1920's Song Bird (Closed for Scarlettnuit.)

[Ravenloft]

Vincent Caldoni walked into the smokey back room of his private speakeasy with his coat collar up and his hat low over his eyes, keeping his presence secret from the patrons, not wanting to draw any more attention to himself than necessary.

He liked to check out his operations like this, in secret, so he could get the real scoop, not just the toadying around he would get if he walked in as himself. It was about the only way he could see how things were really being run.

He stopped at the bar, ordering a whiskey in a dry whisper, turning toward the stage, lighting up a pipe. "Next up, the musical styling of Miss Catriona McAllistaire!" The announcer on stage said, moving away, clapping for the dame as she sauntered out.

"Hmm..." Vincent sniffed to himself, shifting his gaze up to her as she entered, taking a puff off his pipe and reaching for his shot of whiskey, motioning for the tender to leave the bottle.

 

[scarlettnuit]

Cat was nervous behind the small curtain. This was her “audition”. It was a Wednesday evening, there weren’t many patrons. She supposed they did that so if she was terrible, it wouldn’t matter much, just give a few of the regular drunks something pretty to look at.

She was wearing her best outfit, which wasn’t saying much. She had on a pale blue dress that was worn, and her scuffed shoes were only made presentable with a thick layer for boot black. She had escaped her small town to go to the big city and become a star. She was naïve enough to think that in a week, maybe two, she would be on top of the world. It was month three now and she wasn’t anywhere near the top of the world, she was barely at the bottom.

She pricked her finger and rubbed a little blood on her cheeks to give them some color. She had eaten very little in the past week, nothing more than watery soup she had gotten in a bread line. She was living in a dump with an easy broad who kept trying to get her into what she called “the business”. If the “business” meant kicking her knickers up for every Joe that shuffled by the joint for scraps, Cat would rather starve.

She put on her red lipstick and smoothed her hair before walking out on the tiny stage. There was one dull and dingy light on her. She supposed she would have been annoyed if it didn’t hide the dingy drunks that were no more than a foot away from her.

“Good evening everyone” she said and was greeted with a lot of cat calls and dirty shouts. She looked over to the piano player and he started up a song.

Cat took a deep breath and then started to sing out the Down Hearted Blues. Her velvety voice carried across the air with sweet warm. It was clear that this song, that her singing, came from the depths of her soul.

However, her audience was not so captivated. They wanted a quick flashy tune, and more importantly, they wanted Cat. After some boos and more cat calling, a large hairy man pushed his way drunkenly towards the stage. Cat tried to push him off but he was much stronger and much heavier than she was. She looked to the bartender for help, but he merely shrugged and poured another drink. It was clear that this was something that was a regular occurance around here.

“Get off me you bit sweaty brute!” She half yelled at the man who now had her, more and more hands seemed to be coming towards her body. She finally picked up a beer bottle and smashed it over his head. He let go of her out of shock and she brandished the broken bottle at the other men until she ran back stage. She put on her poor excuse for a coat and then ran out of the club.

It was freezing outside, Chicago had a habit of making your feet numb. Cat wiped a stray tear away from her eyes, angry at herself for blowing a potential job, angry at the men, angry that she might not make rent that month.

 

[Ravenloft]

Vincent appraised the dame that walked out on stage. She was pale and skinny, her lips painted bright red and her eyes wide and shining. Another waif with big, big dreams, he guessed, her cloths confirmed that. He knew her type, too proud, or naive to make the real money, on her back.

Vincent started to turn around, scoffing at the way the boys shouted and whistled for her, calling for her to remove various articles of clothes. But then, she sang and he slowly turned back around, feeling the soul in her crystal clear voice as it rang off the walls.

He was impressed, if she'd just dress in a tight red dress and used some more of her... Assets, he knew she'd be an instant star. But the boys started to drown out her voice with jeers and shouts, wanting a floor show, not a soulful song.

