Dusk was slowly turning into dark and the Curtain Club was coming to life. It wasn’t as vibrant as it was three years ago, but there was still a meager audience enjoying the show. A young woman walked past the stage, past the dry bar, and past a sign marked “Employees Only."

Although between you and I, she was dressed nothing of the sort.

Pearls around her neck, draped loosely onto her shining red dress, her hair made other flappers feel inadequate. Jen “Jailbird” Lau always looked a touch past perfect, either on a night for the town or defending her honor against the local constable. Let’s hope that tonight was nothing but the former.

Lau looked over her shoulder and pushed past the door, though the busy kitchen, and knocked three times on the service door in a particular pattern.

Knock. Knock. Pause. Double knock. Pause. Knock.

A slot opened and two shining brown eyes glinted through.

“Whaddya say, Lau?” said the sharp voice from behind the door.

GIVE THE PASSWORD
OR
BE A TEASE