"Hurry please. I can't be late for my own show."
I hung up and gathered my courage to push open the door. The hallway was dark, but you could see a make shift stage that was brightly lit up set up on the far wall.
The doorman rushed up to me, "You must be Claudia, the entertainer we have been waiting for."
"No, you have me mistaken for someone else."
"Come on, let me take you to Tony. He's in charge of the show." With that, he grabbed my arm and led me to a backstage dressing room.
Before me in the dressing room stood a God. Tony was wearing a leather vest with the top button open, revealing a tuft of black hair that matched his full beard and short, cropped hair. His naked arms were guns with leather wrist-bands. His skin-tight blue jeans did nothing to hide the fact that he was only wearing a jock strap as the back strap lines showed through the jeans as he bent over to pick up the show order list. All this was finished off with black combat boots.
"Here's Claudia," the doorman said.
"Who's this pretty lady?" Tony asked. "Claudia cancelled a little bit ago."
"My name is Desiree, and I only stopped in to get a drink while I wait for friends to come and fix my car. I've got a show I have to perform at."
"Lovely lady, you are the answer to my prayers. Our opening act cancelled, and I don't have a filler. We are hosting our annual Angel Flight fundraiser to raise money for hospital flights for families who can't afford it when they need to be transported to a hospital for medical emergencies. Would you grace us with your talent on our little stage tonight? I would be ever in your debt," Tony finished. "Give me your keys, and I'll have Bobby Rae look your car over."
I obeyed and gave him my keys, "It's the blue Honda Civic. And what time is the show? And what type of music does the crowd like? I don't sing live, I only lip sync."
"Showtime is in fifteen minutes and you would be the first act. The crowd just wants to be entertained, and all the money raised goes to charity."
He grabbed my hands and stared down at me with his big brown puppy dog eyes. I could feel my penis start pressing against the restraints of a layer of tights and two layers of panty hose. It wasn't going anywhere, and for once I was glad no one could see it. I couldn't resist as I felt my temperature start to rise. The only thing that raced through my mind was grabbing his face and sucking on his pouting lips followed by him pinning me to the wall. "Is it warm in here?" I asked. "Please have them bring me a screwdriver. And I would be glad to help you out." I couldn't tell if I was panting or not. Thank God Miss Gigi sprayed my face with a product that sets your face and prevents it from showing sweat.
"You don't know how much I appreciate this. If there is anything I can ever do, please let me know."
"Well there is one thing," I said. "I am competing in a competition at Club Cabaret so that I can win a stunning crown. It is also a charity fundraiser and the final show will be December 7th, and it would be wonderful if you could come." And the other thought going through my head was that I would love to see you cum, but that thought never made it to my mouth.
"I know exactly where the club is. I will put it on my calendar now." He pulled out his iPhone and put it on his calendar. "December 7th. Got it down. Now let's get you that drink."
The waitress brought a tray of drinks for everyone in the dressing room. As I looked around, I noticed most of the other entertainers had a guitar with them, so I was assuming that they were all singing and playing live. I was glad I was on first. I had no idea of how the crowd would respond since this was the first time I'd been glammed up, and this wasn't a gay bar, so no telling how receptive they would be. Plus, of the women entertainers, I was the only one in sequins, and I looked way over the top compared to the rest of them. I grabbed my screwdriver and slammed it down. "One more please," I asked the waitress.
"Sure thing, honey. Drinks are on the house for the entertainers," she said.
"In that case, make it a double."
Tony returned, "Do you have your music?"
"It's right here." I reached into my purse and pulled out my CDs. "I will need those back right after my numbers because I have to get to my other show."
The overture music came up, and it was a country song that I didn't recognize. Tony came on the PA system. "Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to the 10th Annual Angel Flight Charity benefit. We have an incredibly talented line up for you tonight. So please get out your wallets and welcome to the stage a very special lady who agreed last minute to help us out, Miss Desiree."
