Chapter 4, Part Two

No Honor Ch. 4 Pt. 2: The Boss;

It was business, as usual. Geoffrey was on the piana, Millie was on the dance floor, and we kept the liquor flowin'. Our patrons were sittin' down mostly, drinkin' and playin' cards. Stud poker is the game a choice 'round here, unfortunately.

At one time, I thought I was somethin' at that game. Often I pictured myself, gamblin' my way to fame and fortune. Well, I'd done the exact opposite, several times, before I finally found the strength to pull away.

Now I don't even play Solitaire.

"Millie!"

A young woman's voice. It was one o' Mildred's girls, and she was in trouble, surprise, surprise.

"Millie!"

She came rushin' down the steps, with some young man chasin', and cussin' at her. Since she was tryin' to hold her dress up, and run at the same time, he would have caught her, if not for Millie bein' on her job. When the pair came down all the way, she caught him, and with sweet questions over his loud cussin', she politely, and gently, put his back to the wall.

"Goddamn it", he said. "That ho owes me somethin'."

"Well, sir", said Mildred, "if it's money your owed, I can settle that debt for you."

"It ain't about money!"

He took a moment to breathe, and then he said "Look ma'am, I don't want no trouble with you. It's just that.... well, that... woman, had an agreement with me, and she reneged on the deal before we even started!"

"Ah", said Mildred. "Well I'm sorry sir, but she has the right to change her mind. Long as you got your money back-"

"I said it ain't about no damn money!"

Another man said, "E'scuse me."

It was Marco, standin' near the entrance. Behind him were his two young lady friends, and five of 'is Mexican associates. Now, I should point out, as Marco would hisself, that the man is not Mexican, he's Spanish  As fate would have it, however, his alliances have changed, and for the benefit of us all, I'm sure.

So Marco and his friends closed in on the young man, who shrank away. Try as he might, he just couldn't burrow through the wall behind him.

Marco said "''What's the problem  man? Es there a problem, that perhaps, we can... assist you with?"

"No sir. No sir, it's not a problem at all."

"Well something's going on man, c'mon. You're screaming and you're yelling, and you got young girls runnin' out, into de rain." Marco laughed. "Et's okay. We can settle whatever issue it es, that you're having. But you gotta talk to us, man. Talk to us, or we can't help you."

Marco crossed his arms, and waited.

The young man looked at Mildred, who turned away, and then he said "Sir, I don't mean to cause no trouble, it's just... It's just that I'm unique, when it comes to my business. I only fancy things if they're done in a... certain way."

Marco nodded, and the young man went on.

"This was all explained to her, plain as day. Plain as day an' she agreed... She made an agreement with me."

"Right, right, I understand. Mm-hmm".

"The thing is, she run off at the start. 'I can't do this', she says, 'I'm sorry', she says. Well, I'm sorry, but where I'm from, you says a word you honors your word".

"Ah", said Marco. "I si, I si.... Okay. Now, did she take your money from you?"

The young man looked away. "Well, she did at first. At first, she did, yessir, but... she ain't run off wit' it. She left it on the table up thar".

Marco shrugged and laughed. "Well, that's end of de agreement. That's it. Y'know?

"I mean, I hear you. I understand that, where you're from, you do things diff'rently, but... when in Rome, what they say? You do as Romans do, dis is De Station, and here, you have to play our rules. Et's as simple as that."

The man looked down, then nodded.

Marco said "Now, this is what I want you to do. Go up, and get your money. Then, come down and see Mister Wayne at the bar. There he is, see him? That's Wayne. He's gonna fix you whatever you want, on me okay?

"Then come see, Ms. Hattley here", he motioned towards Mildred. "You tell her all about your... unique... wants and needs. Now, Millie's good here. If she has a girl that will help you, she will help you. If not?" Marco shrugged. "You try your luck in another place. Okay? Go on."

Without looking up, the young man turned, and went up the steps. After he watched him go, Marco turned to Mildred.

"Another satisfied customer, right? Heh-he-heh... How's et going, Millie?"

Mildred said "Marco", and then she turned and walked away from him. Everyone in that camp started to chuckle, except for the two girls, who just dug icey stares into her back.

Marco said "Well, en case you were  wondering, yes, she's still sore at me... Alright, let's get some tables here."

I thought to look for that young man, some minutes later. I never saw him again, though.
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