maybe this guy was the key. Hmm. Full lips twisted as she stood back up, and streched.

 

[stalwartone]

Sammy

She'd turned him down, politely, but firmly. No problem, nothing he hadn't expected. Now, she might change her mind, she might not. He'd lose sleep trying to guess the way things might go. Better to accept what did happen.

She was putting her shoes back on as he crossed to the bar. Her stretch could have been flirting, it could simply have been clearing the knots out of her back. He allowed himself to appreciate her form for a moment, then applied himself to his drink. No time to worry about it. He'd seen only two women so far...

No, that wasn't correct. Someone else was there, a young thing that looked like she'd never seen the light of day. He considered her, then dismissed the thought. Unless she could sing and dance like a demon, he had no use for her in his project. And he definitely had no purpose for her in other ways. Too young, really too young for him. It was one thing to be on the run from the Marinellos. Being on the run from the police for carnal knowledge of a minor was something different. Although it didn't seem to bother the larger figure that had followed him into the place.

Sammy decided to relax, and keep his eyes open. If the one girl kept to her guns, then perhaps someone else might come down.

 

[spreadnready]

BELLE

Otto pushed Belle towards Sammy. she was not as young as Sammy had thought. But she was as naive and inexperienced as he thought. Still, he would not have to worry about anyone coming after him for taking a minor.

Otto tossed the key to her belt at Sammy's feet. He told Sammy that the supple, curvy red-head was one of the Madam's newest. She was to be broken in. Otto told Sammy if he was up to the task, he could break the girl in. Take as long as he wanted and teach her whatever he felt she needed to learn to survive his world and her new life in the Madam's world. As he walked away, Otto said the Madam had not wanted the girl treated too gently.

Sammy picked up the key to the Chastity belt and stared appreciatively at the girl's breasts as they spilled out over the top of her tightly strung corset. She stared at him him with big wide eyes. . .wondering what was to cum next

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Madame Rose and Irene

After her stretch, she clicked her heels together playfully, and began to pace up and down the wooden floor. Everyone was drinking, so there really wasn’t much else for her to do….

Well, there was one thing. There was still food. With that, the girl clad in white disappeared into the kitchen. Blackberry pie WAS her favorite, after all….

Madame watched her go, flicking ashes. An eyebrow rose at Fionn’s words, although she had been more preoccupied with the little exchange between the shorter man and Irene. That was a good girl - recognizing a con when she saw one. She’d taught her well. With a chuckle, she alternated between cigarette smoke and the newly purchased drink. Now, the scales in her head began to tilt. The boy provided them with good liquor and was always manner able…she hadn’t known him to be standoffish or rude to anyone. Jasmine would be in good hands with him….This was in favor for granting him an even bigger discount. But, on the other side of the scale, that would be taking more money away from not only her, but from Irene. Rose knew the girl was helping to support her family back home….and did more than her fair share of work around the place.

“Looka here….I’m gonna charge you full price…But half of the money goes to Jasmine, you know dat, right?” She nonchalantly looked at the trail of the smoke, eyes glancing over to the blonde. “I would give you de discount even now, but she needs de money….I thank that’s only fair.”

 

[stalwartone]

Sammy

Staring at the young girl, Sammy felt nothing like desire. Open exhibition of her charms or not, she still reeked of being underage, and only Chicago had stricter laws regarding this sort of thing.

That wasn't to say that there were laws he was unwilling to break or bend. The whole concept of "Unlawful Carnal Knowledge Of An Adult Other Than A Spouse" was a law he felt needed to be dropped into a sewer, but that didn't cover this situation.

"How old are you really, miss?"

 

[Armphid]

Fionn

Fionn nodded, sliding a glass of the champagne she had requested over to her. "I agree completely Madame Rose." "Truth fer tae tell, I'd have insisted." He smiled as he raised his glass to her, "while I appreaciate what it'd do fer me pocketbook, I'd nae cheat her out of her due."

Inwardly, he marvelled at his stupdity. That was a lot of money to pay for a night of talk. If something went bad...he could be in trouble. Then he thought of her smiling at him in the kitchen, the fell of her hand on his, the warmth of those dark seas she called eyes. "Aye...it is a lot of money." "An I reckon she's worth every penny."

He was anxious to get her to himself...but the night was young yet. Besides, she ahd promised him a slow dance. He grinned as he ordered another whiskey.

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Madame Rose and Irene

She paced out of the kitchen a few moments later, holding a plate with a slice of pie on it. In her other hand, she gracefully carried a fork. The music idly played in the background, but she didn’t feel much like dancing now. There was too much to consider - the shorter guy….did he really mean….No, probably not. Madame had told her not to trust Italians - they didn’t care much for coloreds.

Walking to the bar - for she liked company more than solitude-, she sat down next to Fionn and took a bite of the pie. Madame Rose watched the pair, amused, and blew smoke outwards, not to irk Irene too much.

“Well, Jasmine, I thank this is about as crowded as it’s gunna git. Not too bad, I’d say….”

Irene nodded, taking another bite of the pie. “Ah dunn mind, either - Ah kinda lak nights lak dis.” She swallowed, tapping the edge of the fork into the dip beneath her lower lip. “Reminds me ‘a back home when de folks would git together fo’ a cakewalk. Ah ain’t been to one of dose for a while….”

