Chapter 1-
Merlin gripped the straps that hung around his shoulders tightly and slouched. These city dwellers on the train seemed to be staring at him with allure. Merlin would never think it was because he was handsome, even though in his new well fitted suit with his raven hair slicked back as much as it could be, he looked remarkably so. No, Merlin believed that the men, and for some reason especially the woman, were looking towards the raggedy burlap bag that hung over his shoulders loosely. He believed that all the city folk cared about was profit and mugging people, his mother told him so, and she never lied, so he had to be careful. And that was what he was afraid of, being mugged or jumped or whatever these people called stealing another man's belongings. They scared him. They spoke so differently than the people he grew up with. He was worried he wouldn't be able to fit in because of this, but he encouraged himself by saying that he was smarter than most of these people so he would be able to memorize their odd speech patterns. That still didn't mean he wasn't scared of them though. Growing up on a farm made Merlin believe he was prepared for anything, but he never added traveling to a city to his 'anything' list. He was desperately hoping that this train ride would end soon and he would arrive at his new job as a bartender in Chicago.
His mother's friend Gaius worked at the hotel he was now currently traveling to. The Hotel had some sort of weird name like Scam-a-lot? Cam-a-lot? Merlin couldn't remember. All he cared about was the fact that he now had a well-paying job. A job that would allow Merlin to build a better life for him and his mother. A job that he was surprised he had ever gotten in the first place. Bartender? Merlin had never been near a drop of liquor in his entire life. It always smelt bitter and sent shivers down his spine. He truly didn't like the idea of alcohol, and he guessed that that is why he was hired by this Uther Pendragon guy. He wouldn't steal the alcohol and because he was a farm boy he would be more fair and equal with his portions towards customers, at least that is what Gaius said, with the prohibition going on they probably do need a trustworthy guy serving the supposed to be banned alcohol. And that's why Merlin took the job, because he would be getting paid for breaking the law. Getting paid a lot of money to break the law. He knew what he was getting into. He knew that this would probably mean dealing with mobsters and gangsters alike, but he needed the money, and he wasn't about to back down now.
Suddenly a conductor's voice broke out from the dusty intercom.
"We are now entering the city of Chicago and will be arriving at the station shortly. Please get your bags ready for dismount" with that, the voice disappeared and from its intrusion Merlin was finally able to distract himself from his worries and look at the oncoming city of Chicago.
It was….intriguing. Intriguing was the only word Merlin could come up with to describe how this city looked to him. It was night, so the city lights sparkled as he zipped past them. It was beautiful, but Merlin still had his doubts so he didn't want to convince himself just yet that he loved this city.
Arthur loved this city. Chicago was, in his opinion, the best city in the world. The lights, the booze, the ladies, he loved it all. Of course, one would love a city if they were practically running it. Well actually, Arthur wouldn't claim to run the city that was his father's job. And if he were to be truthful his father didn't run the city, he just owned a very successful hotel in Chicago called Camelot. But Camelot wasn't just successful as a hotel, it was also a successful underground club. A club that sold any kind of liquor imaginable. And that is why Arthur felt he owned the city, women swooned over him, fellas bribed him, everyone was kind to him. Everyone wanted to get in on his, well, his father's supply of imported booze. And he would let them in, especially the ladies, for a price. It did help some that he was incredibly sheik though, it was hard for him to decipher whether the woman he was sleeping with slept with him for the booze and money or for his own charms. He didn't like to call himself a womanizer but as Morgana put it "If a lady asked if you'd like a cash or check you would always go for the cash." There was only one woman that he ever dated who dated him for his charms and that was the maid Gwen.
