The Roaring 20's at Jasmine's

[Honey_B]

This story is set in the 1920's, in a large urban city, at the height of the Jazz Age. Gangsters have as much power as the police, and the police are as corrupt as the gangsters. Gang warfare simmers, frequently reaching a full boil. But... One place where they all mind their manners is Jasmine's.

The Setting:
Jasmine's is a nightclub, a speak easy, a gin joint. It has a large marble bar. Set into the walls of the main room are alcoves with comfortable velvet-upolstered sofas, offering an intimate measure of privacy. There is a showy stage where jazz greats come and sing their hearts out. There is a room off to the back which is book- lined and offers men a place to smoke their cigars over billiards or cards. Upstairs, four tastefully decorated rooms are available for the use of Jasmine's customers and her "girls".

Characters ---
Jasmine Valentine: A woman with a shady past. She owns and runs Jasmine's. She has earned the respect of men who do not give it easily. In her place, the gangster's try to act like gentlemen and that's because everyone always has a good time. Jasmine, herself, sees to that.

Bethany Johnson: A rough-around-the-edges and hard-as-nails dame that has been recently hired by Jasmine. This drop-dead gorgeous woman is a diamond-in-the-rough that Jasmine sees as a future second-in-command, if she can only get Bethany to act like a lady. (enough hyphens!!)

Desiree Hawkings: She's got a velvety voice that makes her a natural for the smooth sounds of Jazz. She performs at Jasmine's on a regular basis and sometimes takes a turn in the rooms upstairs.

Clyde: The wise-acre bartender who's seen it all. He is a washed-out prizefighter who helps Jasmine keep the peace.

Lindsey Walker: A sweet little countrygirl who's is fresh from the farm. She took a job waiting tables at Jasmine's but she is intrigued by what is going on upstairs.

Capt. Fergus O'Reilly: The head of the prohibition squad. Fergus is well taken care of at Jasmine's where they seek to meet his every twisted need.

Two Crime Families operate in this city: The Carzetti's and the Zerrelli's. Both frequent Jasmine's which often causes sparks to fly. Coincidently, Jasmine's lies sandwiched between the two turfs.

Vito Carzetti: Heir-apparent to the Carzetti crime family. Vito is a lover of Jasmine.

Salvatore Licavoli aka. Sal Licorice: Head of the Zerrelli crime family by coup d'etat. Sal is a lover of Jasmine, as well.

Pick a character and introduce them or feel free to make up your own. I see Jasmine's as a kind of meeting place where good old-fashioned film-noir action takes place. Some of the potential themes however may include:
- a love triangle between Vito-Jasmine-Sal
- Fergus trying to get Lindsey to go upstairs
- Something's got to happen between Desiree and Clyde
****************************************************
Jasmine straightened her floor-length satin evening gown. The cafe au lait color of her skin was set of perfectly by the gown's shimmering bronze. She wore her raven's wing black hair down today, but pulled back on the sides with gold combs. She checked her lipstick. Her lips were red, really red. She caught Clyde looking at her from behind the bar, and she winked. Her startingly black eyes, sparkled. She was ready and it was time to open up for this evening's business...

 

[Angelus]

Clyde stood behind the bar and looked around the large room, seeing if there was going to be anyone causing trouble but it looked like a good crowd tonight, they were all quiet. He picked up a glass and started to polish it and wondered if he was going to see his favorite singer tonight. He still hadn't gotten the nerve to ask her out or anything and he thought that it sounded really stupid, him a world class fighter- a person that used to last fifteeen rounds in a fight without getting knocked down afraid to ask a woman out. He shook his head and told himself to stop dreaming and get back to work.

 

[Fly_on_the_Wall]

Sal

Sal's story: At 35 years old, he's the youngest don in the Zerrilli family. It was just over a year ago that old Giuseppi Zerrilli had an unfortuate accident involving his car blowing up. Unfortuately, his chauffer and himself were inside. The floral arrangement that I sent to his funeral, was the largest and most opulant. The card had my deepest condolences neatly written - just as neat as the wired bomb I placed beneath his car. Upon his death, I assumed control of the family.

This evening I have business to attend to at Jasmine's, but first, I'll see if she's available for a little playtime. I pull open the frosted glass doors of Jasmine's and immediately the faint scent of jasmine hits me. I don't know how she does it. She must infuse the place with that scent.

