“Three total. Two on the east coast, one on the west.” I take a sip of the water, which is delicious, and refrain from telling her anything else. My ID is from Colorado, one Spider created for me including his address, so I won’t need to tell her about where I come from.
Or why I’m here.
Ember smirks. “Gonna be like that?”
I just shrug and give her a smirk of my own.
“Ok, girlie. No problem. Maybe you’ll tell me your story after you learn I can be trusted.”
My face pales. “I didn’t mean to offend—”
“You didn’t,” she says through a laugh. “I’ve just been around long enough to know not everyone that comes in here is strictly in it for the dancing.”
“How long have you worked here?”
Ember leans a hip into the bar and folds her arms against her chest. “Since The Dollhouse opened, so, almost nine years now. My twin brother is head of security and we both applied for jobs here before they finished building the place.” She looks me over carefully, scanning me head to toe. “You know the girls that dance on stage are fully nude, right?”
I swallow hard and sit a little taller.
I know.
I read all about this place before I decided to apply. They treat their talent the best in Colorado, have a no touching policy, and a security team compiled of ex-military. All the reviews and testimonials backed that up and raved about the conditions of the building and the cleanliness, and so far, that checks out too.
I also read that main stage dancers are fully nude. The cage dancers are just topless though, so if they don’t agree to my request, I’ll just ask to do that. They make less money but that’s more than none.
“I read about that.”
“Please don’t take this the wrong way.” Ember continues to analyze my face. “But you don’t strike me as the type to be comfortable with that.”
“I’m not.” I sip a little more water. “But I did it for years on the east coast. It was...requiredof me and I got used to it. Did I like it? No. Do I want to do it again? Not really, but The Dollhouse has the best reputation in the area and I thought...”Wow, I feel like I’m about to start negotiating with a terrorist. “I was hoping anyway, maybe I could have like a probationary period?”
A ghost of a smile graces her sparkly silver lips. “I’m listening...”
I wiggle around and lean forward a bit. “I thought maybe for, say, two weeks? Since that should be enough time to maybe draw a crowd, I could dance on the main stage and strip down completely save for super skinny and barely noticeable g-string. Not to fool the customers, but to tease them. They get full nudity all the time so maybe something a little different might entice them. A little taste of forbidden fruit.”
Ember stares, her eyes dancing but she doesn’t speak.
At least she hasn’t shut me down yet.
So I quickly continue. “I know that’s not how things work, that clubs have their policies for a reason, and I’m sure most of the other dancers have no issue with the full nudity and if they do, they cage dance or don’t work here. I also know it’s completely ridiculous and ballsy for someone who doesn’t work here to start making requests at an interview but, well, to be honest, I’m sick and fucking tired of not sticking up for myself. I’m a good dancer with a lot of experience and while I really need this job, I’m not going to just roll over and take it anymore. If you’re willing to let me dance my way for two weeks just to see how it could affect the business, great. If not, then I’m sorry I wasted your time. I love the theme of your club and you are super fucking pretty.”
I’m not sure where any of that came from but the longer I talked, the more empowered I felt. Gino told me what to do every second of every day for fourteen damn years and I guess being here, around people who don’t treat me like garbage, has helped give me a voice. One I feel very inclined to use all of the sudden.
“Wow.” Ember smiles as I stand. “That was unexpected. Feel better?”
I fix my beanie. “Yes, actually. I think I need to do that more often.”
“Agreed.” She giggles, which is a little weird coming from her. “I’m totally cool with you doing your own thing for a couple weeks.” I smile but she holds up a hand. “Unfortunately, it’s not up to me. I can help influence the decision, but at the end of the day Trent makes the call.”
Shit.
I thought Ember was the only one I’d be dealing with.
On their website it said The Dollhouse had all female staff except for the security team and that was another reason I wanted to apply in the first place. Aside from the dancers, Gino employed only men and they were more like thugs than anything else; shady thugs that made my skin crawl. Guess I should have read up more on the owner of this place.
Oh well.
I need a job so I’ll take my chances.
