Speak of it Easy. (20's RP for Karma)

It was a good time... A time of flash, and pizaaz. Jazz and swing baby, times of the year, and times in the clear. People were all in a tizzy about what was going on in the city as alcohol was illegal, but so were many other good things. Mobsters were enjoying the high life while the police were being kept under the tables.

Good things came to those who took it, and those who were willing to take and take had a habit of not being the most stable of minded.

There was a place to escape your troubles, as there will always be. A theater on the edge of town that was closed down for renovations, but no renovating seemed to ever be going on in there, but you could definitely buy tickets to the shows.

"Whatchu need?" A gruff voice would tell you as you came up.

"Tickets for the Comedy. I need a good Joke.," you'd say. The code. Naturally, you'd pay your entry fee, and walk your way inside, to the smoke, the lights, and the group of people enjoying their drinks.

If you looked off into the corner, you could see a man, wearing a fedora over his eyes, slouched in his throne, which looked to be made of stone.

He was always sitting there, never drinking, but always the center of the attention. Everyone knew who he was, but no one spoke to him. A joke doesn't speak after all, it's repeated to others.

Joek tilted his head back, letting the spotlight above him illuminate his bright blue eyes and pale skin. The trumpets were always his favorite, so loud, so sharp. He smiled, letting his foot swing to the music.

"Tell me boys, how do you feel about it?"
"It's good boss."
"Yeah it's good. It's poppin..." He snapped his fingers a few times.
"I think these people deserve a show they ain' seen before. You got the dancers all set up?"
"Yes sir, they'll be goin on now."

He leaned over his chair, letting the fedora slip down again, only showing his smile as the lights dimmed to cast a spotlight onto the stage.

The lights were their cue. On either side of the stage, legs kicked out from behind the curtain in time with the horns. They had two inch heels and nude colored net coverings. Jazz walking onto the stage, the girls swung their big, fat, feathered boas in a tantalizing circle to allow only peeks at their swinging pearls and rhinestone fringe. The crowed hooted and hollered as they began their routine. As the music moved to a crescendo, the gals trotted to the side of the stage and posed to welcome their fearless star to the stage...from the ceiling.

The lyra slowly dropped from within the curtained confines, revealing a glittering red star. Karma lay in a hooked position, her massive ostrich feather fans clutched in one hand and flapping slowly, spinning the huge metal loop in an easy way. Karma felt drunk on the screams of the crowd and looked out with a huge cheesy grin. The mole under her eye was especially large and black, as well as the liner and charcoal darkening her sparkling yellow eyes. There were wigs of all kinds in that crowd. Suits and shirts. Dresses and aprons. A politician, a cop, a chimney sweep, a bad cop, a good cop. Anyone with a dry throat and a hunger for good times were welcome...so long as they paid the price and kept their double crossing to themselves.

When the lyra reached the bottom, she climbed out of it and posed with her arms stretched out, each fan held. The music stopped and began at a different speed, her girls rejoining her with their own white fans.

It was impossible to see the crowd with the lighting the way it was, but Karma looked into the direction of Joek's chair and shouted over the music, "Lovya doll! Let's give a big hand for the main man himself!" The girls did a cute little trick with the fans to symbolize clapping and the room joined in with the applause.

The show continued and the girls did their routines, Karma did hers. It was always the highlight of the night when she brought out the torch. People were throwing their bills on the stage in gratitude of these ladies--which normally went straight to the rhinestones and gin fund. Karma knelt down on the stage to get close to her crowd, demonstrating her dangerous acts. An overzealous fan grabbed her ankle. Her assaulted foot struck out and kicked him square in the forward, knocking him over into the crowd. Everyone laughed. It was her stage, she could hurt people if she so chose to.

"Boss."

A big guy stood next to the throne and leaned in, "Tommy and me caught this rat trying to hoodwink a blackjack table. He's under control but we found guns on 'im. Figured you'd wanna see him yourself. We stuck him in the closet."

