Gabriella ran up the steps her book bag hung over her shoulder as she huffed and puffed. Quickly she made it into the dressing room.
"Your late." Victoria crossed her arms. "What happened to school not affecting your work?"
"I had a final exam it ran later then I thought," she said walking over to her vanity table and placing her book back under it. "Beside that was my last class I'm all yours until January."
"Good, that's what I like to hear, get ready Georgia I have an important client coming in."
"You promised we'd talk about my contract." Gabriella followed her.
"Not now maybe next week, get ready you're on in 10 minutes and you do not look like a man fantasy," Victoria rolled her eyes. "Get ready ladies the club is about to open remember fantasy is our business."
Gabriella's shoulders fell as she walked back to her mirror and began to take off her coat. She wanted out of her contract, she been working hard at school for a scholarship and she was mere credits away. Gabriella sat down at her mirror to remove her makeup. It wasn't that she hated her job; it was safe empowering and allowed her to perform. Gabriella always wanted to be on stage, more than anything she knew she was destine for greatness. That was why she left Georgia, she came to Chicago landed a job with Victoria and applied for school. Columbia College, it seemed like the perfect deal give up 5 years of her life working for Victoria and she's pay full room and board for the first year to get her started. 10 grand, that was what she owed Victoria now.
Once her makeup was off Gabriella picked up her costume and changed into it. She had nothing to lose no family, no friends, just her school transcript and a garbage bag full of clothes. She'd been in foster care since she was six years old in and out of houses faster than a six flag roller coaster. Seemed like each one was wrong either they cared too much or didn't care enough, either she was smothered or neglected. She sat down in front of her mirror and applied her show makeup.
"Five minutes,"
Gabriella closed her eyes. One day she'd be free, she'd have no one to answer too but herself. One day she was going to get out of here.
Troy and Chad paid the entrance fee and walked into to find a seat. "What is this place?" Troy asked as he laid eyes on the tables and many people seated with food and drinks.
"Well Victoria runs two businesses one is a Burlesque the other is the escort service." Chad sat down and watched a half naked girl walk by.
"And this is all legal?"
"Well it's scratchy."
"Chad?"Troy stood up.
"Sit down." Chad smiled. "God for some who hates his father you sure do act like him."
Troy sat back down and looked over at the dark stage his heart began to pound he had no idea what to expect. "What did this woman want from you?"
"Oh, the bank is trying to shut her down but as long as all her licenses are in order and all the right documents are signed its not going to happen."
"You took her case?"
"Of course," Chad smiled and held up his hands. "This is amazing I cannot let the bank shut this down."
Troy brought a hand down over his face and then let out a long breath. "I can't believe you."
A woman came over and smiled, "What can I get you?"
"I'll have a jack and coke," Troy said placing both his hands on the table.
"I'll have a Budweiser,"
"He'll have a coke." Troy corrected.
"Sure thing boys." The girl walked away from the table and Chad rolled his eyes.
"This is why you have no friends." Chad said looking at him then at the stage.
"You're driving,"
The music started and they both looked up silenced by the lights and woman on stage.
"That's Victoria." Chad whispered.
Show a little more,
Show a little less,
Add a little smoke,
Welcome to Burlesque.
Everything you dream of,
but never can possess,
nothing's what it seems,
welcome to Burlesque.
Smoked filled the stage and girls came out one by one.
Oh, everyone is buying,
put your money in my hand,
if you got a little extra,
well, give it to the band.
Bodies were all he could see.
You may not be guilty,
but you're ready to confess,
tell me what you need,
welcome to Burlesque.
Troy watched as the girls gathered around her.
You can dream of cocoa,
do it at your risk,
A spotlight on a dark skinned woman as she came close to Victoria's lips.
the triplets grant you mercy,
but not your every wish.
Three woman grouped together their hands in places were sisters shouldn't place.
Yes, it keeps you guessing,
so cool and statuesque,
"Behave yourself" says Georgia,
Welcome to Burlesque.
This woman rose from the smoke looking up into the light her skin glowing her eyes sparkled with blue and Troy blinked, she seemed familiar to him but she was gone before he focus on her.
