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“Anything in particular? Some of our workers are happy with odd jobs, but most people prefer to take on a long-term client. That’s usually how our service works best. And I have to say that many of our clients are very generous. They take care of our workers.”
I sigh, wishing I hadn’t turned down that drink. “But how do I find a client like that?”
Sofia smiles. “They’ll find you. Trust me. That’s exactly what we do here. But we might be able to speed the process by going downstairs and helping you get to know some of our regulars. Word has a way of spreading. And I have a good feeling for you tonight.”
I’d love to say the same, but weeks of failed auditions and no call backs and stinky socks in my face in the morning have worn me down.
Even so, I follow Sofia down the stairs and through a door into a dimly lit space with dark wooden floorboards and booth seating. Little fake candles flicker at scattered tables in the center space. A tall guy with his long blonde hair tied back in a knot stands behind the bar cleaning glasses with a cloth. Sofia leads me over. “Hey, Maurice. This is Jessie. She’s a worker. Her first drink is covered, OK?”
Maurice grins and leans on the bar. I can’t help noticing how hairy his forearms are. “What’ll it be, Jessie?”
“Daquiri, please.”
Maurice smiles and I notice the writing on his shirt: ‘Call me a good boy’.
“Good choice,” he tells me. Then he turns to make the drink and I get to read the back of his shirt. Above an image of a bushy tail, it reads, ‘...it makes my tail wag’.
Sofia leans in. “Werewolf.” She gives me a little nudge and a wink, and I laugh. Of course Maurice is a werewolf. This is the Monster Bar after all.
I look around the bar with fresh eyes, wondering how many other people in here are really supes. I haven’t met many, despite them being out for three years. They still mostly keep to themselves, although things are less frosty between humans and monsters than they were at first.
Maurice hands me my drink and I take a sip, letting the slight warmth from the alcohol thaw out my nerves.
Sofia hops up onto a high stool by the bar. She’s a lot shorter than my five foot six, and she really has to hop! “So what are you looking for, Jessie?”
I shrug. “Work. I’ll take anything, really.”
She shakes her head. “No, but what are you really looking for? If you could dream up a perfect client, who would it be?”
I take another sip of my drink. I’m not even sure I see the point in playing this game, but whatever. I don’t want to put her off. So I swirl the pink liquid in the glass and think for a minute. “I guess he’d be big and strong, and really sweet to me.” I smile into the drink. “I don’t really care what he looks like as long as he treats me well, you know? Like deep down, he’s just a nice guy.”
Maurice leans across the bar with a wink. “You know, if it’s golden retriever energy you’re looking for, love, you know which monsters do that best.”
Sofia wags a finger at him. “Uh, uh. She’s not yours, Rice. There’s someone coming for her tonight. I just can’t get a good sense of who. Strange.”
Coming for me? Um, that sounds sinister.
Before I can question Sofia further, a dark voice from behind makes us turn. “Pardon me, but I do believe this is the very woman I came here looking for.”
I stare at Sofia for a moment. I’ll be a lot less quick to judge the next time someone says they have any kind of powers, that’s for sure.
The owner of the dark voice moves into my line of vision and I have to fight back a sense of disappointment. Not that I was picturing someone in particular, but if I was, it wouldn’t be him. He’s tall and well built, sure. But not the big beefy guy I had let myself imagine. This guy also looks so put together. His immaculately tailored chinos are rolled at the cuff, revealing expensive looking leather shoes. He’s wearing a white business shirt rolled up at the sleeves and unbuttoned at the front to reveal just a hint of muscled chest and a flash of gold chain around his neck. His dark hair is neatly styled and sits a little below his ears. His smile looks positively dangerous.
“Miss Jessie.” He offers me his hand and I shake it, but withdraw my hand away as soon as I can.
Sofia smiles. “This is Sethos Issa. He’s actually the client who booked you a few nights ago.”
My eyes widen and I look at Sethos with fresh eyes. At least I know he’s reliable. The job the other night wasn’t that bad. Still, if he’s come looking for me in person, does that mean he wants more? I’m not sure I want to offer more to him.
Sethos gives me a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “I don’t want to give you the wrong impression, Jessie. I’m not looking for myself. I’m booking you for... a friend.”
Sofia tips her head to the side and her eyes narrow. “What friend? You know that’s against our policy, Mr. Issa.”
Sethos holds up his hands defensively. “I read your policies very carefully. All I want is for Jessie to dance at a set time in a set location. I’ll have security on site to make sure she’s safe.”
I tap my nails against my glass. “Just like I did the other night?”
He nods. “Just like that. Slightly different location. I promise you’ll be completely safe. I’m happy to up the payment and lock in a week of performances up front. What do you say?”
