Chapter 5: Of Regret and Exultations

Hours later Mimi was in the dressing room of the Cat Scratch Club. Unlike the first time she'd been there, it wasn't chock full of hopeful dancers, there were only a few girls, maybe ten. And they weren't hopefuls; they were seasoned hardcore girls who'd been doing this for years.

"And it shows," Angel had said when Mimi had told him about her concern. "You are a young hottie. And while this isn't the best way to use all your assets, if you've got it, flaunt it. You'll kick ass," and with that, Angel went off into the crowd to pick up men or whatever it was he did that had them flocking to him in packs.

Looking into the mirror, Mimi had to admit she did look good. Angel had done a terrific job with her make-up. She looked glamorous but had avoided looking like a whore.

Mimi glanced nervously at the clock mounted on the wall. 8:23. Her knees bobbed up and down at double speed.

"Scared?"

As if testament to the accusation, Mimi jumped up at the sound of the Man's voice. "Is it that obvious?" Her voice was thin.

"Yeah. Don't worry. Like I said before, you'll be great."

She looked at him a little closer. "I'm glad you think so, but I'm not so sure."

"I didn't help you get the job, if that's what you're worried about. You did it on your own."

His confession helped Mimi calm down, but only a little.

"Of course, if you need something else to make you brave," he waved a bag of white powder in front of her.

Mimi instantly stopped shaking. She could feel her mouth watering at the thought of getting high. How long had it been? Too long. "I don't have any money," she licked her lips.

"This one's on me," he tossed it to her, along with a needle, a spoon and a lighter. "Good luck," he said turning away from her.

Minutes later, Mimi emerged from the bathroom as a new girl. She was good to go.

"Five minutes!" The sound and lights man, Steve yelled.

Five minutes. Having only one routine so far, Mimi had to do Tainted Love again, though Angel had helped her with some new moves before they'd left.

"Mimi Marquez on deck!"

On deck. On deck? What the hell does that mean?

"Honey," a blond girl with bangs came behind her. "That means you're next. Go over there," she pointed at the area that led to the stage. "And good luck."

Trying to regulate her breathing, Mimi stood where she was told. The music started and she began to sing, strutting onstage in her robe. She walked down the stairs, searching for Angel in the crowd.

He was sitting at a table, surrounded by men. Judging by the fact that they were paying attention to Angel and not her, Mimi guessed they were gay. Angel gave her a subtle thumbs up sign.

"Once I ran to you
Now I run from you
This tainted love you've given," Mimi crooned to a man near the stage looking into his eyes before her gaze fell on…Ricky.

He was in the crowd but was quickly pushing closer to the stage trying to get a better look at her.

Seeing Ricky there, blowing what was probably the last of his money on booze and smack was enough to get Mimi mad all over again. Suddenly she meant every word coming out of her mouth.

"I gave you all a girl could give you
Take my tears and that's not nearly all…tainted love," Mimi sprawled out on the floor for a moment. She felt dozens of hands touching her, stuffing bills into her underwear and she thought she saw Ricky's hand reach out.

"Don't touch me please;
I cannot stand the way you tease!"

The fact that she was singing right to him didn't seem to escape Ricky. She caught another look at him as he backed away from the stage. It almost seemed like he had a look of regret in his eyes, but Mimi couldn't be sure beneath the swirling lights. And if it was, she didn't care. Like Angel had said, there were other fish in the sea.

MMMMMMMMM

Mimi felt as if her final chapter with Ricky was finally finished. After the show, she ran into the crowds to meet Angel.

"Oh Mimi! You were great!" Angel turned from her camaraderie to hug her. "If I weren't gay…" He wiggled his eyebrows up and down. "Who knows what would've been happening tonight."

"Are you two roommates?" One of the men broke into the conversation.

"Is it that obvious?" Angel asked breathlessly. "Mimi chica, this is Dave." He motioned around the table. "And that's Raoul, Erik, Brian, and William. Guys, this, as you already know, is Mimi."

They all waved in turn, ripping their eyes from Angel to glance at Mimi. "Hi," she said, waving lucidly. "Mind if I join you guys?"

"Not at all Meems," Angel squinted his eyes at Mimi. "Are you okay?"

"Course I am Angel," Mimi laughed a little.

"So…" one of the guys, Brian, grappled for something to say. "You looked great up there."

Mimi smiled, appreciating his compliment though it was false. "I try."

"Marquez?" The bumbling manager came to their table. Mimi raised a meek hand.

"Over here."

"Oh, yeah," he stared down at her chest for a moment. Mimi guessed it was the only body part he'd recognize. "We've drawn up your schedule and the pay is marked below." With one last quick look at her midsection, he tossed her a folder and shuffled away.

Mimi just looked at the folder. What if they'd given her crappy hours, when no one would be tipping? She couldn't keep imposing on Angel without paying any rent.

"Honey, that folder isn't going to open itself," Angel breathed, just as nervous as her.

"I know," Mimi took a deep breath and brought the folder closer to her. Changing her mind, she shoved it to Angel. "You do it."

Not one to back away from a challenge, Angel grabbed the folder and whipped it open as Mimi screwed her eyes shut. Angel didn't say anything though; he was silent as his eyes scanned down the paper.

"How bad is it?" Mimi opened her eye a little. "Tell me."

"Well…it could be worse. You being out all night will give me more time to date," Angel smiled, handing the folder back to Mimi.