Nasty Business

by Gillian Godden

  Jake nodded. ‘He’s right, Sharon. It might never be needed, like the stuff we get from the VIP booths, but it’s insurance, should these guys ever start revoking gaming or club licences because something is not to their liking. I see that now. At the moment it’s all goodwill and their little whims are being pandered to, but what about us when the shine wears off? Do it, Sharon, for all of us.’

  Even she had to admit there was some sense in it. If the going ever did get tough, they would drop the three of them like hot coals. ‘Okay. You sort out your workmen. I presume they’ll be people you know, who are discreet?’

  Tony nodded. ‘All in hand, nothing for you to worry about. Just be there, drink coffee and laugh and joke with them both, as always. By the way, does Mathers ever laugh?’ Tony was now trying to raise the mood. He knew it was an underhand thing to do, but he had to think of himself. He wanted no ill-feeling, but the club members thought they had the upper hand, and were laughing at this gangland boss who thought he had his finger on the pulse. Now it was time for him to show them he did, and he knew everything.

  ‘There is one more thing,’ said Sharon. She looked uncomfortable, and her eyes darted around the room. She had something on her mind, and was contemplating whether to say it. ‘Oh, well, here goes. Our friendly accountant is on the members’ list, and he’ll be at the “Fun Night”, as Ashley is calling it. Well, you two, have you ever seen him with a woman?’

  Silence filled the room; they all looked at each other. Sharon was biting her bottom lip. She felt she had betrayed a trust. She had only mentioned it because Tony was insisting on going.

  Tony spoke first. ‘Fair point, Sharon, I’ve never known him be with a woman, but then, you surprise me that he actually takes that calculator out of his hand.’ He was surprised. Bloody hell, Sharon seemed to know everything that went on in that club.

  ‘I’m only telling you because I didn’t want it to come as too much of a shock when you see him there. I’ll be telling him that you’re going, too. Also, I don’t want him falling prey to your little recording plans; he’s one of us. We’ve all worked together for a very long time.’

  ‘You’re right, Sharon. Jake and I are not homophobic, you know that. A lot of the people we know swing that way, and it doesn’t bother me, it’s how people treat me, that’s what I’m interested in.’

  ‘What, Tony? And you’re smarting a bit, because those well-to-do guys haven’t fallen at your feet, like all those women in the club, and worship the ground you walk on? Hurt your ego, has it, Tony? Grow up.’ Sharon looked at him, disgusted.

  His face went red, he was now beginning to get angry. His temper was rising, not only because Sharon had shouted at him, but also because of the fact that she was probably right. Apart from everything else, he didn’t like the way some of those men snubbed him.

  ‘I am grown up, Sharon, that’s why I’m taking out this extra insurance. They don’t care about me, or you, or even Jake. They shake hands with you both and they talk to you, but mark my words, if the shit ever hit the fan, they would be the first to denounce you to save their own skins. I’m just protecting our own interests. As for the accountant, thanks for telling me. I couldn’t hurt him even if I wanted to, though. Don’t forget, he also works for Ralph Gold and Don Carlos. He has powerful friends who could ruin me in minutes.’

  They all agreed to disagree. Whatever happened, they were all in it together, as they always had been. ‘The accountant’s safe, Sharon. As you say he’s one of us. Hell, he’s never judged me and my wicked ways.’ They all started to smile at each other again. It eased the tension.

  ***

  Tony got changed and went to the casino. It was doing exceptionally well. Tony and Jake were the front men, and they owned it, but Graham and the accountant, who seemed like a member of the family now, had everything running smoothly.

  Tony liked looking around at his empire. It was large, beautiful and all his. It was his crowning glory. It was full most nights and the turnover was even better than predicted.

  He was taking lessons from Graham about working in the casino. He knew how to play poker and had often sat in on a private game and had a good evening.

  This was a whole new ball game – learning all the roulette rules, how to deal cards properly, and most of all, the mathematics side of it all. The croupiers were regularly put through their paces to make sure they were able to add up quickly, to shout out bets. Tony enjoyed it, and Graham was a good teacher. What was the point in owning something you didn’t know how to run? He wanted to learn about his new venture from the bottom up. This was a real challenge.

