Candi Palmer followed her friend Kody and the biker looking bouncer named Brutus out into the bar area of the club. The lights were dim yet it was evident by the movement just outside of the bar that this promotion was going to be big.
In awe Candi gazed about the audience and staging area to witness cameramen with large camera's. They were in their final moments of setup as a member of the crew faked dancing around the stripper pole to garner laughs. They were making certain all angles were covered. There were smaller cameras at each corner of the room to capture the far away angles and close-ups.
"Wowza! This is all for me?"
Behind her amazement came a gruff voice, "The notorious Fluffy!"
She reverts her attention to a looming man of his late 40's, with sparse hair and a deep tan. He wore a white button down shirt and blue tie, accompanied by blue jean slacks. Both of his shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows.
Candi nods sizing him up, "Looking more like a Clydesdale than a Pony, Pony."
He fans his arms from side to side, "This IS St. Louie, Baby! Home of the Clyde's."
She fidgets at his flirtations then looks down at his crotch, "Let's just hope that you can keep Clyde in the stables and not prove to be a Shetland."
Kody snorts behind Pony and moves in to pat her boss on the back, "She sure has you sized up." She then uses her fingers to mimic a three inch width, "Try My Little Pony!"
Everyone laughs in order, even the brawny Brutus.
Pony lowers his gaze and nods to himself, "Yeah, yeah! Brutus take Fluffy's bags back to the dressing room."
Candi abruptly points at Brutus snapping, "And DON'T be trying on my outfit!"
Brutus turns red and snarls then walks away.
Kody leans on Pony's shoulder, "Be careful Fluff. Brutus just might out of spite. We wouldn't want your outfits stretched out and you looking like you're dragging around a cougar skin rug."
Pony smirked then moved to sit up on a bar stool. He motions Candi to join him. Sitting her clutch purse on the bar she eases up into a stool across from him. Once facing the man Pony looms his gaze back at Kody, "Go on back with Brutus. I'll let you stay here and help Fluffy get made up and ready for the stage. Afterwards, don't let the door hit the whore."
Kody sneers and winces heavily, "You have such a way with words, Pony." She then squeezes Candi on the shoulder, "See you in back. Don't let him trample you."
Candi nods with a wink as she watches Kody depart. A second later, she turns her vision toward Pony.
"So! Big Hoss! How many people am I guaranteed to bring in house tonight?"
The man shrugs, "Over 300 invites were sent back. Never sent out invites before so who truly knows what kind of turn out you get. Only the folks that saw you dance before know you. The other invites I sent out were to the real moneymakers. If they show up I say you should be bathing in bills."
She smiles, "I can bed presidents. Woohoo! Is our other agreements intact? I can do anything to anyone I want?"
"And, they can do anything to you they want. I expect you to keep your end of that bargain. Words out that's the case. Don't make me a liar."
"As long as nobody gets too brutal. I'm fine with it. Please enforce condoms."
"Words out on that restriction too. No cover, no hover." He chuckles faintly.
"Thank you."
He puckers looking at her, "Y'know, I'm going to advise you to protect yourself. Just in case, I'm telling you that you should do your best to remain anonymous. Sexy little gal like you might get some unwanted fans if they know what to look for. Get my meaning?"
"Ummmmmmm! You really believe I might get a stalker?"
"Never know, Kid. You're a little too appealing. Natural beauty without any makeup. Perfect body. Everything a man wants. I would even be careful speaking. The friendlier you are the more they fantasize."
She raises an eyebrow, "Yes, but isn't that the point? To be their fantasy?"
"Not at the risk that you get hurt outside of my protection. I put thought into this Kid. Work with me on this."
"Okay? So what should I do?"
He stands up and stretches out over the bar to clutch a paper bag behind it. Hoisting it over he sits it on the bar then digs inside it. Out comes a pink leather mask which he shows her.
She drops her jaw, "You want me to wear a leather mask? Oh, wait it has cat ears. I see what you intend. You want me to play Catwoman." She giggles, "What are these buckles?"
He motions at her throat, "Neck straps. These keep anyone from yanking it off. Pull your hair up inside it."
She shakes her head, "No. I want my hair out and easy for guys to grip. I'll wear the mask if you think it's show worthy. Where I come from not many people I know would recognize me anyway. As far as strangers go I think the mask is enough to protect my identity."
Pony offers a negative response, "Those big blue eyes would be easy to spot. We need to fix those too."
