11 - Laura 03 - Some Like it Cold
The taxi pulled up at 6 on the dot. Laura had been waiting all of two minutes on the steps of the shelter, having just gotten out of her own taxi when the car pulled up.
The driver actually got out and offered her the door- she wasn’t expecting this. Although. In hindsight, she thought to herself. She probably should have.
She sat in the seat as the door closed. Lady K sat next to her, her red dress the colour of dark blood and complimenting her hair by being a half shade darker. Even though Laura had spent more money on her dress than she’d spent on any single thing in her life, she still felt shabby next to the elegance. “Good, you can polish up.” She added with a smile. “You were worried?” “A little. You are rough around the edges, after all.” “I’m flattered.” Laura added flatly. The lady chuckled. “I enjoy rough edges.”
“Is that why were taking a cab and not some sort of fancy limousine?”
The lady nodded. “One of the reasons. What you are going to find out, Elle, is that what you cannot take anything at face value. Even the things that are directly in front of your eyes, may well be something else.” “You’re telling me. I mean, I knew when I started my community service that you were a connected businesswoman with a penchant for helping others get off the streets. But now…” “Now?” “Now I don’t know. You act at times like some billionaire heiress. That, crossed with an angry librarian. You intimidate me, and that’s not a feeling I wanted to feel again.”
“I promise you, my menace is not directed at you. In fact, I hope you succeed. A lot for me will ride on having your trust as much as your service, after all.” “And you’re not afraid I’ll betray you? I mean, if you can get my record deleted I figure you could easily trumped it up.”
“My dear…-“ the woman turned with a sweet smile- “After tonight, your loyalty will be assured, and I will not have to lift a finger to do so.” “Why is that?” “Because for you, tonight is going to be so enlightening, that if you even try to articulate it to someone else, they will at best consider you a liar, and at worst have you committed.” She looked forward. “And I have no doubt, that fate would be worse than any mere women’s penitentiary.” “You’re really messed up…” Laura said, under her breath. “Indeed. I am.” The Lady said, barely as loud as she grinned.
The cocktail lounge, as it ended up, was clear across town and it was well into the night when they beheld the sign. THE POTION ROOM.
A seat table near the front was arranged with barely but a glance from the Lady, and drinks - Laura hadn’t recognized any of the names but what had been delivered was at least passingly resembling a gin and tonic - were began.
“So is your friend meeting us here?” Laura added, watching how the Lady’s demeanour had not changed an iota from the car. If she was wearing an emotional mask, it may well have been chiseled from granite. “She will be on stage in twenty minutes.” The Lady said quietly. “We will watch her performance, and judge her work accordingly.” She turned to Laura. “After which, she will join us, and she will judge the beginning of MY work.” “I don’t like being judged.” “That is far too bad. For it is necessary. But I am assured, the judging will likely garner the lesser part of your attention tonight.” She added, with almost half a chuckle. “Well that’s fucking ominous.” “Indeed. However, perhaps we should take the time to address your language. I have no quarrel with it for the most part, but please, do be mindful of your tongue in these more… formal occasions.” “Or you’ll have it cut from my mouth?” Laura added with a joking smile- that died the moment she saw the Lady’s contemplative expression. “Something like that.” The Lady mused. “I do have equal preference for Honesty and Silence after all.” “Riiight.” Laura grimaced, and went for her drink.
There was silence between them. The club seemed to darken and hush as the band ensemble came out. They stacked their instruments silently, and seemed to shuffle listlessly into position over the course of 10 minutes.
Then *she* stepped out.
The steady sounds of smooth gentle jazz started, as the singer, blue dress and greying hair seductively took the microphone, and stated to sing.
[insert ‘Some like it Cold’ lyrics here]
The Lady watched intently as the song rounded into another number. Laura wasn’t the biggest jazz fan, but as a performance it seemed… adequate. She noted that it was hard to take her eyes from the curves of the singer though, as if the band themselves were perpetually shrouded in darkness.
