“Doesn’t sound bad,” Kandace said.
April snickered. “Sorta. I need to make as much as I can.” She set her fork down and continued. “To start, wait at your station. When you’re called, you’re up, and you’ll be told where to go, either a stage, a room or main floor. You have priority tonight from management. Regulars crave new talent. Especially younger talent,” April said, her eyebrows formed sassy peaks at younger. Then she laughed. “There was an old guy I had once, maybe seventy, that came in and told me I should be his wife. Asked me to suck him off for two grand.”
April cackled, watching Kandace’s face. “Don’t worry. Management doesn’t allow that, even if you’re into it. You read The Rules?”
Kandace shook her head, and April directed her to a big white sign taped to the wall near the exit.
Show everyone respect (even when you don’t want to)
Serve the customer (they pay you, not the club)
No means No (This goes both ways)
You are a stripper; the customer is not (self-explanatory)
“Oh. Yeah. Girls around here are entrepreneurs. Hustlers. We’re selling when we’re on the floor and management isn’t always around to do it for you. When you’re walking around naked, offering a dance to every dick, you’ll see what I mean.”
Kandace and April talked about technique. Resting at her station, she admired her makeover before was interrupted by a middle-aged, fully dressed woman.
From head to toe she resembled Barbie. “I’m sorry. Were you talking to me?” Kandace asked.
“Yes, I was. I came over to say hello. My name’s Noel, by the way. And I have a gift for you,” she said, handing over a pink and sparkly gift bag with black tissue paper. Kandace accepted the small bag in her lap. “Are you a new dancer here?”
“Uh, yeah. I am,” Kandace said. “Who are you, again?”
“Noel.” She smiled big, pearl white teeth bordered by full lips, her high cheeks raised perfectly like a TV personality when she smiled. “I thought you might be new here. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Thanks for the gift,” Kandace said, digging through layered tissue paper. The bag had snack bars, an energy shake, cookies, makeup and a booklet titled ‘Jesus Loves Strippers.’ How could Jesus love strippers?
“What’s your name?” Noel asked.
“Autumn,” she said while leafing through the booklet, with colorful diagrams.
“Nice to know you, Autumn.”
April approached. "Aren’t you going to cover up for the church lady?"
Kandace glanced at herself and remembered that she hadn’t re-dressed after her last rehearsal. Her eyes met Noel and Noel just shrugged.
“No big deal at all.”
Kandace didn’t mind if Noel didn’t. “You said you’ve been coming here awhile?”
“Yes. Several months, speaking for myself. Everyone at this club has been very nice. Are you fitting in well so far?”
“Oh, yeah. Totally. Had no idea we’d get food. So nice. Your group does that?”
“We do. We come here to serve and to listen and support dancers. We’re all about relationships.” Noel paused a moment. “So, what’s your story, Autumn?”
“My story?” Kandace held the booklet open on her leg. “Where to start? I left home to find my dad. He’s in California. But now I’m not entirely sure what I’m doing, actually. I’d been on my way to the train station when I met April. She brought me here.” Kandace realized that she had all but completely forgotten about her father since her disjointed phone call with him. She had to remind herself that she was powerless to help him until she had the money to get to California.
Noel nodded slowly. “Thanks for sharing. Do you know where he lives?”
Kandace shook her head. “I think he’s in LA, but I don’t have an address.”
“How long have you been looking for him?”
“He’s been gone almost two years.”
“Wow. Wow. I’m so sorry.”
“Autumn?” April said. She stood behind Noel.
“I know you’ve got to work, but would you mind if I prayed for you right now?” Noel asked.
Kandace didn’t know what to say. “Okay, I guess.”
Noel touched Kandace on the shoulder and bowed her head, closed her eyes and prayed for protection during her shift, for peace, for safety, and for Kandace to find her father. For a happy reunion. For Kandace to know how much God thinks about her and adores her.
