STV-001
St. Valentine's Ledger
Patron: The Usuals
Date: Aug 7th, 1923 – Gold Coast District
Location: St. Valentine's
Proprietor: Glass-Eyes
The hooch is stocked. The wicks are trimmed. And the floorboards are only squeaking where they are supposed to.
That means we're finally ready to open.
Can't believe I lost a whole week to some run around with a croaked-up kid in my establishment. Oh well, them's the breaks. St. Valentine's will be running again tonight. Just the regulars though. No horrors, no funnymen, no dazzlers. Just Mildred on the keys, Agatha behind the bar, and me walking the floor.
And you two.
The wet cats.
I suppose you'll still both be hanging around. I don't have the heart to put you out in the heat of summer and until we sort out this sunken city, I doubt you'll take the air. That don't mean I'm keeping my joint closed up. Sometimes you gotta pretend the world isn't ending to let the folks drink and dance while it does.
Got a few new acts lined up. A trumpet player, a knife juggler, and a few dames who aren't as talented as I'd like but their talent lies more in getting the mugs in. But I still need a showstopper. Someone to really pack the house. I want you on the schedule, Nickels.
You still owe me a five-dollar performance. And if I like it, I'd pay you $3.50 a night. Where else are you gonna make $3.50 for an hour and half of work? I want you Nickels not because of some prophecy, or apocalypse, or because something ancient and evil made your lungs ring like cathedral bells.
I just happen to think the room sounds better with you in it.
There's something about the way this city listens when you sing. Like it can't help but join in. Sure, it's probably the magic in your voice. In a literal sense, you can really enchant a crowd. But magic or not, you've got a golden voice. And tonight, we need a song to drown out the sound of ancient evils lurking beneath the floorboards.
We need Nickels Costigan.