The Golden Room

'Be honest with me.'

'Like all politicians, I need contributions – cash donations – to be used to inform the electorate about my platform.'

'You tell me how much,' said Armbruster. 'I'm prepared to help.'

Harrison coughed. 'I… actually I don't deal in campaign contributions directly. I have two aldermen who run my campaign. One is John Coughlin.' The mayor gave an embarrassed laugh. 'He's more familiarly known as Bathhouse John, because he owned a Turkish bathhouse before venturing into politics. His partner is Michael Kenna, also an alderman, better known as Hinky Dink, because of his short stature.

They're very astute men. They're the men to see. They'll know what I could use, and how it might best be spent.'

'Where do I contact them?' Armbruster asked.

'Give me your card. I'll have one of them telephone you. They'll set a date to meet with you anywhere at your convenience.'

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 Kenna – Bathhouse John and Hinky Dink – and met them in one of the private rooms reserved for members in the Chicago Club.

Armbruster observed that the pair looked like scoundrels. Coughlin wore a pompadour, long sideburns, a moustache, and was almost as beefy as Armbruster himself. Kenna was a glum little man, less flamboyant than his partner – and clearly the brains of the pair. Armbruster told himself no matter that they resembled pirates; if they were good enough for the mayor, they were good enough for him.

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

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

Kenna spoke up. 'Nothing in politics can be guaranteed, Mr Armbruster. But we can do our best.'

'How much do you need?' inquired Armbruster.

Coughlin came forward on the sofa where he sat with Kenna. 'Let me explain the realities of the situation,' said Coughlin. 'The mayor can hold his own throughout the city. Where he is less popular is in the First Ward, which Hinky Dink and I represent. The First Ward is the Levee – where houses of prostitution are presently flourishing. With the" proper handling, we can still turn the First Ward around, and that could ensure the mayor's election.'

'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,' Kenna piped up. 'They'll all owe us, and will be looking for more of the same in the future. They'll vote for Harrison, all right.'

Armbruster peeled and clipped an Uppmann cigar. Coughlin bent over to light it. Armbruster inhaled and exhaled a cloud of smoke. 'How much?' he asked.

Coughlin glanced at Kenna, who also leaned forward. '$15,000 cash should do it.'

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

'That's a lot of votes,' said Kenna.

'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 Kenna received a telephone call from Minna Everleigh.

'Bathhouse,' Minna said, 'Aida and I want to see you and Hinky Dink as soon as possible. We have some business to discuss.'

'How soon?' asked Coughlin.

'Right now,' said Minna.

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

A half-hour later, Coughlin and Kenna were seated on a gold divan in Minna's beloved Gold Room, with Minna and Aida on a divan across from them.

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

'Haven't the faintest idea,' said Coughlin innocently. 'But if we can be of service in any way -'

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

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

Minna rose and poured champagne for Coughlin and Kenna, then for Aida and herself.

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 Kenna. 'He's going after the entire Levee, not just you.'

'Nonsense,' snapped Minna. 'There may be 200 brothels in the area, but you know and I know Harrison is after only one. He's been very open about that in all his speeches. He wants to shut down the Everleigh Club because it is the best-known sporting house in the city, the country, the world. He wants to make an example of us. We don't intend to let him do that. We want him beaten in this election. We want Stewart to beat him.' Her voice rose. 'You hear me – Aida and I cannot allow Harrison to be elected.'

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

'Oh, come on,' said Minna with exasperation. 'We know you two have the First Ward in your pocket. If you can get your army here to vote against Harrison, he'll be licked.'

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

Minna put down her glass. 'We want you to do what you've done for years. Buy the votes. Buy votes against Harrison.'

'That takes considerable money,' said Coughlin.

'How much?' demanded Minna, aiming her question at Kenna. 'How much will it cost us to stay in business?'

'$15,000 cash on the line today,' said Kenna.

Minna whistled. 'That's a lot.'

'You're asking a lot,' said Kenna smoothly.

Minna's eyes went from Coughlin to Kenna. Finally, she said. 'No. You're skimming too much off the top for yourselves. Aida and I will offer you $10,000.'

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

Kenna stared down at the carpet. He murmured, 'Well, of course, Minna and Aida are old friends.'

'Okay,' said Coughlin, meeting Minna's gaze. 'I guess $10,000 could do the job.'

Minna broke into a smile and picked up her glass. 'It's a deal.' She swallowed her champagne. 'Let's go to the study and we'll give you the money.'

John Coughlin and Michael Kenna did not discuss the newest deal they had made until they were safe in the confines of their City Hall alcove.

Seated, they both loosened their collars as Kenna poured two whiskies. 'Quite a day,' Kenna said.

'Productive,' said Coughlin.

Kenna sat down again with his whisky and drank it. 'Okay, Bathhouse, how do we do it?'

'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 Minna and Aida after Harrison wins. We'll elect the mayor, which will make our meat-packer happy. But we won't let Harrison shut down the Everleigh Club. That way, both sides get what they want.'

Kenna squirmed. 'Sounds impossible.'