This idea is a spin off from some ideas for the Lampmaker. Magic is involved, but no genies. The idea that money can influence people is a theme in many stories and is central to this one. But when a down on his luck loser helps someone with magical abilities, his life takes a major change for the better thanks to some dollar bills that have a certain effect on women. If you want to use anything just ask.
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CHAPTER 1: ON A SIDEWALK IN LA
"You okay?"
The old man appeared to be fine if shaken up a bit. He was wearing an older suit, but it was obviously well made and if a bit dated it certainly was tasteful and well done. It was a bit beat up now as Jack looked down on the man he had just pulled out of the way of a car that had ran a red light and kept on going without even slowing down.
"Ah, yes, I do believe I am quite fine. Thank you sir for that quick action. I was lost in my thoughts and didn't even notice the car until very much too late."
Jack nodded and helped the man up. "I didn't get the number from that car, or even see the driver, so I'm afraid you are not likely to find out who did that. Sorry."
"Don't be my good sir, I have my ways." The man looked Jack over and said "I say, can I treat you to a cup of coffee? It's the least I can do."
Jack nodded, hoping he didn't seem too eager. He had been laid off a few days back, his girl friend had dumped him a month ago, and life was not exactly going well. I cup of coffee on someone else's dime would not be a bad thing.
Jack found himself and the old man sitting in a fairly upscale coffee shop. He had gotten some looks from the barista, but the man had tipped heavily and no one said anything.
"My boy, you appear to be having a hard spot. Care to share the details? I owe you my life and perhaps I can be of assistance." The old man prompted after a few moments of silence.
Jack sighed. "Well, you are not far off. I lost my job, which was a crappy one. I will be losing my apartment shortly due to no rent money. My girlfriend, who was a money grubbing tramp left me for a yuppie jackass who was slumming, and my dream business will never happen."
"Dream business? Pray tell, what would that be?" the old man asked with a sly smile.
Jack thought for a minute. Normally he would never tell a soul, but for some reason he would never ever explain he decided to be completely honest with this man.
"My dream business is owning the hottest Strip Club in the world. I even have the perfect location, but I have no money, I had to drop college due to losing my scholarship, and I have no talent when it comes to getting women. Even my ex was pretty ugly. I need money, I need talent and I need to be able to manage it. And considering how things are going now none of this will happen."
The older man, instead of leaving or making some stupid comment, simply smiled. "My boy, I actually think I can help you and I wouldn't mind doing it at all. I thought you had something difficult in mind like a resort or being a pro football player. But a strip club? That is something I do believe I can help you with. May I see your wallet?"
Jack blinked, and shook his head. The man repeated his comment and then with a knowing smile pulled out his wallet. Jack could see it was stuffed with cash and his mouth opened when the man placed it in front of him. "Consider it collateral." He said.
Jack put his left hand on it and handed the man his wallet with his right. The man pulled out all his cash and counted it. "$87 dollars in all. Yes, this will work. My boy I want you to go up to the register and exchange everything for one dollar bills. Trust me."
Jack looked at him and thought of all things he should say and do, but simply nodded after a minute and did it. The barista frowned but Jack glared at the guy and he finally gave in. Going back to his table the man took the money back once Jack sat down. He rolled it up into a tight wad and then closed his eyes and muttered some very strange words. Jack swore that the money seemed to glow for a second.
"There, done. My boy, money makes things happen. But in this case they will happen in a much different way. I know what I am about to say is going to sound downright insane, but do bear with me. I have enchanted this money. Any woman you give a dollar, one of these dollars, to will become your stripper. She will decide to stop whatever career she is in or wants to be in and will ask you to be her manager and boss. She'll sign anything you ask, do whatever you ask, be whatever you ask so long as it relates to stripping. So you can't have her walk the streets as a whore, but she can take tips for fucking in the VIP Lounge. This money won't have much effect on men, unless they work in the business. A dollar to a guard will get you VIP treatment, a dollar to a club owner will get you favors, business deals, and favorable treatment. But you only have these $87 dollars to do it, so be careful how you, urm, spend them. And a proper stripper manager carries his money in a roll."
