AAE -- For Better For Worse

Part 3 -- Chapter 21

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

Sitting at a corner table, Manager Chin inhales a long drag from his cigarette as Judith walks up and takes a seat.

 

The DJ drops the volume and announces, "Lads, this is your lucky day. Fresh from the exotic clubs of Itewon, Seoul's sex siren, Nicole!"

 

 

After watching Sun-Mi perform for a minute, Byung-Ho turns to Judith. "Not bad for a first night, but she's too reserved," he observes critically. "What do you think?"

 

"Ericka says Nicole has a lot of posh attitudes," Judith remarks. "It may take awhile for her to lose those inhibitions."

 

"Try goosing up her tips," he suggests. "Money talks. If she sees the benefits, she'll have an incentive."

 

"What did you mean, when you said you might have plans for her?"

 

"It turns out she's not just another gutter snipe," Byung-Ho explains, "I was tossing out an old newspaper, when I saw her picture. She was a popular TV and radio announcer some years back in Seoul. But it seems her fortunes turned after a move to London."

 

"Why is that important?"

 

"I have a client that splits his time between London and Seoul, who expressed a particular 'interest' in women of her background. I invited him to come for a close up view of the 'goods' tonight. If he likes what he sees, this could turn out very lucrative," Byung-Ho salivates at the prospect. "But you'll need to bring Nicole along."

 

"I'll work on her, with Ericka," Judith agrees. "They're friends, and she trusts her."

 

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

Finished with her set, flushed from exertion and exhilaration, Sun-Mi sends up a quick prayer of thanks to Saint Teresa as she returns to the dressing room for a short breather. After going on stage, the dancers were expected to troll the lounge, chatting up patrons to buy drinks or private dances.

 

A few moments later, Ericka walks in, smiling and effusive, "See? It wasn't so bad, after all! How do you feel?"

 

"At least they didn't laugh me off the stage, and I didn't fall flat on my face," Sun-Mi reflects, "It could've been worse, I suppose."

 

"Actually, it couldn't have been better. You underestimate yourself," Ericka congratulates her, "It seems you have an admirer."

 

Sun-Mi is dubious. "You're joshing me, right?"

 

Ericka shows the pint glass used to collect tips. It contains a couple dozen �1 and �2 coins, topped with a �10 note. She takes out the note and waves it. "Maybe you can turn that admiration into a private dance."

 

"It's one thing to be ogled on stage, where I feel more anonymous. It's another to do it alone with a complete stranger," Sun-Mi shares her reluctance. "I feel like I'm selling myself for his personal pleasure."

 

"But you're going to have to, if you want to make decent money at this," Ericka makes it clear. "Look at it another way, you're not selling yourself, but creating a fantasy -- a tease -- for the customer. It's providing a service to that makes people happier for a time. There's nothing wrong with doing that."

 

Sun-Mi sighs. "Even if I could see it like you, I have to be honest with myself..."

 

She turns to look in the mirror critically.

 

"There's nothing special about me. Why would anyone choose me over the other girls?"

 

 

"You needn't ask yourself that anymore," Judith states as she steps into the dressing room. "A punter just requested you for a private dance. He's waiting in Number 2."

 

Sun-Mi is amazed. "Are you serious?"

 

"He paid for a half-hour, so he must be," Judith informs her, then reminds Sun-Mi of the house rules, "That includes three or four dances. If he wants more, he pays extra. How much is up to you. And if he wants to buy drinks, insist on champagne."

 

Sun-Mi nods, "Yes, I understand."

 

"I hear from Ericka that you're reluctant about going topless, or baring it all," Judith brings up the sensitive topic in a businesslike manner.

 

"Maybe you think I'm being a prude. But it just seems wrong, even if I wasn't too embarrassed to do it," Sun-Mi explains.

 

"You don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with," Judith assures her. "But be realistic. You're leaving good money on the table by holding back out of an outdated sense of moral propriety."

 

"I know," Sun-Mi acknowledges Judith's logic. "Still..."

 

"It's your choice, Nicole," Judith confirms. "But in case you decide differently, you do know the house rates?"

 

"Yes, Mum."

 

"Be sure to collect in advance, so there's no misunderstanding. Some punters will claim they didn't know. And don't be shy in coaxing tips."

 

"Yes, Mum."

 

"One more thing. If he asks for sex, politely insist the punter has to talk with me. But if I find out you're taking work on the side, I'll sack you on the spot. Got it?"

 

"Yes, Mum."

 

"You need to get going now. Don't keep your customer waiting too long, just enough to build up anticipation," Judith advises as she walks out.

 

 

"I felt embarrassed at first, too," Ericka chimes in encouragingly. "But it's just like your first dance set. You never thought you could do that, either, but it wasn't so hard afterward, right? Soon you'll wonder why it ever mattered to you at all."

 

Sun-Mi doesn't disagree with Ericka's observation, though she isn't convinced either. But, looking again at the cash in the pint glass, she swallows her reservations.

 

She forces a smile. "I suppose it can't hurt to try it once, right?"

 

"That's the spirit!" Ericka fires her up.

 

 

Sun-Mi returns to the lounge, less self-conscious than before. Making her way past the tables, the patrons' stares seem more appreciative now than salacious. She smiles back, adding a bit of playful wriggle to her walk acknowledging their attention, like Cielo. Maybe it will entice a punter or two to request another private dance later.

 

"Like Ericka said, what does it matter?" she tells herself, mulling her decision if asked to off it all. "We need the money, and it's only until I pay back Manager Chin..."