Charlie wasn't looking forward to this in the slightest. How did he get dragged by his best friends to a strip club of all places? How did he let them talk him into it in the first place? Sure, his friends wanted to help him "hook up," but there were three problems: 1) He had a major midterm to study for tonight; 2) If his family found out he went to a strip club, he would be disowned faster than he could say "herpes"; and 3) Even if he didn't have any test to sweat over, even if he could get away with going to a strip club without his family's knowledge, he had no hope in even having a conversation with a woman - one look at his pale gangly figure, auburn hair and gawkiness, and he'd be laughed off of campus (granted it never happened, since he was too busy with studies to think of dating). All the same, his three friends talked him into - or rather begged him to - going along with their stupid idea. It wasn't long before Charlie and his pals were off to the Sweet and Spicy Club.
Tate, a wannabe bad boy greaser, whipped out his comb to straighten his pompadour as he an his pals stood in front of the Sweet and Spicy Club. He bounces one leg like an Elvis impersonator in anticipation. Leroy, a giant of a country bumpkin with a Southern accent, bobs his head to the tunes blaring out of the club. Percy, a guy with a manbun and gauge earrings, rubbed his hands with excitement. As for Charlie, he was regretting everything before the night even started.
"Yeah, baby," Tate nearly whooped. "Here we are, gang. This is the place I've been tellin' ya about."
"And wait until you try the drinks, boys," Percy said with a smile. "They're worth the price."
"How would ya know?" Leroy asked.
Percy realized what he just said. "Uh, one of my exes told me. Yeah."
"Wait, have you been here? What the hell, man? You holdin' out on us, Percy?" asked Tate, seeing through his friend's lie.
"Well you seemed so excited I didn't want to spoil your mood," Percy admitted. "Sorry, 'kay?"
Tate grinned and patted him on the shoulder. "Ah, fuggedaboudit. Come on guys - let's head in."
"Uh, you guys go ahead," Charlie said, "I really need to get back to studying."
"What're ya'll talkin' 'bout?" Leroy asked. "You studied for three damn hours, Charlie."
"So?"
"So you need a break," Percy said. "All work and no play makes you frickin' cray-cray."
"Yeah," Tate agreed before putting an arm around Charlie's shoulders. "Now look, when we became roommates, we became friends. You following?"
"I think so," Charlie said.
"Good. Now my old man and me have a saying: Friends help friends."
"That's a saying?"
"And I promised myself when I got into college, I was getting a nice piece of ass, and having friends now, I promised them I'd help them get some nice piece of ass too. Charlie, my man, it doesn't have to be a serious relationship with the chick, you know."
Charlie knew full well the number of women Tate got together with, even though he lost track. "What's wrong with a committed relationship?"
"Hey, if you find it in the Sweet and Spicy, then I'll try the fuckin' lottery! Come on, don't back out on us now - live a little."
"I don't know..."
"I'll tell ya what, Charlie: Just this one time for us, and we'll never ask you again."
"Are you sure?"
"I swear on my mother's grave."
"I thought you said your ma's living with her new boyfriend," Leroy said.
"Well yeah, but you get the idea. But whattya say, Charlie? You don't wanna miss out. I promise you."
Charlie groaned. "Alright, fine - but I'm only doing it for you guys."
"Fabulous!" cheered Percy.
The four friends went in to the Sweet and Spicy. Charlie was greeted by loud rap music, a stage with poles and women dancing seductively and a bar. His heart raced with fear, as he hoped no one else he knew would be here.
"Alright!" grinned Tate. "Time we mingled, gents."
"Yup," smirked Leroy before eying a scantily-clad waitress with pigtails strutting past him. "Hoo-wee, I'll catch you guys later." With that, he strolled behind her and leaving his friends.
"Go for the goal, Leroy!" cheered Tate. "Let's go guys. The bar's open for us."
Percy nearly strained his eyes as he looked at a cigarette-smoking bartender. "Hmm, don't mind if I do."
"Remember, Percy - this is Charlie's night, you know."
"Right, but it never hurts to ask for extra help. And I'm thirsty."
"Good point. C'mon."
As three of the friends sat down, the bartender looked at them and rasped in a smoker's voice, "What'll it be?"
"Gimme a black jack," smiled Tate.
"Ooh, I'll have an appletini," Percy cooed.
"Can I just have water?" Charlie asked.
"And scotch!" Tate interjected. "My friend wants a water and scotch.... And a key, if you know what I mean."
The bartender snickered raggedly. "Sure thing. The only key left is for room 6913."
Charlie felt uneasy. "What's in room 6913?"