J&L: Emissary of the Eldritch (2)

A horse drawn carriage rattles along an otherwise quiet cobbled London street. As it fades into the distance, the sound of footsteps becomes apparent.

HGJ: "Yet another trifling take tonight, Henry. A dismal and disappointing display of audience apathy, leading you to pecuniary problems and financial forsaking. And now you're talking to yourself. First sign of madness, they say.

*sigh*

Still, my luck is bound to bounce back sooner or later. Nothing can dampen the determined iron will of Henry Gordon Jago!"

In the distance, raised voices can be heard, but remain incoherent.

HGJ: "I say! Somebody's making a quite the commotion. Where are those voices coming from? It'd be a shame if some criminal ruffians crossed paths with my judicious fighting fists. *whispering* Oh corks! They're right there, across the street and a little ways ahead of me. I can just make out three figures through this pea souper. Perhaps I could sneak past them, for their own sake of course."

From the within the group of scoundrels, a child's voice cries out.

Boy: "I just want my momma!"

HGJ: "Those vile coves are terrorizing that poor child. Surely there must be a Peeler on patrol around here somewhere, perhaps I could go and fetch help? Oh, blast it all, I can't abandon the little tyke. I'd better not regret this."

Scoundrel 1: "We'd like to find your mother too. Bet she's worried sick about you. She'd probably pay us a lot for your 'safe' return."

Scoundrel 2: "Look at his clothes, his family have money behind them, for sure."

Scoundrel 1: "You'd want to be careful around these parts. You don't want the frogmen to snatch you away in the night. You'll want protection, but it comes at a price.

HGJ: "Excuse me fellows, I was just passing by and couldn't help but notice this poor upset child. Shall we all do the decent thing and escort him to the nearest police station?"

Scoundrel 1: "This doesn't concern you, scram."

HGJ: "I'm just a concerned citizen, much like yourselves. Surely you must agree the police are best suited to the task of locating his lost parents?"

Scoundrel 2: "We don't need no Bobbies. They don't pay no ransom... *oof*"

Scoundrel 1: "What my partner means to say, is that we fear entrusting the lad to a corrupt policeman. Whereas we're all upstanding fellows of good moral fibre."

HGJ: "Really? I've seen blades of grass and cloth backdrops more upstanding than you lot. I've seen invertebrates with more backbone. The only fibre you'll ever know is in the gruel served to you while in Her Majesty's custody. Leave this poor, terrified child alone you conniving child catcher!"

Scoundrel 2: "Them is fighting words."

Scoundrel 1: "Or what exactly? What will you do if we refuse? You're hardly the sharpest knife in the corpse, but even you must know you're outnumbered."

HGJ: "I concede that you do have something of a point, it's true... but you should know, I'm a tiger when my dander's up!"

Scoundrel 1: "Fisticuffs, is it? How innocent. But what good is a fist compared to a knife?"

HGJ: "Lummy!"

With a sudden rush, scoundrel 2 gasps in pain.

Scoundrel 2: "The kid just headbutted me in the gut!"

Scoundrel 1: "Get him!"

HGJ: "Hiyaah!"

Scoundrel 1: "Get off me you oaf!"

HGJ: "I had a magician perform once, who excelled at escapology. Showed me a trick to dislocate his wrist. All it takes is a little pressure, right here..."

*snap*

Scoundrel 3: "I'm out of here. Kid's not worth this much trouble!"

Scoundrel 2: "Wait up!"

Scoundrel 1: "Don't run, you idiots. Ugh. Listen mate, this isn't over. I'll be coming for you, just you wait."

HGJ: "In which case I shall look forward to  breaking your other arm. Cheerio, and good riddance."

Boy: "Are, are they gone?"

HGJ: "For now at least. Don't worry, ruffians like that are easily spooked. They flake in the face of bravery..., sorry, what's your name?"

Boy: "Howard, sir. Howard Phillips."

HGJ: "A pleasure to meet you, Howard. My name is Henry Gordon Jago, theatrical impresario of the New Regency, and occasional hero. But you can call me Jago. You're very brave, you know, attacking that cove like that."

Howard: "*tearing* I'm not brave. I'm frightened. Momma and Pop-pop are missing. I'm all alone and there's scary men everywhere."

HGJ: "Of course you are. Adrift in a foreign city, away from everything familiar? I'd be scared too. But just because you're afraid doesn't mean you can't be brave. Quite the opposite."

Howard: "What do you mean?"

HGJ: "Being brave means acting even though you're afraid. Otherwise it's just foolishness. I was terrified to confront those men, but I did it anyway because it was the decent thing to do, to protect you."

Howard: "Can you protect me from the frogmen too?"

HGJ: "The who?"

Howard: "The frogmen. The bad men talked about the frogmen. Fishy people who come out of the river all covered in barnacles and seaweed to snatch away kids like me. Do you think the frogmen took momma?"

HGJ: "There's no such thing. Those men were just trying to scare you. I've seen a lot in my time but I've never seen any frogmen. I'm sure your mother is fine, just worried sick about you. Come with me, I'll take you to a friend of mine, in the police. I'm sure your mother has already filed a missing persons report. We'll have you two reunited in no time."