WARNING FOR THIS CHAPTER: HEAVY FORESHADOWING/ALLUSION OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ADDICTION. There likely be any mention of it after this chapter in particular, mostly I needed a plot device and this is just how it ended up.
Anyways, really trying to get out chapters right now! I hope this one is up to par, let me know what you think of it! You know the drill I assume so read on!
Everyone has Secrets
Donnie's restaurant in Old Gotham was a popular stop for the people in the area, known for good food at affordable prices and somewhere to unwind whether you had just gotten a break from work or wanted to make a good impression on a date. At 10:00pm one may assume the only soul who might be in the café would be Donnie himself and you might technically be correct.
Around that time though an old fashioned, black but clearly expensive car would roll into the side alley which staff members would usually enter through and this would happen every two weeks in the same timeframe. Then out of the car first would be two women who at first glance seem the run of the mill high class call girls but of course, they were not, because it's Gotham. The after that came the owner of the vehicle himself, The Penguin, a tall and skinny man who was nevertheless intimidating as he carried an umbrella at his side, never mind the fact that the sky was completely clear. Not a speck of dirt was on the man who wore, ironically, a penguin suit and he also carried a black, simple looking but sturdy cane.
Donnie opened the side door with an uneasy smile, as was normal in this event and simply pressed his lips together in slight fear as The Penguin and his "call-girls" sauntered in. There was a deal to be made that night, though Donnie didn't know it quite yet.
"Now Donnie, I've done you a good many favors my friend and I feel… It is time you do me one…" The Penguin said in a slow, deceptively warm voice. Donnie's eyes widened behind the man who was currently inspecting the room while the women flipped through menus, bored.
"O- Of course, M- Mr. Cobblepot, what would it be that you need m- me to do?" Donnie said, stumbling on his words. The Penguin, whose back was towards the man, smirked and then turned around confidently.
"You have a number of people employed here, yes Donnie?" He asked in a curious tone. Donnie's brow furrowed for a moment before he responded.
"Yes Mr. Cobblepot I do…" The man seemed pleased at this admission and made a noise of acknowledgement.
"Well, I've had reports that they are a superb wait staff and I find myself… In need of a new one after losing some quality employees, do you think you might spare some for my lounge my friend?" He finally said, after a pause. This was posed as a question but Donnie knew it was really an order.
"W-Why certainly, I can do that for you sir. I'll just draw up a list if you wish—"But Donnie was cut off by the gangster.
"No, no my good man, I have some people in mind…" He said with a pleased smile, the women raised their eyes to watch Donnie's reaction, like hunters. Donnie blinked dumbly for a second.
"Oh, right, yes Mr. Cobblepot, would y-you like a drink sir?" Donnie added out of desperation. The Penguin seemed to contemplate this but then shook his head and waved at the two women to move.
"Many thanks, Donnie, for your kindness. I'll have some people by to pick up the staff members tomorrow afternoon, just have them in the café by then. Until next time…" He said as he and the women walked towards the door.
"Oh— how could I forget?" Cobblepot said in a shocked tone. He motioned to the woman on the left who took a small bottle of what looked like cologne out of her purse. The woman slid it across the table towards Donnie who simply stared back and forth at the now retreating group and the bottle. As soon as Donnie heard the car drive away he let out a shaky breath and massaged his head, face contorting in frustration. Then he seemed to remember the bottle on the table and snatched it up with a desperate look on his face, the itch wouldn't go away until he used it, he thought.
I know it may seem like a small thing to put in a warning for (Or maybe not, I'm not quite sure) but better safe than sorry! I actually rewrote this part a few times and this is the vaguest I've gotten so far so...
