A/N Background information: This is set right after Gatsby comes back from war and does not know that Daisy has gotten married. (Gatsby's younger days with Cody before he becomes very rich..)
Hello my lovelies, I wrote this a very long while back but I never uploaded it until now. I fell in love with The Great Gatsby (book) before seeing the 2013 movie version. For a book that was written around the 20s era, it is very well versed. I am pleased to say that F. Scott Fitzgerald is probably one of my favorite authors. have you read This Side of Paradise? Please do, it is just as great! Also I am a HUGE Leonardo DiCaprio fangirl, so just having him play the part of James Gatz, I loved the movie. Oh and Tobey was the perfect casted for the part of Nick, and the visuals/colors in the movie were brilliant, I saw it in 3D, amazing. Bravo Baz Luhrmann.
I hope you enjoy! R&R!
He had inconspicuously scouted the area for the last two nights, noting carefully the discreet knock on the door, the peak, the hand signal, and then the door opening just enough to let the people enter. He saw how the men dressed and was careful to obtain a tux so he fit in. He waited this night until he spotted one of the men who was always granted immediate entry into the speakeasy, intercepting him as soon as he climbed out of his Duesenburg.
The middle-aged, beefy, red-faced man, wrapped an arm across his shoulder and blustered heartily, "You're gonna love this place. Been wanting to take you here forever." Gatsby smiled and allowed himself to be escorted up to the sturdy steel door, painted to look like a wall with a picture frame hanging with barbour prices. Dave Cody gave the special knock and a slot slid open. The watchful eyes scanned the middle-aged man but looked warily at the unknown blonde-haired, slender man accompanying him. The bluff man assured the bouncer, "Friend of mine. I vouch for him." The hard eyes looked Gatsby up and down. The young Gatsby made sure he stayed relaxed and smiling, allowing the eyes time to come to a decision. The eyes must have decided in his favor because the door swung open and his friend Cody hustled him through the door.
The greeter, a huge muscle bound man with an unsmiling face, nodded respectfully to him, while greeting his companion by name. Gatsby walked down the dimly lit staircase, his senses already alerting him to the smoke and buzz of conversation. A good jazz band was playing as he stepped into the main room, while a thick colored woman sang. He idly noted she had a great voice, sweet and soulful. Gatsby walked with Cody to the bar and allowed him to order him a bourbon and start the tab with the bartender. Gatsby, safely introduced to the bartender, still waited until after he had downed three drinks and listened to a couple of sets before casually asking "I'm trying to catch up with a friend of mine, Daisy Fay, the buzz is she hangs around here." The bartender, whose broken nose and cauliflower ear, clearly indicated that at one time had been in the ring, continued mixing the drink he was making, but showed no hesitation in replying. "Used to be here every night with her husband Tom and her friend Jordan but haven't seen them since the raid."
The man interpreted Gatsby's raised eyebrows as a request for more information. "It was a strange type of raid. Coppers broke in, sprayed bullets around, broke a few things, and then left." He shrugged. "We shut down for one night and then got the place repaired in two days and whammo, open for business as usual." He shook his head and winked. "Must have been a shake down for more protection money. Everyone's on the take in this city." Gatsby conversed with him and ordered another drink. He waited a bit and then said, "Didn't know Daisy was married. What's he look like?"
"Tall, dark hair, mustache.." The bartender wiggled his eyebrows to indicate he was something else with the ladies. Gatsby picked up his drink swirling it casually, he looked with renewed interest at the singer. She seemed to feel his gaze because her eyes swung over to him, seeming to pierce him. Gatsby casually lifted his glass and nodded to her. She smiled and continued her song. He sat quietly at the bar and sure enough, she made her way over to him when the band took their next break. It took her awhile to weave her way through the tables since she was obviously popular and had to stop to acknowledge many greetings. When she reached the bar, she gently placed a hand on the shoulder of the man sitting next to Gatsby who immediately turned to her a she said, "You mind?" He gallantly smiled at her, grabbed his drink, and seated her. "Anything for you, Darlin'."
"May I get you a drink?" Gatsby offered with one of his most charming smiles, as he turned on his stool to face her. "No hair for the dog tonight. Just ginger ale. Have to sing tonight." She replied, her speaking voice as lovely as her singing voice.
Gatsby raised a hand but the bartender didn't even bother asking, just set a ginger ale with ice in front of her.
"So, do you know anything about this Tom Buchanan?" She sipped her soda and archly inquired. "Married relation to the beautiful Daisy Buchanan?"
"Tom's reputation appears to have spread." Gatsby's rueful frown and wrinkled brow indicated he was upset. "Only among a few in the know." She reassured him.
A/N: This is short, I know, sorry. But this is more of a prologue for now. It did end abruptly but I promise I'll make it up to you in the first chapter if you review!
~Payton xx