Then all hell broke loose and a burly man rushed the stage, manhandling her down, onto a table next to the other end of the bar. Vincent stood, slipping his hand into his coat for his gun, eying the man who was molesting Cat. Tony Moretti, he recognized the man. He was a partner, a good one, but after this, Vincent would have to deal with him. He took a mental note to have a meeting with him later on.

Vincent was ready to fire his gun into the air when the dame fought back, yelling for Tony to get off of her, grabbing a bottle and smashed it over his head, sending him reeling. Vincent's eyes went wide and he had to stifle a laugh as Tony took a dive into another table, unconscious. She fended the rest of the boys off with the broken bottle, backing away until she could dash out the back.

Vincent took off his hat and turned to the bar tender. "Boss?!" He exclaimed in surprise, with a look of guilt on his face. "Not any more, Pete, hit the bricks. Jake! Get your ass behind the bar! And someone, drag Fat Tony to my... Office! The rest of you sorry excuses for men, think twice before you go groping another woman!" He shouted in disgust as his orders were carried out and he walked up onto stage and slipped out the back, looking for the skirt.

He found her outside, shivering and crying to herself. "Hey." He said, trying not to startle her. "You okay?" He asked, keeping his distance, not wanting to make her run away. Just as he asked, nature must have had it out for them, because it started to rain.

 

[scarlettnuit]

Cat turned around and almost socked Vincent in the eye but managed to stop herself. She was extremely wary, given that he had just come out of the club where she had gotten roughed up. He seemed to keep his distance though and let her arm down, her tiny purse dangling from her wrist.

Despite that fact that she was cold, hungry and a little scared, she put on a tough front.

“Nothing I can’t handle.” She said as she let her eyes appraise him. He was in a nice trench coat, and from what she could see of his suit, it looked nice, not to mention impeccable shoes. Her mother always did say you could tell a lot about a person by the shoes they wear. It made her blush to think about the impression her shoes were giving about now.

She looked up at the sky as she heart thunder overhead.

“Great.” She sighed. “Look mister, thanks for checkin’ up on me, but I’ve gotta get movin before this storm turns me into a tea bag.” She told him and started to walk away quickly. She had gotten about half a block down when her shoe got caught in a grate.

“Damn it…” she said between clenched teeth. She wasn’t much of a drinker but she was seriously considering it now.

 

[Ravenloft]

"Woah, hey, easy now." Vincent said with a chuckle as it looked like she might take a swing at him. He put his hands up to show her he meant no harm. "Yeah, no kidding, I think you might of broke Fat Tony's nose in there. Course he deserved it."

He looked up and stuck his hand out, feeling a few drops before stepping back into the doorway to the club. "Well, okay, suit yourself, if you don't want the job, I guess, go on and walk." He called out after her.

He was ready to go back inside when he heard her curse and peeked back out at her. Chuckling, he grabbed an umbrella from inside the club and popped it open, coming out to cover her from the rain.

"Here, hold this." He told her, pressing the umbrella into her hand and crouching down to examine just how stuck she was. He sighed and rubbed the rain from his brow. "Yup, you're good and stuck." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a switch blade knife, grabbing her ankle.

"Hold still." he commanded, going to work at the heel of her shoe until it snapped off and fell with a plop into the sewer below. "There, you're free." He said with a grunt, folding the knife and putting it back in his pocket as he rose to his feet.

He cracked his back and neck with a groan. "Mind keeping me dry till I get back inside? You can keep the umbrella."

 

[scarlettnuit]

Cat hadn’t heard the offer of a job before she took off, only the sound of thunder and impending rain. However, as she struggled with her shoe she looked up to see the stranger coming towards her again, only this time he had an umbrella protecting him from the flat plops of rain that were starting to fall from the sky.

She held the umbrella and before she could protest, he was helping her get her shoe out of the grate. The only downside was that the heel went down into the sewer while the rest of her shoe came up. She wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry.

As he came back up she offered him a soft smile. “Thank you.” She said and was about to give back his umbrella when he asked her to walk him back and keep it.

“I’ve troubled you enough for one night sir. I wouldn’t want to go on being a nuisance….” She said and then brought her leg up and looked at her shoe, laughing slightly.

