Chasing Scarlet

Chaper 1

The rhythm embodied my fingers, stealing them for a quick dance across ivory piano keys. I recovered from a sprained wrist about a week ago, and to my surprise, I haven't lost any skill.

My finger tapped the last key in the song. Applause filled the room, mixing in with the sweet smell of sassafras. The speakeasy was crowded tonight. Men and women enjoying themselves, as they should. The Great War took a toll on all of us in some way. And tonight, we shall drink, and forget our troubles.

A woman wearing a fashionable flapper sashayed over to my piano. Her scarlet red lipstick matched perfectly with her dress. Her elegant black mask was bejeweled with small rhinestones. A tall feather-adorned her mask. As if it was a shark fin, easily cutting through cigar smoke.

She awkwardly tripped and stumbled, catching herself on my piano. She giggled. From her juvenile acting, she obviously had been celebrating a bit too much tonight. I chuckled and offered my hand for balance. She waved it away and fixed her mask. Her eye makeup was slightly smudged. Had she been crying?

"Have a song request, miss?" I curiously asked.

"Where can I find the carnival?" She replied. Now up close, her almond eyes shown bluish-green, like an oxidized penny.

My eyebrows knitted together. "Um--I'm sure if you hum it, I could play it."

The mysterious woman put on a sweet yet deadly smile. "Oh no no, I'm here to kill someone!"

My eyes went big and I gave a cringy smile. "How inconspicuous of you! Asking the lowly piano player for information."

She began to laugh. "You should see your face!" The red-dressed woman raised her well-manicured hand at the barkeep and made a motion for him to bring a drink.

"It's pretense, darling. I would never do such a thing...Or would I?" She winked at me.

I know a few gangs ran around these parts. Families at war or something like that, but she surely couldn't be involved with the recent murders, could she?

My palms began to sweat and my heartbeat quickened.

"Have I've seen you around before? What's you--your name?" I stuttered, trying my best to change the subject.

Her stare became sharp and her lips pursed. She was in no mood to have small talk.

"Can you tell me where I can find the carnival or not?"

I didn't know what this woman wanted with the circus and I'm not sure I really want to know. What was she going to do, murder a clown?
She didn't look like the violent type. Her curled hair was pinned up with care and her ivory skin showed no signs of wear. What did scare me was her stare. She looked at me like I was prey. Picking up on my slightest movements. Trying to decide the perfect time to rip out my throat. She had to be at least 5' 6'', but her thin physique and heels made her seem taller...and ominous.

"Okay, Scarlett. Let me think."

She narrowed her eyes at the name but didn't comment.

I continued. "Uh-- you take a left out of here, follow Jameston road until you hit the 4-way stop and then, err...Then you take a right down that road."

Scarlett tilted her head. "Are you sure?"

I wasn't, but she seemed a bit too intoxicated to tell I was bluffing.

The waiter came over with her martini in hand. She gracefully plucked it and began to sip.

While her focus was elsewhere. It was time to change the conversation. "Do you sing?"

"Pardon?" Her eyes focused on the olive in her drink.

I cleared my throat. "Does a fine lady such as yourself sing?"

She quickly finished her martini and ate the olive. "Yes--well no, not anymore."

Her face cringed as if tasting something bad. "I come here to forget, not to bring up the past, sir." She looked hurt. Her eyes filled with remorse. Scarlett cleared her throat. "Thank you for all your help. Good day."

She hastily spun around to leave. Almost colliding with a passing waiter, I caught her arm in the nick of time. She gasped and quickly regained her balance.

I don't know who she is, but whoever she wanted to kill was going to have to wait to die. Scarlett-- or whatever her real name was-- isn't in the perfect condition to make decisions and I wasn't going to let her get herself hurt or worse.

It was not hard to tell she was hiding something behind those hazel eyes, but what could have hurt her so badly?

"We all come here to quiet the ghosts that haunt us," I spoke calmly, "Come and join me."

Scarlett didn't refuse. Instead, she let me take her hand and I guided her to sit with me on my piano bench.

"I have found that the best way to deal with emotions, is with music." I smiled at her, and to my surprise, she smiled back.

I began to play a popular song. It was sweet and a little upbeat. She slowly caught onto the beat and began to sing. Slow and melodically her voice carried through the speakeasy. It was like honey, smooth, and light. She definitely had a lot of practice, probably even lessons. The song sped up a little, but Scarlett stuck to it, getting every word right. There was a weight to her voice as if she was holding something back. A small tear ran down her cheek, which she quickly wiped away. I acted like I did not notice. For her pride and all.

A man came over and joined in. Then another, and another. After a few minutes, we practically had the whole speakeasy dancing and singing to some fast-paced songs. Scarlett clapped to the rhythm. She was actually smiling. Her pearl white teeth glistened in her big smile.
So this is what it feels like to be happy again. I haven't felt this elated in months.