Cotton Club: Bloodlust (Under Construction)!!!! ⚠️

Chapter 1

[Chapter 1]

“Sing! You want to sing!?”

His strong voice seems to overpower my soft-spoken demeanor. I twirl my thumbs together nervously. He must can tell right off, that I am no way a blood born Northern woman. Not saying that my Southern accent is strong, but, my fashion alone is a dead giveaway. His laughter feels like a stab to my heart. And, I feel smaller than the pin he clutches in his sweaty palms. I look away briefly, to the full house the club holds….

“Look, doll face. We can’t have any amateurs on that stage. And you, and your style alone, just does not hold compatibility to be on that stage!”

“Oh…” I look away shyly.

“See those girls over there?”

He wraps his arm around my small, slender shoulders…He guides my body in the direction of the stage. I see the women, whom are performing. They are beautiful, in their very outlandish attire. They have these feather-made hats on their heads, with this very revealing material on their bodies. They are definitely showing more skin than the average woman. But, I guess that is what the requirements are to work here.

“You just don’t match up to them. In no way! I’m sorry.”

I begin my walk of shame. My parents were right…Who am I kidding? I can’t make a career of singing. I feel the man grab my arm once again. He must’ve sensed my displeasure.

“I tell you what. I’ll…let you bust some tables. If you do good, in a months’ time, I’ll allow you to go on that stage. But I must warn you. They are not your usual country bunkins you’re used to back at home. If they don’t like you, they have no problem telling you. So, either you make it, or they break you!”

I smile somewhat…I guess it’s a start.

“Do we have a deal?” He extends his hand…

“Deal.” I shake it instantly.

TWO WEEKS LATER

“Move, bitch!”

Another girl, purposely knocks me into one of the tables, causing me to drop a few glasses…I watch, as the slender, brown-skinned flapper struts through the crowded night club. I wipe the sweat off my brow, obviously furious. What can I do? She’s one of those girls that sings here nightly. And, she’s hanging with a crowd of flappers, and men in fancy suits alike. She joins them happily, not giving a care in the world, that I was pushed into the table.

“She’s just jealous that you look better than her.” I hear another females’ voice beside me.

My head jerks, and I see another woman busting tables along with me. Her apron is drenched in old food and grease just like mines.

“Yeah…But, obviously I’m not what they want. And, she is.” I say, looking at her.

The woman rolls her eyes, as looking back at me.

“Please. She wishes she were half the woman you are. Obviously, the manager doesn’t know what star quality is. It damn sure ain’t her.”

“How did you start working here?”

I asks, as I begin to clear a nearby table. She helps me.

“Like you. They said I could start cleaning tables and within a month, I’ll have a gig. Well, it’s been three years, and, I haven’t gotten my chance yet. They just tell you that, to make you feel important.”

“Oh no…” I begin to worry. “Why didn’t you just quit?”

“Are you crazy!? I have bills just like everyone else in here.”

We’re startled by the club doors being flung open. We look in the direction of the entrance, and, I notice someone I’ve never seen before. He stands tall, poised, and…full of sex appeal. He struts inside of the club and, it seems the place grows rather silent. When I get a better glance, I see why…And, I am immediately captivated by this man. He is rather tall, and dressed well in his black suit with gray pinstripes. His matching hat is pulled down to his eyes, making it hard for anyone to see…But, I do notice two of his thick curls cascade down to his plump pink lips, and strong jawline…He briefly tugs his tie, as he beckons two fingers behind him. Instantly, two guys dressed in all back, come at his request…They walk in front of this man, and clear a table just for him. Behind him, stands a group of men dressed in pinstriped suits as well with fedoras, just like him.

“Who is that?” My voice cracks.

I take my eyes away for a second, and look over to the lady.

“Trust me. Someone you want to know, but don’t at the same time.”

I frown… “What do you mean?”

“Well, let’s just say, he owns this joint. Plus, four other establishments. He needs them to do his underground dirty work.”

He sits down at the table with such ease. He never moves his hat from his head. I notice his long, curly black ponytail hanging on his slender, yet broad shoulders. He leans in, whispering to one of the guys he came in with, as he looks around the club. A thick cloud of smoke covers them, from a guy across them, smoking his cigar.

“His name is Michael Jackson. He’s bad news.” She finally says.

He might be bad news but, it never hurt to look, right? And damn, he sure is something to gaze upon. I notice a waiter comes over, bringing them a round of drinks…After he leaves, he pulls out a stack of neatly organized cigars from the inside of his pocket…He takes one out, lighting it instantly, before taking that one good puff.

“I see the way you’re looking at him. You can forget it. Guys like him only fall for flappers that graze that stage.”

And immediately, I see exactly what she means…The woman that pushed me, makes her way over to him… “Baby! I missed you.” She jumps on his lap, kissing his cheek. He doesn’t think twice about wrapping his long arm around her. Showing everyone that they are together. I take my eyes away, going back to work.

~~~~~~~~~~

I count the rest of the money I’ve received for the night. I have to say, I’ve made a decent amount, to just be cleaning tables…I stuff the money in my bra, before exiting the break room. I run into the lady I was speaking with earlier. She wears her coat, ready to go home. So am I.

“I never told you my name…I’m Sabrina.”

“Isabelle.”

We shake hands.

“Nice meeting you, Isabelle. It gets kind of boring at work. It’s nice to talk to someone whom doesn’t have their head up the ass.”