Guns, Alcohol, and Drugs, you like it, buy it its for sale Part 2

Posted on Wed Aug 26th, 2020 @ 9:39am by Lieutenant Helena Wells & Lieutenant Anthony Edwards Ph. D

2,065 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: To catch a thief
Location: SB holodeck
Timeline: 1 September 2395

Previously on part 1

HG spoke up. "Sorry trade secret, if everyone knew how to do it then everyone could do it."

The man looked at her and then to Anthony. "That broad always that mouthy?"

“In this case yes, but also in this case if we go givin’ away the trade secrets as tootsies said then you might get to thinkin’ of dropping’ the middle man and I for one wouldn’t be happy with that arrangement.” Anthony said.

And now continued in part 2

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ON:

The man sat back and then laughed tossing his napkin on the table.

"Hey, I like these two. Good business sense," He said to the men behind him who made forced little chuckles as well. When the big boss laughed everyone did if you knew what was good for you.

He looked back at the two and his expression turned serious. "Hopefully you got enough business sense to not play two ends. I would take it real bad if you started with that O'banion Northsiders if you know what I mean."

"Never heard of them. I guess from what you called them that they come from the Northside of town. I am from the southside of my home town and you never trust the northerners there. So if they come from the north I have no interest in dealing with the O'Banion's." Anthony said with a smile.

The man eyed Anthony for a moment and then nodded. "Good we have an understanding. Now that we have that understanding and you two being enterprising business men...." He cast a glance toward HG and made a small nod, "man and woman, then let me ask how much can you get of this stuff? A haul like this will only supply joints for a few days. It's surprising once something is in short supply how fast it suddenly is in demand."

HG did a quick calculation in her head and whispered to Anthony. "Best is with what I got is maybe double. I am not willing to pull out the warhead."

"Yes those warhead, hopefully we won't ever have to use them, but having them their just in case also helps keep the transport canisters hydrodynamic." Anthony said to HG before continuing as he looked at their client and said "You see boss that is how you get the whiskey ready chilled."

The portly man watched the whispered exchange for a moment. HG looked at him and then spoke, "Double that."

The man looked at her and thought for a moment and then got up and waved to them to come over. HG did exactly that, sauntering in a bit of hip sway in her semi-masculine suit.

He stuck out his hand, "Al, big Al, miss or is it mrs.?"

"Technically it is doctor, but not that kind, but HG suits me just fine sir."

She took his hand and he raised his eyebrows and kissed her hand and laughed at the boys behind him.

"Well an educated broad, not a bad looker, well HG we are in business then?"

He then turned his attention to Anthony. "And you in as well fella?" The way he asked was for an agreement but also to get a name to deal with.

“I’m Anthony, Big Al and I’m in.” Anthony said as he followed HG swaying hips with a smile to himself.

"Good, good, well then, you two rest up, get some sights, food, it's on the house for friends of mine. Louie," he looked over at the man. "You can give them back their pieces and find a good room for the two."

"Right away boss." Louie replied.

"We'll keep the same payment arrangement for now per bottle but if the next couple go well, well I can see the demand goin' up and we will kick things up appropriately. Got friends in New York as well that would be interested if shipments manage to come in regularly. Alright now, go on, enjoy the rest of evening."

Anthony smiled and said "Thank you having some friendly contacts in New York could be useful." Turning to HG he asked "Are you coming HG?"

"Sure am. Let's go have a good time, business will be calling in the morning!" she laughed.

"I know the Lindy's outta fashion as is the one step, and the music is a bit more lively in the dives today and there is that new dance that came out in Runnin' Wild, I think the call it the Charleston. Would you like to give it a go or just sit and watch?" Of course being a recreation Anthony knew it all to be true, but the characters around were of the era and he and HG were both playing a part.


"Oh Heck No! We are going to cut a rug and then proceed to tear this place down!" HG replied. "Well not physically, but you get my drift!"

They got to a another area and Louie said something to the uniformed man that stood there who promptly nodded then opened the door.

It was another ballroom, but there was a band playing jazz, people drinking and dancing and having a good time. Then uniformed man said, "Welcome, as friends of Mister Capone, he indicated all is on the house, enjoy your evening. Rooms will be prepared for you."

HG nodded, "Thank you." She then grabbed Anthony's arm and dragged him almost to the dance floor. Several of the patrons looked at her, especially the gals who all were in dresses at this gal's rather flamboyant almost men's style suit.

HG pulled open her jacket and spun around laughing and yelled, "What? You never seen a gal in a suit? Well you have now! She pulled some wild moves that were going to be more into the late 30s but it all seemed to fit. "Come on A! Let's show these people how it is done!"

