ACT 2

Glimmer was awake before the alarm went off for her to wake up. The lights turn on, and the darkness through her windows indicates another bleak Monday…A week since meeting David Warner. She swings her legs off the bed and stands up, and the computer begins its morning report without being prompted. It had been acting buggier than usual since its software was updated. Now, she couldn’t even make it sound human.

“Health Status: You achieved 5 hours and 47 minutes of sleep, with a quality rating of 69%. Consider an extended rest period tonight to improve sleep efficiency,” it scolded her. “Well-being insights… Your mood has shown variability over the past week. I recommend engaging in social activities that promote happiness or revisiting events that brought you joy.”

Glimmer walked to the bathroom to use the toilet, brush her teeth, and then rinse her face, listening to the damn computer do its shitty job. It’s reporting the entire morning ahead.

“Work report: You have three clients scheduled today at Pink Heat. The first appointment is at 09:00 with Alexander—13:00 with Mr. Blank. Be prepared for a new client at 18:00 with JOHN. DOE.”

There’s no emotion in her eyes as she stares at her reflection. She closes her eyes and inhales deeply. “I am Glimmer… How are you this morning, Alexander?” She tries getting into character for whatever messy task he might have in mind. It was early for him, which she was okay with. Alexander tended to be rougher than normal, and she didn’t have the energy to whimper and whine like he’d want her to.

Mr. Blank… Well, her opinion of Mr. Blank had fallen drastically over the course of the last week with **** oral pleasure, more massages, and awkward conversations about his personal life that she had no desire to learn about—a cheater… a lazy worker… and an even worse father.

The computer continued. “Weather. It’s currently 28° Fahrenheit outside, with a forecast of more than 2 inches of snow. Your interior room is set to 70 degrees for your comfort.”

Glimmer began to undress and wash her face more thoroughly before applying makeup. “Messages. Paul from Pink Heat sent a message last night at 22:45 checking on you. Would you like me to read the message?”

“Yes,” she deadpans, leaning into the mirror.

“Hey, Glim. Just checking in to see how you’re holding up after last week’s routine. You seemed off last night when you left. We can meet outside of work if you need someone to talk to or want to vent. You know where you can find me when you’re ready.”

Glimmer released a shaky breath and shook her head. “God damnit, Paul…”

…

..

.

Once inside Pink Heat, she sees that most girls are dressed up and ready. The bar is somewhat busy, and they cash in early on their drinks to get a buzz going before they’re told to begin impressing or doing whatever for their clients.

Seeking… something, she guessed, she walked over and greeted them with a smile. “Hey, guys.”

They looked over, and Glimmer saw missing substances inside their drinks. The stuff that probably wasn’t legal but spiked the heck out of their cocktails. She raises an eyebrow, disapproving of this means of escape. But she knows better than to start a scene over something that isn’t regulated or even frowned upon. “Everyone having a good time?”

“You should have a little drink,” one of the girls suggests.

“I’m fine,” Glimmer says, having a moment of consideration.

“I told you she wouldn’t,” someone chides before downing a whole shot glass. Glimmer now feels out of place with the others in the morning. It seems that more and more of the morning girls are reducing themselves to little escapes. But she’d been able to go this long without doing so herself and intended to keep it that way.

Glimmer goes to the dressing room and swaps one dress for another. Someone else enters the room as she slips into something even more exposing. She thought it was going to be Paul, but it’s one of the new girls… She hadn’t learned her name yet.

The girl looks at her and apologizes, clearly not under the influence of any of the drinks or **** floating around the morning staff. Glimmer smiles friendly enough at her and shakes her head. “Don’t worry. I’m not mad… No one knocks anyway. Besides that, we’ve seen worse anyway.”

The girl exhales. “I- I saw you had Alexander on your morning list,” she whispers with a slight hint of a warning.

“I do,” Glimmer says. “Why do you care?”

“I thought I was going to get him again,” she follows quickly. “I had him last night… the night before that…”

The girl’s voice gets smaller and smaller as she explains, but Glimmer waits for her to explain why she just barged into the dressing room. The girl saw the concern and lifted an eyebrow. “Alexander… has been rough… Rougher than usual, I’m told, because his business just collapsed, so he’s blowing funds like they’re nothing.”

“No biggie,” Glimmer says. “I can handle it.”

The girl looks unsure but nods. “I just thought I should warn you. That's all. And thank you for… taking him.”

Glimmer had **** or say in who she got. It was just management picking and choosing. Unless the client paid for her specifically, that is. Glimmer rubbed her temples as she processed the idea of being with yet another client that didn’t want “her,” just her body as a means of a temporary escape from whatever shitty situation they were in. The growing sensation of dissatisfaction was growing inside of her and after David… No one who she was with; it just made her feel worse.

When the girl sat down at one of the mirrors and started to do her makeup, Glimmer rubbed her temples. She really wanted to be alone. She considered going out to smoke, but she only did it once every shift, and doing it so early felt like a waste.

The girl, even done with her makeup, lounged inside, apparently wanting to linger in isolation, too. However, unlike the new girl, Glimmer didn’t want any company. She said goodbye and left the room, meeting Paul, who was just about to pass the fitting room. His face lit up, and he smiled. Glimmer wasn’t ready to talk to him, and she tried to forget about what was making her feel so out of place.

“There you are. Did you get my text last night?” He asked, and she **** a grin. There was no point in lying or trying to make it seem like she had forgotten about it.

“I did!” Glimmer crossed her arms over her chest and nodded. “I did.”

Paul looked at her, waiting for more. “Did you still need some time to yourself?”

Glimmer had just under an hour of free time before Alexander attended the appointment with her. She also figured that a conversation of this caliber might be better after she was finished with Alexander.