Kandace hugged Noel a long moment and was overwhelmed. She let herself cry it all out, surprised at how strongly she felt. Noel thanked Kandace and left her phone number on a slip of paper in the gift bag.
A blonde two chairs down from Kandace snorted lines of cocaine on a small mirror. Kandace looked away, shocked that no one in the crowded backstage seemed to mind.
“I’d say your small town bubble is officially busted,” April said. “Get dressed so I can show you the lounges before they become infested with dicks.”
Kandace was laughing as she slid on her thong, followed by its matching bra, posing in front of the mirror. Impressive cleavage. Her hair’s volume and subtle curls, the way it adorned her shoulders, those smoky eyes and dark lashes she saw in the mirror belonged to a sexy woman she didn’t know. Maybe walking through those doors changed her?
“Can I get a makeup fix?” Kandace asked, feeling like perfect artwork was ruined.
“Later on that. Let’s go.”
April lead her to a cozy room, well-appointed with two sofas, hardwood flooring, and a low ceiling. Modest lighting.
“This is a private room,” April said. “In here they pay by the hour, even if you’re not dancing. I’ve had johns tipping with hundreds in these walls. So, to recap, get a john in here and stay in here.”
“Wow. Okay, so… is this where,” Kandace paused, “if they’re paying more, they want more?”
“Relax on the off-menu services. Guys typically want a girlfriend in here, so they can talk and feel like they’re on a date. Sometimes, guys will ask for wild shit, fetishes, you name it. Some of it’s just fucking weird. Don’t do it if you’re not into it and pricing is up to you.” April paused. “And managers are always watching, so you’re safe to say no. If a guy whips himself out you can tell him to put it away or watch management throw him out.”
“Guys spend hundreds to just talk?”
“You’d be amazed what men are willing to pay for.”
“My boyfriend always tries to get into my pants. So I’m used to that. Is there a place where guys can… whip it out?”
“Theoretically, the members-only rooms.”
Two guys walked in and sat, eyeing Kandace and April. Kandace recognized them from the office. “This is Lap Dancing 101,” April said, pushing one of the guys to the sofa. The lights dimmed, and music started. April straddled the guy and danced, touching him at his hair, his neck.
“I’ve never done this before.” Kandace said. “I’ll watch you.”
“It’s a solid family night activity. Just remember, simple moves, lots of contact,” she said as she moved the guy’s head closer to her chest. “And in here, you can let a guy touch but only if you want. So if he’s asking to touch and you’re okay with it, then take his hands in yours and put them on you.” April demonstrated with her john by putting his hands on her backside. “If a guy is too rough, just say so. Some guys don’t know how to touch a woman, so you should educate him. If he helps himself, security will kick him out.”
VA VA Voom byNicki Minaj played. Kandace watched April work for several beats, then took the initiative with his decent looking friend. Kandace slid on his lap, knowing she might never see him again and discovered how kinky that could be.
“You’re new, huh?” he asked.
“I am. What do you do?”
“Bartend.”
“Well, I’ll be your favorite drink of the night,” she said, smiling at him, pushing her hair back as she leaned in close. He smelled musky, clean. H
is stubble made him look more masculine.
“Oooh. Please.” He smiled in return, his eyes soaking in Kandace as she removed clothing. She teased him with her costume, touched his face, his neck, his hair, watching his reactions, his cues. She could feel his excitement. She tossed her bra, and his groans left no doubt. His knuckles strained on the seat. He wasn’t asking to touch, and Kandace wondered what he wanted to touch most.
“Are you able to hold it in?” Kandace asked, slipping off her G-string.
“I doubt it.”
Kandace rubbed on him to the beat, making firm contact.
“Autumn, you’re a pro already. He’s gonna go bang bang all over you,” April said. “You might want to let him up.”
“No, no. Not yet,” he said and groaned again.
“Does this help?” Kandace asked him as she put her hands on his shoulders and rubbed on him, rocking her hips.
“Get up, get up,” he said.
Kandace slipped off his lap as he ran out.
