It wasn’t a surprise that the woman in white from Evelyn’s vision was down in the speakeasy. No matter the time of day, there were usually people down in the basement of Meyer’s Place. And when everyone was already keeping the secret of the bar in the midst of prohibition, they tended to keep out of everyone else’s other affairs as well.
Frankie and Evelyn took a seat behind the woman. She was seated with a different man, who seemed equally as distraught as the man Frankie had seen at the bank. More than that, the look in his eyes showed not only desperation, but hunger and tiredness as well. Frankie felt bad for him.
“I need a job,” the man said. “We have nothing left in savings. We’re already renting out two rooms in our house. My wife has been doing the laundry for people in the neighborhood just to bring in some extra cash to feed our family. I have four kids! Do you know how heart wrenching it is to hear your daughter crying at night because she can’t go to sleep for how hungry she is?”
The woman nodded. “That has to be hard.”
Although she was saying the right thing, Frankie sensed a lack of true empathy on her part. Her voice sounded flat, disinterested.
The man, however, didn’t seem to pick up on it. “I need to be able to provide for them. I’m the man of the house and I have nothing to give. Not since I lost my job.”
“Yes, well, unfortunately in my line of work I come across a lot of men who have the same problems as you do. Our country is seeing financial prosperity, but that doesn’t mean it’s evenly distributed.”
“That’s exactly what I’ve been saying!” The man’s eyes lit up. “It’s like, everyone else seems to be doing well, but I just can’t catch a break.”
Even from behind, Frankie could tell from the woman’s posture that she felt smug with herself.
“I can help you with that.”
“You can?”
Another nod. “I can offer you luck. Good luck. Genuine, absolute luck on your side for a full year. Interested?”
“How?”
“I have my ways. What I’m offering you is an opportunity to turn things around. To finally provide for your family.”
“And this is only for a year?”
“Trust me, that is all you’ll need. After the year is up, the luck will change and I’ll come back around to collect.” She leaned in close and held up a finger. “However, if you use your luck wisely, you will be able to take care of your family for the rest of their lives.”
Evelyn turned to Frankie, horrified at what she had heard. She mouthed, “The rest of their lives?”
Frankie knew from Charles Bennett that whenever this woman came to collect, it wouldn’t end well. Still, he wanted to hear exactly how the deal was made, so he waved off Evelyn and turned his attention back to the next table.
“You’re taking an awfully long time to consider a life-changing opportunity.” The woman glanced at her nails as she waited for his response.
The man chewed on his bottom lip as he looked toward the floor. “What do you get out of it?”
“I’ll let you know when I come to collect,” she said.
He still seemed unsure.
“This is a choice,” she said. “It’s entirely up to you. Do you want to turn your luck around for your family or do you want to hear your daughter cry at night?”
Low blow, Frankie thought to himself. She’s kicking the man when he’s already down. I would do anything for my girls and I’m guessing this man would too.
“So,” the woman asked, “do we have a deal?”