Hushed voices. Dim lights. Red cloth. Thin smoke. Amber liquid. Soft skin.
Pink hands on gray thighs. Rough fingers slip beneath short skirts. Flushed faces and bright eyes, pointed teeth gleam in the darkness. Silence sits in the air like a fog, out of which peers a forest of twinkling, sparkling eyes.
Eagerly they watch the stage and wait.
Finally, the curtains part with a soft sigh revealing a slim, feminine figure. The nuances of the intricate staging are completely lost to the liquid darkness as cigarette smoke curls lazily in the air, settling on the stage like a mist, caressing the dancer's ankles almost tenderly. The thick, black shadows hug the figure on stage tightly . There is a pause and she holds her position, hands above her head, her right leg bent in front of her, pointed toes grazing the stage lightly- poised to dance.
She moves; and the audience seems to hold its breath as a pair of hands, seemingly dark black in the shadows, slide down her body and slowly caress her hips. Fingers hover over her thighs, teasing gently at the edges of her dress. A slow groan emanates from the stage, as the drummer begins to tap out a quiet roll on his drum. The girl begins to shake as the drummer reaches his climax, hips swaying suggestively in the warm dim light and suddenly the trumpeter lets out a shrill moan and the lights jump on. The band kicks into action as the dancer on stage begins to sway and leap to the music. The crowd erupts in noise as she sweeps her arms welcomingly towards them and twirls to the lively beat of the music, before turning back to smile flirtily. With a wink she bites her lip, teasing her neck and chest lightly with her fingers and the audience let out an appreciative howl.
Jade watches all this from the bar at the back of the theatre, smiling proudly as she does so. She holds her glass lightly in her hand, although it's only water she's drinking- she needs a clear head tonight. With a sense of satisfaction, she lets her eyes roam over the crowded room, taking a note of each visitor and which of her girls they are with. They are all quite engrossed in the opening act, staring intently at the performance. Jade takes great pride in her acts. Each of her girls has worked hard on their routine and Jade is always happy to see her guest's reactions.
She likes to pay attention to her guests and treat them each as an individual- paying heed to special requests and requirements or odd behaviours. Due to this, she can often be found lurking at the back of the club, by the bar, where she can get a good view of the club while still remaining inconspicuous. She herself matches each client with a girl, which can be draining night after night, but well worth it, she feels, as her club is one of the greatest in New York, and certainly the most unique. It's just a shame that only a few knew about it, or she's sure they would have greater business. But sacrifices have to be made to preserve the distinctive style of her club and if it has to remain exclusive then so be it.
Jade closes her eyes and takes a small, satisfied sigh. She takes a deep breath of the smoky air before opening them again. She doesn't smoke herself, but finds the warm mix of tobacco and perfume in the air comforting. It's very warm in the hall as always-there are of course, no windows- so a light sheen of sweat covers her bare shoulders. She feels drowsy very suddenly, possibly due to the warmth and the familiar scents in the air. She feels her posture droop slightly and allows herself to lean on the bar counter. The barman ignores her as she, very gently, lays her head on the cold marble.
Just a few minutes won't hurt,she thinks sleepily, just to get my act together. Just to...just to...rest for a bit...wouldn't... hurt...
"Ma'am?"
Jade's head jolts lightly up from the bar counter. She looks around confused for the owner of the voice and finds him, peering through the curtain between the hallway and the front room.
"Oh." she says blushing slightly, " Jake it's just you."
Jake stares at her quietly, his large, brown eyes giving away nothing. Jade sighs.
"Yes Jake, what is it?"
Jake is a loyal, cheery member of staff, but in the company of such a crowd, Jade finds a softer, shyer side to his personality.
"Another customer, ma'am." He replies.
Another one, Jade thinks, We're doing well tonight.
"Thank you Jake, I'll be right through...You can leave now."
Obligingly, Jake disappears behind the curtain.
Jade takes a moment to steady herself. She takes one last swig of her water, and pats down her skin for patches of sweat. Leaving the glass on the bar, she stands up, smoothing down her dress as she goes. The dress, like everything else worn in her establishment, is a quality piece of work. It isn't modest to be sure, as it's neckline does more than graze Jade's chest and the slit up one side of the skirt reveals more leg than a woman would commonly be comfortable with. However, it differs from the dresses worn by Jade's girls in that is has a far more mature and sophisticated feel to it, telling the admirer that the wearer is very much the host and not the main event.
