Diamond Jim’s Speakeasy was a little known but still popular spot in Oed’s Plaza Exchange; the open air market surrounded on all four sides by six and eight story buildings that also were part of the Exchange. Here one could buy almost anything (legal and not-so-much)… if one knew who to ask and how to ask them.

The Speakeasy’s door was set facing out of one of the buildings. The door was constantly closed, and there was always a guard. As reputable as an establishment as it was, the Exchange was no stranger to trouble. Patrons stopped at the door and asked to be let in. The place was exclusive, and if the guard didn’t know you and you weren’t expected… good luck getting in.

For those that were allowed, the door opened not to a restaurant… but to a flight of stairs. ‘Inside’ the stairs went steeply down for about ten meters and opened into a large space filled with tables, booths, a massive bar set on a raised section in the middle of the place, and a stage. The air was filled constantly with the aroma of fresh cooked food and exotic spirits, and the place was almost always busy… but not full. Here and there would be a couple or an individual, and for the most part it was quiet; only the subdued conversations and the tinkling of dishware to be heard. The place was lit, but not too brightly, by sconces and shaded lights hanging from the ceiling. The tables and booths were just far enough apart to allow for private conversation. The bar was magnificent; marble topped on all four sides with brass and copper accents. The center of the bar was a massive four-sided terraced display of spirits from all the known corners of the galaxy… and some not known by many. Tall chairs with backs lined all four sides, and two bartenders tended to the libation needs of the guests.

But for as selective as the place was, tonight was different. Tonight there was a show on the stage, and word had spread quickly that a new performer would be making their Oed V debut. He was a human, and he sang an old Earth style of music called ‘Country’. Apparently the word got out when someone who was dining while he was auditioning for the Speakeasy’s owner started raving about it. The demand for tables the night he was to perform was the most the Speakeasy had had since the former owner had.... well… ‘negotiated an alternative employment’… with the Colonial Customs and Defense Agency after a complete and utter misunderstanding about several (dozen) customs violations. It was going to be a good night for the place… if the show was good, that is.

Diamond Jim’s Speakeasy