The Burlesque Lounge (MCU AU)

Chapter 2

Peter

I have no luck finding even the smallest job. No one needs a waiter or a male dancer. I'm about to give up and try again tomorrow, as the sun has began to set, when someone plows into me.

"I'm sorry!" I apologize, even though it wasn't my fault.

The girl straightens as I help her up. She's gorgeous, dark skin and great hair, she has amazing make up as well.

"I'm so sorry, look, I'll make it up to you."

"What?"

"I'm a dancer, uh, come to the Burlesque Lounge, I'll like, I don't know I'll buy you a drink or something, I'm late, I've gotta go, bye!"

I stand there dumbfounded as she runs off. What the heck just happened? I quickly google what the heck a Burlesque Lounge is, only to find out it is basically a strip club without the stripping. Just, people dancing on the stage of a bar. Dancing. I could do that, I'm pretty fit, and really flexible, so it's worth a shot. While I don't drink, maybe I could get a job, and hey, the girl seemed nice. While I'm not all that interested in girls, I am definitely interested in making friends, and also, a job.

I start walking and come across the building, with an older-looking vintage sign that says Burlesque Lounge in neon lights.

I walk in and am surrounded by dark lighting, except for a stage. On the stage there is a group of young dancers, guys and girls alike. One man stands above all of the dancers, and his booming voice fills up the space as he sings.

"We may not have windows," A dark skinned man sits, with an obscene amount of eye liner and glitter on his face, at a booth. "But we do have the best view on the Sunset Strip. Twenty bucks." He smiles at me, his nametag reads Sam. I look around the place, full of loud music and chatter.

"What is this place? Strip club of sorts?"

"Strip club? Kid I outta wash your mouth out with Jägermeister. The only pole you'll find in here is Natasha, the shot girl." I look around again. "Kid, I've gotta club to fill."

"Right, sorry." I did out a twenty. He takes it with a smile.

"Enjoy the show."

I walk in and head to the bar. I'm not going to get anything, I'm not yet 21, so I just sit down and watch.

"Hey, man, can I get you a drink?" I turn, startled, to face the dirty blonde behind the bar. He is also wearing an obscene amount of eyeliner.

"Not unless you are buying, and allowed to sell to twenty year olds." He seems to contemplate this.

"Okay, how about water?" He sits a glass down in front of me.

"Thanks."

"Where you from?" I take a drink of the water.

"Ossining."

"Tennessee. We're practically related."

"Thought you looked familiar." We laugh.

"What brings you to our humble lounge?"

"A girl plowed me down on the streets earlier. Told me to check it out and that she'd buy me a drink. Well, obviously I can't drink, but she said she's a dancer so I thought I'd check it out." He gives a short eye roll.

"Barking up the wrong tree, my guy. We aren't a strip club, our girls don't do lap dances." I laugh.

"No, sorry, I'm more interested in getting a job, than I am trying to get a lap dance." He nods. "But, on the subject of lap dances." He raises an eyebrow. "Who do I have to give one to in order to get from down here—" I point behind d me to the stage. "—to up there?" He gives me a look.