Friday Night *Bailey*

Bailey's POV

The start of the weekend work shift weighed on her mind. The gentlemen's club was her last ditch effort to change her life for the better. Most people looked down on her for using her body to make money. But after years of working dead end jobs to make ends meet she had to make a change. Working at the club allowed her to be in charge of her own schedule and how many hours she put in a week. While she knew it was frowned upon she had gained independence there and come to love herself more than she could ever have anticipated.

"No one has to know, and if they find out so what" she thought to herself. It's not like she advertised for the club. Bailey kept her work life a complete secret from everyone around her. The club she chose was in a different town an hour away. For the sole purpose that no one would accidentally pop in and see her. In a years time she had not seen a single familiar face. She lived two separate lives. One during the day and a completely different one at night.

"crap it's already six pm" She needed to be going soon or the DJ would put her on constant stage rotation as punishment. Stage sets can make great money but it all depended on who was in the crowd. Most men wouldn't throw more than five or ten dollars, even if the dancer was the best they had ever seen. Pride, embarrassment, or greed she didn't know but it was clear most men would rather save their money for private dances. Men like to make the dancers "earn it". Most of her money come from private dances or sitting and talking with them in the booths. No way she could do that stuck on the stage all night

"See in the morning Penny" she yells to her cat sitting on the back of the couch. The ash gray cat stretched out enough to catch the sunset coming through the window. Grabbing her bags she rushes as fast as she can down to the club. Tonight is going to be a good night. Stay positive. With any luck her trusty regular will be there tonight and she won't have to lift a finger.

'I should probably text and let them know I am on the way.' she thought. Checks the time 'Sh*t it's already six thirty'. 

Summer had begun and all of the neighborhood kids took advantage of every bit of daylight that shined. As soon as the sun come up you could hear the ATV's rummble from inside the house. Blacking out her windows to get some sleep during the daylight hours had done its job but there was nothing she could do about the noise disturbing her rest. She remembered what it was like to be a child. Carefree. Happy. Endless summer days with friends. That isn't something she dared ruin for them. Besides her salted caramel java monster would pep her up in no time.

Arriving to the club all the normal cars were there. Mostly other coworkers. "Looks like its going to be another slow paced night" she grumbled under her breathe. Maybe it will pick up when the sunsets.

"Did you just roll out of bed B?" she heard a familiar voice behind her. Katrina was faithfully at the club and had been working there long before Bailey even considered giving it a shot. She knew the customers like the back of her hand and always had a way of getting people to open up to her.

"Dang fourwheelers kept me up all night....well day. I barely got any sleep!" 

"It's ok. We got plently of time! They are here to see us remember. Perfection takes time!" Katrina says with a smirk. "Come on lets go get checked in"

The club smelled like cigarettes, perfume and fabulosso. A smell that she had come to enjoy. It felt like home. How could her secrect life feel more normal than anything else? This was not the career she would have forever. Heck she probably wouldn't last another year in this place. The customers got on every nerve she had and most of them disgusted her as soon as they walked through the door. That was what she hated most but the people she worked with is why she grew to love this place. The employees were the most geninune people she ever met. She truly felt as if she were a part of a family there. They looked after and cared for her without expecting anything in return. The people society shunned and deemed unworthy was where she found the most unconditional kindness she had ever expercienced. They taught her the power of her own voice. The timid shy girl that walked through those doors a year ago no longer exsited. She hated living a seperate life but she couldn't ignore the fact her experiences had changed her....for the better.

Hair....check

Makeup....check

Nails....check

Shoes and outfit...check

Bailey had finally finished getting ready. Curling her hair and doing her makeup didn't take as long as she had hoped. "What the h*ll are you waiting on! Get up and come out here" Katrina says irratated. She was Bailey's motivation. She knew exactly how hard to push and when to back off. "Tough love B! Now get to work" she said. "You know me I don't like getting to know all these new people everynight! They get on my nerves" Bailey says looking at Katrina with a tiresome look. "Your beautiful stop acting like that!" she snapped "You are a freakin natural red head! Guys love redheads! Half these girls in this place spend tons of money to look how you do without any effort. Your a d*** goddess B! Now start acting like it"

Easy for her to say. Katrina was the goddess. She looked like she belonged on the arm of a billionaire CEO. Her golden skin looked as though she had just stepped off a the beach. Totally different than mine. My natural red hair left no room for a glowing tan. Burning to a crisp seemed more likely. 

Two words to live by as a natural redhead.......Self Tanner. Without that I would look as pasty as a marshmello.

The lights had been dimmed in the club and replaced with the glow of black lights and strobes. The walls were lined with mirrors so the reflecting light gave a nice visible glow throughout the building. As customers puffed on the cigaretts you could see the cloud of smoke floating through the air. As she walked through the room she seen her regular visitor sitting in the booth alone.

"Hey stranger!" She said with a smile. Rick looks up and flashes a side ways grin "Come. Sit. I ordered you a glass of wine. Katrina said you were having a rough day." Rick was a local, divorced, with one son that had moved away for college. During her early time at the club Rick would aways be surrounded by the other girls. He never did dances and rarely tipped on stage unless he was in an especially good mood. However, Bailey dared not speak to him, thinking he was the type to expect other services. 

One slow night she sat with Katrina who was sitting next to Rick. He was a lot nicer than she expected. Rick asked her for a cigarette out of her pack and offered to pay her for bumming. She declined "It's just one you don't need to pay me. Your welcome to have another if you like." He pulled out his wallet and handed her a hundred dollar bill! She tried to object but he insisted. 'No wonder all the other girls flock around' she thought to herself. After that night he didn't allow anyone at his table besides Bailey and Katrina. "You two are good company" he said. "Everyone here just likes me cause I have more money than I could spend in a lifetime. Anytime I am here come sit no one will take your seat. After your shift is over I will make sure I compensate you for saving me from the hounds" he laughed. 

"How come you always come here to drink instead of a normal bar? Not that I am complaining but you don't seem to like the company here besides a select few." 

"It's peaceful" he huffed. "Plus seems like you two girls put the money I give you to good use"

"Always!" She said with a laugh. "But I should probably walk the floor a bit so DJ doesn't think I'm hiding again" wink! 

Walking to the DJ booth she noticed someone lock eyes with her across the room. 'He is cute.' she thought. He looks oddly familair. "DJ who is that guy over there at the table by the horseshoe? Do you know him?". "Nah but you should probably go find out since he is looking so intentaly don't you think". He wasn't happy with her. She was supposed to come straight here and check in when she hit the floor. Two glasses of wine later. Surely he was irratated but he will get over she thought. 'I will give him a big tip after shift and we will be besties again for sure!'

"Your up!" DJ growls. "You have had your wine and relax time now move!". I knew it! He is pissed. Probably seen me as soon as come from the dressing room. Planning his punishment with every sip I took.