“What do you think?” The lady seemed to purr. “They seem… okay. I mean, isn’t jazz supposed to be all about passion and improv and emotion?” “Quite indeed! I am impressed! And that, my dear, is why I am impressed here with my friend. Tell me. Look, do you see anything odd? Out of the ordinary?” “Nooo.” “Take the picture I gave you out.” The lady commanded.” She waited for compliance, then continued. “Hold it in front of your face, and close your eyes. Good. Now, imagine the eyes on the photograph opening. Concentrate. Once you have it, open your eyes.” Laura did. And the moment she tried, a Lance of pure venomous pain stabbed her in the temples and she dropped the photo. “Sonovabitch.” “A headache is to be expected the first few times. Slowly now. Open, and at the performance, *look again*…”
Laura did. It took a moment for her eyes to focus with the pain, but the room didn’t seem so dark now. And that was when her blood ran cold. The band… there was something wrong with them…. Their skin was… was wrong. Pallid. Even green. And on the drummer she could even see teeth where a cheek was missing…. No, no, this was a trick… a spiked drink…. But still she stared. Watching lifeless eyes staring forward as they went through the motions of living.
“Behold, Lilly’s triumph.” The lady chuckled. “You are correct of course. Jazz is as music of passion and energy and life… but here, here she has the unloving playing a satisfactory facsimile of it, despite having none of what it takes. I am thoroughly impressed.” “I think I’m going to be sick.” The lady sighed. “Then quit staring and end the spell. Pick up the photo, close your eyes, imagine the eyes closing again… just as you did but in reverse.” She fumbled for the photo, catching it and doing as she was told. Immediately, her head cleared of the searing pain and she could breathe without clenching her teeth. “What… the…” “Language, dear.” “Fuck. No. This is appropriate usage. What the Fuck. What the *actual* fuck.”
“Welcome to the world as it truly is.”
“Those are fucking Zombies.”
“Yes. Each member of her entourage, her band, her assistants, is someone who swore her their undying love… *Lilly* is indeed the personification of a reason marriage vows contain the phrase, ‘till death do us part…’ …”
“You’re absolutely bullshitting me.” “Not at all.” The lady applauded as Lilly wrapped up her set, blew a kiss to the crowd and headed backstage as the band cleaned up. “You just had your eyes opened. Now you need to open your mind. The world is much bigger than most people think it is. Or rather, it is a lot smaller, it just has more things in it. “
“Like the living fucking dead?”
“And Magic. It’s only Nature. Indeed, myth and legends are still about.”
“Fairy Tales.” “Fairy tales. The old stories have kernels of truths, and often warnings within them. That’s because the fey are real. They always have been.” “Then why…” “Humanity. To put it bluntly, the untold faceless masses of humanity. This is our world now. The fey, the myths, the dangers, are all personifications of nature and the natural world - or the perversions of it - for the greater part. But nature is very vast, and humanity is adept at smothering.” “But still-“ “You should have seen something? Heard something? Dear, there are close to ten million people in this city. Ten million loud, demanding, hungry, self centered human souls. And dashed amongst that throng, are maybe a couple of thousand *different* individuals. Whether they be the damned and the cursed, the natural fey, those who have tapped into the energy of the world, or those even who are descended thereof. Tiny sparkling coloured flecks, amongst a bright whitewash of sterile light.”
“I just. It’s insane.” “Have another drink, dear. I did warn you. There is no turning back now, Elle.” The lady smiled, and for a second, Laura could have sworn there was a hunger in her eyes. “Now, the business can truly begin.”
---
The club was dark and quiet after the last of the entertainment had ended. Drinks and snacks and Laura had even seen the lady - her patroness - start idle conversations with passers by. It all seemed so mundane, but her head was spinning. Spinning in what she had seen, spinning on what it meant. Spinning on whether it was all real at all or just a drugged drink revelation.
Eventually most of the patrons cleared out. It was well after the midnight closing time, and the bartender had cut the lights, reducing illumination to candles upon every table. The warmth of the flames were the only barrier against the creeping cold Laura felt up her spine.
She looked once again at the lady… Karen Szarka, owner of a few local businesses and the philanthropist behind the Lantern Street Women’s Shelter.
