#we're all bills mafia tonight

[joeyburrrow]

pls josh the universe is counting on you 🙏🏻

[the-broken-truth]

Mafia AU: The Ramshackle Bartender [Male Yuu Variant]

Summary/Inspiration/Credit/Thanks: [Link] by @sweetbunpura [Hope you like it, Boss.]

Male Yuu Variant OC [My Art]: [Link] (I'll draw Human Grim Later)

Word Count: 3,906

[Ramshackle Bar & Kitchen - Tuesday - 7:25 P.M.]

The pale, tanned fingers of a fingerless, gloved hand grasped the bottom of the sign attached to the door by a string woven into two holes at the sign's upper corners. The sign was then flipped around until the words "We're Open - Come On In" were facing the inside, while the "We're Closed - Come Back Later" was facing the outside world. This was to inform passersby that the Ramshackle Bar was closed at that hour and they wouldn't find the liquid courage or buzz to unwind from a stressful day on this day.

The floorboards of the bar were pressed against the soles of black boots that walked along them as those same gloved hands reached to the window blinds drawstrings to lower them to the sills before the rod was turned to close the blinds. This process was repeated 5 more times until all 6 of the bar's windows were closed before an exhausted exhale escaped the scarred lips of the young man as he stuffed his hands into his pockets before turning on the heel of his boot and walking over to the bar where a younger male sat counting from the register tray as well as the tip jar from the day's patrons.

"How are we looking today, Grim?" The Head Bartender asked the younger version of his bloodline who smiled up at him after the last bill was counted.

"We got 53,000 Madols from the register & 17,500 Madols from the Tip Jar. I think this is going to be the best day for this week since we've been getting a whole lot of walking money bags coming in that Phone Addict's Videos." Grim, the younger male, explained that he had placed the Tip Money in a separate stack from the rest of the money. "What's the move, Big Bro?"

"How much do we owe Crewel?" The Elder asked as Grim jumped out of the stool he was sitting on, reaching under the bar for the locked cash box he was looking for, and placed it on the bar's surface before pulling the small silver key from around his neck and opening it revealing stacks of money secured in different colored bands and a small black notebook.

Grim reached into the box and grabbed the notebook, opened it on the bookmarked page, and scanned his blue eyes down the page before he found the information his elder brother asked for.

"We still gotta pay 186,956 Madols before Dad lets us own this place. We already got this month's payment of 20,000 Madols ready to give to him for the Family Dinner this Sunday." Grim explained as he looked into the box to look at the stack of money with the '20,000' Money Mark in a Red Band.

"Take 10,000 from the Tip Money and add it to this month's payment money; it wouldn't hurt to send him another 10,000 Madols with this month's payment since the rest of the bills have been paid and the supplies for the bar and kitchen have been paid for; we're just waiting on delivery at this point." The Elder Brother said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his pocket watch, using his thumb to open it to reveal the watch's face as well as the picture of Crewel, Grim, and himself on the day they were adopted from the orphanage. "It's almost 8. I better get started on the drinks."

"I can start with the food, Yuu." Grim said as he counted out the proper amount of money, placed it in a band with a stamp, and placed it in the box with the other payment money before he returned the notebook to the box, closed & locked it, and returned it to where he got it from before getting a second lock box to place the rest of the money inside.

"Thanks, Grim." Yuu said as he tugged on his fingerless gloves before he gathered the materials for the drinks while his younger brother headed off to the kitchen to start cooking the food for tonight's event.

[Timeskip: 7:55 P.M.]

Yuu placed the final drink on the bar's surface closest to the entrance; knowing who was going to arrive first since he always entered the bar before everyone else, it's just who he was. He then added a metal toothpick, piercing two strawberries on the rim of the glass filled with the creamy pink drink, all while the smell of food flowed from the kitchen through the serving window. Yuu looked over his shoulder to see his younger brother prepping 24 bowls of white rice on the large table in the middle of the kitchen, with steak stripes cooking on the griddle stove at low-medium heat behind him.

Yuu pulled out his pocket watch, opened it with his thumb once again to lift the cover, and checked the time: 7:59 P.M. and the second hand was coming close to the full minute mark.

That's when the sound of tires coming to a stop and multiple car doors opening filled Yuu's ears.

