So this an idea that I had buzzing around my head and I decided to go ahead and write it while it was fresh. Plus the concept is going to be different from my usual work. I found that a lot of my writing is quite dramatic and full of angst, which isn't necessarily a bad thing but I wanted to try something new. So here it is. I hope someone out there likes it!

Chapter 1

It's 1:30am and I just got off my shift at The Black Ribbon club. I wrap my long, beige coat around myself tighter to keep warm. The early morning air is cold and the corset and fishnets that I'm wearing underneath don't really help. Now before you ask, no I'm not a stripper nor am I a prostitute. I guess I should start with my name. It's Andrea Reyes, Andy for short. I'm 22 years old and I just got my RN in nursing at the local university. I'm currently trying to pay off all my student loans by working as a dancer at the club I just mentioned. I started out as a bartender but my sleaze ball of a manager as well as a few customers kept bitching at me to shake my ass and take my clothes off. So, I finally settled on becoming one of the dancers when my boss agreed to raise my pay. Just so you know there is a difference between burlesque and stripping. For one, I do not and will not go completely nude in front of a bunch of strangers. Neither would I ever let some greasy guy tuck a dollar bill into my thong while I give him a lap dance. I like to think that I have more dignity than that. It's true, the outfits we wear are still pretty revealing but I firmly refuse to strip down to every last bit. Once my top is off, it's over and I don't allow the customers to see it all. Best of all, there's no touching allowed.

Anyways I'm waiting here at the bus stop because there's no way I'm going to walk home at this time of night. God knows what's out there on the streets on Sanitarium Island. There are junkies, thieves, murderers, rapists, and worst of all, Repo men. Now those are the ones you really need to look out for. Even if you're payment isn't up yet, you do not want an encounter with the Repo Man. From what I'd heard, if you cross him, you'll get cut anyway. Finally the bus arrives and I step inside, putting my change into the machine and grabbing the ticket the bus driver hands me. I avoid a few passing glances and find a seat in the back row. I look outside the dirty window and see several homeless people huddled around a fire pit and see girls my age, some older, some younger walking the streets in skimpy outfits offering themselves up for some cash. If you listen closely, you can hear the sound of someone's helpless scream. It's terrible but it's also the sad truth of reality.

Finally the bus stops upon arriving at my destination. I rose up out of my seat, thanked the driver and stepped out onto the street. I walked quickly down the next block, gripping tightly on the pepper spray in my coat. I reached my apartment and grabbed the key out of my pocket and unlocked the door. I stepped inside and flicked on the light. Before heading to my bedroom I collapsed onto the sofa, feeling exhausted as usual. At least the dancing was good exercise I keep telling myself. I glanced at the clock it was 2:03am. I sighed and propped myself off the sofa and into my room. I took off my coat and chucked in on the bed. I took a quicker shower and put on some old cotton shorts and a tank top. I combed the wet tangles out of my hair and brushed my teeth. I examined myself in the mirror for a moment.

People have told me that I'm pretty and I guess I am. I have short, shoulder length brown hair with red highlights, fairly tan skin with no blemishes unless you count my tattoo. I'm not tall but I'm not exactly short. Then there are my eyes. I wouldn't say that there was anything particularly special about them, except the color which is a nice shade of blue. You see, I got them enhanced and now my payment to GeneCo is coming up quick. What can I say? I didn't really need to get them specialized, I was just a huge Blind Mag fan. It wasn't the smartest decision I've ever made and now I have to literally pay for it. That's why I have an interview with GeneCo tomorrow afternoon.

Yes, I applied to be a Gentern. Risky, I know. Everyone knows about the Largo family's reputation and with Rotti dead and gone and Amber Sweet left in charge, there's no one to control her or her brothers from their crazy antics. Not to mention that most Genterns don't last long because their face either gets stolen or they get stabbed. Now I'm sure you're wondering, if you know all of this then why would you put yourself in that position.? Well, it's simply because I need the money. If I'm not mistaken, all of GeneCo's employees are paid quite handsomely and whatever I can get would definitely help. I also have the proper skills and knowledge so if getting this job means that I'll be able to pay off my loans, my rent, and keep the Repo Man off my tail, I'll do whatever it takes.

So I checked my closet once more to make sure that my interview outfit is ready, and then climbed into bed and set my alarm. I turned off the light and lay down, drifting off into much needed sleep.

My alarm went off at 10:30am. I switched it off and stretched, feeling very well rested. It was the best sleep I had in while and it was a good thing because I needed to be in tip top shape for my interview. I threw the blankets off and rolled out of bed. I quickly brushed my hair and then went to the kitchen to make coffee. I grabbed the grinds out of the refrigerator and placed them and some water into the coffee maker. As the coffee started brewing, I decided to make myself a scrambled egg. I cooked my breakfast and drank my coffee. I ate quickly and rinsed out my plate. I proceed back to room to get ready. I grabbed my outfit from the closet and carefully lay it on the bed. Then I went to the bathroom to fix my hair and apply some make-up. When I'm through, I changed into my outfit, a form fitting but not too tight dress with a white top with black buttons and a black skirt. A pair of black, closed toed heels completed the look. It was both professional and cute. I figured it would be just fine considering the uniforms the Genterns wore anyway. I gave myself one last once over and then grabbed my purse and headed out the door.

I called for a cab and it drove me into the heart of the city, where GeneCo headquarters stood tall and intimidating. I looked up at the enormous building and began to feel the nervousness overcome me. I gulped and then headed inside the building. I approached the receptionist and told her what I was there for. She directed me to the elevator and told me to go to level 12. I nodded and walked to the elevator. It opened and a few surgeons stepped out and gave me a curt nod. I nodded back and then stepped inside, pushing the button for the level I needed. Higher and higher the building took me and then it finally stopped. The door opened and I saw several well dressed people sitting in leather chairs and waiting for their names to be called. I wondered how many people were being interviewed that day. I took an empty seat in an empty chair next to a guy who looked a couple years older than me who kept straightening his tie. I checked my watch, 11:45. My interview was in fifteen minutes. I waited patiently and tried to fight the nerves back. Finally my name was called and my stomach flipped.

"Andrea Reyes?" a red headed Gentern called my name and turned her head to find me. I rose up and took a deep breath.

"Here it goes." I sighed as I walked up to door and braced myself.


So what do you think? Should I continue? Review and let me know.