As promised, here's your birthday present Marci.
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Ralph was in the middle of a fight at the bar of a restaurant, and kept cursing himself for not putting on the jammies.
He pushed a young woman out of the way of a chair being thrown, and just barely missed getting hit himself.
The young woman ran into the main part of the restaurant to get help, when Ralph turned around and saw a man go after him with a knife. He dodged the blow and punched him in the face.
Before he could turn, someone from behind swung a bottle to Ralph's head. The blow hit, dazing him, but he managed to grab the woman and reluctantly, punched her, knocking her out. Ralph caught the woman and laid her on the ground so she'd not get hurt, but as he stood up, everything went black and he crumpled to the floor...
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The first thing Ralph noticed as he regained consciousness was that he was lying on something soft... but not hearing any paramedics' voices. Opening his eyes, he found he was lying on a fainting couch in a parlor of some sort.
"How are you feeling Ralph?" said a soft voice to his right. Turning his head, Ralph saw Marcella Niobium sitting next to him in a chair. She had just dampened a cloth in a bowl of water, and started to dab his face again.
"Uh... OK I think. Weren't we in a barroom?"
"Well, if you're referring to that speakeasy Lauren had, yes we were," she said gently. "Mr. Maxwell wanted us to uh... 'smoke out' one of the owners and when we found him, there was a fight..."
Ralph groaned. "And I got hit over the head again huh?" he asked and Marci nodded.
"Yes, Mel. I can't believe she was able to hit you so hard with that bottle."
"Mel? Well, I have to admit I've had my share of bad women before, remember Lauren?"
"Yes, but like what you said you did to Lauren you knocked Mel out. Only this time, you then fell to the ground, unconscious. Anyway, Mr. Maxwell brought you over to my place so you could recover."
"So, where's Bi... uh William?"
"He had to go take the dame to jail," she said as Ralph sat up a bit and touched his head, wincing at the bruise. "He went out to get you some aspirin and more ice for a cold pack."
"Thanks," said Ralph as he looked at Marci. She was wearing a flapper outfit like the last time he saw her, only this time it was red. The hat she was wearing also made her red hair and green eyes stand out more...
Marci frowned when she saw Ralph's blush. "Ralph, are you well?" she said. "You look a little flushed."
"I'm fine Marci, uh... I was wondering, in a little while when I'm feeling better, would you like to go out with me to dinner?"
The young woman blushed slightly. "Sure Ralph... but how about we seal it with a kiss?"
Ralph chuckled and leaned over to kiss Marci just as he smelled a sharp odor...
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"Kid, c'mon wake up," said Bill as he put a packet of spirits of ammonia under Ralph's nose. He was already a bit upset that Ralph got caught in the middle of the fight without his suit on, but couldn't say anything as it was supposed to be "quiet."
Ralph stirred and groaned, coughing slightly. "Marci, do you know that perfume of yours smells like ammonia?"
"Uh Ralph, that'd be 'cause it is ammonia... and in ammonia spirits," kidded Bill as Ralph opened his eyes. Ralph noticed he was in the Emerald Lion, a 1920s themed restaurant
"Bill? What... ow," he said touching his head. "What did I hit this time?"
"A bottle... which hit ya," said Bill. "But we caught the dame who was sneaking bootleg into the drinks here. She's on her way to jail for that and hitting ya over the head."
"Mel?"
"Yep... how did you?"
"Never mind, you wouldn't believe me," said Ralph as the paramedics arrived and took him to the hospital. After a trip to the emergency room, Ralph found out it wasn't too serious and could go home... only if someone watched him overnight.
Bill offered to take Ralph back to his home to watch him for the night. As the two men went toward the car, a young woman wearing a red flapper outfit complete with hat and jeweled pin came up to them. "Mr. Hinkley, how are you feeling?" she asked.
Bill noticed Ralph's slight pallor and frowned. "Uh Kid... are ya dizzy there?" he asked. "Ya've met Marci Niobium before."
"No, fine Wi... uh Bill. And, yes I remember," he said, rolling his eyes slightly. "I'm fine Marci, just a sore head."
"I know what you mean. I was glad ya got Mel before you blacked out though. After she hit ya, she was turning to get me when you punched her."
"You're welcome, but I didn't like doing that," he said as he looked into her green eyes and looked at her in her outfit.
Seeing the look in Ralph's eyes, Bill just shook his head and walked off, waiting to see if Ralph was successful or got a slap in the face. He'd then know if he was needed or not.
Ralph ignored Bill's response and turned to Marci. "Say Marci, would you like to go get something to eat? I was going to have dinner when everything happened and..."
"Sure, I'd love to. How about my place?"
"Uh... sure, but can you tell me where so Bill can pick me up and take me back home? I have to stay up all night to make sure I don't have a concussion."
"Oh, don't worry, you can stay at my place, and we can chat all night," said Marci with a wink. Ralph, chuckling, offered her his arm and the two walked to the car.
Bill thought about the whole events that night, and realized a few thing that were similar to the last time Ralph had been in the Emerald Lion. The only difference was it wasn't a chandelier that fell on the man's head...
"Wait a second... Mel? How did he know Mel hitting him with a bottle before I told him?" said Bill, confused. "He was hit from behind and ... nah, if he tells me he knew from that dream of his..."
Bill only shook his head, and decided he'd go finish his report.