On The Floor

"You look a little short-handed," Lois said to Ms. Blaze. She nodded to where plates and glasses were piling up next to the supervillains. "I've done some waitressing before. Strip clubs, some dive bars..."

"Hmm," the woman took a step towards the reporter, her dark eyes seeming to bore straight through her. Lois was conscious just then of her outfit. "I need you to understand something Joanne—these clients are dangerous. Telling them 'no' is not a healthy idea. If one of them gets a whiff of your pussy and wants to taste it...or feel it...or fuck it...then nobody is going to stop them. If you fight back, they might hurt you...and nobody is going to stop them."

"Joanne" swallowed, trying to think about how a real tough woman would answer. "Do, uh...do I get hazard pay?"

Ms. Blaze smiled. "Oh, you'll be compensated. If they fuck anyone, they pay the house...and I'll see you get your cut."

The smile stayed there as if frozen. "And we have a reputation to maintain. If they want something...you're into it. They want you to crawl under the table and suck them off, or pinch your ass cheeks and stick a finger in your cunt, you smile and nod and do it. We'll add it all to their bill, and you'll be compensated accordingly."

The undercover reporter put on a brave face. "Well, as long as I get paid. It's not the first time."

Lois didn't elaborate on that statement. She stared Blaze in the eye...and the woman's smile inched a little wider than Lois thought humanly possible.

"Maria? Show Joanne the ropes. She can clear tables, fetch and carry, and whatever extracurriculars she can handle. Standard rates."

Then Ms. Blaze turned away, as if putting Lois out of her mind...and Maria's hand was gripping Lois by the arm, dragging her back toward the bar...and Lois wondered what exactly she had just gotten herself into.