Everyone knew Skull was a bully. I was the only one smart, or perhaps stupid enough, to stand up to him.
“I don’t want to,” I said, trying to stay level-headed. “I have to get ready for my shift. He can see them once I’m up there.”
I tried to make my way past him, and for a second, I thought I’d get away with it. But then Skull’s meaty palm wrapped around my forearm, and he yanked me back.
“Did I say you had a choice, darlin’?” he grunted in my face, making me tremble with unwanted concern. “You never did know how to listen. I’ll just do it myself, then.”
He motioned his friend over, and the prick grabbed my throat, holding me firmly in place against the wall. I struggled against his firm grip, but to no avail. He easily overpowered me while Skull grabbed my coat and ripped it open. Buttons flew everywhere as I cursed out loud. It was my last good coat, Margaret’s hand-me-down, and I couldn’t afford a new one, not if I wanted to pay for training.
Skull wasn’t done yet. He pried my hands away from my body, forcing me to lean my ass against them and cage them behind me. Then, he lifted my sweater. Because I was working, I hadn’t worn underwear, not wanting to leave behind a bra or panty line. Of course, now it wasn’t helping matters much—Skull got easy access to my breasts, leering at my body as he and his friend held me in place.
“Look at her,” he muttered. “She got those ghost nipples. Almost in-fucking-visible, same color as the rest of her. Makes your mouth water, don’t it?”
The newly hired bouncer nodded. They were salivating over me. “Will you let me go, please? I need to get ready for my shift.”
“No, I don’t think we will,” Skull grumbled. “I’m not done with you just yet, darlin’. See, this is the best part.” He turned toward his buddy now, chuckling as he reached for me, his clammy fingers cold against my skin. “You pinch ‘em, and they turn purple. Fuckin’ purple. Not even red. See?”
He pinched my nipple so hard I cried out in pain. My eyes shot daggers at him as I hissed, “That’s because you’re bruising them, you piece of shit.”
“Now now, watch your tongue,” Skull reminded me, coming up close and glaring at me. His spittle flew from his lips and landed on my cheek. I recoiled in disgust, which only made him loathe me more. “You don’t want to get it cut out some day.”
“Jeez, Skull,” I said, unable to stop myself. “I wonder which one of the girls turned you down today to put you in such a foul mood.”
He scowled at me, then nodded at his friend and they both let go of me. “I’m takin’ your tips tonight, darlin’. You got your tongue to thank for that.”
“No, please.” How quickly I was reduced to begging… Damn Skull. “I really need that money, Skull. Please.”
He just laughed in my face, not even bothering with a response as he pulled his new friend back to guard the door. Shit. I kept walking to the dressing rooms, cursing inwardly for fucking up so badly. Even less money, and I was already barely making rent.
I arrived in the dressing room to the usual flutter of activity. Women in various stages of undress were flitting about the room, wearing jeweled lingerie, feather boas and always high heels with stockings. I slid onto my usual seat between my two friends, Evangeline and Rosabella. Evangeline winced when she saw the state of my coat.
“Got greeted by Skull and his new friend, did you?” she asked as she powdered her nose.
“More like ambushed.” I groaned, taking my coat off and putting it under the long vanity table that ran the length of the room. “God, he’s getting worse every day. We’re going to have to organize a coup.”
“Don’t I know it,” Rosabella spoke up from beside me, lifting her turtleneck and showing me a set of fingerprint bruises.
I winced. “They got you as well?”
“Last night after my shift,” she sighed, spraying perfume on her jet-black hair. “You’re right, Amicia. We need to start fighting back.” She got up, smoothing out her barely-there burlesque-themed outfit. “Alright ladies. Wish me luck.”
“Good luck,” Evangeline and I said in unison.
With a sigh, I fixed my gaze on my reflection in the lit-up mirror. My long dark hair was lustrous in the light. I added curlers to it as Evangeline told me a story from her other workplace. She worked at a café to make ends meet, and she was also going to school. Good on her. She’d get out of Le Cabaret sooner than the rest of us.
I applied thick false lashes, making my blue eyes stand out. My olive-toned complexion started to glow as I put on a shimmering bronzing powder, and my hair came down in luxurious waves.