poly_chromatic

Entry tags:

boardwalk empire - meyer lansky

Video

[At least, for once, this is an intentional video. He is, however, much more casually attired than usual -- which, in this case, means with no suit jacket, no tie, and sleeves rolled up to his elbows. And he appears to be leaning on a car, cigarette in hand, as ever, and an errant smudge of grease or two on his face.]

I have two questions for the City at large. Call it... research.

[One of those tiny, polite smiles, and then...]

First of all, if there were one thing you think this city is lacking -- and "a means of escape" isn't a valid answer here, I'm afraid, since we all want that -- what would it be?

[A long pause.]

Second of all, I've been informed that I'm in need of at least one "modern" outfit, whatever that means. Is anyone here willing to assist?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ah, but old men can dress themselves in much style as well - and as long as you look as handsome as you do, I see no need to change.

[For that comment, she gets a genuine smile, not the overly toothy one he usually gives customers.]

You flatter me, especially when I'm covered in grease like this.

[There are a couple smudges on his face and shirt, it's true.]

I've been told I could stand to be more... Adventurous.

[She eyes him with some interest before a coquettish smile finds its way onto her lips.]

Adventure is always a thing with which to amuse oneself, of course. And we shouldn't want you to become neither boring nor bored, now.

I like to think I'm not boring, but I'm sure there're those who'd disagree. What kind of adventures do you amuse yourself with?

Only innocent things! Little trips to the theatres or walks down the Champs-Élysées. Always accompanied, as is proper.

Innocent things. Hmmm. I can see where some of those might be fun, I suppose.

I have heard there are theatres here, in this City - but I have yet to see them for myself. Something that I bemoan greatly.

There are. There's just about everything you can possibly imagine. I myself own a casino, but you might not consider that appropriately innocent.

A casino? How interesting! I do so love gambling. It is an activity my friends and I took much pleasure in, back in Paris.

You have a favorite game? My place mostly focuses on card games -- you should stop by sometime, see what you think.

I am rarely very lucky when playing, but faro is always entertaining to watch.

Gambling has very little to do with luck, I've found.

[She laughs, letting one hand follow the curve of her neck as she does so.]

Monsieur Lansky. Naturally a man who is fortunate with his cards would say such a thing. A poor woman like myself, whom Fortune only smiles upon in other aspects, must admit to her own lack of luck.

I wouldn't say I'm inordinately fortunate with cards, I'd simply say that I'm a talented card player. I'm sure you could learn to be one, too.

Dare I ask what other ways you're fortunate in?

I am fortunate, of course, that I am beautiful. Lucky that men find me attractive. What sort of courtesan would I be, if I were ugly and unappealing?

That's a fair point, although I admit I wasn't aware you were a courtesan.

[Despite not being aware of it, there's not much surprise in his tone.]

[Neither is she surprised that he isn't surprised. She is used to being famous for her profession alone, after all]

But a beautiful courtesan can think for herself, too... And you appear to me a man well-learned in the ways of the world at large, Monsieur Lansky. Therefore I have a proposition to make you.

And what might that proposition be?

[He has a guess, but he's well aware of what they say about making assumptions.]

[Usually she would propose something like this in person. In private. However, here the rules of the game are very different from those she knows and she can only attempt to adapt.]

I have no means of providing for myself, Monsieur. In that regard, I am but a simple woman... You, on the other hand, are a man of means and could easily provide for me, although I am naturally aware that no such generosity comes for free.

[Well. This is a new experience. Maybe that explains the still slightly raised eyebrow.]

You want me to be your sugar daddy?

[That could have been put more eloquently, he's well aware.]

I get the sense you might be accustomed to a life of luxury I'm not sure I could provide.

"Sugar daddy" is not a term with which I'm familiar, yet the meaning of it translates easily, doesn't it? Yes, Marguerite Gautier - the most desired of the Parisian courtesans - is asking for you to become one such. To her. Monsieur Lansky. I am well aware that this place seemingly does not allow for the wild abandon that I am accustomed to. But I shall settle with whatever you are willing to offer. The price I can pay remains the same.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the meaning's the same even if the term isn't. Usually refers to an older guy and a younger woman, but I'm willing to bet you and I are just about the same age.

[This is a perplexing offer. And yet, a tempting one. He's not sure, however, that it's entirely wise, and so decides to proceed with caution.]

There're other options, you know. Especially in a City like this one.

[It does surprise her that he is so noble as to suggest another way for her. Than the one she knows and has lived so long. It reminds her of Armand. Thus, her features soften somewhat.]

I have been a courtesan for years now. I know no other profession. What else could I be? Someone's wife? No. You must understand, it is the choice I have made.

We may be able to come to some kind of mutually beneficial agreement. I don't, of course, object to providing employment, but I like the terms of a contract to be extremely clear. We both need to protect our assets, after all.

[He's still proceeding very carefully; he has the start of an idea in mind, but whether she'll be amenable is anyone's guess.]

[At this, she can't help laughing. Oh, so serious! Surely his idea can only be more beneficial to her than the truth of her present situation.]

Let me hear your terms, then! I am certain I shall be able to meet them and quite skillfully, too.

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