poly_chromatic | ❖ 002

[Ruby's sat cross-legged on the floor of her apartment, wearing a dress that's obviously handmade, and bears a great resemblance to the outfits she wore during her time in the USO. A big flag recognizable as the star spangled banner is spread out on the floor in front of her, and she's busy sewing on stars in the top left hand corner as she switches the device on to record. Unlike the modern American flag, however, this one has only 48 stars, the number of states in the Union in Ruby's time.]

Anyone else feeling especially patriotic today?

[A proud smile as she affixes the next star in place.]

Oh, I meant to ask about this already - I'm looking for some place to sing. I've had a couple of auditions, but apparently times have moved on and the places I went to thought that jazz music was just old fashioned. I'm not sure I can bear secretarial work much longer, even though it's only been a few days. I'm happy to come over and audition any time, my repertoire is mostly the old standards, but I'm happy to learn pretty much anything.

[She's been sewing as she speaks, and now holds up the completed flag.]

There, now. Isn't that simply grand?

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Your mom was a singer in the 20s? I wonder if I've heard of her.

[A slight pause, and then a shrug.]

I can tell you how it really is, but it might ruin the glamorous image.

Maybe! Irene Blauvelt. That was her name before she was married, anyway, back when she was big.

Oh, I don't mind some of the glamour being peeled back.

Can't say I recognize the name, but then, she might run with a different crowd than I do.

If you're interested in a part time job, why don't you come down and audition. And then I can tell you all about the 1920 I know.

[Maybe not all about it. That could get ugly.]

Probably. She was always one for those big parties on Long Island, so far as I know, that sort of thing. I don't really know all that much about that part of her life.

I'd love to. Where should I come to?

Yeah, I'm not really a parties on Long Island type of guy. My place is called Lucky's.

[He gives her succinct directions, and although it's not a hard place to find, it is a small place. It's possible to walk by it once without even noticing the sign in the window.]

[She's there not half an hour later, still looking very eager and hopeful as she peers round the door.]

[Meyer's inside, having a serious talk with what seems to be an employee -- she might catch snippets of the conversation as she peers around the door, something about "cheating" and "keep an eye on him...", but as soon as he notices her, he dismisses the employee and walks over, nodding at her.

He's shorter and younger than he probably appeared on video, but there's a businesslike air to him as he offers her a hand to shake.]

Thanks for coming on such short notice.

[Ruby accepts his hand, smiling brightly.]

Thanks for agreeing to see me on equally short notice. I'm Ruby.

Meyer Lansky. Nice to meet you, Ruby. So, what kinda songs do you like performing the best?

I'm very pleased to meet you, too. And I mostly perform the standards, but if there's something specific you'd like me to learn, I'd be happy to. I have my setlist from my last engagement, if that helps.

[She hands him a piece of paper that's been folded and unfolded many times, with a list of song titles written in her elegant handwriting.]

[Most of the songs are from slightly after his time, but he's listened to them in the City. That's one of the benefits of being stuck here. He scans the list, then shrugs.]

You can start with "It's Only A Paper Moon," if you don't mind.

Certainly. That's one of my favourites.

[She's never enjoyed auditions, knowing that she had to really shine, the excitement at the attention she gets from her singing displaced by sheer nerves. But she takes a half-step backwards to make sure that she has the space she needs, then starts singing, unaccompanied, her years of experience taking the reins after a moment.]

[He listens intently. He's not musical himself, really -- some half-hearted piano lessons as a child, and not much else -- but he knows good music when he hears it, and this qualifies. When she's finished with that song, he nods firmly.]

You know what you're doing.

[Any trace of nerves leaves her face and she practically beams at him.]

You liked it?

Sure I did. You've got talent.

[He smiles back, impressed.]

Now, I should probably tell you a little about the place before you decide if you want the job. It's a small operation, mostly card games and drinks, but a little entertainment never hurt anybody.

[She nods along as he describes the place, realising that she wouldn't have quite the captive audience here that she'd like, but it was still far better than not being able to sing at all, and he seemed like someone she wouldn't mind working for.]

So far so good.

Edited 2013-02-12 20:59 (UTC)

I don't foresee any of us making it rich anytime soon, but we'll make enough to get by around here, and I'm sure you'll make tips on top of what I pay you.

I'm not looking to make it rich overnight, just enough so that I can support myself wholly on singing rather than clerical work.

I can't imagine someone with your talent wanting to do clerical work. The job's yours, if you want it.

It hasn't been ideal, but it's something I could find immediately on moving in; it meant I didn't have to rely on the government or charity or anything like that when I first arrived here. [Her face brightens and she grabs his hand again, shaking it vehemently.] Thank you so much! I won't let you down, you can be sure of that.

[He shakes her hand back, smiling.]

I'm sure you won't. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a lot more people coming in here and spending money to see you, and that's a win for everyone.

Yes, it certainly is. When can I start?

As soon as you want. We're open seven days a week, five in the afternoon until two in the morning. You pick your days, you pick your hours, and we'll see how it goes.

All right, well how about we start a with just few days, and then if I do draw a big crowd, you can increase it if you like? I'm happy to start tonight, honestly. It feels good to have a place to sing again.

That's fine by me. Oh, and drinks are on the house.

[Not that he imagines she wants to get drunk before singing, but, hey, it's one of the perks in working in a place that serves alcohol, right?]

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