Chapter 30
The next day, the Fox and many other establishments in the Playground were closed to the public. But many Players had shown up to help with the post-riot clean up. Aiden arrived in old jeans and a sweatshirt, ready to pitch in. He swept up glass and tossed trash in Dumpsters, working up a good sweat despite the chill air. Although there was anger and sadness over the events that had caused the mess, the mood on the street was positive. The Players worked together to clean and repair, determined to get the area back into shape in order for them to return to work.
Around lunch, a few of the bars and restaurants brought out platters of quick snacks and sandwiches to feed the hungry workers. Grateful for the food, Aiden sat down on the curb to eat. After a few minutes, he noticed that people near him were huddled in small groups and talking in low, angry voices.
“What’s going on?” he asked a woman angrily glaring at her phone.
“New video from that Iverson lady.”
She held out her phone for Aiden to see and hit the rewatch button.
A face Aiden recognized all too well filled the screen. His mouth immediately turned down in a frown of dislike.
“The so-called Playground has been allowed to fester with the sins of drugs and sex and gambling for entirely too long. It’s a poison to the Metropolitan area and should be shut down. Just last night there was a massive drunken brawl in which many people—most of them innocent bystanders—were seriously hurt. What other dangers will the people who succumb to working there face? What violence will the unwitting citizens tempted into visiting the Playground face? Shut the Playground down before anyone else gets hurt.”
The video stopped. Shaking his head in disbelief at what he’d just watched, Aiden thanked the woman for showing him. She moved a few feet away to join a group furiously discussing the video. Aiden listened to some of their conversation.
“I can’t believe this! Those white shirt punks did all this, but they’re putting the blame on us as an excuse to shut us down?”
“They can’t do that! We won’t let them.”
“We’re not bothering anyone. Why can’t they leave us alone?”
The mood on the street had sharpened, comradery and determination turning to anger and frustration.
Aiden was right there with them. Except, he also recognized the thinly veiled threat behind Iverson’s words. Someone elsewouldget hurt before this was all over.
The angry discussions continued, many wondering why they were under attack now when the Playground had thrived without incident for years.
Aiden’s phone beeped with a text notification. It was a message from his boss, Josephine.
Come by the club in twenty. We’re having a meeting.
He sent off a reply that he would be there. After finishing his sandwich, he helped clean for another ten minutes before making his way to the club.
At the Fox, the marquee was dark, the fox’s tail still. Inside, a small group of people had gathered. It was mostly owners from businesses in the Playground, as well as some of the veteran and prominent performers.
“Aiden, welcome.” Josephine greeted him. “We’re having a meeting to discuss the situation happening in our district.”
Aiden took a seat in one of the chairs arranged in a loose circle.
Josephine continued. “I asked you to come because I know a lot of our staff look up to you and you’ve been vocal and proactive in making sure everyone is being careful in regards to the muggings.”
“I’m happy to help in any way I can.”
They discussed everything that had happened over the last couple of months. Aiden shared what he could without revealing his secret identity. And it was too dangerous to name a man as a powerful as Pruitt without proof, but thanks to Alice Iverson’s interview, they knew thatsomeonewanted to shut them down. Eventually, the conversation turned to solutions.
“We need to do something to show that we’re not scared and that the Playground is here to stay no matter what.”
Aiden thought for a moment. “How about we get all the clubs and businesses involved for a big Playground wide outdoor festival? We can hold it over Halloween weekend, which is always a busy time for us.”
One of the club managers agreed. “That sounds perfect. But something like that will need lots of security.”
“We’ve got a good relationship with the local precinct but I don’t like the vibes of a large police presence in the Playground,” Josephine said. “Especially on a night that’s supposed to be all about fun.”
“Who else can we call on to help us?” a dancer asked.
Aiden smiled. “I know a group of people who would be perfect for the job. Have you heard of the Arch City Guardians?”
