The Crescent Room is a brand-new event venue in Detroit, owned by South Carolina native and English teacher-turned-business woman Sandy Sullivan. The facade of the three-story building was totally remodeled with a stunning and stately Antebellum mansion; featuring bright white Ionic columns that stretch from the ground to the roof, floor to ceiling windows on each floor with black shutters, black wrought iron balcony railings facing the street, and beautiful red brick steps and porch. The front doors are hand carved and inlaid with etched glass bearing the crescent and palmetto of the South Carolina flag- a touch of Sandy's home welcoming her guests.

The grand foyer of the Crescent Room is dazzling, with a beautiful royal blue plush carpet and a jaw-dropping split staircase of cherry hardwood. To the left of the entrance, just beyond the staircase, one will find the women's lounge; with restrooms, powder room, and seating area. Across from that is the men's room. To the right of the entrance is the coat check closet and safe room. A final piece that is a real conversation starter in the foyer is a stunning grand piano that sits between the staircases. A small, brass plaque on the piano tells a brief story of the previous ownership of the piano, and it's previous home in Chicago in a restaurant owned by a Sicilian immigrant named Regina Viacelli. The piano survived a fire and was professionally restored, then auctioned from an estate sale where it was purchased by Sandy for the Crescent Room.

On the second floor, you will find the Dickson Room- a comfortable smoking room with fully stocked bar and humidor. The Magnolia Room, slightly larger than the Dickson Room and decorated with a lighter, brighter palate, is ideal for smaller luncheons with a beautiful view of the courtyard between the Crescent Room and the Palmetto Tea Room. The Van Buren Conference Room, named for Angelica Van Buren, is a much larger room with a long, walnut conference table surrounded by leather chairs and available for professional meetings. Each room comes with catering as needed. The third floor of the venue is closed to the public. 

Between the Crescent Room and the Palmetto Tea Room, there is a beautiful courtyard with wrought iron garden tables and chairs, a stone path connecting the two buildings, and three porch swings that are available when the weather is agreeable. 

Before guests even enter the newly opened Crescent Room, the sound of a New Orleans jazz band can be heard playing lively music that instantly lift the spirit and get the feet ready to dance. For tonight's event, the outside railings of the Antebellum facade are swagged with purple, green, and gold lame fabric, and there are electric string lights zig-zagged across the front porch with the same color tinsel glittering from them. 

A team of four valets are handling parking, and a pair of doormen greet guests as they enter. Two young ladies in matching green and purple satin dresses handle a coat check station, and another two gentlemen in dark suits are tasked with securing the guest's firearms in a safe. A sign beside the 6'x 4' fireproof steel safe reads "For the safety and enjoyment of all our guests and staff, we ask that you please secure your weapons here. This safe will be guarded throughout the event. You may retrieve your items as you leave at the end of your evening."

In the Crescent ballroom; the party is already jumping. Through the doors past the staircase, guests are immediately transported to New Orleans, Louisiana with the sights, sounds, and smells of a real Mardi Gras celebration. There are a dozen tables set for 10 guests each, with brilliant white tablecloths and gold cloths over that. Each place setting has a purple or green placemat, a gold charger beneath a beautiful white fine china plate with 14k gold rim. The flatware is gold as well, and wrapped in a gold linen napkin that is secured with a purple and green braided bangle. Champagne glasses are at each place, waiting to be filled and refilled. Each table has a unique, towering flower arrangement with the Mardi Gras colors, and dripping with purple, green, and gold stringed beads. The room itself is dressed for the occasion, with lots of purple, gold, and green bunting along the walls and swagged from the walls to the center of the ceiling where there is a beautiful gold and crystal chandelier. Several ornate purple and yellow flower arrangements with plenty of greenery are arranged throughout the room, as well.

A long buffet table is absolutely loaded with food. There is a line of chafing dishes down the table, featuring mouth-watering, home-made Creole and Cajun dishes like dirty rice, jambalaya, shrimp gumbo with rice, whole crawfish, crawfish etouffee, boudin, fried catfish, fried shrimp, Creole jerk chicken, and a big old pile of hushpuppies. There is also a carving station with a whole spit roasted pig. The dessert table is probably the greatest food feature of all, though. Surrounding a station where a pastry chef is making fresh beignets is the biggest, longest, and most delicious looking King Cake ever seen north of Tennessee. It's true, Sandy checked. The massive dessert stretches over seven tables, circling the beignet station. Sanded with purple, green, and gold sugar, the cake is made in the traditional way, but features different flavors of filling to satisfy every taste. Grab a plate and get your fill!

