Electric Flame

2.21

Today was day one. Today, our mission began, and no silly boy troubles were getting in the way of that. Today was the day that I would finally prove to myself that I could be useful.

We drove up to the club owned by the East Side Dragons just as we did the last time, and the smell was just as bad. The same weeds and plant-life that climbed the walls made the place look abandoned, but we knew otherwise.

I tried to keep it simple: a pair of light skinny jeans, a black camisole top, and some white Converse. The other girls looked quite similar but with their own adopted styles.

"Hello, ladies," the dirty blonde man from yesterday greeted us, Max. He wore baggy ripped jeans and a white V-neck, a pair of sunglasses hanging from his collar. "We're expecting a full house today just to see you perform," he pointed to each of us individually, a giant smirk plastered across his face. I nearly gagged. "Your uniforms are backstage waiting for you. Good luck," he said as he walked off and toward the bar.

The four of us gave each other looks. "No one ever said anything about costumes," Artemis depicted. "If I knew we had to walk around like a bunch of sluts, I would've never taken this job."

We made our way into the hidden area behind the stage. Four outfits lined the back walls beside the lit dressing room tables that sat in a half circle. Director's chairs supplied a seat in front of each vanity, and I felt like a character in the movie Burlesque.

"We're supposed to wear that?" Zatanna challenged as she inspected our so-called uniforms.

Each of them were based off of a different color but looked just as slutty. Mine consisted of a short silver crop top that hugged my chest and a pair of tight black jean shorts to match knee-high black shiny, leather boots. I reluctantly dressed myself in the shameful attire along with the other girls. There were no dressing rooms, but we knew each other. M'gann wore deep red, Artemis medium green, and Zatanna royal blue. It's almost as if they were aware of our 'other activities'.

Though, Zatanna always dressed like this.

I looked at myself in the mirror. Sure, I looked hot and sexy, but this wasn't me. Too much skin was on view and I felt disgraceful. This outfit made me look like one of those girls you see dancing on poles for money, and it made me absolutely sick.

"All right, girls," Max addressed as he met us backstage. 

I was one wrong word away from strangling him. He stole my dignity, and he must pay. Okay, that was a pretty bad word to use considering I seemed like a prostitute at the moment. I meant pay as in revenge not money. 

"Two of you are going to sing or dance or whatever you do as long as you scream sex appeal. Figuratively, of course. Then, the others will wait on tables, got it?" He ordered. The string keeping me sane was thinning. Soon it was going to snap. "I'll let you ladies decide who does what, but it better be quick," Max said as he left through the side curtains, humming happily as he stalked away. I bet he enjoys vanishing other's self-respect.

"M'gann, you and I could sing first," Zatanna volunteered. "You could shift your vocals and I could cast a spell. Plus, no one can touch you from up there." I was shocked at Zatanna's hospitality. Never in a million years would I have thought Zatanna to be considerate and think of other people before herself.

"I agree with Zatanna," I smiled. "It's a great idea. Is that all right with you, Art?" I asked, turning to Artemis to see her reaction.

"Sure," she agreed. "It doesn't matter to me as long as I can kick these guys' asses after we're done here."

"I second that," M'gann laughed as we each disappeared to our stations.

"Where do we go?" Artemis questioned as she searched around the club.