Oh shit.
My music started. I decided to open with Britney Spears’s "Toxic." The spotlight hit me. My lips moved, and the crowd was clapping already and cheering me on. I shook. I danced. I shimmied. I gyrated. If I could have rolled across that stage, I would have, but I didn't want to destroy the dress before the next show. The people lined up to tip me, and others put money straight in the bucket. It was incredible to see so many smiling faces as they came up to tip me. The DJ did a magnificent job blending into Kylie Minogue's "Cant' Get You Out of My Head," and off I went on another three minute joy ride. I strutted across that stage and grabbed my head, just like on the video. It was so invigorating to get this much love back. I only wished that it would carry over to my next show. As the number ended, I was exhausted, but feeling blessed. The crowd was on their feet for me as I took my bow and exited the stage. I slipped back into the dressing room to grab a seat and cool off.
I heard Tony give me props and introduce the next act. Bobby Rae came back stage and let me know, "You need a water pump O-ring and a radiator hose. Let your mechanic friend know, but your car isn't going anywhere until that gets fixed.
I looked at the clock on the wall and panic set in as I realized I was running out of time to get to my own show. I grabbed my phone and texted Marjorie, "911 I need you to pick me up at Angel's Hideaway and take me to the Club."
Marjorie texted back, "Can't get there for another 45 minutes. Picking up Riggo."
By that time, it was going to be too late. So I texted, "Need water pump O-ring and radiator hose. Will get alternate transportation. Meet me at the Club."
Tony walked in and saw the look of distress on my face. "Are you alright?"
"No, my ride won't get her in time. I need to get a cab."
"No need. I'll get you there."
"You can't. You've got your own show going on. I can’t let you just leave."
"Don't worry. The act on now is set to play for a while, so I've got plenty of time to drop you off. I wouldn't want to leave my baby doll in distress."
"I've got to unload my car and take everything that's in there. Is that okay?”
"How much stuff do you have?”
"Not too much."
"Bobby Rae grab, your side car!” Tony yelled out. “We have a delivery to make."
Tony grabbed my hand and led me down the hallway and opened the door for me. This was a gentleman. Bobby Rae was already outside with his motorcycle with an empty side car. We quickly unloaded my clunker into the side car, but there wasn't any room for me. Tony could tell by the look on my face what I was thinking.
"Don't worry, your ride is right here." He straddled a supped-up motorcycle and fired it up. He handed me a helmet to put on, which saved me from seeing my wig fly off as we cruised the streets. "Hop on. I'll keep you safe." He extended his hand and helped me onto the seat behind him. He grabbed my hands and pulled them across his chest. "Hold on tight." I was intoxicated by the smell of sweat and leather. All I could do was breathe it in as we tore out of the parking lot with me squeezing him and pulling my body as close to his as possible.
The ride was too short, Waiting outside the club stage entrance were Marjorie and Riggo. I jumped off the motorcycle on very wobbly legs with vibrations still running through my body. The crew started unloading the side car and slinging everything though the stage door. The DJ was already spinning in the room, so every time the door opened, a blast of dance music erupted.
; "Thank you for everything. I know you have to get back to your show," I said hugging Tony and kissing him on the cheek.
"It was all my pleasure," he said.
I didn't want to let go of him, and I think he felt the same way. Suddenly, we were interrupted by Riggo. "I have a ring for you," he said.
I let go of Tony and hugged and kissed Riggo. "I could marry you for that!" The door opened and another blast of dance music drowned out everything.
"Why are all the good ones taken?" Tony said to himself under his breath.
I looked from Riggo and asked, "Did you say something?"
"No. Have a great show," Tony said.
And with that Marjorie, Riggo and I raced into the club.
