Author's Notes/Rantings/Warnings: There is sex in this chapter, glossed over but heavily implied. Between two consenting females. Also there is a lot of lingo from the noir period in this chapter, translations of the slang is available at the bottom of the work. For those of you who are concerned about other works don't worry they are being worked on today since I'm not on call for work! THANK GOD! This is only getting posted this early because I have another chapter written in it and I hope you all enjoy it! As always I love reviews they make me wanna work more especially on days I work from 9 AM to midnight. So let me know what you think and I will try and keep this one going along with the others.
Pearl of the Isle
Chapter 1
"You got a picture of your Mom kid?" Emma asked releasing his hand as he moved to his little suitcase. He pulled it open revealing his neat and tidy little clothes that were tucked in tightly. Obviously the kid either had a maid or his Mom had taught him something about the nature of traveling before she up and ran away from their small little town back home.
He returned clutching the photo to his chest before holding it out to Emma. Emma looked down studying the beautiful face with its slightly parted lips and beautiful almond shaped dark eyes. This wasn't just any dame, she was a true beauty. Dark hair spilled in waves over her shoulder cut off by the picture likely Emma guesstimated it fell to her waist but it was difficult to be sure.
"This is the last picture she took before she ran away." Henry offered and Emma took a breath setting the picture down.
"You got a place to stay?"
Henry nodded, "My grandparents own an apartment on the upper east side."
Emma nodded, "Give me the phone number and I'll check in with you once I've found something."
The kid nodded before jotting down the number on the piece of paper Emma motioned to with her pen before he moved to pick up his suitcase and pulled an envelope from inside. He handed it to Emma. "First day's pay just bill me the rest."
"You're the boss." Emma agreed watching as the kid latched his suitcase picking it up before moving to the door. He pulled it open the doorjamb squeaking as he did so and never looking back walked out.
"You sure this is a good idea Ems?" Graham asked after a beat.
"Money is money." Emma murmured, "And frankly I'd like to pay my rent this month. I don't know about you."
Graham shrugged. "I got my own thing going so if you think its worth it go for it."
"I intend to do just that. Take a look at her." Emma held the picture out to her friend who arched a brow.
"Now that's a classy looking dame if I ever saw one."
"Real beaut isn't she?"
"Yeah, you'd best not let Ruby hear you talking like that. She's gotten a bit attached to you."
"You let me worry about Ruby. You got your own dames to worry about."
Graham shook his head, "Told you to cut it off but you don't ever listen to me."
"What can I say? The sex is good." Emma grinned back at him and Graham smirked shaking his head.
"Well I'm going to get out of here head downstairs to dip the bill."
Emma rolled her eyes, "Give my dame a good tip yeah."
"Oh I'll make sure to give her that." Graham grinned grabbing his hat and jacket and taking off. "Maybe I'll even let her know how dizzy you are with her."
Emma rolled her eyes, "I'm sure she'll appreciate that." She muttered.
"Yeah I'm sure she will." Graham tipped his hat to her as he left and Emma shook her head.
Emma picked up the picture studying her pretty face. "Where are you hiding doll?" She asked no one in particular.
"Thought I wouldn't get to see you tonight," Ruby remarked making her way across the bar to Emma. With her hair curled and her pretty smile she could be any gangster's moll but she continued to work in this dive. It wasn't a terrible place, just run down like a lot of places in this hardboiled town. The bar a large wooden monstrosity from golden years passed was now dinged up probably from too many fights and the seats in front which used to be cushioned were now uncomfortable mounds of metal but still people lined up at them. At least they did until the heat drove them out to find somewhere more worth it probably gone to the swankier clubs on the lower east side.
"You almost didn't. Give me a snort and I'll make it up to you."
"Show me two bits and we'll talk." Ruby offered right back knowing how Emma could be but still willing to serve her what she asked for.
Emma grinned holding up the envelope Henry had given her. "I know how to work a dame like you properly."
Ruby smiled back at her and gave a nod, "My shift ends at 11, what do you say we take it on the heel and toe?"
"You got it doll." Emma agreed, "As long as you get me my drink first."
Ruby gave a nod before walking across the scuffed floor heading back behind the equally dingy bar and speaking to her grandmother who poured the liquor around here. Everyone knew not to mess with that old broad. She packed serious heat and people always thought twice about looking at the dame serving the drinks but then Emma never really had a fear of getting clipped. Maybe that's why she'd ended up bedding the pretty waitress at least twice a week.
