The Fire Down Below - Story Fragment
#21 of Miscellaneous Stories
_"Yeah, it happens out in Vegas happens in Moline
On the blue blood streets of Boston
Up in Berkeley and out in Queens
And it went on yesterday and it's going on tonight
Somewhere there's somebody ain't treatin' somebody right"_
Bob Seger - "The Fire Down Below"
Street lights flickered as the last rays of sunlight disappeared from Silver City. The sprawling metropolis was now lit up with the lights from thousands of apartment buildings and the untold number of cars going from place to place. Like any large city, the area was filled with wealthy, affluent neighborhoods, the business district, parks, bars, banks, restaurants and everything else that made a city a city, and just like every major city, there were the less than desirable places, the less than desirable elements that nobody wanted to talk about, nor even acknowledge, but whether or not they were acknowledged by the good citizens of Silver City, they still existed.
Rosie, a middle-aged tigress dressed in clothes that let everyone know exactly what her occupation was rummaged around in her purse for some mints. She'd smoked her fourth menthol cigarette in only twenty minutes, and she didn't want potential clients to be turned off by her tobacco breath.
"Shit," she said, growling. The tigress turned to look at Nancy, a much younger lioness that she had taken as her protege. "You got any mints, Nancy honey?"
Nancy quickly withdrew a container of mints from her purse and passed them over to Rosie. "Thanks, doll." said the tigress before giving the mints back to their owner.
"Friday night," said Nancy, seeing the cars drive past the street corner she and Rosie were occupying. "Gonna be busy."
"Friday nights always are," said Rosie. "Guys just finished their work week; lot of 'em just got their paychecks. Stands to reason they might want to pay for some company."
"Saturday gonna be busier?" asked Nancy as she adjusted her mini-skirt.
"Depends," said Rosie. "Never anyway to really know, unless it's a holiday weekend. Got a good chance that guys will be with their families. Makes it kind of hard to sneak away from the wife and kids to go get some."
"Guess so," said Nancy. The young lioness suddenly became alarmed when she saw a police cruiser coming by. The clothing she and her older mentor were wearing would be a dead give away as to their occupation.
"Just stay calm, honey," said Rosie, giving the younger female a smirk. She walked up to the police car as it came to a stop. The passenger window of the front came down and the tigress saw a male wolf officer was driving.
"Evening, officer," said Rosie. "Anything we can do for you?"
The wolf had several years on the job, and he knew right away what she and Nancy were up to, but he still had to go through the routine. "You ladies mind telling me what you're up to?"
"Just looking to keep some nice guy company," said Rosie, still smirking.
"Right," said the wolf sarcastically. "Would those guys have to pay for your company by any chance?"
"Officer," said Rosie, trying to work her feminine charm on the canine. "If you have a problem with what we're doing, then you need to talk to Detective Sokolov over at the seventh precinct."
"Sokolov?" said the wolf, scratching his chin. "Is he the guy that . . ."
"Oh yes," said Rosie. "Mind if I get something from my purse to show you?"
"Go ahead," said the wolf, never once talking his eyes off of the tigress. "No sudden movement."
"Here you go, Officer . . ."
"Carlin," said the wolf, taking the card from the tigress. He flipped the card over, reading both the front and back of it. "I see," he said. "Well, you two ladies have a good evening and stay safe."
"Oh," laughed Rosie. "I know how to take care of myself, Officer Carlin. You have a good night."
"Alright," he said, turning his attention to Nancy, who had been silent during the entire encounter. "What's your name, ma'am?"
"Nancy," said the nervous lioness.
"Nancy," said Officer Carlin, giving her a toothy grin like only a wolf could. "Here's my card," he said, giving her his own business card. "If you're looking for some company from a nice guy later on tonight, just give me a call, okay?"
"Sure," said Nancy, feeling the tension from her body ease as she shot him a smile. "Hope to see you again."
"Me too," said the wolf. "Well, I gotta go now, but I'll see you later, okay?"
"Alright," said Nancy, still smiling at the wolf.
Rosie and Nancy watched as the car window rolled up and Officer Carlin took off down the street.
"Not bad," said Rosie. "Looks like you're getting at least one tonight."
"And from a cop," said Nancy, looking back at the card the wolf had given her. "Kinda surprised by that."
"Oh honey," said Rosie, putting her arm around the young lioness. "He's a male, and like all males, they have needs."
"Guess so," said Nancy, smiling at the older tigress.