Tohu
heard you paint houses
Decisions that move the cogs of the underworld are made in night bars during day time. Lounges empty, stools turned upside down over the bar top, dim lights, a bartender doing clerical work for the boss, and the boss sitting comfortably on a lounge receiving his guests. To Tohu, this was about as close to a Senate as he’d ever understand.
“Where’s the big man?” Tohu, leaning on the bartop, said to Kuati Luke, the bartender.
“He’s over there, finishing up some business.” Kuati Luke said, and Tohu turned his head just enough to see Razmir Tezhyn’s back to him, shaking hands with a large man. "Hang back for a second or two, and when you see the bald boy leave, go on over. In the meantime, can I whip you a plain ol’ Corellian?”
“How about a cup of just plain ol’ caf?”
“Comin’ up. I hear you’re taking Nomi out tomorrow?”
“At Razmir’s request.”
“Have you met Nomi?”
Tohu said, “Not yet.” and Luke subtly chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” Tohu asked.
“Not a damn thing.”
“Look, I’m not an idiot. She’s the Vigo’s fethin’ zoo-zoo. I’m gonna sit across a table, chew my food with my mouth closed, laugh at her jokes and that’s all I’m gonna do.”
Luke slid the cup of caf in front of Tohu, saying, “My name’s Han, and this is between y’all.”
The bald man came up to the bar next to Tohu, saying to Luke, “Can I get a pack’a Marcan Herbs?”
“Filters?” asked Luke.
“No.”
As the man waited for his smokes, Tohu sipped on his coffee and watched him. The man turned to meet his gaze.
“Lookin’ at somethin’, friend?” he asked.
“I ain’t your friend, palooka.” Tohu said and the man leaned toward him, saying, “What was that?”
“I think you heard me just fine, punchy.”
Tohu saw the bald man -- a shock boxer by the looks of that nasty scar tissue over his brows -- turn fully to face him. Then Razmir's voice summoned him, and with a shit-eating grin, Tohu walked off toward the Vigo
It was time to get this license.
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