Nobody Knows You When Your Down And Out. (OPEN)
Jun 4, 2013 3:49:28 GMT -5
Post by Kal-L on Jun 4, 2013 3:49:28 GMT -5
Well there is no polite way to say it, but Southside was a slum. Which is why the citizens of this Metropolis called the area “Suicide Slums”. Nobody but the poorest of the poor lived here, under the constant fear of violence, theft, rape, assault, and even arson. City blocks had become war zones, constantly being battled over by the local gangs, who sold their drugs to numb the pain of existence for the people who couldn‘t seem to catch a break.
There was only a few reasons that an outsider would dare to show their face in Suicide Slums, and one of those reasons was called “The Ace O’Clubs” a bar near the docks owned by former heavyweight champion, and lottery winner Bibbo Bibbwoski. The Ace O’Clubs was famous throughout the whole city for four reasons. The first was Bibbo himself, the former heavyweight champion lived a life that could be written into a major motion picture blockbuster. The second was the food and drinks, the drinks were cheap and the food was legendarily good. The third was Bibbo refused to enforce Metropolis’ smoking ban. The final thing though was what brought most guest to the Ace, and it had nothing to do with the illigeal poker games in the back.
Bibbo hated modern music, and refused to book any act that could come close to being described as “modern“. There was nothing earlier then the earliest rock and roll songs played at Bibbo’s Ace, in fact normally what played was classic jazz, blue, big band, and crooner songs. Always played by the best artist in the business, no matter their level of fame outside the jazz community, and tonight was no exception.
Clark Kent walked into the joint and looked around at the strange grouping of people. Bibbo’s was the dive for dock workers, blue collar factory works, hipsters, and some of Metropolis’ richest and famous. All because of the soul felt music. For the last male survivor of Earth Two thought the place felt the closest to home that he had found yet, in this new Metropolis. Ladies in evening dresses took offers to light their cigarettes from local union members in their flannel shirts well their tuxedo dressed dates ordered whiskey from the t-shirt wearing barmaids trying not to get caught looking to longingly at them.
Removing his hat after passing the doorway, a cigarette girl handed him a pack of unfiltered Lucky Strikes, and pointed to the champ himself to Clark’s questioning glances. Bibbo waved to the old man and then motioned him towards his table, pushing the longshoreman that was sitting next to him away, and motioning for one of his barmaids to grab another chair for his guest. Clark placed the pack of smokes into the inner pocket of his suit jacket as he made he was over to his recently made friend.
“Misser Kent! Glad ye came tonight! I got quit the dame for a fellow connoisseur of real music.” Bibbo said excitedly as he stood up grabbed Clark’s hand firmly and started shaking it constantly until both were sitting down firmly in their chairs.
“Thanks Bibbo, but I actually came here to discuss the details about getting my certifications….” Clark began as he smiled towards the old sailor who soon spoke up.
“Oh no Misser Kent, not yet. Busies comes later. RACHEL!!” The burley former champ barked as a one of the barmaids came running over to him. “Triple bourbon on the rocks for me and me pal!”
“Yes Mr, Bibbwoski” The Barmaid said as she made her way back towards the well stocked bar.
“Fine lass ole Rachel. Shame how she los’ her job. She knew where to come for work though.” Bibbo said with a smile as he lit his ever present corn cob pipe and started puffing away.
“I swear Bibbo ol chum, you’ve hired half of Southside.” Clark said with a smile as he placed his hat down on the table almost in front of the lady to his left. He smiled at her slowly, and the young thing returned one in kind.
“Mus less then half Misser Kent. Bibbo only hires good people. They is harder to com by dess ays:” Bibbo then stopped talking as Rachel returned to them with their triple bourbon, handing a glass to each man. Bibbo raised the glass a second later towards Clark. “To tuff men! Not many like us lef in this worl Misser Kent!”
“To the tough!” Clark said politely as he took a big gulp of bourbon from his glass, and the placed it down on the table in front of him. The taste didn’t impress Clark much, but the only way he became friends with this man was by “out drinking” him. The truth was alcohol did nothing for him, neither did tobacco for that matter, but the old newshound learned a long time ago that you sometimes had to go along with things if you wanted to get information. Plus there was no kids around here.
