The Dance

Chapter 1

"Don't get comfortable, Gentlemen."

"Aw Warden, we just got in. You can't expect us to go out again. We're tired. That last mission did us in, right guys." Goniff looked to the others for confirmation and got it. "An besides me foot 'urts. You stepped on it, remember." The smallest member of their unique team summed up their last mission to a tee. Garrison had stepped on him but only because Goniff had fallen asleep and fallen right in front of him. He had not had a chance to avoid stepping on him. Goniff had not missed a chance of reminding his leader of this occurrence.

"Yes, I know you're tired and Goniff, you're right, I guess you'd better sit this one out and rest that foot." Goniff looked startled then pleased. He grinned and sat gingerly on his cot making a big show of carefully lifting his foot up onto the cot. He lay back with an exaggerated groan.

"The rest of you get washed up and dressed. We have tickets to a charity dance being held in London. I'll see you all down stairs in half an hour. Goniff, you rest up that foot. I'll have one of the guards bring you up a tray. Stay off that foot and get some rest." He turned and headed for the door as Goniff's jaw dropped.

"Wa … Warden, wait a minute. You never said …"

"No, your right. I didn't say you had to stay here. You were the one who mentioned your foot. But .."

The other laughed out loud as Goniff blustered. "But a dance, I'm .. Me foot's not… I could still go you know, if it's for charity, I can sit .."

"All right Goniff, you can come too, but remember, be careful of that foot. We might just have somewhere to go tomorrow morning." Garrison watched as four pairs of seriously questioning eyes sudden turned his way. "We never know. Remember, half an hour and the bus leaves." He turned and left, pausing on the other side of the door to listen to the scrambling and eager talk from his cons. It had taken some persuasion on his part to get the brass to agree to let his men join the entertainment. They were still too new at this to be considered a success or not a flight risk. If they did screw up then he was in deep trouble. He knew they deserved a reward once in a while too. Let them have some fun. He walked back to his room to get ready.

The four clean and well dressed men had been impatiently waiting by the front door when he had come out of his office twenty eight minutes later.

"The rules, gentlemen, no fighting, no leaving the building once we get there, no guests returning with us. Any questions?" There weren't any so he pulled the door open and walked down the steps to the car. Chief automatically moved to the drivers door, Garrison the front passenger door and the others to the rear doors.

The trip to London was filled with plans and imagined delights mostly involving women. Garrison smiled. The men deserved some pleasure, they had so little when they were behind enemy lines. They put up with a lot of unpleasantries, cold, wet, being shot at … Now if they could all stay out of trouble. He snorted at the absurdity of that. They were like little boys when they were without the guards. He had been told to bringing a few but that would mean he didn't trust them. He didn't but as a show of good faith ….

The hall where the dance was to take place was packed. It did seem incongruous that in spite of the music coming from inside and all the cars parked around that there were no lights showing outside. Blackout conditions prevailed even for a party dance. Chief had to park some distance away and the men walked still eagerly talking. Garrison stopped then just outside the door. "Remember the rules. Any trouble and all of you will be in the stockade. Got that?" He looked each one in the eye, waiting until they acknowledged before moving to the next one.

Once inside it was a typical dance. The dance floor took up most of the room with long tables set up along both sides. Behind each table stood several women eagerly waiting to take a pence or shilling for a cup of punch or a bit of one of the many baked goods that were laid out on the tables. At the back was an area of tables and chairs. Many young couples were taking advantage of the music that was playing. It was a modern piece that was popular with the young people.

Garrison moved to the right. Maybe some punch and then he would patrol the room. He loved to dance but not to this music. He preferred a slow dance with a woman in his arms. He thought back to before the war. When he was a cadet at the Point they had had dances. He had met a very nice young woman, career Army, named Angela. She was tall, slender and an incredible dancer. Unfortunately she was transferred to Hawaii just before he graduated. They promised to stay in touch but with the war, it was hard to correspond on a regular basis. He moved to the nearest table, handed over his money and reached for a cup. Instead of getting a cup he got a handful of hand. Startled he looked up into the most beautiful pair of eyes he had seen in a long time. "I'm sorry, Miss.."