The place is already getting crowded as I approach Jasmine who's standing in front of the bar. I meet her eyes. She knows what I want, before I even approach her.

 

[Honey_B]

Welcome

Hi there, Angelius and Fly. I hope you enjoy your characters.

 

[LittleRedDevil]

OOC: I would love to play Desiree. I will post tomorrow.

 

[Fly_on_the_Wall]

Jasmine signaled "No" with her eyes, so I walked up to the bar to chat with Clyde.

"Give me a manhatten on the rocks, double-up, Clyde." I say as I sidled up to the bar. "How's the old left-hook, still got it?"

I've known Clyde for as long as I've known Jasmine. He's a pretty good cat and make a hella good manhatten. Bartenders are usually trustworthy, not to share secrets with other clientelle. In my work, that's as good as being a blood brother, sometimes better.

 

[Serah]

Bethany

Bet adjusted her blouse so that the walther was unnoticable. She was so glad to be out those stupid heels. she couldnt figure out why a girl would do that to herself. she stretched and fit her self into some dress slacks and fitted a dagger in her boot. As she spun in the mirror she hoped Jasmine wouldnt disaprove but she was tired of getting into scuffles from every guy who was drunk enough to reach for a skirt. she threw back her chestnut hair and tied it back . Her blue eyes scanned the window to see what the crowd was like tonight. It looked like another packed house. She reached for the door to head downstairs but she figured she should check with jazz first.

 

[Grrrr]

OCC:

Hi every one, Hi HoneyB gr8 thread (as always )

I think I'll play good old Fergus, kindda suits my character :O)

 

[Angelus]

Clyde looked at Sal as he fixed the drink and said, "Yeah, I still got it. Do you want to see."

When he saw the look on Sal's face Clyde smiled, "Don't worry Sal, I wouldn't do something like that to you; someone wouldn't like it if I knocked you cold and I like to live my life."

Clyde then handed Sal the glass with the Manhatten on the rocks in it and watched to see the reaction when Sal took a sip of it. He didn't learn how to make drinks just to have the customers spit them out, especially someone like Sal.

 

[maryceleste]

Instead of just telling Clyde what her customers wanted, eighteen-year-old Lindsey Walker waits in front of the bar for him to finish talking to the men on the other side of his bar. They laugh and smoke and ignore her. She looks at him and waits for the bartender to notice, but he doesn't. She isn't really used to men not looking at her, and she gets flustered. (Of course, she also isn't used to working in a speakeasy or hiding in the luggage compartment of a locomotive for a few hundred miles and eating nothing but dry bread..but that's another story.)
She looks as lost as she feels. Her hair is styled perfectly, but it is unwashed by a day. Her dress is showing fold-wrinkles.
Although she is trying hard to look like a girl from the city--like a flapper--the slender brunette has the over-eager eyes of a country girl. Unlike everyone else she can't seem to stop looking around. Everything is so different from the South. It's so busy--even when they are supposed to be relaxing. When a man at the bar bumps his elbow against her, Lindsey says," Pardon me." Her South Carolina accent is unmistakable, ringing lightly like a bell.
The man, who is old enough to be her father, turns his bleary eyes on her and says, "Didn't I see you upstairs?" He is obviously drunk, and sways on his stool at the bar. His eyes are suddenly sharp and nasty to her, and they look up and down her front.
"No Sir," says Lindsey. She shakes her head quickly, and steals her eyes around. Everyone is talking and the air is loud with the Jazz piano. No one is looking at them. She feels her face bloom into a deep crimson, but looks at him again to show respect, like she was taught.
The truth was, she'd started getting some funny ideas that "upstairs" was more than just a term meant for direction--so to speak. She'd realized last night that it must also be a eupemism for intimate union. (And no one seemed to care that they weren't married.) She was starting to think that the rooms upstairs were only meant for that sort of thing, but quickly realized that it couldn't be true--because a woman owned this place! They must be doing it behind her back!
(You have to find out, and then tell Jasmine, she thought.)
Lindsey decides to go closer to the end of the bar where Clyde has moved to, and she slips past the drunken man's hands.
She thinks, "What you really have to do is just make enough money to go back home."

 

[Angelus]

Clyde stopped talking to Sal almost immediately when he saw the man moving towards Lindsey in a way that spelled trouble. He moved towards where the man stood and cleared his throat then said, "Excuse me sir, is there anything that I can do for you?"
The man turned and looked at Clyde and as soon as he did Clyde smelt the alcohol on his breath, "No, there ishn't anythin that you can do for me.... ish jus want thish woman here to go upstairs with me."

