[Open Log] Not so very far from here...

[recognize_an_opportunity]

When; Around 10 pm on February 13.
Rating; PG-13 I would imagine.
Characters; Meyer Lansky, and anyone who either works at Lucky's or wants to come gamble!
Summary; It's basically just happy fun times at Lucky's. Or unhappy not fun times, if you decide to cheat or break things! Employees, gamblers, random people wanting a drink... all are welcome!
Log; As far as Meyer was concerned, ten at night was the best time to be at Lucky's. Everyone who worked there was there by then, and that meant he could take a break from dealing hands of poker to wander through the small card room and schmooze with the regulars, as well as greet everyone who came through the door.

As he made his rounds, he was solicitous, complimenting one man on how much money he'd won in a lucky game of blackjack, and commiserating with another man on his empty wallet once he'd lost several hands of poker. He was always suggesting people have another drink, stay for a little while longer, see if they couldn't get their luck back. Maybe just one more hand would win them everything.

If you walk through the door, you're likely to see a large crowd, but Meyer will make sure to push his way through it to greet you personally, shake your hand, and suggest that you take a seat. You never know, tonight might be your lucky night...

Comments

ota!!

[wouldnotkindly]

So far, Jack thinks he's been settling well enough into his new job here. It hadn't taken him long to pick up the card games, at least not to some passable skill, and taking care of the occasional drunk and disorderlies were nothing compared to some of the aggressive types he's had to deal with in the past. It might not seem like it to anyone from different circumstances, but he thinks it's a nice change of pace from where he came, and what he gets to look forward to upon leaving the City again.

Plus, the uniform is nothing if not flattering. He still isn't the kind of guy to particularly care about that sort of thing, but it's still something he notices, or rather something he's learned to notice since he first ended up here.

His lack of voice, however, is still something of a drawback — not a major one, not yet, just enough to cause him worry. He's managed to keep himself from vocalizing at all, thankfully, but sometimes he wonders if it's only a matter of time before that Big Daddy roar escapes his mangled throat.

Of course, it's not something he needs to worry about now. He has work to do, cards to deal and an atmosphere to help maintain, and if his utter silence helps him in that by keeping others from wanting to fuck with him, then he's ultimately better off for it.

Re: Open to even the boss, eh? >.>

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Meyer's been pleased with how Jack's been working. He was glad he'd overlooked the fact that Jack couldn't talk -- it wasn't like bouncers needed to talk, if they were doing their job right, and thus far, Jack had been doing his job exceptionally well. There hadn't been the kind of brawls and danger here that Meyer might have seen in New York City, but that didn't mean that some people didn't take it real personally when they lost, especially if they were drunk.

On the way to check the bar to see if they have enough liquor for the rest of the evening, Meyer passes by Jack, nodding at him. "Good job tonight. Seen anyone suspicious?"

He mostly wanted to know if he was being cheated. People would always try, of course, and some would succeed, but the better the reputation Lucky's got for not permitting cheaters, the more money he'd make from trusting people, and that suited him just fine.

but of course

[wouldnotkindly]

Jack shakes his head in reply. It hasn't exactly been a slow night so far, but he hasn't seen anything particularly shady, at least not enough to warrant his attention. Really, though, if he had, Meyer might not need to ask; he'd surely know by now.

But so far, Jack hasn't had much need for anything beyond his own physicality when it comes to dealing with the local rabble. He still has his plasmids, of course, but he figures that he longer he can go without needing to use them — without needing to reveal the fact that he even has them, really — the better.

[spotlighted]

Ruby flashes Jack a smile as he passes by. She's seen him in passing over the few nights she's been working here, but hasn't had the chance to introduce herself yet. "How's it going?"

[wouldnotkindly]

Jack can't help but look a little startled when she speaks to him. It's the first time she's ever spoken to him, after all, not to mention the fact that she's a beautiful woman, he admires her singing voice, and a whole host of reasons for him to be unnerved by the prospect of conversation with her. But his professionalism quickly kicks back in and, despite the flush apparent on his face, he manages to give her a mostly stoic nod.

OTA

[deadmanbusiness]

Secretly, Theo is highly amused at the situation. Here he was, son of a god, and he was dealing cards at a casino. His father would disapprove of that more than his older brother's acting career. Still, it's something to do. It's something different.