CHAPTER 28
As a treat for completing my first show Sheila took me to a friend of hers in Savannah for a couple of days for some much needed R n’ R after our shift was over today. The show went better than expected, and I was able to raise $500 for Atlanta Street Rescue. It wasn't the best and it wasn't the worst show that could be put on. I even survived someone gluing my pumps together. Thank heavens they were only $15.99 from Payless.
For some reason, the night shift crew came in an hour early, which I thought was strange, but it could just be their way of letting us out so we could head out on our trip. Little did I know how wrong I was.
Braxton was the first to speak, "We need a favor from you."
"Sure, what can I do for you?"
"You are well aware that Jaime has a serious hygiene problem, and we can't take it anymore," he said.
"Yes, Jamie smells," Sheila chimed in.
"And since he likes you, we were wondering if you could have a talk with him," Germaine said.
"What do you want me to say to him?" I asked.
"I don't care what you say to him, but something has got to be done because the smell is making us all sick," Braxton said.
As I looked around, everyone was nodding their heads in agreement. I guess I was lucky because I worked the early shift and didn't have to directly interact with Jaime most of the time. He was always nice to me whenever he saw me, and I didn't want to do anything to hurt his feelings. "Can't you ask Kristoff to do something about it?"
"We thought about that, but we would rather not make this a personnel issue," Germaine said.
"And since you don't have to work with him night after night, you don't have to worry about him retaliating against you," Braxton said.
"Guys, I just can't do it. I don't want to start any drama here."
"Honey, this is a hotel. There is always drama here whether you like it or not," Germaine said.
"Plus, we have you covered, so you both can take off immediately afterwards," Braxton said. "We are begging you here."
After several more minutes of cajoling, I finally caved in. I didn't know what I should do. I finally settled on the direct approach.
Jamie was working in his office. I knocked on the open door. "Is it okay to come in for a minute?"
Jamie looked up from his paperwork. I could already see the sweat stains building up on his shirt.
"Sure, come on in. What's on your mind?" he said.
I walked in and closed the door behind me. I swear I saw everyone grouped down the hallway watching me with their arms in church prayer mode as I pulled the door shut. "I don't know how to say this, so I will just say this. You smell."
He looked at me dumbfounded for a second, and then finally asked, "Like cigarettes?"
"No, like BO."
He didn't say anything again for another minute. "Does everyone think I smell?"
"Yes. It has gotten more noticeable over time."
"Do I need a stronger deodorant?" he asked.
"I don't think that will help because it smells like you are rotting from the inside out. It might be something medical that you need to get checked out."
He looked shocked and embarrassed. I didn't have anything else to say. "I've got to go. Have a great weekend." I turned the door handle and pulled the door open to make my escape.
"Thanks," he said.
And I was out of there. All I could do was race down the hallway and head to the parking lot where I was meeting Sheila. I got to her car, but she wasn't there. She finally arrived a few minutes later laughing. "Jamie stopped me and told me that you told him he smelled. I just had to laugh. Let's hit the road."
CHAPTER 29
It was a beautiful evening as we hit the expressway and headed south. Sheila had a very large portable cooler with a spout on the bottom and filled with screwdrivers so we could partake on the road.
Sheila drove an old white Lebaron convertible with burgundy interior. We put the top down so we could feel the slight chill in the air as we headed first to Macon and then to Savannah.
"So why are you really doing this drag thing?" Sheila asked.
"Do you want the honest answer?"
"Yes, of course I do.”
"I believe the crown will make me feel like a somebody. I know that sounds shallow, but I've never had anything that anyone else wanted. Growing up in the mountains, we never had much. It was a struggle a lot of the time. I just want people to know who I am."
"Honey, your friends already know who you are. That's all that should matter."
"But isn't everyone entitled to their fifteen minutes of fame? I see all these people with their groups of friends, and I feel left out. I don’t think I will every make it into the popular group.”
"Forget that crap. Those boys are a bunch of stuck-up assholes who don't know their heads from a hole in the ground and all they can talk about is their things, and their hair, and how wonderful their lives are. I call bullshit on that. You think those people's lives are any better than yours?"
