Steve instructs Gaby."Go put that money away.It's starting to make me nervous."
"Yes, sir."She says as she leans over the table and picks up the stacks of cash."Would you like to see your picture in Clay's office?"She asks me.
Aurei answers."I want to see it."
We follow Gaby back to Clay's office, and as soon as she opens the door, Aurei lets out a long, low whistle.The back wall is completely covered by a larger-than-life picture of Surreal in the Black & Blue Baby, doing a straddle split on the pole.Her hands holding the bar are adorned with matching blue gloves.Her face is looking up, and her hair is black and blue, highlighted with actual gold streaks and tiny gold chains.It hangs down in a massive cascade of big beautiful curls.Her identity is concealed behind a gold, cat-eye, Mardi gras mask, and a belly dancer veil bejeweled with blue sapphires and white and black diamonds.Through the mask, her eyes are painted with theatrical blue and black makeup, complete with thick fake eyelashes, and her light crystal green irises, my irises, look directly into the camera.
"Wow!"Aurei says.He walks over to it and stares.
Gaby says as she unlocks a drawer in Clay's desk."That's Surreal.She's the celebrity at Been Jammin'.Clay's favorite place in the States.Here, Seary here's the pic that gave you away."
She picks up a framed autographed 12" x 14" picture of me posing next to Clay with a small, blue sequined bikini top on, that my nipples look like they will jump out of if I take too deep a breath, and a sequined string bikini bottom.While Lei sits straddling him butt naked with her knees under his shoulders.She is twisted, looking at the camera with her arm around his neck and her tit at his face.He only has on 'the happy face we guarantee our customers.'
I signed it."To Clay, My #1 fan!You're the best!Seary."
Lei signed it too."To Clay, My first official Fucking Fantasy.Love that Happy Face!Lei."
I look at Gaby, then at Aurei.Gaby just smiles.Aurei walks over and picks it up to examine it."Yep, that's you alright."He turns and walks back to Surreal's picture."Now this girl has got it going on!That's a killer costume.Do you know her?"
I nod, smiling at him, aware that Gaby is taking in everything I say."That killer costume is worth over a million dollars.And I'm not at liberty to discuss Surreal.Her identity is top secret."
Gaby blurts out."Clay says that's you too."
I freeze for a moment before the poker face falls, then I laugh at her."That's ridiculous.I'm not half the dancer she is, and I couldn't possibly get all my hair under a wig!"
"That's a good point."She says, believing it.
"That's crazy.I'm the headliner.Why would he think that?"
"You both disappeared around the same time and have been absent from the club for the last few months."
"That's just a coincidence.I left for an emergency.I don't know why she left, but I know she's a workaholic and deserves some time off.The problem with working too long without a break, this trip home taught me, is that it takes longer to reboot and reenergize.That's exactly what I meant at the table.Entertainers love what they do and push themselves.This place would be ideal because they could take time off to reboot, but still be able to do what they do without the pressure or demands."
She nods, agreeing with me."That was a great idea!"
I walk over to where Aurei is standing and hook his arm."Come on.Let's go.Stop drooling, or I'm going to get jealous."
He puts his arm around me, and we follow Gaby out the door."Damn!She's fly!"
I elbow his ribs, and he blows air, making Gaby giggle as she locks the door.We follow her down the hall while Aurei grins at me and shakes his head."Those eyes!They see right into you."
When we enter the dance hall again, Mike is spinning, One Direction, "What Makes You Beautiful."
Back at the table, Steve holds his arms out to Gaby, and she slides into them."Why don't you come back to my place with me when you get off?I can take my time and please you real good."
"Let me see when I can leave."She gets up and heads to the bar.
"Where's Paul?"Aurei asks.
Steve points to the dance floor."He's dancing with Scarlett ."
Aurei turns our chair around so we can watch the dance floor and pulls me into his chest."Damn, Siri!That Surreal pic made me see stars again!I hate now I missed your show."
"I told you it was killer."
He snuggles me."Yes, you did, and seeing that pic up close and personal.Wow.That's a whole other level of stardom.That's major league star power!"
"Yup."I laugh then kiss his cheek."I'm sure Paul will be delighted to learn.I'm not after your money."
