Chapter 66

Well that was an exciting night. But I now have two jobs to choose from. One with a guaranteed Century a night, one a maybe according to tips. As much I like the young Turks at the woodshed the Stork Club’s money is in the pocket and the clientele better class. Then there is Mike Swartz the music publisher, who is apparently hand in glove with The Man, who must have a name but is never called by it. These problems I can sleep on, but first food. The diner is quiet with me its only customer. At this time in the morning it is usually full of night workers, musicians, waiters, hookers, cab drivers, hoods. I order eggs and Canadian bacon with french fries. From my booth I can see the Cat House door and the Pawn shop. I have eaten half my breakfast when I look up and see Saul Brown, Black Brother in chief, proprietor of the Cat House walk over to the Diner with Big Sal on his arm. My heart turns over until I remember that neither of them have seen me before without my Fats prosthetics on. Saul Brown is over six feet tall and big Sal is not far behind. They take big strides covering the distance quickly and gracefully like champion ballroom dancers. Saul holds open the door for big Sal and she heads for the next booth to mine. It is the law of empty space, a sort of gravity. Sit as near to the other person as possible, even though you have the whole room to choose from. Saul heads for the men’s room, big Sal sits opposite me and gives me one of her radiant smiles. I smile back wiping egg from my lips.

‘I am ravenous’ she says. I want to go over and hug her, kiss her on the lips, feel the familiar body pressed to mine. But she doesn’t know me from a Chinaman, without my Fats get up.

‘You new in town?’

‘How can you tell?’

‘Your clothes, your hair ,and now your accent’

‘You got me bang to rights Miss.’

She laughs her wonderful tinkling laugh.

‘Where you lodging?’

‘The French House’

‘With that randy Frenchie, watch your virginity, she works for us when we have an overflow.’

I fain ignorance. ‘I’m a whore.’ She adds without embarassment. ‘Work across the street from the French House’ she smiles, ‘Come up and see me sometime, as May West says.’ Saul Brown returns and sits down blocking my view. I get on with my breakfast.