The Scarlet Lady

[caspai]

Leslie

Slamming the door to the closet that they laughingly called my "private dressing room", I walked to the dresser, pulled open the top drawer, and pulled out the silver flask I kept there. It had been a gift from some up-and-coming bootlegger who had wanted to make time with me. I took the flask, steered the bootlegger to the chorus girl who was more his speed.... Twisting the cap off, I downed a goodly amount of the gin inside of it, and threw myself into the chair in the corner. Damn, that man was trouble, and there was no other way around it.

Most men had gone out of their way to be overly kind to me, had for as long as I could remember. Not the high and mighty Angelo, though. Angel my ass! More like a devil with a huge chip on his shoulder!

Looking into the cracked mirror across the room, I hug my arms around my shoulders, then toss the flask onto the table next to the chair. Raising a hand to my hair, I realize that I don't look exactly stage ready. Standing up and walking over to the dressing table, I pick up one of my brushes, and taking the lace out of my hair, begin the slow process of "making myself beautiful" for the damn bitch who still had such a strong hold on my soul.

 

[prometheus 2]

Elmo

I knew she was trouble tonight, I could feel it in my bones, the scarlet lady that is. thats why I stepped outside, the night air was cool and refreshing, taking me away from what was bottled up and bioiling inside, taking me back to a different time and place, back into my foggy gin saoked memory.

Ricks place.... there had been a scarlet lady there, she wore a redd dress her name was angel. Perched on the ebony baby grand in the corner she sang, I listened, we danced, we joked and late at night we held each other tight warding off other memories from other days and different places. Then one day she was gone.

So there was trouble everywhere I reflected snubbing out a Camel putting my flask back into my vest pocket and returning inside. The self locking door slammed shut behind me and I was once again trapped. I hurried toward my love... my piano seeking refuge behind the music waiting for me. Once on stage the crowd became a blur.

The boys were impatient now waiting for Leslie to audition. knowing it would be soon I introduced the song "Love for sale", her favorite. I began the opening bars, setting just the right sultry mood. I grabbed the mike and sang the opening lines for the boys to catch the tune.

"advertising young love... for sale...
love that's fresh and still unspoiled...
love that's only slightly soiled...
love... for sale."

Looking anxiously towards stage right.

Still no Leslie, I shrugged my shoulders and reached for a smoke.

"Damn!" I crumpled the empty pack in my fist and looked for a cigarette girl. trouble was they were never around when you needed them. I saw Angelo in the crowd, I knew I had to do it, whether I wanted to or not. Sometimes you had to go with the flow, at least until you felt it safe to strike off in some new direction. For now I'd play the game.

 

[plainjane]

Melanie

I knew it was trouble the min ute he made me strip, but then he called in the seamstress to measure me for my cigarette girl outfit

I dont know why - a couple of handkerchiefs would have been more material than she used, but I was scantily attired when I started the next night, and went around selling cigars, cigarettes and some candy items to the patrons

At one table a gentleman asked his lady what she wanted the piano player to play for her. She asked for Rhapsody in Blue and I cringed knowing that that Gershwin piece was a piano masterpiece, and didnt know if Elmo could do it justice. But the guy handed me a 20 and told me to go request it for them

I went over to the piano player and walked around it so I was out of sight of the audience when I gave him the message and the 20. He said the tip was half mine and gave me a ten from his stash, which I gratefully stuffed in my bra.

Then his right finger that sometimes played on the black keys and sometimes on the white, played on the pink key between my legs, as I gave him a pack in return for the tip.

He promised to meet me on his next break and I left to go serve my customers.

 

[Cathay]

Samantha

Hmmm, I knew she was trouble the minute I laid eyes on her.

Trouble, but ....looking good, even if I do say so myself.
Snapping my compact shut, I lit a cheroot and waited for
my cab. Smiling in anticipation...

After taking Samantha home, laying out her clothes, an empty
glass of Dr. Sims headache powder and mussing up the bed
I readied myself for an evening out. Dear sweet Sammi
would think she had a horrible megrim and laid down to
nap her pain away. She has them so often poor darling girl.
And God only knows she's gonna feel it tomorrow! I grinned.
I didn't mean to be so..........callous but God's Nightgown! I
hardly ever get a chance to go out and play anymore.

And it's not like I won't be working. Sort of. I practically
skipped as I went thru Pop's closet for that new slinky number
I've been dying to wear. A little rouge, a little face powder.
My new red lipstick, I am ............feeling good.

It's off to the Lady, I was. You see, there's a redhead I've
been missing. And he makes the best gin martini's a girl
ever had her lips on.... and other things these lips have been
missing. Seamus that darling rogue, told me there was
a new canary gonna sing tonite. Sigh...can't this damn driver
go any faster???

 

[faith]

I knew he was trouble the moment he walked through the door…

He’d been here before…always sat in the same booth… back at the back where he could see everyone and everything going on and could just as easily go unnoticed if he wanted. He usually was with that dame Olivia. Talk about a looker and once or twice with her twin Sammi…

I’d never met two women that looked so much alike yet that were so completely different in personalities… it could give a girl the willies…I wasn’t sure who they worked for but it was the strangest thing… that dame Olivia had pretended to be her sister more than once… coming in here all dressed up like Sammi… but one look in the eyes and you knew it was her. Not that it really mattered to me one way or another... all I really cared about was the big fat tip they would leave for me when they left…

”Hey Dix…”

God it was high and mighty Paddy O’Brian….it was funny the things people will talk about… like they think cause we’re working stiffs that we can’t hear or think…

“Booth or counter?” with a tilt of his head he motions for a booth… that meant he was meeting somebody….

