Club Cascade fancied itself as a high-end burlesque club for the aspiring gentleman (or lady) looking to relieve some stress after a long day in London's financial district. In reality once you looked past the tinsel it had clearly seen better days, with overpriced drinks and overworked staff. It was also not in the financial district. However, the floors weren't sticky and the presence of a professional cocktail mixer kept patrons coming back week after week. A surprising amount of work went into learning choreography for the burlesque show which meant the show itself was rather slick. Over-all there were worse places to be working.
New hire, Peony had fit in surprisingly well. She wasn't much of a dancer but she knew all the cocktails and could balance a tray like no-ones business, so she worked the floor and left the dancing to the other girls.
"Peony, have you seen who is in the front row?" Angelique grabbed her as she finished getting changed for her shift. She had dark skin and an accent that placed her as from the Congo though she'd clearly spent a long time in London. Peony had taken an instant liking to her and had used her openness to find out everything she could about the club, its staff and regular patrons, all without raising any eyebrows.
"I've only just arrived" she reminded her colleague. Though she knew full well who was there, she'd provided the invite after all.
"I think that's Gordon Tracy."
Peony looked around wide eyed with a hushed "are you sure, Angelique?" She didn't need to hide her surprise.
"Yes, I'm sure. Are you okay, you look a little funny?" the woman was regarding her with an appraising eye.
"Really? Gordon Tracy, the Olympic medallist, billionaire-heir? What's he doing here?" Peony remained wide eyed, going for start struck.
"Do you not keep up?" Angelique rolled her eyes. "Evan Brady is getting married next week" she said as though that explained everything. Peony searched her memory but drew a blank on Evan Brady. It must have shown on her face for Angelique let out an exasperated sigh.
"Evan Brady? The silver medallist? You know? From the same games? Oh, for God's sake Peony, they were team mates."
"Is he cute too?" Peony fumbled for a come-back. She'd barely known Gordon back when he was competing and hadn't paid any attention to him or the games, other than to keep up appearances.
"Well, it looks like they're in your section, so you'll get a chance to find out" Angelique smirked. "You play this right and you could make more tonight than the rest of the year!"
"I'm not doing it if she's singing!" a screech cut across the changing room causing both women to swivel their heads. A statuesque blonde stormed past, the fact she was wearing only a glittering bra and shorts doing nothing to put people off her thundercloud of a face. Peony and Angelique had to step quickly out of the way as the careened through, grabbing her coat from the back of one of the dressing chairs.
"If you want to get paid, you'll do it" a woman Peony recognised as Helen, the choreographer and stage manager barged in behind her. "You don't have to get on, you don't even have to look at each other but with Sarah throwing her monthly diva moment she's all we've got. I already have one idiot in the troupe I don't need two."
"I can't work with her" the blonde retorted. "She's a damn witch."
Peony shot an incredulous look at Angelique. A witch? Really? Angelique just shook her head with an eye roll showing she thought the blonde dancer was an idiot. It seemed Helen felt the same way.
"Fine. Don't forget to collect your pay tomorrow and don't bother coming back. Angelique, you're moving up to lead" and with that Helen turned to leave.
"WHAT? You can't do this!" the blonde screeched again throwing her bag to the ground in a temper.
"Come on, let's get you ready to go" Angelique caught Peony's attention. "You have a billionaire to impress after all and I really need the money for moving up to lead dancer" Angelique was smiling like all her Christmases had come at once. She led Peony back through the backstage maze and out towards the club door. Through a half-opened door just before the club Peony spotted a woman with dark hair. She was sitting on a chair with her feet up on another, she had headphones in and had something open on a battered device on her knees.
"Who's that?" she asked stopping and forcing Angelique to stop with her.
"Huh?" Angelique peered into the room and then her face lit up again, "Oracle!" She barged into the room "I knew it had to be you, no one else could have wound Christy up in such a short space of time."
The woman looked up and smiled as she removed her earphones.
"Christy is an easy target" she said unapologetically. "Who's you're new friend?"
"This is Peony, she joined last week. She waits tables."
Peony moved forward to introduce herself properly but was stopped by the apprising gaze.
"I see that" she said with a wry smile. "No one else would choose to wear that." She gestured at Peony's work attire. Secretly Peony had to agree. The corset was covered in enough cubic zirconia to cause a fire hazard if left in the sun, complete with dangling begemmed tassels that, frankly, got in the way of everything. The shorts were no better and the knee-high boots had taken some serious effort to make them wearable long term. However, Peony put on an offended face and opted for a deflection.