Jack blinked and closed his mouth which had hung open when the money started to glow. He looked at the man and finally shook his head. He pocketed his money in the roll, and put his wallet away. He finished his coffee and stood.
"Mister, thanks for the coffee. I hope you have a great rest of your day, and thanks for, uh, this."
The man grinned at him and nodded. "I know how it sounds, but trust me today is your day. Just give a woman, any woman, one of your dollars and watch it work. If you tuck it in her cleavage or in a garter or in her boots it does some other very interesting things, but the end result is the same."
Jack nodded and shook the man's hand and headed out the door. He was shaking his head when he literally bumped into a woman in the street right as he came out the door.
"Oh damn! Sorry Miss, I was totally out of it and didn't even see you there." Jack quickly said as he bent down to pick up the folders she had dropped.
"Sorry doesn't begin to cover it! Careful with that!" The woman grabbed the folders from him with a snarl. Jack got a good look at her and internal gave a wolf whistle. The woman was in her late twenties, had light brown hair, and a very nice figure. Her hair was done up in a bun, and she worn a business suit with an over the knee length skirt. She screamed professional from her appearance and Jack simply gave her the folders.
The woman stood and glared at him for a minute and then said "Sorry I snapped at you, but these contracts are VERY important and you really do need to watch where you are going."
Jack nodded and just as she was starting to walk around him Jack decided to seize the moment.
"Hey, here, let me make it up to you. They have a $.99 special for a regular espresso in the shop here. Have one on me later if you have the time." Jack said as he handed her a dollar bill.
Jack pressed the dollar into her hand before she could protest and as soon as she gripped it Jack swore he saw a little flash pop in her eyes. Just for a moment and then it was gone. The woman held the dollar bill and blinked. She took the dollar and rolled it up, and then Jack gaped as she snaked her hand into her blouse and apparently tucked it into her cleavage.
The woman looked at Jack with an expression of expectation and hesitation. After a few seconds she blurted out. "Uh, I need a manager and I want to work for you. Do you mind taking me on?"
Jack was able to keep his mouth closed just barely. He glanced into the Coffee Shop but the old man was nowhere to be seen. Jack stared at the woman and after a few moments he said "Come with me, let's talk."
The woman nodded eagerly and let Jack lead her inside the shop to a back booth. After they sat down Jack said "Okay, what do you want exactly?"
"I want to be a stripper. This job I'm currently in isn't doing it for me. I need a change, and I just know you are the man who can help me. I want you to manage me, manage my money, dress me, teach me, make me the best stripper in LA. I'll sign any contract you want, do anything you want or ask. Just take me on." The woman said in a voice that became husky and rather turned on as she went on.
"This has to be a joke. Someone is punking me." Jack thought. "Well, I might as well have fun with it."
"Okay, I'll take you on. First things first, you go and quit your job right now. No notice, just get in there and tell them you have a once in a lifetime opportunity and that is that. You leave everything in your cube or office. You have a phone?"
"Yes, of course." The woman pulled out an Iphone 6 and Jack said "Call it in from here right now."
The woman hit a speed dial button and as soon as Jack heard a pickup she was talking. "I quit as of this minute. I'll drop the contracts off at the desk in front of the lobby. None of your business why, I have an opportunity that won't come again so goodbye."
The woman smiled at Jack and said "Done. What now?"
Jack smiled. "Time to ratchet up the fun." He thought. "First, you always address me as Sir or boss in public. When we are in private you can call me Daddy, or Baby, or even Stud. Second, we are going to your place, I'm staying there until we get things set up. Third, we need to set up your contract. So let's go."
The woman took Jack's arm and let herself be led out of the shop. As they walked down the street, she asked Jack to let her drop off the folders in an office building as they passed by.
"Nope, your old life means shit to me. Dump 'em there." Jack said pointing to a garbage can. The woman opened her mouth to say something and Jack cut her off. "Don't you sass back to me. You want to work for me, you shut up and do as you are told. Got it?"
The woman replied without any hesitation. "Yes Sir. I understand." And dumped the folders in the trash as they walked by.
