Chapter 4. But It's Better If You Do

Isn't this exactly where you like me

I'm exactly where you like me you know

Praying for love in a lap dance

And paying in naivety

It was early evening.  She walked into the freshly opened club proudly, an air of sophistication following her footsteps. Although modest and peasant like compared to the other women who came to the club layered in exotic furs and diamond jewelry you could tell she had money by the high-end fabric and precise stitching of her simplistic dress and the red bottoms of her basic bone colored heels. She was very different than the usual Funhouse lovely. She neither an old woman in her mid fifties who came from old money and desperately clinging to youth or a very young one who funded her fancy lifestyle by forms of prostitution and stripping. Instead she was a women in her mid-forties who had the appearance of a woman in her early thirties.  Her makeup as usual, was light and natural and unlike most women she only came twice a month in comparison to the old faithfuls that came everyday.

"Hello Ms. Accardi. It's good to see you again. Your usual table is ready." Said the young woman at the front desk.

"Thank you."  Her voice was soft and quiet.

Ascending the stairs Ms. Accardi gracefully perched herself at her usual seat, a private booth costing  100 dollars per hour.
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"There she is man. Told ya she was cute." Kelly flashed a wide toothy grin Ava's direction. She didn't notice as she was tending to her lovely Mr Dean's needs.

"Yeah she's beautiful...... I guess." Todd said trying not to pay to much attention to her.

"You guess? Are you kidding me bro! She's a total knockout. I mean she makes Eliza look like Godzilla and she's an adult star."

Todd glared at Kelly. That was a sensitive subject.  Kelly twisted his words.

"Look man all I got to say is.... get over her! She's nothing but a gold digging super slut who uses her fake boobs, injected lips, and porn star notoriety to get what she wants. You can do so much better than that thing."

Todd adverted his gaze. "Look dude you don't think I know that? You don't understand. You've never been in love and had it crash around your feet."

 Kelly felt sympathetic. Here was Todd, his best friend, a love sick fool mopping over a heartless bitch who could a shit about his feeling.

However that didn't stop him from poking fun at the situation.

"Think about it this way dude. You talk to the girl see if you like her. If you do, you do. If you don't, well than I don't know what's wrong with you."

"Well.."

"Well nothing man go talk to her. All your lovelies can wait. Their practically obsessed with you. I strongly doubt they'll leave."

"I guess your right." Todd turned to go speak to her but she was gone.

Todd turned to Kelly who simply replied "Better luck next time bro. Perhaps you'll be quicker next time."  Damn Kelly. Was it even possible to both like and hate someone some much at the same time?

Todd proceeded ahead to the stairs when he heard screaming from the storage room. No one was suppose to be in their unauthorized plus it was part of his job clause that he was not allowed to get into anyone elses business. But the screams; they were so loud he had to see what it was. He was shocked at what he found.

There she was; Adora, the girl Kelly had tried to get him to talk to. She was slumped over on the ground. Her eyes were black and tears streaked her face. It was obvious what had happened. Mr. Dean had tried to force himself on her. Even though sex was legal in the club, highly common, and a good chunk of the income the Lovelies still shouldn't force themselves on the Playthings. Even though he shouldn't have. Even though he could get fired for it he stepped in.

"Excuse me Mr. Dean but I believe your time is up. You should leave before I call security, have you removed, you involved in a scandal, and your big ol' company defunct."

Realizing the severity of the situation he left without a word. Todd helped the young girl to her feet, holding her and telling her it would be alright.

"I think you should go home for the night... Adora. It would be better if you do." She nodded in between tears.

"Thank you..."

"The stage name's Romeo but you can call me Todd."

"Thanks Todd and my name's Ava."

"Alright Ava catch ya whenever I catch ya." Todd watched as the young woman walked away. For some reason he couldn't stop smiling.  Remembering he still had work to do he walked swiftly up the stairs preparing himself for Ms. Accardi.