The Bowery ||| Open Thread

[Arioso]

http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/photos/assets/photos/1175.jpg

OOC: This is an open thread. All are welcome to join, but please FIRST introduce your character at the CASTING CALL thread. Click here to be taken directly to that thread. Thanks!

IC:

Tatiana Ivanov loved early mornings in the Bowery. In the soft, quiet moments just before dawn, as the neighborhood's residents roused themselves and began making their way to work, the community seemed hopeful, lively -- like the village she remembered from back home in Russia.

It had only been three years since she and her family arrived at Ellis Island and were channeled through the holding pens, like cattle. They had heard that there were other immigrants from Russia in the Bowery and so had sought a tiny apartment in this crowded part of New York's Lower East Side. In a cramped, two-room apartment on the fifth floor, Tatiana lived with her parents, three sisters and two brothers, and babushka and dedushka, her mother's parents. Now 23, she was definitely at the age where she could be starting a family of her own, but in this strange, new, land, there had been very little time for courtship.

Indeed, in the Bowery, the old rules of courtship seemed to have disappeared under the pressure of the grueling struggle to earn a living, keep a roof over one's head and food on the table. Still, that didn't mean that Tatiana didn't have friendly relations with her hundreds of neighbors, or that she didn't know far, far more than a young woman should about some of the things that went on between men and women in this part of the city.

Already, as she walked through the outdoor Market on her way to the restaurant where she worked as a cook, Tatiana could see familiar faces. Karina, the girl who sold delicious bakery goods at her own stall, right next to Andria's produce stall. They were patient with Tatiana and her broken English when she stumbled over her words whenever she made purchases from them. Tatiana gave them both a fleeting smile as she approached the produce stall. Her employer, the manager of the restaurant, had told her to purchase some cabbage for making soup today.

"Good morning," Tatiana said, her Russian still rich and heavy after three years in America. "Please...cabbage...ten pound..."

As she waited for Andria's response, Tatiana spied a group of dock workers and factory hands sauntering through the open-air street market on their way to work. Seeing the handsome, brawny young men always made her stomach flutter...though she recognized many, she knew little about them save for a few names.

She wondered where the day took them and what their lives were like....

 

[Arioso]

Basic Rules

OOC: General Rules of Engagement
Based on preferences mentioned in the Casting Call thread, when you join in this thread, please respect the following guidelines (as well as basic, common courtesy):

- No one-liners
- Avoid humiliation unless agreed to by your writing partner(s)
- Try to respect the posting schedule of your writing partner(s)
- If you will not be posting for an extended period of time, please let us know.

Thanks much, and enjoy the play!

Cheers,
AriO

 

[Prometheus2]

Olaf Peterson

Born the son of Peter Olson In Stolkholm Sweden, Ole, as his friends back home called him, became as was the custom Olaf Peterson At the tender age of 18 still a virgin and still 'wet behind the ears' as the old timers liked to say, Ole went with his family to seek his fortune in the U.S.A. They arrived at Ellis Island with hundreds of other immigrants anxious to carve out a new life in this land of bounty. His father and brotheres were farmers and had heard about the midwest plains and were eager to move on to Chicago and then to the plains of Minnesota to continue living the life they so dearly loved.

Not Ole however, he was stuborn as a mule and had made up his mind that milking cows and shoveling manure were not how he was going to make a living. Instead he would stay in New York near the ocean that he had come to love. Maybe he would become a fisherman or a sailor someday, but he knew he had to start at the bottom, work on the docks until he became familiar with the other dock workers and get to know the right people. Tall and strong he wold have no trouble finding work. His mind was sharp but he was a little slow to speak or act as his English was poor and he didn't want to make foolish mistakes.

He kissed his mother and sisters goodby, shook hands with his father and brothers and watched the train that was carrying them West disappear into the morning mist. He would miss his family but in a way he was glad to be on his own. There was so much of life that he wanted to taste and without the constraints of his family he would do it all.

He ran his hand through his long blonde hair. "He needed a haircut and without his sister Ingrid to cut it for him he would have to find someone else." He hought sadly,. but surely there would be some 'Swenska Flicka' willing to meet that need.

Undaunted he whistled a happy tune as he made his way to the market. "Something to eat would be the first order of the day." he told himself as the scent of fresh baked bread greeted him. His blue eyes twinkled and a broad smile appeared across his tanned face. He had little money but he was sure he would be working soon. He could sleep in the street until he found a room and a bed.

