"You were marvelous tonight darling!" Andre slurred grabbing my hands as I walked off the stage. "Just breath taking!" He exclaimed, dramatically closing his eyes and tossing his head back. I rolled my eyes while Andre took my hand tightly as I walked down the stairs.
I shook off my pimp's grasp and started for the dressing room I shared with the four other girls that work for Andre.
"Yeah yeah, where's my share then?" I asked, sitting down to take my jewelry off and rapping a shawl around my exposing costume.
"Christ sakes Andre you can't get us a warmer place?!" I shivered.
"I don't owe you a thing, we're all caught up on your payments. And you complain to much little miss!" He said waving me away.
I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. Andre was a cheating scoundrel when it came to most things, but mostly money. He had been taking at least half my earnings every night this month, leaving me with practically nothing to live on.
"You steal my money! I'm tired of this you...you ass!" I retorted jumping up out of my seat.
"Why you little-" Andre started about to lunge at me when the door opened.
"Aye Andre."Lucy an older girl in her 20s drawled flirtatiously, coming into the room.
I didn't really get along with any of the girls especially Lucy for that matter, but I was thankful she had chosen to make an entrance at that point. I really didn't feel like getting beat on by Andre at the moment.
"Lucille,beauty,would you please explain to little Rosie here what gratitude is and looks like." Andre said crossing his arms and sighing deeply like I was some kind of awful burden.
Lucy shot me a look, "Stupid child," she said laughing. "What could you ever want! You have a roof over your head, food, a bed to sleep in! You want to end up on the streets again?!" She asked whacking me in the back of the head.
I felt an anger stirring inside of me, if I didn't let it go I know I'd only make the situation worse for myself, but the way Lucy thought she could use her seniority over me all the time made me so incredibly mad. I was 17, but still had just as much experience in my profession as any other girl.
"Oh Andre." She cooed going over to massage his shoulders. "What would I ever do without your generous soul?" She kissed his cheek and then his neck making me feel ill.
"Why can't you just behave like Lucy does? You always make such a scene." Andre snapped at me.
"I make a scene?" I asked astonished, "Me?" I rose from the chair.
"You don't think acting like a total slut like her." I motioned to a redding Lucy. "That doesn't cause a scene?! Because, I think that's the reason the police are alway on us, and why society hates us! No Andre, I may be a prostitute but I ain't gonna act like one."
"You brat!" Lucy yelled at me as I tried to make a break for the door. My hair was yanked on, sending me stumbling backwards.
This time no one was there to stop the punches.
I screamed out hoping anyone would hear me and stop Andre, but nothing but a punch to the mouth came, forcing me to the floor.
I gazed up dazed, I could feel the blood pouring from my now split lip but I didn't bother with it.
I saw Andre and Lucy standing in front of me, a smug grin on Lucy's face and a look of disgust on Andre's.
"Get the hell out now, you ungrateful, filthy urchin. Go home, don't bother coming to dinner. I'll deal with you later." He growled.