Bibbo smiled at Clark drinking exactly as much as he did, he seemed to be about to say something when the lights in the room began to dim, and the burning candles on every table became to the main source of light along with the lights of the stage. Bibbo punched Clark in the shoulder, and nodded his chin towards the stage as a band dressed in suits and ties came out and took their place by their instruments.
A man in a white tuxedo then walked to the mic, adjusted it for his height and then began speaking to the crowd.
“Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to The Ace O’Clubs! Tonight our honorable host Bibbo Bibbwoski has a very special treat for us. She’s a girl with stars in her eyes, blues in heart, and who was born and raised not far from this very tavern. Ladies and Gentleman I present to you Victoria Cranston!”
The white tuxedo dressed man moved aside as the crowd began to clap enthusiastically. To Clark it seemed obvious that she must be a local star. Then out walked a beautiful young woman in a long red evening gown, and a flower in here hand. She slowly made her way towards the microphone, smiling all the time.
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
As the singer started doing her introductions Bibbo turned towards Clark and began talking.
“Before I found her Misser Kent she was with sum loser. Bastard was hitting her til ole Bibbo found out about it, I don‘t put up with that around my turf. I took care of tat, and then found out she was a singer in her church choir. A few months ater after I help her get on her feet a bit, and help her realize that bullsit her ex tol her was jus that, here she be.”
Even in the dimly lit area of the Bar Clark could tell how proud Bibbo was of his protégé. The old sailor continued smiling from ear to ear, blue smoke from his corncob pipe swirling around his head. Miss Cranston had by then finished her introductions when the piano players started tickling the ivory, and Victoria showed that she had been blessed by God with the voice of an angel.
“Once I lived the life of a millionaire, spending my money I didn’t care. Always taking my friends out for a good time. Buying bootleg liquor, champagne, and wine. When I began to fall so low, couldn’t find a friend no place I’d go. If I ever get my hand on a dollar again, I’m going to squeeze it, and squeeze it till the eagle grins. Nobody knows you when your down and out. In my pocket not one penny, and my friends I haven‘t any…..”
Clark had to admit that it was one of the best renditions of “Nobody Knows You When Your Down And Out”, he had heard in a long time. It was pretty high acclaim from a man who had heard his Earth’s version of Bessie Smith sing it back in a whole in a wall in Metropolis back in the early thirties.
Just then at the moment Clark’s super hearing began to here the voice of someone screaming for help. Pretending to look at his new cellular phone that Bibbo had bought for him, Clark then nudged the old sailor next to him.
“Sorry Bibbo, I’ll try to get back if I can but I got a message from an informer I’ve been waiting for. I really ought to get to see him if I’m going to finally get back on my feet.” Clark took his glass of bourbon and chugged it back quickly to keep up appearances.
Bibbo smirked lightly although Clark could tell the former world champ was a bit disappointed. “Your going be missin a hellavua show Misser Kent.”
“I can tell Bibbo. I’ll try to be back, but if I don’t make it.” Clark reached into his back pocket, and pulled out his wallet slapping some money on the table. “Give my tip to the girls, and tell Miss Cranston I won’t be missing many shows if I can help it.”
“If I don’t see you later tonight we will deal with buisess next time I do Messer Kent.”
Clark shocked his head in acknowledgement from Bibbo, grabbed his hat from the table and moved exited the crowded club.
Once outside the legendary hero of Earth Two scanned the areas around the bar, and then found a nearby alleyway to change out of his civilian suit, and into his superhero outfit. In took him a few milliseconds to find a sage place to store his clothing, but then he was off into the air heading towards the cries for help creating a sonic boom as he moved.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC: The scene of the crime is somewhere in Southside aka Suicide Slums. Whether you want to play the villain, another hero, or a civilian being attacked is up to whoever wants to reply. If you have a specific idea you'd like to try just give me a pm. :-)
Besides the scene taking place somewhere in Suicide Slums, and away from Bibbo's Ace O'Club bar I don't even care to much what the crime is per say. A civilian getting caught between two warring gangs, a villain trying to make his mark in the Slums, a hero trying to stop a pawn shop robbery. Or something else entirely.
