The Party
Lt. Craig Garrison, looking very smart in his formal uniform, surveyed the party sitting around the table in the far corner of the Savoy. If he wasn't seeing it for himself, he wouldn't have believed it possible. Chief sat to his left, looking very polished in a dark brown suit. Garrison recognized the cuff links as belonging to his con man. Next to Chief was Casino, looking not at all like the rough talking con he was. He too wore a suit and tie; one of Actor's ties from the looks of it. Goniff was sitting across from Garrison. He did not look too particularly comfortable in a tan suit and tie. Next was Actor. The suave Italian, in a dark suit and tie, always looked perfect anywhere. He was impeccably tailored, every hair in place, diamond pinky ring sparkling. He was probably the most comfortable of the group. Between Actor and Craig was Teresa. This elegant woman was not his sister, Terry. The auburn hair had been swept up and carefully pinned. She was wearing a silky green dress that fell below the knee over legs delicately encased in real silk nylons. Her feet resided in high heeled sandals. Actor had been playing Pygmalion again.
The table was covered in white linen with every piece of formal silverware and stemware he could imagine. The food had been unbelievable, especially during wartime. Garrison wondered just how much above what he and the cons had pooled together this evening was costing. He also wondered if Actor was footing the entire portion or if Terry had won her battle with the con man.
Actor sat comfortably in his chair. One arm rested on the back of Teresa's chair. His forefinger absently played with the bell sleeve on her dress. The con man smoked a cigarette and sipped cognac while conversing with the other men. It still amazed him that these men actually were celebrating his birthday and not ignoring him or making a joke out of it.
Terry was very much aware of the man sitting next to her. When he had first started toying with her sleeve, she had glanced at him. He was totally engrossed in a conversation about someplace in New York with the other cons and did not seem to be aware he was doing it. She put it down to one of his little nervous habits like chewing his left thumbnail and tapping his fingers. She looked around at the boys, impressed they were on their best behavior. They did clean up very well. She listened for a bit to the conversation. She was quite familiar with some of the places they were discussing, but with her brother right beside her, she chose not to engage in a conversation that could precipitate an argument with Craig later on. New York was still a sore spot between her and some of the rest of her family.
The band had begun to play in the ballroom. The sounds of music drifted to their corner. Actor smiled and bent over to Terry's ear.
"Would you care to dance, Cara?" he whispered invitingly.
Terry hesitated and looked around the table. She motioned him closer and whispered back to him. 'You know I love to dance with you, but this is a party they all tried to have for us. I don't think it would be too appropriate for us to go off and leave them. Especially since I know two of them don't know how to dance. If I dance with you, I should dance with everybody. So as much as I would like to say yes, I think I will have to say no. Please understand, okay?"
Actor chewed on the inside of his cheeks a moment in contemplation. It was a disappointment. He was not used to being turned down, but he supposed he could see her point. He dipped his head in acknowledgement of her answer. "As you wish," he said quietly and politely.
Terry looked up to see the other men watching them. She turned her head toward her brother. He was observing her without a smile. Terry put a smile on her face that did not reach her eyes and looked steadily back at him. Boy, she missed her brother. The longer Craig was in the Army, the more like their father he was becoming. She turned back to the table and asked Casino what part of Chicago he was from. The conversation picked up again.
A few minutes later, two waiters came out with the cake. Space was made between Actor and Terry and the cake placed in front of them. It was a beautiful two layer cake with white frosting and frosting roses. There were two lit candles; one on either side of the piped words Happy Birthday. Make a wish and blow them out, came the encouragement of the men.
"Blow them out, Teresa," said Actor.
"Blow your own out," said Terry with humor. "This one's mine and that one's yours. Besides, I'm not making your wish for you."
"Yeah, we know wot 'is wish is," piped up Goniff.
"An endless supply of beautiful women, jewels and antiques," teased Terry, sending a grin at the con man.
"And you know I will get them," he retorted with a grin of his own.
They bent forward together and blew the candles out. There was accompanying clapping from their table and a couple of the tables around them. A hand reached between them with the cake knife/server. Glass plates and dessert forks appeared at Terry's elbow. She nodded at Actor to take the knife. He accepted it and looked at her a moment.
"Will you hurry up and cut the damn thing?" grumbled Casino. "It's gonna get stale before we get any of it."
Actor cut the first slice and laid it on a plate for Teresa. It had one layer of chocolate cake and one layer of vanilla cake with butter cream in the middle and another on the outside.
"Hey you got your chocolate," said Terry to the con man.
"So it seems," smiled the Italian. He leaned forward and looked around the woman at the Lieutenant. "Thank you, Warden."
"Anything to keep the peace," said Craig with a grin.
The cake was sliced and served. It did not last long. The six of them managed to eat the whole thing. Of course Goniff had three pieces. Terry watched him devour it and was glad they weren't going up in an airplane tonight. She secretly thought it was too bad though they were staying in London tonight. She was rooming with her brother in their own room. She would have had a much better time with the guys and been able to sneak out with Actor for a dance. Hopefully, there would be other times.