Brushing strands of hair gently out of her face, Jade walks briskly through the curtain door between the main hall and the front room. Cold air hits her face suddenly, but not unexpectedly, as she pushes the heavy cloth curtains behind her. The front room, as it's called, is a sordid, miserable affair. Peeling, gray paint coats the walls and the floor is dirty and cracked. Disguised as a run-down cafe, the only regular occupants in the room are Jake and three ragged looking customers, peering intently into their newspapers and paying no attention to the noise filtering through next door. At the end of the night, the men are paid and sent home, no questions asked, no questions answered. Jade doesn't approve of it. Having such a miserable, neglected front to her business feels like an insult- to all the time, all the love she's put into it. But her partner was right when he said it was for the best. They hadn't been bothered by police so far, although she suspected that there had been some money exchanged regarding that. It was frightful how much she didn't know about her own business these days. She made a note to talk to her partner about it.
There's a fifth person in the room tonight, a young man taking off his coat and hat and handing them to Jake. Jade steps forward, and smiles to see it is a regular customer, and one she considers a dear friend.
"Dave, how nice to see you. I should have known to expect you."
Dave smiles back at Jade, as he removes his hat, smoothing down his light blonde hair.
"Don't worry about it Jade. I don't expect any special treatment. So long as you have the usual set up for me I'm more than happy ."
He winks at her as says so, his round cheeks red from the cold night air. Despite the fact that Dave has grown to quite a size since he and Jade were children together, his face still holds a youthfulness that Jade isn't sure will ever fade. But despite his innocent appearance, Dave has collected for himself quite a large sum of money through quite a successful business- although Jade has never been sure said business is one hundred percent legal. Not that she's one to talk.
"You're a cheap date as ever. Come on, I think she's waiting for you now."
Jade beckons Dave past the room's three apparently oblivious occupants and through to the main stage. The hot, tangy air envelops her once again and she's grateful for the heat. Smiling, she glances around the room for Dave's nightly entertainment. But there's no need as she's already spotted them.
"Dave!" They hear an excited, high-pitched voice from the far left of the hall and Jade turns to see Terezi making her way over to them from one of the booths. She glides through the room, brushing her hands across the pillars that support the upper stalls and leaning heavily on the backs of chairs. Despite being blind, she moves with remarkable grace between the chairs and tables of other customers, feeling her way past the obstacles, although Jade knows that all of this is a charade. Blind though she may be, Terezi has no need to feel her way around. But, at her insistence, none of the customers can know of Terezi's unique talent, so she keeps up the act, although Jade has a troubling feeling that Dave has seen past it. But if he has, he says nothing- today or any other day- and embraces Terezi as she approaches them.
"Hey there, Tz..." He murmurs, as Terezi slips her thin arms around his neck and bumps her lips softly against his jaw
"Hello Dave. You had me worried there." she smiles teasingly as she nuzzles her head against his neck. "You kept me waiting for almost a whole week..."
" Im sorry, baby. I have lots to do, you know how busy I am. I didn't mean to keep you waiting."
Terezi turns her head away from Dave and sniffs, as though she's offended by his weak apology. Dave responds by pulling her closer.
"Why don't we start making up for lost time..." Dave suggests softly, as he slips his hands down to her waist.
Although she's aware that Dave and Terezi's relationship is purely that of a client and a purveyor, Jade often feels as if she is interrupting private moments between them. However, as the couple slip away into the club, Terezi turns back to Jade and gives her a subtle wink before allowing Dave to lead her to their regular booth. Jade is reminded that Terezi is very good at her job.
Jade makes her way back to the bar slipping quietly behind the rows of tables. Almost every chair in the house, it seems, is filled by a visitor often with a girl perched on their knee or wrapped around their side. The dancer has finished her routine, her clothes now scattered around the stage and surrounding area, and she has exited to change for her next act. Jane can see the guests' attention waning as a low hum of conversation fills the room.
She sits back down at her stool by the bar letting out a heavy sigh as she allows herself to relax into the cool marble counter. There's no denying it, she's tired- exhausted even. Work has been getting to her a bit lately and it shows. Her normally flushed, open face seems tighter and paler beneath her make-up and the sway in her step has been replaced by something that resembles a trudge. It's not because she doesn't enjoy her work- she loves her job and her girls but the economy's gone downhill and seems likely to continue in that direction. For an expensive establishment like hers this could be the end. And she dreads to think what would happen if that was the case. It would mean her job, her home, her dream would all be taken away from her. Not to mention the girls. Where would they go without her?
These thoughts weigh heavily on her mind as she reaches for her drink. She scowls as her hand closes on air. The barman must have taken the glass away while she was greeting Strider. Irritably, she chaps sharply on the bar top, summoning the barman once again. She opens her mouth to ask for another glass of water but hesitates as she does so.
The club has barely been open for an hour and she's already exhausted. Once the shows are done she's going to have to clear up the stage, talk to her staff and then finally discuss her financial woes with her business partner. Surely now while she has a bit of time to herself it would be ok to have a little pick-me-up. Just something to see her through the night. Jade chews her lip anxiously as she deliberates. The barman stands in front of her, waiting patiently for her order. After a few seconds he speaks in a low soft voice.
