One Among Us

by Paige Dearth

  As Maggie climbed the stairs to go back into the bar, her heart was racing. There was so much to remember. It was much different than hooking, where anything goes. She strolled over to the man who was waiting for her. “OK, I’m all set now.”

  “Hell, as far as I’m concerned, you were set before you went to freshen up,” he stated in a sleaze ball tone.

  Maggie’s nerves were getting to her, though. It wasn’t the vulgar man who gave her the jitters; she was used to a lot worse from her johns. She was concerned about a few of the dancers who had been glaring at her as if they wanted to slit her throat.

  Chapter Ninety-Three

  Maggie wasn’t imagining things. The other girls really wanted her to go far away and never come back to Doubles.

  The man she led back to the lap dance room was a high-paying customer who always got his dances from Montana, the most experienced girl at Doubles. All of the other girls knew to stay away from Montana’s regulars. She didn’t hesitate to punch another girl in the face if she got pissed off at her. Most of the girls followed Montana’s lead. If she hated a girl, then so did most of the dancers.

  Montana watched Maggie closely, looking for her weakness, but there was nothing visible. Some of the girls would cover their mouths when they laughed to hide crooked teeth, or take painfully careful steps in their six-inch heels because they struggled for balance. Others put their skimpy dresses back on after they danced to hide a stomach that was poochy from giving birth or overindulging in fast food. But all Maggie showed was confidence, and she was clearly comfortable with every inch of herself. This just pissed Montana off even more. Her own areas of self-consciousness were the stretch marks on her breasts from her implants—she’d gone from an A cup to a D, and she didn’t like how they jiggled when she walked. She also tormented herself about the pockmarks from teenage acne on her face. She had to fill the marks with makeup to make her skin appear flawless.

  At the end of the evening, none of the girls acknowledged Maggie when she entered the dressing room. While the dancers chatted about their good and bad tippers of the night, Maggie minded her own business and changed back into her normal clothes. She didn’t notice Montana’s hateful stare. Grabbing her things, Maggie left the dressing room, headed upstairs, and out the backdoor where Armando was waiting for her in his car.

  As she walked through the parking lot, she was slammed in the side of the face. Quickly regaining her balance, she found herself face-to-face with Montana. “Listen, you fuckin’ bitch. You go near my regulars again, and I’ll put a hurting on you that you’ll never forget. You think you’re hot shit, but you ain’t nothin’. You better watch your back, girl,” Montana threatened.

  Maggie listened, but was still stunned from the unexpected blow to the head. She took a step toward Montana. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, and if you ever touch me again, you’ll be sorry,” she stated in a deadly serious voice.

  Montana sneered at her and began to laugh. “You think you fuckin’ scare me? Bitch, I will fuck you up so bad ain’t no man gonna wanna look at you again,” she stated evenly.

  On the outside, Montana looked sure and poised, but on the inside, she was a bit intimidated that Maggie came back at her. None of the other girls had dared to stand up to her.

  “Montana, I don’t want any trouble from you or anyone. I’m here to dance, earn money, and leave. If your regulars want a lap dance from me, then I don’t know what to tell you. Maybe you should use that charm of yours to keep them loyal. That is, if you have any charm. You’re just a bully and…”

  Maggie’s words stuck in her throat when Armando approached the two girls. She’d forgotten he was waiting for her. He had seen her get slammed in the head. He would’ve jumped in to stop Montana if necessary; after all, Maggie wouldn’t be any good to him with her face mangled. But he was pleasantly surprised to see Maggie stand up for herself.

  “Maggie! Let’s go. We need to roll out,” Armando announced.

  Both girls turned toward the domineering voice that sliced through the dark silence of the night. Montana turned and walked the other way, and Maggie walked over to the car.

  “I see you got yourself an enemy already,” Armando announced in an amused tone.

  “Whatever. She was babbling about how I need to stay away from her regulars,” Maggie started to explain.

  “Bitch! I ain’t your girlfriend, and I don’t wanna hear about your fuckin’ drama. All I know is, I don’t give a fuck who wants to give you money. If I find out ya turn anyone down, you’ll have more to worry about than that bony-ass bitch,” he yelled as he turned the radio up to a deafening volume and drove them back to Kensington.

