A/N: For the record; the titles of the chapters have less to do with the chapter content and more to do with the feel of the chapter. Yeah, I'm giving you theme music. Go ahead and listen to it while reading: it's how I wrote it. This is "The Banality of Evil" (song by Nine Horses. Last chapter was "Chandelier" by Sia).

(I own nothing from TWD and this fic is MINE! Characters are borrowed though. I don't make money doing this)

Balance

Chapter 2: The Banality of Evil

Daryl didn't think much of the club as he sat outside in his truck. It was an older POS he'd borrowed but he kept it in good condition, recently from a wash. The road trip out here wasn't as long as he'd feared, but it had been lonely.

He stared out the window at "The Hidden Timber" and made his decision. When he was honest with himself it had been made before he'd gotten in the vehicle to drive here. Made before he'd packed and left the cheap hotel he'd been staying in.

He straightened his jacket absently as he approached the bouncer. The bouncer was a large man in a windbreaker jacket to fend off the cold air. The man was large, skin a deep brown and his voice a baritone. "I.D. please?" he asked. Daryl held up his business card. The man's eyes widened and glanced back at him in puzzlement, taking in his leather jacket and clean jeans. He kept the smirk off his face and said into the stillness, "I'm here to see Mr. Blake. I was told he'd be expecting me."

The bouncer nodded once and stepped aside, allowing him entry. When Daryl did so, it was like entering a new world, sound system blasting into his ears. The walls were black and a swath of glimmer from the ceiling above him guided his glance across the large room in a single sweep. The walls and ceiling were black, creating a cozy atmosphere that belied the high ceiling that hung with lights. Nearly all of them were pointed to the large stage, where a young woman swirled around a pole. She wore very little and while he registered her form as attractive, he didn't pay it much mind. Just another dancer. There were several women everywhere in the room, in various states of dress…and undress. Most of the latter were giving some expensive-looking men, young and old, lap dances.

One of them, a redhead with short-cropped hair approached him with a flashy smile. "Hello sugar, what're you havin' tonight?" She winked, "Or who?" He arched an eyebrow at the last comment but ignored it, instead asking a question of his own.

"Where is Mr. Blake? We have a meeting." She immediately dropped the smile, looking a little disappointed but was all business as she led him to a well-disguised alcove holding a door. He passed inside without incident, eyes and ears relieved to find the interior done in wood paneling and silence.

The man sitting at the large desk had all the air of a politician or an upright business manager. He stood when Daryl entered, reaching out a hand to shake his own. "Please, have a seat," he said in a voice that re-affirmed the politician description. "Would you like a drink?"

Daryl shook his head and casually waved the offer away. "No thanks. I'm here on business." Blake sat back in his chair and regarded the man for a moment, taking up a snifter of what looked like brandy…or something.

"I'm pleased to finally meet you," he began, "My contact has said good things." Daryl kept silent watch of his facial expressions, waiting for the man to get to his point. "You're known in the community, respected for your work and people generally have good things to say about you. Or so Shane tells me." Blake looked around the room and held up his hands, gesturing o the sudden change in décor.

"As you can see, this establishment has gone through some…changes, in the past. And I think it's time to expand. You see, we offer a very specific set of goods to the available market and while people are generally satisfied customers, there's this niche waiting to be filled around here." Daryl waited, taking a slow even breath as he listened. He lifted his hand to his chin and rested upon it, leaning forward slightly.

"And that's where you come in. I need a professional to help me get started in the right direction; someone who understands the way that world works. I can't afford to be laughed at, you see what I'm saying?" Daryl nodded a little, gesturing with his fingers for the long-winded man to continue.

"I'm not talking about a huge overhaul here. There are rooms in the back for privacy, we have a stage already and I think enough of the girls would be on-board that we wouldn't lose too many of them – or their regulars. I was thinking we could make it a twice-a-month thing and if it's popular enough, we'll do it more on the weekends. What do you think?"

"I think you've got yourself a plan, Mr. Blake. I'll need to see these back-rooms so I can tell you how best to utilize the space. The stage won't be too hard, just some adjustments probably to your ceiling fixtures and perhaps that back wall. Something discreet if you want to keep this going as-is for the most part." As he spoke, Blake's lips smiled and his eyes grew hooded and thoughtful. A tinge of satisfaction made the small smile playing on his lips genuine but Daryl noted the fact that he was watching 'genuine' happen.

"I can start working with the women as soon as you can send them to me. That'll be the hardest part, figuring out which of your ladies will be on-board." He shook his head, "I'm not interested in working with someone who doesn't want this."

"I think we'll have you start with 'Cherry-Angel,'" said Blake, "She's one of our favorites and let it go to her head, like she's better than the rest of the girls. She has a thing about rules so this is probably up her alley."

"It's up to the two of you," Daryl replied, lifting his hands palm-up in the air in a defensive gesture. "I don't need the run-down; we'll have plenty of time for that later. Just send them to me when you've gotten it all squared away. One at a time, mind you. This isn't a cookie-cutter field of work and everyone's different."

"Sure thing," Blake said with a satisfied smile. "Sounds like we'll work together perfectly, Mr.…" he faltered, letting the question go unstated, question implied.

"Hunter," Daryl offered.

"Good. Mr. Hunter, it'll be a pleasure working with you." Blake pulled out a manila folder and slid it across his desk. "Let's get these contracts signed and then I can show you around."

As they went over the contract, Daryl found himself satisfied with the amount he was being offered as well as the deal in itself. In addition to offering his salary for the work he'd be doing, both on and off the floor – and doesn't that just sound suggestive, he thought silently – he was being offered a place to stay while he was doing the work. Food would be up to him but that was how he liked it anyway. Contract would be finished when the job was deemed done, though he noted the clause allowing for a more permanent position than outside consultant if he so chose later. Payment rendered every couple of weeks, until the full amount had been dispensed. He schooled his face into a pleasant mask, belying the pleasure he took in several digits and a single decimal.

"Remember," said Blake as Daryl reached for the offered pen, "You're free to drink what you like when you're not working, but the girls are off-limits. You understand?"

"It complicates things," said Daryl knowingly.

The man nodded. "Yes, it does."

"Don't worry Mr. Blake. I don't drink and I don't have sex with clients. I'm a professional." He pulled the contract a little closer and lowered his hand, signing it with an abrupt capitol 'H' and a subtly waving line. The name 'Hunter' was for his business and he used it, the proper authorities savvy to the pen name.

He looked up at Mr. Blake as he finished the signature, eyes calm but conveying warning from beneath his brows. Their eyes held, traded information and understood the silent warning, a caution to the man before him. A demand for respect.

"I'll appreciate it if you don't imply that again," he said steadily. "You understand?"

Blake nodded once, not smiling this time. "We understand each other," he said in a clipped voice, "perfectly."

After a pause Daryl leaned back into his chair and smiled, saying into the silence, "Congratulations, Mr. Blake. You're getting yourself a part-time Dungeon."

A/N: Does anyone know how to edit word documents to change the layout thereof within the website? Because that would be kind-of nice. I've done what I can but not sure how to improve it without further help. I'll go check the forums later. Please PM me with suggestions!

I don't usually update this soon after the most recent chapter but Daryl wouldn't leave me alone and I was excited and just had to introduce him! I hope you guys liked the chapter! I'm also so excited to see more of you guys n gals following and reviewing, it helped spark this too! Thank you!