No doubt muck to Mr. Raker’s dismay, the expression had been seen and duly noted. Cedric was not afraid of this man nor of his words; he had become a plaything to amuse himself with, and a few more spare moments could be spent with it. This ‘new’ life that he had been gifted had turned into a routine, and it was a pleasure to have a little entertainment. Cedric wanted a cigarette – not because he was still addicted to them, really, but because it was just habit. As a pianist, he often craved something to be doing with his hands. For now, they remained still.
”You talk a lot, Mr. Raker,” he said, straightening as he stood from his stool. If this man was really asking for what Cedric thought he was asking, then a busy bar was not the place to have this conversation.
”I’m going to go into my office, now,” he said, nodding to a door behind the bar. ”I will only allow you to follow me if you will agree, once inside, to simply tell me what you want. Your luck will last longer if you use honest simplicity as your weapon. I do not have a lot of patience, and regardless of who holds the most cards generally rewards are not given before the work has been done,” Cedric said. Namely, he would give nothing and do nothing unless he was given answers – names, proof. Trust was not a common commodity.
Without waiting for response, Cedric tugged at the lapels of his jacket to straighten the material as he stepped past the drinking patrons and around to the back of the bar. A brief discussion was had with the bartender as Cedric nodded in Mr. Raker’s direction, letting the employee know that the stranger had been granted permission to enter the office.
Although Cedric exuded a calm confidence, he had not been lying. Patience was not only one of his virtues when he knew there would be a solid and promising reward at the end. In this situation, he wasn’t entirely sure. He often stood on a pedestal, and had once been called out for it by a pretty woman in the street. He often thought about that woman, and what had become of her. But regardless of her stern judgment, he had not changed.
Stupidity would not be tolerated.
”You talk a lot, Mr. Raker,” he said, straightening as he stood from his stool. If this man was really asking for what Cedric thought he was asking, then a busy bar was not the place to have this conversation.
”I’m going to go into my office, now,” he said, nodding to a door behind the bar. ”I will only allow you to follow me if you will agree, once inside, to simply tell me what you want. Your luck will last longer if you use honest simplicity as your weapon. I do not have a lot of patience, and regardless of who holds the most cards generally rewards are not given before the work has been done,” Cedric said. Namely, he would give nothing and do nothing unless he was given answers – names, proof. Trust was not a common commodity.
Without waiting for response, Cedric tugged at the lapels of his jacket to straighten the material as he stepped past the drinking patrons and around to the back of the bar. A brief discussion was had with the bartender as Cedric nodded in Mr. Raker’s direction, letting the employee know that the stranger had been granted permission to enter the office.
Although Cedric exuded a calm confidence, he had not been lying. Patience was not only one of his virtues when he knew there would be a solid and promising reward at the end. In this situation, he wasn’t entirely sure. He often stood on a pedestal, and had once been called out for it by a pretty woman in the street. He often thought about that woman, and what had become of her. But regardless of her stern judgment, he had not changed.
Stupidity would not be tolerated.
