The transition was always there. It�s only gotten worse since I started stripping.
�Hey Baby.� He slinks over to me like this hybrid plant my mother used to have: half snake, half vine. �You�re the cat chick!�
You see, there are too many people who think because you throw a piece of yourself out there for them onstage, that they deserve of piece of you in the real world. That because you love the dance, you want them. Don�t get me wrong, it�s a nice enough place, serving a relatively high class clientele. Businessmen, professionals, tourists: Club Xstasy has an almost respectable reputation for an establishment of it�s type. I should thank Jhaelyn, even though I�m sure he only brought up the idea to change my mind. I know I�d have to put up with irritating bullshit whatever kind of job I worked.
�Excuse me.� I say shortly, noting bloodshot eyes as I attempt to step around him. I can�t help starting out polite. Early childhood training is hard to break. What I really want to know is how he found his way to the service exit. Not that anyone really uses it really at night. Still, the bouncers are usually more on top of things. Now I remember hearing one of the girls say they were breaking in some new help. Tonight. Someone is being fired tomorrow, I think through grit teeth.
�You lookin� for company?�
�No.�
�Babe, I saw you. You were all over me with your eyes.� He smiles in a way I assume he must think is charming. Even in the low light I can see a gap in his teeth.�Cat�s eyes.� He says breathily.
How original.
�I don�t want company.� I don�t remember him. I don�t remember anything after I step onstage.
He takes a step closer, attempting to block my way. I should probably be a little scared, but to be honest I�m way too angry. Tomorrow is my new student orientation. I wouldn�t even have worked tonight at all if Jess had not begged me to take her shift last minute. One of her ever changing boyfriends is in the hospital. So I got on early and hustled out the back as quick as I could. This man must have cut out almost directly after my set. Just to meet me. He probably thought it was the regular exit. Wonderful. I do so enjoy the psychos.
�Been nice talking with you.� I lie, walking straight forward to push past him. I�m not getting caught in the back and forth chase game. I have to get home, get sleep and somewhere in the middle of this find the little sheet of paper where I wrote the information for tomorrow. I really don�t need this tonight. I�m nervous enough about starting college.
�But we�re not finished talking.� His tone is whispered. Harsh. His one hand comes up and I see something in his hand shine metallic in the far off lamplight.
�I�m finished.� I reach into my pocket and feel cold metal embrace my hand. Drawing my fingers into a fist, I rush towards him. He�s slow. Most people are. His bloodshot eyes are wide and I see his mouth fall open, frame by frame. He feebly tries to bring the knife up. It tings wrong as I deflect it against my brass knuckles.
I try not to start fights, not without a good reason. But I will finish them. You give a little, and people will just walk all over you. The rich only pretend at being civilized. My sister never understood, so I ended up in fights for the both of us. Can�t say I minded. But here things aren�t so regimented. The rules are different and I sometimes have to catch up and remember how they work. Like now. The knife is strange. I don�t like that.
We are now so close I feel his breath on my face. I bring my leg up and he winces, his other hand instinctively reaching down to shield his crotch. I kick downwards, striking the knee instead. It crunches. He grunts. As he falls forward, his leg unable to support him, I bring my fist to meet his jaw. It pops. I step back and let him fall. The knife hits the ground first, skittering across the sidewalk.