And All That Jazz
And All That Jazz
The place smelled of booze and day-old cigars. The lights were dim and golden beads hung all around. Bartenders stood at the side providing the night's relief while girls in short skirts danced in shiny outfits. Guys sulked around with a drink in their hand. I walked up to the closest table looking around as I pulled out a cigarette. A pretty girl in a silver dress came up.
“Anything I can get you sir?” She asked in a high pitched voice.
“Scotch neat,” I replied, clicking a lighter.
“Coming right up,” The girl quickly walked away towards one of the bartenders. I put the lit cigarette to my mouth as I looked around again. Men in dark clothing crowded around the tables drinking or dancing with the girls. The music was loud and experimental. Towards the front of the room stood a stage with a velvet curtain and gleaming lights. The musicians all wore dark colors and focused on their instruments. The girl in the silver dress came back and set down my drink. I gave a quick nod for my appreciation as she moved away. I took a sip and tapped the cigarette on the ashtray.
“Got a light?” a deep voice asked. I turned to face a blonde haired guy with a dark brown jacket on. I pulled out the lighter and clicked it. He put the cigarette between his lips and leaned in for the flame. I put the lighter back in my pocket and went back to looking around.
“First time?” the guy asked, exhaling some smoke. I coughed a little.
“Yeah,” I replied, my eyes watching the pianist enter the room with his tunes.
“Ah nice, usually first timers aren’t here just to look around. They were usually invited or have a purpose for being here. “ The guy explained.
“I do have a purpose, I’m here to provide a light.” I replied, taking a sip of my drink. The guy chuckled a little bit.
“I won’t tell, but you might not want to stay here long.” The man tapped his cigarette on the tray, tipped his hat and started to move away. “Thanks for the light.”
“Wait I actually am here to meet someone,” I said quickly hoping he knew the person. The man set down his hat and returned to me.
“Do you know who?” He asked. I shook my head.
“All I was given was this.” I held up a small black card with gold lettering. A note telling me to meet at this bar with the password to get in. At the bottom signed the name Benedetti. The guy in the dark suit looked at me, and handed back the card.
“I- I think I can find who you are looking for,” The man hurried away startled. I scoffed as he ran to the side. I picked back up my drink. Thinking to myself, This Benedetti guy better show up soon. I haven’t been there all night. Just then, two muscular guys in three piece suits showed up in front of me.
“Charles Evans?” The man on the right asked. I nodded my head. “Come with us.” They motioned me to join them, and soon led me to a door by the bar. One opened it and motioned me in. I gulped down my nerves and walked in. The guards, I assumed, stood on either side of me as if marching me towards my death. The hallway was brightly lit with various paintings. I didn’t have enough time to examine them, like I would want, but they were all different. As the hallway started to end it opened up into a much bigger room. I gasped as we walked in. Red and gold tapestries hung all around. There were bright lights, red couches, and an extravagant chandelier hung in the middle of the room. The men stopped walking and pushed forward.
“Mr. Benedetti will be with you soon. Don’t touch anything,” the man on the right said. They gave a nod and walked back down the hallway. I waited until their footsteps were gone, frozen in place. Slowly I started to move deeper into the room getting a full view. An interesting painting hung on the wall. Decorated with a gold frame, and velvet curtains. I stared at it, making note of the people inside. Two figures stood in the back with strong looks across their faces. A boy with dark hair in a suit stood in front next to a little girl. The boy gave a slight smile while the girl's face matched the adults. The girl wore a black dress with a silver necklace. A small tabby cat sat on the boy's shoulder, and the girl rested a hand on a golden retriever.
“I see you are admiring my old family portrait?” A voice spoke behind me causing me to jump a little. “Sorry I didn't mean to startle you.” He chuckled. A grown version of the little boy in the painting stood in front of me. Dark hair, suit, cat and all.
“Mr. Benedetti?” I asked knowing that I was probably right. The man stuck his hand out,
“Yes, but you can just call me Caleb,” He replied, shaking my hand. I locked eyes with the tabby cat on his shoulder, giving it a weird look.
“Here come sit down,” Caleb motioned me towards one of the velvet chairs. We both sat down on opposite sides of each other. With only a small table to separate us. The cat jumped down onto Caleb's lap. Caleb studied me for a minute before breaking the ice, “Now I ask why are you here? We don’t get a lot of visitors coming into the club asking for us. And especially a newtimer.” I gave him a strange look.
“What do you mean? I was invited here,” I replied confused, wondering if he forgot about my request. Caleb sat up moving the cat slightly.
“You were invited?” a puzzling look crossed his face.
“Yes I was. I’m here to join.” Caleb moved slightly. He seemed nervous.
“Oh my, I was not aware of this… Now are you sure you want to join?” He asked, looking deeply into my eyes. His face was serious and seemingly full of concern.
I hesitated for a moment. “Yes I do,” No matter how much my mind yelled at me for saying that. Knowing I would be betraying my parents values, but I had to say yes. It was my job.
“Okay Evans,” Caleb said, moving back into his seat. He pressed on a button next to him ringing it. Another seemingly bodyguard popped up out of nowhere.
