2019-07-26 - Side Hustle

Graham has not been as much a presence around the club in recent weeks. He got Dahlia the job, maybe worked a shift here and there, but it was pretty obvious from that point forward: he was foisting this bartending gig off on someone else so he didn't have to keep doing it. He's here tonight, though it's not to tend bar. Instead, he's loitering in the back room around eight at night (before it gets too busy), bouncing a set of car-keys on his palm with the impatience of a person that has somewhere to be and would like to get there sooner rather than later. After about ten minutes of milling around back there, he finally slouches into the doorway from the back room to the club proper - though he throws frequent looks back to the stairs to the office.

Dahlia is...nervous and she's doing her best not to let it show. Felix was probably the only person in a long time who actually scared her on some subconcious level at least. He could see right through her and she hated that. She was working tonight, but she'd spoken to Andre, asking him to 'please let Felix know I have some information for him'. Her shift was wrapping up. Glancing every now and then towards the back area too. Waiting. Dahlia hated waiting. Spotting Graham, she summoned up a smile. Stepping out from behind the bar with intentions of lingering closer to the back area. "Nice to see you in the flesh, Graham." She offered up to him, pushing a hand through her hair - idly adjusting her outfit a little. "Hanging around for a bit tonight?"

"Is that a stripper joke?" In the flesh, he means. Graham smiles a bright smile at that question, isn't he just so delightful?!, and stuffs the useless keys into his pocket so he quits bouncing the damn things on his palm like that. "I'm in the waiting line. Andre says the man has things lined up back to ba - "

The thought goes unfinished when some random flunkie in Felix's employ trots down the stairs from the office, brushes by Graham, and makes his way out through the club. Leaving Andre to stick his head out and, with a big grin like he's finding this funny, call, "Next!" He points to Dahlia while he does that, indicating that she's the 'next' in question here.

Dahlia laughed a little, despite the nerves. "It is now." Oh great. There was a line. That was bound to put Felix in just a peachy mood, wasn't it? "See ya in a few." She murmured to Graham as she made her way towards Andre. "Thank you Andre." Offering him a smile when she got closer and then would follow him up to the office. Rolling over in her head precisely what she wanted to tell Felix. He seemed like the sort to like things short and sweet. So Dahlia would make an effort to be as efficient as possble. The scar on her left shoulder has healed up nicely - though she is somehow sporting another scar on her right forearm. This one isn't as bad as her shoulder though and will likely heal up completely sooner rather than later.

The sigh that leaves Graham when it's Dahlia's turn and not his is bone deep. To cope with this, he continues to lean in the doorway - making it difficult for people, Dahlia included, to come-and-go between the club and he back-room - and plays with an unlit cigarette. "Good luck."

Which is funny considering the whole town's been screwed lately.

Anyway, Andre opens the door ahead of Dahlia, as is the custom, and lets her enter that office. Felix sits at his desk, working at his computer, with barely more than an upward glance at the new arrival. "Have a seat," he says, distracted while she gets herself settled.

Well at least that part was easy. "Good evening Mr. Monaghan." Dahlia says pleasantly enough as she takes a seat in the specified chair. She is patient, folding her hands lightly in her lap. She may have been a mess for most of this past month - but for the moment she's trying real hard to appear somewhat normal. Just keep it short and sweet.

Closing his laptop, turning in his super-comfy chair, Felix brings his attention to settle on Dahlia entirely. He sits back in his seat, clasping his hands across his middle with his elbows on the arms of that chair. Her 'good evening' meets with a nod, like he heard that but really doesn't care to follow-up with a return pleasantry. "You went to this Platinum Cabaret." It's not a question. "Tell me how it went."

Dahlia relaxes a little in the chair, nodded. "Well enough. It isn't open yet - so there wasnt much to see. The owner was working the bar. He's cocky, a little over confident maybe." Dahlia offered up. "It's an all cash business. We weren't alone so I couldn't push too much, but I believe the whispers about him pushing weed." A beat of pause. "But the way he spoke, I think he's dealing more than that. He hired me on the spot as a dancer. Which gives me an in to figure out what exactly he's up to."

