Punch's Cousin, Chapter 432

The tavern on Bourbon Street was thick with smoke and the scent of men. Through the lattice-work screen, Odo could see the white laborers in their tattered clothes, heavy with the stench of the river. Their faces were ruddy from wind and drink and their voices rose into a muddy din of laughter and hidden agony. Odo grinned at the sight of the plump women who milled about, sitting on the men’s laps, tousling their sweaty hair and cooing in their filthy ears.

On the other side of the screen, the scene was more subdued. Odo settled in, groaning against the harsh rough wood of a bench. On his side of the screen, free black men, quadroons, octoroons, and slaves who had managed a morning’s break sat in comparative quiet, talking softly, hunched over flasks and mugs. Women milled around there, too, some dark as night, some deceptively light.


One of them approached him—a girl he knew. She forced a smile, and the effort smoothed the pock marks on her umber-colored face. “Heya, Odo.”


“Amber,” Odo nodded.


“What you doin’ in here this early?” Amber asked. “Ain’t like Mr. Cage to let ya go.”


“He don’t know.” Odo muttered.


“You want some company, love?” The girl asked though she clearly did not want to keep Odo company.


“Sure,” Odo moved further down the bench.


Amber sat next to him, her back clicking as she sat though she did not register any discomfort.


“I saw you lookin’?” Amber teased. “You gotta be careful lookin’ through the screen or you’ll get your eyes poked.”


“Jus’ lookin’.” Odo grunted.


“Lookin’ for someone particular?” Amber asked.


“Maybe.”


“Can I help ya, honey?”


“I’m lookin’ for a man and a woman.”


“What for, honey?” Amber winked.


“None ya.” Odo frowned.


“How am I ‘sposed to help ya, Odo, if I don’t know?”


“Jus’ a man and a woman. An Italian man, but he talks like an Englishman, and an English woman with dark hair. She sometimes wears a piece—a blonde piece.”


“Oh, I know them.”


“You do?”


“They was just in here—on the other side, talkin’ to Big Ollie. They was all bent over somethin’ wrapped in a rag.”


“What was it?”


“Dunno.” Amber shrugged. “Ain’t my business. I know when to keep to myself. It’s somethin’ you should learn, too, little yellow Odo.”


“Shut up.” Odo growled. “When they leave?”


“Dunno, honey. Don’t you worry ‘bout that none. You just let me help ya feel better.”


“You seen the Ogress lately?” Odo said, ignoring her.


“Iolanthe Evangeline?” Amber laughed. “Why she come in here, huh? This ain’t the kind of place for Iolanthe.”


“Not in here—anywhere?”


“Saw her on Royal a couple days ago. Then, on Chartres. Yeah. This mornin’. She was in an awful hurry. All done up in gloves and feathers.”


“Chartres?”


“Yeah, maybe she was goin’ to see Marie Laveau. I done heard they set aside their differences.”


Odo scratched his head nervously. “I gotta go.”


“But, you ain’t even had no drink yet,” Amber cooed.


“Listen, think real hard. When did the Italian man and the lady leave?”


“Maybe half an hour ago.” Amber shrugged.


“Which way they go?”


“I don’t know, Odo,” Amber said with considerable frustration. “I know better than to get my eyes poked. They left with Big Ollie. You want to know more, go find him.”


“I will,” Odo grinned. He grabbed Amber by the shoulders and kissed her. “Thanks.”


Amber slapped his face and spat, “Go on, get out of here!”


Odo scrambled off of the bench and rushed for the door, his face stinging. He didn’t care about the pain. He was off to see Big Ollie and hoped that the giant would not remember the last time they had met.

Did you miss Chapters 1-431?  If so you can read them here.