Beyond the seating dining area, there is a dance floor with a stage where the band was on fire. The band leader was a man Remi knew from his hometown of New Orleans that now lived in Las Vegas by the name of Louis Prima- and the band he had put together was something else. According to Remi, he was Sicilian, so Sandy figured the guy was fit right in. As the guests started to fill in, it was clear that he was the right choice. 

With four bar stations open, the drinks are flowing. There is food for days, so don't be shy!
Mardi Gras is a time to celebrate, so for one night let's put aside our differences; see everyone as your neighbor, share in the party, and let the good times roll, baby!

Tony Soprano had heard good things about this place. A high-class joint, exclusive, dripping with money and culture—run by someone who knew what they were doing. That alone was enough to pique his interest.

As his black Packard rolled up to the entrance of The Crescent Room, he took in the sight. Bright white columns, black shutters, iron balconies—it wasn’t just a venue, it was a statement. A place that demanded respect.

The valets rushed to open his door, and Tony stepped out, adjusting his coat, taking in the scene. The sound of jazz music spilled onto the street, the smell of Creole spices lingered in the air, and laughter echoed from the grand entrance. He smirked. This was his kind of place.

At the door, a pair of suited doormen greeted him with a nod, their eyes subtly flicking to his coat. One gestured toward the steel safe for weapons.

Tony let out a short chuckle, shaking his head slightly. “Yeah, yeah, I get it. Can’t have a party if everyone’s worried about who’s carrying.” He unbuttoned his coat, pulled out his piece, and handed it over. “Make sure it’s there when I leave. That’s an expensive gun.”

Inside, the Crescent Room was alive.

Purple, gold, and green draped every inch of the place. The tables were set like a royal feast, chandeliers glistening, Mardi Gras beads swinging from well-dressed guests laughing over drinks. The band was on fire, and in the back, a buffet table stretched longer than most banquet halls Tony had been in.

He made his way through the crowd, nodding at a few familiar faces. He knew how to read a room, and this one? It was filled with money, power, and opportunity.

Stepping up to one of the bars, he gestured to the bartender.

“Scotch. Neat.”

The bartender poured without hesitation, sliding the glass toward him. Tony took a slow sip, letting the warmth settle before glancing around.

He spotted Sandy Sullivan, the mastermind behind this whole operation, talking with a group near the dance floor. Classy broad, smart too—he respected that. He made a mental note to speak with her before the night was over.

For now, though? He was here to enjoy himself.

With a smirk, he clinked his glass against a nearby guest’s drink and leaned in slightly.

“Now this? This is how you throw a party.”

Walter had arrived into the motor city quite early on in the day, taking the ad a little too literal it would seem. He wasn't too bothered, however, as he found his way to the Palmetto Tea Room just across the quaint courtyard from where his invite informed him to be for the big event. He sat comfortably in the tea room, sipping on a bottomless cup of fresh brewed coffee, chatting here and there with what he could only assume were regulars to the establishment. 

I wasn't until the sun began to dip below the city skyline that Walter's attention was pulled away from the happenings of the Tea Room as he could hear the jazz band roar to life across the way.

"Well, I'll take that as good a cue as any." He said with a smile to his man Jack seated across from him. He slid his chair back, giving him room to stand and straighten his sage and hunter green ensemble before flicking a hand quickly through the back of his long hair allowing it to fall naturally on his shoulders. "Shall we?" he asked Jack who was also cleaning up before falling into stride alongside Walter. 

As both men entered the courtyard they could already see a line of cars carrying a mix of clientele. From the famous to the infamous, they sat, waiting for one of the valets to free  them of their steel cages for the evening. "I suppose getting here as early as we did wasn't all too bad in the end." He said to the man at his side as they finished crossing the courtyard and made their way into the event center. 