Joek watched the girls work, leaning back in his chair and admiring the flashing of the lights within the room. She gave him a shout out from the stage and Joek stood up, giving the slight bow as the others clapped for him.

The show was dazzling, Joek never felt like he could really get enough of it.

With the tap on the shoulder, he crossed his arms. "Can't it wait?" and so it did, the show went on until it finished, and as the music died back to it's usual setting, Joek gave a sigh, standing up and cracking his knuckles. His breath was let out slowly while he walked through the staff door and down the hall to the dressing rooms.

One door opened to reveal a closet with a few mops in it.

One of the henchmen stepped forward, taking out the mops and opening the panel behind it, allowing Joek to step into the hidden room.

Inside was a man strapped to a chair, bleeding profusely.

"Hello there, what's your name?"

"L-l-luke sir."

"I hear you have a problem with playing games fairly..."

"N-no sir, I wasn't cheatin' I swear!"

Joek stepped up to him, lifting his chin so that he could inspect his face. "I see. You know what. I believe you."

"You do?"

"Oh yes. Problem is... My boys don't. So. We are gonna find a way to prove that you play games properly. How's that sound."

The boy gave a heavy gulp.

Tommy and Billy (the big guy) stepped into the room while adjusting their brass knuckles. Tommy grinned, "How 'bout...you survive two minutes and you walk free. Or maybe crawl. Butcha know what...we ain't cheaters." They chuckled and removed the metal from one of their fists and immediately started wailing on Luke.

"Was that two minutes?"

"Nah ya ogre that was like 30 seconds!"

"Hey, your left hook is gettin' better..."

"Thanks, I been practicin'!"

Two minutes passed and the boy was still breathing, though blood was spattering from his lips with each draw. The men stepped away once more, shaking their wrists and stretching their fingers.

Joek rolled his eyes at the two, waving them out of the room.

Once they were out, Joek closed the panel, turning back to the boy. "So. Have we learned our lesson?"

The boy just laid there limply. "No?"

He managed a limp nod of the head. "Ok good." He took a deep breath, picking a cloth from his pocket and dabbing the other's lip. "There we go... Much better."

The cloth was now deeply stained with the crimson blood, Joek placed it back into his pocket. "get up now." He cut the ropes holding him, lifting him to his feet. "Go on." He smiled brightly at him, pushing him out the door that led outside. "You know. Gambling debts are a very troubling thing..." The boy shambled slowly. "It's pretty good at making someone... desperate for a way out."

Luke stopped in his tracks, turning toward Joek, blood dribbling down his face. "Up the stairs." He pointed to the fire escape.

The boy didn't comprehend, but did as he was told, stepping up the stairs and moving, all while Joek followed him closely. Once they were at the top, Joek looked the other over. "Looks like snow this evening... What do you think?"

The boy was shivering and shaking. "Y-yes sir..."

"Oh. Here, don't forget your gun." He held out the weapon, handle toward the boy. He looked at it tentatively. "Thanks... it was my grandfather's."

"That's sweet kid."

As soon as the boy's hand wrapped around it, Joek grabbed his hand and slid his finger over the other's onto the trigger. It was over in an instant... The boy's lifeless body cascading down the stairs, a tangled heap, the gun slipping off and landing on the street, firing off another round from the impact.

Joek slipped the gloves off his hand, placing them into his pocket, and made his way down the stairs, over to the door, and gave a breath into the air. Snow sounded pretty good.

He made his way back inside, some people clammering up to him. "We had a boy in way over his head folks... Took his own life in the alleyway." He held up a glass. "We best put the bad stuff under the table, but a drink for the wasted youth." He downed his drink, placing it on the table where it was snatched up.

All the alcohol was placed under the counters in bags or boxes. "Everyone enjoy the rest of the show, hang around until the police leave and you'll get a free drink on us." He smiled a bright smile, noting a purple headed girl. He gave her a wink, heading back to his chair and waiting on the coppers to make their routine check of the place. They'd find nothing.

