The Jazz Age
Disclaimer: I do not own True Blood or take any credit for it
Sookie looked at the men in front of her. One had chocolate brown hair and very pale skin. He was wearing a very amused expression that Sookie didn't like. The other one was much taller with blonde hair. This man was strikingly handsome. Sookie's breath caught in her throat as she spent a few moments admiring this man's appearance. Bill had stiffened up beside her; throwing the pair dirty looks.
"Of course " Bill said through clutched teeth.
"Good" Eric grinned.
The terrible two took their places beside the southerners. Everything suddenly became uncomfortable. Sookie nervously drank her drink.
"We haven't seen you in years" Godric commented, "How have you been Compton?"
Sookie looked to Bill who seemed seriously pissed off while the other two just looked smug. She suddenly felt the strong desire to be anywhere but there.
"Well" was all he said, "What about you two?"
"Can't complain" Godric replied, being equally evasive.
"Who is this tempting little thing?" Eric bobbed his head at Sookie.
She felt her cheeks redden at his gaze. Sookie isn't used to this much attention. Back at home most people thought she was crazy so they didn't really give her the time of day. This man obviously had no shame in making bold comments. Sookie couldn't read the mind of any of the men which scared her.
"My name is Sookie" she told him, missing out her surname on purpose.
"This is Eric and Godric" Bill introduced.
Sookie gave them a weak smile but they just grinned like wolves in return.
"I think I should go" Sookie suddenly said.
All of the men looked disappointed by this announcement.
"Don't go" Eric smirked.
Sookie ignored him and gathered her things. She stood up but Bill stopped her.
"Would you like to meet for dinner on Saturday?" Bill asked.
The southern belle hesitated. She didn't know anything about this man. Sookie certainly knew that she didn't care for the company he kept. Every bit of common sense told her not to say yes but there was something dangerous inside her, something that wanted adventure and excitement. So against all her better judgement; she decided to say yes.
"Sure" Sookie smiled pleasantly.
Bill looked relieved and arranged the details. She was to meet him outside the Cotton Club at seven on Saturday. Her leapt at the concept.
"I'll see you on Saturday" Bill said.
"Saturday" she smiled before she left.
Eric watched her arse as she left the club and nodded in approval; Bill didn't look impressed.
...
Tara and Lafayette are cousins who work at the Cotton Club. Lafayette works at the bar while Tara works in the kitchens. They both share an apartment in Harlem. Their home isn't actually posh but it has all the necessities. All the wallpaper looks like it hasn't been redone in at least 20 years. The whole place looks depressing and dirty. Tara and Lafayette don't know any better because they were born and raised in Harlem. Their mothers lived in the same building and when Tara's mum died of alcohol poisoning, she came to live her aunt and her cousin; until she died(both of their fathers were long gone). So now it was just the cousins on their own.
Both of them have many jobs to keep themselves afloat. Lafayette works as a barman at the Cotton Club, a cleaner at the Plaza and a delivery man for a butchers. Tara also works at the Cotton Club and the Plaza but she also works as a cleaner for some moderately rich people. All of these jobs only just keep themselves afloat. It was late and they just wanted to get to bed as they entered their humble abode.
"I so tired bitch" Lafayette exclaimed as they sat down on some soft chairs.
"You don't have to tell me about it" Tara complained, "I feel like my feet are gonna fall off"
"I'll make some coffee and then I'm going straight to bed" Lafayette told her, "I've got some deliveries to do early tomorrow for the butchers"
Lafayette left the room to make some coffee. Tara stared out of the window that badly needs a clean. She could make out a couple walking down the pavement; whispering sweet nothings. It made her ache to see it. Tara was unhappy and that was no secret. She hated her life badly. All her life she has been trying to survive through this harsh world but Tara feels that along the way she's forgotten to live.
"Coffee's up bitch" Lafayette called as he came into the living room with two mugs.
He handed one over to his cousin and then settled into one of the chairs and took a greedy sip. They both felt the hot contents sooth them.