Walter nodded to the doormen as they pulled open the ornately decorated doors revealing the bold and lively atmosphere inside. One of two similarly dress women stepped over to Walter and jack, offer to take their coats. Walter made sure to remove his cigar case from his inner coat pocket before sliding out of the jacket and handing it over. He was now left with a long sleeved button down in a bold gold color that paired very tastefully with the hunter green vest atop the shirt. He smiled to the ladies as he pushed on further into the welcoming hall where he was stopped again and asked to relinquish any weapons he or jack might be carrying.

"Well, not too often I see a checkpoint like this, but fair enough. Jack, this goes for you too." He stated as he pulled his polished .45, ensuring the safety was indeed on, and moved to hand the weapon to the burly man grip first. "Do take good care of her for me." Walter flashed a smile as Jack turned his weapon over in turn and the pushed further into the event center.

The effects of the band were hitting full force now as the men stepped into the room, the pops of color adorning the walls and tables, the delightful smells of an overflowing buffet table wafting through the air pulling at their stomachs. This place was incredible to say the least and the pair of men wasted no time making their way to the buffet where they would proceed to pile plates full of dirty rice and jerk chicken, testing the limits of the fine plate ware before making their way to an open table to feast. All the while Walter wore a bright smile as it was hard not to become infected by the energized atmosphere.

"Will you stop mother henin' back here and go on and host your party before you get roux on that pretty dress?"

Norris was giving Sandy that look that clearly said he had control of things and she didn't need to worry anymore. Sandy sighed, though smiling, and tossed a kitchen towel at him.

"Oh, well fine then, I'll go. You two have fun back here. Y'all ghats outdone yourselves with this spread, gentlemen. I'm just so proud."

She gave both men, who towered over her by at least seven inches each, a peck on the cheek before turning toward the door leading out to the ballroom. Miss Helen, seated by the door, stood up and stopped Sandy, doing a mother hen act of her own.

"You clean up mighty nice, Missy. Your Mama would be so proud of you and what you've done for yourself."

The older lady smoothed out the satin waistline of Sandy's dress and smiled. 

"Thank you, Miss Helen. I couldn't have done a bit of it without you, Jane, and the boys. Y'all make sure to get out and dance some tonight, ok?"

With that, Sandy took a deep breath and stepped through the door into the ball room. Her emerald green ballgown was satin with a sweetheart neckline. To match the Mardi Gras theme, she wore gold statement jewelry on her neck and ears, and wore purple satin heels and purple opera gloves. She carried an ornately decorated and feathered Mardi Gras mask. 

The crowd in the room that has already begun to gather made her heart leap. She spotted familiar faces immediately, and knew that it was time to mix and mingle. Nearest to her were Walter and Jack, who has just reached their seats with their dinner plates.

"Welcome to the party, gentlemen! I'm happy to host you in my other establishment for the evening! Y'all let me know if you need anything at all, ok?"

​​​​

Walter sat back in his seat, taking a moment to let the divine food settle as one of his plates was now left empty before him. His eyes wandered over to a newly familiar face as she crossed the room, greeting various guests as she threaded through the crowd. Sandy came to a stop before his table, offering an excited greeting as she approached.

"Sandy! Nice to see you again. .I know it's been so very long since we last spoke." He finished sarcastically as he chuckled. He then gestured to the surroundings, "Quite the event you've pulled together here. I gotta say I am impressed." He then looked down at the first of his empty plates before looking back up to Sandy. "And this spread you have.... divine." He said mimicking a chef's kiss. 

"I won't hold you up, I know you have others to get to. I am sure we will speak more a bit later as you settle in. Thanks again for the invite." He said as he stood to free a cigar and head for one of the bars before the lines begin to build up.

Lucy stood outside the ballroom, admiring it from the outside. She couldn't wait to get in... So she didn't.

Upon entry, she was stopped by 2 gentlemen, asking for her gun. She complies and hands her Luger to them.

"Name miss?" they ask.

"Lucy."

The 2 men write her name on a sticker and stick it on her gun before putting in in the safe.

"Enjoy your evening."

Lucy made her way inside the ballroom, looking quite stunned. She grabbed herself a glass of champagne and immediately saw the piano.