“Besides, I’ve only got half a foot left it would seem.” She smiled. “I’m sorry I almost slugged you. I’m sure you were privy to my quite unsuccessful debut in the pit of sweaty drunks.”

 

[Ravenloft]

"Hey, I couldn't just leave you like that, stuck in the rain, your make up might start to run and it would be a shame to mess up a pretty face like yours." He said, returning her smile. "Nonsense. On the contrary, I owe you a nice stiff drink, what Fat Tony did is inexcusable."

He glanced down at the broken shoe, laughing with her. "All the more reason for you to join me back at the bar. You might hurt yourself if you tried walking home in those, in the rain. And... What makes you think you don't have a job? Vincent Caldoni, at your service, Miss Catriona McAllistaire, owner of that 'pit of sweaty drunks'." He said with a grin, taking her hand and giving it a polite kiss.

 

[scarlettnuit]

She walked with him, doing her best to walk with too much of a limp, given her broken shoe. She became absolutely mortified when she learned that he was the owner of the club she had just run out of.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Caldoni. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to insult of course…it’s really a nice club, it’s just the patrons tonight are a bit off…” She rambled, embarrassed. She smiled softly as he kissed her hand and blushed a bit.

“I believe that you had mentioned a stiff drink? It’s getting a bit damp out here.” She smiled as they walked into the club.

The place still smelled of beer and sweat and the man she had smacked over the head with a beer bottle seemed to have gone. She closed the umbrella and leaned it against the wall next to the door. She didn’t imagine anyone from this place would be taking it anywhere.

 

[Ravenloft]

Vincent took Cat's arm, helping her walk back. "Like wise, and none taken, I know it's a complete dive, but hey, the people got to get their booze somewhere. Its a public service, ya know?"

"That I did, as long as it won't hurt that voice of yours, drinks are on me. The drunks might not have noticed, but you're something of a song bird."

They stepped inside and he noticed the door to his office was shut, a good sign Fat Tony was rolled in there. He grinned to himself, hatching a plan that might put Tony in his pocket and get some of Cat's dignity back.

Jake was already behind the bar, thrilled with his sudden promotion. "Hey Jake, set the lady up with whatever she wants and make it snappy!" He called out, escorting her to a seat at the bar.

"You know..." He looked her over again. "If you're gonna work here, we're really gonna have to do something about your cloths." He said, taking out a wad of hundreds, he licked his finger tips and started flipping out bill after bill, seven of them in total and put them on the bar in front of her, grinning.

 

[scarlettnuit]

She smiled a bit as he praised her singing. “That’s very kind of you Mr. Caldoni.” She said as she crossed her legs and turned slightly towards the bar. “Whiskey neat.” She told Jake when he came to take her order.

“I think that you made a wise decision in promoting Jake. He already seems better than the last guy.” She noted, feeling a little nervous and trying to make conversation. He then pulled out money for clothes and placed it in front of her.

Cat stiffened a bit as she looked at the money. She had never actually seen that much money in her entire life. Part of her wanted to take the money and run, but she was smarter than that.

“Mr. Caldoni, this is very generous…” she began with a soft smile, “and while you may think me naïve, and perhaps to an extent I am, I know that nothing in this life comes for free…and I’m not sure that I’m selling what you’re buying.”

 

[Ravenloft]

Vincent sat down next to her, snatching up the fifth he'd left behind, pouring himself another shot. He caught a glance of leg as Cat crossed them and arched an eyebrow. "Yeah, Jake knows his manners. Unlike some people I know..." Vincent peeked back at the door to his office, grinning.

He slowly looked back at Cat as she spoke smoothly. "Don't get ahead of yourself, young lady, what, exactly do you think I'm trying to buy? I need a singer, one that can command the stage, a girl I can make a star out of. Now, if you don't think you can do that..." He said with a sly grin of negotiation, started removing bills, slowly from the counter, one, two, three of them.

