Kitty,” he went on with a big grin. Another thing about Pablo—he never called us by our real names. “Come in, come in. Have a seat.”
He poured himself a glass of his favorite rum while I sat down in a seat facing his desk. “How can I help you, Pablo?”
“Ah, straight to business.” He grinned at me, readjusting his toupee. “I like that about you, Kitty, I like it very much.” He downed his glass in one go, wincing at the burn in his throat. “I’m sure you know you’re one of our most popular dancers, Kitty?”
“Your most popular one,” I corrected him, making him chuckle.
“Indeed, indeed, my dear. So, as you can imagine, you’re making us a lot of money. Lots of guests coming in to see you ‘specially. Lots of them ask for you every night. But we can only let you dance four nights a week at most. Gotta keep it a little exclusive, y’know?”
I nodded uncertainly. I didn’t like the overly friendly way in which he spoke. “What do you need from me, Pablo? I have somewhere to be, so get to the point, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course, of course.” He slicked back his gelled fake hair and grinned at me again. “Well, I would like to promote you, Kitty.”
“Promote me?” I raised my brows. “How?”
“Well, there is a certain, ah, shall we say—demand—for you, Kitty. As I said, lots of interest. Lots.”
“Interest in private dances?” I interrupted. “Because I already told you, I’m not willing to do that.”
“No, not quite.” He gave me another one of his sleazy grins. “I want you to sleep with them.”
I saw red, but I kept my cool, narrowing my eyes at the seedy character in front of me. “Excuse me, Pablo?”
“You heard me.” His demeanor changed in an instant. He was no longer the friendly man who treated us like little outcast orphans. He was all business now, making it clear this wasn’t a choice. “I will pick the clients. You will sleep with them and receive a percentage of the money.”
“And if I decline?”
“Then today is your last day at Le Cabaret.”
I stood up, feeling so angry I thought I would burst. Pablo didn’t care though. He just stared at me with that leering smile, enjoying this rare moment of having power—over anyone but his little boy toy.
“Thank you, Pablo,” I hissed.
“I trust I’ll have your decision at your next shift,” he smirked at me.
“No,” I replied icily. “You can have it right now. Goodbye, Pablo.”
I slammed the door on the way out.
***
I’d gathered my things from the changing room when Capri came rushing in, glittery and pampered from the dance she’d just performed.
“Is it true?” she gasped when she saw me standing there with a pathetic cardboard box of my things. Being fired was the same at any job. It fucking sucked. “Did Pablo really fire you?”
“I fired myself,” I muttered, gathering the rest of my things, including my kitten masks. “I’m sorry, Capri.”
“Well, it’s his loss,” she said, shaking her head. “Letting the best one out of all of us go… What the hell was Pablo thinking?”
I shrugged, unwilling to come up with a clever response.
“Well, it doesn’t matter.” She looked around to make sure nobody was listening. “You’re coming tonight, aren’t you?”
“Shhh, Capri.” I gave her a warning look. “We shouldn’t talk about that here.”
“We have to,” she insisted. “I’m counting on you, Amicia. Please tell me you’ll be there.”
I swallowed, nervously glancing around the room. I had just effectively lost my only income. I had to find another job, and fast. Before my life ended up in tatters.
“I suppose I don’t have a choice,” I muttered to the sound of Capri’s excited squealing.
***
We met up in front of Le Cabaret once Capri’s shift ended. It felt strange seeing the place now that I didn’t work there anymore. I’d spent the rest of the evening wallowing the loss of a job I hadn’t even meant to stick with.
Capri rushed out of the building in her second-hand fur coat. As always, she looked fabulous and she pulled me in for a hug, kissing my cheek as she whispered, “Are you excited?”
“Not the word I’d use,” I muttered as she linked her arm with mine. “So, how reputable is this place?”
“I know a girl who’s done it before. She auctioned her first time trying… you know.” She winked at me, making me pale. “From behind? She got a hundred fifty grand from it.”
“That’s horrible,” I muttered.