Please note that Tapas no longer supports Internet Explorer.
We recommend upgrading to the latest Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Firefox.
Home
Comics
Novels
Community
Mature
More
Help Discord Forums Newsfeed Contact Merch Shop
Publish
Home
Comics
Novels
Community
Mature
More
Help Discord Forums Newsfeed Contact Merch Shop
__anonymous__
__anonymous__
0
  • Publish
  • Ink shop
  • Redeem code
  • Settings
  • Log out

The Lower East Side Fighting Club

Whiskey Foxtrot, Part I

Whiskey Foxtrot, Part I

Dec 25, 2021

 

EPISODE 1: A Dinky Bar on the Lower East Side


It’s around 8:00 PM and it’s another loud, busy Saturday evening at the bar. With so few available seats left, Joel makes his way through the main room of the bar, searching for a narrow space to sit. After a few minutes of searching, he manages to find a small space next to an almost comically large man.


Sighing, Joel makes his way towards the man and sits next to him. He downs his last glass of red wine.


Seated in an almost precarious position, the intimidatingly large man, a broad-shouldered and broad-chested sort of brute, downs a glass of liquor intensely. He slams the glass down on the bar counter and gives a sigh that borders more on a guttural growl. 


The man is a foreigner, but alcohol is universal- the universal language. Even more than music, you can argue! He knows his booze and he likes the hard stuff. The man glances aside, to the slim youth beside him- he eyes the glass of red wine with a raised eyebrow of questioning disbelief. Encouraged to rouse the youth, the towering man taps his seated companion firmly on the youth’s shoulders.

 

Andrei: *in heavy but not straining accent, Russian, carefully putting words together* Hey- you! *taps the young man on the shoulder.* What is this? Red wine, eh? 


Joel: *raises his eyebrows, surprised that the man is talking to him* Yes, it is. What of it?

Andrei: That’s such sad stuff! *voices is gruff but sincere* What are you doing- pinning (he meant “pining”) over a girl, then? You need to drink something for a man! Something that will put a fire in your stomach, that’s what! I’ll order you something real! 


*taps Joel again on the shoulder and then taps the table loudly*


Hey! *calls for the bartender, a burly but normal-sized man with a bent brow* Marco- give this kid something real! What I ordered!


Joel: What is this “real” drink you speak of? Vodka? *he gives a small smirk* A girl? *his voice becomes slightly soft, and then becomes hoarser and harder* What nonsense - of course not. Why would you think that?


Joel crosses his arms and scans Andrei with his piercing dark eyes. Who is this man, he wonders? He was clearly from a foreign country. Which one - Russia, maybe? His accent was definitely Slavic in origin.


Andrei: *laughs, tossing his head back slightly* Ah! What a- what a- what do you call it? A novice! What a novice you are! Vodka- that’s what we have back home, and it’s not good like it was. No! You’re lucky! In the country, you have Wheeskay! (He meant to say “Whiskey”). 


That’s the stuff that burns into a man, give him some fire to sharpen his teeth- maybe… maybe… how do you say it? Put hair on the chest! 


*Points a well-meaning gesture of a finger tap on Joel’s chest while the bartender uncorks the very large whiskey bottle Andrei favors- it’s that hard yet smooth Kentucky stuff.* 


Joel: *sniffs the bottle and makes a face* This looks quite disgusting, to be honest. I’m not taking that. Look - I appreciate you getting this drink for me, but I’m not sure if I have the right taste buds for it. 


*sighs and wonders what he got himself into* 


Andrei: *waves his hand in a “no” answer* Disgusting! What sort of shaking little rabbit, are you? Who needs taste bid- I means buds? 

Hah! You must be a soft little thing to turn your nose at good whiskey! 


Still, I’m curious, like the cat- so are you pinning (“pining”) over some little devushka? Ah, did she fly away from your arms, then? 


Or you two had a fight, eh?*pours the whiskey from the bottle into a clean shot glass the bartender slammed on the counter, Andrei smirks as he balances the small glass in his large palm and hands it to Joel*


 You better beg her forgiveness, even if it’s her fault- women will not surrender- they’re harder than us men! 


Hmm! *eyes Joel in thoughtful questioning.* If I am buying a drink for you, then what is your name? 


Joel eyes the glass of whiskey with suspicion but downs it anyways, not wanting to displease Andrei. After all, Andrei had bought him the drink, so he had to drink it, regardless of how he truly felt about the situation. It was the right thing to do.