 

[Lady Mel]

Good morning Tatiana, Andria replied as she also glared at the young men as they walked through the street. Andria's face had a distant far away look in her eye as she began to think of the young men that were on the way to work, she longed to meet a nice handsome man but her shyness kept her from expressing herself, she would think of a kiss and a warm embrace. Just as she started to daydream she heard a voice, Andria how much? suddenly Andria startled by the voice replied, huh? It was the voice of Tatiana, asking how much for the cabbage. Ohh Andria replied, that will be $1.00. as Tatiana handed Andria the money, she quickly handed the cabbage to Tatiana, and said i'll see you tomorrow Tatiana. Tatiana smiled and turned to walk away.

 

[DustyWolfe]

Petruska Sarkov,

His family was quite rich when the lived in the Czech republic, a member of the aristocracy, but when his mother died suddenly his father snatched him up, spent all their money and moved to the United States. Because of his status back home he was given a tutor and learned various languages. For this his father was grateful. He handled all his dad’s business with the Americans once they arrived in America.. Of course.... Petruska isn’t his actual birth name. Many things get changed when going through immigration.
His dad set himself up as a blacksmith on the edge of the bowery but since noone had money he got paid in goods and services. This is of course caused a huge struggle for him and Petruska and made it difficult to pay bills and such. At the age of 22 his father died of whooping cough and the business was left to him.

Petruska awakens as the first hints of dawn start to creep around the tapestries he has hung as curtains. He watches the dust motes dance around in the small strips of golden light that are leaking around rips in his shades for a moment then pulls himself out of bed. He looks at himself in the full length mirror of his mother’s that somehow made it in the trek over here. He groans a bit as he gets a look at his lithe form and shudders, since he doesn’t much care for his appearance. He does the necessary tasks of getting ready then stands on the tip of his toes to rich a plate from the cabinet. He’s not tall, only about 5'4". He quickly fries a couple of eggs and gulps them down and tosses the dishes in a bucket of water and heads out the door. He looks up at the beautiful morning sky and whistles as he walks towards his humble business. As he strolls through the market place and as usual as he is keeping his eyes peeled for a certain young lady that he has been watching for quite some time. He would never approach her though, there are many things that would hold him back from doing such a thing. He sighs a bit as he wishes he was more of a man that he was. He finally notices her as he gets to the edge of the market and tips his fez (hat) in her direction and smiles but quickly moves on to the stable before she can give much a reaction.

He gets the fires started and checks over each of his tools before even looking at the list of things to do. Work is a bit slow at the moment, he only has two horses and a mule to shoe so far today.

 

[Jessalynvix]

Nita Dewolf was up far before the sun was up and off to clean the houses of the rich from there various parties. She shook her head as she was strolling through the bazzar on her way home for a rest since she was not due to clean her next place until after lunch since there was some from of an afternoon tea that she was required to clean up after since she had it all set up. She truely hoped that her parents found a job this day because they only had a week to come up with the rent for this month in there little hovel. She shuddered to think what she would do if they hadn’t found jobs yet. She stopped at one of the vendors and purchased a bag of rice to take home so that they would have something to eat it might not be much but they would not starve. She gazed longly at the other vendors with all the meats and other foods but knew that if they were to come closer to having the rent money they couldn’t afford that.

She gazed in the direction of the blacksmith shop and shook her had as the young man tipped his hat then vanished she had been wanting to speak with him for the longest time yet she wouldn’t approach him. She shook her dress out and lifted her hem a touch so that she could step over a mud hole. She stood there another moment then ran a hand over her hair which was piled on top of her head and covered with a net to keep it from escaping while she was working. She headed for the tenament that she lived in to bring the rice and to check on her grandmother maybe she would have finished the mending she was doing and they could afford a chicken or something small to eat with the rice. She went into the simple one room place and sat the rice on the counter and checked on her grandmother smiling since the clothes were mended and hemmed up. She would take this to one of the ladies she cleaned for since they were hers and she would get the small sum for them that would buy some meat. She gasped as she remembered she had another task she was to bring Mr. Johnston’s horse to the smith to have his hooves trimed and shoed. She hurried on to his house and got the horse from the lean-to that served as his shelter and hurried off to the smith upon getting the payment for the smith. She stopped at the door to the smith and knocked not wanting to intrude or anything.