At this point Anthony was glad that HG had put a collared blouse on rather than just lingerie as was often done under gender benders jackets And he laughed as she lead him onto the dance floor. “Your a tease when their not real people.”

"Just getting into character!" She said. HG then shouted at the band, "Let's rip this joint! How about a stomp?"

The band was mostly black jazz musicians and the lead trumpet player grinned a big grin at her and then said something to the rest. The music started up with a strong, anchoring rhythm section in support of more loosely-tied woodwind and brass sections playing call-response to each other. It was what would eventually become later what was called swing music. While the Charleston was an early development, this thing called a stomp was more in what would later become swing dancing. It was wilder and more movement.

"Alright lover, let's show them how it is done!" HG got into the rhythm. The crowd mostly just moved to the side but they were bright eyes and faces, partially fueled by alcohol but curious as well on this really different way of dancing.

Anthony enjoyed the dancing and as he and as he did he listened and the crowd that had now stopped to watch and started clapping and whooping as their moves got more daring. “Seems we’re the centre of attention again.”

"Ah well," HG said making a slide across the floor. "Look at that, even Al's men seem to like it and looks like we are getting a few adventurous couples onto the floor." That was true as a few having watched the dancing took the floor. Some might have heard about stomp before, some just might be quick learners but they certainly gave it the go.

"Good, I am not good at being the centre of attention. Not that that is a problem when your dancing like this, which is probably why I prefer the dances of this era, because it was more arms length and boppy that earlier or later as the Rock era took over again. you could really enjoy the music of the bands like this." Anthony said in short burst as the energy of the dance intensified as the other couples joined the floor.

"Well now that we got the joint jumping, let's take a break and wet our whistle," HG nodded toward the bar. "Then maybe some other fun and games?"

About wetting his whistle Anthony said “That sounds good to me.” He blanched at the second half as his brain was influenced by his time with HG and he added “I don’t think this is the right sort of speakeasy for other fun and games.”

"Alright, a bit of drink and then we shall see, got to get back to Canada for trip for tomorrow." She took his hand and lead toward the bar. "Whiskey, the good stuff, straight up for me."

“I’ll have the same.” Anthony said as he arrived at the bar too.

HG sipped her glass and nodded, "alright but not what we are bringing in." She looked at Anthony and said, "something on your mind?"

"Yeah lost friends, though I don't want the same sort of headache that I developed after drinking to old friends with Senior Chief Petty Officer D'Arconia." Even though he said it Anthony slugged back his glass and got another.

"Oh," HG replied. She did not know and she was pretty much out of the loop on most of the ship scuttlebutt not being a Fleeter technically. "I am sorry," she said.
"Did you want to talk or give this up?"

"No I'm good over losing my friends, it happens we're all going to occasionally but I think I am a little tucker out with that particular dancing style, I'm not normally much of a dancer." Anthony said with a smile.

"Well you did fine. So we can either hit the sack, or if you wish I can drive and you can get a nap in back and we can head back over into Canada."

"I think if it's okay with you I'll get a few hours sleep." Anthony said.

HG looked at him and after listening about a person that he knew that was lost nodded and then said, "Computer, freeze simulation and save and transmit to the USS Wolff."

The figures froze and then wavered for a moment and then vanished leaving them only with their costumes.

"Best then to save it and you sir need to get some rest alright?"

"Yes it is probably for the best, I just have a feeling that we are going to get a very early wake up call soon so being well rested might be a good idea. At least by transferring the data we can at least come back to it when we have time at anytime." Anthony smiled almost asleep on his feet.

"No problem. Well off we go, I will make sure you get to your quarters and then bid you a good rest. Come on." She did not put an arm around him but just walked with him. She was not going to push things and he was very tired by all indications.

"Probably a good idea I might trip over my own two feel." Typically of Science personnel Anthony had been burning the candle not only at the two ends but the middle too. He knew that HG knew the idiosyncrasies of being of him being tired as apart from Lt Kamijou who was a science officer under his predecessor, Helena was probably the first arrival since the ship was finished her dry dock period.

"Right, let us get you tucked in then. I have a couple of ideas I want to test out in the lab, well on the computers so you do not have to worry that I am going to blow something up." She got him back to the ship and back to his quarters.

"Now off with you!" She said in her best nanny voice.

“Yes mother, right away mother.” Anthony teased before he kissed HG and took of his jacket the door to his quarters closed. Putting them away carefully he changed into his sleep ware and headed to bed.

OFF:

Lt(JG) Anthony Edwards, Ph.D
Chief Science Officer

HG Wells
Civilian Scientist

 

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