He closed his pocket watch just as the door of the bar flew open and the bell above the door rang as the Former Crimson Tyrant marched into Ramshackle Bar with his gloved hand gripping his scepter while calling to his underlings behind him.

"For the last time, we're not doing that, Cater." Riddle exhaled as he walked over to the bar where the drinks waiting and Yuu placed his fingers along the side of the glass and pushed it over to Riddle as the Leader of Heartslabyul. reached out for his drink as the orange-haired boy with a diamond in his face called out to his leader.

"Come on, Riddle! It's a perfect idea to raise more funds!" Cater called out to his leader from behind Heartslabyul's Vice.

"Not everyone is addicted to MagiCam like you are, Cater!" Riddle exclaimed as one hand grasped his drink and the other held his scepter.

"A majority is, Boss." Cater smiled, but Riddle just exhaled while shaking his head before he lifted the drink to his lips, taking and sip before sighing in relief when the favor hit his tongue, looking at Yuu with a softness in his blue eyes.

"Perfect. Just as it's meant to be. You know exactly what I need when I need it, Yuu. I knew I could count on you." Riddle said with a small smile to the Bartender of Ramshackle, who placed his hand over his heart in a mock bow.

"I am at your service, My Queen. Please, take a load off; dinner shall be served soon." Yuu said.

"Hamburgers?" Riddle asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Never on a Tuesday, My Queen." Yuu clarified with a shake of his head causing Riddle to exhale in relief.

"Greatly appreciated, Yuu." Riddle took another sip of his drink before turning to walk off to his booth, "This day was stressful and the night will be even more so. I shall need more of these."

"I am waiting for your call, My Queen." Yuu's silver eyes looked at the Clover-Faced Vice Leader before sliding his drink to him who smiled at him and took the drink before sliding a Tupperware Container of desserts to Yuu across the bar. "Thanks, Trey."

No, thank you." Trey said as he held up his drink to take a sip, "I needed this." With that, Trey walked off to join Riddle in the booth.

"Hey, Yuu-kun! What kind of magic is Grim-chan making in the kitchen?!" Cater asked with his phone secured in his right hand.

"He's making Beef Steak Stripe & Rice Bowls with Garlic Steak Sauce with Bread Rolls with Honey Butter & Steak Fries on the side." Yuu said as he gently pushed Cater's Drink to the Diamond's open hand.

"Oh! I can't wait!" Cater smiled as he walked off to his favorite selfie spot in Ramshacke's Serving Area.

Yuu watched as the first two people he interacted with in the Heartslabyul Mafia walked over to him with light bruises on their faces, "Let me guess: You both got on Riddle's Nerves?"

"It was Ace's Fault!" Deuce barked out.

"No, it wasn't!" Ace barked back.

"If you had done your part in painting the roses red, then we wouldn't have been punished." Deuce glared at Ace.

"Well, maybe you should have reminded me!" Ace growled at his fellow first year.

"I did! Over 5 Times!!!" Deuce growled as the two of them glared daggers at each other before Yuu snapped his fingers to gain their attention and slid their drinks over to them.

"Stop barking like hounds and drink these; I don't need any rolling heads on my clean wood floors." Yuu said to his friends who huffed, grabbed their drinks, and walked off to their table.

[Timeskip: 8:20 P.M.]

Yuu placed the final drink of the new set of 3, one of them being non-acholic before he leaned against the wall near the serving window with his arms folded as his keen ears picked up on the sound of another car pulling up; 3 doors opened but one door slammed closed before striding steps marched for the door with the sound of angry ranting and amused snickering before the door slammed open and the Leader of Savanaclaw marched in with the heels of his combat boots hammered against the wooden floor before he reached the bar, snatched his drink and took a gulp; shivering in his skin as the burning alcohol burned his throat, sent chills down his spine, and throughout his body.

"Who pissed you off this time, Siree?" Yuu asked as he slid another drink to Leona after he finished off the one in his grip before he placed the empty glass on the bar and grabbed the new one with a growling exhale.

"Something is wrong with that fucking mirror, I swear to the Seven! I got some useless ass members in my crew and it pisses me off to no end, Herbivore!" He growled out as he ran his empty hand through his hair before huffing, "Where's the fucking bottle?"

"Right here, Siree." Yuu said as he placed the bottle on the table which was quickly snatched up by Leona.