And apparently, something so much more. Laura knew she had no way of knowing. So far. Ms. Szarka had shown both an unmatched level of proprietary, as well as a hidden deep well of disdain.
And now the world had changed. Magic, she had said. The Fey. Monsters and Myth being True… it was so much.
*”Szarka…. Kedves barátom…”* the breathy voice barely above a whisper broke her thoughts, as the silver haired singer from before glided over to the table.
“Szépasszony-lánya…” The red haired woman responded as she stood. The two joined hands, intertwining fingers with palms facing, but drew no closer than that. Laura watched stiffly as the two women smiled at each other, then sat almost in syncronity.
They stared across the table at each other for a long moment, then Lady K spoke.
“The performance was quite wonderful, given what you had to work with. It is impressive just what you have managed to coax out of your companions.” “A kindness I do not deserve.” The other woman - Lilly, Laura remembered at last - said back with a smile that, on closer inspection, was colder than her dead drummer.
“It is a kindness still given.” Lady K dismissed with a wave of her hand. “When I heard you were in town, I knew I had to not pass up the opportunity. You rarely pass through.” “Entertaining the way I do often takes me places I do not intend-“ Lilly smiled and, to the woman’s horror, turned to Laura- “it does allow me to meet people I did not expect, however. Lillibeth Kertesz.” She offered her hand, and Laura shook it shakily. “Elle.” She managed to croak out. “Elle.” The woman seemed to breathe the word more than say it. “A deliciously enigmatic nonsequitor. I take it from your demeanour that you have never seen an act like mine before.” “No ma’am.” Laura managed to stutter. “Never… seen any of this before.” “How odd of a choice.” She said, turning to Lady K. “ I would have thought you would have chosen someone … a little different.” “Elle has some rough edges, as I do.” Lady K said matter of factly. “As she is still here, her constitution and resolve is adequately demonstrated.” “Curiosity can bite both ways however. Are you sure she is up to the tasks you will require of her though?” “Elle has seen the worst of humanity. She has bathed her hands in its blood. I have some confidence.” “But not *every* confidence.” Lilly breathed chidingly with a smile, as if the subject of their discussion was not even sitting there. “We could always test her now.” “We could.” Lady k nodded, before looking Laura dead in the eyes. “But if you are leaving town, then you would by necessity miss the fruits of the nights labour.” “That is true. Very well, as much as you seek my approval, and I do not understand why…. You have it. Mold this… Elle… as you see fit, and I wish you both the most fruitful of relationships.” She stood slowly, taking Laura’s hand and kissing it, the curious mix of cold lips and warm breath breezing the back of her hand as Lilly retreated for the night.
Laura sat. Looking at her hand, where the faintest impression of blue lips still graced the skin. She couldn’t recall the Lady’s lipstick, but she was sure it was not *blue*…
“What are you thinking?” Lady K intoned into the quiet. “That I’ve made a mistake. That this is fucked up. That I am clearly crazy. That at the very least someone drugged me as a sick joke, and frankly all I want to do is cry and scream and cry sone more.” “Well, I would not recommend that.” The lady said with a chuckle. “There is far too much work for you to do for you to have time for a mental breakdown…. But perhaps… perhaps we should start easy.”
“Easy? Was tonight .*easy*?” “Working for me will be the most difficult thing you likely do in your life, my dear. But I will make it the most rewarding.”
The lady fished in her purse, and pulled out two Envelopes, one in white and one in crimson. “Take this. They have lists of thing I require collected. Utilize the remainder of the money I gave you, and contact me id you require more. I would doubt it for now.” She leaned forward. “But under no circumstance are you to open the Red envelope until you have acquired every single item on the white ones list, am I clear? If you are unable to achieve the simpler, I would wish you to have the more difficult to remain unknown and unattempted.” “A shopping list? That’s my test?” “More a scavenger hunt. Which… reminds me…”
The Lady leaned in closer, and withdrew an item from her purse and held it up. It was a small flattened rod, inflated with silver and carved ivory. Smooth on its edges, she turned it around slowly, then put it on the table. “Give be your knife.” Lady so said, holding out her hand. “*Excuse* me?” “Your knife. Your switchblade, your butterfly, whatever blade you are carrying. You were charged with assault with intent and your weapon of choice was a knife, so I know you only feel safe caryying one. Hand it over. *Now.*”
Laura jumped at the intensity of the last word and feeble fished out the small switchblade. The lady took it abs tossed it into her purse, then picked up the rod she had left, she placed it in Laura’s hand, arranging her thumb on a raised symbol. “Now, push it down.” Laura did, abs there was a click, but nothing happened. “Is it broken?” “No, it’s working perfectly. Do it again, but this time, before you press it, say ‘Malice’.”
