William Monroe: The singer (Chapter 3)

Will walks up to the door of The Green Mill Cocktail Lounge and knocks firmly, the sound echoing in the dimly lit alley. After a moment, a small peephole opens in the door, and a pair of eyes peer out at him. Will can feel them studying him intently, sizing him up and assessing whether he's a threat. The stare seems to go on forever, and Will begins to feel a little uncomfortable under the weight of it. Finally, after what seems like an eternity, the door creaks open, revealing a sliver of light from inside the speakeasy. Will takes a deep breath and steps inside, ready for whatever may come his way. 

The bartender, a thin man with a pencil mustache, gives him a sly grin as he hands him the glass saying, "I don't sell drinks. I just rent glasses". Will can't help but chuckle at the man's quip, realizing that he's not here for the drinks, but for the information he hopes to find.

Will takes a deep sip of his whiskey, feeling the burn of the alcohol as he surveys the dimly lit bar. The Green Mill Cocktail Lounge is everything he imagined it to be - dark, smoky, and dangerous. He can feel the eyes of the other patrons on him, but he keeps his head down, trying to avoid drawing attention to himself.

As he sips his whiskey, he hears the sound of music starting up on the stage. He turns to see Anna Hanshaw, the famed singer he's heard so much about, making her way to the microphone. He checks the slip of paper in his pocket to confirm that he's in the right place: The Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, 4802 N Broadway.

Anna Hanshaw stands on the stage in the center of the speakeasy, bathed in the warm, golden light of the overhead lamps. She's dressed in a stunning red dress that hugs her curves and flows down to the floor, swaying gently with each step she takes. Her lush dark curly hair tumbles around her face and shoulders in wild, untamed waves, framing her pale skin and full red lips. She's a striking figure, and her sultry voice only adds to her allure.

The stage is a simple affair, with a single microphone stand at its center and a few instruments scattered around its edges. The walls behind Anna are adorned with intricate patterns of gold and green, reminiscent of the art nouveau style that was popular at the turn of the century. The room is dimly lit, with a warm glow emanating from the lamps overhead and the occasional flicker of a candle on one of the small round tables that dot the floor. The air is thick with the scent of cigarette smoke and alcohol, and the low murmur of conversation fills the space between songs.

Will can't help but watch her, mesmerized by her beauty and the sultry sound of her voice. But then she looks directly at him, and he feels a jolt of recognition. He quickly averts his gaze, not wanting to draw any unwanted attention to himself.

After her performance, Anna makes her way to the bar, and Will sees his opportunity to strike up a conversation.