"Ma'am can I get you anything?"
She knows she shouldn't but as she opens her mouth to speak she hears herself say.
"A Sidecar please."
Cursing her own carelessness, Jade watches as the barman prepares her cocktail, deftly removing a glass from its shelf while grabbing a bottle of brightly coloured liquor in the other hand. He wears a smart, inconspicuous waistcoat and apron, elegant but unremarkable. As much as Jade is sure her tailor would love to go to town on all her staff, it's important for those not onstage to remain professional and unobservable, so as not to detract from the main event- Jade's gorgeous girls. The barman also wears a fine black hat which he has pulled down to his ears. He keeps his head bent forward so the brim covers his eyes and his face is blank and serious looking. Jade watches him for a while before speaking.
"You don't have to be here you know."
The barman continues preparing his cocktail and, not looking up, replies softly:
"No thank you Ma'am."
Jade leans over the counter and lowers her voice to a hushed whisper.
"But you don't have to do this Jane, you could be up there on stage like all the others! I've always said you were an attractive girl-"
The barman lifts her head to reveal a soft feminine face, framed by short spiky curls, and a pair of round, shockingly blue eyes. The face hisses back, a little angrily:
"No Ma'am! I've told you before I'm just fine here!"
"But Jane," Jade replies rapidly, as Jane anxiously returns to the glass "you have such talent! And it's all being wasted here in this dingy bar, at least try it just one night a week?"
"We've been over this before," Jane squeaks as she glances around her nervously. "I'm happy here doing this! Now can we please drop it before someone overhears?"
Jade wants to continue, but looking into Jane's large watery eyes, knows there's not much point. Sighing, she sits back down in her seat, dejected.
"Well so long as you're happy Janey... I really don't know what goes through your mind sometimes though. It's only so long before someone finds out and there won't be much I can do when that happens!"
Jane returns her gaze to the drink and turns away from Jade to finish it.
"I know Ma'am..."
Her voice is quiet. If anyone ever did find out about Jane the game would be up of course. No one would take a female bartender seriously. She'd be picked at and teased and flirted with- too hard for such a shy soul as Jane to bear. Jade knows this is a source of anguish for Jane and feels bad for mentioning it.
"But you know even if you are found out you're still welcome to stay? You don't have to dance or work with the other girls but there's always a place for you here." She says kindly.
Jane turns round with Jade's cocktail.
"I know Ma'am. Thank you."
The pair exchange clumsy smiles as Jade accepts her drink and Jane wanders off to tend to some other customers.
Feeling even worse than she did before sitting down, Jade sips her brightly coloured drink. The drink is sweet and wonderfully cool in the sweltering hall, but the spirits go hot and fiery down her throat. A warm sensation fills her chest as she continues to drink.
Mulling over her cocktail, Jade turns around to look at the stage. It's still empty and the heavy red curtains have been drawn once more, but there are a few girls collecting various pieces of clothing around the stage from the previous act. Impatient of waiting, a few of the customers in the front row take a swipe at them, trying to make the girls blush. But the girls in question are used to this and dodge the hands with a smile and a laugh before hurrying backstage. Jade can hear muffled footsteps and voices emanating from the stage and knows it's time to get over there.
Taking her cocktail with her, she rises from her stool and makes her way through the hall, smiling to various guests as she does so. On her way there a short, dark haired figure rushes past her, almost knocking her over. She looks back and smiles to see Nepeta, a tray full of glasses in each hand, dashing behind the bar with a large, seemingly permanent, grin on her face. Nepeta is a hard working employee, young, pretty but impossibly sweet and innocent which makes her unsuited for work on stage. But she's tough, in her own way, and will go about any task you give her. In truth, Jade holds a soft spot for her, as do many of the girls. If a customer takes an interest in Nepeta there's always a girl nearby willing to distract them.
Feeling slightly lightheaded, Jade makes her way up to the stage and begins to mount the stairs on the right hand side which lead backstage. However as she does so she hears a familiar voice from behind her.
"Jade. Jade!"
Sighing heavily, Jade turns around just in time to see Vriska rushing up to her. Like all the other girls, she's dolled up for tonight's show. She wears blue, as she almost always insists, but has obliged in wearing silver shoes and jewellery and Jade's tailor has trimmed her corset with shimmery golden thread.
"Yes Vriska, what is it? I'm a little busy now actually could you come back later-"
"I just wanted to ask" Vriska interrupts with a little smile "about that show later on, I wanted to borrow one of Glitre's props, you know the big wooden cut out of the cocktail glass thing? But she says she needs it or something stupid and she's being a bit of a bitch to be honest, could you speak to her?"