Back home, Lucy used to play the piano all the time. It was the only thing that her parents forced her to do and she actually liked. Top of her class. Seeing this piano reminded her of the quiet evenings she would spend, reciting melodies and finding peace and harmony in the process. She read the plaque and wondered...

"Can I play?"

Looking left and right, she looked for Sandy, wondering if she would let her relive those cherished memories.

Having just taken a quick look over the buffet table to be sure the food was being refreshed, Sandy saw another familiar face near the entrance to the ballroom.

"Lucy!"

Gathering a bit of her gown up so she could move a little faster, Sandy crossed the busy ballroom floor and met her friend at the door, finding her admiring the grand piano in the foyer. Grinning, she took a glass of champagne for herself and slipped to Lucy's side.

"You play, sugar?"

The day had been spent in a flurry here in the Motor city, things to be done, people to speak with...  And to top it all off there was to be a grand party to attend.  Well...  That's where Hope found herself in her day.  It was time to get ready to go to this party.  After twenty minutes or so of getting into her gown, a fairly tall high heel went flying across the hotel room.  "That's IT!  I'm not going!"  Came the shrill and very stressed out voice of one little Phoenix.  A warm chuckle rang out as her head bodyguard stepped around the corner trusting that she was at least decent if shoes were what were flying across the room.  "Of course you're going...  Sandy would be so disappointed if her guests did not come to the party."  His warm voice was punctuated with a light chuckle as he found his charge in this condition.  He moved over to carefully do up the strap of her other heel, before indicating to his counterpart to grab the discarded one, which he carefully fixed to her dainty ankle.  "There.  See...  You've got this."  Garth knew well enough that it wasn't the heels that vexed Hope so.  "You've even said yourself, you need to mingle more."  He grinned as he handed her the feathered mask that matched her dress.  

"Besides...  I've heard you have the greatest chauffer." Hope's eyes widened a touch before shaking her head.  

"Oh no, I'm driving."  She responded with as much force as the tiny woman could muster but Garth shook his head a tad and lifted her keys.  

"Indulge an old man and let him take you to your first prom."  He gave a small grin at this and she deflated just a little before squaring her shoulders.  

"I never went to prom."  She stated with as much defiance as she could muster.  Garth chuckled softly and nodded.  

"I know."

But that brief scuffle seemed to decide it and Hope already looked a bit less scattered and ready to tackle this night.  She drew a deep breath as she carefully wound her braid and tucked it into an elegant little bun at the back, shaking her head a little to make sure it was secure.  She checked herself in the mirror before allowing her voice to raise again.  "Garth...  I wish I had gotten to know my father...  But I have a feeling that if I had...  Well I'd hope he would have been just like you."  Garth chuckled lightly and shook his head a little but said nothing, moving to return to his spot at her door waiting until she was ready to go.

The trip over took no time at all, and now that she wasn't driving this evening, she got the chance to take in the sights.  But none were as grand as the beautiful venue that they pulled up in front of.  Hope felt her breath hitch.  "Is this the place?"  She whispered.

Garth nodded and chuckled a bit.  "Go on and enjoy yourself.  We'll be nearby.

With eyes like saucers, the young woman exited the vehicle before it was quickly taken to be parked.  A few short steps took her to the grand entrance and in she walked.  She gasped softly as she carefully ran her fingertips down the soft satin of her gown.  She was clad in reds, oranges, yellows, and blacks all shifting together to give some kind of soft illusion to feathers, a fitting theme if not a fitting color scheme to the beauty she now walked into, but it would have to do.  This place took her breath away, never had she even seen such grandeur but now the more steps she took into this life, the more things like this she got to experience...  "Wow..."  She whispered softly as she moved within.

Checking her gun at the entrance, she was allowed entry.  The place was already bustling and lively with people dancing and some eating and all talking and enjoying each other's company.  Hope shivered a little but she moved on within.  Everything in here was spectacular...  Beautifully decorated, and the color scheme was top notch.  Now...  If only she could find someone she recognized.  Daintily grabbing a glass of champagne, she'd take a sip.  Oh goodness she was nervous.  

