The fine print

Margot impatiently knocked on the open door of the dressing room. “Carol, you’re up in fifteen, are you ready yet?”

“Yep! Tell me, how do I look?”

Margot stared at the woman, pinched the bridge of her nose, and took a deep, deep, sigh. “Carol?”

“Yes, Ms. X?”

“Care to tell me why it looks like your makeup was applied by a car polisher?”

“Yeah, about that. In my time we apply makeup with mechanical birds, so we never had to apply makeup on our own.”

“Mechanical birds? Just, why mechanical birds of all things?”

“Oh, because around the 2170’s Disney princesses become like really big again, so we really wanted to live in a fairytale ourselves.”

“You certainly live in a fairytale alright.” Margot whispered to herself.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch that.”

“Nothing, dear, nothing. Here, let me.” She took the seat next to Carol, and washed her face. “Actually, this is the perfect time to tell you something about your routine.”

“Oh, is something wrong with it?”

“Oh no, dear. There is nothing really wrong with it, it is just… missing it’s ‘x’-factor.”

“So how do we get that ‘x’-factor, add some sort of dance or something?”

“Not quite.” Margot leaned in a bit closer, cupping Carol’s hand in her own. “On stage, I want you to… get off, if you get me?”

“Of course. You want me to jump off the stage and walk past the audience. Like they do in theaters? That sounds great!”

“No, no. I want you to dial the rotary phone.”

“You still use those? Didn’t think I went that far back, now.”

“For crying out loud! I want you to masturbate on stage, do you get that?!”

“You want me to do WHAT?!” Carol rapidly stood up, knocking her chair over. “I can’t do that. I’m not some depraved hussy.”

“Well, too bad, lady. You signed the contract, and it’s very clear about your job description.” She grabbed the contract from her brassiere, and pointed it at her.

Carol grabbed it, and looked over once more. Margot was correct. She could order her to do that. “Well, then I’ll just quit!”

“Sure, you can quit, Carol.” Margot spoke in a sympathetic voice. “But how about your little sister? You haven’t found her yet, and that could be the case for the next few days, or even weeks or months! And you need food and housing till then. All you have to do is masturbate for a couple of guys and gals, and you are golden. So please, think it over.”

Carol was restless in her movements. She has never done that before, at least not in front of others that is. But could she do it for Sophie?

“That’s the place!” Karen pointed at the stripclub. “We better not be to late!”

“Carol would never forgive herself if she did that! And I would never forgive myself if she did that for me!” Added Sophie.

The three barged into the club, seeing Margot helping another patron. She looked at the familiar naked woman, the unfamiliar one, and the one in the Red Sonja costume, and calmly spoke. “And what can I do for you three ladies?”