"Why did Christy call you a witch?"
"Oracle punched out a client" Angelique said as though imparting a deadly secret.
"One time!"
"Four times" came the pointed rebuttal.
"Yeah well" Oracle sat back looking mulish, "the last one was trying to put things in Christy's drink, you think she'd be grateful."
"How does that lead to witch, exactly?" Peony asked.
"Oracle here, told Christy why she'd done it, Christy didn't believe her and a week later he tried again. Only this time Ivan caught him and delt with it properly" Angelique explained giving Oracle a pointed look. "Only Christy was already drunk so she decided Oracle could see the future and told everyone she met she was a witch. Now I think it's more about her saving face."
"She's a bloody idiot" Oracle said looking back at the data pad.
"Oh yes, I'm sure you don't wind her up about it, at all."
"Like I said" Oracle shrugged "easy target."
"What are you doing?" Peony asked gesturing to the pad.
"Learning" came the succinct answer. "They've added new numbers since I was last here. You're going to be late"
Angelique took the and from her and checked the clock in the top corner.
"She's right, and I need to chat to Mr Gibbson before we start" she said handing the pad back.
Oracle looked up sharply.
"Everything alright?" she asked.
"Yes, fine now" Angelique replied. "Christy got fired for her bitch fit over you, so I'm now the lead."
"Uh-huh" came the disbelieving reply. "Let me know if you need me" and with that she went to put her earphones back in.
"Oh, Oracle" Angelique paused by the door.
"What?" Oracle said pulling the earphones back out in exasperation.
"Gordon Tracy is in."
"And?"
"Jesus, you two are as bad as each other" Angelique shook her head and pushed Peony towards the club doors. "Break a leg, Peony" she said with a wink before turning back towards the rear of the building."
"Aren't I meant to say that to you?" Peony said with a laugh and a wave. Smiling she pushed through the door to the club proper. Internally, however, Penelope seethed. She'd set this up with John, knowing he could blend into the background just about anywhere and see all the things she couldn't whilst she was working. Instead, she'd got the subtle-as-a-flying-house-brick family show pony. Whilst it was true, she hadn't known him whilst he was competing, her father's business dealings with Tracy industries and her subsequent friendship with John had meant she'd come across Gordon more than once. Each time he'd been the loud centre of attention, manners barely holding together as he encouraged those around him to party like there was no tomorrow. Often there was more than one girl hanging off his arm, the kind who fancied themselves as social climbers but whom Penelope secretly held a much lower opinion of.
She plastered her best smile on as she glided through the club towards the bar and her first tray of the evening. Behind her eyes though she was planning. The woman John had been searching for was here and, thanks to her introduction from Angelique she was certain that Oracle would talk to her – well to Peony at any rate. Stepping behind the bar she took the tray of cocktails, noted the table number and set about her work.
Oracle had seemed pretty normal, if a little guarded. Though she showed genuine concern for Angelique. Penelope wondered why she was sitting in a room by herself but it seemed to have more to do with her finding a quiet space to learn the new songs in than anything else. That's strange, isn't it? Penelope wondered as she passed drinks to a table that clearly didn't notice the presence of those like her. Learning new songs then performing them unrehearsed? She made a note to ask Virgil later.
One of the men on Gordon's table caught her attention and called her over. Penelope steeled herself and then fell into the role of Peony as she walked over.
"What'll it be guys?"
"This is the prettiest one yet" said one of the men. His hair was cut severely short and, though he was dressed smart-casual Penelope got the impression he's be much happier in an office. Peony, didn't notice things like that. He went to put his arm around her and she carefully side stepped making a show of clearing the table.
"My good friend here" said Gordon, taking a sip of his beer "is getting married. Do you think you can rustle up something special for him?"
"Oh, I'm sure I can" she flashed a winning smile round the table.
"Fabulous, put it on my tab" he replied before turning back to a roar of approval from the stag party. As she cleared the table he didn't so much as glance at her and Penelope found herself caught between approval and disappointment. The disappointment came from Peony, of course.