“Take Mr. Charles Evans here to the library,” Caleb instructed.
“But Sir, there is a matter going on in there,” The guard replied, extremely concerned.
“Doesn’t matter, this man is here to join. Do as I instruct,” Caleb snapped. He stood up quickly. The cat jumped up onto his shoulder again. I stood up letting the man lead me out of the room.
“Wait if you didn’t send me the invitation, who did?” I asked to leave.
“I’m warning you Charles, be careful. I am only the front man,” Caleb said, leaving suspicion up in the air. As I turned to walk away I could see the cat laughing at me like I was an idiot. The bodyguard led me down a different hallway. In my head I started to convince myself that I was one. At the end of the hallway was a closed door. As we reached it the guard pointed to a seat next to it.
“Sit, it might be a minute,” He said. I did what he instructed, and sat down staring at the hallway. Strange noises came from inside the room. I started bouncing my knee in anxiety. I could hear a lot of yelling happening. It seemed like there was a fight because there were noises that seemed like a bunch of slaps. Then suddenly a gun shot was heard from inside the room. I jumped up scared. I could see the guard flinch. Three men came running out of the room down the hallway. A minute later they came back with a wheelchair, towels, and some sort of liquid cleaner. They ran inside the room. One guy poked his head out of the door.
“Charles Evans?” He asked. The guard nodded yes.
“5 minutes,” he said, then signaled for the guard to come inside. I sat there alone outside the room terrified for my life. Concerned that this guy would kill me on the spot for asking to join. Slightlently I cursed my uncle for giving me this job, but it was all I had.
“You can come inside now,” The guard said, poking his head out. I took a deep breath before rising. Slowly I walked through the door, nervous of what was to happen. The room was full of simple chairs, and dark wooden bookshelves. A desk sat towards the back of the room in front of another door. It smelled strongly of cleaner, and a man was scrubbing a red stain on the floor. The guard pushed me towards the chairs as I stood frozen in place. The door in the back started to open, and every instinct I had was telling me to run. That's when a girl stepped out. She was elegantly dressed in a black sparkly dress and heels. Her dark hair was straightened covering her face. Her neck was adorned with pearls and a golden dog followed her at her heels. She walked in pushing her hair back while reaching for a cigarette on the desk.
“Sorry you had to wait for so long. We were running a little behind. I hope my brother did not bore you to death,” She spoke. Her voice was strong and unfamiliar. She lit the cigarette as she looked at me. Her green eyes pierced through me as if reading every little detail about my life.
“What do you not speak?” She asked, exhaling smoke. I blinked and shook my head to clear my mind. I was so deep in confusion that I forgot what I was doing.
“Uh, sorry ma’am, “ I apologized quickly. She laughed a little.
“You can sit if you want to,” she motioned to a leather chair. I moved towards it and sat down. I kept looking at her confused as silence filled the air.
“I asked if my brother bored you earlier? Well did he?” She walked around the desk, and sat on it. The dog followed her and sat down.
“I’m sorry your brother?” I was still confused as to what was happening. She snapped her fingers and the men around rushed out of the room.
“Yes, my brother Caleb,” I shook my head.
“No, ma’am,” I replied. She laughed once again.
“I do apologize for his behavior. I did not warn him of your appointment,” She said. She tapped the cigarette on an ashtray and left it there. Slowly she moved closer to me. “As you see he is the front man for this operation. So he doesn’t know much, but still gets to deal with some people.”
“Wait?” I asked, realization hitting me. “Are you….
“The head of this organization. Yes I am,” She jumped in quickly trying to avoid my stuttering. I stared back at her, mouth wide open.
“Surprised aren't you? Surprised to be seeing a woman do what usually is a man's job. Surprised to see a young woman lead the biggest underground mob in all of Manhattan?” She asked, her voice mocking as she got closer. She crouched down with her hands on the edge of the chair. Her eyes daggers glaring at me.
“I am warning you, any misogynistic words out of that mouth and you will be on the floor writhing in pain in seconds. I was given this empire over my brother because I was stronger, more resilient, more cutthroat, and more prepared to do the dirty work. I have expanded the world my father created and made Manhattan fear the name Benedetti. So don’t tell me that a woman can’t do a man’s job because if you look at the truth,” She paused, taking a breath. “The world is better without them actually because we get the work done. Do you understand that,” She pushed away from the chair walking back to her desk.
“Yes ma’am,” I replied quickly, hoping to get on her good side. I sat up straight to show honor. Her words cut through my striking fear in saying something wrong. I was afraid to take my eyes off her face in worries she would behead me for looking at her dress.
“But ma’am, I must ask... “
“Call me Siena,” She interrupted me.
“Okay Siena, I must ask if your mob is so powerful why do you hide behind your brother?” I asked, moving slightly forward.
“I am not hiding behind my brother,” She snapped, giving me a glare. The dog next to her took control of her tone and started to growl. She watched as I jumped at the tone of her voice. Concerned that I would get hurt. Siena took a breath, and went back to a calm gaze.