Oh, everyone is buying,
put your money in my hand,
if you want a little extra,
well, you know where I am.
Something very dark,
is playing with your mind,
it's not the end of days,
just a bump and grind.
Show a little more,
show a little less,
add a little smoke,
Welcome to Burlesque.
The stage went dark and Troy looked back at Chad. "I told you this place is amazing,"
Troy smiled and looked back at the stage as it went dark. "Not so fast, I want to know more about this place."
When the waitress brought them their drinks Troy smiled at her and nodded she handed him his jack and coke. "Thank you."
"Gentlemen." Troy jerked as the half naked Victoria stood beside the table.
"Victoria," Chad got up and placed a kiss on her cheek as she did the same. "I brought my friend with me and I think we're up for that deal."
"Wonderful if you boys will come up to my office we can talk more."
The lights dimmed and the curtain came up, Troy and Chad got up and as they followed Victoria up the stairs the next act was a girl names Georgia and Troy looked over his shoulder onto the stage, deciding he was going crazy he turned and paid attention to where they were going. That was when he heard it.
Underneath the city lights
There is a world few know about
Where rules dont apply, no
And you cant keep a good girl down
Troy stopped mid step his body laced with ice as he turned and stared at the girl on stage. The lights turned up flashing the stage as women filled it but his eyes were glued.
She going through the club looking for a good time
Gonna make that
Shake that
Money on the dime
Dont need a sugga daddy
She can work it just fine
Up on the table
She'll be dancing all night (hee-eey)
Babydoll just come alive
Under the spotlight
All the girls wanna fall in line
Her thigh high boots laced up her legs her short dark blue skirt swayed with her hips.
We say
He-eh-eh-ey
Here come the ladies bout to give a little show
He-eh-eh-ey
Here go the boys we gonna show a little more
Hit it up, get it up
Wont let you rest
Hit it up, get it up
This is not a test
Hit it up, get it up
Gotta give me your best
So get your ass up
Show me how you burlesque
Hit it up, get it up
Wont let you rest
Hit it up, get it up
This is not a test
Hit it up, get it up
Gotta give me your best
So get your ass up
Show me how you burlesque
It was the dance moves from the train the same hand gestures and strut from the street. It was her.
A little bit of naughty is a little bit nice
She's a whole lot of glam, sweat, sugar, sex, spice
Go shimmy, shimmy, strut, strut
Give a little work, what?
Up on the table
We'll be dancing all night (hee-eey)
Everybody just come to life
Under the spotlight
All the boys wanna fall behind
We say
He-eh-eh-ey
Here come the ladies bout to give a little show
He-eh-eh-ey
Here go the boys we gonna show a little more
Her brown hair wrapped around her shoulders with each spin her body moving flawlessly. He hadn't even noticed Chad and Victoria stopping to watch as well, he forgotten about where he was his heart rate began to beat his breathing quicken.
Hit it up, get it up
Wont let you rest
Hit it up, get it up
This is not a test
Hit it up, get it up
Gotta give me your best
So get your ass up
Show me how you burlesque
Hit it up, get it up
Won't let you rest
Hit it up, get it up
This is not a test
Hit it up, get it up
Gotta give me your best
So get your ass up
Show me how you burlesque
Her body difted from one side of the stage to another his eyes followed her every move.
"Her name is Georgia." Victoria's voice whispered in his ear. "If she's one of my best girls. Would you like to meet her?"
"Yes he would." Chad spoke for him.
Ok girls, lets show how its done
It ain't over till we say
And we've only just began
Lemme' hear you say
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Say yeaah, yeah yeah yeah
Say yeah yeah yeaah
Say yeaah yeah yeah
Hit it up, get it up
Won't let you rest
Hit it up, get it up
This is not a test
Hit it up, get it up
Gotta give me your best
So get your ass up
Show me how you burlesque
Hit it up, get it up
Won't let you rest
Hit it up, get it up
This is not a test
Hit it up, get it up
Gotta give me your best
So get your ass up
Show me how you burlesque
Once it was over Troy turned slowly back to the stairs his mind running circle around this information once they were in the office Victoria excused herself. "I'll be right back make yourself comfortable."
