Chapter 2

Gene and Alex were now sitting at a roulette table accompanied by a number of punters, eagerly watching the little, white ball spin round the wheel.

Gene sat puffing on a cigar in one hand and his scotch in the other. In front of him was a small stack of chips which was dwarfed by his neighbour's to the left of him. Alex shifted uncomfortably in her seat as the fat, balding man next to her wheezed into his handkerchief for the umpteenth time since he took his seat. Alex could barely keep her eyes off the red, angry boil which protruded from the side of the man's neck. She winced again "Urrrgh!" Alex's thoughts were interrupted as a young waitress sidled up to him.

"Evening Roly." She cheerily greeted him in her cockney accent "Are you winning tonight?"

"Ah my dear, delighted to see you as always. Not as yet but the night is young... the night is young."

The waitress smiled as she set down Roly's drink on the table.

"Besides, now that you're here Emma with your pretty face, my luck may change." He winked at her.

"Cheeky." chuckled the waitress as if talking to a child.

Alex felt her body repel away from Roly as she shuddered "Eughhh!" Now she had noticed the flecks of scabby dandruff which peppered the shoulders of his dinner jacket.

"Sometimes, Alex you are far too observant for your own good." She mentally noted and turned her attention to the wheel and watched the ball bounce around the numbers.

"Eight black." Announced the croupier

"Bugger!" exclaimed Gene frowning

"You're not very good at this are you? You're 20 quid down already." Alex had now leaned towards Gene

"Hush woman, I'm trying to concentrate." He hissed "Rule of averages Bolly. I have to keep a tally."

"I thought we were here to watch the pond life!" Sighed Alex quietly so only Gene could hear. Gene completely ignored her and placed a finger length of chips on the board.

"I give up," muttered Alex as she slipped off her stool "I'm going to the ladies."

"Hmmph" grunted Gene not taking in what she had said.

As Alex walked away from the table towards the ladies Roly glanced at her backside and leaned over her vacated stool to speak to Gene "Nice bit of totty that. Must be a new girl."

"Eh?" Gene having his concentration broken cocked an ear towards the man

"Nice bit of totty, what was her name? Polly?" Roly tried again

"Yeah she scrubs up well. Er Polly does." He agreed

"Yvonne does pick her girls well. I wonder how much she charges?" pondered Roly

Gene knitted his eyebrows together in puzzlement "Dunno who Yvonne is, but she's one of my girls." Came the reply.

"Oh, sorry I just assumed." Roly apologised. He lent closer and whispered "How much is she?"

Gene glared at Roly "Let's get this straight pal, she is my girl and she's not for hire."

Roly leapt out of Gene's space retreating, sensing the danger in his voice, "Sorry my mistake." He apologised again.

Alex walked into the ladies and was greeted with the sight of women dressed to the nines, preening themselves and re-applying makeup in the mirrors. The women stopped what they were doing to look up and stare at the incomer. A curvy brunette by the name of Louise straightened up to her full height and looked Alex up and down suspiciously "Are you new here?" her tone was cold.

Alex feeling very insecure replied "Er, um not really. Well um maybe. I'm here with a friend." She babbled then dived into the nearest cubicle to avoid the curious gazes. The girls satisfied that Alex was not one of them continued their previous conversation.

"Roly Cavendish is in tonight." Stated one of the girls and was met with groans from the others.

"Well it's someone else's turn, I did him last week. Had me dressed up as a nurse."

Alex was sat on the loo tuned in to the curious conversation.

"Oh, but he likes you Anthea." Whined a red head

"I don't care, I am not spending a night staring at that revolting boil trying not to get gassed with his breath." Retorted Anthea "You do him this time Michelle, you haven't had the pleasure yet."

Alex found herself agreeing, that boil definitely was revolting.

"The words pleasure and Roly Cavendish don't go together." Stated Michelle "Hey where did you get that?" demanded Michelle pointing at the paper wrap in Anthea's hand.

"Ian came in today. He said things have been a bit dry of late, but Liam had managed to find him a new supply." Anthea replied matter-of-factly"

Now Alex's ears had really pricked up. "So, Daly is running a brothel and dealing drugs." She said in her head. Alex was sure that the girls had forgotten she was there listening and was beginning to dread making her exit.

"Well come on Anthea, share." Louise demanded of the younger woman.

Under protest Anthea started to cut a number lines of cocaine on the wash unit, using a credit card to break up the crystals.

Alex's eyes widened as she heard the girls hoover the drug up their noses accompanied by sniffs and snorts. The ritual was broken by the sound of the door opening and a pair of heels entering. Alex craned her neck to get closer to the action.

"This is where you all are." Barked an older female voice "Punters are waiting girls." The voice stated with authority, "get out there and earn your keep...NOW!" she bellowed

"Yes Madame Yvonne" chorused the girls wearily.

Alex heard frantic shuffling as makeup was shoved back into bags and the door swing loudly as each girl made their exit. Thinking that the coast was now clear, Alex flushed the toilette and walked out of the cubicle only to be confronted by Madame Yvonne. Her arms were tightly folded across her chest with a blood red finger tapping furiously against the crook of her elbow. Her eyes raked over Alex's body as Alex shuffled uncomfortably under her scrutiny.

"Who are you?" barked the madam

Alex taken aback at her abruptness stuttered "Er nobody, er I'm er with a friend of mine. He er fancied a flutter" she tried to force smile

"I bet he did." Madame's eyes continued to look Alex up and down. "Which agency are you with?" she demanded

"Er agency? I'm not with an agency." Replied Alex confused.

"I could do with more sorts like you; our clientele are looking for more class. You can earn plenty of money and drink as much free Champaign as you want. Here's my card." Madame Yvonne moved closer to Alex and tucked her business card into Alex's bra. Alex was frozen to the spot not sure what to say or do.

"Think about it. I can offer you a trial next week. Call me." with that she strode out of the ladies leaving Alex with her mouth opening and shutting like a goldfish. She hurried out and took her place on her stool next to Gene.

"Gene, we've got to get out of here before I'm forced into a career change." Blustered Alex

"Excuse me, Lady, Gent, nature calls." Roly winked at Alex. Alex cringed at the thought of him.

"I've already changed your career." smirked Gene "If anyone asks your name is Polly."

"Huh?"

"Matey boy wanted to know how much you charge, I said you were all his for a tenner."

"Wha..." gawped Alex

"Oh don't get yer knickers in a twist. I said you were my girl...Polly." smugness started to appear on Gene's face

"Gene we still have to get out of here, we've walked into a hornets' nest." She pleaded

"Can't. Gotta win me money back."

"How much have you lost now?" said Alex exasperated

"50" Gene shrugged

"FIFTY! The super really is going to have your knackers over this."

"He'll live"

"He will, you on the other hand..."

"Black 20" interupted the croupier and proceeded to push a large stack of chips in Gene's direction.

"See Bolls, the system works." he grinned

"Right, bank it and let's get out of here."