Chapter 82

The salon of the cat house has the familiar smell of perfume and sex. Fats is at the piano and Saul Brown is seated by the window surrounded by his girls. He spots me as I come in the door and calls me over.

"It's the limey key man. Who got you ready?"

"All my own work, man. Saville Row at it's best." I shoot my cuffs and straighten my tie. Saul feels the cloth and rubs it between his thumb and forefinger.

"Mm, worsted with a touch of silk?"

I agree with him not because he right, but because he is in charge.

"I thought I might spell Fats when he needs a break."

"Fats has a spot at the Reno Club on 5th at ten, you can sit in now."

I replace Fats at the keyboard and start with a Joplin Rag. Fats slaps me on the back the takes his coat form the hooker by the door.

"Bust your conk and get hip."

I take the hint and play some Errol Garner. Big Sal descends the stairs followed by a John in a cop outfit. He tips his hat with his night stick and leaves.

"Fucking cops." says Saul. "Always into freebies."

Sal leans on the piano and adjusts her cleavage. Then puts her surprisingly small foot on my thigh pulls up her skirt and takes a dime note from her garter. She tucks it into my top pocket.

"Play Cheek to Cheek, Limey"

"My name is Joe and I don"t need no payment."

"Nothing is for nothing Joe. The tune has got under my skin. I"ll get you a shot."

"Whiskey, Scotch if you have it, with a drop of soda."

For you who want to know, I play the tune in C. Swing it a bit but with no syncopation, Sal hums along. After the final chorus Sal leans over and kisses me on the lips. I get the familiar twitching in my groin. I cough behind my hand and take a swig of Scotch. I swear my dick has a mind of its own. But an infallible ball shrinker is when the door bursts in and a Thompson Sub enters followed by two goons and The Man. Smiling.

Saul reaches for his piece, but the nearest goon side swipes him with the barrel of his Thompson.

"Naughty naughty", says the Man. "Put it nice and gently on the floor and kick it over here."

Saul does as he says and the Man picks it up and points it around the room.

"Don"t want to start a war, but it seems I don"t have no respect in this neighbourhood otherwise my reaching out would not have been ignored." He sighs.

The Madame feels the bicepts of one of the goons and lets out a low whistle. He blushes, and starts to shuffle his feet. One of the girls, Genie an innocent looking blond in a basque, does the same to the other goon. He is more stalwart and grabs her tit with his free hand. She knees him in the groin. The Madame does the same to the other one. Big Sal hits The Man in the throat with straightened fingers. As the goons go down the Madame and Genie take charge of the Thompson's and Big Sal picks up Saul's piece and hands it to him.

I just cower in the corner. It's not my fight after all, legend has it that they shoot piano players.

The Man gets up and staggers to the couch and flops down gasping for air. The goons gradually straighten up. The Madame offers to rub their balls for them but they decline. When The Man has recovered enough Saul offers him a bottle. The Man swipes it from his grasp and it spins across the floor spraying gin. Saul leans forward, up close and personal.

"Fuck off and don"t come back." Saul helps him to his feet and shoves him out the door. He turns to the goons.

"Fancy one on the house?" He pushed his tongue in and out of his cheek.

"No obligation."