"Let me know when that runt is done with dinner." Leona snarled as he slapped 300 Madols on the bar before marching off to the couch and started drinking his frustrations away as he refilled the glass in his possession with the bottle. Yuu exhaled as he placed the money in the secondary lock box before he called out.

"Ruggie, step away from the kitchen door." Yuu's voice caused the stealth hyena to freeze up as he attempted the push open the kitchen door to steal a few bites of dinner from Grim.

"Come on, just a bite!" Ruggie pouted.

"No." Yuu deadpanned.

"But, I'm hungry! I didn't even eat lunch!" Ruggie whined.

"There are donuts in the microwave in the break room. Eat those." Yuu said as he started cleaning the glass in his hand that Leona drank from a while ago.

"I'll marry you one day, Yuu!" Ruggie yelled as he bolted into the break room to scarf down the donuts.

"Can I be your best man?" Jack questioned with a smirk as he grabbed his drink.

"Sorry, that wedding has been canceled." Yuu said with a sideways smirk.

Jack simply chuckled as he walked off, allowing Yuu to finish cleaning the glass before he looked up at the clock on the wall.

'They are also going to be here… Better do my hand exercises."

[Timeskip: 8:30 P.M.]

The bell above the door rings rapidly singaling that someone opened the door rather quickly and rushed footsteps zoomed in on Yuu as he had his back turned to the door while cleaning one of the tables to keep himself busy when the ear-piercing chant of 'SHRIMPY!!!' called out before he shot out his right fist in a backhand motion, it came in contact with someone cheek and sent them crashing to the ground with a grunt; Riddle watching from his booth smirked at the sight before looking over at Yuu.

"I'll give that one an 8.5." Riddle smiled at Yuu.

"Thank you, My Queen." Yuu looked at Riddle before glaring down at the mentally disturbed man on the ground rubbing his cheek. "Did you learn your lesson?"

"You're so mean, Shrimpy! I just wanted a hug!" The sharp-toothed man whined like a child.

"I've warned you on numerous occasions not to try to squeeze me because I hate being touched without permission. It's your fault I knocked the hell out of you, Floyd." Yuu said as he grabbed his rag and walked back behind the bar while looking at the other two men standing by the bar with their drinks in hand.

"The Prefect has warned you multiple times about suddenly touching him, Floyd." Jade Leech smiled before taking a sip from his glass.

"It's not my fault that Shrimpy is so damn huggable!!!" Floyd yelled as he stood up and walked over to his drink, grabbing it, and chugging it down.

"Hello, My Dear Prefect. How are you doing this evening?" The Head of Octavinelle, Azul Ashengrotto, questioned Yuu as the bartender leaned against the wall with his arms folded.

"It would have been better if you didn't send numerous texts to my phone, asking me the same damn question when I have given you the same answer to that question more than 100 times." Yuu huffed out the last part but it only caused Azul to chuckle at his words.

"Come now, Prefect. You would have a less stressful life if you just signed over control of Ramshackle to me and come work under me; you can keep working here and I'll even keep the name the same, it will just be a mere branch to the Mostro Lounge. I'll give you more benefits, days off, higher pay, whatever you want, Yuu; all you have to do is sign the contract and work for me. Join us under Octavinelle's Banner." Azul smiled at Yuu who looked at him with an uninterested look.

"Does a chicken wear underwear?" Yuu asked.

"To the best of my knowledge, no. Chickens do not wear underwear." Azul answered.

"And, there's your answer." Yuu said before he walked off.

"I'll get you one day, Yuu. You'll join Octavinelle." Azul swore before taking a swing of his drink.

[Time: 8:35 P.M.]

"Jewel!!!" The door opened up and rapid footsteps blotted at Yuu before thin arms were wrapped around Yuu's Waist and a face was nuzzling into his chest, causing him to look down at the white-haired Head of the Scarabia Mafia.

"Hello, Kalim." Yuu greeted to smaller male with a smile smile, much to the disdain of a certain twin.

"Hey! What the hell, Shrimpy?! You won't let me get a squeeze, but that Sea Otter gets a squeeze AND a nuzzle?! That's not fair!!!" Floyd called from his place at the table that Octavinelle loved using in Ramshackle's Bar.

"Because I like him more than you, Floyd." Yuu confessed in a deadpanned voice as he lightly patted the back of the Asim Heir as the door opened again and Jamil Viper walked in with a suitcase. "Well met, Jamil."

