Logfile from Brass&Steel.

You step down into Club Bluebird.


Zach looks around and smiles as he sees Duke. Then he spots Traci and nods
to her as well.

	Traci is currently dressed casually, out of school for a while.
She's wearing a soft grey camisole top with spagetti straps , the front
cut low enough to show some of the upper curves of her youthful breasts.
It's tucked into a pair of slightly faded cigarette-leg bluejeans that are
shrunk to tightly cling to the sweet curves of her slender hips. On her
feet are a pair of red athletic shoes.

	Duke is a very old African-American man, perhaps in his late 80s
or early 90s, wearing a light-colored sports jacket of beige linen over a
rust-colored shirt, chocolate-colored slacks, and brown leather shoes. A
handkerchief of red and gold silk emerges from the sports jacket's breast
pocket. He moves slowly but steadily, his advanced age clearly wearing him
down at the edges, and yet his huge hands are rarely at rest.

Duke seems to be paying most of his attention to the middling-good
saxophonist on stage. But after a moment, he pulls his eyes away to look
towards the bar and motion for a refill. Seeing Zach, he nods.

Traci nods back to Zach. She pouts a little, her glass empty

Zach manages to persuade the bartender to sell him a glass of whiskey, and
also to give the lil' lady at table 2 whatever she's having. He then makes
his way over to Duke.

Zach mutters to Duke.

You whisper "Mind if I sit down?" to Duke.

Duke motions for Zach to take a seat, wordlessly.

You sit down at Table 3.

At your table, Duke says "You'll remember to keep your voice down this
time, I trust?"

Duke says something quietly to Zach, but only after the younger man takes
a seat.

At your table, Zach grins. "Yeah, yeah. I'm not so surprised to see ya
this time. But still delighted."

Zach grins and answers Duke.

At your table, Duke says "You've had a chance to see more of the city, I
trust?"

At your table, Zach says "Yeah, I have. Made a few new friends too. I
kinda like this place, actually."

At your table, Zach says "How have you been, Duke?"

At your table, Duke says "I can't complain, youngster. Except that there's
been too many mediocre acts here of late."

Zach smiles to Duke and relaxes on his chair, fondling his whiskey-glass.

Traci waves to Zach as the waiter delivers her sprite

At your table, Zach hmphs. "That's sad. I guess you gotta tell mr Shylock
about this.." He grins.

Zach waves casually back to Traci.

At your table, Duke says "Naw. I just need to ... friend of yours?"

At your table, Zach's eyes flicker a bit. "Not excactly... Just keeping up
appearances." There is a slight strain on his voice.

At your table, Duke says "I see." He doesn't really seem to, but it's a
polite noise to make. "Anyway, it's more like I need to get out and start
talent scouting again. Warm up a new vessel or something."

Zach shifts on his chair while talking with the old geezer.

At your table, Zach smiles and perks up a bit. "Oh, but that sounds good."
He leans foreward a bit and lowers his voice. "Listen, that cop you
introduced me to..? Roger? Did you know he was a Soldier?"

Zach smiles and leans forward saying something to the old man.

At your table, Duke says "I saw his potential, but not the reality. Who's
he working with?"

Traci lets the two talk. She watches the crowd, watched by them in return

At your table, Zach chuckles. "The Sword. He's totally green, his angel
had to leave and they didn't send anyone to look after the poor bugger.
I've been telling him about how things work and stuff. He didn't know
anything. I don't think he's even Aware."

At your table, Zach says "He's a fine man, that one."

At your table, Duke says "Then he's not yet a Soldier. A knowledgeable
servant, at best."

At your table, Zach inclines his head questiongly. "Eh? But he's already
met the Commander, so I assumed... But I guess you're right. I've never
sworn in soldiers..."

At your table, Duke says "I've done it a great deal. If Brother Lawrence
doesn't send someone to complete the work soon, do it yourself and
apologize later."

At your table, Zach shifts uncomfortably. "Er... Trouble is.. I dunno how.
Is there some Song or ceremony to do that? Or maybe I could bring him to
you?"

Zach shifts and looks a tad uncomfortable. Sheepish even.

At your table, Duke says "I wouldn't feel right, but I could teach you, I
suppose. You free at all over the next few days?"

Duke says something conciliatory.

At your table, Zach nods. "I can make time to learn, yeah."

At your table, Zach looks relived. "Thanks man. You're a lifesaver."

At your table, Duke says "Sometimes. When I have to be."

Duke starts to rise. "For now, though," he says, "g'night."

At your table, Zach says "Good night, mr Jazz. Take care now.."

Zach smiles fondly to Duke and says something.

Duke pats Zach on the shoulder and with tha, the old man teeters towards
the door.

Zach reclines back on his chair and drains his whiskey slowly, with a
thoughtful expression on his face.

Duke has left.

After listening to the music for a little while, Zach rises and leaves the
club. He nods absently to Traci as he passes her table.