Chapter Three: The Devil Lady Herself

A couple hours past, Veronica was about to take stage as one of the girls stepped off.

"Ugh...I swear, men get more vulgar by the minute."

Veronica laughed and looked at her.

"Well then this aint the job for you...besides, arent you young? How old are you?"

"...16."

Veronica looked around and leaned in to the girl's ear.

"Trust me, you dont want to start you life out this way."

She said, slipping the girl a small money wad. The girl looked up at her.

"But, then why do you-"

"Look, Im 23 years old. I can vote and drink legally...I think I have more say in life then you. Just because you dance around in cute little costumes and get lots of money doesnt make it as glamourous as it seems...you dont want a man to try and take advantage of you or anything, not while your young. Now I want yout o take this money...get on a bus...go right home, and get back into school ok?"

"But I need this, its my only job."

"Ok, I'll tell you something...there is a cafe I go to every morning, I'll talk to my friend there ad get you started ok? Please...I mean you 16 years old for fucks sake, dont you kids have any shame at all?"

The girl nodded as she turned to go into the dressing room. Veronica stood straight, hearing her introduction over the loud music.

"Welcome Welcome Welcome! Now gentlemen...that your night has been heated up...Lets Kick It Up A Notch! You know her, you love her, and hell...you probably violate yourselves to her pictures everynight...The Lovely! The Firey! The Simply Satantic! Laaaady Deeevil!!!"

She rolled her eyes, running her hands through her hair.

"They gotta go through all that every fucking time...its really old..."

She stepped out from behind the velvety black curtains, the ones detailed so nicely with the flames painted along the bottom trim. She gave a cute little wink, and smiled as she walked down the aisle which was blinking with little lights all the way. With a slight sway in her hips, the little plastic tail swung back and forth behind her. Towards the very end of the isle sat a man in what was known as 'best seat in the house'. He looked a little familiar, but with her constant seductive movements she couldnt keep a steady look at him, though she felt a cold stare overcoming her body which was odd for her because thats all she gets it staring...this was something else. She eventually made her way down the end of the isle, dangling and dancing herself around the pole. She fially got a good glimpse...the man from before, in the chair! Though she never saw his face before, the clothes gave him away, and that hat that rested just above his eyebrows. He sat back in the chair, a smirk curling his lips as he watched her like she was the only thing in the room with him.

"This is getting a little awkward...I bet he was sent to spy on me..." Veronica thought to herself, turning her back to him as she did a little twirl and danced her way back up the isle. Her few brief moment of entertainment were done, which was all it took to please such an easy crowd.

By the end of the night the music was still going just as loud, one last girl up to dance as Veronica sat in the back dressing room by herself, her head laid on the make-up table.

"Y'know...must be something about the color red that attracts me aye?"

She sat up quickly, looking to the door to see it was the same man from before.

"You! Um, you'r not allowed to be back here! Its employees only!"

She said in a sort of panic, grabbing her jacket off the back of her chair as she tried to cover herself some with it. He only shook his head with that same stare in his eye. He stepped in, and kicked the door shut behind him.

"I am an employee..."

Veronica backed a couple steps as she looked around and stared at him as he just walked up to her, though taking enjoyment in how obviously frightened she was of him...he walked slow to keep it interesting.

"Look I know whats going on, its about the money, right? I can pay him back I swear, okay? Look see, I made all this tonight, and-"

"S'not about money Love. Boss already said... 'heh' your mine now Sweetheart."

"What? Wait a minute! What do you mean?!"

She couldnt keep backing away anymore, her back was pushing against a costume mannequin and he showed no interest in stopping.

"Please...I..."

She tried to beg at first. "What does he want from me? Jerk, Im ending this!" She instructed herself, reaching behind her as she ripped the elastic tail off the back of her little red vinyl costume and quickly, with a snap in her wrist, lashed it at him like a whip. Only to hand him grab the end of it and wrap it around his hand.

"Nice try girly, but theres no beatin me...ever."

"Im warning you! You better stop!"

"Or what are ya gonna do...?"

"...I'll...um...I'll scream!"

She yelled, yanking back on the little cheap piece of vinyl as he stumbled forward into a box of frilly little costumes and lingerie.

"That worked?"

Veronica kicked the side of the box and hurried ran out, grabbing her jacket as she pulled it over her shoulders. Out the back door she went, and down the street...with no intent on ever going back to that horrid place again, and hopefully never seeing that man...