Ch.15d Baton Rouge

[Mr. Handy]

"We'll definitely take you up on that offer," says William.

[Philulhu]

Sheriff DuPont nodded. ”Ok, well I’ve got to get back to the station. Your driver should know where Joe Sisk’s place is,” he said. ”Tell him his brother-in-laws says ‘hi’.”

He bid them goodnight, climbed into his car and drove away, leaving them on the sidewalk outside the now-dark realtor’s office.

Parked in his own car, Oscar stifled a yawn. Leaning out of the window, he said, “Where to now? Back to de hotel?”

[Mr. Handy]

"Not just yet, Oscar," says William. "First we'd like to go to Joe Sisk's place."

[Philulhu]

“Joe’s?” replied Oscar with a raised eyebrow. “Yeah, I know where dat is. I hear the guy dat runs it is married to de Sheriff’s sister.” He got out of the car and opened the doors. “Come on. I’ll drive you dere.”

The journey down to the docks took a little over ten minutes before Oscar pulled over on the opposite side of the road to low, one-storey wooden building, with a tinplate ‘Cafe’ sign above the door. Two well-built, smartly dressed men stood by the door, greeting customers as they walked up.

“Dat’s Joe’s. You goin’ in?” he asked.

[jp1885]

Ivy eyes the building critically.

"I suppose it's too late to acquire some galoshes and an oilskin," she mutters.

[Mr. Handy]

"Yeah, we're going in," says William. "Wait for us here, please. I don't think we'll be too long."

[Silver Priest]

Even despite all the horrors he's faced, Alex is still uncomfortable entering into a depraved den of hooch. He feels uncomfortable rubbing shoulders with booze distributors, especially when the law was being so flagrantly violated. But this is not his town, so he keeps his objections to himself.

Still, he's content to letting William do most of the talking here.

[Philulhu]

The two men by the cafe door watched as they approached, greeting them as they came within earshot. ”Gentlemen. Ma’am,” the older one greeted them. He was solidly-built with greying hair, carefully brilliantined in place.

”We haven’t seen you here before, so what can we do for you?”

[Mr. Handy]

"We're here to talk to Joe Sisk," says William. "His brother-in-law told us to see him. He says 'hi,' by the way."

[Bullfrog]

Lawrence can't help but be amused by Alex's discomfort with entering a speakeasy; seeing what he has seen, that which breaks the law seems downright quaint in comparison with that which breaks the world itself! Alcohol isn't the worst thing that can grip a man's mind; as a matter of fact, it may be the best.
"Great place you've got here- my brother would have loved it. But we're just looking for a boatman."

[jp1885]

“A competent and, ideally, sober one.” Ivy adds.

[Philulhu]

The men studied William for a long moment, then the older one nodded and pushed open the cafe door. ”Welcome to Joe’s,” he said.

Inside was surprisingly busy for a Tuesday night, with people of all backgrounds sat around the room, chatting and listening to the jazz band who were giving it there all on a small stage in the corner. A steady stream of waiting staff emerged from what was presumably a kitchen area, although they were carrying highball glasses rather than plates of food.

Most of the clientele were respectably dressed but sat at a small table at the end of the bar was a group of rough, weatherbeaten men, arguing about the upcoming baseball season.

[Mr. Handy]

"Thanks," says William, stepping inside. He glances over at the table with the men arguing about baseball. "Would you recommend those men as a crew?"

[Philulhu]

The doorman shrugged. ”Jimmy’s OK when he hasn’t had a drink. Watch out for Lucius though, he’s got a temper.” He pointed in the direction of two of the men at the table.

The one called Jimmy would be charitably described as grizzled, given that he appeared to be about 70 and had spent every day of his life exposed to the sun and salt water. A short-cut thatch of white hair topped a tanned and heavily lined face. Lucius was a few decades younger, lean and broad-shouldered, with flecks of grey starting to appear in his dark, curly hair that he wore down to his collar. The table before then was full of glasses - they had obviously been there a while.

[Mr. Handy]

"Good evening, gentlemen," says William as he approaches. "We're looking to hire a boat to take us out to Johnson Bayou."

[jp1885]

Ivy sweeps the establishment with a steely gaze to see if anyone reacts at the mention of Johnson Bayou.

[10] = 10
Spot hidden 65 1d100: [ 10 ] = 10

[Philulhu]

Their appearance had attracted the momentary, cursory interest that strangers entering a bar often will, but the patrons had soon switched their attention back to their own affairs and Ivy’s stare was not returned.

The two men at the table peered up at them, looked them up and down and shared a glance before the older man pushed out a stool with his foot and beckoned them to sit down. ”So who ah youse and what’s yer business at Johnson Bayou?” he asked.

[Mr. Handy]

"I'm William Preston, from Boston," says William. "Joe Sisk's brother-in-law sent us. We're looking for a man that went out there."

[Philulhu]

”Sisk’s brother in law’s with the police,” scowled the younger man, who the doorman had called Lucius. Jimmy shot him a warning glance and put a steadying hand on his arm.

”Who’s the man yer after? Not that ah’m interested in yer business but just want to be sure we ain’t biting off more’n we can chew.”

[Mr. Handy]

"The man's name is Nyatanga," says William, watching for their reactions.

Psychology roll (67% skill) to see how they react:
d%