Cat Scratch: The Story of Mimi Marquez
Chapter Five: Night Life
Angel got me out of bed in a hurry, shaking me, while telling me I had promised my boss that I wouldn't be late for work again. Shit! Work! Fuck! Well that's great. If it wouldn't have been for Angel, I would have slept right through my shift. That was the one downside to being a stripper, no day shifts.
I climbed out of bed, and looked up at Angel with sad eyes. I still couldn't believe what had happened between my mother and I. Angel asked me what was wrong, but I couldn't answer her. I fought as hard as I could against the tears I knew would come.
"Oh Mimi chica," I heard Angel sigh as she embraced me tightly. 'What happened hun?"
I gasped for breath to tell Angel everything. "My…Mama…" I tried to explain, but when words failed me I pointed at the answering machine. Angel understood that whatever had happened could be found out by listening to the answering machine.
Angel cautiously moved away and pressed play, "Mimi, chica." I closed my eyes when I heard how pained my mama sounded. I had forgotten to stop my answering machine, so I was forced to relive my conversation with my mother all over again. I watched as Angel's expressions changed, according to what was being said. Angel listened carefully and embraced me once more.
Angel held as I sobbed-not only because of mama, I let everything out, and Angel, being the best friend in the world, like always, just held me, knowing that I didn't want to talk-knowing that I just needed someone to hold me and to tell me that everything would be okay.
Some time later, we broke apart, and I took a quick shower, I had exactly 41 minutes to get ready and go to work. Angel waited for me, and watched me carefully as I applied my makeup and did my hair. I opened up the cupboard and took out my heroin-I hope Angel understood that I needed this if I wanted to make it through the night.
I could sense the look of disproval she was giving me before I could look at her. I could feel her eyes on me, as I prepared my fix carefully and precisely. I looked up at her with watery eyes as I injected the heroin into my vein, and swore that I could see a few tears sliding down her cheeks. I hated doing it in front of Angel, but I knew she would be alright.
We hurried out of my apartment soon after that, and she went her separate way to go to dinner with Collins and Mark, and I went to the only place where I could truly go crazy-The Cat Scratch Club.
When I arrived in the dressing room, Trix handed me a needle, I nearly declined it, but decided, what the hell? I might as well have a good time tonight.
I waited in the wing for my cue. The music started up, I recognized the strong drumming as my cue. It was my time to shine. I kicked my leg from my position on the pole. I felt the light shining on me, and the people cheering. I moved my body to the music, in a sweet yet seductive way, "What's the time? Well it's gotta be close to midnight." With one hand still on the banister, I began untying my robe to reveal my body to all these men in front of me.
"My body's talking to me," I sang, touching my body seductively, "It says time for danger," I kicked my leg up, giving my audience a clear view of everything I had to offer.
I moved down the stairs, sexily, intriguing the audience, willing to look at me, willing them to focus on only me. "It says, I wanna commit a crime," I continued, "Wanna be the cause of a fight." I kicked my legs up again for effect. I spun around sexily, willing the men closer. "I wanna put on a tight skirt, and flirt, with a stranger." I continued to let the music and drugs persuade me into dancing in ways I didn't know were possible without some help.
"I've had a knack, from way back, of breaking the rules, once I learn the game. Get up! Life's too quick, I know some place sick, where this chick'll dance in the flames." I swung around the pole, finally beginning to feel like this was what I was meant to do. I reached out for the money that was being held out to me, and danced dirty with Trix for a brief moment-always a big turn on for the men. "We don't any money, I always get in for free. You can get into if you get in with me." I danced with the other dancers, seductively, watching as mens jaws dropped-they were getting more than they paid for tonight.
"Let's go out tonight." I crawled around on the floor, giving anyone who was looking-everyone in the club basically- a view of every nook and cranny of my body. "I have to go out tonight.
I slithered and threw myself gracefully all over the front of the stage, "You wanna play, let's run away. We won't be back before it's New Year's Day. Take me out tonight," I stoked my body, before giving the business the ultimate pleasure, by touching myself. "Meow, hah." I grabbed a guy's hat, and another's drink and continued to let the music guide my body. I continued dancing, until, after about 400$ in tips came my way, and my shift was over.
I skipped happily out of the club, "When I get a wink from the doorman, do you know how lucky you'll be, that you're on line with the feline, of Avenue B?" I spun in the streets. This many tips meant I could afford (sort of) some more heroin tonight, so before heading back to my apartment, I made a stop to see The Man, and bought double my usual amount-I would share with Roger when I got back. "Let's go out tonight. I have to go out tonight." I'll take Roger, I thought, skipping down the street towards home. "You wanna prowl, be my night owl? Well take my hand, we're gonna howl out tonight.
I arrived at my apartment, finally winding down and sobering up a bit. I couldn't stay in tonight. I could go out with Angel like I usually do when I get like this, but tonight, I had only one person on my mind-Roger.
"In the evening, I've got to roam, can't sleep in the city of neon and chrome," I took off my coat, and threw it carelessly down, along with my keys, "Feels too damn much like home, when the Spanish babies cry." I opened my fire escape and climbed out into the night, I was no longer thinking down, just letting my heart and feet get me to where I wanted to be. "So, let's find a bar, so dark we forget who are, and all the scars from the nevers and maybes die." I danced around, just like I was back at the club,
"Let's go out tonight. I have to go out tonight." I made my way up the stairs towards the loft-towards Roger. "You're sweet, wanna hit the street? Wanna wail at the moon at a cat in heat?" I was at the door now, I knew Roger knew that I was there. "Just take me out tonight."
I opened the door of the fire escape, and watched as Roger looked me up and down, just as he had the night before, "Please take me out tonight."
I moved seductively towards him, showing him that he owned me if he wanted to. "Don't forsake me. Out tonight." Roger smiled briefly before his face turned back to awe and amazement. I made my way towards him and climbed onto the table where he was sitting, guitar in his lap. "I'll let you make me out tonight. Tonight." I could see his lips wanting me now, I grabbed the heroin from my belt, "Tonight."
I threw my arms around his neck, "Tonight," I kissed him deeply and passionately, he kissed me back after the shock had worn off. I could feel that he wanted me, and I couldn't believe it when he pulled out of the kiss, and pushed me away, looking at me like I was dirt. Fuck. This sucks.