I own nothing but Nicki.

Chapter 26

"Don't spit into the well-you might drink from it later. "

Nicki was onstage with one of the fans that Raoul had brought, Fish Mooney was cooing directions at her as to how to use it, and Oswald was neglecting his ledger book and watching the rehearsal process. Nicki was supposed to be singing a number from Gypsy that included a very coy fan dance and was doing a fine job as far as Oswald was concerned. She had certainly captured his attention. Fish was all about perfection, however, and was continually giving her direction about how to hold herself and what move was appropriate when. He was surprised at how eager Nicki was to accept and work with the criticism, a strange eagerness to please practically radiating from her. As angry as she was at Fish, there was still a childlike need to please her it seemed, and one that Oswald could definitely relate to. He absolutely craved validation from the woman, to a degree that he was ashamed of. She really worked herself into your psyche as a motherly figure which presented a need for her approval. It was almost strange, Oswald thought to himself, how seductive and yet how motherly she was at the same time. It really sucked you in and-

Lady Macbeth…the thought struck him. The perfect codename for her. He and Nicki had begun creating their Shakespearean code, mostly using the act and scene numbers from different plays in order to hint at plans and ideas. Underneath the ledger book was one she had passed him earlier that day, a napkin with L1:1 scrawled onto it, which he now pulled out to make his own notations on. He had immediately recognized her note as, King Lear act one scene one, the part of King Lear when the daughters are vying for their father's attention while the good daughter, Cordelia, refuses to participate. It wasn't a perfect form of communication but he assumed this was insinuating that they needed to do their best at playing up their adoration for Fish. He would have to discuss the matter further over Chinese food later that night to be certain, but it would explain her performing monkey routine for their boss right now though-

There was a cough and a sniffle behind him. Oswald quickly made sure that the napkin was tucked under the book before he turned to see Raoul looming over him, wiping very indiscreetly at his nose with his sleeve. Oswald felt his nose crinkle up in disgust.

"Ay Penguin," Raoul said, ignoring his expression. "There's a guy coming around to drop off some cash for Ms. Mooney."

"So?" Oswald replied slowly.

"So, *sniff* it's raining and I'm already getting sick," Raoul replied, matter-of-factly. "Wanna go meet him for me?"

Oswald blinked at the man in disbelief. "I mean no offense sir…but why would I do that?"

Raoul coughed into his arm and grunted. "Look Peng-…Cobblepot, just be cool for once and do it, ok?"

Oswald stared at him, clearly not persuaded.

With a sigh, Raoul added, "I'll give you fifty bucks, alright?"

Oswald smirked. That was a deal he could agree to. "Alright," he replied, starting for the door. He thought better of leaving the napkin and turned back to scoop it and the ledger book up before scuttling off, hoping that he hadn't seemed suspicious. Raoul seemed oblivious, however, and collapsed into the chair Oswald had been sitting in, now with his own smirk.

After twenty minutes, Oswald trudged back into the club, soaked from head to toe and thoroughly unhappy. He hadn't realized how long he would be out in the rain and felt chilled to the bone from the drizzle that had turned into a downpour after he had exited the club. Approaching the table where Raoul was now nodding off to sleep, he dropped the bag he had received heavily onto the table, startling the man awake.

Raoul blinked at him for a moment, bleary eyed. Seeing the bag, he pulled out his wallet lazily and dropped a ten dollar bill on the table before snatching up the money and laboriously rising to his feet. Oswald picked up the bill and stared at it for a moment before looking up at the taller man. "Ummm…excuse me sir…but aren't you forgetting something?"

A strange look came across Raoul's face and Oswald didn't have any time to react before the man sneezed directly into his face, spraying him with spit and lord knows what else. Oswald's face twisted into one of absolute disgust as he stared at the man, speechless. Wiping at his nose, Raoul raised the bag as if giving the smaller man a toast and with a chuckle simply said, "Yeah, thanks, Penguin."

Oswald watched him leave, simmering with anger. It would be sad to take out Fish Mooney. But he would absolutely relish making this man's demise as miserable as possible.