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A scene from chapter 5

Setup:  Jack has coaxed his aunt into letting him visit the main bordello - "The Mansion" while she nudges him toward a career in concert piano and away from jazz!

 Sunday afternoon, Harris, Aunt Clara's colored chauffeur, and Jack pull up in front of a large old stone mansion in East St. Louis. It is a bordello. Jack changed his clothes after attending services at Trinity Episcopal Church. His aunt insisted he become close with the Lord. It was not only part of his civilization, as she would call it, but Aunt Clara knew his mother would approve.

 The door opened and a large, colored servant eyed Jack suspiciously. Harris spoke to the doorman, "It's okay, Henry. This is master Jack, Miss Clara's nephew."

 With a nod, Henry bowed and ushered them in. The hallway was large. A huge chandelier hung near the sweeping staircase. It was an elegant place with old, but beautiful Victorian furniture everywhere. Jack was impressed. As he followed Harris into the drawing room he spotted a high back piano opposite a large brick fireplace. He moved to the piano and lifted the cover from the keyboard. Just then, a woman wearing a flowing feathered gown came bouncing into the room. Her face, white as alabaster, was surrounded by long red curls. A large gold cigarette holder was stuck in one corner of her painted mouth as the smoke curled upward in swirling ringlets. She supported it with two fingers.

 "Ahh, you must be Jack," she said, throwing her arms open and giving him a big hug. "Your aunt told me to expect you. I am Greta. Would you like some tea? No, of course not. How about a big, cold root beer and a large piece of chocolate cake?"

 She ordered Henry to bring the refreshments and pointed to an overstuffed chair for Jack to sit in. Harris accompanied Henry as Jack watched the two tall men glide silently through the double pocketed doors. He figured Miss Greta must be sort of an important lady in this operation. A real pro!

 "Miss Greta, would it be possible to play that piano?" Jack pointed to the high-back.

 "Of course! Of course! Can you play boogie-woogie, dearie? I just love boogie-woogie. Charles, that's our colored professor, he plays real nice music for the 'Johns'. I mean, the customers." A look of flushed concern passed across her face quickly.

 Jack sat at the piano and ran his fingers across the keys from left to right and back again. Little out of tune, he thought.

 For the next few minutes he pounded out a medley of Fats Waller tunes at a tempo that used to make his old friends at Mamma Goldies shake their heads and clap their hands. He glanced at Miss Greta, who was bouncing around, smiling a broad smile on her painted face. She was a little heavy, with a large bosom.

 "Boy, you can tickle those ivories," said Miss Greta, clapping her hands to the lively music. "I think Miss Clara should hire you, Jack."

 As he finished playing spinning himself around on the stool, his eye caught the lone figure standing by the doorway to the drawing room. She was blond, with long curls and appeared to be near his age. She wore a pink cotton pull-over that ran to her knees. For a moment he locked eyes with her. 

She smiled and introduced herself. "Hi! My name is Penelope. Everyone just calls me, Penny." She extended her hand. "Sure like your play'en."

 She was beautiful, he thought. He felt a little shy,  mumbling as he introduced himself. He watched her giggle at this, making him feel a little embarrassed.

 Miss Greta stepped forward, "This, my dear, is Master Jack. He is Miss Clara's nephew. He ain't no customer. You understand me, my dear?" A note of authority was in her voice.

Later That Afternoon * * *

 . . . Jack, looking for Harris, opened the swinging kitchen door. Harris was sitting at a large wooden table, talking to one of the help with his coat off. Harris turned away from Jack but not before Jack saw a large, silver gun in a black shoulder holster. This startled him, but he pretended not to notice. Harris slid his coat on and stood up.

 "Are you ready, Master Jack?"

 "Yes, I think so".

 As they drove back home Harris made mention of the gun; "You understand that I'm also a body-guard for your aunt, don't you?"

 "No, I didn't. Is Aunt Clara in any danger?"

 "Your aunt knows many people and is quite prominent. It's just a precaution. Just the same I think it's best if we don't mention this to anyone. Do you understand, Master Jack?"

 "Yes, I think so. I won't mention it. Have you ever shot anyone?" Jack's curiosity couldn't help the question, but he instantly regretted asking it. A cold stare met Jack's eyes. "Sorry!" Jack exclaimed. The remainder of the drive home was met with silence.

© The Virtuoso
Naples, Florida 2010