“Malice.” The click was harsher, and a long thin blade slid out. Laura couldn’t have even seen the seam it came out of to start with. The blade itself was a curious two tone as well. It felt incredibly light, yet… something with it. “I will save you details, but this will serve you better. Without the word. Anyone inspecting will find it not a weapon. The blade itself is one edge of iron, the other of silver. Many will find one or the other inimical. May you never need it, but if you do, clean it well. I expect it back someday.”
With that, The Lady stood, nodded once, and turned to leave.
Laura watched the lady leave. She looked down at the envelope in her hands and found herself just staring. Staring hard at it, in the quiet, subdued club atmosphere. She wasn’t sure if there were even any other patrons about after the lights went off and the candles came out, abs right now, she was struggling to think straight about anything. “Penny for your thoughts?”
A voice came over her shoulder. It was gruff and masculine, but it had a burr of concern behind it.
“Geh!” She jumped and turned…. Wide eyed, she noted the bartender standing there, towel in hand, a good three feet back. “Jesus, do you often sneak up on girls like that?”
“More often than not, sadly. S’why I stand back.” He pointed the towel at *Malice* on the table. “Well out of stabbing range, you see. Comes with the territory.”
“Yeah. I can see.” Laura added sarcastically.
“You want a final drink before the road? You seemed a bit overwhelmed.”
“You could say that. New job, lots of things to learn.”
“Lots of eye opening experiences, I’m sure.” He added with a half chuckle. “Although if you’re with Madam Szarka, then there’s no doubt a lot of those to come.”
Laura perked up. Almost no-one actually mentioned the woman *by name*, and that meant something.
“What do you know about her? I mean, I’ll take a drink and some info if you’re offering.” Laura said, turning in the chair and standing. “It’s been a big blur otherwise.”
“Well, people in my line of work normally do the listening, but a little talking about what I can won’t go amiss.” He gestured her over to the bar. “Been here nearly twenty years, and your Lady’s been a fixture longer than that.” He nods. “She holds her age well, but doesn’t drink like she used to.”
“I don’t even know how old she is. Frankly too terrified to ask.”
“Uh-huh. She keeps a lot of mystery for sure, but you can figure some things out. Where she’s *from* is one of em. Kinda. Anyhow, it’s an interesting titbit.”
“Do tell.” “Well, I’m pretty sure she’s Hungarian. I mean. If you believe her name.” “Szarka.” “Means magpie. Now, with that shock of white hair, maybe that’s deliberate. But it matches with what she used to drink.” “Which was?” “Now now, I’m getting into confidential territory here.” “Uh-huh.” Laura nodded. “What if I buy a bottle? Give it as a gift to her, would that loosen things?” He chuckled. “Right it just might.”
He pulled a round bellied bottle from the wall. “Pálinka.” He said awkwardly. “We almost had an argument over it when I first started here, so I remember it well.”
She read what she could of the bottle. “Fruit brandy?” “Yeah. Even in this commercial form it’s got a kick at 40%, but apparently back home, they have home brew that go up near 90.” “That’s insane.” He shrugged. “Most home favourites are like That. Sixty for the bottle and the story.”
She fished out a handful of bills and paid. Then looked around. “Thanks for the info. Do you have a phone I could use to call a cab?” “You lost yours?” He added with a quirk. “Don’t have one.” “Young thing like you without a cellphone? Now that is just plain strange.” “It’s complicated.” She added. “Yeah, I bet it would be.” He pulled a cordless from under the table and handed it over, then went back to polishing.
