It's always a good time...

Dominic Cameron Oliver at your service. If you can pay, that is. 22 years old. De Luca Escort Model. Boys, girls, my body serves all. But the older ladies... Well, they love a young man. And they pay very well. ;)

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Piano Lessons

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Her face went confused for a moment. Maybe this was the wrong choice and she should have stayed at home. “I meant the piano. The ivories? Ivory keys?” she looked at him as though he were daft. The idea of a piano any less than what the speakeasy had was unfathomable to her wealthy young lady. She looked around the small house trying not to shiver at it. It made her uncomfortable. She knew people had been throwing themselves out of windows when everything went to shit, but she hadn’t imagined it was this bad. Maybe this was just a particularly bad neighborhood or maybe Dom had been poor before the Depression started. “No, I’m good,” she said. Frankly at this point, the less time she spent in the little house the better. She kept her hands resting pristinely on her beaded purse as though someone were going to jump out from behind the couch and pull it away. “So you actually got a piano ‘round here or should I be concerned?”

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“The— Oh. Right. Never really heard anyone call it that.” He smirked faintly. “Dunno if anyone actually knows that around here.” He glanced over, studying her obvious discomfort. Clearly, she wasn’t used to such poverty. Perhaps her family was one of those that wasn’t hit quite so hard with the crash. Either way, he couldn’t stop the wave of defensiveness that swelled in him at her contempt. He held his tongue though, remembering his manners. Perhaps he’d been wrong about the girl after all. She seemed to care more about appearances than their obvious connection. Sighing, he waved her towards a door set near the back of the house. “Piano’s here. Down in the basement. Don’t worry. It’s nicer down there.” He was facing away from her, so hopefully she’d missed his wince at his own words, realizing the slight bite he’d put into his words. 

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Piano Lessons

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The more she waited, the more she considered turning around and leaving. Perhaps his last quip about doing bad things to her had been more than a joke and perhaps it hadn’t been the sexual advance she’d thought it was. It was hard for her to remember just how hard these times were for some people when her family was still doing so well. Clearly that wasn’t the case for people who lived here. Finally he opened the door and she smirked at him. “Wouldn’t want to keep ya waiting Toots.” She took a long look at him. Sure, a wifebeater was a bit casual, not something one of her classical teachers would have been wearing, but it looked good. She could see every curve and arch of his muscles. It made him look damn good and she liked it. She stepped into the house and looked around. It seemed so small, nothing like what she was used to, and it made her feel a bit uncomfortable. “So where do you hide the ivories around here?”

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He snorted. Clearly she must be joking, considering the state of their house, or even their neighborhood. “Same place we keep the pearls and the jewels. Far away from here.” He arched a brow, smiling faintly and shaking his head. “Guess it’s not so bad where you’re at huh? I guess the place has seen some better days. But it’s home.” He kept most of the bite out of his voice as he shrugged. There was always an innate harshness there that he couldn’t quite get rid of, brought on by years of bitterness and hard work. He jerked his head further into the house. “This way.” He started to lead her before pausing, trying to remember the manners his mother had taught him. “Uh... you want anything to drink? We’ve got a little juice, I think. No breakfast though, sorry.” He scratched the back of his head, his brows furrowed a little unsurely. It had been quite a while since he’d invited anyone over, let alone a beautiful woman and he wasn’t sure what he might do to make her more comfortable. 

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Piano Lessons

Danna looked around, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. She’d had her family driver drop her at a store downtown then snuck out to find the address of the man she’d met in the bar the night before. She’d be back in town by mid-day to meet the driver and it wouldn’t be a problem. But the closer she got to her destination, the less comfortable she got. This was very clearly a very different side of town than what she was used to. Everything here seemed so old, so broken down, so poor. She shook her head out, the hair jostling from where it was pinned, tucked up into her hat. Lord knew the papers would have a field day if she were recognized out here. With one more look around and a second glance at the scrap of paper with his address to assure for the 15th time she had the right place, she raised her hand and knocked on the door.

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The knock, when it came, was a surprise to Dom. He remembered very clearly inviting the singer— Danna, he thinks— over for piano lessons the night before. But he’d also been just drunk enough to doubt whether the attraction he’d felt was more one sided than he’d thought. A cranky old voice came from the back of the house in response. Pursing his lips in annoyance, he called back haphazardly, “Relax Mr. Clark, I got it.” There was more grumbling, though it was muted enough that he couldn’t hear. It might not even be her, he rationalized, trying to quell the surge of hope in him as he made his way to the door. Dom glanced down as he reached it, mentally berating himself for not putting on something nicer than the wifebeater and suspenders he’d thrown on first thing out of bed. If it was indeed her though, he didn’t want to make her wait. Squaring his shoulders, he opened the door a crack to check who was there. In this neighborhood, one could never be too sure, even in the daylight. There she was though, in all her beauty and he opened the door all the way with a smile. “Right on time, Sweetheart.”