Clyde instantly didn't like what he had just heard and walked around the bar to where the man stood and said, "You have obviously had too much to drink. This young lady does nothing but serve drinks around here. She does not go upstairs and if you say that again I will be forced to throw you out of here. Do you get me sir?"

The man looked up into Clyde's face and said, "I don't care what you say.... I want thish woman to go upstairs with me."

The man then moved towards Lindsey but before he could Clyde grabbed him by the back of the shirt and dragged him towards the door. He looked at the door man who nodded and opened the door seconds before Clyde threw him out, the man crashing to the ground with a thud and a loud shout of, "Hey!"

As soon as the door was closed Clyde walked over to where Lindsey stood and said, "I am sorry for that person. But you don't have to worry about him now, he is gone. Now, what is it that you wanted me to make?"

 

[maryceleste]

"Oh!" Lindsey says, moving out of the way while Clyde rushes the man out of the door.
"Thank you," She says, when he returns to apologize for the man's behavior. Lindsey touches her short hair self-consciously because it's never been above her shoulder-blades before. "I just need to gin-and-tonics and.." She looks closely at what she wrote. "And..a..um..Jake's Brew?" She looks at him to see if that means anything.

 

[Angelus]

Clyde looked at Lindsey with a smile before saying, "Oh, so someone want's a Jake's Brew.... "
Without saying another word Clyde moved towards where the alcohol was and grabbed the bottles that he would need. He moved quickly to make the gin and tonics and handed them to Lindsey, telling her to take them to whoever asked for them before beginning on the Jake's Brew.

He finished making the drink just as Lindsey returned and handed the glass to her. He then told her to hurry up and give the customer his drink then watched as she walked away quickly. As soon as he saw her walk away he turned to the people at the bar and asked them what they wanted.

 

[maryceleste]

Lindsey studied the framed photograph, over the cash-register, from the bar. Those confident eyes and slight grin obviously belonged to Clyde, but he was a few years younger. He was a pugilist, and was posing with his gloves raised. There was a look in his eyes. Lindsey narrowed her eyes, trying to see it better.
The bartender was suddenly there, shaking her out of her thoughts by setting the drink onto her tray. He told her to hurry it back out to the table, so Lindsey did as she was told.
The man sat on one side of the plush-seated booth, and his lady friend sat on the other. When Lindsey sat the drink in front of him, the man threw his head back and roared laughter. "You tell Clyde that Jake thanks him kindly." He swallowed the large drink in one hard gulp, coughed, and then chuckled to himself.

 

[LittleRedDevil]

Desiree

22 years old, red hair, purple eyes
I pulled the brush through my long red tresses, wishing with every ounce of my being that they had some curl, but no, straight as a board. I parted it on one side, pinning it back out of my face with silver rhinestone clips, and letting it fall gently down my back. I always took time with my eyes and lips. They were, by far, my best features. I moved the black pencil along my lids, excentuating the exotic curve on the outside. Most people thought I did it only with makeup, no one realizing that my eyes did that on their own. Someone had once told me they were like cateyes.

I glossed my lips a dark, sensuas red, adding silver glitter for effect. I finished up quickly with my face, knowing I had to finish getting ready, wanting to make my rounds in the bar before I started my set.

I slipped on my dress, a shimmery dark blue satin number that clung to me in all the right places. Jasmine had ordered it for me a few months ago, and I had been waiting for the right night to wear it. Somehow tonight just felt right. The thin straps were rhinestones and matched the clips in my hair. I chose a rhinestone choker and braclet and clipped them into place before slipping into my silver heels. I ran my hands over my dress, smoothing it into place and stepped from my dressing room. I felt like a goddess and tonight was my night.

 

[TygerEyez]

ooc: I hope you don't mind me barging in, but I thought this could be fun. I've created my own character... and I hope you like.

Sistine Frier, piano player.
26
shoulder-length blonde hair, soft brown eyes,
aspiring musician but shy

bic:

I watched as Desiree came from her dressing room by looking over my shoulder. As usual, she looked like a goddess, perfect and radiant. Returning my eyes to the keys before me, my slender fingers glided over the ivory and blacks with ease, setting a mood atmosphere for the guests.

