Set 6 months before Rent.
For Elise 3
The air was dank and dreary. The mysterious smoke filled his lungs. The scent of sex and sweat loomed in the atmoshere. Mark cluched his camera protectivly to his chest, frantically winding the arm. He hoped no one would kick him out for filming. He had already been carded three times, for his boyish features made his look alot younger than his age of 23.
Onstage, a suductive blond dancer was twirling around a pole. 'Thats not her.' Mark thought. 'She has brown hair.' Mark sat himself down at his usual table and waited patiently. Not long after, the familiar music blared through the low quality speakers and Mark sat up straight. His favorite dancer came onstage and began her usual rutine. Quite a strange one involving a lawn chair. He couldn't see well. A number of large men were blocking his view. He pushed his way through the pusling bodies to the front of the stage. The camera eye became fixed on the sexy, young, very very young, latina dancer. Mark was lost in the beautiful way her body moved. Twisted and turned. Free and forever.
"What's your name stranger?"
Mark jumped. She was talking to him. He face flushed.
"M-Mark...uh Mark...I'm Mark." God he sounded stupid to this beautiful girl
"I'm Mimi." Her gravelly voice sounded tired and used as she continued to dance. "Whats with the camera?"
Mark stared down mortified at the still rolling camera in his hands. "I-I'm sorry..." He blushed. "I'll just..." He turned to leave
"Wait!" She called.
He turned slowly.
"I like the attention."
Mark thought a moment. This might be morally wrong, but Mimi just looked so amazing, he had to capture this. Mark continued to film her every friday night for the next six months. After Maureen left he planned on giving her the footage as a Chrismas gift. He decided he had finally got up the courage to ask her to dinner. Plans change.