After the plates had been removed, Chief reached into the corner behind his chair and started picking up and setting presents on the table. Actor was a bit surprised that were some for him. He had assumed they were for Teresa.
Terry opened the first one. It was from Casino. She laughed when she looked inside the box at a pint of Jack Daniels. "Thanks, Casino. Know me well, don't you?" she said.
"Yeah," he shot back, "and as much as you drink that outta last almost a year." This brought laughter.
Actor opened one from the group and found a bottle of ten year old Courvoisier. "Ah, this will go to good use," he said. "Thank you, Gentlemen."
Terry opened a small box from Chief. She removed the tissue paper wadded on top and smiled widely. Carefully, she lifted out a small wooden horse. It was hand carved and finely detailed. It was captured in midstride, mane and tail swept back as in the wind. The wood was finely grained and had a soft sheen to it.
"Chief, that's beautiful!" exclaimed Terry. "Did you carve that?"
The Indian nodded, looking very uncomfortable at the attention. Craig leaned over and looked closer at the figure.
"That is a real talent," he said.
Terry set the piece on the table and tilted her head, studying it. "Kinda looks like Warrior," she said to her brother.
"Yeah," agreed her brother.
"Thank you, Chief," said Terry with sincerity.
The young man shrugged. "Glad you like it."
Actor opened a package from Terry and Craig. It was a large bag of his tobacco. He smiled. "Thank you, Warden, Teresa. This should keep me for quite awhile."
The next package for Terry was a small one from Goniff. She unwrapped it and found a small box. Inside was a fine chained silver necklace with a green stoned four leaf clover.
"For luck," said the Cockney.
"Oh, I like it!" said Terry with a big smile.
She picked it out with the intent of putting it on. Actor's hand reached over and lifted the chain from her. Terry caught the quicksilver look of distress on the Englishman's face. Her left hand darted out and grasp it by the clover, her other hand slapping Actor's to make him let go. He looked at her in surprise and released it. She knew he was going to have a close look at the gems and had a sneaking suspicion they weren't real. It didn't matter to her and she didn't want the con man making the pickpocket feel bad.
"Mine," she said with a hint of laughter. "Get your own." They exchanged a quick look, Terry's warning, his understanding. "It wouldn't look good on you anyway," she teased. She handed the necklace to her brother. "Put it on me, Craig."
Garrison put the necklace around his sister's throat and clasp it. Terry nodded. "Perfect," she said. "Thank you, Goniff."
"It's not much," he said self-consciously.
"I like it," said Terry.
Actor raised a hand and motioned to the waiter. The man stepped forward and placed a cardboard pastry box tied with ribbon in front of Terry. She shot an inquiring glance at the Italian.
"Chocolate éclairs," he said. "And they are all yours, not to be shared."
Terry laughed. "Thank you, Actor. I will enjoy them immensely."
The final gift was from her brother. It was a larger square package. She opened it and pulled out a white leather covered case with a bone handle on top. Now curious, Terry opened the lid. Inside were a tray and various empty bottles and jars, brushes and combs. It wasn't something she would have expected from Craig. Terry looked at him with question.
Garrison shrugged. "Seeing as Actor's got you wearing make up now I figured you needed something to keep it in. Now maybe you'll quit using his," Craig teased.
"What you don't like the mustaches?" joked Terry back.
There was laughter from all of them.
Casino looked around. "We done now? I don't know about you, but I'm ready to hit the bar."
Terry leaned forward and in a stage whisper said. "You're always ready to hit the bar. Please don't hit it too hard. We're all here so there's nobody to bail us out."
This brought another round of laughter from all of them. Craig and Chief gathered the gifts together and took them out to put in the car. The rest of them got up and headed for the American Bar. Terry had an eye on Goniff. Something wasn't right and she intended to find out what it was before the evening was over. Actor appeared at her elbow.
"Courvoisier?" he asked.
Terry shook her head. "Ginger ale." At his raised eyebrow, she added, "I'm rooming with Big Brother tonight. If I was with you guys, I'd let you get me loaded."
"Ah, but it is so entertaining to watch you when you are 'loaded'," smiled the con man.
"Craig would not think so," she said wryly. "Ginger ale, Caro."
Actor stepped up to the bar and came back a minute later with a ginger ale and a cognac. With a knowing look, he held the snifter out to her and fed her a sip before giving her the glass of ginger ale.
"Come to the table," he said.
"Not yet," said Terry with a small frown. "I want to talk to Goniff. Something's not right with him."
"Yes," agreed the con man. "He is not happy."
"You know why?" asked Terry.
"I have an idea," admitted Actor. "It would be better if you spoke with him. He might be more receptive to you."
That got Terry even more interested. She nodded and walked over to the Englishman. Linking an arm through his, she squeezed it. He smiled at her, wondering what she was up to.
"Come talk to me, Mate," she said.
They looked around and spotted a table over at the far wall. They walked over arm in arm and Terry pulled a chair close to him.
"Okay, now what's wrong?" Terry asked straight out. "You don't seem like you're having a good time and you're edgy."