"That's all right, I wasn't looking where I was grabbing." She smiled a sad sweet smile."

"Here, let me." A suddenly flustered Lieutenant reached down and picked up a cup. "My names Craig." He didn't know why he said that, it just came out.

"Hello Craig," she said as she took the offered cup. Her voice was warm. "Thank you. My name's, Elizabeth."

Craig saw the smile and wanted to see it stay on her face. He reached blindly down to the table to get a cup for himself, not wanting to take his eyes from her. "Can I get you a sweet, or something?" He didn't want her to leave, at least not yet.

"Yes, that would be nice, thank you."

"Which would you like? Maybe a cookie? Or a biscuit?"

"They all look so good, don't they. Maybe you could just pick one. Yes that one looks good," she said as his hand hovered over a tiny sandwich.

Craig picked it up, handed it to her and then fumbled with his change trying to remember which coins to give. The older woman manning the table took pity on him and reached over and took the correct coins. "There you go dearie."

"Would you like to dance?" It was a stupid thing to ask seeing as she had her hands full with a sandwich in one and a cup in the other but he had to say something to keep her from leaving.

She smiled that sad sweet smile and mumbled something as she turned away. Damn, he thought as he watched her walk over to one of the tables where a young man sat. Well, the night was young. Maybe check on the cons. He turned away and walked over to where he thought he saw Casino.

Casino smiled broadly. Women and music. He looked around and caught the eye of a young woman. She was starring at him with an interested look on her face. He returned the look and she moved in his direction. She was several inches shorter than he was but she was curved in all the right places. Her dark red dress clung to those curves as if it was a part of her. Below the hem were a pair of shapely legs supported by a pair of black high heels. Her body moved in time with the music as if she was dancing as she moved over to him. Casino's libido responded. "Well, hello there."

She lowered her lashes coyly as she neared him then looked up into his eyes. Hers were as dark as his, warm and inviting. What he took to be coy was her checking him out. She liked a man who responded to her. She didn't like men who were stiff and proper. She liked a man with passion. She watched him. Here was a man who knew how to please a woman, please her. "Hello." Her voice was as passionate as her body.

"Would you like to dance?"

"Sure," she responded with a smile. Her smile grew as he reached out to take her right hand in his and then stepping behind her he placed his other hand on her waist. His touch was warm, his arms around her made her feel protected. The music had slowed so when they got out onto the floor he released her and she turned in his arms. His hands took up their former positions but this time she was facing him. She looked up into those warm brown eyes, saw the smile on his face, it was obvious that he was enjoying himself.

"What's your name, pretty lady?"

"Pretty Lady," she replied coyly.

"Oh it is, is it?" He liked a woman with a sense of fun. He liked to play too.

"So what's yours, handsome man?"

He dipped his head in acknowledgement. They danced.

Actor stood admiring the ladies, young and old. They had put the war and their troubles behind them, at least for the night, and were enjoying themselves. He watched two very young girls and thought back to some of the girls he had know when he was a lad. There had been happy times. He turned at the sound of a throat being cleared.

"Do you mind, you're blocking the way." Actor looked over to the young chap who obviously thought he was important. Though his clothes were of good quality they were too big on him. Big brothers hand me downs. That was fine but the tone of voice used by the upstart was impudent.

"Pardon me," said Actor in his best SS Commandant voice, his eyes taking on the cold hard look that had served him well. He was inwardly pleased as the young man visibly cringed and moved around him.

"That was well done."

Actor turned to see a tall elegant lady nod to him. Her auburn hair was pulled back and done up at the nape of her neck. Her black dress was simplicity at its best. The low neckline revealed smooth creamy skin accented by a simple gold necklace which matched her earrings. Her clear blue eyes were accentuated by dark lashes. A smile played about her eyes and her lips.

