Chapter 3
Theadora
Jackcircledhisfinger. “Turn around.”
Holding my breath, I whipped around, while crossing my arms. His eagle-eyed gaping made my blood freeze.
He turned to Tania. “Show her around.”
With legs like concrete, I followed her to the back of the venue. We entered through black curtains that led to a stage.
“Do they have performances here?”
“Yes. You could say that.”
Too wound up to probe further, I ignored the questions banking up in my head and moved along.
Get a grip. It’s only skin. Think of the five hundred pounds.
Droplets of sweat trickled down my arms as I sucked back fear and stepped into a dimly lit crowded space.
Girls in skimpy gear carried trays around the decorative room, which reminded me of the Playboy palace with its rich dark velvets and paintings of nudes. The air smelt of alcohol and smoke and an indefinable seedy stench. I imagined that’s what lust might have smelt like—musky and sickeningly sweaty.
The customers were all men, with the only women being the staff and waitresses.
I pointed at booths with red velvet curtains. “What happens in there?”
Tania’s lips curled up slightly. “Private lap dances.”
“Private as in sex?”
She shrugged. “It’s up to the girl. If the money’s right. We don’t question anything. There are guards everywhere so the girls are protected. But they make a ton of money that way.”
“I’m not doing that.” I crossed my arms.
“Just get used to the floor and carrying trays. Sometimes they may ask you to join them at their table. You get a kickback for that.”
“On top of my five hundred pounds?”
She nodded. “Let me get you another drink. That will help you relax.”
For someone who didn’t normally drink much, I was already on my second drink. I couldn’t resist. Anything to get me through this night and deal with the crazy shit swirling in my head.
She returned with two shots, and handing me one glass, she gulped hers down and I followed suit, coughing and clearing my throat.
Feeling extra light-headed, I said, “Let’s do this” like someone about to dive into an icy lake in the middle of winter.
Tania led me onto the floor filled with tables of men. They all turned and stared at me like I was some novelty act. Some even whistled, while others smiled at me.
I kept my arms crossed.
The girls looked young, even younger than me, and came in all shapes and nationalities. I was amazed at how many pretty girls there were. A reminder of the desperation in that ridiculously expensive city, where a forty-hour week barely paid for rent and food.
At least the club was busy, so I could get lost in the crowd.
Tania crooked her finger, and I followed her to the bar. She pointed to a couple of women behind the bar. “This is Jan and Liz.”
I nodded a greeting.