Aces & Spades

Strip

Bella

I spot the modern looking bar, with its matte black doors and neon red sign which stated, 'Ace Lounge'. I take a deep breath as I push open the heavy doors and walk inside.

This doesn't look like a strip club.  I made my way to the black granite desk at the front. A young blonde woman was sitting behind the counter, her blue eyes pieced into mine as she spoke.

"Hello how may I help you?" She asked, as she set down her nail file.

"Hi, I called a few hours ago about the waitress job that you had to offer. A lady named Rebecca told me that I should ask for her when I got in."

"Ah yes you're Isabella, right?"

"Yes I am." I readjust the strap of my bag in an attempt to calm my nerves, and she seems to notice as she gives me a kind smile. 

"I'm Rebecca and I will be your manager whilst you stay here and work with us. I just need you to sign a few documents, which allows us to see that you give consent to fill in for strippers that aren't in."

"Yes of course."

Whist she's getting the paperwork, I take the time to look around at my surroundings. The dimly lit room was filled with black tables each covered with a white tablecloth and an un-lit candle. Black chairs were set out to match the decor of the restaurant, with a kitchen in clear sight in front of me. The elegant obsidian wallpaper contrasted to the high white ceiling which had murals of angels plastered all over it. The charcoal wooden floors brought the room together, matching the atmosphere.

Whoever designed this place really has style.

Rebecca knocks me out of my trance as she hands me four pieces of paperwork with little markings at points where I had to sign. I take in every little word of the sheets carefully, before signing my name at the bottom of each of them. I hand it back to her with a smile.

"Thank you. Your first shift will start at 9 PM sharp but you should come in a little earlier so that I can show you around. Any questions?"

"Are there any cheap motels nearby?" I ask her as I start to laugh nervously, "I... I don't really have a place to stay at the moment."

Her cool blue eyes focused on me for a moment before answering.

"There is one nearby, it's called the Sea Breeze motel. It's just two blocks away, by one of the backroads."

I nod my head as a thank you before heading out.

I continue my journey as I walk past some fancy looking restaurants in the area. I take a sharp right into the backroad that Rebecca told me about. Soon, a strong smell of piss and filth forced itself up my nostrils. I try to hold my breath as I walk but, that only lasted ten seconds.

I see a sign flashing 'Sea Breeze Motel', but only five letters of the name were left, as well as the black shadow of the ones that were there before. The motel didn't look appealing. The muddy brown bricks played a contrast to the blue sign. It was only two stories with peeling, white painted railings on the second story making it look more like a prison than a place to stay. Empty packets and cigarette butts littered the floor, as I speed-walked in, to get out of what looked like a nightmare.