Finally, the song was done, and I rose from my bench, nodding my head to the light applause. I moved to the microphone, and instantly the nervousness took hold. "Thank you... Um, I-I will be taking a short break, b-but I'll be back real soon, so don't go far." I made a short little bow, my blonde hair bouncing on the shoulders of my plain, straight lavender dress. Nothing too flashy... I wouldn't want to draw attention from Desiree.

Taking my leave of the stage, (finally) I headed toward Desiree, and smiled. "You look wonderful tonight, Desiree.... Do you have a song in mind for tonight..?"

 

[ariosto]

OOC:
Signing on as Vito Carzetti.

Tall and elegant, Vito is at 38 already showing a bit of grey at the temples. His grand uncle Carlo has handpicked him to become head of the Carzetti family. His liaison with Jasmine is fairly recent, his former lover Maria Fortunato vowing a painful revenge for his betrayal. At the moment there is a truce between the two crime families, but it's a fragile one.


IC:
Vito steps out of the back seat of the long black Packard and tells his driver he'll be awhile.
It's raining and his topcoat is wet as he walks into the club. He tips a five to the hat check girl,
"Gee, thanks mister Carzetti!"
and walks into the glittering interior.

Vito nods and smiles at Clyde who begins mixing
a whiskey sour for him thinking that the gangster is looking pretty smug.

Walking over to Desiree and Sistine, he smiles broadly,

"Sorry I missed the set girls. You both look like
dynamite."
He puts his arm around both of their shoulders and
draws them close, whispering confidentialy,

"Listen, you Gals should probably not make your
set at two. Something may be coming down. I gotta talk to Jasmine.
Where is she?"

 

[TygerEyez]

Sistine

"S-sorry, Mr. Carzetti. I've been on stage for most of the night... I haven't seen her."

I pause and take a breath, hoping he won't... over-react with what I'm about to say. "With all due respect, Mr. Carzetti... I-I realize you're looking out for us, but if I stop playing... P-people will know something's up... I-it could endanger you..."

 

[ariosto]

Carzetti frowned, looked at her a moment then his features softened.

"Ok Doll, you just come on down and play. I'll see that nothing happens to you."

Then he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, and called out...

"Clyde I'll take my drink over here by the piano. Thanks.
Oh let me buy you girls a round too. What'lya have?"

 

[LittleRedDevil]

I smiled my innocent-seductive smile at Vito. "I'll just have a water with lemon. I have to keep my pipes clean for my set. Thank you for the offer though." I looked to the bar, smiling sweetly at Clyde. He was a looker that one, and he knew how to make a mean drink. "I haven't seen Jasmine yet, but I'm sure she's around here somewhere. If you'll excuse me, Mr. Carzetti. I have to get ready for my set. I'll sing ya something special. What would you like to hear?"

 

[Honey_B]

Jasmine was pleased that another exciting evening was well underway. She glided over to the corner table where she always sat, presiding over the club like a queen. She picked up an knife-like silver letter-opener, twirling it in her hands. Jasmine smiled. The best thing about her club was the interesting mix of people that flocked to it. Running a successful nightclub was a bit like making a good Callaloo. One had to have the right combination of spicy little numbers, and keep the whole thing simmering while never reaching a boil.

Already, some of the important elements had arrived. Sal showed up early. She could tell as soon as he walked in that he wanted a swing between the sheets. Luckily, he took the hint, and busied himself at the bar. The opening hours of the club were Jasmine's busiest and she couldn't spend any time on personal pursuits, no matter how pleasurable. Sal, her latest lover, was as rough and raw as the hoodlum that he once was. She had been following his career through meteoric rise in the Zerrilli family. She wasn't the least bit surprise when old man Zeriilli had died at Sal's hands. The almost animalistic nature of he man that simmered just beneath the surface excited Jasmine to no end.

Jasmine tensed as she sensed trouble between Lindsey and a rude rummy almost before it happened. She considered tossing the letter-opening dagger at the man's fat thigh, but she breathed a sigh of relief as Clyde got the matter underhand. Clyde, what would she do without him. Jasmine knew Lindsey would need a talking to after the incident, though. She was worried about the young girl and she didn't want the poor thing scared off. Jasmine had plans for Lindsey, big plans.

Hiring the extraordinary Desiree had been a stroke of pure genius on Jasmine's part. Not only was she talented beyond belief, she was drop-dead gorgeous. Desiree's exotic looks made Jasmine's male customers feel they were in the presence of a legendary beauty, which they were.