"Well met, Prefect. How's business?" Jamil asked while claiming his regular drink and taking a good swing out of it before collecting Kalim's Drink (Not a drop of Adult Beverage for the Sunbeam) and walking over to their table. "Kalim, leave the Prefect alone. He is very busy. Come enjoy the drink he made you."

"Coming, Jamil!" Kalim cheered as he gave Yuu one more hug before following Jamil to their table, leaving Yuu to continue what he was doing while Jade was patting his brother's back as Floyd cried about how unfair his shrimpy was.

[Timeskip: 8:40 P.M.]

"Big Brother, the food is ready and I have them in heat shields." Grim stopped for a while before he started sniffing the air with a raised eyebrow, "Why do I smell overly expensive perfume and designer clothes?" Grim questioned as he walked out of the kitchen while taking off his apron as his elder brother was finishing off 3 more drinks, placing them on the bar before reaching into his pocket and pulling out his pocket watch to view the time like some badass who doesn't have time for a lot of shit.

[Newsflash: He doesn't.]

"Considering the time, that must mean that Pomefiore is about to wake in." And the moment he said that, the door opened and an overly enthusiastic called out to him like a lover in one of those love stories.

"MON TRICKSTER! THE BREATH OF MY LIFE! I HAVE COME TO RESCUE YOU FROM THE BORDOM THAT IS YOUR LIFE! SHOULD YOU ACCEPT LOVELY VIL'S INVITATION AFTER THIS NIGHT'S MEETING, EVERYTHING SHALL FIT TOGETHER LIKE PUZZLE PIECES!!!" Rook called out but Yuu just handed him a drink and walked off, "Oh, you are so cold, Mon Trickster! Why must you hide your beautiful heart from us?!"

"Why must you hurt everyone's ears with your loud ass voice, you walking French stick?!" Leona called from the couch.

"I was certain that was Sebek's Job." Yuu said before placing drinks for Vil and Epel on the bar and turned around as the two of them walked over to claim them.

"Dear Potato, I can see that you have made a few changes to your establishment." Vil said as he looked around Ramshackle, noticing the subtle changes that were made since the last time he was here, such as the replaced floor boards & new wallpaper. "It's a shame that you didn't change the color, however…"

"We've been over this, Vil. Gray is Grim's Favorite Color so we went with his choice." Yuu said as he started cleaning another glass.

"Are you sure it ain't because that's the color of his hair?" Epel asked with a raised eyebrow.

"His choice, not my place to ask. It's only fair he got to choose." Yuu said.

"Selfless… That is truly one of the most beautiful traits about you, Sweet Potato. I shall be in my booth. Thank you for the drink, as always." With that, Vil walked away as Epel sat on one of the bar stools and started chatting up the Crewel Brothers.

[Timeskip: 8:50 P.M.]

"Is Idia not going to attend this time?" Yuu asked the Younger of the Shroud Brothers, Ortho as he hovered in front of him.

"Not this time around. Something was wrong with the Hades Tablet and he just wanted me to drop this off for the meeting." Ortho says as he hands Yuu a folder, trusting that he will not open it but hand it to Riddle when it is time for the meeting to start.

"I'll be sure to give it to Riddle when the Housewarden Meeting starts." Yuu said before placing the folder near the lock boxes on the second row of the bar.

"Oh, Big Brother wanted me to ask if you and Grim were going to come over this weekend for the Gaming and Anime Marathon?" Ortho asked with excitement laced in his voice.

"Sorry, Ortho, not this time. Grim and I have a Family Dinner this weekend and we have other business to attend to, but we'll attempt to make it there next week." Yuu explained.

"Oh… That's unfortunate. Well, I'll tell Big Brother; I'm sure he will understand. See you later, Big Brothers!" Ortho said as he hugged Yuu and Grim before hovering out of the door.

Yuu exhaled and looked at the clock.

Just one left.

[Timeskip: 8:58 P.M.]

"It's almost time for the meeting! Where the hell is the Lizard and his Minions?!" Leona growled from his seat at the meeting table as Grim walked over with the food, placing a serving of food in front of everyone before placing the rest of the food before placing 2 more at the empty seats: Only the Housewardens and their Vices were placed at the table while the rest of their members were upstairs in Yuu's Apartment.