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The First Night

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“Music’s better than most things these days.” He was right. Music was her escape. From the expectations and the suitors and the risks her family was taking to make money. It was where she hid. And it was jazz that spoke to her heart, that sang the thoughts in her mind, but her parents had always kept that too locked away. A small smile pulled on the edge of her lip though she fought not to make it too obvious. “Morning it is. Get me your address and I’ll be there.”

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“Just like that huh?” He smirked as he began jotting his address down on a napkin. “Ain’t you afraid of coming to some random stranger’s house? What if I wanted to do real bad things to you?” His voice was playful, though it had taken on a slightly huskier tone without his meaning to. Despite his best intentions, it was impossible not to be almost constantly reminded of just how beautiful she was. 

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The First Night

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She clapped along with the rest of the crowd. She was waiting for the punchline. That he was some picture star her parents had found for her. Or the rebellious son of some senator. Or that her parents had hired him to follow her and find out where she went on weekends. It all felt too good. When he returned, she eyes him up and down slowly. She was probably digging herself her own grave. She shrugged, “I suppose it’ll do. So,” she tilted her head, this time with attitude instead of adoration, “When do we begin?”

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He raised his eyebrows, surprised at her willingness. “Eager ain’t ya?” He chuckled a little. “Guess I can’t blame you. Music’s better than a lot of things these days.” Dom returned her once over with one of his own, his eyes gliding slowly down the length of her body and then back up. It was less about appreciating her ample curves and more about assessing her body language, assessing her sincerity and devotion. “Well, I kind of got a full day tomorrow, but... The day after? I’m free in the morning for a bit. Or is that too soon?”

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The First Night

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As he changed songs, her smile went from amused to soft. He was clearly singing to her. His eyes were glued to him, her head tilting in a manner far too feminine for her liking had she been thinking about it. Her parents had set her up with dozens of suitors, trying to make a match for her while she was ‘still young and pretty’ so she could find the wealthiest, most powerful man for a marriage. But this man she knew nothing about who was singing to her in a room full of other people, this was the kind of man she wanted. She sat and watched him, half mesmerized.

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He finished off the song with a little flourish, unabashedly showing off. He grinned, shaking the hand of the band members before making his way back over to the table. His eyes shone happily in the dim lighting of the club as he took his seat, grin will firmly in place. “So. Good enough?” He arched an eyebrow, knowing she'd probably deny it, even though he could tell how much she enjoyed the music.

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The First Night

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She watched as he interacted with the band. There was an ease and confidence to it that was almost impressive. She wondered briefly if he had a secret like hers hidden away. It, along with any other thought, disappeared the moment he started playing though. His hand flew and jumped across the keys. She could help but smile softer, closing her eyes to get the best of the music. He was fantastic. She couldn’t help it, she loved the sound of it. It was beautiful and to have a man who looked like that be able to play like that was amazing. Men like that didn’t exist in her world. Men who liked jazz didn’t exist in her world. In Danna’s opinion, men didn’t exist in her world at all. Yet here he was, hidden in another world, the one she pretended to be a part of. This was why. Because this was where you found music and art and inspiration. This was what she lived for.

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Dom could tell from the second he saw her that she was enjoying this as much as he. He knew because the look on her face, the closed eyes and soft smile, the slight lean... they were all things he knew he did when he was really feeling the music. It spurred him on, this connection he knew he shared with her. Feeling bold, he nodded to the band to get their attention and again murmured the song he wanted to play. This time as he began playing the opening notes of Gershwin’s Oh Lady Be Good, he couldn’t keep his eyes from straying to her. When he started singing, or rather a mixture of speaking and singing as the song called for, he didn’t even bother trying not to look at her anymore. As he made his way through the rather funnily appropriate lyrics, he couldn’t help the grin that slowly spread across his face, hoping to catch her eyes. The lyrics were meant for her as he sang, 

“Oh, please have some pity,  I'm all alone in this big city.  I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,  So lady be good... to me.”

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The First Night

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“Damn right it’s a challenge toots. Gotta impress me if you want me to stick around” she grinned back. She silently his music skills were as good as his dancing. She’d been itching at the chance to learn and if it was from an attractive young man? Well it wasn’t exactly a negative. She kept her eyes on him as he made his way to the stage, resting her chin on his hand as she waited for him to play.