Joel: My name is Joel Farber. And yours? Also, I don’t think it’s very nice of you to make so many assumptions about me. What makes you think I’m doing all of those things that you claim I am doing? Do I look like the type to be so emotional about love?


*lowering his voice, he smirks at Andrei as he leans closer to him* I’m not. I’m sorry to tell you, stranger, but I’m not. I’m as heartless as they get. Besides, I’m too busy to care about these fickle feelings. I only care about putting bread on the table and making sure my family’s well fed.


Andrei: *slaps him hard, with a hollow crack, on the youth’s shoulders and gives a hearty laugh* Now there! That will put some fire in your stomach, some steel in your bones! That’s what men need and the women want! 


Heh! *Observes Joel after he downs the glass.* 


Eh? What’s this? All this talk of heartlessness! What are you? A machine? Do you have blood in your veins, or ice-water? It’s good you care for your family- wait! You don’t love your family? Ah! Your wife and kids must be sad! Don’t be like that now! *Andrei’s dark, broad brows dip in disapproving reproach* 


Joel raises his eyebrows in surprise. That was not what he meant at all, but it seemed like the man - whose name he still didn’t know - thought he meant that he had a wife and children. 


Joel: I meant my parents. That’s the extent of my family. I do care about my family. They’re great people and I respect them for all that they’ve done for me. 


*sigh* Hey, I’m sorry. I’ve just not been in the proper headspace this past weekend. What’s your name again?


*Joel places the empty glass on the bar table*


Andrei: * nods in surprised realization* Ah! Forgive me- that’s your family! Good you take care of your people- yes, take good care of them! Ah, if I had mine back- poor them.

 

Things are bad now, so perhaps it’s better they’re with God and all. If He’s there. He better be. *Blinks twice, then eyes widen in realization again- he hadn’t given his name yet!*


Damn! What piss-poor manners I have! My name *he ponders for a second, for a pronunciation* Ah… Callelnal? (He meant “colonel”) Andrei Danilovich Novokshonov!


*The bartender, Marco, bends between and interrupts, “Hey- Andy- it’s pronounced, “KERNUL”!*


Andrei: You mean like in French?


Marco: Yeah, French- whatever! That’s how it sounds! Shit, Andy! *shakes his head and goes back to wiping down glasses with his towel* 


Joel: Yeah, that’s right. I see, so you’re from the army. Are you from Russia? What are you doing all the way here? *his voice is a lot lighter now, since he’s now curious about who Andrei is and why he’s in the US*


Andrei: Yes- from Russia, Soviet Union- whatever you call it now, they call it! *chugs another glass down and slams it down*

 

Hah. How do I explain this? Why I’m here? Eh… it’s a sort of diplomatic… how? Gesture! 


So where I’m from, yes, I am in the army, a COLONEL *pronounces it more like French than English, but it sounds relatively the same*. But my country put me into sports- boxing. 


So for something like… something like an athlete diplomacy, they send me here to prove Soviet sportsmanship, a bit of friendly diplomacy between our countries, since I have to be in a few matches with your country’s boxers, too. It’s all diplomacy- I’m not a spy, for god’s sakes. *he snorts resentfully and lingers with his last glass Marco begrudgingly pours him*


Marco: Last one, Big Andy- or else you’ll have to get your big buddy to haul your ass outta here. *sounds reproachful, but hides his concern.*


Joel: I see, that’s very interesting. So when’s your next match and who are you up against? I don’t really follow these things, but it’d be interesting to know. 


*thinks about what Marco said* Big buddy to haul you out of here? What do you mean? *wonders if Andrei is part of a gang, since ‘big buddy’ sounds like a nickname for a mafia member, at least to him*


Andrei: Some bastard named Sullivan- he’s - what’s that word, Marco? 


Marco: A *****ing asshole, that’s what.


Andrei: Right, what he said. Huh? What do you mean, ‘What do you mean?’ 

Ah! Well, being this is all political, I have my own guard- more like a damn hawk watching every move I make and breath I take. My one isn’t too bad- he’s actually my friend from the army, ol’ Tonchenka. 


The other one they assigned to me, to make sure I am a proper Soviet Citizen representing our precious motherland, is this miserable shit, Fosya, well, call him Smirnov. 


He’s a sour dog, damn young, maybe younger than you, and he’s a real shit for the rules, like an old woman in church! 