“Fucking A. You got the first lap dance creaming his pants. Just so you know, some guys consider that too far.”
Kandace laughed a little.
“I’m not joking. Some guys get pissed if you make them come. Not to mention its seriously gross if you’re riding on that. Be sure to ask.”
“That’s a thing? It happens?”
April shrugged. “Some guys are here because they can’t get enough.”
“Thanks, coach,” Kandace said as she grabbed her clothes.
“Thanks, Marco, that’ll do,” April said to her guy, and he winked back.
Kandace sat on the sofa and April sat beside her. Neither bothered to re-dress.
“What about tips?” Kandace asked.
April grinned. “Quit worrying. Pretend every customer is a billionaire and you’re on a date. You’ll do fine.”
“I think I can do that. Sounds easy enough.”
“You liked him, didn’t you?”
“Oh, my lap dance guy?” Kandace shrugged. “Kinda hot.”
“You’re on E. Means every john in the place will look gorgeous. You best contain yourself.”
“The guy looked hot because of E? I love this drug. Even the pole looks sexy. And the music in here is amazing.”
“You won’t say that at four am. Believe me.”
“Guys must spend their savings to pay for all this.”
“Rich business men and politicians mostly. They can’t tolerate a real relationship.”
“Really? So it’s all about being a girlfriend? Not really dancing? That’s the secret?”
“Think of it like this—guys pay for dances, but it’s really all about fantasy. About how you make him feel and if you get in his head, make him want you, money comes. Tips are key. A good tipping john is like a lollipop. He tastes sweet, and everyone wants one."
11
Kandace bathed in soft light. She admired the beauty in the mirror, sipping fancy bottled water from Fiji. Autumn. Her new name. A new her. In a new city.
What was in store for the night ahead?
Crowd noise polluted backstage as managers gracefully whisked from dancer to dancer, talking to each other through wireless communications. Dancers were going out in pairs to the floor, three at a time for stage A.
“I can’t believe I’m here. I’m so crazy excited right now,” Kandace said.
“Told ya,” April said. “Should be mad money out there. You picked a good night.”
“So, how many new dancers have you brought in?”
April’s eyebrows raised. “Why?”
“Curious.”
“You’re the eighth this year.”
“I knew I wasn’t your first.”
“Yeah, far from it. I bring in top new talent, that’s a fact. You stick to what I taught you, you’ll make it rain. You’ll bring the thunder!”
“I can dance, sure, but I’m not like some of these dancers.”
“Cut that self-doubt. You’re a full house, sister. You’re a gorgeous dancer who talks a good game. Make a john feel like a billionaire, and he’ll pay you like he is.”
“Autumn! Stage C!”
“How do I get there?” Kandace asked.
“Follow the manager,” April said, pointing to the silver suit with an arm up for the rookie dancer. A flat screen television mounted to the wall showed AUTUMN in the center, colorful.
She tossed her robe aside, and April’s encouragement trailed after her.
I’ve got this.
The walkway, covered by a black curtain split down the middle, was all that separated Kandace from her new future.
No going back.
When Rihanna’s S&M started, the silver suit nodded. She pushed through black curtains to intense lights and applause. Only her front row onlookers came into focus; a lowlight cocktail of pink and blue moved with deep, pulsing base.
Customers were close to her walkway on both sides. She spun for them on the pole, slow, letting them see her. Then she romped like a cat, laughing to herself. Her crowd felt engaged, as dollar bills hit her stage.
She put her back to her pole and gave her legs a workout, her spine a massage. The crowd’s energy moved her—she hadn’t experienced anything like this. Smiles and applause, whistles and catcalls, growing louder with her every shift of her legs. As her hands caressed her hips, her bare abdomen, they shouted for more. She toyed with her shirt’s knot, the waistband of her skirt. She let the song drive her and she was surprised at how much she wanted to please them—to show them all they wanted. She tingled through her legs, her back as she stroked her pole, gyrated on it while her onlooking horde erupted.