 

[Greyknight]

Johann Grundemann

The sky was just beginning to pale as Johann made his way down to the docks. He liked to arrive well before the other workers and watch the sun rise over the Atlantic. He also liked to pick his work schedule first from the ships that were scheduled to arrive durning the day. Most of the workers came down and took anything they were handed but Johann grew up here and knew some of the ins and outs. Glancing around and not seeing the foreman Johann walked over to the arrivals board. Not knowing how to read didn't help make sense of the board but he did know the flags of various countries. He knew what ships were coming in that he wanted.
Seeing the foreman arrive Johann hurried over to him. " Mr. Preston, sir, I have made my choices for the day." he said slowly.
Mr. Preston looked up from sitting at his desk. Before him stood a young man with light brown hair and shocking blue eyes. Tall and well built as well. Well over six foot tall and with plenty of muscle from the hard work. Mr. Preston knew him well. "What will you have Johnny?" he asked.
"I would like the cotton from the south and the the the" he stuttered trying to remember the american word. " Ah yes the flour that is coming in as well." He smiled back at the foreman.
" That's fine Johnny. Just make your mark and remember your chits." The last was said as he was handed to small wooden disks with words and markings on them. Johann went back out to the arrivals board and noticed a few of the workers had begun to arrive and Mr. Preston would soon be busy handing out more of the chits and work duties. He made his mark beside the two ships that were coming in and and stood off to one side. Mr. Preston looked his way and yelled to him to be heard over the tumult that was steadily getting louder " Johnny the first ship won't be in till the noon bell. Come back before then." He then turned back to the milling men.

Johann sighed. He knew they wouldn't be in until later, he just didn't want to go back to the tenement where his parents lived. His youngest brother Augustas was ill and the doctor said it was the hacking cough. They might have to move to a warmer clime. It had happened already many times to families that he knew. He just couldn't bear the thought of moving away from the only life he had known for so long. With one more sigh he turned from the docks and made his way to the market place. He had a whole dime for breakfast and lunch. And the day was getting longer.

 

[Rockin' Roland]

Dieter

The decade of the 1870's in Prussia was a time of turmoil. Wilhelm's appointment of Bismark as Prime Minister created a string of wars with Denmark, Austria then France. Then came the unification of the now present Germany; with that brought political and economic unrest. Times had become hard for the ”junger” Dieter and his father.

His mother had passed away when she was giving birth to a second, but stillborn, son. The double loss added to the strife that plagued the Yager family. A few years later a book of the U.S. circulated through the area speaking on the improved lives of Germans who had emigrated in the early 1800's, Dieter's father saw this as a sign of hope for what was left of his family. Hastily, his father sold everything they had and bought passage for him and his son to the new and wild but promising frontier of America.

New York was more than what they were prepared for. It teemed with life. People from all over the world had accumulated at the skyward city. Buildings seemed to be crammed into every inch of available space and packed in them were the bodies of those that struggled with making something of themselves. The sounds, the smells and the furious pace simply overwhelmed those who stepped off the boat with so much hope.

Dieter's father quickly established himself again as a woodwright but soon the curse, that haunted them in their homeland, reared its ugly head again. His father had begun to be pressured into joining the ranks of the Socialist Labor Party. He adamantly refused, being weary of politics ever since the revolution in Germany a couple of decades earlier. Once they understood his father would not be persuaded they took to blacklisting him and slowly his new found business deteriorated. Now an outcast among his peers his father's health took a turn for the worse and soon Dieter found himself alone in a city brimming with strangers.

Once again everything was sold off and with the small sum of money that was garnered, Dieter moved into the bowery, rented a place and opened up a tavern. That was over nine years ago and he had not looked back since.

 

[Lady Mel]

As Andria stood arrainging some oranges and apples on the fruit tables, she glanced on to the cobble stone streets watching the passers as some hurried to get to the few jobs that were available. She caught a glimpse of a young man, tall, slender, yet masculine walking with his head slightly hung, she had seen him before, he was one of the workers from down on the docks. She had wanted to talk to him but was afraid to approach him for her shyness kept her as a prisoner of her own body.

Andria began to think about herself, how she looked to herself, she thought, I'm an attractive looking woman, slender, long brunette hair, dark hazel eyes, standing 5'5" not as tall as I would like to be.

Suddenly Andria was startled from the sounds of her brothers voice yelling, "Andria, where are the bananas we just received?" they are in back, she replied, they have not been brought out. Being startled from her brother, she looked back into the streets still fixing the oranges and apples as she continued to watch the young man approach, he was getting closer, and she could feel a sudden rush of blood to her face, she was not paying much attention to what she was doing, all of a sudden the mountain of fruit tumbled and began to roll into the street. She stumbled to get around the ends of the tables, bent over picking up oranges suddenly she found herself at the foot of the young man she had been watching. she stopped and stood before him, staring at him, looking into those handsome blue eyes.