“Here you go…” setting the menu down… no sooner does he pick it up than in walks that new Captain….

O’Brian’s friendly voice turned to chipped ice…. “A cup a joe for me and Hooks.... now Hooks about your cut....” as soon as the coffee was poured in walked that Olivia dame… and I’ll be… she was dressed like her sister again….

As she slid into the booth, Vance waved me over and ordered a cuppa joe. Pointing at her, he added "Make it two."
As I walked off I heard him say….
"What's on your mind, Samantha?"

I couldn’t help the smile… that Olivia… she sure was a kidder…

But I had better things to think about… tonight I was going to see the Lady… and I knew she was trouble… with a capital T.

 

[Cathay]

Olivia (aka Samantha)

Oh yeah, Trouble......That first time I'd seen the Lady, I knew
she was trouble. My kinda trouble....

I had the cabbie pass by the innocuos "front door" and
around to the alley. "Stop here please." The cabbie stopped
and said, "ummm here? In the alley? Maam, I'd feel like
a heel leaving you in a dump like this." His eyes looked
nervously around taking in the dark alley. (How sweet)
As I dropped my money on the front seat, I patted his shoulder
"Oh don't worry about me., I'll be just fine." He shrugged
and said, "I'll just wait till your inside...um..wherever.."
Smiling, "I said "no need my good man." Hmmm, we seemed
to be at a standoff. He just sat there waiting and I wasn't
about to go to the door until he left. Finally, with an over
exaggerated sigh, he drove off .......finally leaving me alone
in the dark alley. I wouldn't be alone for long. As I went to
the door I was thought, "And they say chivalry is dead. That
boy's Mama raised him right." Knocking, the slide window opened
and Tiny's face appeared. He smiled at me and said, "Password?"

I gave him the password and he led me into a dark hallway.
Just another door and I entered the Lady. Ahhhhh, paradise.

I could see that the place was filling up fast. Elmo was tinkling
the ivories, Lord can that man play.... I gave my cloak to
the hat check girl, "Hya Millie." She smiled and gave me a
ticket. "Good to see you again, Liv." Turning aside smiling,
I headed for the bar. Wanted to see Seamus before I headed
for a table across the floor. I always like to sit across from
the bar so I could flirt and tease Red while I "watched" the
show. He was weaving his magic, mixing martinis, and pouring
them into coffee mugs when he saw me. I happily noted, he
spilled a little when he saw my dress. The first backless dress
I ever owned. It's good to see a man appreciate all that skin.

His eyes met mine, "Liv, I was wondering when I'd see you
more of you." he smiled and winked as I twirled around and sidled
up to the bar. He kept his eyes on me as he sat the mugs on
a tray and motioned to a cocktail waitress. He came back over
to me and I did what I'd been waiting to do for a few days now.
(since the last time I saw that gorgeous mug) hooked my finger
in his tie and pulled him across the bar and kissed him. Well,
really more of a lick across his lips, slow like I was eating
an ice cream cone. A really good ice cream cone. He (sigh) is
one of my favorite flavors. He started to kiss me back, just
the way I like, all hunger and tongue when I heard a voice
by my side, "Ahem...Olivia, stop manhandling my bartendar."
The voice sounded gruff and I stopped and looked up at
Angelo. He looked amused. Smiling coyly, I looked up at that
swarthy handsome face, "Angel, you haven't been paying
attention. That wasn't mandhandling, luv. That'll come later."
He barked out a laugh when I added, "That was just and...
appertif."

 

[Cutie Lillie]

Agnes kinda sitting in a daze

The moment she looked me in the eyes, and I felt a burning confusion, I knew she must be so much trouble. *gulp*

I was still sitting at my desk the next morning thinking about it. I know I was still stunned at what happened. It happened in a blurr and when that happens it takes me awhile to figure it out. But I'm sure I can in this instance... it was very confusing to be sure.

I was minding my own business. Cleaning up the office of my new boss. Which was an adventure to be sure. Finding things like petrified food sources, old empty bottles of gin (that's isn't legal, is it?) and even a *achem* excuse me.. brassiere.

I was on my knees sorting through two stacks of papers when in walked my boss. Well more like stormed in. But the minute she looked me in my eyes, I think I knew that.. well... I'm still kinda confused on this point cause she LOOKED like my boss.. everything exactly the way I remembered except for the glint in her eyes which created a confusion in me...

And yet she seemed to know me... if this wasn't my boss, she was more welcoming then my real boss was. She seemed to know I would be here, called me by name before I even said a word... I was so take aback I hope she didn't think me rude cause I kept staring at her with my mouth kinda stuck open like. Only closing to take a glup now and then as I watched her breeze into the boss's office.

Oh oh..is she supposed to doing that? I rushed in after her trying to stop her from whatever she was going to do...

But once I got into the door I could tell she'd been there before..she went right to whatever she wanted as if she'd done it a million times.

I guess I must have looked a little consternated cause on her way out she stopped and put her hand on my arm which made me quiver and with a disarming smile said.. "I'm glad you are here Agnes. We sure do need you. I'm Olivia. Can't stay and chat now, but I'm sure you'll do great here."

And with that she rushed out of the office leaving me standing in the doorway to the inner office with a look the RCA dog has in the magazine ads. I don't think I said one actual word the whole time...just kinda gulped and tried to catch my breath..

