1942. The time of swing, jazz and booze. While men were overseas fighting the good fight, the people of America played harder than they worked. People were so caught up with what was happening in Europe, they couldn't see the corruption happening in their own backyards.
Seattle was a city of mobsters and drug lords. A place that was run by the corrupt while the innocent turned their heads. The biggest gangster Seattle had ever known was Danny "The Mad Hatter" Robbins. He was known for his importation of illegal substances but he was feared for other reasons. You can bet if someone went missing in Seattle, Danny had something to do with it.
Danny owned numerous businesses around the city, disguising them as one thing but using them for his underground work. His newest establishment; a nightclub.
"It will be up and running by tonight?" Danny asked, leaning back in his chair and placing his feet on top of his desk.
"Yes sir,"
"Thats what I like to hear," Danny lit a cigar and look a long drag, tilting his head back.
The timid boy in the doorway stood there looking at Danny.
"What are you standing there for?" Danny sat up, taking his feet off his desk, "Go get me a drink boy!"
The young man ran off, his head down and his eyes glued to the floor. Danny sat back again, resuming his previous position and taking another drag from his cigar.
"Danny," One of Danny's men ran in the room, short of breath.
"What?"
"Bambino is here,"
Danny sat up, straightening the collar of his jacket and pushing the end of his cigar out on the desk.
"Send him in,"
A tall broad man walked in the room, his hair slicked back and he was followed by a younger man who resembled him. He wore a baggy coat that, when swayed to the side, showed off a gun harness fully equipped.
"Al," Danny nodded his head, indicating it was okay for the two gentlemen to sit.
"Danny," Al Bambino sat down first and the younger man followed, "This is my son Jacob." Al motioned to the young man next to him who nodded in Danny's direction.
"This is the strapping young man who will be marrying my daughter?" Danny asked, looking Jacob up and down.
"I am," Jacob said, his voice stern, "Is she here?"
"No, I don't bring my daughter to business meetings. She will be here at the club opening tonight."
"I hope that once our families unite our businesses will as well?" Al moved the side of his jacket slightly, showing off his gun in hopes of intimidating Danny.
"You keep your end of the bargain and I will keep mine," Danny picked up his cigar and relit it.
"The shipment comes tomorrow night, the girls will have your product," Al leaned forward, resting his elbows on the end of Danny's desk, "And in return for using my girls to bring your products here I require some extra protection."
"Like I said," Danny took a drag from his cigar, "You hold your end, I hold mine. I'm a business man Al and you are too so I know you understand where I'm coming from when I say I expect my shipment to be intact. Anything out of place or missing and you are paying,"
Al and Jacob sat up from the chairs and made their way towards the door.
"Tomorrow night, at the docks. Your shipment will be there," Al adjusted his coat and walked out; Jacob following suit.
-.-.-.-.-
Opening night and the nightclub was all the rage, the dance floor was full, the tables were crowded and bar was booming. The jazz band played and the men asked the ladies to dance. Soldiers mingled in groups, eyeing the women at the bar and the drunks in the back hopelessly gambled away what little money they had.
A young woman walked in, her blonde hair perfectly curled into an up-do and a sleek blue dress hugged her body. She made her way straight to the back of the club, the two guards separating and letting her pass into Danny's office.
"Arizona," Danny walked out from behind his desk and placed a kiss on his daughter's cheek.
"Dad, this place is incredible and you did it in such a short period of time. I'm very impressed," Arizona looked around the office as her father leaned on the desk.
"And the best jazz band in town, just for you. I know how much my little birdy loves to dance and I snagged the best singer in of all Seattle. Everyone will be lining up out the doors and around the block to come here,"
"That's great Dad," Arizona turned around, smiling, "You said you had a surprise for me?"
"Yes, it's not here yet but I guess I can tell you what it is," Danny walked around his desk and sat in his chair, "I found you a suitor,"
"A suitor?" Arizona's face was full of confusing.