 

[Arioso]

Tatiana Ivanov

As Tatiana strolled away from Andria's stall, hefting a woven sack of cabbages over her back, she was abruptly halted by a loud ruckus. Turning to look behind her, Tatiana saw Andria's produce tumbling down off the table. But just as Tatiana was about to retreat and help her, she saw a handsome young man swiftly step up to the stall and crouch down to offer his help. Tatiana watched as the young man and Andria paused for a moment and stared at each other, almost transfixed, before they both snapped their eyes away and appeared to fumble for words.

A small smile crept across Tatiana's face as she decided that it would be better to leave them alone.

When she was about a block away from the restaurant, she saw Herr Zimmer, the man who collected rent from her family every month, walking at a measured, even pace toward the bank. A slight shiver ran through her. Although he was certainly no tyrant -- not at all like the brutal Cossacks back home who came to collect the Tsar's taxes -- Tatiana's family still dreaded his monthly visits, as they were never sure from one month to the next whether they would have enough for the rent. But as she looked at him, Tatiana couldn't help but admire his profile. So mature...so well-groomed. Indeed, he was the only well-groomed man she knew in the neighborhood.

Tatiana didn't realize she was staring across the street at him until she walked right into a body that, had she been paying attention, she would have seen approaching her from the other direction. Startled, she looked at the man she'd collided with. He was well-muscled and tanned -- most likely a dock worker on his way down to the Port of New York.

Tatiana was tall for a woman -- 5'10" and strong from a childhood spent working her family's farm back in Russia -- so she found herself looking directly into clear, blue eyes that seemed just as startled as her own. The man had shaggy blond hair -- perhaps a little too long for a man, but nowhere near the length of her own, chestnut brown hair that had to be coiled up in a braid whenever she worked in the kitchen.

"Oh! Please excuse...I didn't look you coming," Tatiana apologized, "I'm so much sorry."

Thankfully, the man grinned at her reassuringly. "It is fine," he answered, his voice deep and hearty. "I also couldn't see well. This hair! So long, it gets in my eyes."

"Thank you. You are kind. Maybe we both fix problem. I look more carefully, and you cut hair," Tatiana joked, her rosy cheeks growing round as she laughed lightly.

"No one to cut hair, is the only problem," the man sighed.

It was at this moment that Tatiana realized she recognized him. She'd seen this man coming and going on her street sometimes when she sat by the one window in her family's apartment and helped with the sewing that her sister brought home from the factory.

Used to helping out whenever it was needed, Tatiana offered, "I can cut for you. My family live on Broome Street...I see you there before, I think, yes?"

 

[Rockin' Roland]

"The Red Rose" - Dieter's Tavern

The day began like most of the others. Today the sun was up and shining through the grimy window of his spartan room. Though it was midmorning it still was a gloomy interior. Dieter rose and splashed water from the washbowl on the mask of stubble that was his unshaven face. There was a lot to do today. Yesterday was payday for most of the workers in the area, bringing to the "Red Rose" a happy and at times a boisterous crowd. The people in the borough worked very hard and when given the opportunity played just as hard. Donning his trousers he pulled the suspenders over his shoulders, grabbed the till box, locked up his room and headed for the tavern below. Through the hall he passed the few rooms he lent out to whomever wanted one or the prostitutes that succeeded in their allurement, then descended the stairs.

The placed reeked of stale ale, cheap whiskey, sweat and tobacco. There was still a haze that hung in the air as the sunshine tried in vain to brighten up the bar. As he consolidated the partial bottles of whiskey, adding water to increase the supply, he looked about the place. The floor was sticky from spills along with scattered shards of broken glass that reflected what sunlight that had managed to penetrate the premises. The specks of glass casting small prisms of rainbow color in the otherwise dingy atmosphere that had lost its luster almost a decade ago.

Checking his pocket watch he muttered to himself, “vhere is dat boy? Late again, he is valking on thin ice. I vill replace him if he von't learn, damn dummkopf.”

Once done with the liquor he grabbed the broom and set about sweeping the floor himself.

 

[Greyknight]

On a roll

Walking along with his head studiously on the ground, more to watch his footsteps than thinking, Johann looked up at a loud rumble. A cascade of apples and oranges came crashing down to the dusty street below. On first instinct he started to lean down to help pick them up, then hurried stood to watch for the urchins that liked situations like this. Glancing over his shoulder he noticed the young woman from the stall was staring at him.