Gordon, for his part, didn't look at John's friend for a very good reason. The get up she was in was so different from the haughty aristocrat he'd met previously that he had struggled to keep from laughing. At the last shindig of her father's he'd been forced to attend, he remembered her being far too uppity to talk to the likes of him. Her words (or at least implied words) if he remembered correctly. He had tried, at first, to get her to have a drink with him, but she'd made it very clear she wasn't interested and, frankly there were others who were. He remembered that he hadn't been up for a challenge that night and, he remembered with a smile, that night had ended very well for him and his partner.
Evan caught his smile just as their waitress walked off.
"I recon you're in there, mate" he said. Gordon shrugged.
"The night's still young." But he had to admit that Lady Penelope was quite the sight as she walked away. Evan gave him a look then elbowed his friend on the other side. The man (Ryan, Gordon thought his name was) looked over his shoulder.
"Easy ten" he said with confidence. "If you won't, I will" and he made to follow her.
Annoyance flashed through Gordon at the way Lady Penelope had just been classified. Hot and easy was not what she was. She was more like stunning and exceptionally hard work. The thought gave him pause. He waved Ryan back down.
"On second thoughts" he said going to follow their waitress himself. He checked his watch on the way over. Still 15 minutes to show time. If the mystery woman was singing here, as Penelope said, then it would soon be mission time.
"So" he said causally leaning on the bar as Lady Penelope put their order through. "What's a girl like you doing in a place like this?"
Much to Gordon's pleasure she blushed and gave a slight giggle. Wow he thought she's really pretty when she's actually smiling. Unfortunately, as soon as the man behind the bar moved off the smile dropped like a stone and blue eyes flashed daggers at him.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded. Her body language didn't change though, from across the room she would look a little nervous or perhaps shy as she tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. It threw Gordon completely.
"What?" he said cleverly.
"I sent everything to John, he was supposed to be here. Not you and your gang of drunken louts."
It was true. Penelope had sent a late invitation to John to be her partner at a charity gala. Something that had happened a few times since they finished university together. The problem was that this one was in the middle of John's rotation and, at such short notice, their father was reluctant to let him go. By pure chance Gordon had been invited to attend Evan's stag party, even though they only kept in touch online these days. John worked a little magic and suddenly Evan had won tickets for whole party at Cascade. Gordon already had leave to go so it was settled. Though it seemed no one had told Penelope.
"Can you really imagine John in a place like this?" he said throwing her an incredulous look. "The man can barely string a sentence together at a regular party."
"That's not true and you know it" she huffed with a shy smile, then pointedly look down at her shoes biting her lip. Gordon was getting seriously thrown by the mixed signals here. He knew he should listen to what she was saying but the damn body language was definitely giving off something else. "Oh for pity sakes Gordon, get your mind in the game. As long as you're here you need to be useful."
"Is she here?" he asked trying to regroup.
"Yes, her name is Oracle" he raised an eyebrow at that. "I know" she waved it off "but that's what everyone calls her. The head dancer has a dislike for her, possibly some of the others as well, you know how these things are." She stopped and gave him and appraising look "or maybe you don't. She has a potential friendship with a dancer named Angelique and has gotten into at least one fight with a patron. She claims he was spiking someone's drink." The bar tender came back again with the first of many colourful cocktail glasses and Lady Penelope giggled again and shot Gordon that killer smile. This time when the bartender moved away Gordon was ready for it to drop. "Do you know what you're meant to be doing here?"
"Yes" he replied, his irritation growing. This wasn't the first time he'd been sent in somewhere to gather intel after all. "The bouncer, Ivan, said we were in for a treat with the singer. I had a chat with him after getting the boys inside. She isn't here often because she causes too many problems; she won't wear the outfits; she won't join the dance line. He thinks she's also pickpocketed a few of the patrons but, Ivan didn't seem that bothered by that."
"He might just have low morals."
"Ivan said she picked the pockets of 'some of the scum' direct quote" Gordon said smugly.
"Well, if Ivan says so then I'm sure she's actually some vigilante hero" Penelope said dryly. "Now get back to your table before people think something is going on."
"Your Ladyship, of course people think something is going on" he said trying not to bristle at her tone. "Why do you think the boys sent me over here?"
"Oh, for Heaven's sake, is that all you think about?" she said, for once the anger starting to come through in her body language. "And don't be calling me by my title here. My name is Peony."
"Don't worry" Gordon replied. "Looking like that no one is going to mistake you for a Lady" and with that he turned back to his table. Seeing his former team mates watching he gave a thumbs up and they cheered in response. He couldn't see Lady Penelope's face but he was sure she'd be glaring daggers at him for their reaction. Peony however, would have to look flustered, and wont that just rile her up more! By the time he'd got back to the table the smile on his face was genuine.
