The Great Deception by Lenitschka

The moon was bright, but everything looked darker than usual. The shadows were long, and deep. You could be two steps in front of a man before you knew he was there, leaning against the wall, dragging on his cigarette and appraising you with his eyes. I moved faster.

I could still feel eyes following me as I crossed the street. Long after I my admirers were engulfed in shadows.

My heels echoed on the pavement with every step I took. I’d practiced walking in these shoes, pacing back and forth across my studio apartment until my downstairs neighbour started banging on his ceiling with a broom. If he hadn’t forced me to stop, I could have practiced more, and not feel now like I was tipping over with each step I took. I’d have to practice again when he wasn’t home. That is if I if I didn’t mess it up tonight.

This was the corner. I looked around. Movements in the shadows. Probably just another coxcomb or two waiting for something more interesting to come along. I unbuttoned my coat, and started walking slower, looking around me and suppressing the urge to bite my lip. If I didn’t get this right, it was out the door for me, and who knew where I’d go from there. I forced myself to look into the shadows.

Another puff of smoke from the darkness. I smiled in its general direction. There was a slight movement, as the fella walked towards me. I could hardly see his face beneath his fedora.

“Hey darlin,” he said, taking a puff, and exhaling right in my face. He was good looking, but that didn’t really matter.

I batted my eyelashes and smiled.

“Hey handsome.”

“Looking for a quick payday?”

Again, smoke right in my face. Could he not set his light down long enough for a conversation? I kept looking at him right in the face.

“Depends on the number,” I said.

He grinned and let me haggle over the price. I might be new at this but I’d done my research. I wasn’t about to be caught for a fool.

He handed me half of our agreed price. I smiled and leaned into his ear.

“Meet me around the corner.”

I walked away, ducking into an alleyway filled with shadows. Another fella was already waiting there, puffing on a cigar instead of a cigarette.

“What took you so long?” he asked.

“It’s not so easy,” I shot at him. “You try it.”

He laughed and put out his cigar, pulling out his handcuffs, just in time for my would be client to come around the corner.