The smoke swirled around the club creating a dream like haze, the smell of allure and sexual desire strong in the air.
Rich old men had poorer young women draped over their shoulders, whispering into their ear everything they wanted to hear. The men would smile and slip them some sort of money incentive, telling them to go get themselves a drink.
Daryl took it all in from his seat by the front of the stage and rolled his eyes, taking a drag from his cigarette. This wasn't his usual scene but he'd agreed to come down to see an old friend, the owner of the club, his brother.
He felt a hard hand grasp his should and he flinched instinctively.
"Daryl," a voice boomed.
"Merle," Daryl greeted back as he took a seat across from him, taking a large swig from his whiskey.
"It's been too long," Merle stated, slamming his glass down onto the table, Daryl willing himself not to flinch at his loud movements.
Daryl nodded in agreement taking another puff of his cigarette, "nice place you got here."
Merle smirked smugly, "yeah brought the owner out just a couple months ago and now look at the place, the guy said he ain't ever seen it so busy; he came down last week to check it out."
"Looks like a pretty good investment," Daryl said taking a sip of his own whiskey.
"Damn straight," Merle chuckled, "dunno if I could of done it without this woman though."
"This woman?" Daryl questioned raising a brow.
"Yeah, the entertainer here, she's a real looker that's for sure, tried to get a piece of that myself but she wouldn't let me close, likes to keep it professional y'know? Anyway she brings them all in, reels the men in like a fish to a hook, I swear to god some of those dumbasses actually believe it. She helps occasionally on the business side of things too, making sure I'm still making a profit."
"Sounds like you hit the jackpot there," Daryl drawled not really interested for Merle's stories. The only reason he was here was to pick up the money Merle owed him and now Merle seemed to be raking it in Daryl was sure he'd be more than thrilled to oblige.
"Wait till you see her Daryl, she might just break your little heart," Merle said giving him a knowing look.
Daryl scoffed seeing no point to spend more time beating around the bush, "you be able to give me that money you owe tonight?"
Merle frowned at his brother pausing for a moment, "...sure thing lil brother, on one condition."
Daryl held back from rolling his eyes, of course there would be a catch, "sure," he sighed.
"Stay for the show, you never know, you might like what you see," Merle chuckled reaching into his back pocket throwing a couple hundred on the table before he walked off.
"What about the rest?" Daryl called after him.
"If you stay you'll get the rest," Merle yelled back smirking to himself as he saw the curtain rise.
Daryl grumbled in his seat taking another mouthful of whiskey to calm his aggravation, looks like he would be staying for the show.