Adjusting my slip, and with a confused expression, I made my way to my desk and sat there for the longest time just wondering....

What just happen?

 

[rashid]

Vance

I knew she was trouble - just like all the other dames in my life - the second I laid eyes on her - Dixie her name was - and what a pigeon.......... short black hair, the cutest pair of tinker toys this side of the harbor, long, long silk covered stems and a tush most men would kill to pat - I tried to act like I didn't care but I was pretty sure she made me giving her the once over.....When I hit the door, I heard the sound of perfectly tuned bells saying "hey Vance - don't be a stranger" Well - she might be trouble but at least she remembered my name.....

I had work to do and todays work was Tommy Sandee...............my uninvited guest - he'd made absolutely certain I'd know where to find him by hiding out in the forward stateroom of "Eddies Hope" - He'd left the hack parked up on 72nd and snagged a bus to the harbor hoping no one had made him. But he couldn't be sure and I needed to find a safer place for him so we could work our little scheme to nab the not so great Houdini of the underworld without some lameo blowing up the "Hope" to remove Tommy from the least wanted list...

Besides, 40 feet of boat is not enough for privacy and Sandee wasn't the kind of company I liked to keep on board...............

I knew it wasn't going to be easy but I'd do anything to nail the Dago once and for all - anything..........

 

[kitsuke]

Thomas Whitechapel

I knew this place was trouble as soon as I laid eyes on it.

The others, they saw the Statue. They saw the gleaming buildings reaching into the sky. They saw the land of opportunity and the streets all paved with gold.

What do I see? I see the warships in the harbor, patrolling as if looking for an excuse. I see the shadowed alleys and dark spaces between the megalithic skyscrapers, often deep enough for even the noisiest of work. I see opportunity, my sort of opportunity. As for what the streets seem to be paved with, well, let's just say it doesn't smell like gold.

I clear through customs without a hitch. My two cases passing the somewhat detailed inspection by the bored official. I grin as I leave the terminus, if he had found my equipment it would have been inconvenient. My work would have had to start early. So now I need to find a place to stay and then my reason for being her, a Mr. Salieri. I had gotten word in London from a messenger. He had uses for a man of my particular skills, a ticket over the Atlantic had accompanied the message as well as $250 American just for coming and listening to what he had to say. Home was getting boring anyway, not as much work there. So I come to America. Spoke of in glowing terms as the most glorious shithole since Babylon.

I'm smiling openly now as I walk down the street. I see a sign that states, "Rooms For Let, Cheep!". Indeed, illiteracy is always a good advert. Inside I pay the the cretin with the key for a week of stay and go upstairs. Locking my door I open my cases and remove the panels. Lifting the Mauser Karabiner Modell 98a out I carefully clean, assemble and check it's sights. Just as efficiently breaking it down I check the ammunition and place both back in it's case. Out of the other I extract the 1911A1 Thompson Automatic. Repeating the same process I make sure it is in working order and place it again within it's case. Then I strap my two Colt .357 Magnums in my armpit holsters and put those on under my suit coat.

"Ahh, that's better." I say aloud as I adjust so it all looks natural. "Now to find Mr. Salieri." I set off to the seedier parts of town as the letter instructed.

It's alright if this country is trouble, so am I.

 

[darrenfate]

Seamus

The night had that sense of anticipation in the air - the same one that appeared just before the most violent thunderstorms. Seamus' unease multiplied geometrically with every passing moment. Then she was here.

Every time Seamus saw her, he felt tongue tied like a school boy. Most times he could stammer out some words, but give the dame some credit - she had never teased him about it. This time, oh boy, this time it wasn't even fair. He was struck speechless, utterly speechless.

She had a long slinky red dress on, the kind that draped tight around those breathtaking places where she jutted out, and clung tightly in those delicious places where her figure curved back in. It was as if painted on her, rather than worn. Every nuance that God had given her body was revealed by that dress, and God had been exceedingly generous to Samantha from the day she was born.

Seamus tried to pretend staying busy fulfilling orders from the waitresses, but she knew the impact she was having on him. As Seamus turned back towards her, desparate to say something - ANYTHING intelligent Sam short circuited all the pretense.

Seamus never fought her as she pulled on his tie, and thought that perhaps he had died and gone to heaven when those two red lips puckered up and bussed him on the mouth. How he had longed for this moment! It was all he could do not to sweep her up in his arms and carry her off to one of the Speakeasy's many private rooms built for exactly these kind of occurances at least amongst the guests!

From the highest highs though - there is nowhere to go but down. Somehow, Seamus became dimly aware of being watched. He opened his eyes and was embarrassed to see Angelo standing right there. He straightened up and began to madly polish the already spotless mahogany bar. Glimpsing himself in the full length mirror, he saw a streak of her red lipstick on his right cheek - mute testimony to the control Samantha had over him.

Simultaneous emotions burst over him - he wanted both to act businesslike and according to the strict standards of conduct Angelo laid out - and he wanted to get lost in another one of Samantha's kisses. He decided for the moment on the former - the latter would have to wait a bit longer ...

 

[Swashbuckler]

Angelo

I knew they were trouble, the minute they started filling in. The damn room was filling up fast, good crowd tonight. There was that Olivia dame, sultry as ever and playing my bartender like a fiddle. Over there, the piano player was drinking in the cigarette girl like a sap. Over at the tables, more nameless fools still bucking the tiger’s odds like idiots with gold dust in their eyes. We did not put on the best show this side of town with the intention of giving the money away off of those tables, but they always played. Out near the stage, that waitress was getting ready to click her heels on the dark hardwoods with another sucker.