  Back at the studio apartment, Maggie told Juju all about her first night at Doubles. “You know, it’s crazy to think I’m excited about being a stripper. But compared to hooking, I feel like I’m getting a break. I know that sounds nuts. No one in their right mind would think that way; no one who was normal, anyway,” Maggie confessed.

  Juju laughed at her friend. “Tell me one fucking person who we know that’s normal. I mean, I get what you’re sayin’ and all, but I guess normal just depends on what you’re used to. Anyway, how were the other dancers?”

  “Ugh! There’s this nasty bitch, Montana, who sucker punched me in the parking lot on my way out to meet Armando. She was pissed ’cause one of her ‘regulars’ paid me for a lap dance. I probably gave ten lap dances tonight, so I have no idea which dude she’s even talking about,” Maggie explained.

  “Did you fight back?” Juju asked with annoyance.

  “Nah. I let it go, but I told her she better not ever touch me again,” Maggie said proudly.

  “You can’t let any of those bitches get away with anything, Maggie. Once they know you won’t fight back, they’ll just keep riding ya. That’s why I taught ya how to fight, remember?” Juju stated aggressively.

  “Yes, Juju, yes, I remember. Trust me, if I need it, I’ll use it. I’m just trying to fit in as much as I can. Besides, the last thing I need is to get fired from Doubles. I really believe Rock will kill me if I screw this up. I’ll be careful, though. Stop worrying, Mom!” Maggie teased.

  “Well, apparently someone has to be the adult around here. I mean, with you out all hours of the day and night. Who would’ve ever thought I’d be the responsible one?” Juju joked.

  “Oh, isn’t that a pile of crap. I’m the rational one in this house…well, apartment.” She looked around her. “OK, shit hole,” Maggie admitted.

  “So, um, I have some news too,” Juju told her, snuggling closer to Maggie on the floor where they sat.

  “Oh, yeah? Did you win the lottery? Please tell me that you did.”

  “Not quite. But I met someone,” Juju said, blushing.

  “You mean like you met someone to date?” Maggie questioned.

  “No, like I met someone to paint my toenails. Of course someone to date.”

  “Wow. That’s cool. What’s her name?” Maggie asked, trying to sound interested, but her stomach clamped down hard. She knew it was selfish, but she didn’t want to lose Juju. Maggie started to squirm, and she couldn’t make her eyes meet Juju’s. She had decided that jealousy and fear were two emotions that didn’t mix well.

  “Her name is Rory. She’s a couple of years older than me and so beautiful. I can’t believe she’s even attracted to me,” Juju admitted.

  “Seriously? Juju, you’re hot. So did you go out on a date already?” Maggie asked cautiously.

  “Not yet. We’re planning on getting together late Tuesday night after I’m done selling,” Juju said with excitement in her voice.

  “Oh.”

  “Oh, what? Why aren’t you excited?”

  “I’m excited,” Maggie explained. “It’s just that I never really thought about one of us meeting someone else. It’s just something I didn’t expect.”

  Juju could sense that her news made Maggie nervous. Quickly realizing that Maggie might feel abandoned, she added
, “It’s only one date, Maggie. I’m not going anywhere. You know we’ll always be family. You’re like my sister, and Seth is like the little brother I never wanted,” she declared, trying to lighten the mood.

  The girls started to giggle. “I’m sorry, Juju. I’m being a jerk. It’s just that this is the first time in a long time I had a family and somewhere to live of my own. I’m afraid of losing all of it,” Maggie divulged.

  Maggie and Seth were finally together in a place they called home. But things change, and life moves on…Maggie would soon find out that nothing ever stays the same.

  Chapter Ninety-Four

  On Maggie’s fourth night at Doubles, she was relieved to see that Montana wasn’t working. She had been avoiding her ever since the confrontation. She’d even asked Shiver to point out Montana’s regulars so she could try to avoid them.

