hurried her, forcefully, back to the carriage door. There were weak protests from the showgirls but none were heeded. They hurriedly followed their pair, almost stumbling over trails of silks and lace. The protests quickly became louder.
‘If you cannot respect the simplest of rules, then you’re gone. As is the case here.’
‘Wait! Please, I’m begging you, please don’t!’
Misu sobbed, clambering at Franco’s vest collar in desperation at the carriage doors. She scanned the faces until reaching Corinne, who stood quite dismayed at what had just transpired. Yearning eyes pleaded for an intervention but the weight of the treachery left her powerless. Multiple apologies were ignored, and for her penance Misu was pushed backward, banished from her home and exiled by her friends. All because of bad judgement.
Misu sat in a heap on Platform 4, holding herself in an embrace, sobbing violently. The gulps became so thick that words failed to emanate. The others would have, even despite this, rushed to her side, tended to her, for that was their way, but Franco barred the doorway with his presence. There was nothing else to be said.
‘We had an agreement, and that goes for each and every one of you on this train as I’ve told you: everyone is the same. You put the Den in danger and you’re out the door. No second chances. No pardons.’ Franco turned to address Misu who still remained in a crumpled heap. ‘Now go! This ain’t your home any more. Katerina, go into her room and pack up her things. Quickly with you.’
Katerina protested weakly, succumbing to tears.
‘I said do it! Get the whole lot, her clothes and all and toss them in the street! She’ll need them where she’s going.’
‘And where would that be?’ Misu wailed aloud – a last, desperate attempt to change already set minds.
‘Anywhere but here.’
Franco had done all he needed to do and punctuated this fact by slamming the carriage door behind him.
True to his request, Katerina had packed as much as she could into a pair of tan leather suitcases and stepped onto the platform with the others to console their manager. The girls embraced another, forming a cocoon of affection and arms. Sure, they remained angry with Misu but this wasn’t the answer, not at all. This was far too excessive and they said as much through choked words.
They picked her up, as she had done for each of them many a time. They dusted her dress and rearranged her hair to make it presentable. Trails of mascara were wiped away, lingering hugs given, and kisses on cheeks administered. Goodbyes were spoken, emotionally, until the showgirls retreated, all watching from their carriage windows.
When her sobs were stifled enough, Misu found strength in her feet once more. She left the station and stepped out into the night’s chilled embrace.
* * *
Back on the Den, however, the showgirls finally found their voices. Whatever the cause of this deception, Misu didn’t deserve such treatment. Nobody did. As Franco stormed back through the carriage, after bolting the doors from top to bottom, it was Katerina who challenged him first. The others followed in pursuit.
‘You can’t do this to her!’ Katerina objected.
‘It’s unfair!’ Kitty chimed in.
Franco spun in a roar. ‘Did you just tell me what I can do on my train?’ he questioned, ferociously.
‘Franco, please! See sense. She’s scared. Are you are just to throw her out with nothing?’
‘She didn’t have nothing. She has things.’ He was referring to the graciously given suitcase and packed clothing. He didn’t have to do that – something that was clearly being forgotten in their overfamiliar tone.
‘You don’t know what he was doing to her!’
‘And you do?’
‘Well no, not exactly.’ Katerina pleaded for him to see sense, or logic, anything. ‘This is absurd, Wyld’s stashing stolen goods in the cars and you’re kicking Misu out for some old guy who wants her as a pet? Why isn’t the desert rat getting the boot?’
‘Wyld knows the risks. It’s why she’s not seen in public with us. It’s why she operates with discretion and she knows better than anyone: one slip-up and she’s out of here. Tell me, what if Misu brought a gunfight to us on account of all this, and half of you were shot dead?’
Corinne felt a bout of frustration rise in her throat. More than the others was she familiar with Wilheim’s cruelty, but this wasn’t the solution to someone driven to such desperation. Not by a long shot.
‘Then you would be out of pocket.’
‘That’s not fair,’ Franco called.
‘Isn’t it? Isn’t it always what it comes down to? Money rules your head, Franco. I’m sure if it came to that grim circumstance you would find faces just as pretty to replace us.’
‘You’re out of line.’
‘No. You are,’ Corinne coldly delivered. ‘She’s family.’
‘When have I ever said that we were that?’
‘It didn’t need to be said. And you’ve clearly forgotten what that means.’ She gave a turn and ventured back down the carriage, shunting between seats with the clicks of her heels ebbing to nothing.
* * *
Not long after, the women performed an exodus en masse, finding somewhere, anywhere, to be than on than the Den. They desired far less stifling company and when they had taken their leave, all that was left was Franco and Jacques on a very empty train.
Without noise, without heaving company, the Den was a shell of its intentions, the silence hugely foreboding. Franco looked around the carriage, the rows of empty seats, half-drunk drinks waiting for their owners to return. Despite the clutter, it felt sparse and soulless.
Franco sighed wearily, sliding deeper into his leather seat, hoping it would swallow him whole. The two double bourbons inside him gave empty comfort.
‘And what about you? Was I too harsh?’
Jacques examined the hands of cards on the table before taking a sip from one of the tumblers, finding the contents far too sweet.
‘Not my place to say, boss.’
‘Drop the formalities.’
‘I understand why you did it, for sure.’
‘Keep going.’
‘I don’t quite understand your logic though.’
‘You think keeping everyone safe is some sort of blight?’
‘No,’ Jacques exclaimed. ‘I thought we were all family, and you toss her out. Goes against the whole family thing doesn’t it? I thought your Pappy said those he rode with was family. Considered it at least.’
‘This small
