very nice pacing and scene setting. No name though. I assume he is a reporter of some kind. We are assembling a full chessboard of pieces.

Overall I think all these characters are pretty straightforward, which helps the author group function. What we need now is a the establishment of a multilayered conflict…

Thanks Drake. The name, as in the tag, is Shaw Lambone (well you have to call ’em something, after all).

Three more drinks? Looks like Nick isn’t going to be in pristine condition by the time he gets to the Topaz! And now he’s being tailed to boot? I can’t see that going down well.

Woohoo! Love it. Great characterization of the jaded newspaper man out for a story with a edge to him to possibly rival Nick’s. Very fun addition.

Great flow and the Noir doesn’t come off as contrived.
Now that I think about it, American cheap detective Noir, the protagonist is the storyteller, usually all internal dialogue.
Great Job Jon B.

Contemporaneous piece to this one, from Nick’s perspective is at:
http://ficly.com/stories/36713