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Speak Easy
CHAPTER FOUR: FEBRUARY 6, 1931

Author: TazRaven (Sara)
Rating: PG-13 for language
Feedback: Yes, please, I love it. Please leave feedback on the Speak Easy thread on the Kitten Board.
Distribution: The Kitten Board, Through the Looking Glass, anyone else just ask.
Disclaimers: I do not own Willow or Tara, but you all know that.


Warren felt the single bead of sweat running down his forehead. A single bead that ran from his brow down to his nose, pausing precariously at the tip before falling to land silently on the floor of the back room. Although the bead of sweat would suggest that he was overheated, he shivered. Not from cold, but from fear. He was in trouble. To what extent, he wasn't sure yet, but the visit he was about to receive at any moment would help him to fully appreciate the situation. He paced the room, muttering quietly to himself, jumping slightly when the door creaked open. Warren turned his eyes immediately to the intrusion, expecting to see his bookie, and was not disappointed.

"Jimmy boy, how the hell are ya?" Even his jovial tone couldn't hide the fear in his voice.

"How do you think I am, Mears?" He flashed a wide grin at the obviously nervous bar manager. "Fucking fantastic. Don't suppose you are though." He paused, seeming to take in Warren's appearance for the first time. "You look like shit, Mears. I guess you heard the outcome of the fight."

"Course I heard it Jimmy." Warren tried to smile, but failed miserably. "Look, I'm good for it, ok?"

Jimmy shook his head, a look on his face that seemed to offer pity, but Warren knew the truth. There was no sympathy in that face. No compassion. There was only greed. Warren shivered again.

"I can get it for ya, Jimmy. Just give me a week, I can get it." His voice shook slightly; another bead of sweat ran down from his forehead. Warren wiped it away with the back of his hand.

"Tell ya what, Mears. Since we're such good buddies and all, I'll give you some time. You've got two days to get me that money." Jimmy looked at Warren, and for the first time, Warren saw some semblance of fear in Jimmy's eyes. "You know what'll happen if you don't." Jimmy's face became stone, his eyes now betraying none of his emotions. "Mr. Malone doesn't like waiting."

Jimmy left through the same door he came through. Warren felt his legs give way and he fell to the floor. He knew what would happen if he didn't deliver the money. He knew what would happen if they found out that he'd stolen the money from the portion that was supposed to go directly to Mr. Malone. And he knew that Mr. Malone didn't like waiting.


Continue to Speak Easy Chapter Five


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