Chapter 83

Well that was all a bit fraught. Saul and the girls just take it as if it is an everyday occurrence to be threatened with becoming a cullender. I have enough holes thank you very much, all in good order and with no need for supplement. When my heart rate is back to normal, I take a good belt from the gin bottle and go back to the piano. Big Sal and Genie take The Man's goons upstairs for a seeing to. On the house as offered. Saul is back in his chair by the window smoking a Havana.

"He will be back," he says, "and this time we will be ready." How he will know is explained in due course.

"Hey Limey Joe, been to the Stork Club?" The answer is yes but not as me. I tell him yes anyway.

"You see a broad the spit of Veronica Lake?"

"I thought she was Veronica Lake"

"Well she aint. Names Babs. Babs Steinberg, or was it Eigberg, ow fuck, some kinda Berg. Anyhow, she used to be low rate now she's dickty. But not too dickty that she don"t speak to me no more. Used to work here. One of my stable. Well I got her ear. I look after my girls, they feel safe with me, So I"ll be ready."

He goes back to his smoke. I wonder why if she is that close why he wasn"t warned of this particular visit. Maybe she was under the knife?

***************

Bout half past three Big Sal get a call from Fats. He is going back to his own crib and not to wait up. The two goons are long gone and it is a slow night. Saul has left on other business so the Madame locks up and goes into her counting house. I am left with Big Sal sitting crossed legged by my side swinging her foot to my beat.

"You going back to the Frenchy," she asks.

"I paid for the room and my clean undies are in the closet."

"No reason not to spend some time chewing the fat and other things."

"You got room?" I ask innocently, knowing full well from my time as Fats that her bed is big enough for three. She takes me by the hand and leads me upstairs, I could find my own way but she's not to know that either.