When the door opened a wave of sound washed over him. Glasses clinking, people laughing, a jazz quartet playing, and over it all the chatter of carefree people poured through the doorway and led Killian down cement steps and into the converted basement of the mayor's office building. Small round tables filled the parts of the space left free by the bar counter and dance floor. Small chandeliers hung from the ceiling, covering everything in a soft light and leaving corners shadowy for those who wanted to see more than they were seen.
Two men tended the bar. Both had removed the jackets of their suits at some point and rolled up the sleeves of their pristine white shirts. One wore a purple waistcoat over the shirt; the other wore a pair of plain black suspenders. They were in constant motion as they filled drink orders and moved between the bar and the tables. Following them like a shadow, occasionally carrying a glass or two, was a little boy with curly black hair and dimples. He wore his own little suit, although his jacket had also been removed and instead of a waistcoat or suspenders he wore a green bowtie.
"That's my Roland," said a man, appearing at Killian's side. His dimples proved a relation to the child. "On nights when I can't get anyone to watch him I bring him along. Someday he'll be a great bartender," he looked at Killian and offered his hand. "Good to see you again. Ready to work?"
Killian nodded, shaking the hand. "Where do you want me stationed?"
"I think for tonight you should float, get a feel for the club. Tomorrow I'll probably put you on door duty," he replied. "If you run into any trouble or have questions, ask David or Jefferson, those are the bartenders, for Robin. They know where to find me."
Killian nodded. "Anything I should be aware of before I start?"
Robin shrugged. "You said yesterday that you've worked security at a speakeasy before. Watch out for the usual stuff and keep an eye out for anyone acting suspicious. Also, I know there are a lot of pretty girls here, but try to keep the flirting to a minimum. You're here to work, not chase some dame."
Killian nodded and started making his way around the edge of the club. Cigarette girls drifted through the crowd, occasionally stopping to sell their product. Killian's eye was caught for a moment by a tall and leggy brunette in a short red fringe dress carrying a tray of cigarettes and matches. Musicians played in the back corner by the bar, led by a female singer with a sweet voice. Her dark hair was cut short like a man's, but it suited her round face. At the end of each song she'd throw a bright smile to the bartender in suspenders, who would smile back every time.
"Care for a ciggy?" a husky voice asked him. The leggy brunette had made her way to him. Her big brown eyes were lined in make-up, and her grin was almost predatory.
Killian grinned back at her, tongue peeking out to run lightly across his lower lip. "Normally I'd say yes, lass," he replied. "But I'm working."
She shifted her weight to rest the tray against her side, rather than hold it in front of her. "So you're the new security? Robin said you'd be showing up. I'm Ruby," she held out a hand for him to shake. "Welcome to Storybrooke."
He shook her hand, flashing another smile. "Pleasure to meet you. I'm Killian."
Her eyebrow lifted as she looked him up and down. "Why don't I make a few things clear for you, Killian?" Ruby said, voice brisk. "You may be a Sheik (a man with sex appeal) and be used to playing whatever doll you want. But that isn't how things work here. We cigarette girls are not here for you to make eyes at and flirt. Try that, and you're more likely to end up with a black eye than a kiss. And the singer," she added, nodding towards the band. "She's married to David, one of the bartenders. Don't go getting any ideas there."
"Are you just here to warn me away from all the women in the club or did you actually want to meet me?" Killian asked. "I've got work to do."
"I just thought you should know not to try and mess with anyone," Ruby replied. "Personally, I'm glad we finally got some new security. After Graham things were a bit stressed for a while. It's about time we filled his spot," with a flutter of her fingertips in a wave, she headed back into the crowd.
Killian shook his head and continued his circuit of the room, making his way in and out of the crowd around the dance floor. Hours passed as the night wore on until the crowd thinned out and only the very drunk and the employees remained. Killian looked around the club, noting the cigarette girls in a clump around a table, Robin sitting in a corner with Roland asleep in his arms, and the band all on stools at the bar. He made another circuit of the club, an eye on the group by the bar. The singer was chatting animatedly with the bartender in suspenders and a blonde woman. Killian drifted towards them as he finished the loop.
