Gentleman's Night on the Town (E 1.6, L 1.8)

Litch, please go here.

Edmund/Syd,

You dance between the unruly tables of Rafters and Boaters serving them with a wink and a smile and winning their hearts. Some of the Rafters chant your name "Syd! Syd! Syd!" as you pass by with swill and fried foods and catch things up. With a lion's effort, you beat back the rush and leave people buzzing happily to the live band as they finally start their set. You also notice baubles and jingle left on tables for you, as well as strips of paper with names and addresses from a few customers who'd like even more "serving" from you later.As a new pair of fighters enter the Pits to earn some scratch for trading blood, you slip into the VIP area with a choice beverage or two as cover. You spy a few Vaulters you recognize from their visits to The Tower. Jay Pee Morgan is reclining in a comfy chair as Truist stands behind him as his personal guard. You also recognize Goldman from his lustrous handlebar mustache - it reminds you of your own bare upper lip.

Why does Goldman seem to like "Edmund" so much? Has he told you, or do you intuit it?

What do you do?

My attention is pulled to the Pit as I glide to the VIP room. Bizarre that they would partake in this for fun, or be so excited about it as a spectator. Certainly there is something about this that I'm missing. I'm not sure I want to find out.

I look back toward the VIP section as I draw closer. Several of these individuals would certainly recognize the version of me that existed earlier today, though I can't say I've had a real conversation with many of them, so I should be fine.

Then I notice Goldman. He, unlike the others, has approached me - several times a few months ago. At first it seemed like a playful or joking tone - asking me to come work for him. Said something about how nice it would be to have a man with my skills around. But as the weeks passed his requests seemed to become more serious, more desperate. Of course time goes on, and he eventually stopped asking. Not sure if he found someone else to fill that role, or if the situation changed, maybe he just realized that I would always have turned him down.

I think to myself, Syd has to stand out to blend in with this crowd. So I try to keep the energy up. As I round the corner into the VIP section I lift the glasses up and announce, "Who's ready for more! I've a couple gifts here, courtesy of Blackjack!" These particular drinks do look more appetizing than anything else I've seen brought out tonight, and they should since I paid for them with almost all of the tips that I scooped off the tables this evening - top that with a generous tip to Parcher and he made something more than half-way decent.

Jay Pee grins excitedly when you announce special drinks from Blackjack and he leans forward to receive a glass, sliding a bit of jingle on the tray for your tip. You move around the room and see a few girls you recognize from Mr. Arness' parties at The Tower. They're drinking and laughing with Goldman and ask for more fruity drinks when you come by. Goldman peers at you for a moment, almost recognizing you... but then he is pulled into a conversation and lets it go.

What do you do?

Jay Pee's eagerness to accept the drinks is a relief, and I'm happy to scoop up the tip he leaves behind for me.

As I look around the room, I'm pretty sure I've narrowed down which one Pellet is. I've seen most of these faces before, though I haven't interacted with everyone - which I guess is a good thing. As I pass by I collect some empty cups and plates, neatly stacking them and supporting them between my non-dominant hand and chest. I'm trying to think of what to say that would start a conversation with the women when they ask for more fruity drinks. Perfect.

"Evenin' ladies!" I smile at them. "Did you have something particular in mind, or should I surprise you? My name's Syd, by the way..."

A loud cheer from across the bar interrupts me and I look over to see some blood fly across the ring, though both fighters still seem to be on their feet. I turn my attention back to the girls, "Wild night in the ring, huh?"

I'm relieved that Yale confirms my suspicions about Pellet's identity. "I'm certainly not fool enough to be looking for trouble." I continue to collect some more empty cups from around them. "So would you mind if we keep any relationship between us strictly business?"

I take a moment to be playful with Yale to try to keep the atmosphere light. She reminds me of a more refined version of Jackdaw. "And you're probably right Yale, I'd likely be a horrible partner - what with me being so attentive and considerate." I awkwardly try do little air quotes, but I doubt even the most perceptive audience would see anything more than a fool struggling to carry a load of dirty dishes.

I turn my attention back to Pellet and ever-so slightly lower the volume of my voice, "Still, someone told me you might be able to help me with something and I would really appreciate you hearing me out when you have a chance and feel comfortable with it." I start to head back toward the kitchen.

Yale and Pellet snicker at your playful response, but they don't stop you from going back to the kitchen - you are a worker and seem to be good at what you do. You are pulled into waiting on a few more tables in the common area before you slip back into the VIP area a half hour later. You spot Yale and Pellet chatting away from the others in a corner of the VIP room where they've scooted a lounger to sit together and smoke. When you approach, they look up - they were waiting for you.

These two are remarkably sharp. I expect it from Pellet, given her reputation, but I'm pleasantly surprised by Yale.

"Absolutely. I am not interested in displaying my needs to everyone, but I need help, and the two of you aren't everyone. You see, there's this girl," I casually wipe the table clear before placing a couple more drinks down at the table. "Apparently, if something isn't done soon she won't make it more than a couple of weeks. I need to get some sort of blood transfusion thing. Told it has to be as clean as possible. If you can even point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it."

Pellet's eyes seem to glisten in the dim light, though it makes me nervous to not know what she's thinking. "I can give you some space if you need time to think about it, and I won't hold anything against you if you are unable to help. If there is anything I have that I can offer in exchange I will."

Interesting. I don't want Pellet poking around too much lest she find out who I am. So I have to try to stay focused on just getting what I need.

"Even if I knew what it was called, I doubt I could pronounce it. She coughs a lot though. A lot." as I say it, I'm already concerned I've revealed too much. Most people wouldn't be able to narrow down the list of possible ailments that are related to the lungs, but impact the cardiovascular system intensely enough to need a transfusion - but Pellet might. If she doesn't know off the top of her head, she could probably figure it out given a little time. "You wouldn't happen to know someone at the Fountain that would be a good to talk to?"

I sneer the instant she mentions Kamae, hopefully the lighting in here makes that hard to notice. Kamae is a zokhole. It has only been a day since Litch removed a solid chunk of their shoulder with a throwing axe.

"Dependable and quiet are just the traits I'm looking for." I give the young women a polite nod, "I won't overstay my welcome, so I'll be on my way now, but thank you. Truly. I hope our paths cross again."

I politely nod at the women as I depart. "Me too, Pellet. Me too."

I head back to tidying tables and bringing beverages to people around the Belly. I'll scoop up any extra change I can while I'm here waiting for the Talons to return.

End Scene