Page 95 - The Jazzsipper Novel

94

THE JAZZ SIPPER

secret Filipino Loan Bank. Dino had a friend that was assigned to the
Captain’s Staff aboard the ship. It was considered to be the best assignment
you could have; the top of crop, a very elite assignment. Dino’s friend was
called “The Cat”. Vance liked his nickname The Cat, it reminded him of the
nickname Jazz Cat, which Jazz historians said came from the Jazz musicians
in New Orleans. Because back in the day that’s where jazz musicians used
to play; in the New Orleans famous cathouses, which were brothels,
establishments specifically dedicated to prostitution.

“The Cat”, knew everyone onboard ship and everything that was happing
on ship. He had all the news, where the ship’s next port of call would be and
how much food the ship had in storage. He had all the top-secret information
about the ship’s missions. You name it “The Cat”, knew about it, he even knew
who most of the gamblers, alcoholics, druggies, dope dealers and thieves
were aboard ship. He knew all the gambling spots onboard ship; he knew the
ship social environment like the back of his hand.

When Vance first met him he was amazed about all the stuff the “The Cat,”
knew even about him. He knew that Vance was heavy into jazz, which took
Vance by surprise. Vance did not comment but he began to watch “The Cat”
and Dino interactions very carefully. At that time he heard Ben’s voice, ‘see
the angles Vance, see the angles’. That is when he noticed the mannerisms
of “The Cat” and Dino. They were homeboys, gang members. At first Vance
was shock, he could not stay focused, and he kept asking himself how he
could not know that Dino and “The Cat” were in the same gang, homeboys.
“The Cat” was a higher-ranking member. Vance tried to remember every
interaction he had with Dino, but he could not remember Dino ever mentioning
that he was a gang-banger. Dino always claimed that he was a hustler from