Certainly not ready for food yet, she wandered closer to where the band played and the people danced.  She swayed quietly to the music.  Tonight did so promise to be a good night.

Lucy was delighted to see her friend Sandy.

"Hey there! Good to see you. Very nice place you got here. Very... Organized. Reminds me the ballrooms I used to attend, only this one seems fun." Lucy said.

"I do. I would do anything to play again. Reminds me of the good days you know. May I give it a try? I have a few songs at the top of my head."

She was really eager not just to go back in time, but to also try to impress everyone with her skills. She glanced at Sandy again.

"Pleaaaase?" she said as if she was a child asking for ice cream on a hot Sunday.

Laughing heartily, Sandy stepped over to the doors leading into the ballroom and motioned for the doormen to shut them for a little while.

"There, now the band won't bother you. I'd love to hear you play, if you don't mind. I never was very good on the piano. I can read music, but I'm slower than Christmas getting it from my eyeballs to my fingers. You go on now. What good is a piano if it ain't being played?"

Taking her glass, Sandy settled down on a captain's chair not far from the piano, and watched as Lucy sat down.

The deep purr of a Cadillac’s engine rolled up to the entrance of the Crescent Room, its sleek frame catching the glow of the Mardi Gras lights. The car had some years on it, but it was well cared for—just like the man now stepping out from behind the wheel.

Mollena adjusted his cuffs, taking a slow glance at the grandeur before him. He hadn’t been here before, but he knew about it. His father had told him, right before he… well, before he stopped telling him anything at all. This was the party he’d been planning to attend, invited by Sandy Sullivan herself. Now, it was Mollena walking through the doors instead.

He handed the keys off to the valet with a nod, the lad hesitating slightly, maybe recognising the car. Maybe remembering its previous driver. Mollena didn’t say anything about it, just walked up the steps, taking in the jazz, the scent of Creole spices, and the hum of conversation that filled the air.

The doorman gestured to the weapon check. Mollena smirked, reaching inside his jacket and pulling out his pistol, handing it over grip-first.

"It better still be here when I leave. Otherwise, I’m gonna need a new one. And I get attached to my things."

Stepping inside, he took in the scene. The place was packed, a proper spectacle of gold, green, and purple draped across every surface. The band was in full swing, and the scent of Creole spices mixed with the warmth of well-aged liquor. It was the kind of party that made people forget their troubles for a night, or at least pretend to.

He spotted Sandy across the room, moving between guests like a perfect hostess, her gown catching the light with every step. Tony Soprano was already at the bar, glass in hand, surveying the room like a man who knew exactly where he fit in. Walter had settled in with a plate of food that looked like it could feed three, clearly enjoying the spread. Hope Phoenix had made her way towards the dance floor, caught up in the energy of the music, while Lucy lingered by the grand piano, her fingers hovering just above the keys as if debating whether to play.

Mollena exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders. He wasn’t here to make a scene, just to make sure the right people knew he’d arrived. And maybe, just maybe, to see what kind of night this was going to turn into.

As Lucy sat down, she put the glass of champagne to the side.

"I think this one is called... Umm... Ah that's right. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2"

She stared at the piano notes for a brief moment before she played the first note. The moment she did, it all came back to her. As if they were acting on their own, her fingers jumped around the notes flawlessly, putting together the song that played in her mind perfectly. She made sure not to miss a single note. Not that anybody would notice but nonetheless, she wanted it to be perfect.

When she was done, she let out a sigh of satisfaction. She got up and walked over to Sandy.

"Damn I missed this. I owe you one. This is a fine piano. Well tuned."

Lucy picked up her glass of champagne.

"Maybe I should buy a piano. But on second thought my apartment is a little too small. Oh well. What did you think Sandy? Did I touch your heart? Even a little bit?"

At some point, mere moments after Lucy started the Liszt piece on the piano, Sandy had put down the glass and stood up; her eyes wide. She watched Lucy play, recalling watching this same woman up to her elbows in automotive grease and car parts, now delicately playing what seemed like every single key on the piano. It was as if she were watching a whole other person take over for a few, sublime minutes. 

When Lucy finished and got up, Sandy held out her hands, palms up, in disbelief.