 

[scarlettnuit]

Cat watched as he pulled the bills back. She knew she would be heading into dangerous territory if she accepted his offer. Of course, her only other option was to go home cold and starving with a broken shoe. She felt like that shoe right now, scuffed and broken, painted over to look presentable. She was tired of the struggle.

“I would like to sing.” She said, “And I really could use the money…but I want to make one thing very clear…I am not a whore.” She said seriously, looking him straight in the eye.

 

[Ravenloft]

"And I want to give you a place to sing, you've got talent kid, I'd be a fool to let you fly out of here." He placed the three bills he'd removed back in front of her, plus three more, making it an even one k. He looked up, straight back into her eyes. "Point taken. Just show some leg, shake some tail, while you sing, and everyone will be happy. No need to lay on your back with a voice as soulful as yours. Just need to work on your stage presence and... Get some better, sexier cloths." Vincent remarked, pointing out how worn her gown was. "I want you looking like a million bucks next time I see you, got it?"

"Now..." He got up, offering her his elbow. "Follow me back to my office, if you please, there's one more order of business to attend to before you go. I believe someone owes you an apology." He led her to his office and let her in, locking the door behind him. "Take a seat." He told her, sternly as he pulled his gun and went over to Fat Tony, who was snoring, slumped back and tied in a chair, a red lump on his forehead.

Vincent nudged the lump with the barrel of his gun. "Wakey, wakey, Tony, my boy." Vincent said, coldly, training the gun between Fat Tony's eyes as he sputtered and woke up, his mouth stuffed with his own tie. "Sorry, what was that? Couldn't quite make that out." Vincent said, pulling the tie out of his mouth. "What the FUCK you doin, Vince? Why you got me tied up in here?!" Fat Tony spat, spittle flying from his lips.

Vincent back handed him. "Watch your language, a lady's present." He said, calmly. "And you owe her an apology for putting your ugly mitts on her." Fat Tony grit his teeth and scowled, turning to look at Cat. "Like hell!" He spat, looking down his nose at her. "She ain't nothing but a street rat! Look at her! Her dress has holes in it!"

Vincent rose up, cocked his gun and lowered it. "Brace yourself Cat." He stated calmly, then fired, blowing Fat Tony's right knee to shit. "Aaaooowww!" Fat Tony howled, twisting and kicking in his seat, moving the chair back several inches. "The Fuck, Vince?!"

"Mind your Manners, Tony, you're upsetting the lady." He said, giving Cat a quick glance.

 

[scarlettnuit]

Cat looked at him for a long moment as if to size him up. “Deal.” She replied on the gig and extended her hand to shake his. “With this kind of money, I’ll look like two.” She responded to his million dollar comment.

She rolled up the money he gave her and put it in her purse. She then took the offered arm and walked with him back to his office. He was older so she assumed he had more business on his mind than tail, but she remained cautious anyway.

She walked into the office and got a little nervous when he locked the door. She took a seat as directed and then noticed the guy who had pawed at her. It took everything in her power not to spit on him, but she was trying to retain her lady like manners. Her muscles tensed as Vincent took out a gun and woke up the brute.

She got even more nervous when her presence was brought to said brutes attention, however, the minute he looked down his nose at her she got up and slapped him hard across the face, unable to control her temper. She stepped back as Vincent aimed the gun at Tony’s knee, just barely escaping a bit of blood spatter.

When Vincent looked to Cat, she remained tall and strong. She knew this Tony guy was a piece of garbage, and she was sure she wasn’t the first broad he had forced himself on. She merely held her small purse politely in front of her and waited for instruction from Vincent, her head held high.

 

[Ravenloft]

"Oooowww..." Fat Tony wailed over his destroyed knee, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth as not only Vincent, but Cat belted him a good one. "Ah! Alright, alright! Ah! Ah!" Fat Tony panted, going into shock. "What the fuck you want from me Vince? An apology?!" Vincent was about to belt him again for swearing but held his hand up, tilting his head, nodding. "That's exactly what I want, but you owe it too Catriona, not me. Now, shoot, before I do, again."