Again he digs into the bag and produces a small box. Lifting the lid he turns it to show her the contents.
"Cats eye contact lenses? That's kind of neat. I can wear those too."
"Glad you see things my way." He holds a finger up, "One more addition to your disguise."
A final search inside the paper bag he introduces her to "Fake tattoos. Let's put a tramp stamp on that lower back. Something guys would love and the nut jobs would remember to look for later if they feel insane. Hopefully it would throw them off."
She goes expressionless, "I feel like you know there's going to be stalkers before I even dance."
He frowns, "I've been in this business a long time, Kid. I know that when guys see something they like, they pursue it. I made a promise to your Hubby to keep you safe. I'm doing my best here."
She understands and shares a warm glint, "I appreciate that, Pony."
Noting a clock behind the bar Pony urges her, "You better go get ready. Brutus and I open the doors in an hour. You have thirty minutes more to get ready. Once the seating is full I'll motion the DJ to start your entrance song. I'm sending Brutus to the parking lot to be on call if needed. Otherwise, you're on your own. I will NOT step in unless I see blood."
She shivers, "I'm not afraid to claw some eyes out. I'm tougher than I look."
He winks, "I knew that the second I heard your voice."
He stands up and points her toward the backroom.
Candi stretches in her step then stops to look over at Pony. She slowly moves in and reaches down to grip his erection, "Just saying hi to Clyde."
She then twists in her step and vanishes.
Locating Kody in a small dressing room Candi see's her sitting in a chair lost in thought. So deep were her thoughts that she didn't know Candi was behind her. Candi waved her right hand over Kody's eyes to get her attention.
"You alright, Cordelia?"
The brunette frowns at the use of her real first name, "Don't push it Fluff. I can make you up to look like a clown."
They share a laugh as Candi sits across from her holding the gathered additions given to her by the club owner.
"Might as well be a clown. Pony gave me enough costuming to be one."
Kody examines the mask, "This is cool. I didn't know he invested money on you. Other than promoting you of course. He's usually cheap as hell."
Candi fidgets, "In all honesty I don't want to wear any of it. I need Damian to see that it's me out there. Not somebody in disguise."
"Did you tell Pony this?"
"No. I understand that he's looking out for my safety. We can film a cell cam segment with me putting this stuff on and Pony's reasoning. I'm sure Damian will understand too."
Kody nods along with her friend before a second of silence. Suddenly, Kody claps her hands together once.
"I bought you something too. I hope they fit."
She twists in her chair to procure a box under the makeup table behind her. Handing it off Candi eagerly opens it up to stare at them in awe.
"Stiletto heels. Ummmmmmm! I've never wore stiletto's in my life. It might be short lived if I try wearing these on stage."
"Try them on. Size 7 if I guessed correctly."
Candi grits her teeth then takes the right foots heel and slips it on. Then the left foot. Standing was surprisingly easy. She puckers toward Kody, "Size 7 works. Good call. I guess if I can balance on roller skates I can balance on these. If not they can roll me back to the stage in a body cast and have their way with me anyways."
Kody belts out a shrill laugh and watches Candi walk in the heels quite well. Dancing in them would prove the true test.
"I got this. Thanks for the gift oh bosom buddy."
"My pleasure. Let's get you unpacked and dressed."
"I've been thinking about that. Why make the guys wait. I can tease like crazy without stripping. If I'm going to wear those heels it might be safer not having to remove things over my feet. Let's skip the fuzzy outfit. Heels, mask and Me! Good enough."
Kody shrugs, "Not much to the imagination. But, it is your show, Critter."
Thumbs up Candi strips out of her clothes including her heels for the time being. Naked she stands up with her back to Kody. She then bends over bringing the fake tattoo around for Kody to grab it.
"Paint me up, Van GoGo."
Kody giggles and assists in dampening Candi's spine with a water bottle before gently applying the print of a cougar slashing out at any onlookers. The cougar of course had a cute red bow on it's head.
"You're a little young to be a cougar unless you're chasing toddlers." Kody chuckled.
"Blame Pony. At least it has a hint of Hello Kitty." Candi giggled along with her cohort.
Once applied Candi admired herself in the mirror.
"I've never ever thought of getting a tattoo. It looks cool on me, but I dunno. I hope Damian doesn't get any ideas about a real tattoo after seeing this. I like my flawless skin."