"And then she hits this high note and I swear, the hair on the back of my neck stood up!" the singer said. "Emma, you have to come see it with me. You'll love it."
The blonde shook her head, tossing a strand of her long wavy hair over her bare shoulder. "Mary Margaret, you know I'm planning to work Friday night. I'm so close to finishing up this piece, and I told the editors I'd have it to them by Monday morning."
"Emma, you've been working too hard lately," the bartender said, pausing in his wiping down of a glass. "A night out could do you good."
"Not right now, it wouldn't," she argued. "I'm sorry you two, but I won't be seeing the show with you this week."
The singer nodded and patted the blonde's arm. "We'll get you to come along next time. I have to go discuss tomorrow's set with the boys. Talk to you both later," she leaned across the counter and dropped a quick kiss on the bartender's cheek. He grinned as she walked down to the other end of the bar.
Killian strolled over to the blonde and the bartender, grinning at them both. "Bartender, any chance you could get a bit of rum for a tired security man?"
He nodded, glancing at the blonde. "You want anything, Emma?"
She shook her head, indicating her near-empty glass. "I'm just finishing this one, thanks."
The bartender moved down the bar, and Killian leaned against the counter beside the blonde. She was a pretty thing, fair skin, red lips, and gorgeous hair. The legs peeking out from under her knee-length beaded dress were shapely and she had all of a woman's curves.
"When you're done staring, maybe you could try to put your eyes back in your head," she said, turning on her seat to look at him. "Or you could go ogle someone else."
"And why would I want to do that when I've already found the most beautiful woman in this club?" Killian asked, tongue moving to slide along his lower lip. "I'll stay where I am, if you don't mind."
She rolled her eyes. "How many times tonight have you tried to use that line?"
"I haven't said it all before reaching you," he replied. "I've been too busy making sure this was a safe place for everyone to have fun."
"So you're the new security that everyone was talking about," she said, leaning back slightly to better look him over. "I suppose I can see what Ruby meant."
Killian lifted an eyebrow. "You know Ruby? Are you another cigarette girl?"
She shook her head. "I don't work here. I prefer to earn my money on the slightly more legal side of the law, although nothing in this town is really legitimate anymore."
"So what do you do?" he asked, leaning in towards her slightly, invading her space.
She didn't move away. "I'm a journalist. Under a pseudonym, of course. No one wants to read something written by a woman."
"Then when you aren't writing you're in a speakeasy?" Killian murmured. "So much for attempting to do things that are legal."
Emma shrugged. "David's my brother, Ruby and Mary Margaret are my friends. I figure this is as good a place as any to spend time with them."
"And would it be as good a place to meet up with a dashing stranger?" he asked, grin back in place. "Say, Thursday night? I'll be off duty and we could go dancing."
"Two problems with that proposal: I don't go out with men I don't know and I don't get close to the security," she said. "I hate wasting my time on people who won't be around for long."
"You're a ray of sunshine, aren't you, love?" Killian remarked, accepting the drink David put in front of him. "What makes you think I won't be hanging around for a very long time?"
"Men like you never do," she answered, sipping from her tumbler of whisky. "Whether or not they work security."
"And who exactly are these men like me, pray tell?"
"As if you don't know. They're the charmers. The ones who could get any girl they want with just a wink and a smile. They walk like they own whatever joint they're in and act like they're the toughest guys around, but the second things get bad or emotions get real, they hit the street. I've met too many men like you. Sorry if I don't want another one in my life." Emma threw back the last of her liquor and stood up. "Ruby's done with her shift, David. I'm walking home with her." Her green eyes landed back on Killian. "G'night, security man."
"The name's Killian, Killian Jones."
She ignored him, moving across the club to join Ruby at the door. The women linked arms and walked out into the steady rain. Killian watched her go, thoughtfully sipping his rum.