Aces and Moonshine

            The Swann. Named for its owner, it was the biggest, most luxurious hotel in Chicago. All
the big names came there to relax. Jack had often bought himself a month’s stay, just to take a
load off himself. Aside from the Pearl, it was his favorite place in the world. And, because the
authorities thought they’d grabbed all his bootleg money, they wouldn’t expect to find him in
such a place.

            The two stopped at Jack’s old apartment first, to find the place in shambles. The cops had
torn the place up looking for his money. Jack was not surprised to see three of his floorboards
taken out. His clothes were everywhere. Finally, he reached his bedroom and started digging.
Will stood off to the side.

            “So, this is your place?” He asked, tentatively.

            “Yeah, it’s a regular dream, ain’t it?” he grumbled, finally finding the jacket to his
favorite Zoot-Suit. Pulling off his prison uniform, he turned to see Will still in the room. He
grinned cheekily at the boy.

            “Stickin’ around to watch the show?” he offered, his voice sounding perfectly sinful. He
watched with delight as Will stepped away, turning his head to the side.

            He studied the boy carefully. He was at least nineteen, maybe early twenties. Creamy
skin, now turning a little red under his scrutiny. Lithe little body, an ass to die for...

            He was glad to be the Infamous Jack Sparrow, now. The Infamous Jack Sparrow had self-control.

            “So, ya never did tell me why a kid like you was aiming to get drunk. Wanna explain?”
He finally asked, acting as if the other part of the conversation had never occurred. Though that
lovely blush would probably haunt his wet dreams for quite a while. Throwing a stray tie over his
shoulder and picking up one that matched, he turned his head to look at ‘Mr. Brown’.

***

            Will panicked. He was in a swanky bachelor’s pad, up-town, and headed for his old home
next. He didn’t mind going back to the Swann, unless someone happened to recognize him. But
they were, right then, in Jack’s bachelor pad. Complete with paneled walls, hard-wood floors,
and a king-sized bed. He didn’t want to think about the bed. Scratch that, he did want to think
about it, he just knew now wasn’t the time.

            Control yourself, Turner. You’re not a dog, and he’s not a piece of meat.

            “Hey, kiddo, HEY!” The very object of his thoughts threw a tie at him, jerking him out of
his thoughts.

            “Huh?” He blinked stupidly at Jack, not remembering what the man had asked.

            Jack rolled his eyes. “Never mind. Grab the first matching suit, shirt, tie, and hat you find.
Hurry up, we’re dressin’ ya to the nines, and takin’ ya to the hottest legal place in Chicago.”

 

***

            “That’s strictly a matter of opinion, Mr. Sparrow.” came Will’s muffled response.

He was searching for the jacket that went with the gray trousers and bowler, and had become lost
in the junk strewn about. “What happened here, anyways?”

            “Cops. Prob’ly heard this was my place, and came in to find my cash. They don’t know
where I keep it. Nobody does.” Pulling a suspender over his shoulder, Jack turned to the mirror
and ran a hand through his hair. No matter what the style, he wasn’t cutting it. He didn’t care. He
liked it that way. He grabbed the matching tan jacket, and pulled it on with the bowler.

            He turned to spot Will. He smirked. Oh yeah, this guy’s definitely a doll-catcher.

            Will had borrowed his sharpest gray suit, and wore it with a black shirt and red tie. The
gray bowler with black ribbon was just enough to keep his eyes out of view. His hair, which had
been one of several things about the boy Jack had been admiring, was pulled back in a loose
pony-tail. A little stubble made him look more rugged. Black loafers topped everything off.

            “You got a Jane out there teachin’ ya how ta stay hip to the jive?” He asked softly,
looking Will up and down. Cleans up damn nicely...

            “My ol- ... No.”

            Jack was about to question, when Annie burst through the door. She was wearing a
straight, low-wasted little number that went right above her knee, stilettos, and a cloche hat. The
beads around her neck reached about two inches above the bottom of the dress, and she wore a
crazy amount of bracelets. Her hair, in a newly cut bob, just stuck out below the cloche. Very
stylish, but not all it could be for a night out.

            “I told Gibbs that you and the John were out, told him the kid’s name, said he’d never
heard of him.” Jack gauged Will’s reaction; a faint smile.

            “Alright. Did he set up a room for us?” he asked, barely able to look away from the gray-clad boy.

            “A suite. Nice one, too. Now, C’mon, let’s ankle!” She exclaimed, grabbing his and
Will’s arms. Jack packed four more suits quickly, deciding he’d buy more later, and they all
swung out the door together, chatting and laughing.

            And, no, he wasn’t at all jealous of the way kiddo was smiling at Annie’s stupid jokes,
nor the fact that she was holding his arm.

                                                                           ***

            Will was grinning inside. He’d nearly slipped up, but caught himself. Talking about his
father would raise for too many questions.

            His old man was far gone, off who knows where, but he’d brought Will up to know style,
know class. It stuck. Now he knew just how to be the well-dressed man his father was.

            They all got into a cab, and it took them straight to the Swann. Swankiest place in
Chicago. Will had lived there before. The owner’s daughter, Elizabeth, had been his first girl. A
bellhop who worked Mondays and Wednesdays, Louie, had been his first boy. The place was
better than his original home. And he didn’t want to think about that hell-hole right then.

            Walking into the lobby, he grinned. The place was sporting a half-art-deco, half-Egyptian
theme. Just the style, thanks to good old King Tut. Fountains, cushy couches, gold and marble
everywhere. It was easy to see what everybody loved. It was so hip, it was hard to believe the
place wasn’t filled. Of course, this place was reserved only for Chicago’s finest.

            Jack went inside and coolly asked for a bellhop. Everything was going perfect.

            Until Will realized that bellhop was Louie.