Noir/Blanc
Demeter's Harbor, USA
June 17th, 1951
5:00 PM
An apprehensive middle aged woman approached the apartment briskly. She was a dignified woman, clearly of means. She had the smell of old money about her and the demeanor of someone who knew it. She seemed troubled. And why shouldn't she be? In the metropolis of Demeter's Harbor, trouble abounds…
In the Apartment
Eddy Skipper McGee stirred beneath his sheets, the muggy June heat finally getting to him. His black crop hair plastered to the back of his head by sheer perspiration. A desk fan oscillated across the room, working overtime. His dark blue eyes adjusted to the semi-darkness. He looked to his left to see Lee Kanker, as bare as the day she was born, standing by the apartment window and smoking one of Eddy's cigarettes. He was able to deduce they were his because the pack was almost completely empty, save for one cigarette. Eddy shook his head and got out of bed and began to dress. After pulling on his red-striped boxers and undershirt, he went to claim his last cigarette.
"You gonna pay me for the new pack?" he asked, lighting up his last cigarette. She grinned haughtily and said, "I thought I already did." She gave him a smug look and he couldn't help but grin. Lee was a tall drink of water (about 6'0, dwarfing poor Eddy's 5'7). She had lovely curly red hair done up in a bouffant (though right now it was a little disheveled, much to Eddy's secret delight). She's lovely all over, Eddy thought as he looked her up and down. Granted, most men would have thought her too plain, too common; a bit too masculine. Lee reminded Eddy of Rosie the Riveter: sexy, but also the type of dame who could drink you under the table. But that was more than okay with Eddy.
He went into the kitchen to get a cold pop from the icebox; a Lemonbrook Lemon-Twist, a local brand. After he removed the cap, he took a long swig of his cool, liquid salvation. He met her eyes again, those smoky grey eyes, and said with a smirk, "Put some clothes on for Pete's sake. I got neighbors" She just smirked and said nonchalantly, "Let'em look. You don't seem to mind." He just grinned and took another drink.
A moment later she said, "Hey, some dame's coming up to your apartment." She stepped aside so he could look out his window. It took Eddy a moment to recognize the woman before it dawned on him. "Get dressed." He walked over and started buttoning his signature yellow bowling-shirt and pulling on his trousers. A moment later, there was a knock at the door.
Eddy opened the door quickly. The he and the woman held each other's gaze for a bit before she asked, "Well? Do intend to invite me in, Edward?" He nodded and let her in. She surveyed the apartment with a look of distaste, every glance critiquing his disorganized living room, dirty kitchen, and the pin-ups on the wall. At last she finally said, "You have a very… quaint home, Edward." Standing there in the middle of the room awkwardly, Eddy replied, "Thanks Mrs. LaCroix." After a long moment, he finally spoke up. "So, Mrs. LaCroix... What are you doing in my neck of the woods? Something to do with Double D, am I right?"
She looked as though she was about to correct him, when suddenly she broke down into tears. Eddy just stood there, giving Lee a befuddled look. Lee, after giving Eddy a frustrated look, brought Mrs. LaCroix a coffee. "Here you go, hon." Mrs. LaCroix, her face screwed up in tears, accepted the coffee and attempted to thank Lee. "Why…thank you…um…" After an awkward moment of pondering, Lee (with some annoyance) responded, "Lee." She then went back to the kitchen.
After taking a moment to collect herself, Mrs. LaCroix turned to Eddy and said, "Since you must ask, I'll take that to mean that you haven't seen today's paper?" Eddy, awkwardly, responded, "No, I've been in bed all day." She then proceeded to pass him the newspaper. What Eddy saw slapped across the front page nearly knocked the wind out of him.
Prominent Professor Murders Wife!
Professor Eddward LaCroix Arrested in the Murder of Nazz Van Bartonschmeer
Eddy, dumbfounded, turned to Double D's mother and asked with great difficulty, "When…when did this happen?" "The police found her last night, in the dressing room of her workplace. They…arrested my poor Edward this morning." she said, tearing up again. "I came to you, Mr. McGee, in the hope that you would help my son. I know it's been some years, but I always remembered how close you boys were. So please, will you? I'll do whatever you ask, pay any price!"
Eddy was unsure how to respond. I can't get involved in this. Not when it's too personal. I can't get involved. After a moment of pondering, Eddy finally spoke. "I'll look into it. For old time's sake." She thanked him profusely, as Eddy hurried her out the door. After she was gone, Lee attempted to console Eddy. Before she could finish, Eddy stormed out of the apartment and got into his car and drove off, towards the city. The city were trouble is aplenty and where the line between right and wrong becomes grey.