Chapter 4

It's been four weeks since Laci came into the employee locker room and found me in her shoes. She quickly became a good friend. Taking me under her wing, suggesting that I start off practicing in platforms or wedges. They were high enough with wide enough heels that I could learn to balance myself. She also let me borrow her boy shorts and took me shopping when I came to work in a skirt that she proclaimed was a cross between a confused nun and an Amish teen during Rumspringa.

Laci loved the idea that I could take her spot on rotation for waitressing. She said that she made more than enough money dancing and could use the extra time off with her son. I let my shields down occasionally when I spoke with her and she is generally a nice girl, whose trying to make a way for her and her child. Unlike some of the others who pretend to be nice, they're what you would call "nice-sty", nice and nasty.

Like Ginger, who is about as dumb as a soup sandwich, but she has this overly saccharine sweet smile when she's talking to you. But her thoughts are like being caught on the island of misfit toys. It's bad, even though the pieces are not always all there. When I first met Aidan, I was taken back at how handsome he was and thought he was a really nice guy. He is tall with broad shoulders and tanned to the ninth degree. He is very friendly, and always talking about his boyfriend. He does however, have an issue with personal space, he's a hugger and never misses a chance to slap the females on the butt for good luck. About a week after I started working he gave me a hug that lingered a little too long for my liking. It even felt like he was rubbing his bare chest against my boobs, and his hand was definitely too close to my ass for comfort. I may be a virgin, but I also know what shouldn't be in front of a gay guys pants when he's hugging a girl. So I dipped into his head, turns out he's a self-centered womanizing prick. He's pretending to be gay using this persona to sleep with women. Laci is one of his many conquests, she is madly in love with him. Still holding on to the notion that he will come around. Then of course there's Dawn, I knew that she would not be happy with me being here. She hasn't pulled any punches since she came into the locker room on my first night working and saw me getting dressed.

I overheard her telling Ginger and Mindy another employee, "the only thing she has going for her is her boobs, which she probably got when she was away at college". They all giggled when she said college with air quotes.

If I thought she was mean to me at Merlotte's, we were best friends compared to how she treats me now. She didn't hesitate to tell the entire staff that I was crazy, should be avoided and that I wouldn't last.

Speaking of Merlotte's, I no longer work there. Sam was not very happy when I went into his office on one of my breaks to put in my notice. He was shocked at first, but then became very angry when I told him where I was working. I tried to tell him that I understood his concerns, and that I was waitressing and not dancing. He wouldn't hear it, he even went as far as to tell me that I was foolish and naïve; and that getting sucked into this world would get me drained. Whatever that meant? I told him working at Rhapsody was no more draining than working at Merlotte's. At least at Rhapsody I get paid more and I get benefits. Plus with working the two jobs I never get to see Gran anymore. I get that it wasn't the most ideal situation, but I just didn't understand where all the hostility was coming from. I told Sam, if was my friend he would support my decision. He became very exacerbated and told me to go finish my shift, when I went back in later to retrieve my purse. Sam once again tried to talk me out of leaving, but I was very adamant. He told me that I was being stupid and handed me my check. He said that he no longer needed me, there was a new girl starting the next day that he was going to ask me to train. But he'll get Arlene to do it. Besides he was sure the other girls would love the extra shifts. By the time I left Sam's office I was in tears, feeling that I had not only lost a job but also a friend.

He's always said that he would understand if any of us found jobs elsewhere. Because he knew that he couldn't pay us more and offer us benefits. Sam is a good guy and always felt sorry for not being able to provide more for his staff. He supported Dawn when she left. He also supported Kitty the dishwasher when she left to become a Mary Kay sales rep. His reaction to me really stung, because I thought we were friends. After all, we made it pass the awkwardness in the beginning when I knew he had feelings for me. I mean why else would he give me a job with no experience. I politely told him that I didn't see him in that way, when he made advances. He shamefully apologized and asked if we could still be friends, of course I said yes, we've been close ever since. But the Sam that I saw was not the friend that I have grown to love and respect. No friend would call you belittling names. I tried to listen to his thoughts, what was normally calm and sometimes snarly with a few images here and there, was total chaos of snarls and red swirls with images of me in depraved situations that popped in and out in such random and rushed patterns. It was hard to focus on one thought or image long enough. I could've swore I heard him mumble "be careful", as I exited, but I was too hurt and exhausted to be sure.

