A/N: Alright, here it goes! Chapter 2!
Some notes...
Yugi and his grandfather have moved to America due to their shop failing in Tokyo, Japan. The more high tech stores that became available, the less business they had at the Kame Game Shop. They just could not compete with all of the advanced technology and robotics surrounding them. Little "mountain towns" in America are famous for vintage and classic shops including retro gaming shops. Mom and Pop businesses fair pretty well in tourist areas and the Poconos is a HUGE tourist attraction with Camel Back mountains, Great Wolfe Lodge, and much more. It will all be explained when appropriate in the story and it will make sense, I promise!
Chapter 2
There's tons of different shops along Main Street. Stroudsburg has it all from vineyards and distilleries to sex shops and crazy costume stores. Then there's of course, our Game Shop. "Heart of the Game" is what we decided to name our new shop when we came to America. It just seemed fitting. Grandpa had just about given up on everything when a new "Future Gaming" super store opened just around the corner from us. We just could not compete against life like robots and remote controlled everything.
"These kids today will never appreciate what gaming used to be!" Grandpa would say. And maybe, he was right. The problem with living in a huge and always growing city like Tokyo, is that nothing stays the same. There's something "better" around every turn. People want their hands on what's the "new thing", and the "new thing" changes from week to week. Phones are upgrading, TV is evolving, and games are...almost a reality now. In a quiet town such as Stroudsburg, or Saylorsburg, or Tannersville, tourists come to escape from the city life. People are not distracted by their phones here or worried about the latest gadgets and whatnot. That's what makes this place so special and what makes "Heart of the Game" so successful.
"You wanna hit up Flood's first for a few drinks, or do you wanna just drink at the club?" Brandon flips through a binder filled with all of the classic Pokemon cards. "Where's your Charizard?"
"We can drink wherever, but I'm starving so let's grab dinner and drinks, I guess. The strip club doesn't have food, does it?" I haven't changed too much, I still love to eat. "Oh, and yeah a customer bought it last night. It was Camille, actually."
Brandon ignores my food comment. "Camille? Really? What'd she want with it?" I don't get the chance to answer. "Oh, I bet it was for Charles! He loves Charizard. "
Camille and Charles have been together for a long time, six years. I actually met Brandon through the two of them. One day they came into the shop looking for some classic Duel Monster cards. They're an adorable couple. They share the type of love that comes from fairy tales. Charles has a ring for Camille. He came rushing into the shop last year to tell Brandon and I about it. That was a year ago now. He's told me and Brandon that he's waiting for the perfect moment, and her father's permission. I wonder if he's nervous. I would be. His girl is an only child and super close with her father. Charles is really lucky to have a girl like her. Camille's a classy lady, but she's down to Earth and cool, like one of the guys. She loves cars and gaming and has an obsession with anime and Shakespeare. She has long blonde hair and doll like blue eyes. Camille is curvy and short; shorter than me! Which is hilarious because Charles is 6'3 and Brandon is decently tall too. It's also pretty funny how Camille and Charles met. They used to dance together at a dance studio. Charles is younger than Camille by two years and two months, but they became best friends and after Camille was fed up with having her heart broken by bad ass boys, she realized that Charles was the one for her all along. Speaking of dance and bad ass boys...I wonder what Tea is up to right now. I can't help but think about all of the handsome, beautiful men she must constantly be surrounded by on a daily basis. She was so amazing. I bet she has a new guy worshipping her every day just like one of the sexy, fabulous celebrities here in America. It's crazy thinking how close she could be to me right now. New York is not that far off from Pennsylvania. I feel my heart begin to race. The very thought of Tea being near where I am drives me insane. I want what Charles and Camille have. I want to be happy and have someone to love me as much as I love them. I should friend request Tea. Send her a message and see how she's doing, where she is and if she'd want to give me a chance. If only I had the courage to do something like that. Maybe after a few drinks in me...
"Yeah," I finally reply to Brandon. "she told me that it was a surprise for him. He used to have a first generation Charizard but someone stole it from him when he younger, so Camille wanted to get him one as a little gift. Their anniversary is coming up soon, after all."
Brandon smiles, one of his big and genuine smiles. "Damn, Charles has it good. Those Charizards ain't cheap!" And boy is he right! Camille dropped $58 for that card! And that was with my discount! It's insane how much money classic collectibles go for nowadays. People are willing to spend it too, all for a little piece of nostalgia from their childhood. "When is the tournament over tonight?"
"Depends. I can try to have everyone out of here and the shop closed up by 11." I take back the binder full of Pokemon cards and place it on display. "Is that alright?"