For those interested in the song the title is based off of, and that the singer Victoria Cranston is singing here are two links for you to view. The first being an original Bessie Smith recording, and the second is Teri Hatcher singing the song during her run on Lois and Clark.[/i]
There was only a few reasons that an outsider would dare to show their face in Suicide Slums, and one of those reasons was called “The Ace O’Clubs” a bar near the docks owned by former heavyweight champion, and lottery winner Bibbo Bibbwoski. The Ace O’Clubs was famous throughout the whole city for four reasons. The first was Bibbo himself, the former heavyweight champion lived a life that could be written into a major motion picture blockbuster. The second was the food and drinks, the drinks were cheap and the food was legendarily good. The third was Bibbo refused to enforce Metropolis’ smoking ban. The final thing though was what brought most guest to the Ace, and it had nothing to do with the illigeal poker games in the back.
Bibbo hated modern music, and refused to book any act that could come close to being described as “modern“. There was nothing earlier then the earliest rock and roll songs played at Bibbo’s Ace, in fact normally what played was classic jazz, blue, big band, and crooner songs. Always played by the best artist in the business, no matter their level of fame outside the jazz community, and tonight was no exception.
Clark Kent walked into the joint and looked around at the strange grouping of people. Bibbo’s was the dive for dock workers, blue collar factory works, hipsters, and some of Metropolis’ richest and famous. All because of the soul felt music. For the last male survivor of Earth Two thought the place felt the closest to home that he had found yet, in this new Metropolis. Ladies in evening dresses took offers to light their cigarettes from local union members in their flannel shirts well their tuxedo dressed dates ordered whiskey from the t-shirt wearing barmaids trying not to get caught looking to longingly at them.
Removing his hat after passing the doorway, a cigarette girl handed him a pack of unfiltered Lucky Strikes, and pointed to the champ himself to Clark’s questioning glances. Bibbo waved to the old man and then motioned him towards his table, pushing the longshoreman that was sitting next to him away, and motioning for one of his barmaids to grab another chair for his guest. Clark placed the pack of smokes into the inner pocket of his suit jacket as he made he was over to his recently made friend.
“Misser Kent! Glad ye came tonight! I got quit the dame for a fellow connoisseur of real music.” Bibbo said excitedly as he stood up grabbed Clark’s hand firmly and started shaking it constantly until both were sitting down firmly in their chairs.
“Thanks Bibbo, but I actually came here to discuss the details about getting my certifications….” Clark began as he smiled towards the old sailor who soon spoke up.
“Oh no Misser Kent, not yet. Busies comes later. RACHEL!!” The burley former champ barked as a one of the barmaids came running over to him. “Triple bourbon on the rocks for me and me pal!”
“Yes Mr, Bibbwoski” The Barmaid said as she made her way back towards the well stocked bar.
“Fine lass ole Rachel. Shame how she los’ her job. She knew where to come for work though.” Bibbo said with a smile as he lit his ever present corn cob pipe and started puffing away.
“I swear Bibbo ol chum, you’ve hired half of Southside.” Clark said with a smile as he placed his hat down on the table almost in front of the lady to his left. He smiled at her slowly, and the young thing returned one in kind.
“Mus less then half Misser Kent. Bibbo only hires good people. They is harder to com by dess ays:” Bibbo then stopped talking as Rachel returned to them with their triple bourbon, handing a glass to each man. Bibbo raised the glass a second later towards Clark. “To tuff men! Not many like us lef in this worl Misser Kent!”
“To the tough!” Clark said politely as he took a big gulp of bourbon from his glass, and the placed it down on the table in front of him. The taste didn’t impress Clark much, but the only way he became friends with this man was by “out drinking” him. The truth was alcohol did nothing for him, neither did tobacco for that matter, but the old newshound learned a long time ago that you sometimes had to go along with things if you wanted to get information. Plus there was no kids around here.
Bibbo smiled at Clark drinking exactly as much as he did, he seemed to be about to say something when the lights in the room began to dim, and the burning candles on every table became to the main source of light along with the lights of the stage. Bibbo punched Clark in the shoulder, and nodded his chin towards the stage as a band dressed in suits and ties came out and took their place by their instruments.