"Is alles klar? Umm I mean are you ok?" He asked still casting his gaze over the street. His presence keeping the urchins away for now. Johann waited a moment for an answer. Turning toward the woman he saw that she barely came to his shoulder. He gently took the apple from her hand that she had been holding like it wasn't even there. " How much?" he asked.

The young lady blinked. " Excuse me?" she stammered.
"For the apple?" Johann replied.
" Oh right," Blushing furiously she looked at the street." Two cents please." She finally managed to get out.

Johann pulled out his dime and patiently waited while she went to get his change. He cast his gaze over the many people going about their lives making ends meet. Some he knew by look and some he knew by name. He was startled out of his reverie by the young woman handing him his change. " Here you go sir, eight cents."

 

[Lady Mel]

As Andria handed the young man his change, she mananged to brush her fingertips along the palm of his hand feeling the tough skin, of a hard working man. Your hands are so rough she mumbled. "Excuse me?" the man replied. As Andria lifted her head her hair gently falling foward into her eyes, she brushed it back from her face, she could feel the nervous tingle rushing through her body, yet she managed to repeat to him as she looked at his face, Your hands are so rough, you must work very hard for such a young man. I am Andria, What is your name sir if I may ask?

 

[cati]

Karina

" Tatiushka...kuda ti idosh? Karina called, waving to her friend across the market place; little Mikko waved too...his mother quickly holding up her young son who eagerly opened and closed the fingers of small hand in a childish wave, but not yet seeing who he was waving to.
Karina adored the young girl, who would often stop and exchange a few words in Russian and broken English on her way to or from her work.
"Stop by later... I have something for you "...she added, waving her friend on. She must be late she mused.
"O.K Mikko it's back to work for us."
Carefully wiping down the bare planks that served as a counter for her baked goods, Karina began laying out her wares... varieties of Swedish pastries, cookies and heavy loaves of light and dark rye bread and as her sign read "sold fresh every morning".

Each day began very early for her, usually at four a.m. when Mikko still lay sleeping in his cot in the back room of the bakery, which served as the only private area for them both.
Karina, her cousin Helena and her husband Emil would then mix flour, yeast and water, preparing hundreds of pounds of dough in the enormous and often dangerous mixing machines.
Salo's Bakery sold various kinds of breads... dark rye for the Scandinavians, Germans and Russians; light rye for the Hungarian customers and white bread and buns for the French and Italians.
A customer could purchase a dozen butter cookies for $.08, a loaf of fresh bread for $.10... prices unheard of in the often competetive bakery business of 1892 New York.
The Salo family baked bread each and everyday, come rain or come shine, holidays included.
When the weather was good Karina brought her son to work with her, fitting him into a child harness and tethering him to a length of strong, six foot cord that kept him from wandering off. Most of the venders knew each other and looked out for the other's welfare, and so she seldom worried that he would get lost in the throng of passers by.
The women venders who were her daily companions in the market, told each other stories of their homeland, often becoming heart sick in the process. They whispered dramatic tales of love and heartache...who was seeing who, what relative had died and what poor soul was pregnant again. For many, gossip served as a fundamental source of news and entertainment in the bowery.

 

[Rockin' Roland]

"The Red Rose"

Dieter was sweeping behind the bar when in burst a panting lad not quite in his teens.

“Forgive me Mister Yager, mama needed Doctor Sandusky. Her cough grows worse.”

Dieter's irritation at the youth's tardiness never lasted very long. He knew the mother's health was deteriorating, forcing the boy to work instead of being schooled. His father had been killed working at the slaughter house just over a year ago, leaving Milo as the man of the house now. With that came the responsibility of keeping the rent paid and what food they could afford, on the table.

“Dat is everyvhere. More and more it make sick.” Ruffling the boy's hair he tries to reassure him, “Doctor Sandusky is good man, he vill make your mama better. Finish sveeping den mop da floor. It vill help you not vorry. Vhen done vhen I come back, ve vill eat lunch. I go to bank and I vill stop at da market.”

Dieter sorted the cash and coins then placed them in the till box and locked it up. Once back in his room he looks at himself in the small mirror as he rubs his stubbled face. With mug in hand he lathers his face up to make himself presentable for business. The straight razor quickly removes the growth and after rinsing off he looks again. His looks are not bad, sandy hair with crisp blue eyes, broad shouldered and taller than most. Life takes its toll in the bowery though. The lines in a face tell the tale of just how hard it is. Worry is a part of everyone's life here, along with illness and crushing poverty, helping to age the people beyond their true years.

