WC Entry June 2nd

         Trouble and me, we're old buddies, you see? So when I'm sitting at my favorite outdoor cafe, minding my own business and I happen to see Trouble (with a capital "T") heading right for my little table, I just gotta give it my full attention. It didn't hurt that today trouble was a mousey little brunette with distress written a little too clearly on her face. She arrived at the same time as my Earl Grey, so I took that as a good sign. Trouble slipped into the rickety metal chair opposite me at the table. I gave her a polite smile and lifted my tea from the table.
         "Are you Eleanor Finch?" Her breathless voice had an adorable lilt to it. I put the cup to my lips and inhaled the tea's aroma. This cafe has a special house blend, it's all I crave when I'm in town. The bergamot the cafe uses gives it a hint of refreshing citrus which perfectly compliments the tea's smooth flavor. The young woman shot a nervous glance back in the direction from which she had come, and repeated the question. I took a slow sip, letting the hot beverage slip over my tongue as I gave her a quick once over. She was young 20-something, flawless skin, though oddly pale for this time of year, soft hands that had never seen a day of labor. Her clothing was tailored and relaxed, the jewelry on her wrist and fingers was pretty high-end looking. This wasn't a girl who shopped at Macy's. My guess was a rich kid, maybe the daughter of somebody important - a diplomat's daughter if I was lucky. I'm never that lucky. She was, however, just about my perfect type. I'm not that lucky either.
         "I'm Finch, if you can afford it." She smacks an unruly wad of Franklins down on the table and catches my gaze with big beautiful brown eyes. I forget my tea for a moment, I can always order another later. "Okay, I'm Finch and I'm listening." and trying my best not to stare.
         "I'm being chased, I need protection. I was told you could help me." She's panting, the look of increasing panic on her face tells me that time is ticking away. She glances down the street again, and this time I follow her gaze and see what she's afraid of. A gorilla in a suit and sunglasses is barreling his way through the pedestrians, heading right for the cafe. "Please..." her voice pleads, "...help me."
         "Hold onto that money, I'll be right back." Of course I'm going to help; Trouble's a buddy, and you never leave a buddy hangin. I stood up and unbuttoned my jacket. I needed to be loose for this confrontation. I hadn't been expecting a scuffle today, so I'd packed light, no piece in a shoulder holster, only a small popgun at my ankle and a short blade at my waist. I hoped I didn't need either.
         I met King Kong at the edge of the cafe, a moment after his beady little eyes had zeroed in on my new client still sitting at my table. I doubt my presence would have registered in his tiny brain if I hadn't stepped directly into his path. "Hey pal, I don't think the girl's your type, ya know?"
         A huge meaty hand brushed mine from his shoulder. "Lady, mind your business." He gave me a little shove and was about to move around me, but stepped into his path again.
         "Hey pal, I'm just trying to help you out a bit. She's not into you, In fact the little lady's with me today." He nearly caught me off guard with a swift punch, I bobbed backwards just in time, but he moved fast for a mountain of meat. The next punch I was ready for and ducked under it, my open palm shot up under his chin so hard that I heard his teeth champ together as his head snapped back. I had agility against his strength, and I ducked under his right fist again as he took a blind swing. I had to end this fast, one lucky hit and he could put me into the pavement. I don't move that fast on the ground. I hooked his right arm in mine as his momentum carried him past me, and pivoted on my right foot, kicking my left into the back of his knee. He went down hard, smacking his forehead into a table, it's occupants scurried away to a far corner of the cafe, frightened, but not too scared to pull out their phones and record the next hit Youtube video.
         He was dazed, but not out of the fight, I put my knee into his back and put all my weight into snapping his arm back until I heard an audible pop. The goon shrieked, I had to give him that, I knew it had to hurt like a bitch. I gave him a kick forward and he smacked his head on the table again, this time toppling it and its contents over on him as he slumped to the ground with a dull thud.
         I smoothed my jacket, gave a quick dust-off to my pants and looked around. Didn't have to be a genius to know I wasn't going to be welcome back here for a while.
         The mousey brunette was still in her seat at my table, her demeanor cool and calm, a complete 180 from a few moments ago. I can't say I was surprised, it had all been a little to convenient. She caught me with those brown eyes again and regarded me with a cool smile as she took a sip of my tea. "Well Miss Finch as I said, I need your help. Since it appears that I just had a bodyguard position open up, would you be interested?"
         It looked like trouble and me were gonna be hanging out for a while.