He's been dealing hands fairly well, though a few people have been spooked by his 'undead aura' there's been enough people around to mask it.

The rats are no where to be seen. This is intentional as he's got them up on the rafters watching people. It makes him seem a bit distracted, but he's also caught a few people trying to cheat that way.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Meyer's pleasantly surprised at how well Theo's doing. He didn't think the guy had had any experience with card dealing before he got this job, although he could do the basics just fine, but he's a quick learner, and so far, he hasn't messed anything up badly enough for Meyer to say anything.

As he makes his rounds, he passes by Theo, nodding his approval, then gesturing for Theo to come talk to him as soon as he gets a break. He likes to know everything that's going on, no matter how minor.

[deadmanbusiness]

Theo catches the signal and nods back.

When he finally gets on break he finds Meyer and gives him a smile. "Hello."

the bar (OTA!)

[makingastatement]

Al has ensured the basics for the evening: each glass is clean, the bar is immaculately wiped down and that the booze is ready for the first 20 takers of the night who will be treated to free spirits. After that, he'll pour whatever he needs to in order to get the rest of the crowd to break out their wallets. He's generally chummy with the patrons, but the tone of the order has a strong impact on determining whether someone gets the good stuff or a bottle broken over their noggin the watered-down version.

For those who think the luck of the venue has rubbed off on them this evening, one might try their luck at wedging a red coin between two stacked shot glasses containing water without spilling a drop. The prize? Free booze for the whole night. The penalty? Dumping out whatever is in the loser's pockets.

Re: the bar (OTA!)

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Meyer makes it a habit not to drink much on his shift, but his shift is all night, seven days a week, and he's decided to allow himself one drink on the small break he gets. So he comes up to the bar, nodding at Al, glad to see that a fair amount of people have ordered second and third drinks. A bar might not be a totally necessary part of a casino, but it sure helps people loosen up and spend a little more money.

"How's it going?" His voice is low, not wanting to attract attention. He plays the part of a solicitous host just fine, but he's keeping an eye on everyone just as much as Al is, and he's hoping nobody has to get kicked out tonight.

[makingastatement]

"Steady. Haven't had to chase anyone off yet," he tosses a rag under the counter and replaces it with a new one.

Aloofness aside, he has to admit that watching Lansky make the rounds has been entertaining to say the least. Al has seen plenty of people work a room, but never has he seen someone be quite so...thorough.

"You want something?"

open to threadjacking

[candothat]

The kid who slides up to the bar early in the night looks like he's up past his bedtime, the green coin in his hand will--he hopes--encourage the bartender to ignore that fact. Chekov has a hell of a time getting strict establishments to serve him alcohol. For some reason, no one takes his word for it when he says he's eighteen.

"Hello, sir," he says amiably through a thick Russian accent. "Stoli, please?"

Re: Totes threadjacking once Chekov gets his drink

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Meyer finally makes his way back to the bar, after having greeted just about everyone personally, and sees Chekov.

"I'm glad you could make it," he replies, smiling genuinely. Chekov may be young, but Meyer knows better than to underestimate anyone who's young -- after all, they're just about the same age, and he never underestimates himself, either.

[makingastatement]

The baby-faced kid's instincts are correct-- this bartender never turns down a payment. In a place like the City, anyone who has to competence to ask for a drink deserves one. Multiples, even.

That is, however, his humble opinion. It's merely a perk when the client is early enough that their drinks may have otherwise been free. He doesn't bother to inquire, just pours the vodka.

"Had any luck at the tables tonight?"

ota!

[spotlighted]

Even though she's only been working here a few days, Ruby's found herself settling in nicely. While it's quite different from the crowds she'd been used to in New York, a large portion of whom had always come specifically to hear her, after all, she's still finding that she's getting a good reception here, and she likes the atmosphere of the place, besides.

After her set, she'll be wandering about the room, sometimes stopping in to watch a particularly high stakes hand of cards - she's still working out some of the rules for herself, though she hasn't admitted that yet - and sometimes flirting her way into getting a patron to buy her a drink. Never mind that she gets them on the house anyway, every little helps so far as she's concerned.