After putting on his cleanest shirt, he wipes the tops of his boots on the back of his trouser legs then grabs his jacket and sets off, with the till box tucked under his arm, to pay the lease for the month. He has enough that once at the market he will purchase some hard sausage, cheese and bread. He would like some pumpernickel if there is any.

 

[DustyWolfe]

Petruska blinks as someone knocks on the door at the side of the stable that was set up to keep the horses from roaming or getting into trouble. He puts his list down and walks out through the door, he looks troubled at first site of Nita then smiles broadly "Hello" he says in soft voice, one far to soft to match his gruff appearance. Petruska has very soft features and what some might call a baby face. He glances over at the draft horse that the small woman is leading behind her. "Big horse" he says after appraising it then laughs and takes the reigns from Nita "Come in if you have time, that way you don't have to make two trips. I can clean his hooves, trim and shoe him while you wait if you like" he says as hy ties the horse to a stake in the middle of the building and starts to use a large bellow to heat the fire up. He looks over his shoulder at Nita while waiting for a response, his heart is pounded but he doesn't dare give away what he is feeling. He, of all people in the bowery can't afford to lose himself. He has everything in the world to lose if he gets too close to someone.

 

[Jessalynvix]

Nita blushes a little bit and she follows him into the shop and she looks around and perches on a barell. "I'll wait." she says quietly trying to search her grasp of the language for more words as she watchs Petruska start to work she tries to look away but she can't because he seems so different then any other in the bowery. He appears to be someone she wouldn't mind knowning better given the chance. Her mind wanders as she watches him work on the big horse. She goes through the basket she is also holding to be sure that all the mending was done and to see if she had any other tasks that she needed to do.

 

[DustyWolfe]

Petruska finally gets the fire hot enough then goes around the horse and sits on a stool by each leg in turn. He takes a hook shaped hoof pick out and starts to clean each hoof and trim it with his ferrieing tools. When he gets to left hind hoof he casts a glance over at Nita "Your employer should notice a visible difference in the way this horse walks, he wont be limping anymore. He had a stone the size of a walnut in his foot, probably was making him cranky as a bear."
He goes back to working on the horse then figures out approximately what size of steel he needs, he puts the shoes into the fire and starts pounding them over a tool until they are of a satisfactory shape then gets some nails and a small hammer and starts to hammer the shoes into place on each hoof. He looks at Nita briefly "If'n you want coffee, it's over here by the fire, warm yerself up if needed" he says softly, his English isn't the best, but it's better than most. He finishes up with the horse then stands and tips his hat to her "All fixed up lady...." he says then pauses "By the way, my name is Petruska, but you can call me Peter whenever you see me. It's easier I know."

 

[Jessalynvix]

Nita smiled as she was shooken out of what she was thinking. "Thank you." she says quietly her accent making the words come out just a little bit different. She resumes her day dreams of having enough money to not worry about food and rent and other things. She is snapped out of it again by words. She walks over by the fire. "Thank you and no coffee for me." she says softly she doesn't like coffee and has never acquired a taste for it. "I'm Nita." she says and she tries to attempt his name and settles for this. "Hi Peter nice to be meeting you." she says in broken words with several pauses.

 

[Prometheus2]

Olaf Peterson

“Yah.” Ole replied without hesitation, "I know Broome street, you could have seen me walking there." He hesitated thinking he may have said too much. His mother had warned him about speaking to strangers, especially if they were not Swedish. He had thought at first when he looked in her eyes that maybe she was, Tall and slender, her skin fair and her eyes blue, but then when she spoke he knew better, her Russian accent gave her away. Her smile was so disarming that he smiled back in spite of the warning his mother had indeliably printed in his mind. “Be carefull Ole those Ruski girls, they will be after only your money. promise me that you will stay clear of them for sure”

“Yes mama." he had said. “ I promise”. In his heart he knew better, now that he was on his own he would decide who he would keep company with. and this girl was telling him the truth he had seen her too, sitting in the window of one of the apartments. In a way she was not a stranger except of course he didn’t know her name. After their light chatter he felt like she was someone he knew well or at least would like to get to know.

