1. The Way We get By

11:30 p.m Sisal Island Hwy, Bridgeport

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We get high in back seats of cars

We break into mobile homes

We go to sleep to shake our own appeal

Never wake up on our own

And that's the way we get by

Way we get by

The Spoon song blared loudly from the car's speakers drowning out the sound of passing cars and invading Todd's mind with its embedding lyrics mirroring the life he once had. The words cut deeply into his soul like the sharp edge of a knife's blade. Yet again he was going through the motions. He felt sick, tired his stomach was contorted in knots again. It didn't help either that in a hour's time he would be heavily intoxicated and perhaps a little doped up.  

I can't go on like this. Reaching for the dial he thumbed through the stations searching for something a little less complicated....

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The Funhouse, Bridgeport

Ava's stomach was in knots. She had never felt more nervous and ashamed in her lifetime. She had never wanted it to be like this. For heaven's sake she was only twenty!  She had big dreams growing up. She wanted to sing, dance, be on Broadway. But, of course, reality got in the way. Thinking about one piece of advice her father gave, his was right. Life sure has one hell of a since of humor.
Ava felt cold brittle hands on the back of her shoulders.

"You ready Adora?"

 She turned around. It was Natasha. The fair petite blond flashed her angelic smile, clearly potraying how she got the name Angel.

"Sure am" Adora tried her best not to sound strained. Natasha have for years experience could see right through the facade.

"Its okay. You'll get get used to it in time." Natasha smiled throwing in a wink for good measure.

"Sure I will" Adora arose nervously from her seat holding back tears as she fearfully followed Natasha to the stage.
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Midnight
Todd arrived at the club promptly 30 minutes before his playtime. That left him plenty of time to primp himself to perfection. At a place like this where presentation was everything it not uncommon to see playthings, both male and female grooming themselves every ten minutes.

Todd came through the backdoor at the club entering the plaything's fort as the workers lovingly called it.
"Hey Romeo!" Everyone playful greeted him by his work name he earned for being very goog with the ladies. Todd did his usual, smiled as took in the sweet and sinful smells of Hennessy White, Belver Bears, and cigarettes tinged into their mouths and skin soon to be covered up by the saviors of toothpaste, listerine, and bouts of perfume and colone.

 Todd took refuge behind one of the curtained dressing stalls and changed into his professional gear.

Running Axe through his hair and applying colone Todd couldn't that damn Spoon song out of his head. It represnted in many ways his troubled past. Maybe even his turbulent present.

His thoughts trailed off as he headed to the main floor of the club. He couldn't keep living this way. He couldn't keep living in the past....
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 Nervously Ava stepped out onto the stage. She had thrown up a little in her mouth already and the feeling wasn't getting any better.  Remember baby girl when you get nervous just count tho ten. Ava thought about what her mother used to say to calm her down before a big dance recital for ballet class. She silently wished she could have her here now.

Staring at the pole in front of her she grabbed  hold of it. This was it now. The closes thing she would ever get to Broadway. Might as well take it will she still could. Climbing onto it she closed her eyes, trying to calm her self by counting slowly as the music started to play......