  A FUN NIGHT

  Ashley’s male fun night was upon them, and Tony wanted to look his best. Jake was still moaning about having to go with him, but he’d agreed to it.

  Sharon had told the accountant that Tony and Jake would be attending the night, and that she had told Jake he was a member and was possibly going along himself.

  ‘What did they say when you told them, Sharon?’ The accountant, as always was straight-faced and never showed any sign of emotion, although Sharon could see he felt embarrassed.

  ‘They didn’t care, although they appreciated being told; it saved all that awkwardness on the night, didn’t it. Don’t be ashamed of who or what you are.’ Sharon leaned over and kissed his forehead.

  The club seemed to be a real mixed bag. A few of the members, who were obviously straight, sat in one of the lounges discussing the day’s business, while ogling the scantily clad waitresses in their satin costumes. Down the hallway, it was a whole different ball game. On opening the entertainment room door, they saw that it was buzzing. The atmosphere was relaxed, and the members were laughing, smoking their cigars and drinking their large brandies.

  There was a drag artist on the stage, telling the usual dirty jokes and making innuendos. It all seemed like a fun night, indeed. Ashley was wandering around, talking to the men who were there and laughing with them. He really was the consummate host.

  Although there were men at the bar talking business, they were still in the room enjoying the music and the atmosphere. Tony took Jake by the elbow and steered him towards the bar. He could already see the puzzled looks on the members’ faces. They were obviously wondering why Tony was there; they hadn’t expected him to be. Suddenly the atmosphere seemed to change, and they were on their guard. Now it was Tony’s turn to put them at their ease.

  Tony and Jake picked up their drinks, and Tony smiled at the men there. He shook some hands, and laughed at the drag artist’s jokes. It was corny but it was funny, even he had to admit that.

  ‘Are you having a good evening?’ Tony said to some of the members, who seemed to be making all kinds of excuses about being in the room. They’d just popped in to see what was going on. They didn’t know it was a male night. Every excuse under the sun was used. Some even put down their drinks, and said they were going home. It was time for Tony to think fast; maybe this had been a mistake. None of these men wanted him there, they all felt threatened by his presence.

  ‘Come on, guys, have another drink. The drag artist isn’t that bad, and the real entertainment will start soon.’ Tony was smiling and laughing and even incorporated Ashley to help him out.

  ‘Come on, boys, Mr Tony is here for some fun entertainment, aren’t you, love?’ Ashley looked at Tony. He hoped he wasn’t going too far, but he had to save the day.

  Jake was startled and rooted to the spot. It was blatantly obvious what these guys were thinking. It was now fleetingly crossing their mind that Tony was of the same ilk, or at least bisexual.

  Tony started laughing and talking in Italian for them, and becoming the joking gentlemen. He breathed a sigh of relief when they decided to stay, and then the first male stripper was introduced.

  Tony stood, watched and applauded. Some of the men were cheering and shouting to the strippers. Tony nudged Jake in the ribs with his elbow. Jake started clapping and getting into the swing of things – in for a penny
, eh?

  The relaxed atmosphere seemed to return, the male strippers were now walking around the crowd pouring oil on themselves and rubbing it in, and coaxing some of the members to rub it into their chests for them. Tony nearly choked when one walked up to where he was standing with Jake. Now was the biggest test of all. Fortunately for him the stripper picked Jake and danced around him provocatively. After breathing a sigh of relief to himself, Tony had to stifle a laugh at the stunned look on Jake’s face.

  This was asking too much; Jake couldn’t do it. He really did not want to rub oil into this young man’s chest. The accountant had seen them and, like a gift from God, he walked swiftly over to them and took the lead. He rubbed his hand across the man’s chest and then put a twenty-pound note into the thong he was wearing.

  Jake had paled; thank God the accountant had come to save the day. Would Tony have done it? Or would he have dined out on it for the rest of their lives, telling Sharon all about how Jake had been frozen to the spot?

