The Loyal Lieutenants Act Seven Scene Three Sub Scene Two

 

Act Seven

Scene Three

Sub-Scene Two

Familiar, I be damned.

 

In the private chamber at the Madi Gras Club, Elliot took the second glass of the drink offered to him, the daiquiri, a cocktail whose main ingredients are rum, citrus juice or lime juice, and sugar or another sweetener. Place all in a cocktail shaker add all ingredients. Stir well to dissolve the sugar. Add ice and shake. He had sat there for an hour then, and twice he had been to the restroom.

“I am sorry to keep you waiting.” The figure stepped into the chamber. He was dressed in a loose shirt and tight, long pants that seemed to wrap around his legs. “My name is Mardian. I am the overseer of Mardi Gras Club and all that is owned by Egypt.”

“Elliot Ness, Treasury Agent. I am here...”

“I can assure you, Mr. Ness. The Mardi Gras do not have any illegal booze here. We are legit in the business.” Mardian smiled. “And to your friends from Rome, they are entertained by my girls in the adjacent chamber. We removed their guns; it's not allowed here. Yours is an exception. Treasury agents do not shoot wild.”

“I …… Thank you, Mr. Mardian. I was in the area, and I thought I should come in.” Elliot struggled to find the words to say.

“My pleasure, indeed.”

“How did you know I was in...” Elliot was cut off.

“In Egypt, we make it for us to know.” Mardian smiled.

“Egypt is not the city name.” Elliot looked at the other. “Yet, you...”

“Egypt is the namesake here. In Egypt, you are connected to everyone.” Mardian continued smiling. “Please feel free to...”

“Was Lucas Perry here before?” Elliot lacked the finesse to query properly.

“Lucas …... I do not recall. Maybe he came here with an alias. They do it in Egypt. We do not trumpet their names here.”

“Oaky, maybe he did. I was told he was here with Moses from Rome.”

“The only Moses I know was from the Book, but I am not one of that faith.” Mardian laid out his smile. “Why do you ask?”

“Just curious. I know Lucas Perry and was wondering where he was then.” Elliot, in turn, smiled.

“Lucas Perry? I will check with the staff here. I am sure they would not say it here too loudly, but I will inquire. He may not have come to Mardi Gras, but to some other places. We do not check where our clients may go.” Mardian was hospitable.

“He is a...” Elliot mumbled.

“Another drink for you? I liked the martini here. The Vesper Martini comprises three shots of London dry gin, one shot of vodka, and half a shot of dry French wine aperitif, shaken but not stirred. That is a man’s drink.”

“I may pass on that. I ……” Elliot politely refused. “I do not like it shaken. It becomes too fuzzy.”

“I guess men like them shaken while they get stirred at times.” Mardian had his tongue licking his upper lip.

“No, thank you. I think it is time for me to leave. I may have to use your restroom again.” Elliot stood up.

“You could pee into the bucket there. It is faster.” Mardian motioned to the bucket, half filled with ice. Elliot shook his head and left the club. Outside the place, he gagged on the drink that was welling up his throat.

“Mr. Ness, are you fine?” It was Albert who approached Elliot. “We arrived too late and were scared of our guns. But they entertained us inside. The lady was charming with the constrictor around her neck.”

“I ……” Elliot was still trying to keep his stomach down. “Even if I were not, would it have mattered then?”

“There is no reason to get nasty, Mr. Ness. We made some progress on our task here. We knew where Lucas Perry stayed, or rather, slept.” Castella smiled.

“Who told you? The constrictor?” Elliot was upset.

“Actually, the lady with the constrictor. Chapin charmed her with his cane, and she was all wordy towards him.” Castella smiled. “I know some new tricks with the cane now.”

“Tell me then.” Elliot asked. “Of where Lucas was?”

“No, we will show you, and this time with our guns.” Castella looked at Elliot and then added. “I think you need another pair of pants.”