Opening the Door

by Michael Roberts

I looked at Ann and said “I told you he would be all right. I don’t know why you were objecting to him earlier.”

  That is about the time she threw a sofa cushion at me. It is good to have someone you can laugh with.

  * * *

  I keep seeing surveyors around our neighborhood more and more often. It troubles me. I do not know what they would uncover that I do not want them to. Some would say that I have a guilty conscience but the fact is that I do not feel any guilt at all for the things I have done. None. I just don’t want to get caught.

  The first full week at my new assignment was instructive. I have always liked learning new things. Beverly was usually gone from her office by the time I got off work but would occasionally stay late to “Check up on how school was going.” She also seemed inquisitive about how Mr. Wendell operated his office. I made it a point to observe everything and report it to her. Don’t know if she wants me as her little spy in his office or is just curious, either way it doesn’t matter to me.

  Keeping up with this school load has been rough, especially since Beverly expects an ‘A’ average from me in everything. (Yes Momma). I know she has a reason but it is wearing me down. That’s why I didn’t jump at the chance to help Ann with one of her private gigs she has on Saturday. But when she said Rico will be there as security for her, along with another girl named Rachel that changed everything. After all if you have enough coffee then who needs sleep?

  Rico came by Ann’s place about seven to pick us up. Ann said this was a private party somewhere in Ivor called “Boston Blackies”. I know I have probably driven past the place but have never noticed it one way or the other.

  Since it was a private party at a private club, the dancers were not required to wear any clothing. Their company, Dark Dreams, was paying each of them $500 for a four hour gig. They also expected to make lots of tips as well. (Maybe stripping could be a good fall back choice for me.)

  Unfortunately I do not have the build. I also have no desire to let somebody cut me open and insert bags of silicone under my skin so some random guy can ogle me on stage. Besides, Dave seems to appreciate me just the way I am.

  Smiling slightly to myself I thought about him, still uncertain about how to describe our relationship. Right now it is what people call ‘friends with benefits’, and there are some very nice benefits to be had. (Bigger smile now) Time will have to tell where this leads, no need to rush into things too quickly.

  It is puzzling to me why women who take their clothes off for a living have to pack so many ‘outfits’ to go to work. I understand they do little skits to music like the ‘Teacher and the Naughty School Girl’ and ‘The Milk Maid’, but the other ones are beyond me. Ann and Rachel were deeply involved in the strategies of presentation like a couple of generals before an invasion. Who knew this could be so complex? Rico and I were waiting for them to finalize their plans when it occurred to me that this was something he was used to. While this was new to me it was probably boring to him.

  I sat up front with Rico while the two women were in the back discussing ‘Back Hook Spins’ and something called a Cross Leg Release’ plus other techniques and terms I couldn’t catch. Think I will stick to manipulating money at least that is something I understand. In fact I think I am getting better at it all the time. More importantly, so does Beverly.

  Blackies has a large main area where they serve food and drinks in the front. There are also a couple of smaller rooms for private affairs and one large back room for stage shows like tonights. Their security handled the door and I got the impression that the only people allowed in were those on a list. Rico was supposed to help guarantee the girls’ security on the floor in case somebody expected more from the dancers then they were willing to do. My job was to stay in the dressing room to watch their stuff and be their gofer in case something else was needed. Ann said they would tip me. I didn’t want to take anything from her but she was really adamant about it.

  The two women set things out in the order they needed them with a precision that would have made a drill team proud. Watching these two walk around would have been a straight guy’s or a lesbian’s dream job. While I think Ann was better looking. Rachel had tattoos and piercings in unusual places.

  I have thought about getting a tattoo sometime but draw the line at piercings. Before they went out for the first ‘Act’, Ann handed me a Taser and told me sometimes guys liked to sneak into the changing room and steal their clothes.

  Sounds like something from a frat house on a ‘panty raid’. On the other hand it never pays to underestimate the stupidity of males when it comes to booze and beautiful women. Now I see why I was getting a ‘Tip’.

  Ann and Rachel went out on stage together but would take turns coming back, either one at a time or both of them to change outfits for some skit they were performing. When they came back they were usually not wearing anything. I was curious about where they kept their tips but evidently they handed the money to Rico when they went off stage. Good choice, there were few who ever wanted to cross him once. There were none who did it twice.

  Usually I could tell by the music when they were going to change a set so I would be ready for them. That is why I was startled when the door opened and there were two guys standing there. We stared at each other for a minute, hard to say who was more surprised. I had the Taser by a bag next to my hand but didn’t want to pull it out unless things got ugly.

  “Can I help you guys?”

  “Uhm.. Sorry ma’am. Think we must have the wrong room.”

  “That happens.”

  “Are you with the dancers?” asked one of them. He looked like he wanted to edge on into the room.

  “Yes, the overly large security guard and I are both with them.” Trying to stay low key so this doesn’t get out of hand. Both of them had been drinking and were obviously trying to be macho in front of each other.