“I am not hiding behind my brother. He is the frontman because while I could announce myself as the leader of this mafia organization it still is a man’s world. And a woman's job is to either be in his room waiting for her innocence to be taken, to be in his home waiting for his beckoning call as her life drains away, or be out in the streets with short clothing on waiting for me to be harassed by the drunken fools that roam them. Also he doesn’t like to do the dirty work, so I let him run the club as I inflict pain on all those who fail my tests,” She replied. Her voice was strong while explaining the world. It seemed to command the room even though I was the only one there. Her eyes studied me once again.
“I apologize for the rudeness of the question. There was a little confusion I wanted to clear up,” I replied, trying to ease the tension. Siena laughed a little.
“I accept your apology. I always get asked about it, but at least the way you formatted it wasn’t demeaning.” She brushed her hair as she smiled. “You are a determined and strong person. Most people don’t pass the test. I usually have them thrown out by now,”
I moved slightly, preparing to stand, “May I ask why do people usually get thrown out by now?” Siena shifted, noticing a change in behavior.
“Well, usually they say something to undermine my nature, or make some comment about my body. But there are the few dirty business men that touch me when my back is turned because they believe I am only here for their pleasure. They are the ones that get their hands cut off,” She explained. I laughed slightly as I shook in fear.
Trying to keep the conversation going I asked, “Why would they do that?” Siena gave me a look at asked if I was stupid.
“Do you not see the world we live in? A girl lifts up her skirt to her knees and the boys go crazy. They think that our bodies are open, and that we are there for them. To see one in power is unknown, and to them it is arousing,” Siena started to get closer once again. Her hands pressed up against the chair once again, as her lean legs slid on top of mine. I moved back terrified. Her face was so close to mine that I had to fight every urge to move.
“All men that walk through that door and sit in this chair gaze at my existence. Their faces get flushed with embarrassment, and their hands ache to slide up my dress. They are all extremely attracted to me because like I said, you never see a girl dressed as a chorus girl ruling an empire,” She said with her eyes staring at me. She was so close that I could notice the details over her makeup, and the pearls on her ears. She looked down more quickly than back at me.
“As I can see, so are you.” She moved quickly off me and back around her desk. I sat up straight, closing my legs. My heart was racing from the past moments.
“You are one of the first to ask to join and pass the test,” She explained as she sat down. “I like you.” I took a deep breath calming my nerves.
“So I can join?” I asked hopeful. She looked at me, and laughed once again.
“If you pass the background test,” Siena said. As she said that one of the men in suits from earlier stepped in with a file in his hands. Siena held out her hand and the file dropped to her. The man rushed out of the room. She set down the file and searched through it. My leg started to bounce once again. Her dog walked up to me and sat down. It’s eyes seemed to study me. Then it started to wag its tail. It jumped back a little as I tried to pet it.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Siena said, her head looking up slightly. The dog started to growl as I moved my hand away, so I went back to looking at Siena. I could hear her take a deep breath as she closed the file. She opened the drawer, put the file in it, and took out a pistol as she stood up. I jumped up with my hands in the air.
“What did I do?” I asked quickly. My hands were shaking as she walked closer with the gun pointing at my right shoulder.
“You lied,” She said, her voice dripping with acid. “You lied about your identity, and who you are. Because the photo in this file does not match you, and I know exactly what you are.” She stepped back and rang a bell on her desk yelling, “Guards!” Four buff men ran into the room. All of them glaring at me.
“Under no circumstances would I ever let a liar into this organization. Especially a detective.” Her voice stabbed me in the heart, confirming my worst fears. Siena looked to the guards, and they stepped in to grab me. One stood behind me grabbing my hands to the back crossing them. Two stepped in next to me grabbing my shoulders and dragging me across the room to the door behind me. Siena kept the gun pointing at me. The fourth guard stood next to her.
“Ice him,” She instructed. “Now Detective Evans, you will get to see the insides of this mob, but you won’t live to tell the tale. You should be so grateful I haven’t fired this at you yet.” Siena said. Her dog started to growl at me. I panicked as I hung onto her words. The fourth guard nodded, and the three started to drag me out the room. I quickly prayed in my head, cursing the fact that this is what my life came down to. Then it hit me, I knew how to stop my death by telling the truth.
“WAIT!” I yelled as the men pulled me out the door. “I can tell you the truth. I am not Charles Evans, and I am not a detective here to understand your organization.” Siena looked at me. She sent a signal to the guards, and they brought me back into the room.
“I am Charles Greco from the Greco family mafia over in Queens.” I told, my heart moving fast as I tried to catch my breath. “I was sent by my Uncle to find a way to take you down. He was jealous of the work you have done, and wanted to destroy you.” Siena walked up to me, the pistol not leaving her side.
“Now why would you tell me that?” She asked, scoffing at me. I stood up straight, and looked at her.
“Because I hate him. He took the power from my brother who was next in line to run the company, and killed him. I want his empire destroyed, but I need your help.” I explained, letting the truth come out. Siena took a breath then signaled the guards to let me go. I straightened my suit.
Our gazes matched each other as she replied, “Keep talking, and maybe I can help you.”
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