The cab ride itself was a blur.
She sat in the seat as the door closed. Lady K sat next to her, her red dress the colour of dark blood and complimenting her hair by being a half shade darker. Even though Laura had spent more money on her dress than she’d spent on any single thing in her life, she still felt shabby next to the elegance. “Good, you can polish up.” She added with a smile. “You were worried?” “A little. You are rough around the edges, after all.” “I’m flattered.” Laura added flatly. The lady chuckled. “I enjoy rough edges.”
“Is that why were taking a cab and not some sort of fancy limousine?”
The lady nodded. “One of the reasons. What you are going to find out, Elle, is that what you cannot take anything at face value. Even the things that are directly in front of your eyes, may well be something else.” “You’re telling me. I mean, I knew when I started my community service that you were a connected businesswoman with a penchant for helping others get off the streets. But now…” “Now?” “Now I don’t know. You act at times like some billionaire heiress. That, crossed with an angry librarian. You intimidate me, and that’s not a feeling I wanted to feel again.”
“I promise you, my menace is not directed at you. In fact, I hope you succeed. A lot for me will ride on having your trust as much as your service, after all.” “And you’re not afraid I’ll betray you? I mean, if you can get my record deleted I figure you could easily trumped it up.”
“My dear…-“ the woman turned with a sweet smile- “After tonight, your loyalty will be assured, and I will not have to lift a finger to do so.” “Why is that?” “Because for you, tonight is going to be so enlightening, that if you even try to articulate it to someone else, they will at best consider you a liar, and at worst have you committed.” She looked forward. “And I have no doubt, that fate would be worse than any mere women’s penitentiary.” “You’re really messed up…” Laura said, under her breath. “Indeed. I am.” The Lady said, barely as loud as she grinned.
The cocktail lounge, as it ended up, was clear across town and it was well into the night when they beheld the sign. THE POTION ROOM.
A seat table near the front was arranged with barely but a glance from the Lady, and drinks - Laura hadn’t recognized any of the names but what had been delivered was at least passingly resembling a gin and tonic - were began.
“So is your friend meeting us here?” Laura added, watching how the Lady’s demeanour had not changed an iota from the car. If she was wearing an emotional mask, it may well have been chiseled from granite. “She will be on stage in twenty minutes.” The Lady said quietly. “We will watch her performance, and judge her work accordingly.” She turned to Laura. “After which, she will join us, and she will judge the beginning of MY work.” “I don’t like being judged.” “That is far too bad. For it is necessary. But I am assured, the judging will likely garner the lesser part of your attention tonight.” She added, with almost half a chuckle. “Well that’s fucking ominous.” “Indeed. However, perhaps we should take the time to address your language. I have no quarrel with it for the most part, but please, do be mindful of your tongue in these more… formal occasions.” “Or you’ll have it cut from my mouth?” Laura added with a joking smile- that died the moment she saw the Lady’s contemplative expression. “Something like that.” The Lady mused. “I do have equal preference for Honesty and Silence after all.” “Riiight.” Laura grimaced, and went for her drink.
There was silence between them. The club seemed to darken and hush as the band ensemble came out. They stacked their instruments silently, and seemed to shuffle listlessly into position over the course of 10 minutes.
Then *she* stepped out.
The steady sounds of smooth gentle jazz started, as the singer, blue dress and greying hair seductively took the microphone, and stated to sing.
[insert ‘Some like it Cold’ lyrics here]
The Lady watched intently as the song rounded into another number. Laura wasn’t the biggest jazz fan, but as a performance it seemed… adequate. She noted that it was hard to take her eyes from the curves of the singer though, as if the band themselves were perpetually shrouded in darkness.
