Page 45 of Of Mercury and Mist

His last sentence gave me pause. There were any number of things he could’ve been referencing. My association with Andy and Vincent, my colorful past, and I would’ve thought even Josiah and Micha, but they’d decided I’d never existed so it couldn’t be that.

He stood up and came around the desk. “We’ll start you as a server and see how our guests respond.”

The man led me through the door and began giving me a tour.

“An important point to remember is to be self-contained. Our clientele is a tad eccentric and sometimes have responses one wouldn’t expect. The trick is to never let them see you sweat, so to speak. Just smile and think positive thoughts, no matter what they say or do. Our bouncers are the best of the best and have a rapid response time so you will be safe, but in the two seconds it may take, it is imperative that you do not respond.”

This sounded like a little more than I wanted to get into but what he was describing was exactly what I’d done with Micha a few times—no response. “I can do that. I’ve had some practice.”

He gazed at me curiously. “I believe you.”

The man seemed like there was something he wanted to say, something he was holding back, but I didn’t want to push. I’d just met him, and he was giving me a chance. I was tempted to ask deeper questions, but facial recognition could’ve brought up my friends and who knew what else. The smart thing to do was keep my mouth shut.

We passed rooms with see-through panels; beautiful women and some men clad in tiny outfits moving sensuously behind the glass with eyes only for each other. It was fully engrossing, watching them move together, in tune with each other’s bodies.

“If you recognize anyone, you are not to acknowledge you know who they are. We value privacy. Some patrons may give false names, fake identities and even professions. You are to respect their wishes.” He glanced down at me.

“I understand, I won’t say anything.” We’d paused by the windows, and I felt myself becoming more hypnotized by the view the longer I watched. Could I do this, move as gracefully and be as beautiful as the entertainers on display? It’d give me such a rush if I could inspire the awe I felt for the dancers in others myself.

Matthew let me lurk for a moment, seeming to know I needed to slowly take it all in. I’d never done work such as this, showcasing my body or placing myself in this type of vulnerable position. I would enter a whole new world by stepping into this business, creating a new life while shedding the old. It was exactly what I needed, and I was starting to get excited.

While there were many people around, there was a feeling of exclusiveness, of being closed off from the rest of the world and sheltered inside the protective bubble of this fantasy business of Matthew’s. While outside these walls it was bright, sunny, noisy and full of pollution, in here everything was clean, intimate and cozy.

“You own this place?” I asked.

He began moving again as he said, “I do.”

We entered another area with a wide, open space and multiple doorways lining the walls. One wall had a bar lined with racks of alcohol and other bottles stacked on the shelves above the back counter.

In the center of the room were circular, high-backed booths arranged facing away from each other for optimal seclusion. I noticed there were unobtrusive cameras everywhere, including a small bank of cameras on the counter behind the bar.

“We take security very seriously,” he stated, noticing my perusal.

“Does anything ever happen?” My first thought was that it wouldn’t, given the slim chances of getting away with anything under such a tight system.

“Infrequently. When and if it does, the situation is handled with discretion, and everything is cleaned up quickly. We have excellent security.”

I gestured toward the multitude of doors. “What do those doors go to?”

“Here, I’ll show you.” I followed him across the room, and he tapped a keypad to the right of a computer screen. The door slid open, revealing what looked like a mini hotel suite.

“Ohhh,” I said, taking a step inside. “Wow.”

It reminded me of the studio apartments inside Ipomoea, only with a more sensual feel. Loads of pillows, towels, blankets, and mirrors covered the surfaces. The moment I’d placed my foot on the floor, low, warm lighting lit up the space. The room seemed designed to lower inhibitions and make one feel instantly comfortable.

“Sometimes our guests need a little more privacy, although they are welcome to do as they wish out there,” he stated, nodding toward the area behind us. “We want it to be a positive experience for anyone who walks through our doors.”

“I’d say you accomplish that, although this is a bit outside of what I had in mind.” It was a sex room, there was no other way to describe it between the bed, stripper pole, and toys neatly arranged on a shelf.

Matthew chuckled. “Never say never.” He motioned for me to come out. “The money involved can change one’s life for the better.”

Was he trying to encourage me to become a sex worker? “I don’t sleep with men for money.”

He laughed. “Rarely is sleeping involved. It's not all about intercourse, there are other activities. But don’t worry, you have a choice. You don’t ever have to do anything you don’t want to.”

“You sound pretty confident.”

He nodded and we started across the floor. “I’m positive. Any unwanted behavior is recorded and dealt with immediately. There are no second chances. We take security seriously, Ashley. You never have to worry.”

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