  When Maggie sat down in the dressing room to put on makeup, she overheard the other dancers talking about a girl named Emma, who had danced at Doubles before and had just returned after a long absence. The dancers were clearly unhappy that Emma had come back. Maggie surmised by the way they talked that Emma was a club favorite, and the other dancers didn’t like the competition.

  Maggie had just finished pulling up her stockings and attaching them to the garter belt she was wearing when she looked into the mirror and saw the most beautiful woman she’d ever laid eyes on. She knew it had to be Emma. She was the same height as Maggie, but with long, satin, blond hair and piercing emerald-green eyes.

  Emma strode through the room as if she owned the place. Maggie watched, fascinated by her beauty and self-assurance. Emma wore a steady grin as she flipped her long hair over her shoulder. She went to the chair next to Maggie and sat down.

  Emma looked over at her. “I’m Emma. I haven’t worked here in a while and don’t remember you from when I was here before.”

  “I’m Maggie. This is only my fourth night,” Maggie said in a lively voice.

  “Let me guess. These bitches here hate you and treat you like shit. Right?” Emma asserted.

  Maggie giggled. “Yeah, something like that.”

  “Well, that’s because you’re fuckin’ gorgeous,” Emma offered.

  “Let me guess. They hate you because you’re gorgeous?” Maggie countered.

  “Yeah, something like that,” Emma said, giggling.

  Shiver walked into the dressing room and looked over at Emma and Maggie. She was pleased to see they were already talking to each other. The contrast between the two of them took her breath away, and she made a mental note to put the two girls onstage at the same time.

  “Emma! How are you, sweetie?” Shiver sang.

  Emma stood and embraced her. “You know, I’ve been doing OK.”

  “Well, Jay and I are thrilled to have you back. Our regulars have been buzzing about you since Jay put the word out that you were returning. I see you’ve met Maggie,” Shiver said, giving Maggie’s forearm a gentle squeeze.

  “Yep, I sure did. And I see the girls are the same pack of jealous, cackling hens they’ve always been,” Emma said, looking over Shiver’s shoulder to make eye contact with some of them.

  “Now, now, darlin’, be sweet. You know it ain’t easy keeping up your clientele. They all just wanna make money, just like you and me,” Shiver said sweetly.

  “Now, Shiver, you know I don’t give a rat’s ass about what any of the mean girls want,” Emma reminded her. “So, when do I go on?”

  “They’ll be ready for you in about forty-five minutes. We’re gonna send you out by yourself for the first song, then we’ll send another girl in when the second song starts,” Shiver explained.

  Shiver turned to Maggie. “I’m sending you out with Emma tonight. I think the two of you will look magnificent together. Two opposite-looking beauties at one time. It’s a good night for Doubles.” She smiled.

  As Shiver walked away, a thought popped into Maggie’s head, and she turned to Emma without giving it any more consideration. “Hey, Emma, I was thinking we could team up and put on a show. You know, some kissing, undressing each other, that kind of stuff. I think we could make a lot of money.”

  Emma’s flawless smile spread across her face. “Yeah, let’s show these girls how it’s done. You dance good?”

  “I think I’m pretty good. The men like the way I dance,” she said bashfully.

  “Well, great! Let’s rock this fuckin’ place,” Emma roared with enthusiasm.

  Emma did her first return dance, solo. The men were in high spirits to see that she was back, and Maggie was happy for her new friend.

  When the next song started to play, Maggie stepped up on stage and grabbed the second pole. After ten seconds, the two young women were entwined in a mass of silky hair, flesh, and muscle. It was the kind of show men fantasized about. With these two dazzling creatures touching each other, the clients went wild, and as a result, their tips were generous. After their first performance together that night, they spent some time at the bar having drinks and getting to know each other better.

  “So how did you end up at Doubles?” Emma asked Maggie.

  “Well, the money is really good, and my pimp thought this would be an easy way to supplement our income. I do some hooking on the side. Rock, that’s my pimp, sets me up with guys, and I meet them at a couple of places Rock owns,” Maggie explained, as if it were nothing.

  “You’re OK with hooking?” Emma asked.

