His Plaything

~1~

I move my body to the beat of the music thrumming around me. I circle around the pole slowly, seductively, making eye contact with every man staring at me with their beady little eyes. I need them to look in my eyes so they feel a more personal connection. Usually after that they throw me what's left of their money.

I hear a couple hoots and hollers as I grab the pole and circle slowly, letting the rhinestones on my black skimpy one piece glitter in the light. Anticipating the quick steady base of the song, I crouch onto my hunches, and start twerking to the heavy, steady base. My platform heels keep me seven inches off the floor of the stages, but my long, black hair brushes the floor, I flip it to the side to allow a better view of my ass as I continue the rhythmic twerking.

So far I've gotten pretty good money tonight, but a last hurrah wouldn't hurt for a little more cash. Just as the song is ending, I pop up to my feet, grab the pole at about my waist, facing it, and invert myself so my legs are straight up and I'm facing the floor. My arms burn as I hold myself suspended and spread my legs open to give a little peek of what these creeps will never see.

Just as I'd expected, by the time I get down and get ready to get off stage, the men begin hollering louder, not wanting me to get off and start throwing more money in a last ditch attempt to make me stay.

"Come on Ariel, stay on a little longer," one guy yells. Disgust crawls down my spine at the tone of his voice, this guy will do anything to get me alone. Dave, I think his name is, keeps throwing ones thinking I'm that desperate.

I give him the most sincere smile I can muster and just wink over my shoulder as I sashay off stage, leaving the bouncer, George, to sweep up my cash before the next girl comes on. Some of the girls like to get on their hands and knees to collect their own cash, giving the customers a view of their boobs, hoping to get any last bits of cash, I'm not like that.

Maybe that's why the customers here like me so much, I flirt about what they want, but I never actually give them anything. Some of these girls will give a blowjob for fifty bucks, I'm not like that, to get a lap dance I need at least two hundred, and I NEVER get sexual with my clients. This is my living but I don't sell my body for use, my rule is you can look but don't touch.

I roll my shoulders as I get closer to the locker room, its almost 3am, so I decide that's the end of my night. As I get closer to the locker room I hear Diamond talking her usual shit.

"Ariel ain't worth shit, I don't know why the guys like her so much. She's just a-"

"You're just jealous because the guys spend all their cash on me, and you don't want my sloppy seconds." She has something against me and I could never for the life of me figure out why, we're all just here trying to make money. But I also know not to let these girls walk all over me, so I don't take anybody's shit. These girls know not to mess with me, I may have a pretty face but I can't throw a right hook like nobody's business.

"Oh please, we all know the only reason you're here is because your man kicked you out," she lashes back.

Oh not this again, I love when people try to act like they know your situation better than you do.

"Yes, he did, and that was the best thing he's ever done for me. That man was not worth my time, and I'm happier here, making my own way in the world instead of relying on some guy who can't appreciate what he's got when he's got it. Now if you'll excuse me, all this contact with you is starting to give me your herpes."

As she scoffs I walk off, kicking my platforms off as I make it to my locker. As I quickly throw on my jeans and sweater I hear George yell for me to come get my cash. I smile as I quickly tug on my Ugg boots and pack my stuff. Technically, George is allowed to come into the locker room, but he respects us dancers too much for his own good.

As I jog out to the office with my duffle bag I smile at the thirty two year old. He hands my brown paper lunch bag out and I give him a quick peck on the cheek, "Thanks George."

"Anytime Ari, you want me to walk you out after you give boss his commission?"

"I think I got it tonight, I didn't park too far from the door."

"You sure? I heard Diamond in there, I don't want you two getting into any trouble out there."

I scoff, "Oh please, like I can't hold my own."

"I know you do, but that doesn't mean I want you to have to go through the trouble, plus there could be some creep-o out there waiting for you."

I give him a real, heartfelt smile, why can't all guys be as sweet as him? He's insisting because he knows I can't say no to him.

"Alright George, I'll let you walk me out, thank you," I say, feigning relief as we approach the office.

I knock twice, waiting to hear Manny's voice. I hear mumbling through the door, so he's probably on the phone, so I wait patiently until he finally calls,

"Come in!"

As I walk in the smell of cigarette smoke envelops me, but I'm used to it, between Ben, my shitty ex, and Manny, I've gotten used to the smell of smoke. I smile sweetly at him, the forty nine year old still thinks he's a gangster, but he's really a giant teddy bear. This man is my savior, he's only the dad I've ever known, and I know if I ever need a shoulder to cry on or a bullet to shoot, she's got me.

"Hey Manny, how's things been going?"

"Always good Mija, you know this." He checks his watch, "Its getting late for you, let me see your tips so you can get out of here."

I wait idly for him to count out my tips and take his thirty percent. As he finishes and hands me my portion we say our goodbyes and I meet George back in the hallway.

As he walks me out I hear commotion and look over to see the same guy who called out to me to stay onstage approaching and calling out.

"Hey Ariel, how about I take you for a drive?" Before he can reach me George steps in front of me, giving him clear indication to stay away. Without a word the man holds his hands up in surrender and backs away until he's out of sight.

I chuckle as I get into my old, beat up Volkswagen and George turns around. I hold my hand to my heart and say, "Oh my night in shining armor what would I do without you?" And flutter my lashes at him.

He chuckles then adds, "Shut up and get home now, I'll see you Friday night."

I just send him a smile and start my car as he walks back into the club.

When I reach my decent apartment I count my tips, happy with my six fifty. Not bad for a Wednesday night. After showering and pulling on a royal blue satin pajama set I tuck myself into bed.

This was always the worst time of day for me. I'm finally by myself and all I can do is think, it's like my brain likes to think every situation into oblivion. I think about Ben. I think about how he used to beat me. I think about how I didn't have a way out. I think about how he made me so weak and desperate, how I'm disgusted with myself for staying with him for so long, for always thinking he would change, for always believing his lies.

I think about Diamond and how she thinks I strip for fun. I think about how stripping is the only way I can support myself, I torment myself over the fact that I have to sell my body in order to support myself. I think about how I'll never open myself up to someone the way I did with Ben again. I think about how my future likely only holds loneliness and stripping in it, how I have no realistic plan for my future and how I'm trapped in this vicious cycle of sell my body to survive, survive to sell my body.

I roll to my side, close my eyes, and force sleep to come.

~~~~~~~~~~

1531 words

I promise as the book goes it'll get better and my writing style will improve. This is my first book so go easy on me. Also if anyone wants to help me out and make a better cover, that'd be much appreciated.

Thanks for reading!

Nic