InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "It was love to me."

Neal Caffrey (classicratpack) wrote,
@ 2011-09-18 20:57:00

Neal had just gotten out of the shower, looking around for BB as he toweled off. "Hey. You need me to help at all with anything for tonight?" They were going to a restaurant with Peter and El, plus Peter's academy buddy and his fiancee. They'd originally been headed to London, but apparently the academy buddy - what was his name again? - had a young kid, and it wasn't that easy to entertain when you had a young kid. Neal wasn't thrilled about the prospect, but he'd decided to be nice. With BB's taste in restaurants, the food would be good. And besides, maybe he could get some good dirt about Peter, if he played his cards right.

(Post a new comment)

folleconnasse
2011-09-19 02:20 am UTC (link)

BB was finishing getting dressed in front of his mirror when Neal called out to her. "Nope, I'm all set, I just have to go pick up something downtown, but I'll be back in an hour or so. Don't get dressed yet." She adjusted the collar of her jacket and then adjusted her stockings. It was the closest thing she had to a suit. Ducking her head into the bathroom, she kissed Neal on the mouth before tugging on her shoes and going outside to get a cab.

(Reply to this)

	classicratpack 2011-09-19 02:34 am UTC (link)
	"Okay." Neal smiled, kissing her back, amused. "But it's no fun sitting here naked if you're not home." (Reply to this)

	folleconnasse 2011-09-19 02:39 am UTC (link)
	"I'll be back in plenty of time for that, baby." She grinned and nibbled his lower lip a little before moving to nick one of his hats. It didn't take her long to get a cab, and she was glad that traffic was light. When she got out, she tipped generously, walking up to press the buzzer that would grant her entrance into Mr. Epstein's place of business. (Reply to this)

classicratpack
2011-09-19 03:44 am UTC (link)

As usual, the tailor was buried under a pile of fabric bolts and scribbles. "I don't usually do ladies' clothes," he called when he heard her heels, "so unless you are here for your husband, I may not be able to help you. Nu, ladies are difficult to please, at least for the most part!"

When he extricated himself, though, Epstein did blink at the fashion plate in his establishment. "Though I cannot cut clothing for you without some serious inducement, I would still love to make your acquaintance, you understand." He took her hand and kissed it. "Aron Epstein, tailor, haberdasher, cranky old Jew. Let me guess, with that hat in your hand - you can't possibly belong to Mister Caffrey?"

(Reply to this)

folleconnasse
2011-09-19 03:49 am UTC (link)

BB had taken her hat off when she entered the room, smiling at him and waiting for him to manage to escape the impending collapse. "I do, and I was wondering if that suit I'd requested was ready." She grinned at him, shaking her head. "We've got a dinner party we're going to, and he's going to complain the entire night. I figured that if I got him something shiny, he'd be distracted enough to make it a few hours without incident."

(Reply to this)

classicratpack
2011-09-19 03:55 am UTC (link)

Epstein grinned. "Spoken like a lady who knows her man inside and out, though I don't need to hear about the inside, as God is my witness! The suit is ready." He disappeared for a moment into what looked like a hole in the wall, then came out with the finished product on two clothes hangers. "I even tossed in the pocket silk." He'd paired the black suit with a blue pocket square that he knew would match Caffrey's eyes. "You think this will satisfy him, the edel mensch?"

(Reply to this)

folleconnasse
2011-09-19 04:02 am UTC (link)

She couldn't help but laugh when he went into the back. She cooed when she saw the lining of the jacket. "Oh, you didn't have to. You talk about him like he's mishpocheh, which is enough for me." She smiled broadly, examining the suit. "God, your drop stitches are so perfect. I know you do them by hand, but god, it's hard to tell. You're an angel." She smiled and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek.

(Reply to this)

classicratpack
2011-09-19 04:11 am UTC (link)

Epstein laughed, wagging one finger at her. "You. You, I like." He had to almost bend double to let her kiss him, but it was sweet and he clearly did like her. "Mr. Caffrey is one of my best customers, but eh. He's a good man, for a gentile. He's what we call a yiddisher kop; a good head on his shoulders." He started to box up the suit, laying it carefully inside. "If he's a ganef, he's a good one and a gentleman. It's why I didn't like him bringing that shmuck Burke here. Oh." He disappeared again for a moment, coming back out with another box. "Speaking of said shmuck. You know him?"

(Reply to this)

	folleconnasse 2011-09-19 04:17 am UTC (link)
	"He's very clever, and he is a good one." She couldn't help but laugh when he called Burke a schmuck. "Peter's a sweetheart. He looks out for Neal. Because even Neal runs out of glick once in a while." She looked at Peter's suit, shaking her head incredulously. "Peter will want to come over here and kiss you too." (Reply to this)

classicratpack
2011-09-19 04:23 am UTC (link)

"I'll pass." Epstein couldn't stop himself from making a face. "But if you know him, could you take him this? Mister Caffrey bought it as a gift. I even put in extra room for that fershtunkener holster - ruins my lines, but I guess if it's part of your work." He gestured at the suit coat, clearly displeased, but he'd done what the customer asked. "I don't like cops. But I'll serve him if you and Mister Caffrey vouch for the shmendrick."

