What happens next?

An encounter with Destiny

One year later:

Niki had no idea how she had ever let Jessica convince her to move to New York City, much less work in a NYC strip club. But that was what she was doing.

And Jessica was behaving herself for a change. No imprisoning Niki behind glass mirrors or putting her in uncomfortable trances. Things actually seemed to be changing for the better.

As for the club itself, it seemed pretty good. Niki thought she had seen a lot of rich high rollers in the last club she had worked at but they were nothing compared to the Wall Street guys who visited this place.

And oh, God! The money!

Niki found herself staring at the main stage where a dark-skinned Latina who danced under the name Ramona was dancing around a stripper pole -- and having more money thrown at her than Niki normally saw in a year.

My God, said Jessica. We could make a fortune in this place.

Yes, we could, thought Niki.

Then she noticed a twentysomething Asian girl standing next to her who was also watching Ramona.

"Wow!" cried the Asian woman. "That Ramona is really something. She makes more money with one dance than I normally saw in a whole night at my old club."

"She's something, all right," said Niki. "I don't suppose you could introduce us."

"Us?" asked the Asian woman.

"Er, I mean me, of course," said Niki.

"I have yet to meet her myself but sure I could introduce you if you wish," said the Asian woman. "By the way, my name is Dorothy. But my stage name is Destiny."

"My name is Niki," said Niki. "But my stage name is -- um -- Jessica."

"Nice to meet you, Jessica," said Destiny. "I look forward to working with you."

And here you were worried that something bad would happen in this place, said Jessica. With the likes of Destiny and Ramona on our side, what could go wrong?