HOT TEA

TALES OF THE UNDERBELLY

Greg “Grit” Tovell is a fading journalist turned true-crime podcaster, hungry for the story that will drag his career back into the spotlight. When he is offered the inside account of a brutal London gangland massacre, he arrives at the neon-lit nightclub Loose Lips with a recorder, an envelope of cash, and the confidence of a man who thinks danger makes good content..

Across the bar sits Charlotte “Lore” Landon, a sharp, seductive nightclub manager with secrets to sell and no patience for sentiment. Over drinks, she unspools the tale of rival criminal factions tearing each other apart over a missing drug shipment, a botched kidnapping, a murdered enforcer, and a chain of betrayals that leaves bodies piling up across the city.

As Lore’s story twists through violence, greed and revenge, Grit begins to understand that this is more than another underworld exposé. Every name carries a threat. Every detail comes with a price. And in a world where loyalty is temporary and silence is survival, knowing the truth may be the most dangerous mistake he has ever made.

KEY CHARACTERS

Greg “Grit” Tovell

  • Description: In his 50s, Grit is a scruffy, determined journalist with a penchant for diving headfirst into the most dangerous stories. He’s a man with a sharp wit and an unyielding resolve, driven by a deep-seated need to uncover the truth at all costs. Grit is both charismatic and relentless, often putting himself in harm’s way for the sake of a good story. His methods are unorthodox, and he often finds himself in over his head, but his instincts and street smarts keep him alive.

Charlotte “Lore” Landon

  • Description: In her late 40s, Lore is the sharp and enigmatic manager of the nightclub “Loose Lips.” She’s a woman who knows more than she lets on and is skilled at playing both sides of the game. Lore’s interactions with Grit are filled with tension and intrigue, as she doles out information carefully, always aware of the risks. She’s a master of subtlety and misdirection, making her a key player in the underworld’s power struggles.

Wynn “Septic” Delany

  • Description: An American in his 50s, Septic is a larger-than-life gangster who made his mark in London by being bolder and brasher than his rivals. He’s a visceral, intimidating figure dressed in loud, stereotypical American attire. Septic is driven by a hunger for power and control and is willing to bulldoze anyone in his way. His presence is a constant reminder of the volatility and violence lurking beneath the surface of London’s criminal landscape.

Mohammad “Mosaic” Mahmood

  • Description: A late-40s East End kingpin, Mosaic is a savvy, ambitious operator who controls a vast portion of London’s criminal enterprises. He’s calculated and always thinking several steps ahead, with a knack for making alliances that serve his long-term goals. Mosaic is proud of his roots and is determined to rise above the status of a local gangster to become a major player in the city’s underworld.

Jasper and Johnny Jones

  • Description: The Jones brothers are Cockney gangsters in their late 40s to early 50s, deeply entrenched in the old-school values of the London underworld. They’re a formidable duo, with Jasper being the brains and Johnny the brawn. Their loyalty to each other is unmatched, but their old-fashioned approach often clashes with the modern, ruthless tactics of their rivals. They’re survivors, navigating the treacherous waters of the underworld with a mix of cunning and brute force.

Seamless

  • Description: A fearless, 75% transitioned woman who leads the Glory gang. Seamless is both charismatic and ruthless, with a personal vendetta that fuels her actions in the criminal underworld. Her relationship with the Jones brothers adds a layer of tension and complexity to the story.

Suki and Sally – The Siren Sisters

  • Description: a formidable and feared duo operating in London’s underworld. Known for their cutthroat tactics and unwavering loyalty to each other, the pair are experts in handling dirty work—whether it’s running high-stakes smuggling operations, dead body disposal, or carrying out brutal assassinations. They get things done through raw violence and intimidation, and their brutal reputation makes them invaluable to the criminal powers vying for control

Hi-Note

  • Description: A wannabe popstar, more of a liability than an asset, struggling to prove his worth to the Jones Brothers gang in a world where one wrong move could be his last.
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