DOCTORS II

POLE DANCER

Allen and Jolene sat on the balcony overlooking Las Vegas while having a glass of wine. He raised his glass and so did she. "To a new beginning in Vegas."

"To a new beginning in Vegas." Jolene took a sip of wine and then looked at Allen who was gazing into the distance. "So you're a musician at the Bourbon? You're not a doctor anymore? What happened?"

"My license got revoked."

"Why? What happened?"

"I had this patient. A girl of about seventeen. She almost died during surgery and I saved her life." Allen paused. "She was a little too grateful and started showing up at the hospital at random times and eventually at my house. So she complained to the board that I took her home and raped her."

"Oh my goodness."

"Which I never did. She gave them false evidence and they revoked my license."

"Can it be reinstated?"

Allen sighed and looked at Jolene fleetly before gazed out in the distance again. "It can be reinstated, but that can take anything from a year to three years. And I need to make a living you know. So I came to Vegas hoping to get a job as a musician. It's not much longer, but it pays the rent."

"I know right."

"So why did you come to Vegas?"

"You know, before my accident I used to be a photo model, but with the scar the surgery left, I could no longer find work as a model. So I came here to dance."

"How is that leg of yours coming on?"

"It's good. With the dancing and everything, I never thought it would keep up." She looked at Allen whose mind seemed to have drifted off again. "You seem to have a lot on your mind."

"Yeah." Allen fiddled with his hands and fingers. "A lot happened before I came to Las Vegas, and I just want my life back on track."

"You can talk to me anytime if you feel the need."

"Thanks. I appreciate it." Allen looked at her and smiled. "I should probably take you home."

"You don't have to. I can take a cab. I don't live too far from here."

Allen stood up and walked up to her. He gently took her hands in his. "I insist."

******

Allen parked his car in front of the apartment block where Jolene lived. "Thanks for your company Jolene, it really meant a lot." Allen paused for a moment and gazed at her adoringly. "Do you want to come over to my place again for dinner tomorrow night?"

Jolene smiled timidly and nodded. "That would be nice."

"I will pick you up at seven."

"See you then." She got out of the car and he watched as she entered the building before he drove off. 

******

Allen was at the lounge in the morning and was just casually playing the piano. Faye, his boss and the owner of the lounge walked up to him and leaned on the piano. "What are you doing here so early Allen Chase?"

"I just felt like coming here and playing."

"I see."

"Faye, I've got a dinner date this evening. Is there an act who can stand in for me for tonight?"

"I'll ask Nicole. I'm sure she won't mind. You met someone?"

"Kind of. She's an old acquaintance I ran into at a coffee shop."