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Dom waved the band leader down, sharing a quick word with him. As usual, they were very welcoming of people wanting to take a turn with them. One thing that could be said for times like these: at least in clubs like this there was an air of solidarity between those who shared a passion for music. He murmured the name of the first song he wanted to play to the rest of the band and borrowed an extra mic to place next to the piano. He wasn’t a crooner by any means, but he could carry a decent tune and if he was trying to impress he might as well go all out. After a quick count off, he began playing A Handful of Keys by Fats Waller and after the opening solo, was joined by the rest of the band. He managed not to stumble over any of the words, though his voice was slightly rough from the alcohol. Hopefully that lended itself to the feel of the music though, and when he finished, he chanced a glance over at the table to catch Danna’s reaction.

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The First Night

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A warm smile quickly spread across her face, her eyes glittering with excitement. She couldn’t help it. Not only was this insanely attractive guy interested in her, but he was offering to teach her jazz piano. She’d wanted to learn jazz piano for forever. “I’ll hold you up to that. And you better be ready for your best student yet. Granted, of course, you’re actually any good.” She smiled and jerked her chin toward the stage. “Gotta prove you’re worth it first.”

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He let out a loud laugh and grinned at her. “Oh is that a challenge?” He was even more glad now that he’d stopped drinking. He wanted to be perfect tonight to impress this vexing woman. “I was gonna take it easy tonight but I guess I can turn it up a notch.” His grin faded into a slight smirk as he dipped his head and stood from the table, making his way to the stage.

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The First Night

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“I’m saying I don’t know you and I don’t know what your intentions are. Not everybody’s got a heart of gold and you have to watch yourself around those who don’t.” Her family’s lifestyle, along with the people clamoring to get close to them because of their money and power, made her weary of everyone. Even a handsome man at a bar who was a good dancer and played piano. “Piano. Man I’d love to know how to play some real hoppin’ jazz. Mama won’t let me play any of the fun stuff.”

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He raised his eyebrows, sightly taken aback. “I— Well I don’t know. I thought my intentions were pretty clear. I like you. And I didn’t think I did anything too forward so...” This conversation was giving him whiplash. Dom though she liked him one minute and then the next she was suddenly suspicious. Clearing his throat, he shook his head and dropped it. “Never mind. Jazz is great for the piano, but sometimes you gotta fight for the solos. Everyone loves the trumpet you know?” He smiled a little ruefully. “I could teach you sometime if you wanted to learn.”

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The First Night

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“People can make it, they just gotta be willing to try.” Her family had always done well. Their dealings weren’t legal, but they made money and that was what mattered. “Enough of the world is. I don’t have to like everybody and I’m not going to.” Her brow raised when he brushed away another glass of alcohol and didn’t lower as he tried to explain. So he was a musician too. “What do you play?”

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Dom bit back a harsh retort at her words. They belied an underlying ignorance of hers, he thought. She didn’t seem to understand what it meant to struggle every day but it wasn’t his job to push that harsh reality onto her so he dropped it. “Yeah, but I’m not. You saying you don’t like me?” He tilted his head, smiling lazily. “I’m a piano man. Dear old dad taught me before he took off.”

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The First Night

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“But you’re saying you don’t like it. That a woman shouldn’t be independent. That a woman ‘needs’ a man. That’s what you’re thinking ain’t it?  If you’re gonna think it, say it, I ain’t got time to be a mind reader, especially when it’s transparent shit like that.” Her parents thought she was at a cotillion event. It’s what she told them every weekend before she snuck out. It always seemed to get her off the hook. But she couldn’t say that here. She shrugged, “I don’t tell ‘em where I go, I just go. Don’t know where they think I’m at. Not my problem.”

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“That ain't what I'm saying at all. I'm saying everyone needs help sometimes, especially now. People barely make it on their own. Not women only. Ain't nothing wrong with a strong woman.” He shook his head lightly. “You always wanna start a fight this bad? The whole world ain't out to get’cha ya know.” He drained the rest of the alcohol in his glass, waving off the server as they tried to set another one down in front of him. Before she could say anything he offered, “I was hoping to play a few songs tonight and if I have any more, my fingers will be fumbling all over.”

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The First Night

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Her brow raised as he laughed darkly. It seemed she had hit a nerve with that somehow. “What? Cat got your tongue? Spit it out toots.” She took another drink of the liquid in front of her. It would start hitting her heavy soon, but she didn’t much care. She’d just hail a taxi and go home. It wasn’t any worry to her. “My parents will never change. Too stubborn. They’re right and anything anyone else does is wrong. How it’s been, how it is, and how it always will be with them. They ain’t willin’ to change with the time unless it’s for their benefit.”