"He'll be here, soon." Yuu said as he handed the folder to Riddle, then walked over to the bar to collect the lock boxes and headed to the door leading to his apartment. "We're heading upstairs. Tell Sebek and Silver to head upstairs when Diasomnia gets here." With that, Yuu and Grim disappeared through the door to head upstairs with the others.

Fate must love playing some sick jokes because the moment the door closed, the front door opened and the members of the Diasomnia Mafia entered with the Feared Malleus Draconia leading them.

"About fucking time you got here, Lizard." Leona growled but Malleus was looking around.

"Where is the Child of Man? I see the drinks he prepared but where is he and his brother?" Malleus asked.

"You just missed them. They headed upstairs before the meeting started." Riddle said while looking through the folder Idia supplied.

"THE HUMAN DID NOT WAIT FOR WAKA-SAMA?! WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS?!" Sebek barked as he grabbed his drink from the bar while Silver did the same.

"Oh, shut it, Crocodile! Stop yelling in Shrimpy's Bar!" Floyd barked out.

[Yes, I know that Floyd is not a Vice but he and Jade are twins… and Yuu didn't want him in the apartment after what happened last time.]

"Let's just go upstairs, Sebek. You can yell at Yuu and Grim." Silver yawned before taking a drink.

"I SHALL DO THAT! I MUST PROTECT WAKA-SAMA'S HONOR!!!" With that, Sebek pushed through the door with a very sleepy Silver following behind him and the door closed once again.

Lilia and Malleus grabbed their drinks from the bar before joining the table, looking at the meal that Grim prepared for everyone. The Mafia Sectors decided to eat before they started the meeting; no one liked cold rice or meat.

[Location Change: Yuu's Apartment - Home Office]

"You're both coming to the Family Gathering this weekend, right?"

"Yes, Dad. We've never missed one before." Grim called out to his adopted father speaking to them over the speakerphone.

"It's good to know that my puppies remember their old man even when they are running a business."

"Don't worry, Father; we have everything under control. We're not gonna forget about you, even after we pay off what we owe you." Yuu said.

"I told you pups that you didn't OWE me anything. You were the ones who wanted to pay me back for raising you when I didn't want you to. I adopted you boys because I felt attached to you and I have grown to love you as if you were linked to me by blood."

"We know, Dad. We just wanted to show you that we are going to be responsible for everything." Grim said.

"I know, Grim. Just… Just don't overwork yourselves. I don't want my sons getting sick…or further dragged into Mafia Business."

"We know, Father. We'll see you this weekend." Yuu said while looking at a picture on his desk.

"I'll see you soon. I love you, boys."

"We love you, too, Dad. See ya later." Grim said before Yuu hung up the phone.

[END]

[nicolewoo]

Speakeasy Part 1

Pairing: Fergal Devitt X Reader. Finn Balor X Reader

Scenario: Desperate to make enough money to live on during the great depression, Reader gets a job at a Speakeasy, and finds a dangerous ally. Can she trust this man and his stories or should she listen to her friend's advice and steer clear of him?

Warnings: Part 1 has no warnings. Future parts probably will.

The minute I walked in, I could smell it.... the stale smell of cigarette smoke and alcohol were practically oozing out of the walls. This wasn't going to be good for my throat, but then again, this wasn't going to be good for anything except paying bills. It's 1930 and a girl's gotta do what she's gotta do.... especially living alone in Chicago.

I had a job at a diner, but the breakfast tips weren't enough to get by, and I'd been frantically trying to get a job in a proper theater. The problem was that everyone wanted dancers that could sing. I had the singing part down. The dancing? Well, I've got 2 left feet. No matter how many lessons I took, I just couldn't dance. So, here I am, in a speakeasy, getting ready to try out for a bunch of mafia guys, risking getting arrested just so I could pay the bills.

Count your blessings, girl. A lot of people are a lot worse off. I told myself as I remembered leaving Hutchinson Kansas due to The Great Depression. I remembered the sight of homeless families and bread lines and brawls for crumbs. Yes, I was doing something illegal, but I was going to be able to live because of it.

I was shaken out of my thoughts with the sound of a trumpet squeaking out. I knew before I even looked that it was my friend Tony getting my attention. “You made it. You look great, doll.” Tony said coming up to me. “Let me introduce you to the band.” He placed his hand on the small of my back and led me over to the stage.

“Marty,” Tony called out getting the band leader's attention. “This is Y/N, the singer I told you about.”

