"JANE! ON IN TWO!!"
"COMING!"
She wedged a last grip into her hair, just to be safe... Jane thought to herself as she gave her reflection one more glance in the backstage dressing room mirror. She let out a sigh, really hope I get off early tonight, can't believe I have to work.... damn Luella...
"JANE!!!!!! NOW!!!!" Luella's voice boomed again from the hallway
She got up and stomped her heels all the way out the dressing room and joined the throng of girls in a line backstage. There were ruffles and feathers everywhere. Straightening herself up in her corset, she pinched her cheeks little and scratched her chestnut hair; the feathers were always so itchy.
"Now, girls! Keep it in line tonight! Synchronized!" Luella started walking down the row, adjusting some head-dresses and fluffing out some of the skirts, "Feathers up high! And SMILES ladies! Nobody wants to see a sour-face showgirl!
Jane hated that word. Showgirl. People always think the wrong thing.... she wasn't a girl there to show herself, she was part of a troop that performed a show.... she could never explain it to anyone. It was an art, a technique, a composition that came from the soul. Okay, she read that last bit somewhere, but it described exactly how she felt.
"READY!" shrilled Luella loudly "AND......CURTAAAAINS!!!!" She yelled up to the rafters, where the stagehands heaved the ropes that pulled the giant maroon curtains apart to reveal the worn wooden floorboards of the stage.
The band began to play and the girls began to file out, dancing perfectly in line. As soon as the first few had pranced onto the stage, the crowd of Irving Hall erupted in cheers. There was hooting and hollering and the band started to get into full swing as the performance got underway.
As the song and dance drew to a close, there was a lot of clapping and whistling as they exited the stage, quite exhausted. Everyone spilled into the large dressing room talking, laughing, some removing their dresses and garments.
"Janey! Thawt ya wasn't gonna show tonight," a red-haired girl placed a hand on her shoulder "Wiv Arlene's party an all?"
Jane removed her outer skirt and feathers
"I know, I know, I thought about it but I do need the money, and I was planning to sneak out early anyways."
"Ha! Fat chance o' that sweet'art, ya hoid tha crowd? It's dem newsies, dey always enjoys tha show, ya knows Luella likes ta keep tha crowd happy…"
Jane thought about it. She was only going to mingle for a little while, get a drink, smile a few times, whatever. Then it was quick change and off to Arlene's party. Changing into their standard corsets and ribbons, some girls had already left the dressing room and entered the hall floor with the crowd for drinks and good times. Jane was tempted to leave right then, except Luella would be expecting to see her face with the guests. As soon as that was done, she could go.
"See ya out dere!" said the red-head, making her way out the door
"Yeah, yeah."
Jane walked out into the assembly of people, drinking, smoking and singing. They were mostly newsies, it seemed, though there were a few middle-class regulars. Luella was laughing loudly with a group of men round a table. Walking as to pass right by the table, she meandered through the crowd and groups, reaching the table Luella glanced her way, then turned her attention back to the men. She then headed towards the bar.
"Water please, Toby."
She gulped down half the glass just before somebody nudged into her, causing her to almost choke and cough.
"S'cuse me miss."
She turned to and look upon a man of medium build, with ink-stained fingers and an un-tucked shirt. He seemed quite drunk as he tried to steady himself on his feet.
"Well isn't yous just a sweet sight!" he slurred at her
She knew what she wanted to say but she also knew what she had to say. Be nice to all guests. Before she could say anything, the man continued.
"Wadda ya say I shows you da time o your life tonight pretty-face?" he leered into her, snaking his arm around her waist, his breath putrid.
Trying to remain calm she pushed on his chest a little, trying to distance the closing space between them, where the hell was Toby? She wondered, stretching her gaze up the bar in the hope of catching his eye. She couldn't find him. She would have to sort this alone.
"I think we should relax and order another drink?" Jane suggested with a soft smile. God he was revolting.
His grasp around her seemed to loosen somewhat as he turned his attention to the bar and managed to focus on an almost empty pint glass. Grabbing it, he swallowed the remains and smashed the glass back down onto the bar-top. Folks nearby heard but were not concerned, glasses got smashed all the time. Jane winced. He faced her again,
"Well I think dat you should relax and come wiv me." He grabbed her behind
"No thank-you!" she declared, trying to push his arm away
"You aint getting a choice pretty-face…"
he sneered as he moved in closer, just as he did, something came down fast between them, right in front of the man's face, hitting the bar. It was a stick, the end of a black cane. Jane and the man jumped in shock, they turned to the owner holding the cane.
"Da lady said no thank-you."