Thank you to everyone who commented and favourited this story - I am so excited that you see the potential too! I am always welcome to your suggestions and feedback.
Also note any historical references are purely to set the mood, any plotline in relation to these names, places or figures are purely fictional.
I appreciate it has not been as explicit as some of you had hoped just far, but stick with me and it'll get a whole lot steamier!
***
The most delectable creature had just entered through the cigar-smoke clouded entrance of the room. She had sashayed into the speakeasy with slow steps that made her skirts flounce around her smooth, seductive calves. The material of her dress had clung to her hourglass figure with a vengeance, damning every man's thoughts with each glorious step she took. Her doe eyes gave her away though, widening at the sight of the debauchery-filled premises. But there was something else in her expression as a smile that could turn wars spread across her face. She was so
excited
.
"Goldberg, are you sure she is with the Bureau?"
"We've had positive confirmation, sir."
At that moment the tall, dark and handsome figure of none other than Agent Ness appeared behind her, his hand on the small of the beauty's back as he guided her to a nearby table.
"Should we take them in, sir?"
"No," her watcher instructed, downing his drink, "I'll deal with this one personally."
***
Effie couldn't believe that she was finally inside! The key now secured around her neck had worked like a charm on the doorman and before she knew it she had found her way in to the basement of the grocer- and it was nothing like she could have dreamed!
The room was beyond full capacity as suited-up men and women showered in pearls clambered at the bar to get their fill of the latest import. To the left of the riot was a platform with three coloured musicians playing the newest jazz hits above the roar of the speakeasy's patrons. A few intoxicated pairs were already dancing the Charleston around the various-shaped tables that had been crammed into the joint.
"A drink for the lady?" an unfamiliar man with a crooked smile and slicked hair placed a cocktail in front of Effie's face.
"Of course, and I'm quite the
whale
. I'll make it worth your while to keep your best whiskey floating over to this table," Ness passed some cash to the man, who graciously accepted and hurried off to fulfill his request.
"Is he -" Effie began to ask about Ness' use of a code word but he cut her off.
"No questions,
Dolly
. All you should worry about is looking the part. Now when in a speakeasy you should never be seen without a drink. My tip; sip slow. If you really are as dry as you claim to be then you won't be able to handle more than two of these cocktails before you'll lose your senses," Ness explained, accepting the small flask of whiskey and a note that the man from earlier placed before him.
"If you insist," Effie hated feeling out of the loop, but she took his advice and had a sip of the strange concoction.
Within moments, Effie was coughing into her gloved hand and skewing her eyes at the potent liquid in the glass before her. Ness couldn't help but laugh at her inability to handle her liquor.
"My, my, my... this really is your first drink!" Ness exclaimed, pouring some back for himself as he observed Effie with amusement.
Effie stared at her partner with slight contempt at his insistence on her dishonesty, but her curiosity soon took over. She was yet to see this man laugh, or really smile for that matter. Whether it was the lighting of the bar or something in the drink, she was starting to realise that he could be considered quite the catch.
"Something on your mind dear?" Ness caught her mid-thought process, that captivating smiling of his appearing again and confusing her further.
"Nothing at all."
"Typical for a girl," he quickly countered, reviving her former distain.
She went to come back with some witty remark, but pre-empting her reaction Ness simply cautioned her to stay on task and enjoy the music. Effie reluctantly sat back in her chair and scanned the room again.
Not even he can ruin this for me.
"Is that... why is that Marie Prevost?" Effie bemused, gazing at the star that was seated across the room with a small entourage.
"The one and only," Ness smiled, beginning to enjoy the rookie's company, "Why don't you go over and say hello?"
"Me?!" Effie wondered, staring at the beauty she had only seen in the pictures.
"Well we need to get 'social' at some point in the night, you might as well start working the room now. "
"But with
her
?" Effie bemused.
Ness sighed but his frustration was mostly feigned - Effie's excitable nature was infectious, "Marie is a person of importance, she might know something about the owner of this joint. Go over, gain her trust and then as the alcohol works she should hopefully get chatty."
Effie squealed in delight at her chance to meet a girl from the pictures. She downed the rest of her cocktail against Ness' and her own throat's protest and continued across the room to where Marie was seated.
"Name?" a man about 6ft tall and built like a wall stopped Effie.
"E-, Dolly" Effie smiled, composing herself.
"Do you realise who is behind me?" the man spat some tobacco from his mouth near her foot.
"I'm just a flapper looking for some fun," Effie responded curtly.
The man looked around the room then lent in closer, "Then you are aware of Marie's more... acquired tastes?"
Effie, unsure of what he meant, put on her most confident smile and asserted, "Why do you think I am here?"
The wall stepped aside at this point letting Effie get closer to the famed star. She was seated on a red divan with a cocktail in one hand and a cigarette in the other. One girl attended to her hair whilst the other fanned her. She emulated everything of a pagan's goddess.
"What do you call yourself?" Marie demanded, her eyes looking over Effie approvingly.
"Dolly," Effie replied as she was offered a seat next to Marie, which she presently took.
"Dolly. How cute," Marie said putting down her drink and leaning in close so her face was inches away from Effie's, "What do you want?"
"Whatever you're asking for," Effie deflected as Marie blew a ball of smoke in her face.
"Well let's get started then."'
Before Effie could register what was happening, Marie was up on the nearest table kicking the glasses off much to the cheer and protest of the building crowd. The song changed to a classic as Marie's two other girls joined her on the table turned stage.
"Well are you coming, darling?" Marie casually extended a hand to Effie.
Effie scanned the room for Ness but couldn't find him anywhere.
He said I had to gain her trust.
Not wanting to anger the star, she accepted her dainty hand and clumsily climbed onto the table wondering if men could indeed see up her skirt. From her higher vantage point she could see Ness' incredulous face at the bar. The other girls started to remove their hairpieces and Effie followed in form.
As Effie tried her best to keep up with the other girl's provocative dance moves, Marie began to sing in a soprano voice: