June 18, 1943 - Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York City.
It was nighttime, but the bright lights of the city made it feel like daylight. Rows of shiny new cars lined the street as a military Jeep rattled down the road. Tommy glanced at the people passing by, dressed in their finest, and then down at his own military uniform.
He muttered, "Should've worn a suit."
The lights from the buildings blurred in his vision, and he found himself drifting into thought.
"Colonel, we're here," came a voice, snapping him back to reality.
He turned to see Duffy peering out the window, eyes fixed on the bar outside with surprise. The bar's warm glow reflected on Duffy's face. Tommy clapped the sergeant's shoulder and said, "Appreciate the ride, Sergeant."
"Nice bar you've got, Colonel. Didn't know you came from money," Duffy remarked, still staring at the bar in wonder.
Tommy chuckled as he stepped out of the Jeep, "Rich, eh?"
"You could say that." Tommy lit a cigarette, taking a long drag as he looked up at the bar. He exhaled slowly and added, "In a few months, Sergeant, I might be richer than I can spend in a lifetime."
It was crazy to think about. He could always live comfortably enough on his military salary, but now, with the bar, things were about to change. He never would have imagined that a random meeting with a fucking bum could lead him here.
The bar was one thing; it could be quite profitable since the markup was crazy when he had a casino rolling. And then there was the Blue Sky at the church, praying. The only problem was getting enough people in and stabilizing his presence around the neighborhood.
"Haha, that must've been great." Duffy pointed to a corner. "I'll park the Jeep just over there, Colonel. Holler when you're ready."
He quietly looked at Duffy before a smile tugged at his lips. Tommy took a drag of his cigarette before taking another out from his pack and offering it to the sergeant as he asked, "You from Queens, Sergeant?"
"Thank you, Colonel." Duffy took the cigarette with a nod. "Yes, sir. Just a few blocks down."
"Go see your family tonight, Sergeant. I'll be staying here."
Tommy saw Polly walking out of the bar and stood there. She shot him a glare as he exhaled the cigarette. Looking at her tired eyes, Tommy knew he owed it to her. All the staff and employees they had hired were all here today.
"I appreciate that, sir, but Colonel Chester gave strict instru—"
"What's your job, Sergeant? Follow my orders, isn't it?"
"...Yes, sir."
Without another word, Tommy turned and headed toward the bar. He heard the Jeep rumble as it started rattling away. But his eyes were still on Polly as he greeted, "You seem in good spirits, Polly."
"Good spirits? I haven't had a wink of sleep since yesterday, Tommy. 'Good' ain't the word for it," she snorted, taking a drag from her cigar. She glanced toward the Jeep rattling off down the street and asked, "That fella with you? Doesn't look like one of yours."
Tommy took a slow drag of his cigarette, watching the Jeep disappear around the corner. He'd noticed how stiff Duffy had been around him at first as if half-expecting to get punched like Arthur once did. But he'd loosened up, just a bit.
Tommy turned back to Polly and replied, "Not yet."
Polly raised an eyebrow, gave a small huff, and headed into the bar. Tommy followed, asking, "How's that thing I asked you?"
As they walked in, Tommy was greeted with the sight of the lively bar. It was still empty, to say the least; they had no customers yet. But there were workers. The bar counter was also empty the last time he was here, but he saw a bartender standing behind the counter.
Tommy also noticed some other workers in impeccable suits. He knew everyone they hired was either a discharged veteran or someone Polly knew from around the neighborhood.
They all straightened their backs at his presence as he nodded at them. Polly brought him into the casino. A few workers from the bar followed closely, taking their places around the room.
Tommy looked over the rest of his workers, all gathered and waiting for him. 'Seems like I was a bit late.'
"You pulled strings to get John discharged, and you weren't even worried about him. Only care 'bout the business," she snorted as they made their way up to a small platform.
Tommy's gaze swept across the crowd, landing on Arthur, standing near the back with his arms crossed. Then, he spotted John, bruised and battered, one eye swollen blue, an arm strapped tightly to his side. The sight made Tommy chuckle.
He shook his head, "He made his own bed, Polly. Johnny wanted this; now he's got to see it through."
"Yeah, well, where d'ya think he got the idea?" Polly replied before stepping into the crowd.
Tommy didn't ask about the thing he asked Polly to do; he knew Polly well enough that she'd take care of it. Stepping to the platform, he felt all eyes on him as he smiled, "Alright, pay attention, lads."
"Plenty of familiar faces here, all standing tall. Some of you lot know Polly, and the rest of you, well—" he let a chuckle slip, "I know what you're thinkin'. It's just a casino, right? A place for folks to win or lose their wages. But you lot, you've seen the real world—be it in the streets or back in the trenches. You know how fast it can swallow a man whole. But in here..."
Pointing with his hand, Tommy added, "In here, we call the shots. We set the rules. And when it's time to collect, we're the ones doin' the collecting."
Sounds of people clapping their hands started filling the casino as Tommy raised his hand, making it quiet. He stubbed out his cigarette before taking another; everyone waited patiently as he lit it up, exhaling the smoke slowly, making it curl.
As he did, a familiar face approached the platform. It was Ben, one of the old soldiers from Tunisia, carrying a glass of wine. Ben handed it to him carefully as he thanked him, "Appreciate it, Ben."
"At your service, sir." That response brought a smile to his face. "Ease up, boys! No need for all that stiff-neck nonsense. You're outta uniform now, and I ain't no lieutenant colonel. Name's Thomas Shelby—"
His voice grew louder as he raised the glass high, "This ain't the army. You're standin' in our house now."
"Welcome to the Peaky Blinders!"
The room burst into cheers as Tommy took a sip from his glass. With a cigarette in hand, he drew in another puff, letting them enjoy the moment before speaking again, "Tonight's the big night, lads! The grand opening!"
"Just for the important ones—those who matter, the ones that'll help us anchor our place in this town. By dawn, they'll know who we are."
The crowd clapped and shouted once more as Tommy called out, "They'll know who?"
"Peaky Blinders!" the voices roared in unison.
"Alright, back to it!" Tommy called, stepping down from the platform.
The applause was still rippling through the room. He felt their eyes follow him, but a smile tugged at his lips. Polly, Arthur, and John approached. He could see John wincing in pain as the former recruits grumbled, "Tommy, think I can head home now?"
Unfortunately for John, Tommy wanted him to stay until the opening ended. He chose this way, so he had to stick till the end as he shook his head.
"Let him go already," Polly said. "I've got the makeup artist ready. What, you plannin' on prettying yourself up?"
"Not me," Tommy smiled.
"Makeup? For what? You plannin' on smudgin' your war paint, Tommy?" Arthur laughed as he lit up a cigarette, his eyes drifting to John, who still looked miserable. "Come on, John. Toughen up."
"Oh, fuck off, Arthur," John scowled.
"It's for bait," Tommy mumbled as he took a long drag on his cigarette, watching them bicker. He turned to look at Polly and added, "For a big, big fish."
Polly snorted in response. She stared at John, who didn't follow her words with a frown, while the rest of the workers all gave Tommy a nod before continuing their jobs.
Just then, the casino doors burst open, catching everyone's attention. It was Carter.
Still in her military uniform, she strode in. Her brown eyes locked onto his; she was a bit annoyed, he could tell. But Tommy took his time, drawing out the cigarette smoke and exhaling as he watched her approach.
The bright lights of the casino shone on her as he mumbled, "Just in time."
"Well, well, didn't know they had dames like that in uniform." Arthur was impressed by the sight of Carter. Tommy ignored him as he looked at the bartender he saw at the bar earlier who brought Carter to them. The bartender nodded at him before going back to the bar.
Tommy looked at Arthur, who flashed a grin at him and spoke, "Thought I'd seen 'em all. You're a lucky man, Colonel."
This bloke seemed to misunderstand something, but Tommy had no intention of setting him straight. He watched Carter approach, greeting, "Agent Carter, good to see you've arrived."
"Colonel Shelby, I didn't come for pleasantries. I need answers."
Arthur whistled at her tone. Normally, she was exhausting to respond to, but this time, Carter seemed pleasant as Tommy looked at her quietly. She didn't look away this time as he chuckled.
"Polly, this is Agent Carter. Agent, this is Polly. Best get in touch with her and follow her lead."
Tommy gestured to Polly as he introduced them both to each other. Polly briefly looked at him before stepping forward, extending a hand to Carter, "Alright, love, let's get this sorted quick."
Polly took Carter's arm, leading her toward the office. Tommy watched Carter's lingering glance over her shoulder. She looked confused, like a lost lamb, and the sight amused him.
"She's a firecracker, eh? Didn't think that was your type."
Arthur laughed. He saw Arthur nodding while looking at Carter. Tommy smiled at the misunderstanding, "She's sharp, no doubt about it."
"Right, then. Let's greet the others."
Tommy knew Carter hadn't come alone. He was certain Colonel Chester and Dr. Erskine had arrived as well. Stepping out of the casino, he motioned for John and Arthur to follow. Just a bit down the entrance, he spotted Chester and Dr. Erskine; they seemed nervous as they kept looking at the street.
Hearing their footsteps, Chester turned, his gaze immediately narrowing as it landed on John. Tommy noticed the glare as he greeted, "Colonel, Dr. Erskine. Welcome to the Peaky Blinders."
"Really, Shelby? A bar?" Chester grumbled. He saw the colonel glance out at the street and continued, "You think Howard will come to a place like this? This isn't a social call, Tommy."
"This is not just a bar, Colonel. This is my bar," Tommy chuckled. "And besides, I invited him personally. He'll come."
Inviting Howard had been a pain, but Tommy had managed to spin the situation just enough to make it happen. He turned to the scientist and said, "Dr. Erskine, I trust the atmosphere is to your liking?"
"Didn't realize you were a bar owner, Colonel," Dr. Erskine seemed uncomfortable.
Tommy could see it—Erskine wasn't the type for these places. But frankly, he didn't much care. "Let's just say, Doctor, it's my fallback if the Army didn't quite work out."
"What are you on about, Shelby?" Chester said. "You're already a lieutenant colonel, and not too old at that."
Tommy just smiled in response. They waited for a few minutes, and he could see the impatience growing in both Chester and Dr. Erskine. Quite frankly, he didn't mind making them wait even longer.
All he cared about right now was solidifying his presence in town. And this meeting would do exactly that.
Suddenly, there was a loud stretching sound of that of a car as Tommy glanced at the street, catching sight of a sleek black car—almost too futuristic for the time—gliding up to the curb. A small smile tugged at his lips as he recognized the familiar figure stepping out.
"Look there, Colonel," Tommy said, nodding toward the car. "Our star has arrived."
"He really came?" Ignoring Chester's surprise, Tommy stepped forward, pushing the door open and making his way to the street.
The people on the sidewalk paused, their gazes following the man who emerged from the car. His suit was immaculate, his shoes shined to perfection, but Tommy was only glaring at that mustache.
"Mr. Stark," Tommy greeted, extending a hand. "Glad you could make it."
Howard Stark flashed a smile, giving a friendly wave to the small crowd that had gathered, some of them cheering.
"Ah, Mr. Shelby!" the genius finally called back, shaking Tommy's hand firmly. Turning to others, Howard nodded to Chester and Dr. Erskine. "Colonel, Doctor."
"Hold that thought," Howard added quickly, raising a finger before Chester could respond. He leaned in close to Tommy, lowering his voice, "About that little matter we discussed..."
"Relax, Mr. Stark. Everything's in place. You just keep on being rich and charming, as usual," Tommy nodded.
Howard let out a hearty laugh, clapping Tommy on the shoulder. Together, they strolled into the bar, and murmurs rippled through the crowd, eyes following them as Tommy smiled at the attention. After settling them at a table, Chester leaned in closer, whispering, "Shelby, what was that about with Stark?"
"Oh, that? Colonel, surely you recall." Tommy gestured as the bartender approached with their whiskey. "We discussed it earlier, didn't we?"
Just then, the door to the casino burst open. Everyone turned to see who had entered, including Chester. Tommy caught the surprise on the colonel's face as he followed Chester's gaze to the entrance.
There stood Carter. Still in her military uniform.
Carter was undeniably attractive. But tonight, with light makeup enhancing her features—her eyebrows perfectly shaped and soft lipstick gracing her lips—she looked like a different woman altogether.
Tommy noticed her glaring at him, but he couldn't help but smile. Not because of her, but because of the clear excitement lighting up Howard's face.
One thing Tommy knew about Howard was that the genius was a notorious playboy. To get Howard out of the garage, there was only one thing Tommy could think of. That was the bastard's womanizing nature. He had tasted all women from all different backgrounds, sure, but Tommy was certain that Carter was an entirely different kind.
'Not exactly my kind,' Tommy thought.
She was inflexible, a bit stubborn, and could be quite demanding. But for Howard, all the genius needed was someone unique. The kind of chick he had never met in his life.
Tommy looked back at Carter and silently thought, 'To land the biggest catch, you need the best bait.'
Carter was the perfect choice.
Leaning back in his chair, Tommy took a slow sip of his whiskey, a smirk threatening to break through. 'They're talking about stabilizing a serum, but here I am, already stabilizing my footing in this town, eh?'