Ruby came back with the tumbler full of clear liquor and Emma lifted it up giving the beauty a salute which got her a giggle before she downed it in one gulp. She barely made a face as the strong liquor slid down her throat burning all the way to her stomach. She motioned with a tilt of her head for another and Ruby took her queue going to get it. She sat back relaxing against the back booth thankful for the fan that she was sitting under. The temperature at night during this damn heat wave was something to be rivaled and everyone was either in the bars trying to make the heat worth their while or enjoying themselves in other ways.
After a few drinks Emma had a nice buzz going and her pretty waitress was by her side. "Come on doll let's blow this pop stand."
Ruby giggled sliding into Emma's arm easily as she led them out the front door and into the heated sticky warmth of the underbelly of Manhattan night life.
Emma sighed as she rose to her feet. It was too hot to stay in bed and Ruby's apartment was on the fifth floor of a walk up. Heat rises as they say. Ruby stretched out on her side propping herself up on her elbow. "Where you going?" She asked stretching seductively. "Come back to bed Em."
"Nah Rubes gotta get going," Emma smiled at her as she pulled on her black pants.
Ruby pouted the white sheet they'd been under falling lower as she stretched trying to entice Emma back to bed to get her pound of flesh.
"Where you heading this time of night?" Ruby couldn't keep the note of jealousy out of her voice.
Emma sat down on the bed, feeling the metal frame jostle as Ruby sat up and draped herself across her sweaty back.
"My own joint for the time being; I got things to do tonight." Emma tied up the laces on her shoe setting her leg down before she looked over her shoulder at Ruby. Ruby's curls had fallen a bit during their rather enjoyable evening, her bright red lipstick still smeared and smudged from the heated kisses they'd enjoyed.
"Like what?" Ruby asked, rubbing her body seductively against Emma's back.
Emma sighed tempted to fall back into bed but shook her head knowing if she followed that line of thought she'd never get out of here.
"Got a case missing girl pretty thing too."
"Prettier than me," Ruby asked, cocking her head. Soft brown and red streaked hair brushed Emma's arm and Emma let out a sigh.
"Nah not prettier than you doll," she lied finally. The truth was Ruby was a lovely girl despite her roundheels reputation. Emma knew she should end this that Graham was right Ruby was getting a little too attached to her. That wasn't her style she loved 'em and left 'em long before they were able to fall for her. Maybe bedding Ruby so often had been a mistake. She'd pay hell admitting that to Graham though. Man loved to gloat more than anything.
Ruby smiled and pressed a kiss to Emma's bare shoulder. "So why you gotta go?"
"Because if I stay here any longer I'll never go look for her and my client already paid me for my first day."
"Well where you heading to look for her?"
"Thought I'd go down to the Black Butterfly see if maybe I can get someone to spill to me over a glass of tiger milk."
"Black butterfly that's old stomping grounds for you isn't it?" Ruby asked pulling away slowly as Emma rose to her feet.
The sheet off she was given quite the eyeful of Ruby's beautiful nude body. Ruby sat up not bothering to cover herself back up as she smiled waiting on her to come towards her.
"Used to be back when I was in that line of work," Emma murmured studying the perky breasts with their dusty rose colored nipples that called to her.
Ruby smirked realizing she just might get her way if she played her cards right. She slid a hand down cupping her breast and pulling at the right nipple which was already hard. She heard Emma groan. "You sure I can't interest in you in staying?" She asked her voice taking on a breathless quality.
Emma shook her head, "Nah. I gotta go." She pulled on her shirt buttoning it up and forcing herself to look away as she grabbed her fedora from the nightstand and headed towards the door.
"You won't even give me a kiss goodbye?" Ruby called as soon as she hit the bedroom doorway.
Emma groaned turning around as she slid the hat back on her head. "Don't you think you been kissed enough doll?"
"Not nearly," Ruby smirked rising to her feet and moving towards Emma who remained standing in the doorway.
The blonde remained put until the little waitress decided to try and pull her hat off before she moved back. "Ruby I got work to do." She said firmly and the beauty pouted but allowed her to leave without another word.
Dip the bill – have a drink
Dame - Pretty Woman
Broad - Woman
Snort – a drink of gin
Two bits – 25 bucks or 25 cents
Take it on the heel and toe – Leave
Blow this pop stand – let's get out of here
Joint – Home
Roundheels – Woman of easy virtue
Tiger Milk – Any sort of liquor
Heat - Gun
Clipped - getting shot