 

[Armphid]

Fionn

Fionn smiled at Jasmine as she returned. As she had earlier, he just watched her eat for a time, before remembering his manners. "Cakewalk, eh?" "Can't say we ever had tae many o' those back home." "Just reminds me o' the pub at the end o' the day though...Mum would usually send me tae make sure Da came home fer supper." He looked around. "Old friends fer the most part...an' a few new faces every now and then tae keep it interestin." He took a long sip of whiskey. "Course, there's a charm tae the packed nights as well, dinnae mistake me."

He noticed Jasmine looking thoughtful, even a bit concerned. "Ye all right, Jasmine?" He followed her line of sight to the smaller man. Again the invisible hackles rose...he better not have pulled soemthing. "Suren the Italian gent minded his manners?" His tone was deceptively light, not that he'd start trouble here. He knew better than that, and he wasn't about to risk the ire of a whole cabaret full of women by causing a ruckus. If the little man had done something....well...it had been a while since he'd had a match. He could use the workout.

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Madame Rose and Irene

Blinking, she smiled back at the blue-eyed man, before resting her hand lightly on his. “He did. Jess try to pull one of dem movie star cons. It ain’t no big deal of nuffin, reall-ah.” She grinned, relishing that he was so protective. Giving his hand a light squeeze, she returned to her pie, taking another small bite. Sliding a bit closer to the large Irish, she offered him a forkfull of the sweet, grinning.

Madame watched them for a moment, then shifted in her stool to watch the band play.

 

[Armphid]

Fionn

Fionn nodded at her words, well, at least it was just something like that. A con...and she'd seen through it pretty easy from the smug expression of Madame Rose's face. Lord, what a woman!

He grinned back at her when she presented the forkful of pie to him. He stuck his head forward and took the proffered bite. After swallowing, he laughed. "Still as good as before," he winked at her, "and all the sweeter for the fork having touched yer lips." "Ye're goin' tae spoil me girl." "Not that I'm complainin', mind." He moved his hand under hers, so that their palms rested together and gave her hand a squeeze.

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Madame Rose and Irene

Irene flushed at the compliment, then took another small bite. At this rate, it was gonna take her forever to finish the pie...but she was in no real hurry. The music was slow, lulled by the Madame's smoke. The murmur of the drinkers, the people outside.....

All of it made her sort of sleepy, really.

Hiding a yawn behind her hand, she smiled faintly to Fionn, and gently twined her fingers through his.

Madame watched calmly. She didn't really approve of favoritism shown to the men outside of the bedroom, but since there was hardly anyone there, she figured to let Irene get away with it. Besides, despite it all, it was sort of cute.

 

[Xenocide_613]

Jimmy

After he had handed Otto the bottle, Jimmy headed back toward the piano. The rest of the band was making due without him, but they could only go so long.

The yankee waited for the band to finish Charleston, then turned and whispered to each of them.

"Ain't Misbehavin'. Lets make Pops proud, boys." The opening chords sounded as Jimmy gracefully keyed the piano. The rest of the band folowed into the slow swing of the music.

 

[Armphid]

Fionn

The band struck up "Ain't Misbehavin'" as Jasmine hid a yawn behind one small hand. Fionn turned his head to the dance floor, where a couple of the girls had coaxed gents out, and grinned. He turned back to Jasmine, "Jasmine, it seems as though ye'll be wantin' to retire soon." "If it would nae be a bother, all ow me tae take you out on the floor for a turn or two." He reached out and took her other hand in his, squeezing it gently. "After all, ye owe me a dance, then we can...ah...retreat tae a more private setting, an' it please ye."

She smiled sweetly, and nodded. Looking not quite as comical as they should, the towering white man and the petite black girl moved to the floor still holding hands. They walked out to the middle of the room, careful not to disrupt the few couples already dancing. Fionn carefully took her in his arms, his formerly roguish grin now a gentle smile. A pause as they both just savored the moment, then as one, they started to dance.

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Irene

Nuzzling into his chest ever so lightly, she squeezed on his hands softly. Closing her eyes, her feet moved slowly in time with his own. Not that she was tired, mind you, just…taking in everything that the large man had to offer. The way he smelled, the way his heart beat. There was still the slightest touch of blackberry on him…Opening her coffee bean eyes, she looked up at him with a gentle smile.

It seemed too much to ask, too much to even attempt, to kiss him right there. A kiss suggested something intimate…those fierce, sloppy, rum-addled ones that the johns usually gave were a shame to the very word. No…if she did it here, it could get her into serious trouble. Too much. And if he were to accept….imagine what it meant for him…

The song couldn’t end fast enough.

 

[Armphid]

Fionn

For the first time in his life, Fionn wished he were smaller. That way he could be closer to her...though the feel of her this close was marvelous as it was. She moved so easily...it was almost like his mother's stories of the Fair Ones, the nicer stories anyway. He returned her smile, gently bringing her closer to him as they turned about the dance floor.

Her lips were so inviting. They were practically calling him to lean down and kiss her. Fionn however, knew much better than that. It'd get them both into quite a stink. He wondered if she'd be willing to go up to her room after the dance...if the Madame would consider it too early.

Hearing the band bring the soulful tune to a close, he realized nw would be the time to find out. He led her off the dance floor, leaning down to speak softly near her ear. "Ye dance divinely, Jasmine dear." "Havin' you in his arms on the floor does wonders fer a man, I'll tell ye." He swallowed, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks. "P'rhaps if ye're willing...we can seperate ourselves from the company for the private time we spoke of earlier?" "Assumin' Madame Rose does nae need ye here any longer."