A/N: As last time, they're not mine. Sometimes I can get to come out and play though. Finally, Kate's audition at the Gentlemen's Club.
Kate hopped a cab and followed Dani's direction to the Gentlemen's club where she had her audition scheduled. The owner and two of his top dancers were to be her jury. She would have to be at her best to ensure herself a job at the club. Her nerves were starting to fire, her adrenalin was pumping and she was becoming more and more excited about this opportunity to try something new, something a little wild and definitely out of her comfort zone. Being out of her comfort zone was the reason Kate had accepted this audition and why she was so excited for the opportunity. These kinds of breaks were why she had come to L.A. She wanted to experience fun activities that were a stretch for her, actions that she would not do at home but wanted to intimately experience before buckling down to the mundane studies at college. (Maybe she could continue this dancing at the club in San Francisco).
All too soon she arrived at the club and her nerves were really starting to show. She tried valiantly to get them under control but finally realized the nervousness she felt was actually allowing her to keep her edge on the task at hand. She was going into the club with one goal in mind, to be the top dancer at the club in only one week. She knew she had the looks, had the figure and had the attitude to achieve her goal. All she had to do was perform her routine without waver and the job was hers.
Kate had brought her own dance outfit with her so she knew there would be no issues around fit and function. Her entire persona depended on her attire and her music. She herself was flawless and the rest had to meet the same standard. She would be untouchable when she was on the stage. Now was her time.
Kate entered the club after explaining to the doorman she was here for an audition and asked for the owner. The club was mainly two sections, one a sitting room where elegantly appointed chairs and tables adorned the room. The immaculate hardwood floor was covered with what looked like authentic Arabian rugs, probably were. A mahogany circular bar was centered in the middle of the room and attractive waitresses were serving drinks to the gentlemen. They were tastefully attired with only a classy demeanor apparent in all of them. This was no regular strip club, she thought.
The second section was a theatre that reminded Kate of old time burlesque theatres. The stage was raised and had a circular form that allowed the dancers to move into the crowd below. The lighting was perfect for enhancing the mystique of the dancers on the stage. There was no pole to detract from the purpose of the stage which was to fully put on display the sultry appearance of the dancers.
One of the dancers, a woman of about 28-30 years old with a Cosmopolitan face and figure met her in the club and led her to the owner's table, front and center to the raised stage. She sat down with him and the two dancers to discuss her audition. The second of the two dancers asked about Kate's costume and Kate told her she had her own costume and was supplying her own music. The club owner told her that was OK for the audition, but during regular club hours, there was a small ensemble that would provide live music of her choice for her performances. Kate was duly impressed. The owner asked her if she had any questions and she inquired if he needed an all nude performance for the audition. He indicated affirmatively. She said she didn't have any further questions other than where the dressing rooms were so she could change before dancing. She wanted to get on with it, aching to perform for the audience of three and tech staff. She knew she was better looking than either of the other two, so if these were the two top dancers, she only had to perform her routine flawlessly and she would be in for sure, probably as the headliner. She was confident in her dance capabilities and her impeccable countenance.
One of the dancers took her backstage to the dressing rooms. Each dancer had their own room and Kate was shown to an empty one, previously occupied by a dancer that had left the club to marry and start a family. This is why there was an opening for a new dancer. Dani's information and timing was right on, knowing that the opening was there but would not be for long. These were the best jobs in the exotic dance circuit in both L.A. and San Francisco. Kate was glad she had been at Dani's club that evening two weeks ago.
Rick had landed at LAX and was on his way to the hotel where he would be staying for the duration of his visit to L.A. Of course, it was a five star hotel and he was in the executive suite, all amenities provided. He made his way to the room, unpacked and got comfortable before the evenings activities commenced. The launch was to be held in the Grand Ballroom of his hotel and he had plenty of time to get something to eat and relax before putting on his playboy character. Since his time was free and was his to use as he was fit, he spent it the only way he felt comfortable, calling Alexis to talk about his flight and anything she wanted to talk about. She asked how big the plane was, did it go fast, did he have a pretty rom to stay in and when would he be home. She was a big girl, but she missed her Daddy when he was traveling. She really liked her grandmother, but it wasn't the same as her dad.
Rick talked to her for nearly an hour before he had to start preparations for the launch party. He had to look especially handsome (ruggedly, so he thought) to maintain the image that the publishing company wanted him to brandish during the party. All of the Hollywood select would be there along with some of the giants in the writing field, giants such as Patterson, Lehane and King. He would have to be in his rarest form to ensure a fitting launch of his latest installment in the Storm series. He needed to cement his stature as one of the leading mystery literature writers. This would be a snap for him, feeding right into his strengths as a crowd pleaser and party animal. Didn't hurt anything this was his best book yet for Derrick Storm.
