1937 Los Angeles.
I’m just glad to be here. Do you know what a place like this costs? More lettuce than a guy like me makes in a week – people spend that kinda cash on a single dinner and some dancing.
Oh yeah, Frank Miles at your service. My partner’s around here somewhere. I’m supposed to be “blending in”. It’s what we private detectives do, ya know. But, I like the roar of the crowd, to be in on the action! And there’s action in a place like this. Like her action. Or all the betting action. I’d be good with getting lucky either way.
But, I’m on assignment. And my partner is off doing…whatever it is he does. Probably looking gloomy and generally sucking any kind of fun or joy out of the air.
Ah, I’m being too harsh I guess. Dash had it rough. Mind if I pour myself a drink?
Some guys, the ones with ties to, ya know – rhymes with sob – they call him Hero. He doesn’t like it. I don’t blame him none. The guy who gave him the nick was a bad ‘un. Not a true villain like Blackford or Neunes – the local gangleaders here in LA.
But definitely shady.
A “hero” to a bad guy, in Dash’s head, is all bad. Rotten to the core. And Dash…Well, what else can I say about that guy? He just needs to believe there’s still something good in him. He’s desperate to prove it to someone.
And it ain’t me. We go way back. I know the guy through and through. Grew up on mean streets…(chuckles). This is where he’d tell ya I have a ‘flair for the dramatic’. But, times were tough all over when we were getting our start. He went off to Chicago, and I stayed here. Had a bit of fun making sure this stuff (holds up his glass of scotch) still flowed through the city’s streets. Before it became legal again. And before Dash came back to town and decided we were gonna try being private detectives.
He’s a tough one on the outside, but golden underneath.
It’s not my place, but I think he’s found that someone he wants to impress. She’s a looker for sure. And I like looking. But she’s up to her neck in some deep water, with nothing but sharks swimming about.
But that’s Hero, er, Dash for ya. He’s always gotta learn the hard way.
Yep, yep. If you see him, tell him I’m drinking his share tonight.
Someone’s gotta enjoy the perks of the job.