"A stripper! You think, I'm a stripper"? I was feeling light headed.
Lafayette led me over to the waiting area. "Here honey, take a seat let me get you a drink".
He reached behind the hostess podium and pulled out a bottled water from a small cooler.
"Ok now, to answer your question, no I do not think that you are a stripper, and let's be clear, Rhapsody will not be labeled as something as tawdry as a strip club". "Our dancers are artists, they make magic with their bodies, and while clothes do tend to come off at some point in a routine, that is not always the case".
I looked at him showing that I understood.
"But I can't do that, I can't take my clothes off in front of people, when I applied for the support staff position, I thought I was applying to be a waitress".
He smiled and said "Oh, you were, honey see our wait staff and dancers are one in the same".
"Here at Rhapsody this is an equal opportunity work place, we employ both male and female workers our dancers are also both male and female". "This is why Rhapsody is not a gentleman's club, because we cater to both male and female clientele".
I am blown away by what he is telling me, I have never heard of any place like this, it's like Shreveport' s very own Shangri-La. Lafayette went on to explain that the dancers wait tables on the nights that they aren't dancing. In a business perspective, it saves money by eliminating extra staff, and brings in more money because many customers come in the entire week, for the chance to see their favorites both on and off the stage. Monday, Wednesday and Friday the ladies dance. Tuesday and Thursday for the men. Saturday is the most popular night, because both male and female dancers perform.
He had this indescribable look on his face, "oh yes Saturday is when all the sexual deviants come out to play". "It's a chance to walk on the wild side, for our patrons to explore the hidden depths of their sexuality, if only for one night". "But what a hell of a night it is", he chuckles.
"So if I'm offered the job I would be expected to dance", I asked?
He looked at me with soft eyes, "maybe we can make an exception, tell you what you look like a sweet girl. Some of our staff is on the lazy side or feel that waiting tables is beneath them. I am willing to start you out on a trial basis picking up the slack when needed, but I can't promise you a spot on the rotation".
I smiled at that thought because that was exactly what I needed, at least for now.
He smiled and said "I promise you one thing, though honey, I will get you on that stage, sooner or later. A body like yours should not be hidden away".
I blushed, "Thank you for the compliment I think, but I could never do that". I thought about what Gran would say if she knew what kind of place this was.
"I could never do anything to change my Gran's perception of me, she is the only person that see's the best in me. She would be so ashamed, if I took my clothes off for money".
"That's just it, you don't have to take your clothes off. With the perfect outfit to accentuate your best assets".
He said with a raised eyebrow focusing on my chest, "and some pristine and creative moves, you can make just as much if not more than the dancers that disrobe, honey it's all about the fantasy".
He patted my hand, "remember, Rhapsody is all about quality not quantity. Not saying that a little hide n go peep, isn't sexy as hell. But it's not always what gets the engines to purrin".
He let the R roll off his tongue. He gave me a sympathetic look, "There is no pressure for now, as long as the owner is ok with it".
Thinking about the benefits, I asked "so if I'm not dancing or waiting tables full time, I won't be eligible for benefits".
He looked thoughtful, "we do offer benefits to every employee, both full time and part time. In this line of work a broken heel could mean a broken ankle, and that's on and off the stage".
"I will speak with Pam the general manager, and see if we can offer you something, but I'm sure it will depend on how much you actually work".
"Speaking of, can you walk in heels"?
We both looked down at my feet, I was wearing flats.
"Not very well", I admitted.
"Well honey, you needs to start practicing. Heels are an essential part of the uniform".
I swallowed hard and thought about the shoes that I have in my closet at home. I have a pair of pumps that I wear to church and weddings, but that's about it.
Lafayette, stood up and held out his hand, "come with me". He pulled me to my feet and led me to the staircase. We descended the stairs and proceeded to the back of the club. We walked down a narrow hallway and entered a door that read "Employee's only".
"This is the employee locker room, its co-ed, but the bathrooms are separate, the bathrooms are equipped with showers". He said as he pointed to some double doors over to the right. "Through there is the employee lounge and dressing room".
He went over to a locker and pulled out pair of red (Fuck me) heels. Looking back at my feet he asked, "What are you, about a size 6?"
"Yes, how did you know?"
He smirked, "Honey I's got an eagle eye when it comes all things sexy I'm a what you would call a sizeologist"
"Ok", I giggled as he handed me the shoes "Now sissy that walk"
I gave him a confused look. He rolled his eyes and gave an exasperated sigh "Girl put on the damn shoes and let me see you walk!"
"Oh", I was a little embarrassed, but I put on the shoes and begin to walk. I made about three wobbly steps before I fell flat on my ass.
"Girl u's gonna need more work than I can possibly give". He said as he offered his hand to help me up. "Maybe this isn't the right place for you, I mean you can only take the girl so far out of the country"
Maybe he was right, it's not like I haven't had my misgivings about this job before now. Just then the employee door opened. "What the fuck! Are those my shoes?"
