Hired and fired in the same day. Impressive. The club owner didn't need to tell me that I was sacked; he met me in the wings following my being booed off after freezing up in front of Chris. He handed me my bag and keys and nodded towards the fire exit and I left without another word. I climbed into bed still in costume, too exhausted and embarrassed to even cry. He was going to tell everyone, my parents, friends and the whole of New York's elite. I'd never be able to show my face again. I fell asleep playing that moment where I ripped the mask off again and again and Chris looking at me with a mixture of horror and amusement in his eyes.

A loud knocking on my apartment door woke me up. I rolled out of bed and to the door and looked out the peep hole. I didn't know whether to unlock the door or not when I saw who it was.

I opened the door just a crack and squinted at Chris, "What do you want?"

"Erm…can I come in?" he looked a little uncomfortable.

He looked even more uncomfortable, when I opened the door fully to let him in and he saw I was still in my costume but I was past caring.

I threw myself down on the sofa and ran my fingers through my bobbed dark hair, (which was in dire need of a wash) then nodded towards the chair opposite me.

He sat down gingerly and looked around, "Nice place you've got here."

"Thanks" I said flatly, "I'd be nicer if I had a job so I can afford food."

"Did you get fired?"

I glared at him, "What do you think?"

"Do you want to put something on?" his eyed glanced over my stockings and corset.

There was a pause, "No."

He raised his eyebrows, "Fair enough. How long had you been working there for?"

"It was my first night." I yawned, "Look, if you've come here to have a good laugh before running off and telling everyone, stop shitting about and get it done with."

He raised an eyebrow, "Yeah, about that. I was thinking and it wouldn't be great for either of us if people found out we were hanging around a strip joint. So if-"

I stood up, "Oh I see how it is! Never mind Nell and the fact that she's resorted to take off her clothes for a living! Let's all protect Chris and his precious reputation!"

He looked startled, "No! Well yes. But if it means your parents won't find out, it's good both ways. Don't you think?"

I softened, "I suppose"

He seemed relived and stood to leave, "Great."

"Hold on" I moved to block him from the door, "You're rich. Help me out a bit."

His smirk appeared, "I think I helped you out enough when you were shaking your groove thang about in my face last night."

I puffed my chest out and made a sound like a dying cow, "You prick! You said you wouldn't laugh!"

He laughed and ducked out the door as I aimed a shoe at his head, "You're clever Nell. You'll find a way, trust me." I heard him call out in the corridor as I slammed the door shut.

I eventually decided to get washed and dressed, but had to make do with a cold shower. I then took my breakfast of squeezy cheese on cream crackers out onto the balcony. Sitting down with a sigh, I noticed a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk with a Big Mac and actually felt jealous of him.

"Oh how the great have fallen" I sighed to myself, licking cheese off my fingers.

Later that day I sat down in front of the TV for some 'me time' after spending most of the afternoon looking at adverts in the Jobfinder. After flicking channels I settled on a news report on this new supervillan, Mother Fucker, or as the Media was referring to him, MoFo.

"It seems that MoFo has struck again, this time robbing a bank and leaving a trail of destruction in his path." It cut to security camera footage of the costumed guy stuffing money into a large truck while this henchmen helped.

"Two people were injured when they tried to intervene, and have been admitted to hospital, but are said to be in a stable condition." Mother Fuck looks up at the camera and grins before driving off.

"There are still no real clues to MoFo's true identity, but police are urging people to come forward with any information, however scarce."

During the weather report I made a decision that would change my life. This Mother Fucker proves that, being a bit of a bastard really pays off. If he can get away with robbing a bank by being a bit scary, why can't I?

By the time the entertainment news was on, I had already made up my mind.