Serpent By Association

Burlesque Night

At La Bonne Nuit, everyone met up, saying hi and exchanging compliments to the girls for how they looked. Reggie and Chuck weren't working, it was some of the other Serpents shift. The boys had all made an effort too, adhering to the dress code of smart and wearing suit trousers and jackets, shirts and even wearing ties. The large group sat around a few tables that were cornered off into a VIP area. A few of the boys went to get everyone's drinks. Music was playing through the speakers, and everyone just chatted and hung out. Kevin left the table to take to the stage.

"Good evening, everyone, welcome to Burlesque Night at La Bonne Nuit." He said. "This evening we have some great acts lined up. As well as our resident performer, Miss Josie McCoy, we have a special dance performance by the local dance group, Spirit Dancers. I'm sure you've all heard of them and they've done some background dancing for Josie in the past but they'll be centre stage later on tonight. So, enjoy the music, the first live performance will be coming at you in half an hour."

Josie stood from the table. "I need to go get ready for my first set," she said. "I'll see you guys later."

"Bye, Josie." Everyone said as she left to go backstage.

In the dressing room, she changed into her outfit, saying hi to the dancers who were in the dressing room next door. She was soon ready, and Kevin knocked on the door.

"Come in," she said.

"You ready to go?" He asked.

"As always." Josie smiled.

Kevin went out onto the stage. "Alright, alright, ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for Miss Josie McCoy!"

Everyone clapped and cheered as Josie walked out on stage. Her first song was Fever.

"Doesn't she look amazing?!" Veronica asked.

"She does look great." Archie agreed. 

"Don't you think so, Tom?" Moose asked.

"I swear to God." Tom said.

"What? Can't handle your feelings?" Reggie asked.

"Man up, Tom. She's hot." Chuck said.

After Fever, Josie sung Tough Lover from the movie Burlesque, where a lot of the night's songs were coming from, and the dancers were accompanying her. Her last song for the set was Guy What Takes His Time. At the end of the set she curtsied, trading places with Kevin.

"Let's have another huge round of applause for Josie!" Kevin said. "Our next performance will be the Spirit Dancers and they'll be with you very soon."

Once the girls were ready, he introduced them, then he and Josie went back to the table.

"Amazing set, Josie." Fangs said.

Everyone voiced their agreement.

"Thanks." Josie said, fanning herself with her hand. "It was fun to do."

"Do you want a drink?" Tom asked.

"Yeah, that would be great, thanks." Josie smiled.

Tom got up and went to the bar, grabbing both himself and Josie a drink before taking them back.

"Here you are." He handed it over to her.

"Thanks, Tom. This is my favourite." Josie said.

"I know." He smirked, and they clinked glasses. Sophia rolled her eyes but smiled.

"If they haven't at least kissed by the end of tonight, I'll intervene myself," she said to Sweet Pea.

He chuckled. "You on board now, are you?"

"Look at them. How could I not be?" Sophia said.

It was soon getting close to the main showtime. Josie went backstage to get ready, and slowly the other girls disappeared on the basis of a toilet break, getting a drink, helping Josie get ready or keeping another company. They all joined forces in the dressing room, the other girls getting into their outfits too.

"Ready, girls?" Kevin asked.

"You bet we are." Veronica said.

Kevin went out on stage. "Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the main event of this Burlesque Night. A special performance from a group we're dubbing the Vixen Vipers, please give them a round of applause."

Everyone clapped despite the stage being dark. The girls got into their positions for their first song, Welcome to Burlesque. 

"What the hell is happening?" Jughead asked.

"I think your girls are doing a burlesque performance." Moose said.

"Yeah, no shit." Archie said.

"That explains what they were practicing." Tom said.

"Yeah... I guess it does." Sweet Pea said.

Like most of the other guys, his eyes hadn't left the stage.

Their next song was Express, then I Am A Good Girl, and finally Show Me How You Burlesque. The girls sung and danced with the utmost effort, and when they finished the final song they were all out of breath, but smiling as the whole of La Bonne Nuit gave them a standing ovation, clapping and cheering loudly. The girls all bowed together before walking off stage. They all hugged each other.

"That was amazing!" Sophia said. 

"Yeah, it was!" Betty said.

"Thanks so much for doing that, girls." Josie said.

"It was a pleasure, Josie." Cheryl said.

"I'd do it any day." Toni said.

"If we're that good everytime, I might make it a regular thing." Veronica said.

Kevin had closed the performances, and walked into the dressing room. "That was so amazing again, girls. And I saw the boys looking very intrigued."

"Well then, our job here is done." Toni said.

They all changed back into their regular clothing, making their way back to the table. Sophia pulled Josie aside.

"Josie, Tom likes you too," she said.

"He- What?" Josie asked.

"Tom likes you too. But he's too much of a little bitch to admit it." Sophia said.

"Right." Josie said. "So what do you think I should do?"

"Ask him to dance." Sophia said. "Take him away from the group and see what happens."

"Okay. Thanks, Soph." Josie said.