  “We just thought we would come back here and get to meet them.”

  “Sorry guys, you have to talk to them when they are on the floor. Company rules, you understand.”

  “Sometimes rules are made to be broken.”

  “Yes, but breaking this rule would mean me losing my job, and I need a job. You guys understand that don’t you?” I walked over and put my hand on the door to close it.

  “Well we wouldn’t want to do anything to make you lose your job. Take care now miss, what did you say your name was?” Really? Are you trying to hit on me here after I busted you trying to sneak into the room to steal their panties or whatever? It is true what they say, ‘stupidity knows no bounds’.

  “Sally. My name is Sally. Maybe I will see you out front after the show, but for right now you need to go. Take care boys.” Smiling at them, I closed the door.

  I have no idea where the name ‘Sally’ came from but it seemed to make them happy and compliant so ‘good for me’.

  When the girls came back I told them about it. Both agreed that I had handled it perfectly. When Rico was told about it he was not amused, but not surprised either. Evidently this happens more often than you would expect. At least more often than I would have expected.

  Rachel did come back once in the middle of a set and was trembling with a mixture of anger and something else. It seems that on one of their nude scenes one of the guys had decided that the rules didn’t apply to him and grabbed her in a very private part. Rico took care of it, but still it should never have happened. Not to anyone. These women are entertainers, not just flesh covered pleasure toys for assholes to play with.

  I guess my attitude about dancers has changed over time. This definitely would not be the life for me.

  Finally the night was over. When they came off stage between sets they had handed Rico their cash for safe keeping because they could trust him to be honest and not take any of their tips. Plainly that was something that happened all too often. He pulled out several wads of money f
rom his pockets and dumped it all on a table.

  I made it a point not to watch as they counted up their tips and divided it between themselves, but I know it was a good amount. They worked hard for every penny of it. Even though Rico was paid by ‘Dark Dreams’ they made sure to give him something extra as a tip.

  Then they surprised me by each handing me a $50 bill. I had only come here because Ann and Rico were here, not to make money. When Ann told me that I “Have to take a tip” I was expecting maybe $10. I almost refused until I looked in Ann’s eyes and knew that this was needful for me to do. It is a strange world sometimes.

  Going out we saw those same two losers who had tried to come into the room to meet the girls. They were talking to some truck driver and drinking at the bar without a care in the world. We left them there and kept going.

  Tomorrow is another day, and I have to work hard to get those ‘A’s.

  * * *

  Thomas saw her again as she was leaving Boston Blackies with two other women and some big guy. Seeing and recognizing her last May had been a fluke. Discovering what she was doing wasn’t really a surprise. He was thinking “I wonder who else knows about this?” The answer of course was probably no one did. This wasn’t something that was exactly advertised in the home town paper.

  * * *

  Working at Mr. Wendell’s office was informative. I did not want to pester him with too many questions but when I did ask one he was careful to phrase his answers so that I understood, without sounding patronizing. Marie was due back soon and while I didn’t mind being here I would be glad to go back to Beverly’s. I also missed being able to at least listen to my on-line courses as background when I was working.

  Crunch time for class tests was coming and I needed to put in extra effort to maintain my ‘A’ average.

  Christmas time is also approaching and I have to figure out what to get Ann and Rico, not to mention Dave. Ann’s idea on the subject was for me to show up at his place wearing nothing but a red bow. (And people say my sense of humor is slightly off beat) I decided to make up some goodie bags like last year for all the kids in the neighborhood.

  I do not mind having a bunch of kids around as long as they all go home at night. Someone else’s home of course. It is also a lot nicer to have some kid’s toys in the front yard than a bunch of beer cans, a lot nicer.

  So our holiday plan is for Rico and Dave to meet Ann and me at my place on Christmas and cook something together. My idea of finding a Chinese place that would be open was quickly boo’d down. The last I heard before tuning out the discussion was that Ann would be in charge of the cooking. That is all I wanted to know. The guys have their assignments of what to bring over. Since Ann is playing chef in the kitchen I volunteered to get everything from the grocery list, as long as somebody else gets the booze. God it sucks not being 21.

  Rico and Ann have a job on Christmas Eve but should be over here by 10ish in the morning and I told Dave he may as well sleep over. I like it that he doesn’t presume about things like that. I also like that he doesn’t expect me to wait on him. He pitches in to help in the kitchen and do the dishes. He also has no problem picking up some wine and helping to pay for dinner.

  We also plan to invite a couple of other people to the house for dinner. Some of Ann’s and Rico’s co-workers who don’t have anywhere to go on Christmas. Believe me I know how it feels to be hungry and alone.

  When I was about nine my mom did something stupid and was locked in jail for a week over Christmas. We had just moved into that particular trailer park and I didn’t know anybody. After a few days I ran out of food and of course there was no money. Mostly I just sat there, looking out the window at the people passing by. But I did begin to learn some things.