Gwen was hired for cheap as a maid to the Camelot hotel. Arthur's father dared not spend too much on his employees when he first started out his little business, and because Gwen was black, well, one might understand the circumstances. But even though Gwen was paid minimal amount, she was and still is the best maid that Camelot has to offer. She was even bumped up so high in the cleaning business that she was practically Morgana's nanny. And that was how Arthur had come to fall for her. He knew his father wouldn't approve, but he didn't care. He knew that he would end up taking over the family business anyways, so he could do whatever he pleased as long as he planned it carefully, and he planned on marrying Gwen once his father was kaput. Arthur planned out many schemes on how to make Camelot better once it was his, and he kept them a secret from his father and his father's favorite Morgana, but he told Gwen everything. He made Gwen a singer in the club so she would have a sturdier job within Camelot and become his forever. But she was a really good singer. Her jazzy and smooth tones brought in more customers than Camelot had ever seen before. The Customers who were actually there to listen to her said that every time she performed she 'Hit on all sixes!', and before Arthur knew it, Gwen was taken by another man. A man named Lancelot, who was a frequent only because his best friend Gwaine, who was also known as the local drunkard, was and would drag him along. Lancelot soon started taking Gwen on dates and before long they walked the middle aisle, and Arthur was crushed. He tried his hardest to hate Lancelot and his friend Gwaine for taking him to his speakeasy in the first place, but he ended up befriending the buffoons, and before he knew it he hired them to work for him as security guards in Camelot's hotel and bar. They also helped Arthur carry out his illegal dealings in alcohol. In short they were his two main guys in his mob gang, him being the boss of course. And that took him to where he was now, transferring crates of imported liquor into Camelot's basement.
"Boys, isn't this city just nifty?" Arthur blew out a puff of smoke and turned to watch the men stash his alcohol.
Lancelot popped his head over the crate and rolled his eyes nonchalantly at his snob of a friend. He could stand Arthur at any given moment except when he acted like he owned the city. Which happened a lot more once Lancelot tied the knot with Gwen. He figured Arthur had given up on ever finding love again, so now he just did what any rich boy did and that was try to buy the world. He ignored it for his sake of wanting to keep his job, but Gwaine would have none of it.
"Ah pipe down! You don't own the city quite yet you hard boiled swell!"
"Hard boiled swell? That's a new one Gwaine. Your threats are getting better chap! It's starting to sound like someone is actually home!"
Gwaine grumbled at Arthur's comeback but ended up cracking a smile while Lancelot chuckled at their playful banter before speaking up.
"This is a large supply of alcohol you ordered this time around. Are we throwing a party?"
"No men, we have just become this popular you see? Father even hired new employees to help work the club. All easy on the eyes of course."
Lancelot rolled his eyes again and set another box in the backroom. Arthur wasn't lying of course. Every single person who lived or worked at the Camelot hotel had a certain physical appeal to them. That was why everyone tried to get into their club, apart from the booze of course.
"U-uhm…excuse me?"
Lancelot and Gwaine stared at each other in confusion for a minute. What was that small voice? In sync the two looked up towards Arthur to see that he was staring off into the end of the ally. Arthur was leaning against the alley wall and glaring at whatever was casting a thin shadow down the strip of concrete between the buildings.
"That's imported alcohol right? This must be the right place then."
Arthur turned his head slightly towards his two minions so only they could hear.
"It's a reporter. You know what to do boys"
A/N: Alright guys first chapter done! Woot! Hope you like it! The 1920s is so fun to write wow. If you'd like to, comment and be patient because even though the 1920s is fun to write, it's hard to write! Anyways…while you wait, if you like my writing, check out my other Merlin story "Childish Innocence with a little bit of Magic", it's finished! :D Thanks cool cats, please comment and review.
INFO: From now on when there is any lingo from the 1920s you may not know I'll list it here
Cash or Check: Would you like a kiss/sex now or later
Sheik: Attractive looking male
Hit all sixes: was 100 percent
Speakeasy: A bar
Walk the Middle aisle: To get married
Hard Boiled: Tough/ Strong
Swell: Wonderful/ Rich boy
Someone is actually home: You're not dumb
