Lifeline (Jacoby Shaddix Short Story)

Trouble

My feet were killing me from these monster heels. But, they were a requirement for the club. You see, I work at a club that’s a cross between a nightclub and a strip club. If you paid the right price to our manager and made a request of the girl you wanted, you could get a private room and pretty much do whatever you wanted. Full blown sex was extremely expensive, and it didn’t happen too often. Making a walk-through of the club, I saw most of my fellow girls working their asses off for some weird looking people. We get all kinds. Glancing over by the bar, I saw a guy in a dark coat talking to the manager. Oh boy. They were going through the book of our pictures, so he could pick out which girl he wanted to have entertain him.

Watching closely, I saw that he must have made his selection, because Paul was scanning the club, looking for someone. His eyes landed on me, and I felt my stomach drop. I guess it was me. I started to walk over, until I saw who it was that was requesting me. It was my abusive ex-fiancée, Ben. I wanted to run, but I knew I couldn’t. I needed this job. And if I didn’t give him what he paid for, I’d be fired.

I walked up, and Paul informed me that I was to dance privately for the sadistic bastard. I’m surprised he didn’t pay for sex. Paul escorted Ben and me to a private room, showing Ben to his seat. I had a special stage entrance, allowing me to talk privately with Paul. Once I knew Ben was out of earshot, I turned on Paul like a rabid pit-bull. “I CAN’T DO THIS, PAUL! HE’S MY ABUSIVE EX! I CAN’T! WHO KNOWS WHAT HE’LL DO TO ME!”

Paul sighed. “I know, Chastity, but you have to. If you don’t, I have to fire you, or I’ll be fired. If it gets bad, we call the police, alright?” He gave me a small smile and left, leaving me standing there, full of fear.