Felix is far from the most readable person, but the corner of his mouth twitches at the mention of weed, like he finds that funny. Or probably 'quaint,' based on the bland cast to his gaze over that smile. What he speaks to is the latter part. "As a dancer. Do you legitimately need the extra money? Or is this in an effort to find out more about the business there?"

Dahlia shook her head. "I make plenty here, I mostly just wanna know his operation. Besides, dancing can be fun now and then." A fleeting bit of amusement maybe. Something to break up the monotony that bartending could have sometimes. "And it's easier to get insider information if you're actually on the inside. He's already a little paranoid about 'overzealous undercover assholes' shutting him down...so you can see why I'm curious."

A slow nod answers for the financial situation. Felix doesn't speak to it again except to conclude, "If you need money, I'd prefer that you come to me." And leaves it there. Also, there'll obviously be a little kicker in Dahlia's weekly pay since she did him a favor, but he says nothing about that whatsoever; she gets paid, and that's that. "Those are his words?" The 'overzealous undercover assholes' thing. Not that he pauses for a response, just presses on with, "Find out what else he's selling. Ideally, how much of it he moves. And don't be too careful about hiding your motives. If Mister Williams happens to find out that I'm interested in his business dealings, so much the better."

"Of course Mr. Monaghan." About coming to him for money, and simply nods when Felix asks if those were Antonio's words. A light smile resting on her lips. "I'll find out the what and the quantity. See if I can't drop a hint or two along the way." After all, Dahlia was getting the impression that no one came into this town with illegal dealings that didn't eventually end up under Felix's thumb. Or, you know, mysteriously vanished leaving town.

"Thank you." There's a long pause after that. It's the sort of silence that tends to get uncomfortable, where it's not totally clear if Dahlia should stay...? Go...? Are they finished? But he continues looking at her through that silence, so probably it would be better not to just run off. Eventually, finally, "Graham has extra work if you're interested. But if working for this cabaret keeps you occupied, then no need to accept the extra work." SHE GETS TO CHOOSE!

Except that THERE'S NEVER A CHOICE. Not really. If the bit Graham's hinted at is anything to go by. Well, and the fact that he's a crime boss. Like, she might as well be in the mafia now right? Dahlia summons up a smile that could almost be considered sweet. "I'll ask him about it. I'm always happy to take on an extra task or two." Staying busy also meant she didn't have to think about goddamned zombies and shadow wolves and mirror people. She doesn't move to get up yet though because she hasn't been dismissed yet. Right?

I mean, she might still have to deal with the shadowzombiewolfpeople, but they do seem to stay well clear of Felix's club. WHICH IS ODD, considering it's not like the place is exactly clean of sparkly people these days. Hm.

Anyway, Felix wears no notable expression in response to Dahlia's willingness to tackle additional tasks. His expression stays as it has been: right on the border between pleasant and too busy to be having this conversation. "Sounds good." He's all set to go back to his laptop (lol someday ppl gonna find out he just plays Bubble Bobble on that thing and there goes all his cred), pulling it open. "And tell Graham that I'll see him tomorrow or the next day." Presumably, this means she can go, since Andre - who was totally standing there the whole time - opens the door behind her.

Dahlia would love to know that her boss just plays silly games on his laptop. Maybe one day. Not today. "Will do, sir. Have a good night." Then she rises and follows Andre out.

"See you later Andre." Is offered to him as she walks back towards Graham, knowing full well he isn't going to like what she has to say. But hey, at least she's here to say it! "Felix says he'll see you tomorrow...or the next day."

NOTABLY, Graham keeps his temper tantrum quiet enough that it almost definitely can't be heard at the top of the stairs and through the closed office door. Where Felix is playing Bubble Bobble. "What the fuck," he laments all irritably, finally giving up the ghost and just lighting his cigarette. Technically, he's not allowed to smoke in here, even in the backroom, but someone (not naming any names here) tampered with the smoke detector, so it ignores him. Sulkily, he practices blowing smoke-rings and accuses, "I bet he'd see me if I was a hot chick." Rabble rabble.