  I learned that we are who we choose to be. Nobody will come into save us. It is up to us to save ourselves. People will not give you things, you have to go out and get them on your own. You are the only one who knows what you want deep down inside and you are the one who will be hurt the most if you don’t get it. Never give up on your dreams or yourself.

  There are two people I unconditionally love in this world. First off there is Ann, an incredible woman with a golden heart, and Rico, a fighter with a soul that cares. Unfortunately for my love life up to this point neither Ann nor I are gay but Rico is. Go figure. Thankfully Dave seems to be coming into my life and fits right in where I need him to be.

  * * *

  On my last Friday at Mr. Wendell’s office Marie came back to work. It was easy to see why she had been out, her boobs went from being obviously padded, to much bigger than mine. They actually looked pretty nice on her. They weren’t too big and round like a pair of water balloons nor were they a set of double A’s. In fact they suited her frame perfectly. It was strange to think of but with a little touch of make-up she actually looks prettier than I do.

  I complimented her on having the work done, she tried to play it down but I could tell she was really pleased. I updated her on the things we had done while she was gone. I tried to keep her filing system in order but knew I had made some mistakes. She said not to worry and that she was happy to be back.

  Mr. Wendell said I could leave at noon so I went to see Beverly and find out if she had anything for me to do.

  When I walked in the office Beverly gave me that little smile she seems to save for me alone. I knew something was up.

  “Do you have another job for me?”

  “No.”

  “Is there someplace else you are sending me to help out one of your friends?”

  “No. Why do you ask?”

  “You’re smiling.”

  At that point she laughed. “Actually I was just reviewing your online tests and their scores and they look commendable. You have done a really good job on your school work. You should be very proud of yourself.”

  “Thank you Beverly.” I know I did not give her my pass words to log into my school accounts. Not to mention that the grades won’t be posted until Monday. I think she is in her ‘Mentor Mode’ now.

  With that she handed me a sheaf of school registration papers and sat there smiling like a Cheshire cat. I swear I expected her to start purring at any minute. Things are moving just a little too fast and I need a minute to mentally regroup.

  “I thought we had already decided what courses I was going to take next semester?”

  “We did. You are taking the same courses but at a different location.”

  “Why?”

  “When it comes to being accepted in our field there is a big difference between going to a two year community college hoping to be accepted somewhere, and going to a four year college all along. Rightly or wrongly, a degree from a ‘Higher Institute’ will be more widely accepted than one from a community college. Even if the subjects are exactly the same. That I why you are transferring to St. Leo University.”

  It sounded reasonable but I knew there was more involved. With Beverly there always is. On the other hand since I am planning to do on-line courses did it really matter where they were from?

  “Okay, if you say so.” She is still smiling so something else must be going on. “How much is the tuition going to cost me, is there much difference?”

  “Oh yes it is a lot more but that’s all right. Also you will not be doing these on-line but will attend class in person. I have your schedule in the stack of papers. The class times for you next semester are from 7:30 – 10:00 at night from Monday to Thursday, and from 5:00 – 10:00 on Friday night. You will have to get there early each night to check in at the gate.”

  “What gate? Where are these classes?” I am taking in too much information at once. The bad part is that she is still smiling so I know it is not over yet.

  “You’re at Langley Air Force Base of course. They have other campuses in the area but I believe all of them in this state are on military bases. I am certain you wil
l do well there.”

  “Why can’t I do them on-line from here? Also define ‘a lot more’ for the tuition.”

  “You need to begin meeting different people than you are used to. The other students taking these classes will be in the same ‘pipe line’ for a degree in your field. It would be wise if you got to know them. They will be either possible contacts or future competition for employment opportunities as the need arises.

  When you are finished with those papers there is something in the bottom envelope for you to review and sign. I think you will like it.” There has to be more to this, I suspect the grand finale will be in the envelope. She always saves the real kicker for the last. This is her way of getting a personal ‘sweetener’ on any deal.

  The school application was what I expected with mostly the exact wording the other school used. I did notice there was a 1-800 number that could be used both to order books and to possibly return them for credit at the end of the semester. That was different, but I remembered Beverly’s advice about holding onto your training aids. They could be useful as references in the most surprising moments.

  As I sat across from her filling in the blanks she grinned. I noticed the dates had already been filled in but didn’t say anything. The last page surprised me, it was my acceptance letter. How can I be accepted before I have applied? There was no owl to deliver this to me so it couldn’t be from Hogwarts. Glancing up I looked at her without saying a word.

  “I felt there was no need to wait. Some things are simply a formality, don’t you agree?”

  “Yes Beverly.”

  Finally I got to the big manila envelope at the bottom. It’s hard to act casual when the other person has set you up and you both know it. But here goes.

  It took me a few minutes to realize what it was and what it meant. I read it twice and then once more for everything to sink in. I have been accepted for a Roebling Scholarship at St. Leo University beginning next semester, this will include all courses, lab work and material. I had to stop for a minute and let all this sink in. The two of us sat there looking at each other until I broke the silence.