Marty barely looked up from the sheet music he was reviewing, “Hey. Let's hear those pipes, doll.” He sounded less than enthusiastic. “Guys.” He yelled to the band. “Give me some Mean to Me.”  He motioned me over to the mic.

Ok, well, let's do this. I sidled up to the mic, trying to insert some extra swag into my walk so I'd look more experienced than I was. The music began and I reached up to hold the mic stand as I started to sing.

“You're mean to me. Why must you be mean to me?” Marty looked up with a look of surprise.

“Gee, honey. It seems to me. You love to see me crying.” Tony gave me a big thumbs up to encourage me.

“I don't know why. I stay home. Each night when you say you'll phone.” I started to see the band members nodding and smiling to each other.

“You don't and I'm left alone. Singing the blues and crying.” I saw a couple of men come from the back room to see who was singing, but I couldn't make out their faces in the dark room.

I was ecstatic to see such a great reception, and I was pretty sure I'd gotten the job. As the song swelled to the harder part, I focused on hitting all the right notes and making the song sound as sexy as possible.

I saw one of the men who'd come in from the back signal to Marty, but I didn't know what the signal meant. I peeked at Marty, but I couldn't read his expression. He made me wait until the end of the song.

“Ok, kiddo. You got the gig. We'll see how tonight goes, and if you do well, we'll talk about something permanent.” Marty showed no emotion. I'd gotten the impression that he'd gone through a lot of singers, and didn't expect any better from me. “Guys,” He yelled over the sound of instruments playing different sections of the songs and talking among themselves. “We start a full practice in ½ an hour, so go get some food now. We're gonna be busy tonight.” He dismissed the band with the same lack of emotion as when he'd hired me.

Tony ran to me as excited as me. “You did it, doll!” He hugged me tight. Then started to lead me outside. “Lets get some chow.” He said as he pointed to a diner across the ally from the speakeasy.

As we sat down, I asked, “So, does Marty want me here or what?”

Tony chuckled under his breath, “Oh yeah yeah! He doesn't show emotion,” he explained. “But don't worry. You're in!” He assured me.

“I didn't know what the signal was from the guys in the back.... or even who they were.” I explained.

“Yeah, Hey. So....” Tony paused. “Ya know not to talk about... ya know.”

He didn't finish his thought, but I knew what he meant. Although I'd never spent any time in this seedy underworld, I was no dummy. “Say no more.” I replied.

“Ok. If you have any questions, just come to me, but not at the club.” He assured me. “Just focus on singing and let them do their stuff.” His gaze bored a hole in me, and I nodded in understanding. “Most importantly,” Tony reached over and put his hand on my arm, “DON'T get romantically involved with any one there. Do you understand?”

“You don't have to worry. I know who they are.” I assured him.

Tony was like a big brother to me. He'd been a regular at the diner where I worked; me always starting my day as he was ending his over breakfast. We became great friends, and Tony and his wife had taken me under their wing, inviting me over for dinner, watching out for me. Working at the speakeasy wasn't what Tony and his wife wanted for me, but when I couldn't get a theater job, they had finally given in and got me the audition. Tony had promised his wife that he'd protect me from the going ons of the club.

After dinner, I sat with Marty going over what songs I knew and what songs I needed to get to know in order to keep working there. He was pleasantly surprised at my song knowledge, and we both felt we had enough to put on a good show tonight. It was perfect because Marty had had to sing himself since losing their last singer. We went over the songs with the band until we were comfortable with each other's styles.

Afterward, I practiced in the back, pouring over the pages of sheet music Marty gave me while tinkering the notes out on an old, out-of-tune piano in a side room, hoping to add in some of these songs soon. The closer we got to show time, the more anxious I got. It was more than if I'd be entertaining... I was worried about getting arrested. Tony had assured me that if the cops came in, and I couldn't get away in time, he'd bail me out before morning, but still. A proper girl like me didn't get arrested. What would my parents think if they were alive? I pushed those thoughts out of my head and tried to focus on the music again.

I heard the band start, happy music flooding through the whole building. I peaked out at the crowd and was shocked to see the club almost full already. What surprised me the most was the class of the people in the club. I had expected to see hardened criminals and desolate prostitutes, but instead, the crowd was full of Chicago's best. Ladies in fine dresses with fringes everywhere. Men in tuxedo suits sporting walking sticks and monocles. I glanced at my own aged floor length dress that I'd bought from a theater who was throwing it out, and lamented at the state of it. Would these rich muckedy mucks accept me in this ragged thing? Before looking at them, I thought I'd looked good, but now. Now, I was wracked with every insecurity I'd ever felt.