Goniff looked down and swirled the ale in his glass.
"What is it, the monkey suit or this place?" she asked softly. "You look very nice, Goniff. I mean it. Is it this place?"
Goniff looked at her. "You're a Yank. I don't think you'd understand."
"You're a Yank too now," she said. "Try me."
He shrugged and frowned. "This place . . . You know, me Mum and me, well we'd never step foot in 'ere."
Terry frowned now. "The class thing?"
Goniff nodded. "This place is for the toffs. They wouldn't let us in 'ere."
"Toffs?" asked Terry.
"Yeah, you know, the rich ones. People like Actor."
"Umm." Terry nodded. "You think I wasn't uncomfortable the first time Actor brought me here? For heaven's sake, Goniff. This is way out of my class range too."
"Yeah, but you look like you belong."
Terry laughed. "Mate, that is the con. Pretend you own the place and they think you do. At least you're dressed for it. The first time Actor brought me here, I wasn't dressed at all for it. I wanted to sink under the table. Actor told me to just act the part. So I did. And it was fine. It's a game. Play with it. Have fun with it." She watched him contemplate it. "Hey, Goniff, look at me. On the outside, I'm Christian Dior, but on the inside I'm still Sears and Roebuck." She got up and held a hand out to the Englishman.
Goniff rose and tucked her hand in the crook of his arm. "Shall we?" he said formally. Terry nodded with a impish grin. The pickpocket straightened his posture and looked at Terry. "I'm just pretending I'm part of the harristocracy."
Terry almost choked trying not to laugh at that last word. "It'll give you something to write to your mum about."
"Oh, she'll like this one," he said with a smug grin.
They went back over to the table the others had commandeered. The conversation flowed along with the drinks. No fists flew. That was not to say there wasn't any arguing. Craig had gone to the bar and not returned. Actor and Casino were having a not quite friendly discussion. Chief was leaned back in his chair watching with a bored expression. Goniff was watching the two men. Terry was wishing they would quit.
She glanced around Actor and took a contemplative look at the beautiful woman who had just stepped up to the bar. She was dressed to the nines and the jewels around her throat were probably real. Terry studied her awhile and did not see a ring on the left hand. She glanced at Actor. He was still in the heated conversation with Casino that Terry had not been following about Italy and aristocracy.
Actor reached for his glass of Courvoisier. Terry plucked it from his fingers. Already irritated by Casino, Actor gave her a dirty look.
"If you want one I will buy you one," said the Italian. "You do not need to take mine."
"Yeah, I do," said Terry. "Are you not feeling well? Do you need glasses, Caro?"
"What are you talking about?" demanded Actor irritably.
"You're slipping," smiled Terry. "You need to go to the bar and get a fresh drink."
"What?"
"Actor," said Terry in exasperation. "Look at the bar, Caro. Three o'clock."
Actor turned his head. Terry watched his face dissolve into an appreciative smile. He eyed the woman like a delicious dessert. Terry barely kept from snickering.
"I believe I will go get another Courvoisier," said Actor suavely. He rose from his seat, looked at the woman, and then turned back to kiss Terry on the cheek. "Thank you, My Love," he whispered in her ear.
Terry silently chuckled.
The Italian approached the bar and placed an order. Terry watched him smoothly initiate a conversation with the blond woman. A few minutes later, the couple moved to an empty table.
"What are you doin', pimpin' for him now?" asked Casino.
"Better than listening to you two arguing," shot back Terry with humor.
About twenty minutes later, Terry noted Actor getting up and helping the woman up and settling her stole around her shoulders. As she turned toward the door, Actor glanced at Terry. He grinned and winked at her. She tilted her head back at him, grinning at the sparkle in his eyes. She watched them leave with a brief stop at the bar. When they disappeared out the door, Terry turned back to the conversation at the table.
A minute later, the bartender came to the table and set a glass of Courvoisier in front of Terry. She looked up in surprise.
"The big bloke with the accent bought this for you. Said to tell you thanks."
"Thank you," said Terry. The three remaining cons were staring at her. She smiled and raised the glass in a toast before taking a satisfied sip.
Craig joined them at the table a bit later. He had been at the far end of the bar, engaged in conversation with a British Major. He looked at his sister and shook his head. She leaned close to him so he could whisper to her.
"I saw that," he said. "I don't believe you did that."
"Why not?" replied Terry. "I know what he likes. Blond, pretty, wealthy, and not necessarily available."
"That's Actor," drawled Chief.
"I just pointed him in the right direction," said Terry
"I thought if it moves he likes it."
"Really Craig. The man does have some discernment." She grinned at her brother. "Want me to find you a woman? You really need one."
"You've been around them too long," snorted Garrison. "And I don't need your help."
"You need something," snorted Terry back at him. "I'm beginning to worry about you."
"Yeah, Warden," said Casino slyly. "We don't see you sneakin' off to London."
"Knock it off," said Craig, slightly embarrassed. He fixed his sister with an indignant glare. "You're getting to be as bad as them."
Terry smiled widely. "Thank you."