Page 33 of Carnival Queen

“Technically, eight against four,” smirked Whiskey. “They’re half our age, at least. You boys feeling okay about this?”

“I’m very excited about this,” nodded Antoine, rubbing his hands together. “I’m not gonna lie. I’m feeling younger than ever tonight.”

“Well, brother,” smiled Miller, “then let’s get ready for some fun.”

Approaching the main door, there were three men in front of them showing their IDs and making their way inside. When they got to the door, one of the bouncers looked down at Miller and Antoine, opening and closing his mouth.

“Fuck,” muttered Antoine.

“Mr. Antoine. Mr. Pierre,” said the young man.

“Ogie. What are you doing here, son?” asked Antoine.

Ogie Kellen had gone to school with some of their own grandchildren. A huge kid who excelled at football and wrestling, he was offered scholarships to multiple universities.

“Working, Mr. Antoine.”

“You know what happens in there, right?” he frowned. One of the other bouncers stepped forward.

“Everything okay, Ogie?”

“Yeah, yeah. Old friends,” he said, shaking his head. He took two steps forward, forcing Antoine and the others to step back. “Listen. This isn’t what you think. My girlfriend is in there against her will. I’m just trying to get her out of here.”

“Explain,” said Miller.

“When my college football career was done, I didn’t get drafted. Instead, I went overseas to play in a rugby league. I just wanted to keep playing. I met Marilla while playing a match in Singapore. She’s a few years younger than I am,” he said, shaking his head. “Tiniest little thing ever.”

“Go on,” said Antoine.

“I was supposed to pick her up for dinner one night, and when I got to her apartment, three men were dragging her into a car. I followed, but the traffic got in the way. I was frantic, and no one would help me. So, I did what any good Louisiana boy would do. I went hunting.”

“And you found her in your own backyard?” asked Whiskey.

“No, sir. I found her in a cage being loaded onto a cargo ship with other girls and boys. I was one man. I knew I just had to follow that ship. When I figured out it was docking here in New Orleans, I saw my chance. I went to the police chief, but he said they were working on it.”

“He killed himself,” said Miller.

“So I heard,” nodded Ogie. “Listen, please don’t tell anyone. I’m begging you.”

“Ogie, we’re here to shut this shit down. We’ve blown their other businesses, and this is the last one of the night. We need you to help with the distractions. Once we have the girls out the back door, you get them in your vehicle and get the hell out of here. Take the women to a shelter and let us know which one.”

“Sir, there’s just four of you. There are eight bouncers here, and three of them are carrying weapons. The two managers are here tonight, and they don’t put up with anything from anyone here. The bartenders are watched to be sure they don’t steal from the tills. The dancers are constantly being given something to force them on stage. This isn’t for regular guys like you.”

“Well,” smirked Miller, “as much as I love that you think I’m a regular guy. I’m not. You remember how to block, don’t you, Ogie?”

“Yes, sir,” he grinned. “It was always one of my favorite things to do.”

“Good man. You’ll know it when we need you, but you block and then grab those women and go.”

“There’s some boys in there too, sir. Maybe twelve or thirteen years old. They keep them locked behind the bar.”

“All the more reason for you to be sure and block for us.” Ogie backed up and nodded at the other bouncers.

“They’re good. I thought they were someone I knew. Turns out they’re just a couple of old guys wanting a little excitement,” he smirked. Whiskey walked by him, tapping his belly hard.

“You’ll pay for that comment, kid.”

The pounding bass of the music made the four men cringe as they stepped inside the club. Their eyes immediately went to two men seated along the stage, dressed in designer suits, smoking cigars.

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