<hr/><div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/a/ac/600full-kenneth-branagh.jpg)</div><br/><strong>Name:</strong>Tommy Flanagan (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=200832.msg9819558#msg9819558)<br/><strong>Faction:</strong>None<br/><strong>Date:</strong>May 11, 1876<br/><strong>Time of Day:</strong>afternoon<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Babel's Tower, Front Stage<br/><strong>Tagged:</strong>Bella Capri, Abraham Solomon<br/><hr/><br/><br/>As the applause welled up in response to Mr. Solomon's direction Tommy took the time-honored stance of the accompanist. Removing his hat he performed a slight bow from his seated position, then extended his arm with hat in hand toward Bella Capri, the star of the show. The effect was like a rain gutter, directing the deluge of accolades toward the focal point of the act. She more than deserved the praise. After a few seconds he replaced the black derby on his head, stood, and joined in applauding while continuing to face her.<br/><br/>His handshake to Mr. Solomon was firm and dry. "Thank you, sir, it was my pleasure. Although I expect I could have been banging on a washtub up here and Miss Capri still would have made it sound good. I do look forward to a continuing engagement at the finest establishment in town. It certainly beats scraping ghostrock off the side of a cliff." The last was said in a low voice; no sense insulting any of the insane individuals who actually made their living that way. Not to mention that, given the fate of the last establishment on this plot, just saying the 'G-word' in here might rub some the wrong way.<br/><br/>When the attention of the crowd had turned back to their free food and drink, and Mr. Solomon had rejoined the infamous and intriguing Miss Whateley, Tommy bowed again to Bella. "Miss Capri, it has been an honor and a privilege. I'd reckon that half of the folks in here don't recognize the caliber of the performance they just heard. We'll have to try it again on a night when the drinks cost money, and that percentage might drop to as little as a quarter. Is it time to drink that wine now? I'd be pleased to buy you a drink even if it cost honest coin. Although I also expect that you might find ten or twenty gentlemen in here vying for that privilege after hearing you sing."<br/><br/>Tommy wanted nothing more than to find out what had transpired outside but felt that courtesy wouldn't brook a sudden departure. Perhaps there would be gossip to overhear at the bar. The thought of approaching the dead-eyed stranger and simply asking never crossed his mind; it simply wasn't the way he operated.<br/>