  “Let me tell you, it can be a hell of a lot worse. My family sort of lost me when I was a kid. I ended up living in pure hell. Lots of horny adults out there—if you know what I mean. So dancing here and turning some tricks during the week is a hell of a lot easier than walking the streets looking for customers or being held in captivity and sold to different men every night,” Maggie confided with an odd sense of distance.

  To hear Maggie talk as though she was giving the details of some other person’s life made Emma more curious about her new friend. Emma recognized the pattern—Maggie’s life was too painful to claim as her own, yet it was the painful memories that forced her to tell others about it. As a victim, Emma understood the connection and the distance with which Maggie described her life.

  Emma really liked Maggie and decided to do everything in her power to keep her as a friend. It wasn’t easy to find friends when she was trying so hard to remain unnoticed in society. Only in the darkness of the bar was there a chance to stumble upon someone who would actually care. The two girls didn’t have much in common, their childhood stories veered in two different directions, equally heartbreaking. But they shared the same emptiness; the loneliness in the pits of their stomachs when they lay alone in bed at night, waiting to be rescued by sleep.

  As time passed, Emma and Maggie began performing lap dances together for clients, earning a lot of money with each act. The two girls thrived on the sense of power their performances gave them, and they looked with satisfaction at the other dancers who had cast them aside.

  Emma and Maggie became the show of all shows at Doubles. And, to make things even better, one night after dancing a few sets together, Emma introduced Maggie to Vincent and Tony, two men Emma knew and trusted—two very dangerous men whom Maggie would get to know much, much better.

  Chapter Ninety-Five

  Tony and Vincent were the Consiglieri, advisors to the Godfather of the Italian mafia in Philadelphia. They were childhood friends of Salvatore, the Underboss and son of the Godfather. When Maggie was introduced to the two men, she had no idea who they were and did not know their affiliation with the mafia. Because Emma had so much trust in them, it was natural for Maggie to like them and get to know them better when she was working at Doubles. Both of the men liked Maggie. She was innocent, yet she was bright, and the combination of those two traits intrigued them. Maggie unknowingly pulled at Tony’s heart. She reminded Tony of his wife, Kay, who he loved with his entire being. The two women didn’t look alike, but they shared the same mannerisms and way of talking.

&n
bsp; When Emma was working, Tony and Vincent would hang around to talk with Maggie between her sets. They never asked her for a lap dance, and when she danced, they threw money onto the stage from their seats; they never stuck money between her breasts, as they did to the other girls.

  Tony and Vincent knew Emma through Salvatore, and he had asked them to keep an eye on her. “Make sure she gets to her car safe and that no one gives her a hard time,” Salvatore had instructed.

  It was a Wednesday night at Doubles, and the bar was unusually slow. Emma and Maggie had just finished their set. Emma was giving a lap dance, while Maggie sat between Tony and Vincent at the bar.

  Curious about her, Tony asked, “So Maggie, tell us somethin’ ’bout cha. Like how ya became a dancer for ’xample. See, Vincent and me here, we don’t understand why a smart girl like you is strippin’.”

  Maggie couldn’t help but be amused by their South Philly accents, but she didn’t want to be rude and openly laugh at them. “Well, I’ve been in the sex business for a long time. Since I was a young kid, actually, and, dancing here, I can earn good money, plus I don’t even have to have sex with anyone,” she explained.

  Vincent made a facial gesture as if he’d just smelled a pile of steaming-hot shit. “What cha mean when ya was a young kid? You’re still young. How fuckin’ young could you’ve been?” he asked.

  Maggie let out a long, gradual breath. “I was eleven. I was sort of ‘taken’ from my family. I haven’t seen my mom and dad since that time. Now it’s been too long, seven years. So much has changed; I wouldn’t even know how to talk to them. Besides, I’m eighteen now. I’m an adult,” she said, hoping they’d let the subject drop.

  “What cha mean, ya was taken?” Tony pressed, wanting to know what happened.

  “I was taken by a man named John William. Or at least that’s what we called him. I was at the mall with my mom, and he took me,” she said, exasperated.