“What do you think?” The lady seemed to purr. “They seem… okay. I mean, isn’t jazz supposed to be all about passion and improv and emotion?” “Quite indeed! I am impressed! And that, my dear, is why I am impressed here with my friend. Tell me. Look, do you see anything odd? Out of the ordinary?” “Nooo.” “Take the picture I gave you out.” The lady commanded.” She waited for compliance, then continued. “Hold it in front of your face, and close your eyes. Good. Now, imagine the eyes on the photograph opening. Concentrate. Once you have it, open your eyes.” Laura did. And the moment she tried, a Lance of pure venomous pain stabbed her in the temples and she dropped the photo. “Sonovabitch.” “A headache is to be expected the first few times. Slowly now. Open, and at the performance, *look again*…”
Laura did. It took a moment for her eyes to focus with the pain, but the room didn’t seem so dark now. And that was when her blood ran cold. The band… there was something wrong with them…. Their skin was… was wrong. Pallid. Even green. And on the drummer she could even see teeth where a cheek was missing…. No, no, this was a trick… a spiked drink…. But still she stared. Watching lifeless eyes staring forward as they went through the motions of living.
“Behold, Lilly’s triumph.” The lady chuckled. “You are correct of course. Jazz is as music of passion and energy and life… but here, here she has the unloving playing a satisfactory facsimile of it, despite having none of what it takes. I am thoroughly impressed.” “I think I’m going to be sick.” The lady sighed. “Then quit staring and end the spell. Pick up the photo, close your eyes, imagine the eyes closing again… just as you did but in reverse.” She fumbled for the photo, catching it and doing as she was told. Immediately, her head cleared of the searing pain and she could breathe without clenching her teeth. “What… the…” “Language, dear.” “Fuck. No. This is appropriate usage. What the Fuck. What the *actual* fuck.”
“Welcome to the world as it truly is.”
“Those are fucking Zombies.”
“Yes. Each member of her entourage, her band, her assistants, is someone who swore her their undying love… *Lilly* is indeed the personification of a reason marriage vows contain the phrase, ‘till death do us part…’ …”
“You’re absolutely bullshitting me.” “Not at all.” The lady applauded as Lilly wrapped up her set, blew a kiss to the crowd and headed backstage as the band cleaned up. “You just had your eyes opened. Now you need to open your mind. The world is much bigger than most people think it is. Or rather, it is a lot smaller, it just has more things in it. “
“Like the living fucking dead?”
“And Magic. It’s only Nature. Indeed, myth and legends are still about.”
“Fairy Tales.” “Fairy tales. The old stories have kernels of truths, and often warnings within them. That’s because the fey are real. They always have been.” “Then why…” “Humanity. To put it bluntly, the untold faceless masses of humanity. This is our world now. The fey, the myths, the dangers, are all personifications of nature and the natural world - or the perversions of it - for the greater part. But nature is very vast, and humanity is adept at smothering.” “But still-“ “You should have seen something? Heard something? Dear, there are close to ten million people in this city. Ten million loud, demanding, hungry, self centered human souls. And dashed amongst that throng, are maybe a couple of thousand *different* individuals. Whether they be the damned and the cursed, the natural fey, those who have tapped into the energy of the world, or those even who are descended thereof. Tiny sparkling coloured flecks, amongst a bright whitewash of sterile light.”
“I just. It’s insane.” “Have another drink, dear. I did warn you. There is no turning back now, Elle.” The lady smiled, and for a second, Laura could have sworn there was a hunger in her eyes. “Now, the business can truly begin.”
---
The club was dark and quiet after the last of the entertainment had ended. Drinks and snacks and Laura had even seen the lady - her patroness - start idle conversations with passers by. It all seemed so mundane, but her head was spinning. Spinning in what she had seen, spinning on what it meant. Spinning on whether it was all real at all or just a drugged drink revelation.
Eventually most of the patrons cleared out. It was well after the midnight closing time, and the bartender had cut the lights, reducing illumination to candles upon every table. The warmth of the flames were the only barrier against the creeping cold Laura felt up her spine.
She looked once again at the lady… Karen Szarka, owner of a few local businesses and the philanthropist behind the Lantern Street Women’s Shelter.
And apparently, something so much more. Laura knew she had no way of knowing. So far. Ms. Szarka had shown both an unmatched level of proprietary, as well as a hidden deep well of disdain.
