"So which ones of you are the cops. Geoffrey that police issue that you're pointing around? Rick you not just a private detective? Jimmy is it only drinks you shake-up. Kitty do you serve summons as well as drinks... and Corbyn, an angry cop?" Marlene softly drawls.
"We've not much time, Tony's waiting..."
"You are the server here, Marlene..." Kitty points out, with a nod at Corbyn, "So what are you trying to say?"
"I believe he's trying to say we need to act. I suppose I've been too passive & relying upon others." She adds critically; "But that's meant too many deaths."
She walks around the room, with thoughtful look in her eyes patting each person on the shoulder.
"Did you want this music on the Wireless Kitty, or would you prefer a tango?" she asks as the waitress walks around the room pointing the the machine to see if the lady wants to help choose a station.
"See if you can find some jazz, please." Jimmy requests from behind the bar. "We're going to have to make some tough choices soon. Does anyone want another round?"
"Yes, please Jimmy." Marlene says softly.
"Something strong.... now time for the votes to be counted, I'd guess." She looks around the room; "So Corbyn, you went in the wrong direction for whom to lynch who's your partner? Rick???"
"I'd like a live band, Kitty, if we get requests. And I don't want to tango, not knowing that two of you are dirty cops. Don't wanna get a shiv in the kidney," Kitty moans, hugging herself. "If you think Corbyn is a copper, why do you want to, uh, "search" Rick for a badge, Marlene? I don't get it."
"Because I'm not certain & we need to find both of them..." Marlene drawls softly, holding a glass in her hand. "Why, whom do you think it is? Plus if Corbyn is a cop, then I get taken out immediately and if the person we rub out is a cop - then we've confirmed his identity."
Kitty's plucked eyebrows draw togther as she tries to understand the canny waitress's logic. "I don't know, Marlene. I think Corbyn is, too. He was all het up to spill Jeremy's blood. Geoff is armed to the teeth, but he wasn't eager to kill like our absinthe-sipping friend." She sinks unhappily onto a chair, crossing her legs and kicking one foot nervously.
"Tony's been a great boss, but I have to say, I don't like this little game of his very much."
"I know, Tony didn't hire me to wipe out patrons and colleagues. But why are the cops here, Tony's been a good boss and you guys are my friends."
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"You're dead wrong if you think for a second that I enjoy spilling blood Kitty. All I want is to see this through to the end and walk out of here alive. It's not cowardice, it's self preservation, and so long as its not me on the chopping block I'll nail every one of your coffins shut to enjoy another second of existence. If you wouldn't do the same than you're a liar! Its natural Human instinct to save yourself first."
"Whoa, what yer doin ain't make no sense Marly. Like Kitty said ya think Corbyn's a cop so yer gonna kill me? Cuz what, guy's gotta have a partner an it might as well be me?"
When Corbyn votes for him too Rick shakes his head "Awright, so lemme count, two cops an' two votes fer me seemingly at complete random. Well Corbyn, been fishy ta me since da start, an' he's real quick ta go fer da kill, I tink he's a dirty pig. Cuz de only way he's gonna save 'imself by takin me out is if he's a cop."
"Marlene, I can't believe you'd side with this stranger instead of a regular, a guy who's done some good work for the boss, too! But I don't think you're a cop, Marlene. Just confused."
"Shoot, I don't know."
"Hey, you really really believe Corbyn was a cop. I don't, I don't know. I'm sure I've got the answer from whispering to you guys.... but, damn it, Tony didn't hire me for my brains." she leans against the table heavily.
"I ain't blame ya Marly... yer scared 'an confused. But we gotta consider dis carefully, da wrong moves means curtains not jus' fer da lot o' us, but da right one means we still gotta chance. Ya jus' let me die an' da cops win. Tie da vote if ya really can't choose... one o' us will likely be be done in by da cops, but da rest still got a slim chance at least."
"Damn it, is it you and Kitty; Rick are you the cops? Corbyns seemed fishy... but... gah!" She rises to her feet, softly dancing across the floor.
Kitty sighs. "I know it's not me, which Marlene seems to think now, so I'm betting Rick is clean, too. Marlene's information seems unreliable. I never trusted Corbyn; he was too eager for the kill. Just like a dirty copper."
"If it wuz me an' Kitty why would she have taken back 'er vote? It ain't me Marly, and I ain't tink it's Kitty... I pray ta God it ain't Kitty... I don't tink I'd be able ta handle dat. Corbyn said 'imself he ain't care who goes down long as it ain't him. Problem is ya gotta care unless yer a cop cuz if we're wrong da cops jus' finish us off once we ain't got numbers on em."
Marlene shakes her head softly; "Rick, your words are very honeyed in stark contrast to Corbyn's honesty and fury. Whereas, Kitty my dear - you are much too clever to be so quiet in this. Putting up the occasional sacrifice...."
"Whilst the quiet barkeep and the man with the gun in the corner watch us.... possibly he's the least dangerous of all of us...."
"Someone has to be lynched this round & Corbyn has made up his mind. Whilst the pair of you are against it. And as he knows a tie doesn't work for anyone."
Kitty regards Marlene with confusion. "What? Marlene, I love ya, hon, but I never understand what you mean. What do you think we should do?"
"Well admit that you're a cop would be a good start. Then maybe tell us your partner..." she shrugs with a bounce of her hair; "Oh you mean as a group, well we need to lynch someone then if the silent guardian gets lucky & catches the cop's bullet we might live for a few more minutes."
"Looks like the tide's flowing against Corbyn. I can't bare to think it might be one of my friends. But we've got to act now before it's too late. Sorry stranger. "
The others descend upon Corbyn, the outsider feeling the full brunt of the anxieties of the speakeasy's regular crew. They use Tony's switchblade to cut into the man's gut, hopeful that this will not be their last day of life. They sift through in desperation, blood getting on their hands, but come up empty.
Rick turns to address the others soon after the gruesome display, seeming a bit woozy, but Kitty places a hand on his shoulder from behind, and with a flash of silver, cuts a line across the private dick's throat. She looks down and watches him bleed, knowing at this point there's little point in trying to hide. The numbers advantage no longer belongs to the criminals.
Kitty laughs hollowly and says to Jimmy, "I took out three of them out, Jim, and you only managed one? If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're getting slow."
Jimmy smiles knowingly in reply while washing a glass, "Ah, you forget my dear... I was the one who prepared the drinks."
Kitty sighs as Geoffrey and Marlene slump to the floor, foaming at the mouth.
"You know, Jimmy, Tony'll collect protection money all day, but ask him for a fair cut for us? He welches on it, and his people pay - our friends. Selfish rat. I think it's time we return his shiv." She taps the slim blade on her bloody palm.
"Whaddya say?"