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“Ain’t nothin to spit, Sweetheart. I ain’t got no right to tell you how to live your life.” He took another small sip of his drink and smirked. “So how’d you get into all this if they’re so against it? Where do they think you’re at right now?

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The First Night

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She shrugs casually. “Not lonely. Exact opposite. See, you settle down, you gotta share everything with just one person forever. You live free, you can share everything with everybody. I’ll have the whole damn world, not just one man.” She took a drink when the next round arrived, watching him again. He seemed to have a lot more going on than what he was saying and it made her wonder just what was going on in  his mind. “Not unless it’s that slow cheesy shit they used to do. My parents are damn oldfashioned.”

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He chuckled darkly. “Guess that’s one way to look at it.” He sipped at his next drink, taking it a little slower now. He was beginning to feel the slightest buzz from his first two glasses so he knew he should pace himself especially if he wanted to take a turn on the piano tonight. “Nothing wrong with the slow stuff sometimes. But it gets boring after a while, no?” He shakes his head lightly. “I don’t get people who ain’t willin to change.”

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The First Night

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“Yeah, but here’s my trick. No kids to take care of. No little tikes runnin’ around makin’ a mess and wastin’ food and money, no problem. Girl can make it on her own easy if she ain’t gotta be raisin’ kids. And I don’t want any.” When he finished his drink, she simply raised her hand and gestured for more drinks, knowing they would come soon. Maybe no one else in the speakeasy knew who she was, but the owner did. And he knew what would happen to business of he upset her. “Always been singing I guess. Just used to be in the church. Thought my mama was gonna flog me when I started singing ‘that devil jazz music,’“ she laughs lightly.

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He paused, looking her over thoughtfully. “Sounds kinda lonely if you ask me. No one to share anything with.” He shrugged, though he couldn’t help looking wary as she waved the bar down for more drinks. He’d planned on paying but at this point, he’d not have enough to cover what they were drinking unless he didn’t eat the next day. Dom sighed internally, resigning himself to fasting. The things I do for a beautiful dame, he thought to himself wryly. He laughed with her in response, shaking his head lightly. “Devil jazz huh? Suppose she don’t like to dance either?”

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The First Night

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She looked up at him. So he was interested in her. She sat up a bit straighter, pressing her chest out. She liked the feeling of this, and knowing it was her the guy liked, not her name or money or status. She liked what he was saying too. It seemed so perfect, she couldn’t decide if he was being honest or just saying what she wanted to hear. She narrowed her eyes at him and then shrugged very casually. “Don’t plan on makin’ it big and don’t plan on getting hitched either.I’m just gonna go it on my own. Ain’t no problem with it.”

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“Ain’t no problem with it, maybe.” He looked at her seriously, his voice soft. “But you ever had to do it alone? My ma, she took care of me and my sis alone. Took its toll. I’m just saying... It ain’t easy is all.” He sighed, tipping back the rest of his drink. The conversation had taken a heavy turn, though that was mostly his fault. He offered her a smile, hoping to lighten the mood. “So when’d you start singing, Canary?”

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The First Night

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Danna’s shoulders tightened at his words. She knew exactly how much they were cracking down on bootleggers and it put her on edge. She just kept thinking that it was only a matter of time before someone realized exactly where the family was getting their best profits. And that it wasn’t in a legal manner. She had hardly realized he had continued talking until she looked up and found his eyes on hers and she rewound the last few minutes in his mind. “I ain’t got no husband. I’m not some loose slut who’s gonna cheat on no husband. I’m not married, despite what my parents would like and, you know, I don’t know that I ever will be. I don’t want to have to rely on someone to take care of me. It’s ridiculous that women can’t do anything for themselves,” she snapped suddenly.

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He could tell he'd touched on a nerve and in a way, that eased his mind and made him like her even more. “Glad to hear it,” he replied easily, taking another sip of his drink. “I like you too much to give up, and I ain't no ‘other man.’” His admission was genuine, and he could sense the fire in her something beneath the surface. Dom knew a little something of suffrage from his ma, and he'd never been opposed to the concept. Now with this fiery, independent girl in front of him, he thinks he could get behind it entirely. “Maybe marriage don't have to be about relying on someone to take care of you. Maybe with the right person you take care of each other, you know? It's a hard journey alone.” He fell quiet then for a moment, thinking about all the struggles his mother had to go through to raise him and his sister. “Not that I doubt you could do it. Canary like you could probably make it big all on your own.”