And now the world had changed. Magic, she had said. The Fey. Monsters and Myth being True… it was so much.
*”Szarka…. Kedves barátom…”* the breathy voice barely above a whisper broke her thoughts, as the silver haired singer from before glided over to the table.
“Szépasszony-lánya…” The red haired woman responded as she stood. The two joined hands, intertwining fingers with palms facing, but drew no closer than that. Laura watched stiffly as the two women smiled at each other, then sat almost in syncronity.
They stared across the table at each other for a long moment, then Lady K spoke.
“The performance was quite wonderful, given what you had to work with. It is impressive just what you have managed to coax out of your companions.” “A kindness I do not deserve.” The other woman - Lilly, Laura remembered at last - said back with a smile that, on closer inspection, was colder than her dead drummer.
“It is a kindness still given.” Lady K dismissed with a wave of her hand. “When I heard you were in town, I knew I had to not pass up the opportunity. You rarely pass through.” “Entertaining the way I do often takes me places I do not intend-“ Lilly smiled and, to the woman’s horror, turned to Laura- “it does allow me to meet people I did not expect, however. Lillibeth Kertesz.” She offered her hand, and Laura shook it shakily. “Elle.” She managed to croak out. “Elle.” The woman seemed to breathe the word more than say it. “A deliciously enigmatic nonsequitor. I take it from your demeanour that you have never seen an act like mine before.” “No ma’am.” Laura managed to stutter. “Never… seen any of this before.” “How odd of a choice.” She said, turning to Lady K. “ I would have thought you would have chosen someone … a little different.” “Elle has some rough edges, as I do.” Lady K said matter of factly. “As she is still here, her constitution and resolve is adequately demonstrated.” “Curiosity can bite both ways however. Are you sure she is up to the tasks you will require of her though?” “Elle has seen the worst of humanity. She has bathed her hands in its blood. I have some confidence.” “But not *every* confidence.” Lilly breathed chidingly with a smile, as if the subject of their discussion was not even sitting there. “We could always test her now.” “We could.” Lady k nodded, before looking Laura dead in the eyes. “But if you are leaving town, then you would by necessity miss the fruits of the nights labour.” “That is true. Very well, as much as you seek my approval, and I do not understand why…. You have it. Mold this… Elle… as you see fit, and I wish you both the most fruitful of relationships.” She stood slowly, taking Laura’s hand and kissing it, the curious mix of cold lips and warm breath breezing the back of her hand as Lilly retreated for the night.
Laura sat. Looking at her hand, where the faintest impression of blue lips still graced the skin. She couldn’t recall the Lady’s lipstick, but she was sure it was not *blue*…
“What are you thinking?” Lady K intoned into the quiet. “That I’ve made a mistake. That this is fucked up. That I am clearly crazy. That at the very least someone drugged me as a sick joke, and frankly all I want to do is cry and scream and cry sone more.” “Well, I would not recommend that.” The lady said with a chuckle. “There is far too much work for you to do for you to have time for a mental breakdown…. But perhaps… perhaps we should start easy.”
“Easy? Was tonight .*easy*?” “Working for me will be the most difficult thing you likely do in your life, my dear. But I will make it the most rewarding.”
The lady fished in her purse, and pulled out two Envelopes, one in white and one in crimson. “Take this. They have lists of thing I require collected. Utilize the remainder of the money I gave you, and contact me id you require more. I would doubt it for now.” She leaned forward. “But under no circumstance are you to open the Red envelope until you have acquired every single item on the white ones list, am I clear? If you are unable to achieve the simpler, I would wish you to have the more difficult to remain unknown and unattempted.” “A shopping list? That’s my test?” “More a scavenger hunt. Which… reminds me…”
The Lady leaned in closer, and withdrew an item from her purse and held it up. It was a small flattened rod, inflated with silver and carved ivory. Smooth on its edges, she turned it around slowly, then put it on the table. “Give be your knife.” Lady so said, holding out her hand. “*Excuse* me?” “Your knife. Your switchblade, your butterfly, whatever blade you are carrying. You were charged with assault with intent and your weapon of choice was a knife, so I know you only feel safe caryying one. Hand it over. *Now.*”
Laura jumped at the intensity of the last word and feeble fished out the small switchblade. The lady took it abs tossed it into her purse, then picked up the rod she had left, she placed it in Laura’s hand, arranging her thumb on a raised symbol. “Now, push it down.” Laura did, abs there was a click, but nothing happened. “Is it broken?” “No, it’s working perfectly. Do it again, but this time, before you press it, say ‘Malice’.”