Rick was ready well ahead of time, dressed to perfection in his custom fitted Armani tux and his trademark sandalwood cologne. He was at once, all man with a side of order of Rick Castle, the Master of the Macabre. Look out Hollywood, here comes Castle.
Rick was summoned by Paula, his agent, and as escorted by her and two of the hotel security men, big hulking bruisers. They exuded the "Look but Don't Touch" attitude that was meant to ensure Rick's safety from anyone who would present a danger to him. Who knows when a crazed fan would become a little too enthusiastic and begin to believe Rick was hers/his? Not tonight, Paula was guaranteeing. This was to be Rick's night and no unwanted negative publicity was to happen.
As Rick walked into the Grand Ballroom, Kate was walking onto the stage at the club for her audition. Asked how she was to be referred to on the marquee, she simply and quietly said, "Emerald". She handed the tech guy her music and he waited until she was in place and ready. Kate was a heavenly vision. She wore a deep emerald full length dress with a slit up the left leg to her upper thigh. The dress was covered with very tiny sequins that sparkled in the lighting, giving off the sensation Emerald was glowing herself, just as an Emerald should. She wore elbow length gloves the same shade as her gown but no sequins. Her shoes, 5 inch Jimmy Choos , assured her stature as a goddess on the stage, elevating her to a height of 6"2'. To enhance the opulent and untouchable air, she wore an Emerald necklace given to her on her eighteenth birthday by her mother, stating Kate truly was a gem in her eyes. Underneath it all, she wore an emerald lace bra and matching lace thong.
She motioned the tech to start her music. The theater was filled with the hauntingly beautiful strains of Ravel's "Bolero", probably one of the most sensuous, erotic songs ever written. It floated out over the stage and into the theater like a phantom, moving into and out of the psyche of all who were there to heed the call of the Sirens. Emerald had captured the soul of the audience without moving a muscle. Then, as she started to move to the evocatively compelling notes of her chosen music, she seemed to float on the stage, not appearing to move at all, hovering as a specter in a dream. Her stage presence was overpowering, causing any and all to breathe only to her movement, commanded to follow her every action as if in a trance. She was a master of the stage, sensuously wafting as mist in the wind, not requiring worldly effort to progress. She shifted from place to place on the stage as if without bodily motion, traversing as in the ethers of the mist. As she elegantly danced, her dress seemed to disappear as if suddenly made invisible by an apparition, no one even noticing how it happened, so enthralled in her performance they were. She glided over the stage as if she were on ice, not seeming to need any force to move. She drifted in her bra and panties for a time, absolutely bewitching those in attendance as she swayed to the soulful harmony. And then she was half nude. How did that happen, her bra snatched away by the same apparition as had taken her dress? Now Emerald was the master of the moment, moving to the still hauntingly seductive melody of her chosen music, with a grace and poise only seen when the legends of burlesque performed. She performed flawlessly seemingly unaware of her near total nudity. Unashamed of her exposure, she danced for the owner, instilling in him the feeling she danced for him alone. Such was the power of her performance.
She performed in a place where only she existed, where only she could understand her allure, only she was in the moment, all other worldly encumbrances fallen away. Emerald existed for the sheer sake of her own existence…and it was overpowering. Emerald just, was.
This was 'the' single performance the owner had dreamed of when he envisioned his original concept of the clubs. He knew within his heart and soul Emerald was his new headliner, the elite of his stage. The other dancers knew it also, watching in awe at the ease and delicacy of her stunning masterpiece of dance.
As if understanding the thoughts of the owner, Emerald glided from the mist of the stage completely nude, drifting as on vapor, tall and proud, without awkwardness or modesty, the exquisite pinnacle of grace and allure. She stood as an angel, An Emerald adorned only with an Emerald. She had assured her rightful place in the club and in the hearts and desires of all who would have the good fortune to behold her. She was truly extraordinary.
She took her bows, collected her accolades and retired from the stage, never breaking character as the untouchable, unaffordable, forbidden Emerald.
Now she was the myth, the mystery that could not be solved, the goal that would not be obtained, the apex of her art. She was the epitome of all that could be defined as desire. She was, simply stated, Emerald.
A/N: If you are not familiar with Ravel's haunting melody, look up Ravel's Bolero on You Tube and listen. It is absolutely the most sensuous refrain you can experience.