If the train station above us was the heart of the city, then the Electric Haiku Kitty Club, was the dark parts between the beats.

A den of thieves and crooks, the Kitty was where Boss Ethel played the part as the Queen of the Inner City.

Better to be prompt to the meet.

I had a case to crack, and the Gypsy lady to appease.

I casually hopped down the stairs with Ethel’s right hand escort down to the club’s doorstep. Prohibition never touched these kind of digs.

The dame had an in here.

Only flatfoots too green to know better, and detectives like me, would dare the tigers den coming here.

Ethel didn’t like me either, but she tolerated me for my discretion.

The goon at the doors eyed me, but after a second he looked at Sandra and she just smiled.

“Detective Polly’s my guest Sweetums.”

The giant bruiser smiled at Sandra, opening the door for us and stepped aside. But I could feel his eyes on me as we sauntered past.

The place was lit up by little candles in the center of the tables.

I made my way in no rush to an open table at the back and took a seat, Sandra following close, taking the one next to me.

A server came over to the table, quietly speaking to Sandra.

“Miss, the boss don’t allow-“

Sandra ignored him as was her way and pressed a crisp fiver into his front pocket. She pet the boys cheek in that half hearted seductive way she toyed with all men and whispered in his ear. “Two scotch, one on the rocks, and make the other a double.”

He looked at the five and then at me, then just nodded and walked off to the bar. He wasn’t about to argue with his bosses right hand, or a two dollar tip.

The house lights came up slowly over the stage for a young woman in a kimono. She walked up on stage at the back of the club and knelt down on the tatami mats under the neon sign showing a cat with wings. She unfolded an old looking fan with an odd looking fish on a watery scene, and faced the audience.

She bowed low, keeping her head down and whispered into her microphone.

“Leaves falling, so slow. Fond memories of, sunshine. Happiness, donuts…”

Everywhere people snapped their fingers or drummed the table and mumbled like this was so profound.

I couldn’t help but cackle a little, I mean; Donuts?

But I bit back my laugh quickly, whistling sheepishly when I noticed people staring at us.

Sandra poked me in the ribs, “Mr.Polly, show some class,” she scoffed.

So I rapped the table loudly, which brought about more snaps and table taps.

The kimono-clad woman though, scowled evermore.

I could tell I had ticked the dame off good with all of my squawking.

The server returned and put the drinks in front of Ms.Sandra. She took hers and had a sip, sliding my double over. I reached into my glass, for the ice in it, and set them on my napkin,I hate it when the drink taste got watered down.

Our server didn’t just leave, slowly eyeing me tip the drink back to wet my beak, before turning back to Sandra.

“Miss, the double is for-?”

She smiled and looked at me, “Don’t worry. I’ll keep him in check. Don’t let his looks fool you, Detective Polly’s a teddybear on the inside. Keep his drinks neat though please, would you sweetie?”

“The parrot?”

The kid was astute, not many made me first glance.

But from the way things were I knew one drink wasn’t getting me through this night so I tapped the rim twice.

Sandra nodded, and slipped the boy another two bucks. “Keep em coming hon.”

The server leaned in close, “Miss? You know that’s a parrot, right?”

I just whistled and sipped at the drink.

And Sandra just pushed him off to get my next round.

I hated to admit it, but again, the Gypsy was right.

“Big game tonight, babe. I so hope you don’t get got, playing the bigshot.”

More haikus; I sighed.

I was glad so far for the double, even before Mama Ethel took the stage.