With help and advice from Alexis

Susan looked at the dress, then back at Alexis's encouraging face. "If I do this... will you help me? Show me some basics?"

"Absolutely." Alexis's smile widened. "Consider it my good deed for the year. Now, go try that on while I talk to Sajima about getting you on the schedule tonight."

Before Susan could reconsider, Alexis disappeared through the dressing room door, leaving her alone with the gold dress and a riot of conflicting emotions.

Twenty minutes later, Susan stood backstage, barely recognizing herself in the mirror. The gold dress Alexis had selected hugged every curve, ending high on her thighs and plunging low between her breasts. The matching heels added four inches to her height, making her legs look impossibly long. Beneath it all, she wore a black lace bra and thong she'd borrowed from the club's communal lingerie drawer – items left behind by dancers over the years, cleaned and kept for emergencies.

"You look incredible," Alexis said, appearing beside her. "Seriously, if I didn't know better, I'd think you'd been doing this for years."

Susan swallowed hard. "I'm not sure I can go through with this."

"Yes, you can." Alexis squeezed her shoulder. "Remember, you're just practicing for Saturday. Consider it... research."

The rationalization helped, giving Susan a framework to understand what she was about to do. This wasn't about desire or thrill-seeking; it was practical preparation for the **** performance.

At least, that's what she told herself.

"You're on in five," Alexis continued. "I've picked the music – something with a good beat that's easy to move to. Just let your body respond naturally. And remember, you control how far you go. No one's expecting a full strip from a side stage performer."

Susan nodded, her heart thundering in her chest. "Okay. I can do this."

"One more thing," Alexis said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "The first reveal – when you first show skin that's normally covered – that's when they'll start reaching for their wallets. Make it count. Tease it, make them wait for it, then give them just enough to make them want more."

Before Susan could respond, a stagehand appeared, gesturing that it was time. Alexis gave her one final squeeze of encouragement, then gently pushed her toward the stage.