Joe smiles, tucking his notebook into his trench coat and entering through the brass doors of the Velvet Glove, a night club on the north side of the city. He sees a familiar face and takes a seat at the bar.

"Hey, Mac," Joe calls out to the bartender.

"Yeah, Joe?" he replies, walking over. "What'ill it be?"

"Make me up somethin strong enough to make me think that I'm drinkin somethin illegal."

"You got it."

"How's the press, Joe?" Joe's pal Fred says from besides him, leaning over a newspaper and smoking a cigarette, coughing breifly into his coffee.

"It's a livin," Joe replies, lifting the edge of the paper, frowning in mock agony. "The Chicago Daily? Dig a knife into my heart!"

"It was free on the counter," Fred explains, sarcastically, setting the paper on the stool besides him. "There, gone. Outta sight, outta mind. Next time I see the copy of the Chicago Trib, I'll give you a call."

"Thanks, Mac," Joe smiles, the glass. He swallows hard. "What do you call this?"

"Gin & Tonic, prohibition-virgin style." Joe grins, shaking his head at the glass of spiced tonic water.

"Here, let me help you with that," Fred says, dumping in something strong from a silver flask he carries in his breast pocket, a monogramed "FLP" on the front.

"Thanks, Fred, you're a pal."

"I ain't seen nothin," Mac replies, heading down to the other end of the bar to help another customer.

"Slow night," Joe observes, looking around the room.

"Yeah, there's some big event across town, most of Chicago was invited. Speaking of big events, where you headed tonight, Joe?"

"Got a tip on a party north of here. Thought I would head over to a joint nearby the Hotel Sherman, check out some of the afterparty, see what I can dig up."

"Maybe I should trail along, keep you from becoming a drugstore cowboy and driving the prettier scenery away."

"Ha-ha, very funny," Joe replies jovially. "You can come if you want, but I can't guarantee that we'll see too much."

"Who's hosting the party?"

"MacRoth," Joe replied. Fred laughs.

"The biggest mafia leader in town throws the biggest party of the season, and you're worried that you won't catch too much action?"

"Says you."

"Sheesh." Joe shrugged in reply.

"I dunno," Joe says. "It's all the hoity-toity types. Not really my game, ya know?"

"Yeah, yeah," Fred grins. "Wish I had myself some more hoity toity types. Might not be here every night holdin up my end of the bar."

"Well, are you in are aren't ya?" Joe says, standing.

"I'm in," Fred replies. "Just make sure I'm home to the ol' gal before midnight. You know how she worries."

"You got it," Joe replied, throwing some change to the counter. "Thanks Mac. See ya tomorrow."

Mac nods from his place at the counter. "Don't take any wooden nickels," he says as they stroll out of the club.