▶The Gilded Goblet
The Gilded Goblet. A brothel in Buffalo, New York known for its exquisite wines. This charming brothel pairs fine drinks with better companionship, drawing in travelers and merchants alike. Esmeralda von Krauss walks into the establishment in a low-cut red and black evening gown, looking more glamorous than the prostitutes waiting in the lounge for someone to pick them for the evening. She has a foot-long black and red cigarette holder with a lit imported Egyptian cigarette in it. She looks around at the gathered talent and a few men at the bar getting drinks.
Esmeralda von Krauss - Where is the person in charge, dahling? I need to speak with them.
Several of the hookers point to the bartender who is filling drinks. Esmeralda walks over to the bar and sits down at an empty barstool, waiting for the bartender to notice her.
The bartender finishes what she is doing and walks over to Esmeralda with a bright smile.
Bartender - I don’t think I’ve seen you in here before. You here to find work? You look a little too glam to really be here. Do you want company for the night? Take your pick amongst the girls in the lounge. They can’t wait to help you with whatever you need.
Esmeralda sweeps her gaze across the lounge where hookers and johns alike are taking notice of her. She gives them an imperious grin before turning back to the bartender.
Esmeralda von Krauss - I seek company tonight. I want all of the young women to come out here so I can speak with them.
Bartender - We have a few who are with guests right now so they will not be able to come out until their time is finished.
Esmeralda chuckles, taking another drag from her cigarette and flicking the ashes onto the floor. She reaches into her clutch and pulls out a roll of hundred dollar bills.
Esmeralda von Krauss - I just need a moment of their time before they can go back to what they were doing, dahling.
The bartender picks up the wad of cash and gives a greedy smile before looking to the door where a brute of a man sits on a stool and watches those who come in and those who look like trouble.
Bartender - Bruno. Round up the others. Tell the customers that we have to do a team meeting and they will get their girl back right afterward.
Bruno nods his head and disappears behind a curtain down the hallway to gather the whores who are with customers. In about ten minutes, he returned with ten more hastily dressed young women. Esmeralda looks at the gathered girls, who all look at her with curious expressions. Esmeralda sees what she is looking for. Bruises, scars, and covering make up hiding more secrets.
Esmeralda von Krauss - I have heard tales of this place. They would have you think that they pass much of the earnings on to their workers, but they do not. They allow the clientele to hurt them. Then, once a week, they hurt them in order to get out whatever secrets that the clientele may have told them so that they can carry out some blackmail. The workers are paid a pittance and then charged for everything, leaving them in debt so that they can go nowhere else.
She sweeps her gaze across the gathered whores and sees only truth in her words reflected back at her in grim acceptance. The bartender slaps her hand down on the bar with a smack.
Bartender - If you’re not going to pick a girl, you are going to need to leave. You can’t be speaking to them like that!
Esmeralda just takes another drag from her cigarette and laughs.
Esmeralda von Krauss - I cannot give them truths? I cannot offer them a better life?
The bartender narrows her eyes.
Bartender - You trying to steal the whores who work here for Madame Lussier? And what kind of whore life are you offering? The same beatdowns, the same secret stealing. Bruno? Get this bitch out of here.
Esmeralda von Krauss - I promise you, Bruno. Make a single move against me and you will not live to regret it.
Bruno takes a few steps toward her.
Bruno - Ok. It’s time you left. You are creating a ruckus that is not acceptable.
Esmeralda does not speak, but moves. Faster than one would think possible, she flicks an upholstery needle at Bruno. It neatly pieces his Adam's apple and sinks in far enough to bisect his spinal cord. He drops to the floor like a puppet with cut strings. He struggles to breathe, but the paralysis is so complete that the important things like breathing and heart pumping don’t get their signals. He dies within seconds.
Esmeralda looks upon the gathered whores who look like they are breathing a collective sigh of relief at seeing one of their tormentors slain before their eyes.
Esmeralda von Krauss - I offer a different life. One where you will never have to debase yourself again. I operate the Order of Justice, an organization that takes down criminals and monsters. You have been oppressed by monsters for far too long. Come join me and train to become a Judge. Execute those who would oppress the lives of others. I will pay you far more for this than you will ever get paid for lying on your back. And all I ask is that you deal with ten targets for me and then…you are free to live your life. Who amongst you wishes to deal your own fate?