And here, here I am leaning in the corner over looking my corner table. Just eyeing the place like always, watching the process of cash flowing into the coffers of crime. It really was beautiful to behold, night after night. The suckers come in, all ducked up to the nines to roll red cubes across fields of green. To pay top dollar for painted hooch, but when it’s all you can get, it’s all ya get. Then later if they had any change left in their pockets by the time they made it from the door, to the bar, to the tables, they would all glance over their shoulders and hunker their necks down a bit before they started up those stairs to start knocking on those doors.

That in itself I personally find fascinating. Here they are, these married stiffs, every one of them probably has an original whore at home, yet they would not dare require that bitch to serve them. So what do they do, they go up them damn stairs for a piece of well-used meat. Unless they have already lost the rent money, so then they grab that coffee shop waitress, or some other floozies and pull her off to their rattling and aging cars for a freebie. This nightly observation of the working of humanity has had a profound effect on me. It has clearly defined the role of the sexes into my brain box permanently. Women have but three uses, all of which revolve around entry points. Men, on the other hand, most are blind to this, though they go through the motions of it and pay dearly for it constantly, having no idea why they are doing so. Which leaves me a lonely cynic, but it’s better to be a lonely cynic than a broke chump.

So I sit down at my table, and start placing out the well worn chess pieces across the table, pull three cubes out of the hat and drop them singly into the square glass, chunk, chink, plink. Then bathe them all with some decent scotch, snap the lid on my silver mermaid engraved lighter and flare up the smoke dangling from my lips, hidden beneath the brim of my black fedora, then I begin reaching across the table to move the first white piece at random out across the checkered table cloth towards my own men. Just knowing that soon I will have to start paying attention, the crowd is almost right for that red twat to take the stage and swoon da fools. This was something I could not miss; I thought quietly and nearly smiled cruelly behind the cloud of smoke and dark hat.

 

[kitsuke]

Thomas Whitechapel

I knew this dive was trouble as soon as I laid eyes upon it. Darkened windows, that were not really windows at all. A ridiculous, yet tedious entry process. Several goon types around who could be my contact.

Mr. Salieri's letter had told me to make my way to a "joint" as it was so put called 'The Scarlet Lady', where I would be met by someone in hios employ. I sat, with some trepidation, on the cleanest chair I could find and ordered a drink. I managed not to spew the foul liquid that was excused as liquor back into the glass. Prohibition indeed, all it prohibits is a chap from getting a decent pint. Some doxy wearing less than most ladies do to their wedded bed parades around selling tobacco. Prerolled.

Barbarians.

I sit and wait as the buffoons around me ogle the painted whore on the stage, no doubt to prepare themselves for the less expensive ones that are sure to be available nearby. One has to admit, she is a pretty whore, but a whore nonetheless. A thing to be used and discarded once it's services are not needed. Rather like myself, I suppose. Although, I dare say I am a damn sight more sanitary.

Some drunken oaf stumbles on my chair leg and helps himself up via gripping my shoulder. Instead of moving on like a good sauced imbecile should, he decides I am his chum.

"Hey there, friend!", he spews noxiously in my direction, "How ya doing? Ya like the show? Whas'yer name?"

Reaching up with my right hand I remove his from my left shoulder. Standing I bend his wrist back and force him into a kneeling position.

"I suggest, sir," I used the term exceedingly loosely, "that you had ought to go and join your real 'friends' because you certainly are not making any here." I lifted him to his feet by the simple expedient of of turning his wrist and encouraging him to participate and propelled him gently over to where he had come from to quaff and spill his drinks to his hearts content.

Looking around I see who I assume to be the proprietor staring at me, most likely deciding whether or not I am a problem with which he must deal. I stare back with no hint of apology and send the universal message of, "No problem, good barkeep. Just getting acquainted with the locals."

I hope my contact arrives soon. I am not sure how much longer I can survive without killing someone.

 

[caspai]

Leslie

Giving my reflection one last look in the cracked mirror, and adding just a little more dark red lipstick, I turn quickly, the beads on the fringe of my dress clicking and swaying. Heading out of the door, I slam it just a little too hard. There was trouble in the air, all right, I could almost taste it. Angelo had been in an even more foul mood than usual when I came in, so there was no telling what might happen tonight. Walking past goon #1, who was eyeing mook #2 as a likely prospect, I whisper in his ear, "He's a cop, leave his wallet alone." He looks at me like I don't know what I'm talking about, so I shurg my shoulders and walk past. His funeral, not mine.

Walking past the piano, I lightly touch his shoulder to let him know I was there, and walk to the center of the darkened stage. With the first step, I could feel the electricity start to flow up through my body. It didn't matter whether it was an opera house or a dive like this, the feeling was always the same. When I was front and center on that stage, the feeling couldn't be matched. If I could spend every second of my life on a stage, I would die a happy woman. Standing quietly, I wait for the first notes of the song to start. When the intro was played, the lights would slowly go up on me. Dramatic like, ya know?