"A little bit? Honey, that was brilliant! I'm just blown away! You just come play this piano any old time you want to! Wow!"

One of the doormen stepped over and whispered into her ear, and she nodded.

"I'm sorry, someone has just arrived I need to go and speak to. You spend all the time you want out here, but please do come in and enjoy the party. Don't be shy, let's get a dance in, ok?"

Giving Lucy a quick hug, Sandy headed back into the ballroom with the doorman and scanned the room, following his gesture toward the man she was looking for. Nodding, she made her way in that direction, smoothing the fabric of her dress and assuring her appearance was in order. Soon, she was within earshot and reached out to touch Monella gently on the shoulder.

"Excuse me, are you Monella?"

With a fresh and rather chilly Moscow mule in hand, Walter turned to make his way back to Jack at their table. His now lit cigar leaving a steady trail of smoke in his wake as his eyes scanned the room as new arrivals poured into the room. His eyes stopped on a woman slowly swaying at the outer edges of the dancefloor. A slight smile spread across his face as he mad his way over to the young lady.

"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes." He said just loud enough to beat out the boisterous band. Walter pulled the cigar from his lips and replaced it with the copper cup so that he might tactually get to enjoy the drink he had been waiting in line for.

"Pleasant surprise to see you here, MamaPhoenix, and might I say you look ravishing this evening." He complimented as his eyes looked the woman before him over.

"Cheers to a fantastic night we probably won't remember." Walter said with a chuckle as he raised his copper cup to Phoenix.

It didn’t matter quite so much that Hope didn’t seem to know a whole lot of people personally that were here.  She knew them by face and by reputation. She spent her time currently with her glass of champagne, swaying to the  beat but not quite committing.  She was enjoying herself just fine and just the champagne was already giving her a bit of a buzz and relaxing her.  She forever scanned the room, seeing Sandy flitting about looking so lovely as she came from the place where that gorgeous piano had been located.  Hope waved politely to her, lifting her glass.  But she was on a mission. That was fine, She could talk to her later.  
 

But just as she was starting to pull back into herself and get into a groove, a warm voice met her ears. It was a voice she recognized and quite liked. She couldn’t boast too many conversations with this man, but the few they had, had been very nice. She turned, her dress fabric catching the dancing light and giving a flame like illusion, and her smile lit up her features further. She dipped into a greeting suddenly becoming painfully aware that she might look much nicer than the last time they had spoken. Her face colored nicely at his compliments on her aesthetic attempts.  “Thank you Godfather Walter, and may I say, it’s very nice you see you too! You look well.” Giving him a meaningful look, she took another draw from her glass realizing that was the last of it.  
 

Walter did look a sight… And at his playful toast, Hope lifted her glass and managed to find one more small swallow before finding a burst of boldness. “That being the case, sir, please come and don’t remember it with me.” She held out her hand in a very clear very bold request. Yes she’d probably apologize for her forwardness later, especially to this head of Philadelphia, but for now? She was enjoying herself.

Walter took another drink from his copper cup draining it to be just as empty as he noticed Phoenix's glass to be. He smiled at her flushing face as he took her empty glass and turned to set both their cups on a passing tray. His deep blue eyes shone as she extended a hand to him in an attempt to pull him into what was sure to be a wild evening. 

The music had started to infect him as the drink began to settle in and warm his body, loosening his normally professional stature. A smile slowly tugged at the corners of his mouth as he reached out and took her smaller hand into his own.

"Why the hell not. Lead on, young madam. Let this be a night for us all to let lose a little!" Walter said excitedly, his hear now starting to race in his chest as he was pulled from the spot he presently stood.

It was a beautiful feeling, the music flowing throw you, the alcohol playing accompaniment… It did wonders for one’s nerves and certainly made the young Phoenix a bit more bold.  As her empty glass was drawn from her hand, she did not resist. She didn’t need it anyway, and would likely get another soon enough… maybe. She knew the woes of too much indulgence… It was not by experience that she knew this yet but she had seen the drink turn seemingly very rational people into complete animals.  So she’d have to decide later if another step was in the cards. 
 