"Nnngah!" Fat Tony grunted, trying to hold his leg, but his hands were bound behind his back. "Fine!" He spat at Vince, then looked up at Cat. "Fine!" He swallowed hard, his eyes going blank. "I'm sorry I pawed at you, Miss..." He said, clearly not meaning a word of it. *Kapow!* Up in smoke went Tony's other knee, a spatter of blood catching in a line along his lips and right eye. He howled in pain again, before slumping back, blubbering like a child. "I'm sorry!!! I won't ever touch the Dame again! I promise! Just don't shoot me again!!! God please!!!" He begged, a broken man.

"Satisfied?" He asked Cat, looking over his shoulder at her while his gun smoked. "Now, if anyone, ANYONE gives you trouble again, you let me know, Cat, and we'll have a sit down with THEM just like we did with Fat Tony here. Got it?" He slipped past her, brushing against her as he did and peeked out the door of his office, calling out to Jake. "Jake, call a cab, Fat Tony needs a ride to the hospital. Oh, and get some carpet cleaner, he's leaving a mess all over the place in here!"

 

[scarlettnuit]

Cat was a little surprised when Vincent asked if she was satisfied.

“It wasn’t necessary but the gesture is certainly appreciated…” she said as she nudged one of Tony’s legs with her foot, causing him to scream again. “Perhaps now you will learn how to treat a lady. Not that you’ll be able to get to one with those meatball knees of yours.” She said softly and then turned to Vincent.

“When would you like me to perform next? My current living situation is…less than ideal. If you don’t mind I would like to use part of what you gave me to set up in a more friendly environment. Is there a number or place where I can reach you? I wouldn’t want you to think I took the money and ran of course.”

 

[Ravenloft]

"Good, glad you appreciated it. A woman like you deserves to be treated like a queen, stick with me, and you will. I can promise you that." Vincent said, stowing his gun and stifling a laugh over the toe she gave Fat Tony. The poor guy just blubbered now, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Just a sec, lets leave Tony, here, to think over what he done." Vincent led Cat back out to the bar, setting her up with another drink. "Well, if you're not too shaken, how about tomorrow night, say, nine o clock?" He paused and stroked his chin, thinking.

"Well, if your living situation is so bad, how about coming to my mansion? Nothing funny, just for the night, get cleaned up, get a good nights sleep? There's a ton of empty rooms. If I'm to make you the queen of the stage, might as well start right, right?"

 

[scarlettnuit]

Cat smiled a bit at Vincent as he spoke. While he was quite a bit older than him, she couldn’t deny that he had a rather debonair look about him. He was one of those men that looked even better the older they got, and she had to admit, his confidence was a turn on.

She was about to leave and get out of his hair when he began to speak again and she stopped.

“I appreciate you’re offer Mr. Caldoni, but I wouldn’t wish to take advantage of your hospitality. I don’t need anything fancy, just something clean and lacking a boisterous roommate. However, if it isn’t too much trouble, I would appreciate a ride to the club. I can call and give Jake my address and you can make sure I’m up to your standards.” She smiled.

She then walked to the bar and downed her whiskey without batting an eyelash.

“I’m looking forward to working with you Mr. Caldoni.”
----

Cat was good to her word. She found a small furnished studio apartment with a tiny kitchen in a decent neighborhood that was over a deli. It wasn’t too far from the club and wasn’t anything fancy. Just clean with good light and the neighbors all seemed friendly.

Once she signed the lease she went shopping. She hadn’t even bothered stopping by her old apartment, nothing she had there was worth keeping. Everything that truly meant anything to her was in her purse since she didn’t trust her roommate any farther than she could throw her.

She stepped into Macy’s and at first, was ignored. She supposed her appearance didn’t make her out to look like a Rockafeller. However, being determined, she walked up to a woman who seemed to be new.

“Hi honey. I know I look a fright but I need clothes and you need a commission, “ she said and then flashed her the wad of cash in her purse. “I think maybe we can help each other out?”