As the first notes began to play, my closed eyes snapped open. That wasn't the song we were doing! Damn that man! As the lights started going up, my eyes scanned the room until I found him, hovering in that damn dark corner of his like some sort of big black spider. I glare at him as the music continues, but do nothing. Not so much as a note comes out of my mouth, not so much as a whisper. The notes die off uncertainly as I continue to stare daggers at the almighty over there. I see his slow, smug smile starting to form, and stand perfectly still for another couple of clicks. Then, looking over, I nod briefly, and the intro begins again. Then my performance begins. He thinks he can trick me by throwing an unrehearsed song at me, does he? The prick. Thinking he can play with my life like that. This is my time, this is my place, this is what I do. Taking a deep breath, I begin the song, just for him, staring directly at him during the entire performance.


When people write their songs of love they write of one another
It's always sis, or ma, or pa, or sweetheart, wife, or brother
But love songs that they've aimed at me have all gone on the shelf
I don't think that it's fair, so now I'll write one for myself.

I love me, I love me, I love myself to death
I love me, I love me, till I'm all out of breath
I stop at every slot machine that I should chance to pass
And give myself a hug and squeeze as I look in the glass!
Oh, I love me, I love me, I'm wild about sweet me
I love me, only me, so I'm content you see,
I like myself with such delight
I take me right straight home each night
And sleep with me till broad day light
I'm wild about myself.
I love me, I love me, my birthday's once a year
I love me, Only me, and when my birthday's near
I go with me and buy myself some gifts to put away
Then I surprise myself with them when I wakes up that day!
I love me, I love me, I'll marry me some day
Right away, Saturday, I'll give me all my pay
With me I like to make a date
To meet myself at half-past eight
If I'm not there I never wait
I'm wild about myself.

I know a girl who has the boys proposing by the dozen
Among her lists are rich and poor and even one lone cousin
But when she speaks of love to me I treat her with disdain
I loudly shout, "There's someone else!"
And then this wild refrain:

Oh I love me, I love me, and every place I go
I love me, I love me, and at the movie show
I take myself right by the arm and push me through the crowd
And listen to myself repeat the titles right out loud.
I love me, I love me, I love to squeeze my hand
I love me, I love me, It always feels so grand
With me I get right in my tub
I let myself give me a rub
Oh how I love to feel me scrub
I'm wild about myself.

I love me, I love me, I'm wild about myself
I love me, I love me, my picture's on my shelf.
You may not think I look so good, but me thinks I'm divine
It's grand when I look in my eyes and know I'm mine, all mine!
I love me, I love me, and my love doesn't bore
Day by day in every way I love me more and more.
I take me to a quiet place
I put my arm around my waist...
If me gets fresh I slap my face!
I'm wild about myself.



I wait until the lights go down again, and storm off the stage, directly to that smug bastard. Angelo's glass is sitting on the table in front of him, and before he has time to react, I grab it, flinging the drink directly into his face.

 

[Cathay]

Olivia/Samantha

Oh yeah........trouble alright. My eyes haven't decieved me yet!

I giggled at the look on my Seamus face when Angelo "busted"
us. Felt like a kid again, when we were kids and Pop would
catch either Sammi or me at something a tad "unsavory".
(Okay...it was almost always ...me) Samantha wouldn't dare
misbehave and dare to dissapoint dear ole Dad. Oh, he was
a good man, our Pop. But don't think I didn't catch a twinkle
in his eye a time or two at some of our antics. (sigh...okay
MY antics.) I could see relief in his eyes though, seemed
grateful that Samantha undeneath her oh-so-serious demeanor
could sometimes be a "chip off the old block" as it were. Though,
I doubted he'd a been too amused at knowing his partner
Vance had deflowered his darling.

With a false bark, Angelo turned back to his other guests and
left me to banter with Red. Seamus was furiously polishing
the bar, (so cute) when I leaned over and said, "Seamus,
you gorgeous man, call me Liv. That's my middle name and"
(hmmm here's where it gets tough...) Samantha's my...twin."
His eyes went round and I had a hard time NOT laughing.
"Have you been making whoopee with my twin, Red?" I
teased. Poor man..........blushed. Really blushed. I laughed
low and husky, " Why you.....rounder, you rogue you."
He started to talk (stammer) and I put the poor man out
of his misery, "Just kidding lover, I know Sammi's never been
in here. She's ummm uhhhhh not the type. 'Sides she's been
keeping company with Irving, a "Nose" with the Trib."
He was still blushing (such a tough guy) Even though I knew
he could be, when needed. Nice to know a girl has some
talents....

He calmed a little, smiling at me and lifted my hand, turned
it over and kissed the palm. yummmmmmm. I got a little weak
kneed at that and actually felt relief when the lights dimmed and I knew the new canary was about to sing. (He's much
too attractive and I was a little uncomfortable at realizing
how much I really liked Seamus.)

For the next few moments I was mesmerized by her voice.
And absolutely loved the song she sang. There seemed to
be an awkward moment at first, Elmo must have started the
playing the wrong song, but after a few beats of silence, he
began again and off she flew. A true canary with the voice
of an angel. When the set was over this sweet lil angel
left the stage to thunderous applause and marched straight
at Angelo, lifted his glass and............threw the drink in his face.
There was stunned silence and then Hell, I couldn't help
myself. I started to clap. Oh yeah..........I'm gonna like this
bird.

 

[prometheus 2]

Elmo

I had known she was trouble when she came waltzing up to me like I was her best friend. but I had needed a cigarette and she was the cigarette girl. Trouble was she didn't fit the part, more like the kind of girl that would be sitting in some posh resort up in Wisconsin getting some sun and letting harvard grads drool over her. Not in some speakeasy dishing out cigarettes and fighting off leering looks and grubby hands. How she wound up here was anybodys guess, just another lady down on her luck, but trouble all the same.

