Timeless *REWRITTEN* (Beetlejuice x Reader)

Chapter 4

I cocked my head a smidge, confused. "Tippers?"

She arched an eyebrow at me. "Ya ain't never seen a flapper before, huh?"

I shook my head. 

"I'm like an entertainer, honey." 

"I see." 

She smiled good-naturedly. "Come on, doll. I'll take you to your auntie's. I'm Melody, by the way," she added as we walked side-by-side down the sidewalk. 

"(Y/N)," I responded, thanking the stars above that this kind girl had happened to stumble upon me, and that she was willing to take me under her wing. For the time being, anyway. Who's to say she would want anything more to do with me after parting ways? 

"We'll have to cop a hack. Got any cash on you?" Melody asked me. 

I shook my head in answer. "I gave all my cash to the crew who brought me here. All I have left is a gold bracelet encrusted with jewels. I'm not sure anyone would take it as a viable form of currency." 

"Oh, trust me, honey, plenty of people would take it, but those ain't the kinda cats you wanna be runnin' with. Don't worry about it, I'll cover ya this time 'round." 

I looked at her. "Really?" 

She nodded. "'Course! I know a cabby, usually makin' his rounds through this area right about this time." She looked up and down the street, searching for this cabby she knew. She lit up as she seemed to spot him, stepping up to the curb and flagging him down. 

The automobile pulled off, and I stepped back a bit as he got extremely close to Melody and me. The blonde woman seemed unfazed, however, as she stepped up to the vehicle and leaned against it, peering down into the window. 

"Harv!" she cooed, smiling and batting her lashes at him. "Could you do me a favor, baby?" 

The man in the car seemed to be middle-aged, balding, and a little on the tubby side. I glanced between the two of them as the cabby frowned at Melody. 

"Mel, ya killin' me. I honestly don't know why I bother pullin' over; you're always tryin' to stiff me." 

"Oh come on, Harv! Ya know I'm your best customer," she said, putting on an innocent expression. The cabby's only reply was a curt, humorless chortle. "All I need is for you to drive me and my friend, here," she said, stepping back and looping her arm through mine, "just to the good side of town. Won't take two shakes." 

The cabby leaned toward the passenger window, scrutinizing me as closely as he could while still in his seat. "Bit of an effeminate fella, ain't he?"

Melody swatted her hand at him. "Harv, don't be rude. So. You gonna help us, or not?" 

He seemed to consider it for a few moments before reluctantly sighing. "Alright, alright, but I swear this is the last time, Mel! Ya hear me?" 

She nodded absentmindedly, opening the cab door and pulling me in behind her. I reached and pulled the door closed, Harv already taking off before I could do so. 

"Yeah, yeah, I know. But ya always say that."  

"So where's your new bird from, there?" 

The cabby gestured to me with his head, briefly making eye contact with me in the rearview mirror. I pulled my cap down a bit more, suddenly feeling claustrophobic in this metal contraption flying down the thoroughfare. I felt Melody rest a hand on mine next to me, and I shot her a grateful look for the comfort. 

"Relax, hon. Harv's a good one. He ain't gonna rat you out." 

I let out a small, relieved breath. Harv looked intrigued, and Melody turned back to him. "This is my new friend, (Y/N). She just got here from Italy."