“So, how long have you been there?”
“At the club? Three years. I used it to pay for law school.”
So she was a lawyer. Impressive. “Are a lot of girls just there while they go to school?”
She shook her head. “No, most of us veterans stick around. The Madame’s service is the longest running escort club there is, and most of us can stick around for five or six years before we get too old, and age out. I figure, I've still got at least two more. Plus, I have regulars, so if they want to continue to occupy my time, there's always a bargain to be struck.”
“Yeah, I guess there is. How did you know the detective?”
She smiled. “He's been trying to get into the club for years. He just wants to nail one of us, so that way he can come in, and pay for our time. He’s literally dying to get in. But the Madame has strict rules about detectives and cops; they're not allowed in, even if they're dirty. You never know when their moral compass is going to overtake them. We can't be too careful.”
“Then, why did you say you knew all those guys?”
“For the most part, it was an over exaggeration. But we have some girls who go off the books, make their own rules. I'm certainly not one of them; it’s too risky. But for the girls who don't stay around very long, they find their own clients, and they don't care who they are. Those are the ones who usually get caught for prostitution though. The Madame takes care of those of us who stick around and play by the rules. However, those girls are chatty, so we know lots of information we shouldn’t.”
As we pulled into my apartment building's parking lot, I realized that I had had a hellish night, and didn't have a single penny to show for it. I was going to have to go back later that week. I had to pay my rent.
“So, I guess this whole situation killed my paycheck for this week. Sucks.” I looked out the window and watched the building that would clean out my bank account.
Monique parked the car. “The men all pay beforehand. When you show up to work on Thursday, there will be a nice little payout for you. The club retains me, so you don’t need to pay me. But from now until then, you don't talk about what you do, and if some cop shows up to your house, you tell them to leave you alone. You understand me?”
“Yes. I understand.” I sat in silence for another moment.
“Well then, go, girl. I got other stuff to do besides sit here and watch you.”
“Of course! Have a good week, Monique.”
She took off as soon as I shut the door. I looked up at my enormous apartment building, and thought about how Alexis was probably sleeping. I didn't want to wake her up, but at the same time, I had to tell her about my night. She would want to know everything. And if I were in her place, I would've done the same thing. I walked up the exterior steps carefully because there was still dew on the walkways. When I entered our apartment, I saw Alexis sleeping peacefully on the couch. Clearly, she tried to stay up and wait for me.
As I slowly shut the door, I heard her mumbling, evidently waking up from her sleep. When I turned around, she had sat up, and her eyes grew wide as soon as she saw me in the red dress.
“Holy shit, girl! What happened? I thought you would be back hours ago. Tell me everything!”
She put her arms over the side of the couch. As she was talking, her hands moved frantically with her words.
“Hold on, let me get some coffee first. It's been a really long night.”
I told her all about the judge, the card, and the Madame. And then I t
old her about how the judge was murdered, and how I had to go to the precinct, and was put under investigation.
“It was the scariest thing I have ever done, Alexis. I swear to God, I thought they were going to throw me in jail right there. And I had known the guy what? An hour? And then I find out that his wife took out this crazy life insurance policy on him! So, why weren't they questioning her?”
Alexis shook her head, clutching her own cup of coffee. “That is some crazy shit. I can't believe you actually stayed. As soon as I got in the cab, I wanted to call you, and tell you to come with me, but I just thought you needed to do this on your own. I should've stayed with you. I'm so sorry. It’s totally my fault you went through any of this.”
I shook my head. “No, it's mine. I decided to stay. None of this has anything to do with you.”
Alexis finished her coffee, and then set it down on the coffee table. “But you're never going back, so it doesn't matter.”
I shrugged. “I'm not really sure I get to make that choice. Monique told me I’m supposed to come to work on Thursday.”
“You're kidding me. You can't go back there! That place is obviously dangerous.”
“It doesn't really matter. Look, Alexis, I have to tell you something…” I took a deep breath, and folded my legs underneath me. “I need the money. I need to work there. And I get that it's crazy and dangerous, but it's also exciting and incredible. I feel like I'm a totally different girl when I'm there. And I like the way it makes me feel.”
Alexis smiled. “You act like it makes you a superhero or something.”
I smiled back. “It kind of does.”