"Gerswin tune?" I had chuckled,"They'd boo me right out of the place but keep the tip the poor bastard probably won't not recognize it anyway and the chick she'll be too shy to ask again. Besides I got an audition to take care of, sure I'll meet you on the break."

Why I had agreed and had copped a feel was anybodys guess as well. Maybe I had just wanted to see how she'd react. She had surprised me by not batting an eyelash and even seemed interested in taking it further.

Now, as silence enveloped the audience and then some dame began to clap suddenly the whole audience was clapping. What a fluke I thought nobody has a clue as to what really is going on much less me. I lit up another smoke and made my way off stage. The cigarette girl stood in the corner looking somewhat shy now that the chips were down. Me, I'd play any kind of a game she wanted and when the game was over I'd return to my love, my piano.

"My names Elmo." I said matter of factly you're new here aint you. I stuck out my big hand. "Melanie,' she said, "yah I'm new, gotta start somewhere right."

"Look, lets get a cup of coffee. somehow I knew she had a story everybodys got a story right.

 

[rashid]

Vance

Sigh - I knew they were trouble from the moment they stumbed into my line of sight the first time I had to shoot somebody. The brothers Salamone - Tony and Vito, known far and wide as little fish and big fish or Little and Big for short.

They were bit players - fringe mobsters from the big apple who got sent to the windy city to do leg work for Luchese. Nothing complicated, mind you - just a couple of bag men doing a job. I'd used them any number of times for odd jobs and todays job was as odd as any I'd ever sent their way. Big and Little were gonna baby sit my boy Tommy. They didn't like it but they were gonna do it because I made a phone call to New York and called in a marker. Some times it pays to have friends in low places.

The brothers had a place on the lake about six miles up the coast you could only get to on foot or by boat. It was a perfect place to ditch Sandee while Salieri went berserk looking for him and keeping Tommy alive while I dug up enough dirty details to arrest Sal was all I cared about. I would have sold my soul to the devil to nail the prick but for once I felt like the angels were on my side.

At 1800 hours I let go the stern lines, nudged forward against the tension on the spring to push the stern out, slipped the bow line off its bollard and backed the Hope into the channel. Once clear of the dock I kicked the starboard engine slow ahead and left the port engine in reverse, spinning the "Hope" in place till she pointed towards open water and then let both engines quietly push her out of the harbor. Ten minutes later and out of sight of the docks, I let Tommy come up for air for the first time in a week. Fact was he needed a little air - he also needed a hot bath and a change of clothes but the Fish brothers could see to that. I pushed the throttles to half ahead both and settled into the captains chair with a beer in my hand and the wind in my face - it was going to be a good cruise................

 

[plainjane]

Melanie

I knew he was troubkle the minute I'd seen him - but what the hell- I'm trouble too.

I'd been felt up all evening. What was one more finger in my pussy? (not all at the same time of course) I even thought that maybe tomorow I would forget the panties under my skimpy little skirt, but that would probably get me fired

I needed the tips, and the piece of the twenty helped.

Elmo took his break, and after he left his piano I worked my way over toward the door, and then I took mine too. I snuck through the door and there he was, and he led me to the litle room where there was a coffee pot and a place to sit down. I disengaged myself from my tray of cigarettes etc, and sat next to him. Somehow I felt that his fingers would start playing a new tune on me

 

[Swashbuckler]

Angelo

The room began to grow distant in my mind as I watched the golden drizzle of peat filtered lifeblood tickle off the brim of my fedora. The music fell from my ears, and as I raised my gaze from the table, I could feel my eyes filling with a rage that few dared to look into. Catching her eyes in my basilisk’s gaze, I knew she was trouble. Without looking down I finished my move, black knight toppling the white queen off the edge of the tablecloth so that the piece bounced on the floor and rolled between her feet, as I rose to my own full height.

“Why don’t ya step into my office, bitch!” I snarled barely above a whisper, until the last word where my voice became a cold sword. Not giving her the chance to agree, I snatched her left wrist and spun it behind her back to make her easier to escort. Turning her around and pressing her against me I let her feel the hard presence of steel tucked in my waistband against the small of her back. Then with a lunge of steps I pushed her across the floor to the small door that read private, and thrust her ahead of me letting the door slam locked behind us as she was pushed over the edge of my ornate desk and its leather top, her red curls tripping as she caught herself.

“Now, miss twat, its time to get something straight,” I said calmly as I slid the belt from my waist and coiled it in my hand. “You work for me, I own you, you can sing or you can work make me the same money upstairs. But your cunt of an attitude is going to change,” with that I let my eyes flash as she looked up and I raised the fist wrapped with the snakeskin and snapped my wrist.

I did not expect her to scream, the tough ones never do, they just glare at you with hatred. So I smiled coolly at her and said, “Watch your p’s ‘n q’s missy, you have been a naughty little bird and the naughty ones only dance on a stage with broken springs.” Raising a threatening finger to her and waving it admonishingly, “Consider yourself warned, cunt. Next time you will find me much more impatient. Now get yourself to your dressing room and fix yourself up before the next number,” I barked nodding my head in unison with jerking a thumb to the door to get her sore ass moving.

 

[prometheus 2]

Elmo

I knew there was trouble a'brewwing when she lifted her left hand to stir her coffee.

