Not The Most Salubrious Venue !

Monday lunchtime brought the first of Debbi's gigs. She made the short eight mile drive into Reading and let her sat nav direct her to the Green Man. The pub seemed like an oasis of normality surrounded by building sites as the city center redevelopment continued apace. The pub had a decided retro feel that was enhanced by the choice of music as Blondie blasted out of the speakers. Many of the customers looked as if they had been around since Blondie's heyday. Debbi didn't mind the music and quite admired her namesake, even forgiving Debbie Harry the superfluous 'e'. I should have been blondie, she thought to herself, realizing that she had left the blonde wig that Kaitlynne had got for her back in the car. Oh well, nobody's going to recognize me here thankfully she decided, though she would make sure to don the wig for those gigs closer to home.

The mix of construction workers, retirees and the unemployed that made up the pub's customers, all turned to stare at Debbi as she entered. What was a smartly dressed young business woman doing here, when her normal habitat would have been one of the more upmarket wine bars ? Debbi quickly established that, apart from the barmaid, she was almost the only female in the place.

"What can I get you luv ?" asked the intrigued barmaid as Debbi made her way to the bar. "Er, um, nothing thanks" Debbi said quietly. "I'm here to work ? I'm covering for Kaitlynne, her little boy's sick."

"You're the stripper ?" the barmaid cried in surprise, much too loud for Debbi's liking. All eyes not turned to study her even more closely. "Er, yeah" Debbi confirmed. "But, um, I'm not used to this. Er, is there any kind of backstage or anything ?"

"This is a crummy old pub in case you hadn't noticed" the girl replied, running down her own establishment. "Not some plush high class member's club. You just get up on that little raised platform over there and start getting your kit off !" Debbi glanced over at the tatty area the girl was indicating. "Have you got your own music ?" the girl wanted to know. "Er, no" Debbi admitted. "I guess we'll just keep Blondie going then, that alright ?" "Um, I guess" Debbi replied, any confidence she had ebbing away.

"Stripper's here lads" The barmaid confirmed, pointing at Debbi. "Right then, off you go !" She once more gestured towards the little raised platform, as the customers began to turn their chairs in that direction and edge closer.