  The members started to mingle and take their seats at the tables. They were throwing money on to the stage, and letting the strippers sit on their knee. It was like a surreal world, although Tony and Jake had seen a version of this many times.

  At the strip club, scantily clad women sat on the punters’ knees hoping to get a decent tip. This was exactly the same, except it was scantily clad men. Eventually, after making the acquaintance of some of the people that had once snubbed him, Tony decided it was time to leave them to it.

  ‘Don’t you ever put me in that fucking position again, do you hear me?’ Jake was shouting at him as they got into the car. ‘I can’t believe you were going to let that guy grope me in front of all of those people.’ Jake was blowing off steam, and it was his chance to rant and rave, for once.

  Tony was laughing. ‘I thought you were enjoying yourself, Jake.’ He was teasing him. Poor Jake, he had nearly fainted.

  ‘No, I bloody well wasn’t, and what about you? That old bald-headed guy said you were quite pretty and had lovely blonde hair. He wants you to stamp his card, mate. They all think you’re that way inclined, now, you know that, don’t you? You, and possibly me?’ Jake was horrified.

  ‘Who the hell cares what they think? I don’t, that’s for sure. Besides, I am quite pretty.’ Tony slapped Jake’s arm and burst out laughing. It had been a real eye-opener and once Jake had got over the shocking experience he actually started to laugh.

  ‘I feel really inadequate now, though, after seeing that guy who came on with the python around his neck. My God, Tony, his dick nearly hung around his knees. How am I supposed to compare with that?’

  ‘It’s not the size, Jake, but then again, I wouldn’t know. I didn’t feel inadequate, I’ve got testimonials from a lot of women who come back for more.’

  Laughter filled the back of the car as Tony was telling John, his driver, about the evening’s events and Jake’s most embarrassing moment. Even John burst out laughing, while trying to keep his eye on the road.

  ‘Don’t you breathe a bloody word of this, do you hear me?’ Jake was jokingly threatening John.

  No sooner had they got to the club, where Sharon was, than Tony told the tale again – he couldn’t help himself. ‘Jake pulled, Sharon, he’s got a new friend.’ Tony was still laughing at Jake’s expense, but it was all in good fun.

  ‘You’re wrong, Tony. Now, let’s see.’ She drummed her fingers on her chin and smiled at them both. ‘That stripper thought my Jake was some stud, and you’re a “quite pretty blonde Italian”. Jake never has to see that stripper again, but you. You are being chatted up by one of your members! So, let’s see, you attend gay night, your gay accountant is there and you two are always together. Doesn’t look good from where I’m standing.’

  Sharon watched the smile slide from Tony’s face. His jaw dropped and he looked at her.

  ‘Hey, Sharon, you don’t think they think that I’m, well, up for it, do you?’

  ‘Definitely, Tony, and it’s not the first time you’ve been called pretty, is it now.’ Sharon was enjoying her moment winding Tony up. ‘You started this, maybe you had a hidden agenda.’ She burst out laughing, and saw him take a sigh of relief. Tony swept his hair back, and gave her a cold stare.

  ‘Thank God that’s a secret men’s club, Tony, that’s all I can say. I’m never, ever going back to one of those nights again.’ Jake was emphatic, he’d seen more than enough.

  ‘We won’t have to, Jake, our work is done. We’ve accepted them and their secrets, and they are in two minds about us.’ Tony picked up his whisky and downed it in one. What a night it had been.

  ***

  The next morning, while they were all checking the cash register receipts from the night before, the accountant was filling them in on all the happenings.

  According to him, all had gone well after they had left, and yes, people were asking questions about Tony and Jake. There seemed to be lot of interest in their activities. The accountant had said nothing, but by saying nothing to these men it seemed he had said an awful lot. The accountant found it quite funny. He seemed pleased that his own secret was out, and he could be himself with his friends.

  A lot of the members had invited guests or friends to the special night, which is why it had been so busy. Afterwards, some of the men had simply walked into the lounge area, sat in the comfortable chairs, carried on drinking their whisky or brandy and smoking cigars, and started discussing business with their friends.

  Looking at the accounts for the evening, they saw they had made a fortune.