Within the next few hours, Cat had gotten a few every day dresses and shoes, as well as lingerie, but she tried to spend a bulk of it on her performing attire. She bought some delicious dresses for the club as well as some good costume jewelry, make-up and hair accessories.

That night, as Cat slipped into her new, clean twin she relaxed and got a good nights rest for the first time since she had moved to Chi town.

 

[Ravenloft]

Vincent nodded as Cat politely declined his offer to put her up at his place, had she given him kind of a look? He wasn't sure, but it made him feel like a million, even if she was young enough to be his daughter.

"No problem, just call Jake and he'll send a limo right over for you." He said, watching her down her shot of whiskey. "Like wise." He said, kissing her hand before she left. Once she was gone, he dropped his shoulders and leaned on the bar, whistling. "What a dame!"

He made sure that the bar was fully stocked, dropped a couple thousand to have the stage up graded before her first official show. I he was going to make her a star, she deserved a spot light that would do her fresh face some justice.

He left it up to Jake and the other boys in his employ to get the job done, offering a little extra to give them that extra push they would need to get it done on such short notice.

He called for his limo then and went back to his all too empty mansion to retire for the night. Sleep wasn't easy coming though, Cat's siren song seemed to ring in his ears and that smile she'd flashed him. Damn, he couldn't stop seeing it every time he shut his eyes. It took him nearly the entire fifth before he just passed out for the night, the last thing on his lips, her name.

 

[scarlettnuit]

Tonight was the big night. Cat had taken it easy during the day, putting herself through a rigorous beauty routine. This was her one shot and she was going to take it with both hands.

As the sun started to set Cat readied herself. She left her crowning glory down. She parted it in the middle, her long fiery mane waving gently down to her shoulders. She pulled up one side with a rhinestone hair comb made to look like diamonds in the shape of a peacock feather, small blue gold and green jewels added color to the “feather” and accented her hair.

She applied her make up, smoking up her big blue eyes with a bit of charcoal. She applied a subtle hint of rouge to her cheeks and applied a sultry dark red lipstick to her full lips and began to dress.

She had treated herself to one set of exceptional lingerie. She put on her silk underwear and then her garter belt and silk stalking. She then picked up her dress. It was a silvery satin dress that showed off her creamy breasts tastefully in the front, and then had fabric draping low in the back to show off her alabaster back. Due to the cut of the dress she couldn’t wear a bar and so her breasts hung free. She smiled a bit and was glad to be young and still have her perky round breasts that the dress clung to enticingly.

She then slipped on her matching silver heels and heard a honk outside. Jake had told her Vincent would be there at 7 to pick her up for dinner. She was a bit nervous and hoped he approved. She put on a simple pair of silver teardrop earrings that had little rhinestones in them with it’s matching necklace that was merely a chain with a pendant in the same shape. She slipped on the silver wrap that came with the dress and her small purse. She paused for a moment and picked up a small ring that was sitting on the side table. It was cheap, from a cracker jack box, and had a purple star on it. She smiled and slipped it on before heading downstairs.

She opened the door and saw Vincent standing there in all his glory. He looked sharp and she hoped he approved of her choices.

“What do you think?” she asked as she gave him a quick turn.

 

[Ravenloft]

Vincent's pipe nearly fell from between his lips the moment he saw Cat all dolled up, it would have too, if his teeth hadn't been clenching down on it to avoid howling like a wolf. She was an absolute fox and with his help, she would be every man's day dream.

He took a long slow breath, to keep himself from mewling over her like a little lost puppy dog. He leaned on the roof of the limo, stippling his finger tips together, in front of his lips to hide the look of dumb awe that must be on his face. "Don't know, I think you're going to need to spin around a few more times before I can give you an honest opinion." He said, teasing her.

He came around the limo, laughing and clapping softly. "You look like a dream, Cat, like an absolute dream!" He took her hand in his and placed a soft kiss on the back. "I hope you're hungry, can't let my star Siren hop up on stage without a nice, expensive meal, now, can I?" He opened the passenger door for her.