Joel: I see. It seems like you have a lot on your plate, quite literally. Well, I’d like to see you at one of the upcoming matches. I’m sort of interested in boxing myself, you know. *finishes his drink and places the glass on the table* 


Andrei: Hmm! *holds the glass and shakes it slightly, in an offering gesture* Another? Then? Ah, no? All right! Can’t be helped. I suppose one was enough, eh? I think I like you, Joel *pronounces Joel, like “Youl”, due to the absent “j” sound”* Farber! Well, then, you are interested in the sport, too? Do you box, or just a spectator now? *keenly interested and awaiting Joel’s response* 


Joel: I’m both, I guess. I haven’t actually faced anyone, but I have practiced. *gives a small, confident grin* But I’ll be a spectator this time. I’ll watch you fight Sullivan. *crosses arms* So when’s the match?


Andrei: *returns Joel’s grin with one of knowing and slight mischief, as though he found a welcomed comrade in sport and eagerness for social events* Both, eh? You practice much? Hmm. *examines Joel with a nod and look, as though assessing Joel’s physical formidability* You look like you’ve practiced a bit- that’s good! Ah, the match? Don’t know yet! But I’ll let you know, you’ll be one of the first!


Joel: Sounds good. *nods* I’ll be keeping an eye out for the match, then. If you’ll excuse me, I have to go now. Got an errand to run early tomorrow morning, so have to go to bed early today. See you sometime soon, Andrei. Perhaps we’ll bump into each other at the Lower East Side Fighting Club! I go there often, actually. *nods, gets up, and puts on his jacket and hat* See you!

custom banner support banner
TeteDePunk
Teté-DePunk

Creator

Col. Andrei Novokshonov finds himself thrusted in the glittering seat of Western Capitalism- the Big Apple, itself, New York City! He takes residence in the Lower East Side, feeling at home with many an immigrant from his neck of the woods, including many who aren't from his neck of the woods.

Joel, seeking relief from the daily grind of the relentless business hustle, intends to share a quiet drink with his own company. But now he's being badgered into a whiskey-drinking binge with a loud-mouthed boxer...

What shenanigans will ensue?

#boxing #lowereastside #manly #Boxer #bars #menstuff #roaring20s #jazzage #depressionera

Comments (7)

See all
endlessmidnightmoon
endlessmidnightmoon

Top comment

That is absolutely entertaining to read, as a whole, at Andrei and Joel just having a lot of fun together talking with each other, and him giving Joel advice that maybe might not be suitable for him, since not all women are the same, and not all may like a super macho man like Andrei. And Joel is just like yeah, maybe not. And of course him having an escort following him even as he probably is close to making a complete fool of themselves.

2

Add a comment

Recommendation for you

  • Silence | book 1

    Recommendation

    Silence | book 1

    LGBTQ+ 26.8k likes

  • What Makes a Monster

    Recommendation

    What Makes a Monster

    BL 74.5k likes

  • Spirits and Crowns

    Recommendation

    Spirits and Crowns

    LGBTQ+ 8.5k likes

  • Blood Moon

    Recommendation

    Blood Moon

    BL 47.1k likes

  • Silence | book 2

    Recommendation

    Silence | book 2

    LGBTQ+ 31.7k likes

  • The Sum of our Parts

    Recommendation

    The Sum of our Parts

    BL 8.4k likes

  • feeling lucky

    Feeling lucky

    Random series you may like

The Lower East Side Fighting Club
The Lower East Side Fighting Club

1.8k views13 subscribers

The year is 1925- Col. Andrei Novokshonov finds himself in the weirdest of situations. With the newly formed Soviet Union wanting to prove its excellence in all fields of competition, the hapless Red Army officer finds himself roped into being "an athletic ambassador" to the Capitalistic West. But the former Don Cossack welcomes the travel- and the razzle-dazzle of his newest assignment- the bustling Big Apple, New York City!

Joel Farber, a loyal son of the Lower East Side, born and bred right on Delancey Street. Joel lives life like his work- with checks and balances, all neatly ledgered...
Or does he?
He finds life at a standstill, especially in his love-life. But with friends like the eccentric, hare-brained Sam Abramov and the equally outgoing Frankie Amato, Joel knows there's never a dull moment!

And things around the Lower East Side are about to get even more thrilling when Joel crosses path with a foreign boxer of a bull-headed temperament!

What hijinks will ensue?

Enjoy the brand-new, Tapas-exclusive crossover of Tete DePunk's and FortunusGames works and characters, in this Jazz Age-inspired anthology!
Subscribe

9 episodes

Whiskey Foxtrot, Part I

Whiskey Foxtrot, Part I

779 views 7 likes 7 comments


Style
More
Like
11
Support
List
Comment

Prev
Next

Full
Exit
7
7
Support
Prev
Next