Re: ota!

[recognize_an_opportunity]

He'd known hiring her had been a good idea. Most places didn't hire entertainment of that calibre, at least, not where he came from, but the City made it possible. She was classy, too, which helped, and the crowds had responded favorably to her. It was still too early to see whether he'd ask her to work more nights a week, but he had the feeling that he might.

After her set, he approaches her, nodding in approval. "Good job tonight. You've gotten some admirers, I see." Of course he'd noticed the patrons buying her drinks -- it was his job to notice everything.

[spotlighted]

She looks thoroughly proud of herself. "Thanks. I'm really enjoying performing here, it sure is different than what I'm used to, but in a good way." And then her smile turns a little more shameless at the observation. "One or two, maybe. It's harmless, I'm not the type to go and sleep with a customer."

[candothat]

Chekov had enjoyed the singer's performance immensely in spite of the fact that the musical style was, from his perspective, nearly ancient. The genre's name escapes him, but it's still vaguely familiar--still from some time in Earth history, likely. When he catches her watching a nearby game, it only seems polite to get up and pay her a compliment.

"You have a very beautiful voice," the young man says by way of greeting, holding his drink up in a mock toast. His accent is distinctly Russian and heavy enough to render his words nearly incomprehensible. "What is it called, that kind of music?"

[spotlighted]

It takes her a moment to sift through the accent and work out what he's saying, her eyes narrowing in instinctive suspicion at the Russian lilt, but then her smile broadens at the compliment. "Thank you, I'm very glad you liked it. I do hope you'll come back and hear me again." The question throws her off her guard a little, though. "Haven't you ever heard jazz music before?"

[makingastatement]

Al has seen the newest entertainer at the bar a few times during his shift, but has so far left her to her own devices. Undoubtedly all employed eyes have been keeping an eye on her to ensure any doting customers keep a respectable distance, but from what he's seen she seems capable of taking care of herself.

Nice change from the usual kind of high-maintenance girls. Not too bad at the mic either.

"Sound real good, Red," he calls over the counter as she passes by.

[spotlighted]

While she is capable of taking care of herself, it's still a nice feeling, that the others working here are looking out for her. She grins at the compliment and alters her course to come over to the bar, leaning on the bartop and smiling over at him. "Thanks, I really appreciate it. Al, right?"

OTA - she is so unfriendly otherwise I'd toss her on somebody myself

[prosopopoeia]

It's something to do, something other than to sit at home with a soldering iron drinking and smoking and tinkering. It's not much of something, but she's at least outside her apartment. Still drinking, still smoking, but the large pile of chips in front of her at the poker table is... something.

She's got a good poker face, probably because she has absolutely no investment in the game: isn't here for the money, isn't here for the adrenaline, is just here to pick opponents apart and play a game of percentages. She's a scientist, Nobel Laureate for her invention of the first faster than light engine in her world. She knows numbers and percentages.

She folds a hand for being pathetic, sitting back with her drink and surveying the room, bored but imposing.

[deadmanbusiness]

"That bad of a hand?" Theo asks as he finishes up his lunch. He was working one of the other tables and has been watching her through his rats.

It's just the way she was playing that caught his attention.

Re: OTA - She can talk to this lovely manager right here!

[recognize_an_opportunity]

He's noticed her winnings, and he's noticed that she doesn't seem to be cheating, at least not in any way he can catch. That means she's probably legitimately good at the game, or just damn lucky, and either way, he's curious. If she plays poker this intelligently all the time, she's going to be a serious opponent to beat. Which almost makes him want to play a hand against her.

"Looks like luck's on your side tonight," he says, coming up behind her chair and gesturing at the pile of chips with a smile. Of course, he knows it's probably not luck, but he's curious to see what she says.

[candothat]

There is no logical reason for Chekov to gamble. He has more than enough money and he has spoken to Meyer enough to suspect that the house is cheating (but that's true everywhere, isn't it?). The activity and opportunity to people-watch is quite a draw, however, and he's having a fine time counting cards and the odds of the players at the nearest poker tables.

And his boss is playing at one of those tables. Interesting.

Chekov and his drink move to Marie's side. "Delacroix, sir. Are you enjoying yourself?"