“Malice.” The click was harsher, and a long thin blade slid out. Laura couldn’t have even seen the seam it came out of to start with. The blade itself was a curious two tone as well. It felt incredibly light, yet… something with it. “I will save you details, but this will serve you better. Without the word. Anyone inspecting will find it not a weapon. The blade itself is one edge of iron, the other of silver. Many will find one or the other inimical. May you never need it, but if you do, clean it well. I expect it back someday.”
With that, The Lady stood, nodded once, and turned to leave.
Laura watched the lady leave. She looked down at the envelope in her hands and found herself just staring. Staring hard at it, in the quiet, subdued club atmosphere. She wasn’t sure if there were even any other patrons about after the lights went off and the candles came out, abs right now, she was struggling to think straight about anything. “Penny for your thoughts?”
A voice came over her shoulder. It was gruff and masculine, but it had a burr of concern behind it.
“Geh!” She jumped and turned…. Wide eyed, she noted the bartender standing there, towel in hand, a good three feet back. “Jesus, do you often sneak up on girls like that?”
“More often than not, sadly. S’why I stand back.” He pointed the towel at *Malice* on the table. “Well out of stabbing range, you see. Comes with the territory.”
“Yeah. I can see.” Laura added sarcastically.
“You want a final drink before the road? You seemed a bit overwhelmed.”
“You could say that. New job, lots of things to learn.”
“Lots of eye opening experiences, I’m sure.” He added with a half chuckle. “Although if you’re with Madam Szarka, then there’s no doubt a lot of those to come.”
Laura perked up. Almost no-one actually mentioned the woman *by name*, and that meant something.
“What do you know about her? I mean, I’ll take a drink and some info if you’re offering.” Laura said, turning in the chair and standing. “It’s been a big blur otherwise.”
“Well, people in my line of work normally do the listening, but a little talking about what I can won’t go amiss.” He gestured her over to the bar. “Been here nearly twenty years, and your Lady’s been a fixture longer than that.” He nods. “She holds her age well, but doesn’t drink like she used to.”
“I don’t even know how old she is. Frankly too terrified to ask.”
“Uh-huh. She keeps a lot of mystery for sure, but you can figure some things out. Where she’s *from* is one of em. Kinda. Anyhow, it’s an interesting titbit.”
“Do tell.” “Well, I’m pretty sure she’s Hungarian. I mean. If you believe her name.” “Szarka.” “Means magpie. Now, with that shock of white hair, maybe that’s deliberate. But it matches with what she used to drink.” “Which was?” “Now now, I’m getting into confidential territory here.” “Uh-huh.” Laura nodded. “What if I buy a bottle? Give it as a gift to her, would that loosen things?” He chuckled. “Right it just might.”
He pulled a round bellied bottle from the wall. “Pálinka.” He said awkwardly. “We almost had an argument over it when I first started here, so I remember it well.”
She read what she could of the bottle. “Fruit brandy?” “Yeah. Even in this commercial form it’s got a kick at 40%, but apparently back home, they have home brew that go up near 90.” “That’s insane.” He shrugged. “Most home favourites are like That. Sixty for the bottle and the story.”
She fished out a handful of bills and paid. Then looked around. “Thanks for the info. Do you have a phone I could use to call a cab?” “You lost yours?” He added with a quirk. “Don’t have one.” “Young thing like you without a cellphone? Now that is just plain strange.” “It’s complicated.” She added. “Yeah, I bet it would be.” He pulled a cordless from under the table and handed it over, then went back to polishing.
The cab ride itself was a blur.
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