Karma heard the gunshots but was not entirely phased by them. She assumed someone was getting all up in arms about a girl. Or a game. It's usually how it happened. She sat in the dancer lounge area backstage, drinking her own poison of choice. One of the other girls poked her head in, "Heya, cops are coming. Some guy died!" She frowned and downed her drink with some difficulty and coughing, immediately rinsing it with water from the faucet and filling it. Nothing to see here, just a dehydrated dancer! Getting water! Oooonly water!

She pulled on her thick fur and stepped out into the main lounge. People smoked and talked but all of the glasses were gone. Hidden away. The drunks had probably been dragged off and stowed away in a broom closet for a little while. The cops could never get a warrant to search the establishment because no one ever tipped them off. Though she loved her work and the free booze, she never understood why people were so damn scared of this man. She would bet money he was a mob boss, but he was pretty young. Maybe his dad was famous for something.

Karma nodded politely at the men in uniform as they did what little investigation they could on the guy's death. Probably asking for a name or residence. Poor guy. She caught the bossman's eye and he winked at her. What for? Pulling her coat around her further she walked over to his throne and held her hand out in front of her, "I never got to formally introduce myself. My name is Karmelita, but most just call me Karma. I'm the one that puts fire in her mouth and hangs from high ceilings. I dance at several of your places and thought maybe it's time I finally made your acquaintance."

Joek walked over to the police as they stepped inside, asking about the man. Giving no information was something Joek was good at, and with a bit of acting, and a lot of, "if there is anything I can do" speeches, the cops left, the door getting locked behind them and Joek returning to his chair. He looked over at the dancer when she made her walk up.

"Yeah, I'm growing into quite the fan of you. Very impressive fire work." He smiled at the girl, taking the hand and giving it a small kiss. "Hope you are enjoying the work so far. You handle yourself pretty well after all." His smile stayed, and he lifted his hat so that he could look her over with his eyes uncovered. "Very unfortunate business out there... Shot himself and fell down the stairs... face got all beat up like he'd been put in a boxing match."

His eyes roamed the room. "I suppose I should give my name as well? Joek. Pleasure is all mine of course."

As soon as the coast was clear the booze was back out and the room got rowdy once more. It was like no one really cared that someone just killed himself. No...no that was exactly what it was.

She curtsied a little when he complimented her work. So the big man took a liking to her shows? Good! Maybe eventually she could talk him into housing her. Her shithole apartment was for the rats. Karma only looked fabulous when she had to.

Karma nodded but was taken aback by his comment about the stairs. She had fallen down stairs plenty of times. Hell, she had dropped straight to the ground from her lyra a few times too. Her face never got beat to hell. She didn't want to press it though.

"Well then please allow me to share in that pleasure! It's an honor to finally meet you. Well I got some time before the next show...gotta re-fill my glass. Talk to ya later!" She curtsied again and trotted back to the bar. Joek...what an interesting name.

"Nothing too heavy, maybe some mint schnapps?"

"Sorry girl, we're out up here. Go down to the storage and grab a bottle and bring it back, I'll fix you something nice."

Karma shrugged and did so, finding herself in a rather dark and musky hallway. Where was storage? She opened up a small broom closet and felt aroun--

*splat*

She froze when the soft sound of wetness splashed under her foot. She tapped her foot and it kept splashing. Did a bottle spill? It was too dark to tell in there. Karma knelt and dabbed at the wetness and brought her fingers to her nose.

It was blood.

She stood back up and hurriedly reach around until she found some bottle of something and rushed out of the closet. Karma stumbled for a second and ran back in, feeling around for a cleaning rag and shakily rubbed the blood off of her shoe the best she could. It better not have stained.

Karma slammed the closet door shut and sprinted back up the hallway. She took a moment to open the door and breathed. Game face. Nothing happened. The knob turned and she was back in the lounge, quickly looking at her feet as subtly as possible. She missed a spot...hopefully no one would notice.

