Page 4 of The Sicilian Bastard
Ruby hopped behind the DJ booth and keyed up her favorite workout playlist. I got on stage and started warming up. Ruby danced in the middle of the floor. For now, we had the place to ourselves. Pretty soon other dancers would come to get their practice in. The more tricks learned, the better the tips would be. I climbed on the pole and started working on my Holly Drop. It was a mid-level pole trick where I climbed towards the top of the pole, spread my legs into a V then flipped upside down. Once there, I had to bend my leg on the top inward and push my leg on the bottom straight out. I always bent my toes; it made me seem like I had more experience dancing than I did. Then I let my left hand go and spread it behind me while my right hand held my body steady and in place. I held that for two beats. I spun upside down, using the inner curve of my leg wrapped around the pole. I pushed both hands behind my back, stretching them outward. I sank, holding that pose. Then I went into an easier trick. I flipped off the pole and dropped into a simple monkey pose.
Ruby squealed in delight. I had finally nailed my Holly Drop which meant, tonight, I was going to show Maximilian that I was worth keeping. I stretched out while watching Ruby work the pole. She had way more experience than I did. Her red hair fell out of her bun as she flew from pose to pose. Sometimes if I didn't make rent, Ruby picked up the slack. That meant less of a fix for her, but she knew she had a problem with drugs. She tried hard to keep it small. I wasn't sure how much longer she would be able to hold back her cravings, but I was thankful for every day I had with her.
Once Ruby finished, we headed back to our tiny apartment to eat and nap. Tonight, it was all hands on deck for some reason so we had to be well-rested.
I drifted awake to the distant sound of Ruby's alarm going off. It was two hours before our shifts started. We both trailed into the bathroom naked, our bodies lagging, our minds bogged down with sleep. Ruby started pulling out the light makeup we would do at the house. This was Vegas, we'd do more makeup right before we had to hit the floor or stage. If we went outside in a full face, it would melt right off. I let Ruby pick our outfits for tonight. I hadn't seen mine she packed it in my duffel and cackled with glee. It should worry me, but it didn't. Ruby could've packed only a G-string and I would still walk around and own that shit. She knew it and I knew it. That was the way we were.
Ruby helped me with my hair. It was down my back and dyed an azure blue. The men at the club loved it. Even though my hair was curly, Ruby always straightened it and then added curls in. She said they were tamer that way. Some days I thought she wanted to play with me like I was her Barbie. Some days I was okay with it. Tonight, I was fidgety.
"Sit still," Ruby complained.
I did as she ordered, but I couldn't wipe the feeling that something was different tonight. We got ready so we could hang at the club. Ruby was going to want to get her fix before she got on stage tonight. We got an Uber and headed in to work.
I tried to quell the butterflies in my stomach but I couldn't. Maximilian was in the dressing room, which was not something he did. He had dressed up. Something we weren't used to seeing from him. A fancy suit, his shoes were shining, and he even wore a designer watch. He was nervous. Pacing back and forth.
"Araceli, good, you're finally here." He motioned for me to come to him.
I scrunched my nose, not bothering to hide my surprise. Maximilian had no kind words for me. Most nights, he ignored me.
"Yes, sir?" I approached him slowly.
"I need you to work a private party tonight," he grunted and then grabbed my arm and dragged me to his office.
I started to say something, but he put a finger to my lips, hushing me.
"Not a word. The girls said your tricks have gotten better and you're unique enough looking that they'll be happy. Listen. In a few hours, a special party will arrive. You will work them only with a few other girls, but you have been here longer than they have. You are in charge of the girls. I'd have Ruby do it, but we both know she'll be high and these clients won't tolerate that. Ask no questions, got it?"
I nodded my head, and he shoved a few outfits in my hand. He motioned for me to leave and I ran back to the dressing room. The feeling I had earlier took flight. There were more than butterflies in my stomach. I felt like my entire life was about to change. I didn't want it to.