"A young man to marry, Al Bambino's kid. You'll meet him tonight,"
"Daddy, it's the '40s, shouldn't I be marrying someone I love...someone who loves me?"
"Do you know what's better than love? Security. And that's what you'll be getting when you marry Jacob. When our families unite my business will expand and-"
"No," Arizona crossed her arms as she interrupted her father.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm not marrying some boy I've never met. I'm not going to do it,"
"You listen to me," Danny sat up from his chair and walked over towards Arizona, "This will happen. And you need to stop being so selfish and think of what it will do for your family, for me. This is a business deal Arizona and I am-"
"...A business man, I know."
"Good. Then it's settled, now go out there and enjoy the band I bought for you,"
Arizona barged out of her father's office and walked down the hall. She quickly composed herself, putting on a smile before walking into the public's eye in the club. She grabbed a reserved table for her, off to the side of the stage but close enough so she could still see the band clear as day. As soon as she sat down a waitress came and brought her a drink. Everyone working in the club knew who she was and they be damned if the let The Mad Hatter's daughter sit for ten seconds without a drink. She nodded politely to thank the woman and took a sip.
The trumpet player ended his solo and Arizona clapped her hands as the rest of the crowd cheered. The spot lights on the stage dimmed as the silhouette of a woman walking towards the mic moved closer to Arizona. The music started off slow as the lights turned on again, illuminating the woman on stage. Her dark raven hair flowed down her shoulders and the bright red dress hugged her curves perfectly. Arizona felt her face flush as the woman smiled at the crowd and counted the band in.
"I gets too hungry for dinner at eight. I like the theatre and never comes late. I never bothers with people I hate, that's why the lady is a tramp..." The woman snapped her finger along with the beat as she sang and her hips swayed back and forth as couples got up and started dancing to the music.
The trumpets blew but all Arizona could hear was the beautiful sound coming from the woman singing on stage. She felt as if her heart was going to explode out of her chest. Her head was spinning, maybe it was the alcohol? No, she knew it wasn't that.
"...I like the free fresh wind in my hair. Life without care, I'm broke, it's oke. Hates California is cold and is damp, that's why the lady is a tramp..."
The singer smiled as she moved her hips to the music and nodded towards one of the men in the band. Arizona's eyes were glued to her dark brown eyes as she continued to sing.
"I like a prizefight that isn't a fake. I love the rowing on Central Park Lake. I go to opera and stay wide awake, that's why the lady is a tramp. I like the green grass under my shoes. What can I lose? I'm flat! That's that! I'm all alone when I lower my lamp. That's why the lady is a tramp!"
The singer raised her hands in the air as she hit the last note the curtain came down, making her disappear from Arizona's sight. Arizona pulled herself out of her gaze long enough to clap and watch the crowd roar and cheer. She sat there until she felt a tap on her shoulder. Arizona turned around to see a young man holding out his arm and smiling.
"I'm Jacob Bambino," He helped Arizona stand up from her chair, "Your father thought we should-"
"Yeah I know what he thought," Arizona grabbed her clutch from the table and reluctantly took Jacob's arm and walked out the door but not before taking one last look at the stage.
-.-.-.-
Backstage Callie sat at her dressing room table, a drink in hand. There was a knock on her door and she turned around to see one of the band members.
"Nice performance tonight Callie," He said, leaning against the doorway, his trumpet case in hand.
"Thanks Johnny," Callie turned back to her mirror, removing her earrings and placing them in a jewelry box on her table.
"Now what's a girl like you, with pipes like those doing in Seattle? You need to go somewhere big, New York maybe."
"I can't, I have to take care of my family. I'm just lucky I get to sing, I thank the stars every night for it,"
"Well, just make sure you don't get caught up with the wrong people, if you know what I'm saying," Johnny tipped his hat towards Callie and left.
"Too late for that," Callie whispered to herself.
She was stuck here whether she liked it or not.