"I've got a shift at the Plaza tomorrow" Tara told him, "Fourteen hours long"
Both of them felt tired so they made their way up to bed. Another day over with another in the wings.
...
It was Sookie's first day and she was nervous. She checked and rechecked her face in the mirror before finally leaving the apartment. It was only a short walk away from her building. The walk only took twenty minutes. The building was huge and impressive. It was modern and intimidating as well. Sookie took a deep breath and entered. Inside was just as impressive as the outside. Sookie had never seen such luxury in her life! Everything was so posh and expensive. Sookie had a scary vision of her breaking something and paying for it.
The letter said for her to go to reception so that's what she did.
The woman at reception looked like had a very high opinion of herself. She was wearing the latest fashions and she wore a hat worthy of the British aristocracy. The woman looked very refined indeed, she was thinking that Sookie's hair too blonde.
"Hello" Sookie began, "I am the new waitress"
Her eyes narrowed at this question and looked her up and down in a disapproving manner.
"What is your name?" she asked.
"Sookie Stackhouse"
"Do you have any identity papers?" she wondered.
Sookie nodded as she handed them over. The lady read them and left to find her boss. When she came back, she was smiling a strained smile and handed back her papers.
"Welcome to the team" she greeted in a false tone, "My name is Jessica Drew"
She had a very strong New York accent and didn't seem impressed by her southern one.
"Nice to meet you" Sookie lied.
Jessica showed her around the hotel. It was more than she ever imagined. The hotel was obviously built with rich people in mind. A person like her would never stay in a place like that. She came across a few of said rich people. They mostly ignored her and pretended she didn't exist. Sookie didn't care because she was used to that. Most of them were thinking about money, fashion or the stock market.
Sookie was the be a waitress at the restaurant part. When she was introduced to the restaurant, a waiter thought that a pretty girl would attract the rich customers. The staff seemed mostly friendly. Jessica left and the head waiter showed her, her duties. It was going easy for about two hours. That is until Eric came through the door. Sookie was stunned at this sudden appearance.
Eric smiled a devious smile when he spotted her. There was the girl from last night. What were the chances? All he could do was grin at his good fortune. She looked like she remembered him. He approached her; practically strutting.
"A table for one please" Eric grinned, "I didn't think I would have the good fortune of seeing you again"
"Welcome to the Plaza Hotel restaurant" Sookie welcomed awkwardly.
Sookie and Eric locked eyes for a moment before she managed to tear herself away. She led him to a small table by the window but he refused.
"Men of good sense in my profession don't sit near windows" he smirked.
She didn't get what he meant but she showed him to another table. Eric took his coat off as she handed him a menu which he thanked her for.
"I'll be back in a couple of minutes to take your order" Sookie promised before she walked off.
Sookie managed to make it to the kitchens and let off a breath she didn't know she'd been holding. Tara was washing the dishes when she looked over to see what was wrong. Sookie looked rattled and slightly distressed. Tara wondered what was wrong with the new girl.
"Are you alright?" Tara wondered.
The new girl jumped a little at the question but then composed herself. Tara gave her a friendly smile as she waited for an answer.
"No" Sookie surprised herself with honestly, "But it's nothing I can't handle"
Tara nodded and held out her hand for Sookie to shake.
"I'm Tara Thornton" she introduced herself.
"I'm Sookie Stackhouse" Sookie smiled, suddenly not feeling so alone.
"Well Sookie Stackhouse" Tara began, "I believe you've just made a friend"
Sookie smiled before she went back out there. Eric was still looking smug when she returned to get his order.
"What will it be?" Sookie asked.
"Well if sexy waitress is on the menu then I'm having it" Eric licked his lips as if she was a tasty treat he wanted to devour.
That thought sent shivers done her spine.
"I'm afraid I'm not" Sookie was trying not to sound irritable.
Bad manners to a customers on your first day would not go well with the boss.
"That's a shame" Eric smirked as his eyes moved down Sookie's body.
"So what do you want to eat?" she repeated.
"There is something you should know" he said.
"What?" Sookie asked.
"You shouldn't trust this Bill you met in the bar"
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