Teri Kidder—Whore Hirer

Lois tossed off her club clothes and dug out her best business suit, her laciest underwear, and the fake Gucci purse. A few minutes with a hairbrush and makeup and she was no longer a club-goer that could be mistaken for a prostitute, but an elegant woman who exuded confidence and wealth.

Just the type of woman that might hire a whore.

She counted her cash carefully before transferring it to her purse, took a burner phone and flipped through her fake IDs. The best one was Teri Kidder, who nominally worked in admissions at Metropolis University, with a staff ID, driver's license, and a gold American Express card. Lois hoped not to have to use the latter, but it was better to have it and not use it than to need it and not have it.

The wedding band was the final touch. Lois slipped the plain gold over her finger, thinking about how many times she had worn it just to advertise she wasn't available. Not that it ever stopped any of the rudest or most demanding of men...but it helped complete the look.

The cab ride back to the club gave her time to work up her character and story. "Teri" was a successful, upstanding woman who approaching the end of her 30s felt the need for a little action. Not rough trade in any sense, but a lesbian fling. Money to burn and desperately horny, but embarrassed.

Out of the cab, paid the driver in cash. Heels clicking on the pavement down the alley. Lois held her head high, striving to avoid the smell.

The alley opened up to a space that might have once been a loading dock office, now converted into a storefront. Your typical palmistry shop, at first glance: a red neon hand glowed in a window edged with astrological symbols. The name Madame Alexa's sprawled across the top, and at the bottom the legend: Your future is in our hands.

"Cute." The reporter muttered. Lois didn't see any other way in or out than the single door, but she did notice the discreet camera on the wall of the alley opposite the door, and the fairly heavy-duty lock on the door itself. Whoever was running this operation paid at least a little attention to security.

With head held high, "Teri" pulled open the door and stepped inside...to the smell of cinnamon and sandalwood. The "lobby" was small, little more than a glass display case before a beaded doorway, the walls covered with semi-erotic 'occult' paintings of nude mythological figures. The case was filled with various oils and what looked to Lois to include various popular gas station **** like Horny Goat Weed and poppers; it was topped by a cash register, a credit card reader, and a bell.

Behind the counter, smiling graciously, was a buxom blonde in headband and loose, flowing, almost diaphanous dress that must have been a nymphomaniac's idea of a Hollywood gypsy. The material was very nearly transparent, it was apparent the woman wasn't wearing any underwear beneath, except for an open-cup bra that lifted her breasts and put her nipples prominently forward.

"Welcome, welcome to Madame Alexa's! I see...you do not have an appointment."

"No, I don't." Lois couldn't suppress an easy smile at the theatricality.

"No matter! You wish to have your fortune told?"

"I am interested in a...personal reading," the reporter looked the woman dead in the eye. "With a young lady."

The blonde's eyes narrowed. "Ah...and do you have your letter of recommendation?"

Lois produced the bill with the address written on it. The blonde scrutinized it closely...and Lois scrutinized the blonde.

There were tell-tales there...pale lines that suggested trips to the tanning booth, dark roots for bleached hair, pubis shaved and bare beneath the thin, clinging material of the dress...and Lois was sure that she had "work" done. Not the best work either, the reporter admitted; the breasts were large and plump but also slightly lopsided. No wonder she was on greeter duty...

The blonde looked up from the bill, smile relaxed into something a little more natural, although the eyes were sharper now.

"We have a young woman available. Clients pay up front, of course." The 'gypsy' spoke softly, quietly, a little cagily, and named a price. Lois was suddenly glad she brought the AmEx card as she presented it. The sight of the gold plastic caused the madam to relax a little.

"She's very good," the woman assured her as she ran the card. "Very experienced with reading women."

"Good," Lois said, accepting "Teri's" card. "I could use a little 'experience.'"