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Two hours and several arguments later Sady had her costume. She almost quit before the show started when she saw the poster advertising her act. "ALL NEW! Come See Sandy-Sue and Her Amazing Bareback Bronco Ride!"
"It's a wonder the vice squad isn't waiting with cuffs," she complained. "It sounds like a porno movie." Matt thought it was funny until she appeared in her costume.
"You will get arrested in that outfit," he muttered.
Her brows went straight. "That's what I tried telling you when you insisted it was perfect! It's a little late to change buses now."
Once she started the show, she realized she wasn't as bad off as some of the girls. At least she didn't have the unsteady drunks trying to shove their hands in places they shouldn't. If the mechanical bull didn't knock them down, it kept her out of reach long enough for the bouncers to get there.
She lassoed a few men were there with their wives. Needless to say those poor fellows weren't getting any loving attention from their wives that night. After her first break the manager warned her she'd better start using that lasso on the rich men with money to burn.
She was sitting in the dressing room with a few other performers, who were waiting for their turn. "Ignore him," one of the women advised. "He'd pimp out his own mother for a few extra dollars."
"Have you worked here long?" Sady asked the friendly girl offering advice.
"Less than a month, and as soon as something else comes along I'm outta here!" The woman pursed her lips and applied a layer of shiny lip gloss.
"Does the boss expect you to get friendly with the customers?" Sady asked.
"Honey, all the bosses expect that. But he doesn't want you to get too friendly if you're good at what you do. He doesn't want to lose the money makers. Wish me luck. I'm up next." From her looks Sady guessed she was one of the pole swinging melon shakers.
"Sounds like there's a pretty big staff turnover," Sady commented to one of the other women who appeared older than the one who just left to perform.
She stretched her jaw and rubbed the makeup that settled into the creases on her face before replying, "Nah. Only with the pole dancers. If you have a good act, and can change it up once in a while, the boss will pay good to keep you."
"I see. Do you mind if I ask what your specialty is?" Sady asked.
"I'm the snake girl. I shake, rattle, and roll," she said. "Honestly, all my snakes are harmless, but men have a morbid fascination with girls who play with snakes."
"I bet. So how many acts does the club put on?" Sady hoped the conversation would lead to Harry’s mystery woman.
"Besides the pole girls there's usually about five unique acts. We were down one act until you got hired. All the men like to think it's one huge jealous cat fight back here, but really it's not. As long as no one tries to hijack another girl's special customers. If we don't look out for each other, no one else will. Besides, the more good acts we have, the better the crowd, and the fewer hours we all have to work. So welcome aboard, Cowgirl. Everyone calls me Charm."
Sady shook hands and Charm introduced her to the other girls. "That's Bubbles- she does this acrobat thing with hoops and ribbons. And that one is Aerial- she works the trapeze. Mermaid has the night off, but you'll meet her later this week."
Sady looked at the walls of photos showing different performers through the years. She tried to identify the woman in the photo with Harry, but it would take a while. There were hundreds of photos, and it was her turn for another performance.
She looked at the ogling men in the audience and lassoed one, hoping he was one of the big fish the boss was eager to hook. The guy stuffed a twenty-dollar bill down her bra, so Sady guessed she was on the right track. At least as far as the boss was concerned. Matt nearly came unraveled. The more money Sady brought in, the more upset he got.
She did pretty good that night. Only one guy got carried away when he put money in her boot. He decided to cop a feel up and down her thigh. A quick finger stab to his sternum, and the bouncer dragged him to the door by his feet.
Finally, her shift was over, and she headed back to the dressing room. "Nice job out there," Bubbles said. "It's customary to split our tips, in case no one told you." Sady peeled off her thigh boots and shook out the bills that had worked their way down. She peeled the money out of her skimpy outfit, tossing it on the table with a yawn.
"Divvy it up, and give me my share tomorrow," Sady said. She didn't want to touch any of the money without gloves. If she brought a plastic bag tomorrow she'd have one of the girls put in the money, then she'd go back to the hotel and disinfect it. Apparently, they'd been in the business long enough that touching the money wasn't a big deal. They pounced on the pile of bills Sady left.
She was changing into street clothes when Aerial yelled, "Hey, Cowgirl. A guy out here insists you're with him. You want me to call Vinnie and have him tossed?"
"What does he look like?" Sady asked with a laugh.
"Tall, dark, blue eyes, needs a shave. He's really hot, so if you don't want him let me know. Oh, he says his name is Matt."
"My manager," Sady said. "Tell him I'll be there shortly."
Aerial shut the door and said, "You'd better make it quick, honey. He looks like he's about to blow a gasket. Let us know if he gets rough with you. We have ways to deal with guys like that."
"Thanks, I will," Sady replied, telling the women goodnight.
Matt was pacing in the hall outside the dressing room. "You keep hanging out here, and Vinnie's gonna cap your knees," Sady told him. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to the exit. "Slow down, will you? I'm a little saddle sore, if you don't mind."
"Did you find out anything?" he asked.
"Yeah. The club goes through pole dancers like penny slots, and I have to split my tips," she glared. "Just what did you think I could accomplish in one night?"
"Besides opening a bank account in your chaps?" he asked rudely.
"Don't worry. I'll need that money for an operation to straighten out my bowed legs. Let me tell you when it comes to mechanical bulls, one size does not fit all! Now shut up, and get me a taxi, because I'm not walking back to the hotel. I doubt I'm capable of walking that far. I wonder if tetanus shots are mandatory in this business?"