(Reply to this)

folleconnasse
2011-09-19 04:32 am UTC (link)

"Peter's a wonderful man. Don't worry, he's not going to go digging into your past. And even if he does, I have a friend who can get rid of it for you. I'll even make sure he does it for free. But I could be wrong, look at me, being a little yenta." She winked at him, taking the suit. Motioning him to her purse, she smiled. "And don't you make the price for these lower, you take what we agreed to on the phone. You rushed Neal's out, so you're getting double your usual rate. Period."

(Reply to this)

classicratpack
2011-09-19 04:38 am UTC (link)

Epstein wrote her out the bill of sale, handing it over. "I hope your eyes are good; the handwriting isn't what it used to be. I used to have my wife, aleiha ha sholem, may she rest in peace, write 'em out, but she's gone nine years next month. Still, I manage." He mustered a smile, inclining his head to BB. "You, get lost, I have work to do. A gezunt af dein kop, to you and yours. And if you're one of our People, with your Yiddish, I can say you could do worse for a shaygetz than Mister Caffrey. Now, out."

(Reply to this)

folleconnasse
2011-09-19 04:49 am UTC (link)

BB scanned the check and rounded up, handing him a wad of cash. "Don't you give me back any of that, just take it as the tip it is. And if I meet any gorgeous girls, I'll give them your number. I don't doubt you manage. Khein geit iber shein, but you have both." Winking at him, she bowed her head as well. "Not one of yours, but don't worry, I'll be back. I like spoiling that man of mine." She collected her purse before taking the two suit boxes and hailing another cab back home.

(Reply to this)

	classicratpack 2011-09-19 05:29 am UTC (link)
	Neal, true to his word, had been lazing around in his robe until BB got home. He'd lain out a suit to wear, but he had a sneaking suspicion of where she'd been when she got in the door smelling like mothballs. "You went to my guy?" He stood up to greet her, an expression of mock outrage on his face. (Reply to this)

	folleconnasse 2011-09-19 05:34 am UTC (link)
	She smiled, shrugging her shoulders. "I got Aron to make you something on the quick. You're the bottom box. Peter's is done too, if you hurry, we have time to shag and run his over too." She waggled her eyebrows, grinning at him. (Reply to this)

classicratpack
2011-09-19 05:39 am UTC (link)

Neal opened his box, shaking his head, grinning as he lifted out the suit jacket. "BB. It's amazing." This, in a nutshell, was why he kept going to the old Jew. "How fast did he do this? It looks factory made." Exactly in the style he liked, tapered, fitted, single breasted, the right lapels, everything. He kissed her, pulling her gently down next to him. "I feel like I should try this on, even though I know I probably don't need to." They really should get Peter's finished suit over to him; he'd dress like a rube in front of his old academy buddy, if they didn't. But still. Her offer was hard to turn down.

(Reply to this)

	folleconnasse 2011-09-19 05:44 am UTC (link)
	"Isn't that lining gorgeous? He only took three days." BB couldn't keep from smiling when she saw his eyes light up from joy, as well as the blue of the suit. Giggling, she sat down by him. "You don't need to try it on, and Peter's is gorgeous too." She swung herself into his lap, her tweed skirt pooling over her legs. (Reply to this)

	classicratpack 2011-09-19 06:08 am UTC (link)
	"We should get it to him." Neal murmured, but he didn't move, instead going for another kiss. "I mean, he should make a good impression." Then again, he could make snide comments about Peter's suits, if they didn't give him this one until the dinner had started. (Reply to this)

	folleconnasse 2011-09-19 03:39 pm UTC (link)
	BB sighed, nibbling his ear. "You're so terribly mean. Well, I'm already set, you get into your suit." She smirked, rolling off of him and crossing her legs. (Reply to this)

	classicratpack 2011-09-19 04:00 pm UTC (link)
	Neal sighed. "Fine." He rose, taking off his robe and starting to put on the suit. He couldn't help but be happy; the thing fit him perfectly, as usual. The cut was beautiful and even the pocket silk worked. "What a genius." (Reply to this)

	folleconnasse 2011-09-19 04:14 pm UTC (link)
	"You're welcome. I picked out the colors, so there." She watched him put the suit on, sighing a little to herself. "You don't look good in seafoam, it has to be perfect royal blue." (Reply to this)

	classicratpack 2011-09-19 08:46 pm UTC (link)
	Neal smiled, looking down at the arms, the perfect way they fit. "I'll take your word. I just know that blue's kind of my color." He donned his favorite hat, the Devore; basic vintage black went with anything. "I can't promise I won't pull you away from the table during dinner, you know." (Reply to this)