Sistine was a perfect foil for Desiree. She was quiet and almost shy, but the woman could play one hellava piano! Sistine could change the atmosphere of the club from a jazzy swingin gin joint, to a place of slow sweet bluesy seduction by just changing her tune.

Then, Jasmine noticed Vito Carzetti walk in. The tension in the place jumped a few notches. It always did when Vito and Sal occupied the same space. Jasmine considered Vito to be everything that Sal was not. Sal exuded all of the raw masculine energy necessary for a man who clawed his way to the top. Vito, on the other hand, was the chosen member of a very old family. It showed in his polished class. He reminded her of one of her former lovers, Charlie Luciano. Yup, Vito was old-world, Cosa Nostra, and it showed. Jasmine wasn't particularly concerned that both of her lovers had shown up on the same night. It should cetainly liven things up!

First things first, Jasmine need to meet with Bethany or Bet as she like to be called. Beautiful in a strong, independent way, Bethany was one of Jasmine's favorite people even if she was the most exasperating. Jasmine bought her gifts of the most beautiful dresses and shoes, but Bet only seemed to wear them grudgingly. Turning her into a make-over project hadn't worked out, so Jasmine tried to respect Bet's original charm.

 

[Serah]

Bet

Bethany skulked down the stairs , nervous at what Ms Jasmine would say. Bet wasnt afraid of any man, but for some reason disapointing Jasmine would crush her. Bet Group in a family with 5 brothers and her mother had been lost in childbirth. What Bet knew about being a lady was what she had taught herself. But Jasmine was so sophisticated, she didnt have to fight to be respected, people just gravitated around her. She could be tough in a dress or sultry in work clothes. Bethany walked cautiosly up to Jasmine and hoped she wouldnt be too diapointed. "Reporting for inspection." as her father used to say.

 

[ariosto]

"Sing something sweet and sexy baby. Make it sweet and coming from you I know it'll be sexy."

Vito sat at the table and waited for his drink.
He knew the young punk Zerelli was in the house. There was tension in the air. He knew the guy was Jasmine's designated replacement for himself but not yet... not quite yet.
He caught her eye and smiled. The sultry owner tried to look dead pan but he saw the worry in her eyes.
Vito crossed his long legs and looked again at the singer and the player. Too bad they weren't for sale. Carzetti had handled prostitution for his Uncle for a decade nowand some of Jasmine's 'Hostesses" had come from his stable.
He wondered if the two performers had any idea how much more they could make turning tricks.

 

[Honey_B]

"Relax, cher" Jasmine said soothingly to Bethany. "Have a seat," she said as she made a graceful gesture with her hand. The girl was still seemed so ill-at-ease around her, and Jasmine wanted to change that.

She decided to talk about something neutral, like business. "I'm so glad you're here, we almost had a little trouble between Lindsey and a drunken sot. She's hotter than a July day in Jamaica during a cane fire. She just doesn't know it yet. Can you imagine what Fergus O'Reilly will think of her? That little girl will buy me a year of hassel-free relations with the police."

Jasmine looked at Bethany. She was so attractive, like a young Katherine Hepburn (poetic license). It felt wonderful to play the mentor to someone she respected as much as she did this scrappy young woman.

"Anyway, Bethany... Bet, I've got an assignment for you. I'd got an old friend coming in tonight from Paris. His name is Grant Carrington. He looks like a young Cary Grant (another poetic license) I'd like to you to entertain him if I happen to be busy.

OCC: I'd love to have a gentleman play Grant Carrington, the sauve playboy. He is an old friend of Jasmine's and he would make a wonderful foil for Bethany. He'd be the kind of man who would find a woman like her fascinating. He's actually visiting on Jasmine's request for just that purpose. Our little club owner wants to play matchmaker.

 

[TygerEyez]

Sistine..

I smile softly, and touch Desiree's arm. "I-I have a wonderful song, if you want to get this place hot, Desiree... It's by a lady named Lucille Bogan...? I have the sheet music back at the piano, if you'd like to see...?"

Without waiting for an answer, I hurry back to the piano, and grab the music. I rush back, and hold it out to her waiting for her to take it out of my hand.

"It's kind of risque for the older folks, but the men will like it... I think..."

ooc: LRD, you have mail. I'm sending you the lyrics... so we can surprise everyone. If you choose the song, that is. And yes, it's an actual song from the 20's. *chuckles*