How Long is Forever

Chapter 3

The Pussycat Club was a typical LA strip joint, featuring scantily-clad, busty young women who only required minimal talent. All that mattered was the ability to walk provocatively, slide around a stripper pole suggestively, and avoid the groping hands of the male customers. The runway was highly-polished teakwood, the bar and tables were all mahogany, trying to give the club some class. But the mirrored walls all around to show the strippers at every angle belayed the effort.

It was also run by the mob, so it was always on the LAPD and FBI's radar. Periodic raids always turned up nothing illegal, leading to the assumption that the club was receiving inside information.

Rocco Anzellmo was the owner, operator and top mobster. He actually went out of his way to look and act the part, wearing the dark suits, cultivating the thin mustache and slicked-back hair. But his sister, Gina, was the one who really ran the club, interviewed and hired the girls. Gina was tall, with classic Italian features that Michelangelo would have loved to sculpt and an attitude that had even her brother cowering when her temper flared.

Carolyn Ames was used to being undercover. She had done numerous operations for Paul. This time she was going in as Vivian Sutton, a New Jersey girl, down on her luck. She'd been picked up for suspected prostitution and just out of jail. It was a cover that Paul had set up for her when she first started working for him, and she had used it on several occasions. Police files had been prepared should anyone decide to check up on her. Carolyn had been through all sorts of operations, but she knew this one would be different. Paul would not be there to back her up. Mr. Mason and Mr. Burger had told her they would do what they could. But this was for Paul.

She steeled herself and knocked on the door marked 'Private.'

"Come in." The woman didn't even look up as Carolyn entered. "Miss Sutton?"

The deep, cultured voice surprised Carolyn for a moment; then with her wits restored, she replied simply, "Yes, Ma'am."

"Who's your pimp?"

There was a flare of irritation in her eyes, but she masked her emotion and answered, "I don't have one, Ma'am. That's how come I got picked up. The john was an undercover."

Gina finally looked up, a sneer marring her face. "Pretty stupid. I don't hire stupid."

Carolyn forced a few tears. "Please, Ma'am. My old man kicked me out." Her eyes fell to her ring finger, and sure enough, there was a tan line where her rings had been. "He kept all my clothes and jewelry. I only have what I'm wearing. I been living in a shelter and…"

Gina's face softened a little. She handed Carolyn a tissue. "Okay, okay. Knock off the waterworks."

Carolyn made a show of wiping her eyes. "Sorry, Ma'am. I don't usually dwell on him or my woes. But—stupid is not how I would describe myself."

"Okay, okay. Can you dance?" Gina smiled inwardly, but presented a cool, intense front to the potential new hire.

"Oh yes, Ma'am. I took tap and ballet. I also won Miss Atlantic County in 19…well a few years ago. But I kept my figure, just in case I could model or something like that."

Gina stood and walked around Carolyn, prodding here and there. Carolyn felt like a prize horse, but stood still, waiting. At last Gina returned to her desk, staring hard at Carolyn. If this girl was a plant, she was damn good. She would definitely have Rocco check the story. But she was short one girl because Angie had gotten herself knocked up.

"Okay. Your first name is Vivian, right?"

Carolyn nodded.

"Okay, Vivian. I'll give you a chance. Go down the hall to the door marked Dressing Room. You'll find some spare clothes in there. Pick out a couple outfits to tide you over. When you're done, go into the club and find Violet. Tell her to take you to her apartment house. You'll be in 4C."

"Thank you, Ma'am. I don't know how…"

Gina held up a hand, and her voice grew hard. "Let's be clear. Any trouble at all and you're gone. I expect my girls to stay clean. That means no booze, no drugs and definitely no fraternizing with the customers."

"Yes Ma'am."

"Now get out of here. The first show is at 7:00. And be on time."

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Violet was a very nice girl. The typical 'blonde type' with large attributes expected in a club like the Pussycat. But after a few minutes of talking to her, Carolyn discovered there was also a quick, analytical brain underneath the bleached hair.

Once they reached the apartment building and Violet had shown her to the assigned apartment, Violet invited Carolyn to her apartment for a drink. Crossing the hall to Violet's apartment, Carolyn noted it was larger and much better furnished than hers. She figured it was because she was the 'newbie'. She settled herself on the couch, waiting for the questions she knew would come.

Violet filled two glasses with ice and scotch. She crossed to the couch, handing a glass to Carolyn. Sitting back comfortably, she studied the girl.

"So what's your deal, honey?"

Carolyn looked at her curiously. "What do you mean?"

Violet laughed. "Honey, you're no hooker. So did daddy cut off your allowance and you're trying to get back at him? Or are you just looking to live a little on the wild side?"

Carolyn sighed deeply. "I've already given my sob story once today. If you don't mind, I'll skip it."

Violet visually relaxed. Anyone eager to get in with the club or the boss would be more than eager to talk about herself. Still, a job was a job, and she had to try.

"Honey, I've heard them all. Doubt you can tell me anything new. So go ahead."

Carolyn figured Violet was a snitch for Gina. She had told this cover story so many times, she almost believed it was true. So, taking a sip of the scotch, and knowing once she told the story, it would be checked thoroughly, she took the plunge.

"I'm all cried out," she admitted, her voice breathless, "And really, this story isn't glamorous or unusual. My family didn't like Bobby. But there was something about the guy… Some drive, some ambition, sure, but some kindness at first. Some sympathy. And he was handsome in the old school way. You know what I mean? He was dark and mysterious, with a dangerous glint in his eyes that I found—intriguing."

Violet let her talk. She knew the type, and she knew the twist. Once married, these bad boys were always beyond saving.

"Bobby wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth," Carolyn continued. "So I defied Daddy and followed him out here. We were happy those first few months. He picked up a job as a bouncer, and we kept waiting for my allowance to be deposited. But it never was. When Bobby found out I was cut off from the money…poof…he threw me out with nothing. Kept all my clothes and probably hocked my jewelry. I realized I was only left with two things to sell, and only one made enough profit to live on."

Violet was interested now. "I know one of them. What was the other?"

Carolyn laughed dryly. It was a painful laugh, the kind that clearly indicated it was covering up the tears she was suppressing. "My brain."

That, Violet understood all too well. To make money as a brain, you had to be born with the right equipment. And although men never passed her over, she was ill-equipped to make a killing in the idea market.

"It was my first try at hooking and you guessed it! The John was an undercover."

Violet patted her hand. "Honey, most men are pigs. Doing this job has taught me that. Speaking of…how'd you come to hear about the club?"

"While I was waiting to get a bail guy to come to the jail, I heard the cop that busted me talking to another cop, saying they needed to do a check on the club again. Does that mean they do raids or something?"

Violet considered her for a minute before she answered. Carolyn was afraid she'd said too much. But then Violet smiled.

"No, but I'm betting the boss will be interested. Think you could recognize these cops again?"

Carolyn nodded like an eager puppy. "Sure."

"Okay, honey. You go get some rest. You're gonna need it."

Carolyn set her unfinished drink on a side table, stood and walked to the door.

"And don't be late. Boss lady won't like it." With a last look at Violet, she closed the door behind her.