Calls came for her clothes. She had to watch her step; cash covered her stage like newspapers in a New York subway.
Tease.
Taunt.
Flirt.
She threw back her hair, then worked her legs and hips, caressing her treasures. She smiled, loving their attention. Her second song, Ariana Grande’s Bang Bang,began and she climbed high and spun upside down, her legs wrapped the pole and a slow descent, her arms extended.
The chorus moved the floor. Off the pole, she planted her toes at the stage’s edge and danced slowly and close for viewers, her hands riding her body, rocking her hips to the beat. She lip sang the lyrics and at last, she stripped her white shirt, tossing it to a one-hundred-dollar bill tipper. She read his lips, hot damn. He’d held onto the rail while she danced from her knees for him.
This is seriously hot. And fun.
A gentleman sitting front row made it rain singles over her, and her skirt was his prize. She tiger-romped and gave him a show. Money fluttered in pink lights, and the crowd went electric when she snapped her bra.
They love me. They want me.
At the onset of her third song, Demi Lovato’s Body Say, as money showered over her, she stripped her sparkly thong. A slow dance, then a spin on the pole as the chorus hit. She held her pose, her feet to the pole, all of her on display.She’d never felt sexy like this. Desirable. Free. They reacted to her every move, every pelvic thrust, every hand stroking her canvas. Her crowd whistled and shouted over the music.
I can go all night, boys.
Kandace followed a manager’s direction, exiting the stage to her first waiting customer, a forty-something in fitted golf attire with a blazer. He bought a lap dance and Kandace put her money maker on him as Tove Lo’s Talking Body started. She noticed his gold band and felt naughty—for an instant—for wanting to excite him. His tightness in his pants testified approval. He smiled back and his eyes lingered.
Kandace turned and planted a foot between his legs and toyed with him, using her toes. He inched closer. After several beats, he told her to stop. In low light, she could see sweat beads on his brow. On taking a seat, she could feel his pulse through his slacks.
“I’m losing my mind over you,” he said. “Could I touch your legs?”
“How about a room for that?” She rocked her hips on him slowly, reme
mbering April’s advice to restrain herself. He groaned for the duration of the song and wore euphoria like jewelry at its conclusion.
“Are you ready for a room?”
He admired her curves and she, letting him gawk, smiled for him, tossing her hair. She wanted to learn more about him.
A manager interrupted to escort her away and Kandace wanted to ask why, but didn’t want to look stupid.
Her john said, “I can’t buy another dance? What the hell?”
The manager wasn’t fazed and said, “Stick around. Autumn may be available later on.”
The customer looked annoyed even in low light, but smiled at Kandace, then held out folded cash between his fingers. “I hope to see more of you soon.”
Kandace accepted, and he held her hand for a beat as money transferred.
The top bill was a 100. It was at least one hundred bucks! How many bills were there? Maybe three? Four? She couldn’t tell and she didn’t want to check.
She handed off her tip to a manager en route to her next customer.
She stood a foot from his armless chair and put her hands on her hips. “So, what are you into?”
“Baby, I’ll pay your rent if you ride my pole,” he said, his hands pulled at his hair, his eyes burning. His table was full of rowdy twenty-somethings who must have descended from a golf course. All of them had matted hair from a hat—prohibited attire in the club.
“What if it’s a penthouse?”
“I’ll buy you a phone too. Then I can call you,” he said.
“I love it. Should I dance first?”
“Bring it on,” he said and kept his hands on his lap, though they kept moving.
Kandace began her dance at the start of Dangerous Woman by Ariana Grande. While she was dancing, she noticed other dancers on stage but she felt like she wore all the eyes in the place.
“Tell me, what do you like about me?”
“Everything. Can I touch your ass?” he asked.
“A little later on, when it’s just us,” Kandace said, and she slowly planted herself backward onto his lap. She rubbed him and listened to him struggle. Onlookers closed in, and a manager forced the crowd back.
Goodbye, Good Girl Page 9