As Walter seemed to consider her idea.  She didn’t necessarily expect an affirmation but as it was given, she felt her own smile widen. Her hand was taken into his, held with a light touch that sent excitement through her.  Yes! They would dance. His words seemed to only embolden the young woman as the two of them moved to the dance floor proper, melding into the scene unfolding before them as they engaged in a very energetic dance.  Not yet addled by the drink, both of them seemed to do at least passable job as they began to allow the music to move through them.

“That’ll be $3 chief”, said the taxi driver as he pulled outside The Crescent Ballroom venue in downtown Detroit.

“Keep the change” said Brimstone as he handed the driver a $10 bill.

“Thanks chief…and have a good evening!” replied the driver as he pulled off into the evening fog in downtown Detroit.

The place was very busy that night as more and more cars and taxis pulled up outside of Sandy Sullivans new venture hurriedly being met by a group of valets eager to get the occupants inside.

Once inside, Brimstone stood taking in the essence of the place………stunning wood veneered arches and doorways capped in highly polished brass. He hands over his .38 snub nose to a waiting valet who carefully attaches a tag with Brimstone’s name on it before locking it away in an enormous Chubb cast Iron safe.

 The place was exquisite with glass chandelier after glass chandelier lighting his way through to the main ballroom.

Once inside he’s spotted by Walter who gestures for him to come over to the table almost at the other end of the room. Rather than negotiate through the seated area he walks alongside the dancefloor which was obviously English oak and seemed to extend all the way to the other side of the building. He exchanged smiles with a few couples dancing already to some thing he’d heard on the radio………but couldn’t remember the name of. He eventually reaches Walter and greets him with a smile.

“Brimstone, this is Sandy Sullivan, our delightful host” ……. said Walter as he points at Brimstones black suit before saying……”I see you didn’t get the note regarding the Mardi Gras dress code then!”

Walter rolled his eyes as Brimstone lifts his hand before replying…….”Yes, I did Sir, actually”………removing his jacket before continuing, turning it inside out to reveal a scarlet green pinstripe flecked with purple mother of pearl sequins and a swash of scarlet throughout….”There!, is that any better?” he replies smiling.

“How on earth did you manage to get such a big band? AND! Louis Prima on the same stage! This place is swinging!”

 Said Brimstone as a side drum begins to beat out the beginning of “Sing Sing Sing”.

Brimstone’s feet begin to tap the floor as he asks……….

“Sandy… are you familiar with this?......we just have to dance to this!”

“Sure”, replies Sandy, “I absolutely love this number………is it the Lindy Hop?”

She asks as the two make their excuses and run towards the enormous ballroom floor.

The place erupts as more and more couples begin dancing to the hypnotic rhythm being beaten out by Louis and his big band.

The music seemed to get louder and louder with more and more people running to the floor almost. An opening appears within the formed circle of dancers around the edge of the ballroom as individual couples run out and perform their own style of swing.

Sandy grabs Brimstone by the hand and as they run out to the centre of the dance floor, the music is lifting the roof off almost.

Hopping, back-jacking and swinging in the centre of the ballroom, the music hits an enormous crescendo as the sound of leather and hard heels beat to the thumping rhythm of Louis Prima’s Big band. The saxophones rasped away cutting an opening for drum solo after drum solo until, eventually ………the music stopped.

Each and every one turned towards the band and cheered and applauded their live performance of a current classic and foot stomper.

Smiling and clapping as they left the dancefloor Brimstone said……….

“I’m sure ready for that drink now ma’am…. if it’s still on offer”?

“Of course,” said Sandy, leading the way back to the table where Walter and the rest of the crew were seated.

Sandy smiled as she beckoned a waiter from the bar.

The band lowered the tone somewhat with a much slower number, giving the entire room time to recover from the energetic electrifying burst they had all just been a part of.

As Sandy left to greet Monella, Lucy made her way to the dance floor to look for anyone who she was familiar with. There wasn't anyone around she had met before but it didn't make a difference to her. After a couple of drinks... well... more than a couple, she went to the dance floor and just started moving around in a smooth notion, enjoying the gentle music that was blessing her ears.

She might have been a greaser on the outside, but as much as she hates it, Italian blood runs through her veins, so she couldn't help herself but dance, even for a bit. After that, she went to sit at the bar and kindly ask for another refill.