TouchNode | Complete

1 | Babydoll

"You'll no longer need this uniform, Dev." Ballarina pushed it to the side, "you'll be wearing things like this now."

I shuddered when she pulled the flimsy underwear of lacy and silk from the Mary Poppins bag she carried religiously. The Louis Vuitton satchel was always stretched across her shoulder or being held by her husband, Carter. The girls and I had long ago drawn bets on what could possibly be inside. With a wrinkled nose and an annoyed look, I had partially found out. 

Taking the blue babydoll out of her hands, I fingered the material as fear shot through my heart. The realization of my decision had finally set it. I was no longer going to be a Gloss for Mad Pleasures & Debauchery, LLC. There would be no more skirt, button-up red shirt and starched black vests to protect me from the greedy gazes and hands of the partygoers.

I'd be fresh meat.

Sickened, I folded the material in my hands and tried to bring a smile to my face for my boss. It watered to an awkward stretch across my face and quickly disappeared. An oddly sympathetic look crossed her face and she motioned for me to sit down on the bed. I obliged her, crossing my left leg underneath me, still clutching the lingerie in a white knuckled grip.

Ballarina Overt was every man's wet dream. With slanted jewel green eyes, blemish free tan skin and hair so dark it flashed blue in the sun, she could bring all her clients to heel with a simple smile. Her and her husband, Carter Mize, had created MPD eight years ago. What started as a simple service to have "hot" girls serving drinks had become an underworld pleasure center for those rich enough to afford its luxuries.

She stared at me now. Her eyes far older than the 36 years I knew her to be and far more weathered than I had ever seen them. Lips, painted a deep red, opened and close a few times before she seemed to shake herself. The facade was back, and the vulnerability I didn't know she possessed was back behind the wall of beauty once again.

"You'll get use to it, Dev." She promised, an empty smile on her face. "Just remember that the clients are only allowed to do so much. If it gets out of hand, call out to security and the client will be dealt with. Severely, if the need arises."

I could still remember Jack Young striking TouchNode: Molly Pitch. Apparently he wasn't receiving the octave of voice he desired. Losing his cool, he'd struck her across the face. Molly didn't work for two weeks after that and Mr. Young... well, he still walks with a slight limp.

"What if I can't do this?" I whispered, "what if I changed my mind?"

"Do you still want to get out of here?" Ballarina demanded. The business woman was back in play, a sharp gleam in her eye. I shivered. "This is the fastest way to pay back the debt." She raised an eyebrow, "Unless you'd rather be a Spectacle or Gale?" 

"No." Hurriedly, I stumbled to stand. I tripped, knocking Ballarina's Louis purse to the floor. The contents immediately spilled out and with an apology, I dove to stuff it back inside.

"Stop!" She shouted. My body froze as I struggled to swallow the lump in my throat. "Those things are for you."

Ballarina picked up the satchel and dumped the contents onto the bed. More lingerie spread itself across my neatly made queen sized bed. Then, makeup, a few pairs of shoes, hygiene products (some, that I didn't even know existed), more razors and hair products. I collapsed next to them, tears gathering at the bottom of my eyelids.

"Dev," she grabbed my arm, "you are no longer a Gloss. No more carrying drinks and taking orders. You will no longer be able to avoid the hands and toys that are used by my clients. You will wear these items and be dressed to perfection from the start of the party to the end.