=I looked up from the book I was reading when Bill, my hubby, announced to me that the Midnight Rooms were advertising for a keyboard player for their Starlight Lounge. The Midnight Rooms is an up market nightclub venue that caters to the more discerning punters of the nightclub scene.
"I hear it's a nice place to work, Laura," Bill commented, "A bit more sophisticated than the clubs and pubs you are playing in at the moment." I couldn't argue with that. I had worked two nights at our local pub accompanying the amateur singers on talent night, and worked the weekend at the local working men's club. On Saturday afternoon, I played for ballroom dancing, and on Sunday lunch time, filled in between the strippers.
"Put the number down for me," I said, "and I'll give them a ring tomorrow."
I was pleasantly surprised when the following day I spoke to Mr. Williams. He told me he was the assistant manager and asked me if I would like to come in for an interview and a trial.
Bill could see I was pleased when he arrived home and more pleased when I told him the news.
We had never been in a position to visit The Midnight Rooms as it had always been out of our price bracket, so Bill was interested in accompanying me when I went for the interview. I suspected it was just so he could give the place the once over.
It was six o'clock on Friday when we were let in to the club by a large, black doorman who gave me a beaming smile. "Mr. Williams? Oh, you mean Harry," the guy said. "He told me to expect a young lady and to show you through to the lounge."
When I saw the opulence of the lounge, I knew at once this is where I wanted to be. The room was empty of people, but small electric candle lights flickering on black tables set the atmosphere. The tables, accompanied by comfortable chairs, were set in small alcoves around the room.
In the centre of the room, a large Yamaha Grand Piano stood on a raised dais. I went over and stroked the keyboard. It was perfectly tuned. "Like it?" A voice behind made me jump and I turned to face a smiling guy in a dark suit. "Harry Williams, the assistant manager," he said, holding out his hand. I gripped it. It felt firm and strong. "So you're Laura?" I nodded.
I introduced Bill and we chatted about what was required. Then he asked me to play. He seemed pleasantly surprised by my talent. "You're very good," he said as I stopped and turned to him. "I think you would fit in here very well." We discussed terms: five nights Tuesday to Saturday, meals while working, taxis home, and what's more, the pay was double what I was getting at the moment. It all sounded good to me, and Bill agreed. I asked him what I would be expected to wear.
"Something chic and black would do very nicely," he smiled in answer. I remembered I had a couple of black dresses in my collection that would probably do.
On the following Tuesday, I nervously started my new job. Bill looked at me and smiled when I came downstairs after getting ready. I had a new dress, a figure hugging black strappy number.
When I had tried on my old black dresses, they did not seem right for the Starlight Lounge so I went out and bought a new one. Black hold up stockings and black patent leather shoes completed my outfit.
Charles, that was the name of the black doorkeeper, let me in and wished me good luck for my first night. Harry met me in the lounge and nodded appreciatively when he saw my outfit.
I felt a little warm glow as I saw his eyes linger on the exposed swell of my breasts displayed by the low neckline of my new dress.
After a slow start, I thought the first night went quite well. I got some applause and I was tipped well by appreciative punters for playing special requests. The food was good and there were drinks continually being placed on the piano from well wishers. At the end of the night, Harry came over to me and said that he had had some good feed back. I was quite pleased with myself as the taxi took me home.
I had been at the Starlight Lounge for about a month when Harry asked me to stop and talk to him after we closed. We sat at one of the tables in the lounge. "How are you finding it working for us?" he asked.