She had ditched her wedding band but the tele-tale impression in her third finger gave her away.

She saws me looking and dropped the spoon like it burned her fingers.

"Rings don't plug holes, Elmo now do they?... she gave me that come-on grin trying to cover her obvious discomfort.

"No, they don't Melanie but 38's from jealousy husbands make some awfully big ones."

"The bumb left me." her voice had lost it's cockiness.

"Too bad, sugar." I tried to sound nonchalant but felt a little sorry for the dame.

My eyes betayed me when I looked at her again and she smiled.

"Good riddance to bad rubbish." she had regained her composure. Her hand brushed across my knee and settled high on my thigh soft yet sure of its intent.

Raising my hand I took a sip of my coffee and grimmaced.

"Needs some help." I muttered as I dug for my flask and poured a genreous shot of booze into the cup. "Want some?" I offered.

She seemed to be more intent upon where her left hand was so I dumped some in her cup too. Setting the flask on the table I cupped her chin with one hand and raised her face to mine.

"Look Melanie, I like you, you got class, whats between you and your old man is your business. I just don't want no trouble. My hands are to important to me to mess up in a fight over some dame."

I caressed her cheek as her head relaxed in my hand. I saw in her eyes a longing like I'd seen before and I knew she was one of those kinds of women, the kind that never could get enough that no one man could satisfy. Oh maybe... for a while... but in the end she'd be moving on, chasing some unobtainable dream. Maybe that was me too, Why I never settled down Maybe this Melane and I were two peas in a pod. I shrugged and swallowed the rest of my coffee. she shrugged her shoulders and drank hers too, shivering as she swallowed.

We were like two ships meeting in the night each one going in a different direction, our lives would briefly touch and then move on.

She knew exactly what I was thinking, her eyes saying it was alright. Her finger came to my mouth tracing a path across my lips. We set our cups down and came together into each others arms.

For a while we just held each other, listening to each other breath, feeling each others heartbeat. Our coffee, this room, the Scarlet Lady, Chicago, the whole world... no longer exixting for us.... Two ships in the night.

 

[plainjane]

Melanie

I knew she was trouble the minute I laid eyes on her. But, I was looking at myself in the mirror across the small room on the wall, sitting there with Elmo

I knew he was a drifter. A piano player had to be - playing a gig until either he glot yhr urge to move on, or the boss or his customers got tired of his music and wanted a new sound

It had been so long since I'd been with a man. My husband and I hadnt slept together in months, and then he finally left for that blonde bimbo I knew he was fucking.

I couldnt resist and our break time was short. I blurted out "will you come sleep with me tonight?", as my hand crept up the rest of the way to his crotch and cupped his very nice package.

 

[Cathay]

Olivia/Samantha

Yup, saw trouble with my own eyes sitting alone in the Lady.
Knew trouble when I saw it.

I was still laughing at that audacious canary when turning
back I saw ...him. Trouble with a capital T. I can't put my
finger on what it was about him that troubled me, but the
hair on the nape of my neck started to crawl.

He was alone. An out a towner, I could tell. I glanced
at Seamus, he was manning the bar and eyeing the door
where Angelo and the Canary disappeared. I learned alot
from our Pop and I learned to listen to my instincts. They
were screaming at me now. I decided it would be best
to watch him using the mirror, I didn't want to out right stare.
Hmmm, In this neighborhood, staring at a man told them one
of two things, One your easy pickings (or just easy) and
two could get ya killed. Curiousity kills around here.

Crooking my finger I motioned Red to come a little closer.
Lord, I could stare in those eyes all night. Sigh...
Hmm back to business, "Seamus lover." I spoke softly.
He leaned down towards me taking notice of the tone of
my voice. (Such a bright 'un) "Red, look in my eyes for a
minute." He did. "There's a man sitting across from Dixie
by himself..." Very casually his eyes rotated to glance at
the stranger. Back at me, he smiled and raised my hand
to kiss while he spoke, "Don't know him. Out-A-Towner, I
think." His eyes slitted a little and I knew he felt the same
sense of warning hmmm danger I did. "Seamus, I think
maybe he's fishing a little." He smiled at me, "No Maam,
fishing's not allowed. I'll make sure he don't catch nothing."

I leaned over the bar to give him a kiss and whispered,
"Just put out the word babe." He nodded and whispered,
"Shit - oh sorry Liv. Dixie's flirting with him." For some reason
that bothered me, she's not in the know and could not only
shoot off her mouth by accident (since we don't know what
the Heck, he's fishing for), she could get hurt. I jumped off
my stool, flashed the biggest smile and said, "Be right back."

Putting a little extra swish in my hips, I headed over to
my friend. "Hey Dixie, How are you this fine evening?"
I looped my arm thru hers and gave her a little hug. She smiled
wide at me, "Liv, Why aren't you dancing?" Before, I could
answer her she added, "What the heck were you doing in
Louis' today with the Loo -" I twirled her into a hug, startling
her and hoping to stop her from finishing her question.
"Lemme buy you a drink, Dix." Smiling at her confused face, I
nodded at the man while I dragged her off laughing.

Looking at Seamus as we headed to the bar, I saw him
watching the stranger. Took everything I had to not turn
around and eyeball that scary stranger. The look on Seamus's
face was..........intense and protective.

That scared me most of all.

 

[plainjane]

Melanie

He blushed but didnt answer me. I looked again at myself and decided I WOULD be trouble. I had to get back out there and sell cigarettes, so I stood and stripped off my panties and handed them to him. They were soaking wet from all the probing fingers.