"Well they seem to have it all."
"That's all show. How many of these boys’ credit cards have been declined at the front desk? If you got to see behind the curtain, you would see their life ain’t no better than yours and a lot of the time it's more fucked up than yours."
"Tell me how you really feel."
"They think they are the celebrities of the city, but they remind me of the attention-grubbing whores that Access Hollywood talks about all the time. Most of the so-called celebrities they cover don't produce anything and won't leave anything behind. The so called popular boys are the same way. They don't do anything and don't produce anything. They will be as forgotten as this year's sweaters. I don't watch Access Hollywood anymore, and I don't pay attention to them either."
I respected Sheila because she always said what was on her mind. I needed to soak up what she was saying. I did enjoy the attention I was getting from the crowd, which was great since I wasn't getting any attention in the bedroom. The truth was that I was a little lonely even with people around me all the time. I know I shouldn't put that much pressure on myself to find a boyfriend, but it would really rock to have someone I could kiss and hug on.
CHAPTER 30
I-16 ended in Savannah, so we rolled into the city. The air felt different than Atlanta's. This is what the south should smell like - a mix of salt air, magnolia blossoms, and Spanish moss.
Sheila took me on a quick drive down to the river walk where an ocean tanker was navigating the river and then around the squares that made up the main part of Downtown Savannah. I didn't know what to expect of the city, but it was absolutely charming.
We pulled up to Dick Knights' home in the historic district. Our host was waiting for us on his rocking chair front porch with a tray of mint juleps. The house was a brick mansion with a gracious front porch, double chimneys, windows everywhere, and of course, the required magnolia tree in the front yard.
"Why Sheila, my darling, how is my favorite Yankee?” Dick said. "And you must be Tyler, Sheila's young traveling companion. It is a pleasure to meet you, sir."
Sheila didn't tell me anything about Dick before we got here. I found him to be the perfect picture of a Southern gentleman. He was impeccably dressed from his trouse
rs to his pressed Brooks Brothers shirt with a gleaming black belt and shoes and a sweater casually thrown over his shoulders. He smelled of old money, but only casually.
"The pleasure is all mine," I said. "Thank you for letting me stay in your wonderful home."
"This old place? She has been in the family for over one hundred years and has every modern convenience you can hope for. Here, drink up!" And with that, our evening of party began.
As we settled in, more people kept showing up at the house. "I forgot to tell you that my neighbor is getting married this weekend, and I am hosting some of the overflow of her relatives here. I hope you don't mind."
Who could mind? I was out of town and out of drag for one of the first weekends in a long time. I was ready to let loose.
After fluffing up, we were all ready to head out. It was a beautiful night with a full moon and a slight breeze blowing as we took the short stroll to the river walk, which was full of shops, restaurants, bars, and tourists. It was such a different atmosphere from what I was used to that I was just trying to soak in all the sights and sounds. "You should be here during St. Patrick's Weekend," Dick said. "You can't get down this promenade without some horrible drunk person spilling their beer all over you. It is the largest party in the South, and Savannah loves a good party."
We slipped into one of the bars, Cocky's, grabbed a table, and immediately ordered drinks and two baskets of chicken wings. Sheila and I hadn't eaten anything since we grabbed snacks at the Pick N Pay on the expressway. It was good just to sit and talk without having to worry about being on stage. It gets hard when you are competing because after a while, people recognize who you are and want to talk with you. I didn't get this until after the first show. You have to be nice to everyone if you want them to support you. I mean support your charity, but I guess the two are really intertwined now.
A half hour after being here, I noticed some go-go boys start hopping on the bar and start dancing around in their underwear. "I forgot to mention that the entertainment for this evening is the lovely individuals working their wares for our enjoyment. Tip if you must. My favorite is Andrew. He will be out shortly."
The Crown Is Mine Page 9