Right on time the show started. The lights dimmed then a spotlight hit upon a small circular stage to the left of the main one. On it stood the woman who had been causing his brothers so much worry over the past month. She was dressed in a full-bodied leather catsuit which, whilst keeping her covered, left very little to the imagination. She'd stuck a pose and waited as the crowd died down and the music began but once she started the first thing Gordon thought was wow, she can really sing.
Ryan leant over to him.
"On second thoughts mate, you can keep the waitress. Do you recon she does private shows?" he said with an eyebrow wiggle he managed to make lewd.
"It's not that kind of place, Ryan" one of the others called throwing a coaster at him. "Honestly, can't you see this is more upmarket than the kind of places you usually go too?"
Unfortunately for him the dance troupe picked that moment to appear and Gordon was reminded of Scott's description of burlesque dancing – stripping with qualifications.
"Here we go boys" Peony said reappearing balancing a huge tray of multicoloured drinks. She began passing them round stepping lightly around tightly packed chairs and the occasional set of legs. "For the man of the evening" she said passing a larger version of the cocktail to Evan. But Gordon wasn't paying attention her anymore. On the stage Oracle was watching him. No, she isn't he realised. She's watching Penny – Peony!
She hadn't stopped singing and was even matching the dancers in some of their moves but she was definitely watching Peony as she finished serving and moved away from the table. Gordon decided to test the theory.
"My lovely flower" he called, because he couldn't help trying to wind Penny up as well. Peony came back and from the corner of his eye he saw Oracle track her. "I just wanted to make sure we'd be your number one priority this even. After all it's not every day Evan gets married."
"To the Groom!" someone shouted and the group chorused back.
"Don't worry, I won't take my eyes off you" she replied then tried to hide a huff at the wolf whistles from a few of the more inebriated members of the group.
The show eventually wound down to the interval and Penelope called that she was going on a break. Gordon's table had kept her busy during the first half so she'd hardly had time to talk to the other members of staff. For his part, Gordon seemed to be getting more and more drunk. She needed a break from him. She would never admit that he was getting under her skin.
She walked through the staff doors intending to find Angelique but stopped when she heard crying coming from the same room she'd found Oracle in earlier.
"I don't know what to do Oracle" the voice sobbed.
Penelope pressed herself against the wall but this was not a good position. Anyone could run across her eves-dropping at any moment and she'd be hard pushed to explain it.
"Tell me what happened Angelique."
Angelique? That gave Penelope and opportunity. Bursting through the door, she exclaimed;
"There you are, I've been looking all over for you. Oh no, what's wrong?"
Oracle had her hands on Angelique's shoulders gently rubbing them as she was crying.
"Pierre, he stole Ruben's medicine and I can't afford any more. I spoke to Mr Gibbson about getting an advance on my wages but he said no" she managed between sobs.
"But you're lead dancer now" Peony said. "Surely they can do something."
"Too busy with the billionaire to notice Christy on stage then" Oracle said wryly.
Silently Penelope cursed Gordon to hell and back.
"I've told you about that brother of yours before. Why did you let him back in?" Oracle said to Angelique.
"He's my brother, how could I not?"
"Because he stole Ruben's insulin and for what? E?"
"Probably" Angelique said sadly. "I thought I'd be able to get the advance but then I got told I had lead and it was all okay and now there's neither. He's only got two days-worth left."
"Okay, don't worry about it" Oracle said. "How much are you short?"
"About 300."
"Okay, I'm making 150 this evening so you can have that-"
"What? No I can't-"
"And I should be able to make that again from my second job" Oracle carried on as though she hadn't been interrupted.
"I can't take your wages!" Angelique exclaimed.
"Yes, you can. Besides it's not for you, is it? It's for Ruben. He's a good kid. But it comes with a condition, Angelique. You get it for nothing if you get rid of your brother. You owe it back if he's still around this time next week. Understand?"
"Yes but-"
"Great" Oracle cut her off. "I have someone I need to see. Peony, sort her out, yeah?" and with that she left.
Penelope cursed inwardly as she took a shaking Angelique into her arms. There was no way she could follow Oracle now. She offered soothing words as Angelique pulled herself back together and sent a prayer to whoever might be listening that Gordon was more useful than he seemed.