Resurfacing

Theo stole his way into the suite at Le Grande. Unbeknownst to him, the bell desk, housekeeping and service staff have avoided his former recovery ward and suite. The women were leery of his dead-cat-stare advances. Men feel the decay and death would creep onto them just by venturing near.  Since Theo was last seen, a charm was placed. A forgetfulness has overtaken all employed at the hotel. This is most pronounced when near this room. Upon return, Theo found the suite as it was when he left. The few items left remain untouched in the closet behind the mirror.  The charms set weeks earlier sends a dissonant signal to its creator.

Later

The pair have gone bar to bar and now drink and soak in the louche of absinthe, a parade of Pontarliers line the table. To Theo it could be water. Nothing satisfies until the wraith is satisfied. Monique, the dance hall flirt, is likely about his age. She has said all the right things. Theo loves feeling clever even when, in his mind, taking advantage of this fille en carte. First, she told a story of her abandonment and then her indenture. Placed, pimped and placed again at the whim of Gros George, more often Sabot or most cruelly his son.

 Theo has concocted a Byzantine plan to present himself as a soft target. Feigned and flagrant drunkenness, overdressed, brash and inappropriate he loudly pokes into the affairs of l’Chacal on their own ground. The wraith will be fed and Theo will have exacted a toll on the leader of La Savane des Chacals. Theo, a gambler, is also a sore loser. A message will be delivered, either by Monique in pursuit of currying favor, or one of the many who have been giving side-eye to their table.

In the alley behind the brasserie Theo finishes inside her. He pushes her away wiping his hand on the fille en carte’s dress. Stepping back, he buttons his pants eying Monique uncomfortably. He considers how he could take her; feeding is not something he can control. The stonecutter goes for long periods of inactivity followed by incessant chattering and insults. The girl turns eyeing him with suspicion. Moments prior she showed so much interest, now he feels like something that should be scraped off her shoe.

         “My payment?” She asks extending her hand after flattening her dress and skirts.

Theo pulls a green envelope from his jacket, confirms the agreed upon fee handing her the envelope. The girl takes her payment and scurries away without more than a look over her shoulder.