With my nude ass I figured Id at least double my tips.I smiled at him and told him that was a souvenier to remember me by, as I picked up my tray and put the strap around my neck, and headed out the door

At the very first table the guy wanted a pack of cigarettes and as i handed them to him he handed me the money with one hand and the other went under my little skirt. He was shocked to find me pantiless, and told the rest of the table.

The next guy bought six 20 dollar cigars, and handed me two C notes while his finger went into my pussy. He gasped "Keep the change", and i knew I was on the right track. Just at that one table for eight I sold over $300 worth and got fingered four times. With a smile i said I'd be back, and headed for the next table. One of them must have seen under my skirt because he didnt even hesitate. He lifted my skirt for them all to see, and even one of the women fondled me. She was pretty cute and I thought I wouldnt mind if she wanted a little too, as she ordered several packs of cigarettes and tipped me very well with a 20 dollar gold piece. Wearing no panties i had to put it in my little bra, but knew I was in for more trouble as it was too heavy for the little garment and kept falling out onto my tray.

I decided I needed a little money bag around my waist if i was going to keep this up.

 

[prometheus 2]

Elmo

I knew I was in trouble when she said. "Come sleep with me tonight." It was more of a command than an invitation and I wasn't used to being pushed around. Sure I wouldn't mind fucking the dame. She certainly had her assets and she didn't beat around the bush. It would be for fun no strings attached just a one night stand maybe..

Before I could answer she was out the door, maybe she didn't want to hear what I had to say. but her souvenir that I held in my hand gave every indication that it was up to me.

I didn't have time to tell her that this could be a long night. At the Lady there was no closing time and as long as there were paying customers the show went on. I was part of that show and it might be in the wee hourss of the morning and sleeping is what we might end up doing instead of fucking. but that was neither here nor there for now the show would go on.

I rinsed out our coffee cups and headed back to the stage and my baby grand. The boys gave me the once over and I put on my poker face as I sat down.

"Lets try a little 'Bye Bye Blackbird." I said. "just to get limbered up."

 

[darrenfate]

Seamus

Seamus watched the drama unfold. He'd seen this play before and he knew that it would end badly. The stranger had that air about him, his old scar started to tingle. Time to act. This is what Angelo paid him for, stopping trouble before it got started.

Seamus poured two more of what the stranger was having. It was clear he didn't belong, and the way he kept watchin the door made it plain he expected company. The slight bulge from his shoulder holster showed he was carrying a piece.

Seamus slipped his handgun into the shoulder holster of his own, and unbuttoned his vest so it wasn't too obvious. Carrying the drinks up to the strangers table he set them down - making sure he got a glimpse of his snub nose revolver while doing so.

These are on the house mister. Welcome. I can see you are new here, and I assure you mack, this is a safe place to be. Angelo, well he don't want no trouble - we run a clean joint in here. So just so's ya know, Clyde there by the door and me Johnny there in the back there all pack a piece, and those are just the ones we tell people about!

Yep, you are safe wit us. The last guy who started something hasn't floated to the surface of Lake Michigan yet - if ya gets my drift!

Names Seamus - if ya need somethin just yell for me.

With that, he strode off, following in Samantha's wide wake. Finding her he laid his paw on her shoulder spinning her around. He pinned her against the wall and kissed her deeply. When they had to come up for air he said -

You took a chance back there. Don't mess with that guy again. He's trouble. Big trouble. Besides I'm all the man you can handle ...

 

[faith]

I was trouble and everyone knew it….*cheeky grin *

"Tiny…pssssssssssssssst Tiny… "

Damn the man he was ignoring me…him and me had grown up in practically the same battered down house…”Tiny swear to God I have some info for your boss.. ya’ better let me in….”

“damnit Dix you don’t have the password.. I can’t…”

“Tiny please… its important… I got some info for the boss… there’s a gang working out of the water front… heard Pa….uh I heard people talking….anyways most of ‘em from the old neighborhood… you know Joe Carpenter’s boy Jaycee and twelve or thirteen of his gang are making wine of all things… but see.. I hear its good stuff…. High quality… all made at Jaycees hand… his ma always thought he was God’s gift to women… but he spends all his time down there with them soil doves… but I know that Mr. Bossman will want to know about it… and I have all the particulars….come on Tiny he will thank you for letting me in….

laughing I took my drink from the bar and wandered around the place.. God but I loved to flirt…. I hit up on all the lookers… never anything serious… but golly this place was just fun… I had smiled and flirted with Elmo and Seams for a while… and moved on to the customers.. that show the Singer had put on for us was a real winner…. Mr. Angelo …well he sort of scared me so I was just going to avoid him as long as possible…

then I spotted the stranger… I’d barely started a conversation with him when Olivia was suddenly there in front of me….Lord she was a beautiful dame…"Hey Dixie, How are you this fine evening?"
She looped her arm thru mine and gave me a little hug. Smiling wide I looked at her and said "Liv, Why aren't you dancing?" Before, she could
answer me I added, "What the heck were you doing in
Louis' today with the Loo -"

Next thing I know is she’s twirled me into a hug,
"Lemme buy you a drink, Dix."
Her Smile confused me… for just barely a second I though it was Sammi…
but n’ah it was Liv

I saw her eyes peer over my shoulder to the handsome man I had been with…he was sort of yummy… but his eyes were a little scary…. And then Liv nodded at the man while she dragged me off laughing.