Joek nodded gently to the girl as she went to get her drink. "Not too much I hope. Wouldn't want your breath to be flammable." He smiled warmly to her, raising his glass as the other left. He watched the group enjoy themselves, leaning back in his chair.

His eyes surveyed the room, enjoying the looks of mirth and laughter. They knew nothing of just what sort of things happened to keep them honest. Things that kept their glasses filled, and the smiles going.

"Hey that's not your schnapps, that's scotch! You sure you want that instead?"

Karma looked at the bottle in her hand, "Yes. Definitely."

"Well all right doll, anyth--"

"Just the scotch please."

The bartender raised an eyebrow and opened the bottle, pouring a small amount into her cup. Karma tilted her head back and downed it instantly with a violent shiver, "WOW! Ok, that...that hit the spot. Thank you." She set the glass down and carefully glanced over at Joek. He was still minding his business. Karma breathed and hurried backstage once more.

The second show was the same setup as the first. There were a few number changes and costume changes, but otherwise...grand entrance, fancy feathers, fire, and legs. Lots and lots of legs.

Karma squeezed her hat onto her head and pulled her coat around her once more, only this one was extra long to protect her from the winter air. She traded her dance shoes out for her boots and removed her jewelry, packing everything safely into her designated cubby. The other girls had their men to take them home, or they would travel in packs. She had no one. It was not that she couldn't get an escort home, it was because she chose not to. Besides, she wanted to hang back tonight. Out of curiosity...

The girl waited by the stage, out of sight for her boss to make his move.

Joek enjoyed the show's second turn, still sitting in his seat. He didn't pick up another drink, instead picking up his cane and laying it across his lap. His eyes never left the purple headed girl, she seemed... distracted by him now. If she was looking for something, she'd need to find it elsewhere. He was a man of no taste.

If he were a different man perhaps...

As the lights dimmed and the sun was on it's brink, Joek lifted himself, pointing to various members who... needed a ride home.

With a slight sigh, he put his hat on, turning to see the only showgirl left as the others began their trek.

"Would you like a ride darling? " He smiled at her.

"There are bad men in the city. Best to keep them at bay."

The heavily decorated eyes widened when he spotted her and she smiled brightly, "Oh, well...now that you mention it I do suppose I would enjoy some company. I live a little ways away so you'll have to deal with my presence for quite a while." She knelt and picked up her small bag, hoisting it onto her shoulder and walking up to him. Hitching a ride with the big man himself. Part of her felt badass and the other felt curious. She wanted to know more about him and in turn...find out if her suspicions were true.

"Well, taxi's are pretty expensive round here, but I think I could use a small drive through the town." He gave her a smile, one man opening the door for them as they walked by. A very nice black car was sitting on the curb, Joek opening the back seat door and offering for her to enter. When she did, he stepped in himself, closing it behind and waving for the driver to start heading off. "Tell em where ya wanna go, and he'll get you there. Even if he has no idea where it is. Boy has super natural direction abilities. I swear to ya." He grinned happily, leaning back in his chair and letting out a sigh.

Karma hugged her clutch to her and pet the leather upholstery with amazement. She grinned when he did...so contagious! It didn't help ease her nervousness though. Did he know about her accidental snooping? Was he just going to take her out back and shoot her like a lame horse?

"W-West Street. The old hole-in-the-wall apartments across the park." She felt her cheeks turn a little pink at saying it out loud. It was bad enough that she let herself down every time she realized her real life didn't compare in fabulousness to her nightlife--but she had to admit it in front of her boss.

Riding in his car.

Chauffeured.

"Thanks again. I admit I don't like walking home by myself. Sometimes the cops give me a hard time." The car started to move forward from the curb. Karma looked over at the smiling man and cocked her head, "You're very nice. Why are so many people afraid of you?"