Honestly I didn't have high expectations of things working out for me at Rhapsody. Especially after meeting Pam, she is the most intimidating person I've ever met. I've had tenured professors with multiple degrees and doctorates that with a switch of pen had students breaking down in tears. Pam with an arch of her eyebrow could make those professors feel like preschoolers. The only person that didn't seem to be afraid of her was Lafayette. He was relieved when Laci offered to train me, he called me the next morning and told me to be at Rhapsody by 7:30 pm the following evening, and I was introduced to Pam that night.

After I was redressed in Laci's boy shorts and made Lafayette's approval, he took me out to the main floor. We walked towards the bar, standing there in what could only be described as the ultimate power suit, was Pam. She looked so polished in her designer clothing, I knew just by looking that I could never afford anything like it, not for the first time I felt out of place.

"Boss lady, this is the new girl I told you about", Lafayette said gesturing to me. "Sookie this is Pamela Swynford De Beaufort, the HBIC".

"The HBIC"? I questioned never hearing of that title.

Pam looked bemused and said, "The Head Bitch In Charge", with a slow drawl.

"Oh", I turned completely red and thrusted my hand out nervously in greeting, "It's great to meet you, thank you for this opportunity".

She looked at me from head to toe and then back up again, ignoring my hand. "Well aren't you sweet, little Bo peep has lost her sheep", she lean down so she was directly in my face. "This is not the place to find them". It was barely noticeable, but her nostrils flared, as if she could smell my fear.

"I swear Purple Rain, if I let you, you'd hire any stray off the street", she said glaring Lafayette.

"Hiring is what you pays me for ain't it, besides she may be a little rough…. around the edges, but she has potential. He said letting the R roll off his tongue again.

As much as I loved being talked about as if I wasn't there, I was really anxious to start working.

"Ok Rainbow Bright, she's on the payroll for now, but she's your responsibility. She fucks up and it's your head". She gives a devilish smirk, "and with him, you never know which head he's going to take".

I had no idea what "him" she was talking about, when I looked at Lafayette he had a look on his face that was a mixture of lust and fear. But he had also involuntarily covered the front of his pants with his hand. Whoever "he" is, he couldn't be more terrifying than Pam.

I'm here four weeks later, Pam still intimidates me, but I have to respect her hustle as a business woman. This place runs like a well-oiled machine. Because of my waitressing experience, it was easy to train and I was able to jump right into the job. Because of my ability I am able to anticipate my customer's needs earning me more tips. It is also a plus because I can put in an order at the bar, go check on other customers and retrieve orders, without spending too much time at the bar. The bartender, Long Shadow really gives me the creeps. The way he stares at me makes my skin crawl. What's more, which is good but also strange, I can't hear his thoughts. I can only hear the space where his thoughts should be. It's the same with Pam and a few other employees. The bouncers Lucian and Kroy, who are big as boulders, but sweet as bunnies. Their minds are like Sam's red and snarly with a little more intensity. It's all a little strange, but the interference of the negative space helps me focus more and my shields seem to be getting stronger. Laci has been a God's send, with her help I am able to dress the part and embrace the fantasy, also I can finally moderately walk in heels. I even think I've impressed Pam, if only a little. I caught two underage girls who were a part of a bachelorette party, their sister being the bride wanted them to enjoy the entertainment. I told Lafayette that I overheard the girls, which was kinda true. I simply omitted the part that I heard it in their heads. Pam had the entire bridal party escorted out. But gave the 17 year olds passes for free drinks when they turn 18 in six months (non-alcoholic of course).

The past four weeks have been a whirlwind, with me adjusting to the new norm of two jobs, then one job. Just when I thought things were settling down for me and Gran. The transmission in my car gave out. Yes it is an old clunker and was already on its last leg, but it was my parent's car. So it held a lot of sentiment for me, Gran gave it to me on my 18th birthday. It got me to from point A to point B, but I guess the wear and tear of driving back and forth to Shreveport finally took its toll. I took it to the repair shop, the owner Dale Gary was a longtime friend of my dad. He loaned me a beat-up old pick-up that was practically ancient to get around in. The average cost to rebuild, repair, and/or replace is anywhere between $500 and $3500. He told me that he could have the part ordered and the car fixed within a week. But he wouldn't order the part until I paid at least $300 down. I'm making good money at the club, but not that good. I could ask Jason for a loan, but he's known all along about Gran's financial hardship and has barely made any effort to help. So I'm sure that's a dead end. Even if he had the extra cash, I doubt Sam would lend me a hand at this point. I haven't been working long enough at Rhapsody to ask for an advance. Laci felt sorry for my situation and offered to help if she could. But being a single parent money is always tight. I knew I had to come up with a solution, mainly because I didn't want to worry Gran. So after talking with Laci, I was resolved in the only way that I could make some fast extra cash.

AN: The Viking makes an appearance next chapter.