Douglas had come to the club Martin worked at with a very open mind; ready for anything.
He wasn't ready for this.
Martin was walking elegantly up the steps to the stage in sheer, black thigh high stockings with black lace garters and red heels. He was wearing a black negligee with red ribbons and his hair looked like it had been set in rollers rather than the frizzy, natural curls Martin usually had – no wig and no… padding. Was that his captain's hat!? No. No, it was a replica. Not quite drag but it certainly wasn't masculine.
"Hello, ladies and gentlemen; this is Captain, I do hope you enjoy your dinner and the show," Martin smiled breathily into the wireless microphone on the stand. Claps and woof whistles came from all around him when Martin winked and clicked his tongue. "Hit it."
Who needs a captain on a love ship?
Someone with no clue of the destination due bow
Ain't that a trip?
Martin's hips began to swing to the motion and he threw the hat into the audience where a table of three young men proceeded to scrap over it.
Who needs a diamond on a hand of stone?
Someone with the hurt who couldn't make it work,
A trophy because you slipped
Martin took the Microphone off of the stand.
Love can't conquer anything
If it's lost without a trace
You might be tough, you might even be strong
But not when you're in this place
Martin walked down the steps slowly into the audience sat at little round tables – as if in a speakeasy.
Secret lovers – get lost in the secrets they tell
They make lovers blind when they cover every inch of their lies
Secret lovers – it's just your place of mind
A smoke and some wine is the life of the Black Valentine
One of the waiters handed Martin a glass of wine, which he took with a wink before taking a quick sip and replaced it on the tray.
Who needs a journey on a runaway train?
Your ticket isn't worth half of what it hurts
When heart beats overwork
Martin's fingers trailed lightly over one man's shoulders before brushing his cheek with a playful spark in his eyes.
Who needs redemption from a guiltless crime?
Someone caries dreams from scene to scene
Til they tear apart your mind
Martin leaned down as the man stretched up to kiss him, only to pull away at the last minute. 'What a little tease…' Douglas caught himself thinking.
Love can't conquer anything
If it's hurting in the deep
You'll be awake, you'll twist your fate
That's not someone you should keep
Martin slipped onto a table in front of another man – in a bespoke suit by the looks of it. Martin seemed to have a taste for the silver foxes. Martin pulled a stilettoed foot onto the table, the negligee pooled at the base of his thigh and a note was slipped into his garter.
Secret lovers – get lost in the secrets they tell
They make lovers blind when they cover every inch of their lies
Secret lovers – it's just your place of mind
A smoke and some wine is the life of the Black Valentine
Martin carefully got off the man and sauntered over to Douglas' table. He reclined decadently in Douglas' lap; caressing his chest.
This is their demand for another night they spend in self-conversation
It's a will they came to pose in a letter left they've composed
To repeat the situation
They lie in a loop
Martin nodded down to his garter. Douglas knew what he was saying; "Go on, pay me for my time". Douglas took out a twenty and slipped it into his Captain's garter.
'Thank you' Martin mouthed before getting up and strutting back to the stage.
Secret lovers – get lost in the secrets they tell
They make lovers blind when they cover every inch of their lies
Secret lovers – it's just your place of mind
A smoke and some wine is the life of the Black Valentine
He slipped behind the curtain and was gone. There were plenty of things said about seeing your captain in a hotel bar in a red cocktail dress – but nothing was said about seeing your captain perform in a jazz and swing club in lingerie. And certainly nothing about slipping a twenty pound note in their garter.
But one thing was certain – he was certainly going to become a regular if Martin could pull that out of the bag every time!