A man in a white tuxedo then walked to the mic, adjusted it for his height and then began speaking to the crowd.
“Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to The Ace O’Clubs! Tonight our honorable host Bibbo Bibbwoski has a very special treat for us. She’s a girl with stars in her eyes, blues in heart, and who was born and raised not far from this very tavern. Ladies and Gentleman I present to you Victoria Cranston!”
The white tuxedo dressed man moved aside as the crowd began to clap enthusiastically. To Clark it seemed obvious that she must be a local star. Then out walked a beautiful young woman in a long red evening gown, and a flower in here hand. She slowly made her way towards the microphone, smiling all the time.
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
As the singer started doing her introductions Bibbo turned towards Clark and began talking.
“Before I found her Misser Kent she was with sum loser. Bastard was hitting her til ole Bibbo found out about it, I don‘t put up with that around my turf. I took care of tat, and then found out she was a singer in her church choir. A few months ater after I help her get on her feet a bit, and help her realize that bullsit her ex tol her was jus that, here she be.”
Even in the dimly lit area of the Bar Clark could tell how proud Bibbo was of his protégé. The old sailor continued smiling from ear to ear, blue smoke from his corncob pipe swirling around his head. Miss Cranston had by then finished her introductions when the piano players started tickling the ivory, and Victoria showed that she had been blessed by God with the voice of an angel.
“Once I lived the life of a millionaire, spending my money I didn’t care. Always taking my friends out for a good time. Buying bootleg liquor, champagne, and wine. When I began to fall so low, couldn’t find a friend no place I’d go. If I ever get my hand on a dollar again, I’m going to squeeze it, and squeeze it till the eagle grins. Nobody knows you when your down and out. In my pocket not one penny, and my friends I haven‘t any…..”
Clark had to admit that it was one of the best renditions of “Nobody Knows You When Your Down And Out”, he had heard in a long time. It was pretty high acclaim from a man who had heard his Earth’s version of Bessie Smith sing it back in a whole in a wall in Metropolis back in the early thirties.
Just then at the moment Clark’s super hearing began to here the voice of someone screaming for help. Pretending to look at his new cellular phone that Bibbo had bought for him, Clark then nudged the old sailor next to him.
“Sorry Bibbo, I’ll try to get back if I can but I got a message from an informer I’ve been waiting for. I really ought to get to see him if I’m going to finally get back on my feet.” Clark took his glass of bourbon and chugged it back quickly to keep up appearances.
Bibbo smirked lightly although Clark could tell the former world champ was a bit disappointed. “Your going be missin a hellavua show Misser Kent.”
“I can tell Bibbo. I’ll try to be back, but if I don’t make it.” Clark reached into his back pocket, and pulled out his wallet slapping some money on the table. “Give my tip to the girls, and tell Miss Cranston I won’t be missing many shows if I can help it.”
“If I don’t see you later tonight we will deal with buisess next time I do Messer Kent.”
Clark shocked his head in acknowledgement from Bibbo, grabbed his hat from the table and moved exited the crowded club.
Once outside the legendary hero of Earth Two scanned the areas around the bar, and then found a nearby alleyway to change out of his civilian suit, and into his superhero outfit. In took him a few milliseconds to find a sage place to store his clothing, but then he was off into the air heading towards the cries for help creating a sonic boom as he moved.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC: The scene of the crime is somewhere in Southside aka Suicide Slums. Whether you want to play the villain, another hero, or a civilian being attacked is up to whoever wants to reply. If you have a specific idea you'd like to try just give me a pm. :-)
Besides the scene taking place somewhere in Suicide Slums, and away from Bibbo's Ace O'Club bar I don't even care to much what the crime is per say. A civilian getting caught between two warring gangs, a villain trying to make his mark in the Slums, a hero trying to stop a pawn shop robbery. Or something else entirely.
For those interested in the song the title is based off of, and that the singer Victoria Cranston is singing here are two links for you to view. The first being an original Bessie Smith recording, and the second is Teri Hatcher singing the song during her run on Lois and Clark.[/i]