Then his face became serious as he explained he was on his way to look for work down at the docks He had just picked up this large loaf of Swedish bread at the market and had spent almost all of his extra money. "Perhaps he should make some more before he spent more on something as foolish as a haircut." He hought he saw a look of disappointment come over her face and he quickly added. "Unless you would be willing to take half of this loaf of bread in exchange I’m not nearly as hungry as I thought I was. In reality, he was thinking he could have eaten the whole loaf in one sitting.

She looked at the loaf he held out in front of him, grinning slyly “I will agree to that." she said slowly if you carry these cabbages to the resturant for me. I have a sharp pair of scissors at the apartment, after I bring these cabbages there I can find the time to make you look suitable for your first day at work. she pointed to the ground where she had set her load.

Without even answering Ole handed her the bread and slung the bag of cabbages over his shoulder. He gestured for her to lead the way.

As they walked, they introduced themselves to each other and by the time they reached the resturant, Ole was feeling more than just comfortable in her presense. Tatiana must have sensed this as when he tried to take her hand and help her up the steps she pulled it away.”Ole." she said quietly. "This is just a business arangement. ...My boss...she ...and my mother.... Ole could see her shudder.

"He quickly replied. “Of course, Tatiana, I understand."He knew exactly what she meant when he thought of his own mother and how she would have strongly disapproved.

Tatiana's boss surprised them both, however, when she saw Ole carrying the cabbages through the door, his face briming with happiness. "Get out of here," It's not so busy I can't manage alone." she quickly whished them out the door muttering under her breath. "Oh to be young again."

Tatiana grinned at Ole and then got serious again "But remember, there is still is my mother to contend with."

 

[Greyknight]

There's fruit here?

"Wha... " Johann managed as he watched the petite woman run her finger across his hand. " Oh my name. Yes, uh, I mean... My name is Johann but most people call me Johnny or John. And you are...?"

Johann managed to stammer through introducing himself. He was still wondering about the feelings running through his body. He had never felt this way and wasn't sure what to do about it. Unable to think of anything he covered his embarassment by biting into the apple he had just bought. Forgetting that only moments ago it had been rolling around on the ground.

" Ugh, ptewww." Johann choked out turning his head to the side and spitting out the bite of muddied apple he had just taken. " I am terribly sorry. this has never happened, I mean, of man." Johann could feel his embarassment growing. He could feel the flush spreading up his neck and his ears were already burning. Indescisive at it's best Johann looked around wildly for a way to get out of being embarassed. His looked at his hand and saw the change there. Huh? who's money is this? he thought for only a second as he realised that it was his change.

Shoving his hand into his pocket he tried to make himself look smaller. Which is hard to do for a man who is 6' 4" and close to 200 lbs. So he did the next best thing and sat down on a barrel and started to wipe off his apple. Glancing occasionally at the girl and waiting for something.

 

[Greyknight]

OOC :

Sorry double post

 

[Lady Mel]

Yes fruit!!!

As she watched the tall man try to hide his embarrassment after biting a dirty apple she giggled slightly and smiled as she replied, " I'm very pleased to meet you, umm Johnny ( slightly embarrassed helself), My name is Andria."

Andria turned to the table of fruit as the young man sat on the barrel, she grabbed another apple, looking around to see where her brother was, for she knew if her brother seen what she was about to do she would be scolded, even tho she was the eldest of the two, her brother always seemed to try to take charge of her and she was quickly growing tired of this and wanted so desperatly to get to know Johnny.

She swiftly turned back to Johnny, "Here try this apple there is no dirt on it" Andria said giggling more and smiling at Johnny. She reached out and handed him the apple, once again as he took it she brushed against his hand. But this time as she placed the apple in his hand she looked up at him, eyes meeting, she could feel his hand brushing against hers. As they stood there, her finger tips on his palm and his fingertips on her palm and the apple seperating them from touching hands completly, they gazed at each other, waiting for the other to say something.

 

[cati]

Karina

Karina was given carte blanche in the bakery. She could bake whatever she wanted if she bought the ingredients herself, and had full use of the ovens. The same rule applied to the bread. Emil sold her 100 loaves of bread or whatever number she required on a certain day for one quarter the price. From that point on, any profit she made went into her own pocket. Her hours spent working in the bakery itself was in exchange for room and board.

Karina baked one single loaf of pumpernickel each day for Dieter, the tavern owner. She smiled to herself seeing him make his way over to her kiosk. She noticed too that he took great pains with his grooming whenever he came to market...after all, he was one of the Bowery's more prominant and respectable personages and he had an image to maintain.