All twenty whores raise their hands and shout to the positive. The prospective johns find themselves kicked out of the building where they go quickly as to not share Bruno’s fate. The bartender screeches.
Bartender - When Madame Lussier finds out about this treachery? She will have you all killed! She will have me killed! You bitch, you have ruined my life!
The bartender takes a swing at Esmeralda, but she just catches the wrist with her free hand. She turns over the bartender’s arm as casually as one might turn a baby’s arm. She uses the hand holding the cigarette holder to sweep back the cuff of her long sleeve shirt and reveals deep bruising. Esmeralda gives her a pitying look.
Esmeralda von Krauss - You have been defending these girls against the worst of the abuses from management. You’ve been punished as a result. Do not wait here for some Madame’s wrath. Join me and you can lead these girls. Join me and you will be rewarded for your loyalty to them. You don’t have to suffer anymore.
The bartender cries as Esmeralda releases her. A few of the whores move to behind the bar to comfort her.
Bartender - You would do that for me? Madame Lussier is a monster. She has ruined the lives of girls and clients for years.
Esmeralda von Krauss - Then, I will train you all and together, you will end her reign of terror. Will you join me? Will you all?
Cheering fills the room and Esmeralda drops her cigarette butt to the floor and crushes it out with her foot.
Esmeralda von Krauss - Then, as my newest Judges, you will become my Valkyries and slay the enemies of Justice.
Later, Esmeralda von Krauss is in the back of a limo on her way to the hotel that she has rented out an entire floor for her and her new Valkyries. She has a newly lit Egyptian cigarette and is smoking while she rides in the car, smoke drifting up out of the open sun roof.
Esmeralda von Krauss - My first solo match here in the other CWF and I got the new World champion in the ring. Congrats should be said, Gordy King. You saved the life of a murderer when you defeated the clown. It is what it is. I was going to kill him if he won, but it was just not in the cards. You know?
She takes another drag from her cigarette in the black and red foot long cigarette holder and flicks the ashes onto the floor of the limo.
Esmeralda von Krauss - I hear that you are a man who becomes interesting once the bell rings to start the match. You become a man who fights as if possessed. I like it. I also fight like a demon and considering that by now I am likely more demon than human by now, it is an apt description. You will have just me in the ring, Gordy. Me to focus on. Me to damage. I will just have you in the ring with me instead of dealing with a bunch of other people in the ring who are all trying to eliminate me. I think the advantage goes to me in this instance.
She takes a final drag from her cigarette and flicks the cigarette straight up and out through the sun roof.
Esmeralda von Krauss - You have an interesting style. A hybrid of brawler, powerhouse, and technician. Far too spread out for your training to bring you to the inner secrets of each style. I am a striker myself with a few technical moves. You bring power? I bring power bought by souls over the past…a lady never reveals her age. I have more power than you will know what to do with, Gordy. I will strike you down and twist you into a shape ill fitting of you staying alive unless you submit. I will go through the process of defeating you and earning a title shot down the road. By the time that the rumble winner gets their shot, they will be facing me in the ring.
Esmeralda sets her cigarette holder to the side and pours herself a whiskey on the rocks, using polished black stones that were kept in a freezer. She takes a sip of the whiskey with a smile.
Esmeralda von Krauss - It is good that my talent has been recognized and I am given an opponent that is worthy of my skills. I eliminated some valuable people in the rumble…or so I was told. I have earned this non-title match with the World champion.
She takes a sip of her whiskey, sighing in a contented sort of way as the drink warms her insides and soothes her soul.
Esmeralda von Krauss - Gordy King. We are going to have a great match that the critics will think to be one of the greatest that this company has ever seen. No matter how great the match is, we know who amongst us is going to win. When I have my hand raised, I will of course, give praise to you for being a worthy opponent to push me to my limits. That will not stop me from crushing you underfoot as best as I can. It will not stop me from giving you a defeat that you will look back upon for decades after the match is over.
Esmeralda drains her glass and sets the glass back up where she got it from and refills it.
Esmeralda von Krauss - I am the future of this company. Gordy King, prepare yourself…