Page 42 of Roulette: The Madam

“In front of you, you’ll find a folder. Inside of the folder are twelve sheets of paper. A new concept. A new wave. A new way of Roulette. And, by noon Monday, you will need to have memorized every word on every page.”

I began stalking the tiled floor, eyes trained on everyone in the room. No one was safe.

“Your employment depends on it. Everything is new. The rules. The regulations. The verbiage inside the club. The clientele. The payouts. The tips. The music. The vibe.Everything. Should you find yourself disagreeing with anything on those pages, consider yourself fired. No hard feelings. Life goes on.

“Understand that I won’t be explaining the changes happening. They’re made plain. If you can’t comprehend, consider yourself fired. Break a rule, consider yourself fired. I will accept nothing but flawlessness in this establishment. If that’s impossible or not a goal of yours, consider yourself fired.”

I rounded the long conference table and continued.

“The simplest rule of them all is keep your mouth shut. Less talking, more listening. Most men aren’t here for anything more than a listening ear. Be that. And, themost importantrule of them all– Exude the feminine energy I’ve taught you to master and use it to your advantage. Everything you want or ever wanted from a man lies within the power of femininity. Remain sweet on them at all times. Your proceeds will overflow.

“The final two pages cover the woman’s anatomy. It should be no surprise that I studied the woman my entire eight years of college. I was fascinated with the mind, body, and structure of a woman. Obsessed, even, which is why my line of work keeps me surrounded with women. I live and breathe femininity. It’s my life’s work.

“But, it doesn’t start at twelve or thirteen when puberty hits and you become a more mature, more awakened version of yourself. The mini woman. It starts as our gender is determined at conception and as we morph into micro women in the womb. Our anatomy is where it begins. And, that’s why it’s important that you understand it.

“This will help you serve your purpose in Roulette without questioning your born-right to be exactly who this establishment calls you to be. We are the most powerful beings on this earth. It’s time more of us acted like it. I won’t accept anything less than that here.

“I’m not asking for perfection. I’m asking for flawlessness, according to Roulette’s standards. That’s not a complicated task, neither should you make it. In fact, I’ll give you a hint to make it easier, ladies– Women are flawless in their own regard. It’s in our nature. The world conforms to us, but most of us conform as the world molds us into who it wants us to be. That’s not how it was meant to be.

“The pages in this folder will help you unlearn everything you’ve been taught to stifle your greatness. Your audacity. Your identity. Your beauty. Your divine femininity. No woman should perform or think the same once they’ve come to the very last page of this folder. Not only will you be better for Roulette, you’ll be better out there too.” I tilted my head toward the door.

“Study this folder and study it well. You will be quizzed on it next Monday at noon. If you fail, consider yourself fired.”

I placed my best foot forward, opened the door of the conference room, and exited. The meeting had gone as well as it could’ve. The girls had come from their new home bases to be at the round table. They were ready to flee and come back to me. With open arms, I would accept them, under one condition.

Click.

Clack.

Click.

Clack.

They must understand their power. The power of their pussy, their tongue, their body, and their existence. Once they all understood their potency, we’d see more millions than we ever have.

“Madam.” Kiara’s voice penetrated the silence.

My eyeballs slid upward as I turned around, frustrated with her presence but understanding the mighty dollar came before my personal feelings.

“What is it Kiara?”

“I was wondering if we could talk.In private.”

“Stop wondering. I don’t pay you to do that. And, if your guilt is going to keep you this fucking annoying, like a fly that just won’t go away, then you can turn in your tablet now and your employment will be terminated.”

“I just wanted to thank you for letting me keep my job. And, just wanted to clear up any questions you had about me and– well, you know.”

“My nigga? Yes. I know. You can say his name. From the look of your belly, you’ve been doing a lot of that. Don’t mute yourself now.”

“I–”

“Aht.” I put up a finger, silencing her. “Understand that I have and will never have questions for a bitch that fucked my nigga. That’s for insecure, simple-minded motherfuckers. I’m neither. I don’t give a fuck if you slipped off a freshly mopped floor and fell onto his dick. How shit happened between them is not my business. How I handle it is.

“You’re still employed, but if you don’t stay out of my ear like a worthless gnat, then you won’t be for long. You have until your child is born to prove yourself worthy of employment because you violated in the worst fucking way. If I was the old Rouelette,I’d be dragging you and your belly across every surface you’ve ever had me fucked up on, giving that little oops baby a concussion before their first birthday.

“But, I’m growing and choosing my peace and shit. Whatever my little sister be telling me. Anyway, stay in your lane, Kiara. Don’t address shit with me or I’ll forget every breathing exercise I practiced in my absence. Do not let my lack of interest in your apologies fool you.

“I’m not playing nice, babe. I’m playing it safe. One person has already infiltrated my business. I can’t risk welcoming someone new in at this time. The company’s fragility is not to be tested right now. So, you’re safe until proven otherwise.”

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