Brandon nods and grins like a child. "Oh, that's perfect." He plays with his shirt collar and fiddles with his buttons. "I'm so happy we're gonna be doing this! I heard they hired some new girls from out of town. I hope they're as beautiful as the others!" The way he talks about girls amuses me. It's almost as if he never left high school. To be honest, Brandon reminds me of Joey. Obsessed with girls, food, booze and of course, sex. He's all about having a good time and living life to the fullest. Unlike me, Brandon is satisfied with being single and a "free man". He mocks Charles often for his commitment to one woman for the rest of his life. But, deep down, we know that if Brandon were to ever meet a girl as special as Camille, or Tea, he would change his skirt chasing ways and settle down.
"I just want to eat, drink and forget about that cheating whore!"
"Aww yeah buddy that's what I'm talking about! I'm digging this attitude, Yugi!" We high five and fist pound and make jokes about Aurora. I'm not usually one to talk badly about a girl, but well, I don't give two shits about her.
Tonight is a classic gaming tournament so all of the old gaming platforms are being put to use. It's a five dollar fee to come in and compete. The games we're featuring this Friday are Mario Kart 64 played on Nintendo 64 (obviously), Donkey Kong Country for Super Nintendo, and Sonic Adventure for Sega Dreamcast. Everyone gets really excited to play all of the retro systems. Players can enter the competition by themselves or play in a team. Teams are better, but you have to be sure that all of the members in your team are good at the games, otherwise, they can bring down your score and cost you the tournament. The cliental we have here at the shop is great. No one cheats, not that they really could, but no one tries anything. People don't steal or let their kids run wild destroying displays and products. It's really a nice crowd that this town draws in.
The last team exits the shop and I lock the door behind them. Brandon leaps from his chair. "Finally! I thought they'd never pick their prize and get out of here!"
I laugh because I was getting annoyed too with all of the waiting. It's 11:25 and I'm hungry, tired and ready to have a great night with a great friend. I've been working all week and tomorrow and Sunday I'll have to work again. I need my nights out once in a while or I'll go crazy. "Alright, Let's roll!" I don't even bother cleaning up the shop or putting away any of the consoles. My mind is already out the door before we are. I'll get to it in the morning before I have to open at noon. That should be fine. Grandpa is asleep and he can call my cell if he needs anything.
I grab my keys and turn out the lights. I lock the door behind us and we head to the bar. Wings, burgers and beer. A wonderful combo. "So, do you want me to drive? I don't mind. You can relax and get shit-faced and I'll stay sober enough to not go to jail." Brandon chuckles and we clink our beer glasses together. I'm on my second glass of Smithwick's Irish Ale and I'm already feeling it. "Wanna do a shot?" This time I laugh because with Brandon, Charles and Camille, "a shot" never means just "a shot". They love the night life and love to party. Brandon more than any of us, but I enjoy it actually and after the day I've had, I'm ready to fuck it all and have fun!
"Let's do it!" I say as we flag down our waitress. "Let's take a cab tonight! Safer that way and we wont' have to worry about parking or anything. We can split the cost of it."
Brandon likes my plan cuz he's all smiles. "Yeah, man. That's a good idea because I really hate being the DD!"
We finish dinner and our drinks which include: 1 shot of Fireball, 1 shot of Patron, 1 shot of Jameson and 3 beers each. I don't feel as drunk as I thought I would. It's probably because I had food to sop up all of the liquor. Whatever. I'm feeling fantastic and I won't question it! It's after midnight and Brandon and I are ready to take this party elsewhere. Brandon makes use of his Uber app and a car comes to pick us up. We're on our way to the gentlemen's club and for some reason, I'm beginning to feel nervous and jittery. I begin to wonder if going out to a place where women are degraded and sought after like pieces of meat is a good way to get over a break up. Probably not, but I'm not an unfaithful, lying slut so who cares? I could do a lot of worse things than get fucked up on a Friday night and make it rain on some gorgeous exotic dancers.
Just as my buzz begins to set in, we arrive at the club. A large, flashing neon stiletto sign with the words: "Beautiful Dirty Dancers" welcomes us. Bouncers dressed in fancy tuxedos stand outside with folded, burly arms and walkie-talkies. A purple carpet lies on the sidewalk leading guests into the club. From the street we can see the pulsation of strobe lights. Blacked out windows with blinds and black lights illuminate the steps and decorate the entrance way. It looks like the type of clubs seen in movies. Ritsy, high class and filled with girls that will, without a doubt, be completely out of our league. Still, we venture onward and our jaws instantly hit the floor.
I've never seen so many beautiful women in one place before. Brandon was right, these girls are nothing like what we are used to seeing. They're so breath-takingly gorgeous, I just cannot believe it. My mind is blown. There's signs everywhere stating: LOOK, BUT DON'T TOUCH! and some other neon signs that read: GIRLS CAN TOUCH YOU, BUT YOU CANNOT TOUCH THEM! THANK YOU! I don't even have to touch or be touched by them...I'm completely satisfied with just looking, in all honesty. Does that make me pathetic or creepy? God, I sure hope not.
