The Engine What Runs the World: Chapter 2, Page 2 (Unedited)

Marla opened the door, “Mister Callahan, please come in.”

The male servant came in at Smoke’s side as he entered the household. “You jacket and hat sir?” he said in his soft voice.
Smoke didn’t want the kid to get in any sort of trouble so he obliged the servant. People from the tower were reputable for getting rid of servants, even if the fault was with the guest. The removal of his jacket and hat was to show to the servant Smoke had his interests in mind. He didn’t want to be rid of his personal effects, but he could do without them as well. He pulled the closeglass, voice imager, and a small onionskin notebook. He stealthily watched for Marla’s reaction as he removed the effects from his pockets and gave the servant his jacket and hat. Her demeanor was calm and remained unchanged to the untrained eye. He noticed her small and swift furrowing of her brow and the tips of her mouth move from a slight smile to a mild frown and back in the matter of moments. She didn’t think much of him and seemed inwardly disappointed he hadn’t caused any faux pas as of yet.

Marla smiled slightly as she asked, “Can I get you something to drink mister Callahan?”

Smoke shook his head, “No thank you. I should start my investigation. If you could lead me to her room I-”

“That can wait,” she said a little more forcibly, “Come, I want to speak with you first and foremost.”

Smoke shrugged and followed Marla towards a study that dwarfed his entire house. She approached a wooden counter showing several decanters filled with varying styles of alcohol. He pressed his lips together and took in a deep breath from his nose. This was going to be a test of some sort. It wasn’t one he was familiar with and as such wouldn’t know what to do at any given moment. Marla poured a golden brown liquid into two tumbler glasses with two cubes of ice. She handed him one of the glasses and watched for his reaction.

He passed the glass under his nose and covertly sniffed the liquid for any noticeable traces of poisons or concoctions. All he could smell was the strong odor of the whiskey. He knew his suspicions towards a possible poisoning had been unfounded, but the test had been a force of habit from his early years. He gave Marla a coy smile before taking a sip from the tumbler glass. The taste of the whiskey was exquisite, the best he’d ever had. He wasn’t surprised a rich family had good whiskey, but that such a taste could even exist in a whiskey.

Marla laughed as he inadvertently sighed in pleasure, “It is good,” was all she said before taking a sip from her own glass.

“I apologize,” Smoke said trying to hide is embarrassment, “I don’t typically lose myself so quickly and easily.”