I saw Tony rise from his seat at the bandstand and come backstage to me. “You ready?” He asked all excited.

“Tony!” I almost started crying. “Those people. They're all so fancy. This dress is so old and ratty.” I started to say, but he placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Doll, the minute you open your mouth, everyone is going to fall in love with you. You've got the voice of an angel. We can buy you more dresses when you get paid. In the meantime, don't worry about it. You look amazing, and the stage lights are going to hide any imperfections in the dress.” He gave me a quick hug as I heard Marty announce me.

“Ladies and gentlemen, We've got a special treat for you this evening.” How the hell did Marty have emotion now? He sounded positively jovial. I guess he was just a good actor. “Tonight, for the first time at Club Red, we are proud to present our new singer, Y/N.”

The crowd responded to Marty's happy announcement with excited applause. Tony took my arm and escorted me out to stage, depositing me in front of the mic before taking his own seat in the horn section.

We started with Ain't Misbehavin', and the crowd went silent as they focused on me. I prayed they were enjoying the performance, and I poured every ounce of energy I could muster into making the song sound sexy. I wasn't sure how I was doing until the song ended, and the crowd went nuts! They were applauding and giving me standing ovations. I even heard some lewd whistles from near the back where the mob guys had been earlier. I was a hit!

When I turned to find out what song we were singing next, Marty smiled warmly at me. “You did great.” He whispered just to me. “Am I Blue” is next.

The music sounded and the crowd quieted as the slow song changed the mood in the room.

“Am I blue? Am I blue? Ain't these tears in my eyes tellin' you.”

Marty whispered over my shoulder, “Go walk through the crowd, engage them.” he encouraged.

“Am I blue?” I slowly left the stage, pleasantly surprised when the spot light followed me with no notice. “You'd be too. If each plan with your man just fell through.” I placed my hand on a lady's shoulder emphasizing the phrase and she reached up to pat my hand in understanding. I wandered to another table. “Was a time. I was his only one.” I crooned to a table of men, and they smiled broadly at me. “Now I'm the sad and lonely one.” I continued to wander through the crowded room, placing my hand on a shoulder here, singing closely into a gentleman's ear there. The crowd was eating it up. “Now he's gone, and we're through. Am I blue?”

My eyes settled on a man at the table next to me in the back of the room. He was quite frankly the most beautiful man I'd ever seen, with a chiseled jaw, perfect black hair, sparkling blue eyes and his black tuxedo, black shirt and white bow tie matched by a white pocket square. He oozed money and sex. Logically, his table should have been the next I visited, but the way he was looking at me... lustfully... deterred me, and I skipped his table. He made no indication that my turn away from his table bothered him, but his eyes didn't leave me for the rest of the song causing butterflies in my stomach. He gazed so intently at me, I felt like he could see through my dress to my naked body.

I managed to gather my wits again as the song ended and I walked back up to the stage. This job was too important to me. It was this or I ended up being the one in the bread lines tomorrow. I couldn't let anyone, not even this wickedly beautiful man, get in the way of me making this money.

I stayed on the stage the rest of the night. I already had the crowd eating out of the palm of my hand, I didn't need to pander to them anymore. At the end of each song, the crowd cheered for me, and I noticed the lone man in the back smile as he gauged the mood of the crowd.

It was late... very late.... and I was tired when the show ended. “Heya doll. How bout I give ya a ride home?” Tony said as I started leaving the club with an extra few bucks in my pocket as the sun peeked over the horizon.

I was so tired, I could barely speak, but I nodded yes to Tony. He was full of energy, praising my performance, telling me how happy he was. Saying he was sure I'd be hired permanently tomorrow. I fell asleep in the gently rocking car, and Tony laughed when he had to wake me up. “Guess you're gonna have to get used to the schedule.” He teased. “Good thing you're not working at the diner this morning.” After I thanked him for the ride, Tony watched until I was safely in my apartment building before heading to the diner to get some breakfast before he went to bed. I didn't care that I was hungry, I took off my dress and fell asleep in my underclothes.