Brandon and I stare in awe at the women who come to the stage. They parade around in their skimpy, yet somehow, elegant, attire. There's a room off in the far right corner where more security stands on guard. There's velvet curtains and ropes blocking off the section from the rest of the club. "That's where the lap dances happen." Brandon whispers. "Pretty sweet, right?" He's got this horny smirk on his face and I can feel my own face heat and a grin spread across my lips. Just the thought of having a woman like the ones before us, dancing privately with average, "nice" guys like us makes me pulse rise and my palms sweat.
"Attention Gentlemen," Suddenly, an announcer's booming "DJ" voice fills the club. "and some ladies, too. I see you freaky girls out there!" The announcer laughs. "Please direct your attention to the stage for our star dancer, "Black Magic!" Watch out now, because she might just put a spell on you..." His voice fades out and music begins to play. The volume of it increases and I recognize the song: Abracadabra by The Steve Miller Band. It's an older song from the 80's that was popular in America, and Japan as well. Very old school, classic rock and roll with some awesome guitar solos and riffs. Smoke fills the stage and a shadow emerges. Strobe lights flash and the silhouette of a curvaceous woman becomes clearer. I can make out her hair that falls just below her thin shoulders. Her hips are wide and breasts full. As the fog fades, more and more of the dancer is visible.
I heat up, I can't cool down...She grabs the pole in the center of the stage and hoists herself up. In slow motion she twirls back down and gracefully reconnects her high heels with the sparkly floor. Her costume is covered in glitter and sequins. She's flawless. Her chest crowned with a jeweled corset and her butt barely covered in matching lace panties.
You've got me spinning round and round. Round and round, and round it goes. Where it stops nobody knows... I wish I could see her face, but it is covered with a masquerade type of mask. She resembles the Black Magician Girl in a way with her bright blue and pink colors and huge breasts. The dancer turns around and pushes her plump rear against the pole she had just slid on. With both hands between her legs, grasping the pole, she flips over and goes into a split position hanging on with hand and arm strength only. The crowd cheers and Brandon whistles. I'm in a daze of some sort; mesmerized by her incredible, perfect body and wracked with desire to be closer to her. She spins so effortlessly around and around. It's almost as if she is gliding through the air. She makes it look so easy. No wonder she is the star dancer of the place.
You make me hot, you make me sigh. You make me laugh. You make me cry. Keep me burnin' for your love, with the touch of a velvet glove. The dancer slowly peels off her wrist gloves and flings them into the audience. Everyone screams and goes wild. Brandon included. I've never seen anyone move so...naturally. It's as if this dancer is one with the music, completely in tune with the crowd and yet, oblivious to the world around her. She spins and smiles and lifts herself onto the pole over and over again, only to twist and turn about it. Up and down, repeatedly. I feel as though I am hypnotized by her movements and body language. I did not realize before that she was wearing thigh high stockings, probably because they are so sheer. The garments are encrusted with sparkles and jewels. On the floor, the dancer pulls the stockings off in an enticing and torturous manner. Carefully, gently, and provocatively she slides them off, one at a time and flings them too, into the crowd. One of them lands on my lap and I am thankful of how dark and foggy the club is. My face must be scarlet red and the bulge in my pants continues to grow and harden. Brandon is too entranced with the dancer to notice that I have a "piece" of her in my hands. I am overcome with the urge to smell the pantyhose and feel its silky fabric against my skin. The sparkles on the garment are not coarse as I had imagined. Instead, only the mock jewels disturb the soft, smoothness of the clothing. Quickly, before Brandon notices and attempts to make an embarrassing scene, I tuck it into my jacket pocket. I'll show him when we're in the Uber, away from this magical and entrancing place.
The song is almost over, and the star dancer puts her hands behind her head and hides them underneath her beautiful, brown hair. She appears to be untying the ribbon to her mask. I'm shocked that it stayed on during her entire performance. I'm disappointed to learn that she is only adjusting the mask, and is not removing it as I had hoped. Like the rest of the crowd, I'm sure, I yearn to catch a glimpse of this maiden's face! The mystery dancer, "Black Magic!" bows and shakes and grinds her body around the pole a few more minutes while money pours onto the stage. Brandon and I throw multiple dollar bills in the middle following everyone's lead. Now I understand why rappers enjoy "making it rain" so much! Sexily she struts her stuff off of the stage, behind the drapes and away from us. I'd give anything to know more about that girl, see her face, hear her voice, make her laugh, touch her...
"Oh my God, dude!" Brandon is standing on his chair cheering and clapping. "Wasn't that incredible?! Didn't I tell you these girls are out of this world and magical?!"
"You did, you sure did!" I laugh and we high five. "I'll be listening to you more often it seems!" We order vodka cranberries and down them hastily. Alcohol and stunning women! Could this night get any better? It feels like some fantastic dream that I don't want to wake up from.