Elsie was in distress, looking at the frill around her hands. It was a good cadence for her. She could not have expected him not to play with her, when she looked so pleasing. Oscar thought to bully her some more, perhaps remind her how right he was with that small accusation, given the things she'd let him do to her in their haven where they also slept. The commissioner had other plans. Oscar obliged. It wasn't anything important, just another story about stupor while being in this current one. Oscar could not have been the man he was without knowing how to nod and seem interested when in fact he was somewhere else.<br/><br/>So the husband was relieved when a first outburst toward his wife at least brought someone else into the conversation. "I am looking, Grant." Oscar assured when Neil insisted. "Well, birds are pretty and chirp. That's why we seek them out." he added, navigating swiftly and remolding this crude injection into a somewhat compliment. There was something predatory in Oscar then, looking at Elizabeth, like he might turn on her soon, for the entertainment of it.<br/><br/>But when the commissioner attached the working girl title on Elsie and her gender while touching the bend of his arm to Oscar's, the Williams man's pupils flared in their green set. Oscar was quite aware of this tendency in himself, and had casually turned away as anger vibrated his bones. In his pause to allow Neil to hang himself on his mood, Elsie came to her own aid. The head of police did not retort with enough intelligence for the rebuttal to be valid in a real discussion, but traditionally, insults are enough in a social setting.<br/><br/>Oscar slid his hand under the table and placed it on her leg. It was to steady her, and assure her this was his fight now.<br/><br/>"Reminds me of something I heard." Oscar said and though he was using his normal volume of voice, there were shadows clawing at his upper lip like the spirit of a snarl was trying to live on his face. Even the intoxicated commissioner stopped his rambling to listen. "I heard the shoes I bought are working well for your officers." he started. Neil was confused, but nodded, used to pleasing the donors.<br/><br/>"Ah, yes, they're great. Thank you ver..."<br/><br/>"So you would not be on the streets, protecting people without me. Who can go out without shoes?" Neil stuttered some question that would go unanswered. "And the horses? Are they treating you well?" Oscar continued. He was squeezing her leg lightly. "I tend to New York's finest, you see, because you tend to us." For some reason, Neil saw it fit to relax at that. "But your job would be harder without me, wouldn't it?" he asked. He had everyone's attention now, but that was nothing new for Oscar Williams. "And you're operating so close to peril already. I imagine in your hard line of work, the quality of your shoes might be a deciding factor whether you catch the running criminal or not."<br/><br/>He patted Grants shoulder, and kept his hand there. "Why, aiming is based on steady footing." he reminded. "And shooting is paramount when upholding the law, especially the way your men choose to do it." He laughed and it was silver clear and the others laughed with him because they daren't do anything else. "So aren't I keeping you alive, so that the criminals can't shoot you first? Don't I help you around with shoes and horses?" he asked and tilted his head, night time in the verdant eyes. His face was closer to Neil's because Neil couldn't lean back any further.<br/><br/>"So, Commissioner Grant. Isn't it you who should see to that I'm fed and fucked, rather?"<br/><br/>The head of police blinked the daze out of his eyes and stared at the man who had yet to sip his aperitif. Oscar offered him nothing for his confusion and building discomfort. The others were quiet as well. All the porcelain people were stuck in porcelain poses in the elite eatery. Eventually Neil looked from the Iron King to his wife. Even through the fumes the commissioner was starting to understand what he should do.<br/><br/>"I-I am sorry, Mrs. Williams." he said. Oscar shrugged at that and let Elsie do with that what she wished.<br/><br/>"That's very big of you. But maybe you should wait in my carriage instead. I mean, you're still going to fulfill at least one of your duties to me, aren't you? And I am kind of feeding myself tonight."<br/><br/>The table was deathly still until the large man stood up and left.<br/><br/>"Well, I can see how seriously the commissioner takes his shoes and horses now." Oscar offered with a chipper tone once Grant was gone. The others laughed and tried desperately to fill the void with chatter, and drown the dread in the air with the sound of crystal glasses kissing. Oscar poured Elsie's glass. "Policemen. They're like they are because they have seen so much, protecting us and keeping order."