I dreamed of music notes flying through the air, of gathering them in a bag and presenting them on beautiful sheet music to the guests. I dreamed of the smoky bar and the man seated in the back and that he paid me for one of my music sheets, a small contained smile on his lips.

[the-firebird69]

She took my bike this actually Bill Pierce's wife's bike and his grandmother bike that you took when she went down there to grab you and to try and save you from the park because you're looking where radiation was now we want to know where she is and so does Bill Pierce and I got the curse and now you haven't back and you're the one who did it your Reverend blue jeans Trump

Bja

That sounds pretty clear so going through the records and it seems that he's getting clarity from something and you know what it is being the good guy so going after him too for why he's trying it

Thor Freya

Psycho insurance will never learn they keep telling us what they're doing so we follow along and we get caught and we think it's fine cuz their turds are following they know their turds

Mac

Well

Preston

The squeaky wheel gets greased in this case it's Mafia terminology

Zues Hera

And we're greasing you s here

Thor Freya

Tonight is The sopranos and I'm going to enjoy myself because Dan ruined you're playing he's going to ruin it all day long and it takes like 50 attempts then you're going to chop them up and commit suicide tomorrow morning and Dan's going to grab you and apparently someone's alarm for the ride who's Garth and Garth shoots Trump a few times and you go up there and shoot each other the whole time it's all over the data and the data is out and it's in money form and it's in a several Banks that you guys starting knocking off and no not the Federal Bank

That took carlton Fisk, and yes the name after expensive hotel and he is a huge mom figure and you people think he's not you're going to get killed cuz you're going after him and his data and he wants it all and he can hire people and you guys hire him sort of so we have to watch out for him but man you keep on running our son who's just a young man up against him when he is going to flip out I wouldn't blame him but he's got control over himself and won't and he'd really try and do it right and it never works he's thinking about how quite a few times and he can't have the gun in time and it's not night time and he finds it he's under surveillance quite often so you're lucky but you guys don't care if you're under surveillance here it is I do know one thing he goes to Miami that's going to be tons of you saying that he did stuff cuz he want to take him to Washington it's an obvious place where you would get away with things so it's funny

He says he uses his agents and you guys want to copy him when we get to monitor you start getting a little sick instead of what kind of game is this so I learned from George and you don't like amateurs running around me it's just a bunch of you after time there's not he's still going at it trying to hack your legs off trying to stuff your brain into it Quezinart all sorts of things. He started saying I'm going to ask all these questions and get my brain most and that's what it is I said that's one you got one you got a point that you need a hundred to survive every few hours and he's trying to get mad oh really sweetie you and your bus come up to me and Hunt yelling scare fighting threatening and you think I do nothing why I leave little mouse poops you like eating those singles okay that's why I'm leaving for raising ants all over the place is it's too much for you to hear English like this and you start turning into a baby and have a tantrum I'm liable to go after your clan so a little assholes just yelling so we went after his clan it's proof that little babies you can't stand the heat don't bother giving it to someone else

No am I right and we're going after these turds I'm going to grab Max we need the Intel now and we need it on the tunnels and there's a few people in on it but Tommy f is cutting them out of it and you know it so they're going after Tommy f that's not worth while venture for Tommy f it feels he has to do it cuz it always gets stopped by them and yeah he does Maverick because he sees the video of his grandson it says boy that is intense and the jet looks intense but it doesn't really look that intense and senses you have to do like a night flight when they eliminate your face a little bit more otherwise it just looks like you in the mirror after you shaved so he smiles and says okay so they do a night one it looks awesome he's grateful and people are commenting and the way to do things and get a reputation so now our son has to do some sort of jet thing and he doesn't have a problem doing that we sold Jets they commercial Jets they're private jets and some of them are fighting this and they're real fast you're real agile give me tons of them and you better get that model out there cuz we know how to make them a lot better but we have a method of agents very fast and we can shows just massively durable and they're really not that much thicker they have armor though so he wants to be able to shoot a firearm a light arm at the jet get in flying around and land and show it rounds went. You put them in an enclosure with Alexa in front on it and the top is concrete he's going to go out there without the armor and stuff else had a look at it so if you want to see that show just ask us to one of your arms shows when I'm stealer

Nuada Arrianna

That's how this guy Trump becomes Lord of War or something he wants to do arms dealing and gets his ass kicked my girl whose Small potatoes