"Thank you, madam," he replied, dropping the commandant tone, instead reverting to his rich cultured voice as he nodded and turned fully in her direction. "May I offer you some refreshment?" as he gestured towards the table. "I am sorry the selection is so poor, but maybe a glass of fruit punch, 1944. I hear it is a good year for this local vintage."

She laughed gently and a smile lit her face. "Yes, that sounds fine as long as you will join me." Her eyebrows raised questioningly over twinkling eyes.

"I would be delighted."

Goniff grinned. He loved a party, women, dancing, laughter. Prison had been so dreary. But he was out now, out and free, well, sort of. The Warden and the others were not a bad lot. The Warden was a bit stiff and Actor pretended to be above them but he slipped every so often. Chief didn't play well but Casino was always good for fun. The two of them enjoyed a good lark. He scanned the room, where to start. Food first of course. He looked over the display and selected a cookie and a cup of punch. Moving aside he watched the dancers. They all looked to be having fun except one girl off to his right. She was definitely not having fun. The look on her face was dread until the music ended and relief appeared. The man she was dancing with was young, clumsy, nervous and trying too hard. No wonder she was not having fun. The young woman tried to move away so the man could leave but he moved with her much to her consternation. Goniff popped the last of the cookie in his mouth, put down his cup and made his move. Within seconds he was behind the young man and tapping him on the shoulder.

"Do you mind if I cut in, my dear chap?" He watched the look of disappointment on the man's face, but he backed off and Goniff stepped in. She looked relieved but a bit dubious. "It's OK I promise not to step on your toes."

She smiled. The music started a slow dance. She looked disappointed so he smiled. Good thing Actor had taught him how to dance when he had to impersonate the rich guy. He took her in his arms and starting slowly they began to move. She was reluctant at first but gradually relaxed and moved with him. They were both disappointed when the music ended.

"Can I offer you a drink?" asked Goniff. He loved the feel of a woman in his arms but right now he wanted to get to know her. She nodded so he led her to the table and purchased two cups. Together they made their way to a vacant table with two chairs in the back.

Chief stood taking in the scene. It was crowded and noisy, just what he avoided most of the time. But not always. There was anonymity in a crowd, his was just another face here, but he didn't have to worry about that anymore. He was free now, not being hunted like before but habits were hard to break. Casino didn't seem to mind being front and centre and he was so glad that Goniff had looked like that spy that he had to impersonate. He could never have done that. He wandered through the crowd. The music stopped and a group of laughing people descended on the punch table. Chief tried to move past but he was caught up in the crowd. Some one jostled in front of him and a woman gasped in dismay as someone's punch sloshed down the sleeve of her dress. She half turned looking down in horror at her ruined dress, red punch on her pale blue dress. She opened her purse, pulled out and handkerchief and then held out her purse to where she thought her friend was. The purse was right in front of Chief and no one else was taking it so he took it and waited. She dabbed at her dress but the stain was too big. Her eyes filled with tears. She had borrowed the dress from a friend and now it was ruined. How would she ever tell her friend? How would she be able to pay to replace it? It was worth at least a month's salary. She wanted to run and hide her tears, her shame.

She looked up to see what her friend would say but Marilyn was not there. Where was she? Marilyn had her purse and she was gone, with her purse. She looked around in a panic but no Marilyn.

Chief saw the panic and understood. He held the purse out to her and she gratefully grabbed it back. There was not a lot in it except the key to her room at the boarding house and a little money for a phone call if necessary. Her Mother had drilled that into her before she left home to take the job in London. 'Always have enough money in your purse for a phone call in an emergency.' This was an emergency but there was no one to call. The only people she knew were Marilyn and she was here somewhere and Marilyn's parents but they were going to a movie and were to pick them up when it was over. She was stranded and miserable. She could walk back but it was too late to be out walking alone. Only one thing to do. Maybe she could try to get the stain out before it dried.

She fled to the washroom. She scrubbed and dabbed but it was not coming out. All she managed to do was get herself wetter.