He wasn't quite what she would call a ladies man, but there were many women who considered him a very good catch. Whenever the bar keep stopped to talk to Karina and Mikko, one or two of the other women venders would magically appear, needing a loaf of bread or some biscuits to nibble on that very moment.

Dieter and Karina had known each other for several years, since Karina had first arrived in New York. He had been at the docks to meet a relative, just as the "S.S. Stockholm" had pulled into port.
Dieter's nephew Hans, who had been only fifteen years old at the time, had decided that he too wished to see New York and perhaps begin a new life with his uncle in the tavern business. Karina and Hans had talked several times during the long voyage... if you could call what they did talking; their conversations consisted mainly of sign language, laughter and words in their own language, but that didn't matter...each had found a friend in the other.

Hans' visit lasted only two months before the boy became depressed and home sick for his family and friends. Dieter had no choice but to pay for Han's passage back to Leipzig.

"Good afternoon Dieter...Karina smiled...how are you", speaking to him in Finliskaa...a colourful melange of Finnish and broken English.

 

[Arioso]

Tatiana had been surprised...and more than a little worried...when Mrs. Krupskaya shooed her out of the kitchen. After all, her family needed all the wages Tatiana could earn, and for a moment she thought that her employer was simply "letting her go" as the dreaded phrase went in this town. Her mind was already racing ahead, thinking of asking Herr Yager at the tavern if he needed any extra kitchen help, when the kindly expression on Mrs. Krupskaya's face set her at ease.

And made her blush.

Being released from work to give a young man a haircut?

Her mother would be scandalized.

Or, f not scandalized, at least, uncomfortable. Tatiana wasn't a virgin, and this wasn't any secret to her mother. On the journey across the Atlantic, her youngest brother, Misha, had taken seriously ill and needed medical care. But the family was already so poor they were traveling in steerage, packed in the bowels of the ship with hundreds of other immigrants. They had no money to spare.

But the ship's doctor had been willing to accept something else in exchange. Something that Tatiana could offer only once. She and her mother had cried together briefly when it was all over, but then they'd moved on. It was a lesson in what their new life would be like -- and in the truth that family was where true support and comfort lay.

Which was why she felt so sorry for this man, Ole. As she had walked with him to his tiny lodgings -- and they had agreed that it would be better than trying to work in her family's crowded place -- Ole had spoken a little about his life and his family's decision to move out to the rural areas of the midwest. It must be hard being alone like that in a city of strangers.

Now, they stood in his spartan but clean living space.

Trying to move past the awkwardness of being alone with so handsome a man, Tatiana got down to business.

"Ole, have you scissors or a razor?" she asked.

"Yes, here," he said as he drew out a pair of scissors from the small chest of drawers against the wall.

"Thank you. I usually cut wet," Tatiana explained. She flushed a little and nibbled on her lower lip at what she was going to ask next. "I see you have sink...you would not mind to get hair wet?"

A sink was actually quite a luxury for a single man's apartment. Although her family had one, Tatiana knew that many of the men who lived alone in the Bowery had to share a common sink or bathroom on the first floor of their buildings.

"If it helps, I can," Ole offered. Tatiana's eyes widened when he pulled his shirt off over his head before striding to the sink and ducking his head under the water.

Of course it made sense -- that would keep his shirt from getting wet while she cut it. But oh my... He was beautiful. Ole's muscles were sculpted deeply into his tall frame, his broad, rugged shoulders flexed as he ran his fingers through his hair beneath the faucet...fair hair curled on his chest...

Tatiana had never seen a man like this, up close and half-naked...except for her father and brothers when they worked on the farm. Even the ship's doctor had barely lowered his pants when he'd had her. And she'd seen the dock workers down by the port, but from a distance.

Ole took her breath away.

But she quickly collected herself. She would probably give him the impression that she was a bad woman if she stood there ogling him. As he straightened up and pulled a chair to the middle of the room so he could sit, Tatiana clamped her mouth shut tight. Since she couldn't see herself, though, she was unaware that her eyes burned with budding desire....that she was practically devouring him with her glances.

"So, Ole...why did you not go with your family when they leave?" Tatiana asked him as she began to run her fingers through his tangled hair, working out the knots as gently as she could. Her fingertips brushed his scalp, almost massaging. "I have heard of so many people who wish to escape the Bowery -- my family wishes it, even, but we are still too new here. Why you stay?"

As she waited for him to answer, Tatiana continued weaving her fingers through Ole's fair, shaggy locks...and discovered guiltily that she was enjoying the feel of his hair wrapped like silk around her fingers and palms.