  ‘It seems our time at the men’s club is over, Jake. It’s in good hands, and we’re not needed. The only time I’ll go back there is when I’m needed to do business. The cameras are in place, which gives us our insurance, and even you,’ Tony pointed at the accountant, ‘can also, now, be our eyes and ears.’

  ‘Don’t forget,’ said Jake, ‘Sharon’s there a lot, as well, her and Ashley are as thick as thieves. She also organizes the female dancers, like she does here at the club. So, as you say, everything seems to be in order.’ Jake seemed relieved that he didn’t have to go back, which made Tony and the accountant chuckle to themselves even more.

  ‘It’s a fair point, Tony,’ said the accountant. ‘It ran with a profit before, and now you have added more to it, more profit will come. I’ll keep an eye on things, discreetly, of course, if that’s what you want. Leave them with the mystery about you two.’ He looked at Jake and watched him squirm again.

  Jake had a stupid thought, but he had to ask. ‘Here, don’t you find it weird kissing a bloke with a beard?’

  Tony and the accountant glanced at each other, and smiled. Jake had obviously given this a lot of thought.

  Tony had his shirt sleeves rolled up, and was looking relaxed in the early morning. ‘I tell you what, Jake,’ he said, with a smug, satisfied grin on his face, ‘why don’t you tell us? After all, Sharon goes and has her moustache bleached and waxed, and I’ve heard her say she shaves or waxes her legs.’ With that he burst out laughing and slapped Jake on the back.

  A WOMAN SCORNED

  As the weeks rolled on, Tony and Jake’s bank accounts flourished. Tony had spent day after day at the casino, and Graham reckoned he was becoming his number one pupil. Tony was pleased with his own efforts; he was a quick learner when something took his interest. His casino was the jewel in the crown of his business empire.

  Tony had been invited to a theatre premiere, as the leading lady wanted him there on her opening night. He walked along the red carpet and the photographers, as always, lapped it up.

  He liked the clothes he was wearing these days. He always felt he had dressed stylishly, but shopping with Mathers had opened up a whole new world for him. He had tuxedos, white dinner jackets and double-breasted grey suits that shone like silk. Mathers had not just chosen white shirts for Tony, but had gone for pink and dark purple, too, all with ties that matched both the shirt and the suit and, of course, the silk handkerchief i
n his breast pocket.

  Each time Tony had shown interest in a tie, Mathers had coughed, moved on to the next rack, and chosen something from there. He had chosen well, taking Tony’s colouring into consideration, and the fact that he had playboy status. Mathers had also insisted he learn how to tie a bow tie, not use one with a clip at the back Tonight, Tony stood before the cameras in his black tuxedo, with his hair swept back. He felt and looked good.

  Denise, the actress he had been seeing lately, seemed to quickly claim Tony as her own property. She hung on his arm at the bar and gave out evil stares to all the other women who smiled at him.

  Denise was small and blonde. Sharon had nicknamed her the ‘poison dwarf’, because of her diminutive stature – she stood just over five feet tall – and the fact she was forever talking down to people, or causing an argument. Tony had liked her, at first; she was funny, when she had a mind to be, and she was okay in bed. He had thought she was an independent woman with her own career who just wanted a bit of fun, but he had been wrong. She clearly had delusions of grandeur. She saw herself as Mrs Lambrianu.

  One morning, while Denise was taking a shower before leaving for the theatre, Tony decided he’d had enough. He glanced over to make sure the bathroom door was closed and then telephoned one of his regular girlfriends to see if she fancied meeting him at the club for a drink.

  He had been his usual charming self, laughing and chatting to the woman on the other end of the line, not realising that while he was on the telephone, walking from one room to another, putting on the coffee and picking up his newspapers, Denise had opened the bathroom door. She was about to walk through to the kitchen when she heard Tony’s voice, and she realised he wasn’t talking to her because he didn’t know she was out of the bathroom.

  She heard Tony flattering some woman and telling her how much he had missed her and was looking forward to seeing her. After the arrangements had been made for the evening, Tony put the telephone down and went into the kitchen to pour some coffee.