As she talks she places her hands on her hips and squares her shoulders. Despite being one of the most attractive girls to work for Jade, Vriska has never picked up the knack needed for the job. Jade tries to use Terezi as a good example for her, pointing out the way she glides through the crowds and whispers gently to the clients. But Vriska is stubborn and the more you try to change her the more she will rebel, neglecting the needs of the guests and taking far more than she gives. She strides through the club arrogantly and Jade has often received complaints from guests, claiming that Vriska has tried to intimidate or on occasion hurt them. But Vriska always had some excuse and Jade rarely has the strength or time to lecture her when she know it's pointless anyway. Vriska is unchangeable.
Breathing heavily, Jade lifts a hand to her faces and pinches the bridge of her nose.
"Look, Vriska, honey we've talked about this. You're not getting a show tonight there's just too much on-"
"What?! No, we talked about this, I'm ready," Vriska retaliates raising her voice and gesticulating angrily " I have the clothes and everything and once you get that prop for me I'm good to go! What's the problem here?"
Jade runs her hands over her face, feeling tired and lightheaded. This seems to happen too often nowadays.
"The problem is" she starts to say slowly " that we don't have the time to fit in your show, we're not prepared and you aren't ready."
Vriska goes to interupt again but Jade stops her with a raised palm and continues:
"We're already running on a tight schedule tonight and we can't just go adding bits in. I told you that we might be able to get you a show soon, but not now! We've barely started practising your act, never mind performing it on stage, that is if we chose to do it at all! You can't even hold down a regular, what makes you think you're ready for an act to yourself?!"
At those words Vriska's face tightens angrily and her jaw tenses. Jade knows she's picked at a sore spot, mentioning the regulars. A regular is what Jade and her girl's call a customer who- for want of a better word- reserves a girl. This girl then spends the majority of her time with this customer, tending to them as a mistress would. Regulars pay more than normal customers and girls who tend regulars are treated well, given gifts and special treatment and often form close bonds with their regulars. It's still very much business, but often makes clients feel more satisfied. Terezi and Dave are an example of a very dedicated pair, Dave having selected Terezi after only a few weeks of visiting Jade's club.
But, most likely due to her stubbornness and unladylike nature, Vriska has never been chosen as a regular and is in fact fairly unpopular in the club. Often she helps out backstage or at the bar and sometimes she just doesn't turn up and stays in her room. But she seems to be very resentful towards the girl's who do have regulars and hates to be reminded that she doesn't have one, despite the fact that many of Jade's girl's don't.
Jade realises what she's done and tries to calm the situation down.
"You're just inexperienced that's all, there's nothing wrong with that. A few more weeks and we'll have an act for you, I promise-"
But it's too late, Vriska is already storming away, towards the door that leads to the girl's rooms.
"Vriska, come back! I didn't mean it like that!"
Vriska slams the door behind her leaving Jade on her own. Throwing her hands in the air, and deliberating for a moment whether she should follow her, Jade ascends the stairs, now more tired than ever.
Backstage, there are people rushing back and forth setting up and preparing for the night's act. The act on stage earlier was a warm up act, to keep the audience's attention while everyone set up. But now it's time for the real show to begin. Jade walks, in a slightly wobbly line, onstage which is still hidden by the deep red drapes. She can hear the muffled chatter and laughter of the audience from beyond it and feels an excitement stirring in her chest for the night to come.
She goes to take another sip of her drink but finds her glass is empty. She frowns before looking around her. Catching the eye of one of the girl's working as a stage hand , she beckons her over.
"Darling," she says as the young girl hurries over "take this to the bar for me there's a sweetie."
And without waiting for a reply, she thrusts the glass in the girl's hands and turns round to face the curtain. She hears the girls around her running offstage, gathering various pieces of equipment as they go, until it is only her left. There is a hush from the wings as they wait for Jade to begin. After a few seconds, Jade nods, not to anyone in particular but that doesn't matter. Because she knows everyone is watching her.
With a soft slither, the curtains part and the audience is quiet, as every business man, every lonely husband or wife, every raunchy entrepreneur, adventurous young girl, disgraced politician and all the girls that are with them turn to face Jade. All the lights go down, but for a small spotlight centred on the stage. Jade feels a surge of adrenaline shoot through her, as all the worries and woes of the day seem to melt away and all that's left is her and Them. She pauses, letting the audience wallow in the silence for a few seconds. When she speaks her voice is loud, warm and holds none of the tightness and anxiety it had earlier that day.
"Hello my friends! And welcome to another evening at the grandest club in Manhattan! We have a wonderful night ahead of us, with exciting acts, amazing singers and a whole host of stunning dancers at our fingertips. So pull up a chair, grab a drink, find yourself one of my gorgeous girls and let all your troubles float away. Your woes, doubts and uncertainties can wait until morning because your worries aren't welcome here.
Relax, kick back and indulge your every little fantasy because my girls are here to please you. Without further hesitation I would like to introduce to you my lovely ladies and welcome you warmly to JADES!"