 

[scarlettnuit]

Cat smiled and blushed at his appraisal and gave him a few more spins and stopped as he kissed her hand. “Well I couldn’t have done it without you Mr. Caldoni.” She smiled and kissed his cheek before following him into the limo.

Once they were seated she wiped her lipstick off his cheek with her thumb. “Sorry about that.”

She smiled as he spoke about the meal. She had never been out to the type of restaurant she imagined he would take her to, and she was rather excited to go. It was as if in a merely a day, her dreams were all coming true.

“I hope picking me up didn’t trouble you too much Mr. Caldoni.”Cat said as she took a small vial out of her purse and dabbed her wrists with a touch of gardenia oil. “I promise I won’t let you down.” She said, trying to assure him, and perhaps herself, that his money wasn’t put towards a worthless cause.

 

[Ravenloft]

Vincent's cheek must have burned red right where Cat had kissed it and he adjusted his vest, clearing his throat, so as not to seem too smitten by it. He slipped in after her and shut the door and she immediately started to rub off the mark she'd left on his cheek.

He was half tempted to tell her to leave it, but he let her rub it away, smiling to himself. A guy could get used to that sort of treatment, if he wasn't careful.

"No trouble at all, though I wouldn't have minded you staying at the mansion, its too damn quiet there." He admitted before quickly changing the subject. "I trust you found yourself a nice place?" He asked, watching her apply some scented oil to her slender wrists. His mouth watered and his lips itched to kiss those wrists, even before the pleasant scent of Gardenia's drifted past his nose. He took a deep breath, enjoying the fragrance.

"Oh, trust me, you're going to be a one, two, three, knock out, darlin! Ain't no man gonna be able to resist throwing money your way, just for a quick glance their way. Just gotta know how the play the boys, a little leg here, a little wiggle there, you know, tease the Benjamin's right out of their pockets! And don't worry, I'll be right there to make sure none of them get too handsy with you again tonight. After what happened to Fat Tony, though, I don't think any of them would dare."

 

[scarlettnuit]

“You know, despite what they write about you in the papers, you seem to be a very nice man Mr. Caldoni. I appreciate your belief in me. I’m going to do my very best not to let you down. You’ve been very generous and I promise, I’ll have that audience drooling down their shirts for you.” She smiled at him sweetly, genuinely wanting to do well to thank him for his generosity.

Soon the limo pulled up to the restaurant. There was a long awning and red carpet that ran to the curb for it’s patrons. Vincent got out of the car and opened the door for Cat and helped her out. They walked into the restaurant and straight past the host, it was clear to Cat that Vincent needed no introduction here.

Walking into the restaurant was like something out of a movie for her. The walls were covered in decadent white silk with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Around the edges of the club were red velvet semi-circle banquettes, all of which faced a stage where an ebony beauty was now singing soft and sultry.

They were immediately seated at the center banquette, the table pulled out completely so that they could be seated and then pushed back in. Cat did her best not to be in awe of the place, but at the moment, she felt like a fairytale princess who had just gotten her wish.

“This place is beautiful, thank you for bringing me.” She smiled at him.

 

[Ravenloft]

"Oh? I'm a business man first, don't let it get out that I'm too nice, you might ruin my rep, Cat." Vincent said with a chuckle, enjoying the compliment. He had to be a very hard man most of the time. Some times he thought that he might lose a part of himself to it all and forget how to love. "I'd rather they be drooling for you, Cat, I'm not that sexy." He said with another chuckle, enjoying her company and her sweet smile.

He took Cat by the arm and escorted her to the central banquette table, pulling out her seat for her. He noticed the singer catch Cat's eye and smiled, sitting down next to her. "Not as beautiful as you, Cat." He noted, touching her hand. "And if things go as I'm expecting, in a month or two, you're going to be up on that stage, up where you belong, in the lime light."

He withdrew his hand, clearing his throat. "Now, what would you like to try? Hmm, champagne is a must. Have you ever tried oysters? Caviar? Lobster?" He was listing off only the most expensive items on the menu. "Nothing's too good for my new starlet." He teased, sitting his menu down and snapping his fingers, ready to order their drinks.