Newt's POV

We sat back down after the dance, taking our seats up at the bar.

"Jeanne?" a voice behind me asked. She turned around on her stool.

"Jimmy?" she asked in disbelief. "I haven't seen you in awhile. What's happening?"

"Ah, not much," he answered. "I see ya got some friends with you . . ."

"Yeah," said Jeanne. "Jim, this is Tina, her sister Queenie, Jacob, and Mr. Newt Scamander."

"Scamander . . ." Jimmy mused. "I've heard that name before . . ."

"Probably my brother," I said.

Jimmy snapped his fingers. "That's it! Yeah, you're his little brother . . . So uh, Jeanne, wanna let me buy you a drink?"

I felt my face get flustered. Who was this Jimmy guy?

"I'm going to have to pass, Jim," said Jeanne.

I breathed out . . . I felt something of jealousy . . .

"Ah, well, some other time then," he said. Jimmy leaned down and kissed her cheek. "See ya, girlie!" He began walking away. I blushed furiously.

"I told you to stop calling me that!" Jeanne called back.

I stared at her. "What?" she asked. I couldn't bring myself to speak. "Oh, the kiss?" I nodded silently.

Jeanne laughed. "Oh, Newt. You've got nothing to worry about. Jimmy prefers the company of men."

I felt my mouth form an "o" shape.

~~~

"It's him," said Jeanne. "Gnarlack . . ."

I looked across the bar. A goblin, well-dressed, and smoking a cigar, emerged from the darkness of the speakeasy. He took a seat at a table for two in the darkest corner of the room.

"Well, what're you waiting for?" Jeanne said. "Go strike up a deal."

And with that, I stood up as confidently as I could and walked over to Gnarlack. I sat down at the end of his table. He looked up from his cigar tray.

"So you're the guy with the case full of monsters, huh?" Gnarlack asked.

"News travels fast," I said. "I was hoping if you'd be able to tell me if there'd been any sightings. Tracks. That sort of thing."

Gnarlack downed his drink. "You've got a big price on your head, Mr. Scamander," he said. "Why should I help you instead of turning you in?"

"I'll take it I'll have to make it worth your while."