When the door shut Troy lurched towards Chad. "It's her,"
"Who?" Chad looked at him oddly.
"That's the girl from the subway I heard her singing that very song this morning."
"Well it is a catch tune maybe it's just some other girl who heard the song before."
"No that was her." Troy rubbed a hand over his face. "She's a hooker?"
"Not a hooker." Chad held up his hands and then looked around the office. "She's an escort."
"Same difference!"
"Look on the Brightside if you buy her you can get over that stupid train kick and actually take your car to work." Chad placed a hand in his pocket and then walked over to the wall the read the framed documents. "You have to start looking at the Brightside."
"This is not at all what I imagined."
Chad rolled his eyes.
Victoria came back into the dressing room "Coco you on, Georgia come with me." Gabriella looked up at Victoria and was staring at her. "They want you." Her lips moved and Gabriella insides fell.
"I'll be up in a moment."
"Alright, make sure you look good, these guys are lawyers."
"How many?"
"Two."
Gabriella breath caught and she turned back to the mirror, this was the hardest part of the job. Some of the girls were use to it they liked it they even had regulars. Gabriella was always distant she didn't regulars, didn't want anyone that close. You'd think that it would be easier to slip into that special place where you're numb. Pretend to be everything they want then slip out in enough time to gather your things and get home. She wanted out; she wanted it so bad she'd do just about anything.
Victoria opened the door and Troy was still standing while Chad was seated comfortably. "She'll be up in a moment." Victoria came in and sat down at her desk. "How long will you need her."
"For tonight," Chad said leaning forward in the chair
"Tonight?" Troy stared at Chad.
"That is possible Georgia doesn't have many regulars."
"Is she free for Christmas?"
"Chad can we talk about this?" Troy came to the seat beside him and sat down.
"How long would you be needing her?"
Chad looked over at Troy, "We need her for five events?"
Victoria nodded, "Where will she be staying during the course of this time?"
Chad smiled. "With him, they're going to be a few parties this season and I don't want him to be lone for any of it."
"How much are we talking here?" Troy said looking at them both.
"Then I'll need to assure that she'll have her own room. This is a business my girls are not sex slaves or whores."
Troy looked over at Victoria "and what if I need a background check or a security deposit what if I get killed in my sleep."
"I assure you your fine Mr…"
"Bolton." Troy gave up on his argument and slouched in the chair.
"Wonderful please fill out these forms."
Troy mouth fell open and Chad smiled. "So what exactly is a Burlesque?"
"It is a humorous theatrical entertainment involving parody and sometimes grotesque exaggeration of media or culture." Victoria answered as there was a knock as the door. "Come in,"
"Hello," Georgia walked in and smile as she looked at Chad. "Who's the lucky man?"
"Mr. Bolton here, however he's a bit hesitant about the situation."
Georgia smiled "Well shoving all that paper work at him isn't going to help." She smiled and took the paper work.
"I'll fill this out." Chad took the pen and paper and began to fill it out.
Georgia sat on his lap which brought him back to the week prior when she fell into it. The smell of coconut filled his senses and he closed his eyes. This was not happening.
"Take me and I'll make all your dreams come true." Her lips came close to his ear.
"Stop, stop,stop." Troy got up and Gabriella slid off and to the floor.
"Troy?" Chad got up and helped Gabriella up.
"I can't do this," Troy looked at Gabriella then at Victoria. "This is a nice club and I'm sure you're a nice girl."
Gabriella felt something inside her pinch, a part of her wanted him to want her, and part of her was disappointed because a grand was just about to walk out the door. Her freedom was important but at what means would she go to get it. Would she beg?
Troy walked out the door and Chad turned towards Gabriella. "Get your stuff, your coming with us."
"But he said.."
"I don't care, he'll deal." Chad handed the paper work to Victoria. "She'll be back tomorrow and then possibly called again for the wedding."
"Wedding?"
"Trust me it's a fucked up situation."
"How much?"
"One grand." Gabriella said automatically.
"Done."
Gabriella shut her eyes as another piece of her soul was sold away to another bidder. Now she was in the hands of a man who didn't want her.