The Penguin And His Dove

Murder On The Dancefloor

I carried the tray of glasses over to the counter and put them neatly in the under counter dishwasher. I stood up and looked around the bar. I quickly brushed my uniform down. As I was the only female waitress , Oswald had given me a different colour uniform to the males. I couldn't understand why but wearing a skirt was comfortable for me. I had a long black pencil skirt with black shoes, a white blouse and a purple tuxedo jacket. The males had red ones complete with bow-ties and black trousers. The men that worked here had taught me the ropes quickly. I didn't feel comfortable pouring drinks like they did. Flicking and slinging bottles here and there. Maybe in a month or two. 

Oswald was sat at a table at the front of the stage. Butch at his side. Opposite Oswald were two gentleman. He had already warned the staff and myself that he was conducting a very important business meeting and to not interrupt him. He had personally told me that he wanted me to waiter his table. Me and me only. I kept glancing over to him for him to signal if he needed another drink or appetizers for the men who he was speaking to. But I found myself not only looking for the signal, but how Oswald was. He wasn't the best looking guy in the world but there was something about him . I smiled as I watched his facial expressions turning in to frowns. He lifted his hand in to the air and called me over with a "Come here" motion. I swiped clean glasses off of the bar and a new bottle of expensive wine and walked slowly over to the table. I didn't say a word as I began placing the clean glasses down and taking away the empty.  I began to pour the clean glasses with the wine.

"That was none of you concern Penguin. That was OUR business and you had to stick your nose in and get involved." The gentleman said, pointing a finger towards Oswald. I stayed quiet.

"I can assure you sir it was not my intention to take over that business. It just happened. Fate I like to call it" Oswald answered. Oh dear. I'm right in the middle of a confrontation.

"You shouldn't have even known about it! How did you even find out! You got some spy's coming and going in our territory". He shouted. He looked at me and looked back at Oswald. The man stood up. His brow frowning and his teeth snarled. Oswald stood up.

"Please sir I didn't mean-_" With that a fist came flying at Oswald knocking him back to floor. I jumped back dropping the remains of the bottle of wine on to the floor, smashing everywhere. Butch quickly drew a gun from his belt. I ducked under the table as I heard shots firing and glass smashing around me. A couple seconds passed and I heard two heavy thumps on the floor. I looked to my left to see the two men's bodies covered in blood lying on the floor. I was trembling. What the hell just happened. I looked down at my feet to see pools of blood forming around me. I stood up and looked around. Butch was helping Oswald from the floor.

"You Ok boss?" He asked. Oswald brushed himself down and wiped his lip where a small trickle of blood was running down his chin. My eyes were wide as I scanned the room of bullet holes and the white tablecloth in front of me splattered with red fresh blood. My mouth opened but no sounds came out. I can't say anything. I could have died. What the hell did I get myself in to!

"I am fine Butch. Thank you. (Y/N) are you Ok my dear. I wish you hadn't seen all that. You didn't deserve to be stuck in the middle " I stared at Oswald, my heart was racing. I shook my head as I saw the blood falling from his lip.

"I am fine Boss but you don't seem to be. Lets get some ice for that wound" I said. I had to shake off what just happened. It was a regular thing for him and his business. I couldn't pussy foot about the place. I had to be strong if I wanted to keep my job and reputation with Oswald. He smiled, 

"Thank you" he said. He followed me to the bar where I pulled the ice box out from underneath and placed a few in a clean bowl. He took a seat on the bar stool and I copied by taking one next to him. I picked up two ice cubes and placed them on the cut on his lip. He flinched as I pressed down. 

"Are you sure you are Ok? " I asked again. 

"Honestly it is nothing I haven't dealt with before. But thank you for being darling and asking" He answered. He was right. He had been in things like this numerous times and probably worse. But I managed to see it all. I had never seen anything like what I just witnessed and never thought in a million years I would see it.  Oswald looked in to my eyes.

"You can take the rest of the night off my dear. I didn't expect that to happen and don't want to frighten you anymore. For all I know Mr Grey's men could be on their way to try and find out why he isn't back yet and I don't want to put anyone in any more danger" He said . I sighed. 

"Boss, I don't think I can be anymore frightened," I answered. He chuckled.

"Unfortunately. This is what my business entails. I find peoples weak spots and use violence or black mail to persuade them. And if I cant persuade them to do as I ask. I kill them. Bad for them but good for me. But that makes me expose many people to danger" He said. 

"I think I will be Ok. The guys here told me some of the things they have had to witness here and I think I am prepared. Besides, what have I got to loose. I have no family, I have been bullied half my life. I can't keep running anymore. I should be more like you. Someone holds a gun to you and you can just laugh. Me? I run a mile but  I don't want to be that person anymore" I said confidently. Better not regret that. Oswald smirked and placed his hand on my cheek.

"I made the right choice about you" He said. I blushed a little. My heart was beating out of my chest. What was he talking about? The right choice?  With confusion I frowned. He took his hand away from my cheek and placed it on top of my hand that was on the bar.

"You will be a great asset to me and my business. I am surprised with your growing confidence, and I think you will open up so many great opportunities with it. Who knows. You may get a seat at the big boys table." He picked up my hand and raised it to his mouth and smiled as he kissed the top. I looked away blushing and embarrassed. He coughed and cleared his throat. What could he see in me that I couldn't? Does he have a vision for me?

"Now please my dear, step foot out of here and home, I will ask Butch to accompany ". And with that he wiped the wet from the ice off of his face and stood up. He turned around to face the club. 

"And get someone to clean this mess up." He shouted.