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The Golden Room

Wallace Irving (?)

Armbruster handed over his card. 'I'll be waiting. I'll be available all of tomorrow afternoon.'

Harrison shook the meat-packer's hand again. 'You are very generous, Mr Armbruster. You don't know what a lift this gives me. It's going to be a heated election next week, and I need every bit of help I can get.'

'You've got mine,' Armbruster promised him.

'Of course, if there's ever anything I can do for you, Mr Armbruster -'

'We'll see,' said Armbruster.

The following afternoon, Armbruster summoned John Coughlin and Michael Ke

Armbruster observed that the pair looked like scoundrels. Coughlin wore a pompadour, long sideburns, a moustache, and was almost as beefy as Armbruster himself. Ke

'The mayor tells us you want to contribute to his campaign,' began Coughlin.

'I definitely want Harrison elected. How can it be guaranteed?'

'How much do you need?' inquired Armbruster.

Coughlin came forward on the sofa where he sat with Ke

'What is the proper handling?' Armbruster demanded.

'I'll be frank with you, sir,' said Coughlin. 'The First Ward is filled with pimps, tramps, the unemployed, and drunks. Distributing free drinks – whisky, beer – and cigars could go far. Added to that, a free silver dollar for each of their votes would go further.'

'Would they really vote for Harrison?'

'No question,' Ke

Armbruster peeled and clipped an Uppma

Coughlin glanced at Ke

'That's a lot of money,' said Armbruster.

'That's a lot of votes,' said Ke

'When do you need the cash?' asked Armbruster.

'Today,' said Coughlin. 'The election is next week.'

'You've got it,' said Armbruster, taking out his chequebook. 'Go to work.'

Minutes after Armbruster had left them, Coughlin and Ke

'Bathhouse,' Mi

'How soon?' asked Coughlin.

'Right now,' said Mi

'Uncork the champagne,' said Coughlin. 'We're on our way.'

A half-hour later, Coughlin and Ke

'You know what we want to see you about, Bathhouse,' began Mi

'Haven't the faintest idea,' said Coughlin i

'You're damn right you can be of service.'

'We need some help from you,' chimed in Aida. 'My sister will explain.'

She remained standing, drinking from the crystal goblet as she eyed the two aldermen. At last she spoke. 'Bathhouse… Hinky Dink… you both know what that rotten mayor friend of yours is trying to do to us.'

'You mean his reform movement?' said Ke

'Nonsense,' snapped Mi

'What do you expect us to do?' asked Coughlin.

'Oh, come on,' said Mi

'I repeat,' said Coughlin, 'what do you want us to do?'

'That takes considerable money,' said Coughlin.

'How much?' demanded Mi

'$15,000 cash on the line today,' said Ke

'You're asking a lot,' said Ke

Coughlin shrugged and said, 'I don't know.' He squinted at his partner. 'What do you think, Hinky Dink?'

'Okay,' said Coughlin, meeting Mi

John Coughlin and Michael Ke

Seated, they both loosened their collars as Ke

'Productive,' said Coughlin.

'Do what?'

'How do we spend Armbruster's money to elect Harrison and spend the Everleighs' money to see that Harrison is not elected?'

'Easy,' said Coughlin, gulping his drink.

'Yeah, how?'

Coughlin sat up. 'We go with the highest bidder. We elect Harrison.'

'But the Everleighs are old friends, Bathhouse.'

'Never mind,' said Coughlin expansively. 'We'll make it up to Mi

Coughlin finished his whisky. 'I don't know. All hell'll bust loose, but we can do it. I have a few ideas. Trust me, Hinky Dink. Everyone's coming out on their feet – I think.'