Lint

Chronicles

It had been raining for weeks along with on and off hail. The clouds had rolled in so dense and dark that the sky was nowhere to be seen for miles. The streets were flooded within three days of this rainfall and it was all very remarkable. But not astonishing enough to one particular man. The thought had definitely occurred to him that this strange weather seemed almost biblical, yet he still had made sure his composure was steady. In his line of work, surprises were unacceptable and today was no day to be startled by anything. Business had to be taken care of.

"Here we are sir. La Lune Noisette." The driver announced. The man murmured a brisk thank you before paying and tipping the driver generously. He then took out his umbrella before exiting the car door and made his way to the front of the club with a sense of urgency while still holding a formal demeanor. As soon as he entered the building, the smell of cigar smoke was all enveloping. His face beamed when he noticed his favorite jazz band playing calm and slow music. He turned to his right to see Chester at the ready to receive his trench coat.

"Sir Jim." Chester said along with a curt half bow of he head. Jim scoffed with a smile.

"Chester... we talked about this my good man. It's Jimmy. No mister, no sir, no Jim. Jimmy." He had known Chester for a little over a year and not once did he ever deliver poor service at his most cherished night Club. He figured they should be past any unnecessary formalities.

Chester smiled back and nodded.

"Your table is set and prepared for you Jimmy. Enjoy your evening." He said warmly.

Jim made his way through a couple of the more public tables as he watched the band sway and bop to their rhythm. He then reached the back corner that was concealed by long thick maroon curtains. He pushed them back and entered his reserved booth, sitting down as if it was his own slice of home. He then pulled out some paperwork from his suitcase and set it on the table according to the arrangements he had made tonight. After reviewing everything to make sure nothing was misplaced in any sense, he checked his wristwatch and nodded. Things were timing out perfectly.

He poured a glass of 20 Year Old John E. Fitzgerald Straight Bourbon Whiskey for himself and his expecting company. After a few sips, he then checks his watch again. He brow furrowed for only a split second just before Chester then slightly opened the curtains.

"Your guest, Ms. Evangelina of Lionsberry." Jim then stands up respectively. Ms. Evangelina peeks past Chester wearing a long diamond studded dress, satin gloves, and a feathered scarf. Jimmy then leans over and takes both of her hands gently for a firm shake.

"It's so wonderful to meet you Ms. Evangelina. You look stunning tonight and I'm so glad you could make it," he says with welcoming eyes. "Thank you Chester." Jim waves him politely away. He then takes a step back and gestures his arm to the matching velvet seats.

"Please, sit." 

Ms. Evangelina slowly takes her seat and observes the surrounding walls that were covered with fine art and framed photos. She noticed in one of the photos stood Jimmy with a bottle of hand crafted Balvenie scotch and a few other men she did not recognize, but didn't doubt were very important. She then turns her attention back to Jim.

"Are you enjoying the festivities so far?" He asked as he slides over the other glass of Bourbon toward her. She picks up the drink and swivels it around a bit before taking a sip.

"I am. Your choice of occupancy is delightful." She turns her head back toward the stage just beyond the curtains.

"I absolutely adore live music." She continues as she reaches into her tote bag and pulls out her own paperwork. Jimmy's posture corrects itself only a bit as he unconsciously puts on his game face. She's cutting straight to the point and he preferred that. He too, enjoyed live music and fancy adult beverages, but these were uncertain times. The economy was the least of their worries, but living under strange anomalies that were financial, political, social, and now environmental...well I guess you could say that there was sadly no longer time for too much play.

"So, in regards to our previous writings of conversation...are you surely certain you've achieved an efficient amount of the required security?" She eyes him speculatively. He smirks, licks his finger and searches for a specific page within his stack of papers. After he finds what he was looking for, he then discreetly turns the page over toward her. She tilts her head down as she reads down the text and her eyes widen only slightly. She nods in approval.

"And the engineers?"

He laces his hands together on the table, "All accounted for."

Ms. Evangelina smiles and takes another sip of her drink.

"Well Jimmy, then I'd say mission accomplished. Now on to the next step."