Hi guys,
This chapter felt slow to write, but I really enjoyed writing the club scene, and fleshing '4' out more as a character.
*SPOILER* I'm also looking forward to writing more scenes for our mystery 'white knight' ;)
Hope you all enjoy reading, and as always, feedback and follows are much appreciated!
P.s Does anyone actually listen to my music recommendations?
Happy fapping,
G
Music I listened to writing this chapter:
Arctic Monkeys, R U Mine?
Hozier, Arsonists Lullabye
Grimes, Oblivion
FKA Twigs, Holy Terrain
FKA Twigs, Home With You
Florence + The Machine, Hunger
Robinson, Don't trust myself
Chapter 3. Kletka
The days that followed Joni's 'near' punishment were a blur. Several of the level 1 slaves, including her, had been promoted, and moved to a large open dormitory that housed 24 plain cot beds with 24 small metal lockers beside them. Joni's locker was empty save for the plastic toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste that had been thrust into her hand on entry. Level 2 also boasted a bathroom, where you could use any of the 6 dingy stalls freely, and without having to ask a guard to chaperone you. Joni would never again take for granted the ability to pee in peace and wash your face in the morning. In all honesty, this felt closer to home to her than anywhere else in the Fort; reminiscent of the group care homes she grew up in. And like in her childhood, Joni tried to keep to herself. She had swapped beds with a beautiful slender older woman, meaning she could be next to her previous neighbour, Marnie, but besides their whispered conversations she stayed quiet. People moved around a lot, new faces popping up, familiar faces disappearing.
People came and went for 'work' also, mostly throughout the nighttime, and Marnie took no shame in recounting her evenings highs and lows, often to Joni's own embarrassment. She spoke of regulars who she had gotten friendlier with, laughed about premature ejaculation, and complained about the rude or rougher guys. Marnie generally had been lucky though, as it wasn't unusual to see girls come back with eyes swollen shut, or limping uncomfortably. If they were lucky, one of the physicians would attend and patch them up. Ice packs and the occasional row of stitches. If they weren't so lucky their beds would be empty when Joni woke. They had been reminded enough times that those who didn't or couldn't make money, wouldn't be kept for long. Who would want to pay for the girl with the split lip and broken arm when there were 10 more waiting behind her in the queue.
Joni hadn't had a single customer since her first; her mind blowing experience in the white room. When she had eventually recounted it to Marnie, she had made sure Joni knew how rare it had been, and that Johns who cared about their orgasms were 'like winning the lottery'. When the girlish giggles had died down however, the fear crept in again. If she wanted any chance of escape, it wouldn't be from behind the bars of level one.
"It's mostly word of mouth!" Marnie had tried to console her.
"I mean there's a database that they can look through to pick someone, but a lot of them talk to one another."
"My guy wouldn't speak to me! Let alone anyone else. If I don't get another soon they'll move me down." Joni cried out, moving to sit next to Marnie on her bed.
"I wish some of mine would shut the fuck up...you're gorgeous, don't be stupid, and none of it really matters anyway if you're a virgin. They'll take care of you because of that...and maybe that white knight with the talented tongue will buy you himself!" She dug her elbow playfully into Joni's side.
Joni never found this idea comforting, and the idea of being 'bought' scared her more than the idea of staying here. The ticking time-bomb of her sale hung above her head like a guillotine and 4's words rang out loudly in her head.
'This is your second chance. Don't make me regret it.'
It had been two more days before she saw 4 again. The large brass clock high on the wall read 2am, and Joni had been one of only 6 people remaining in the room, flicking through an old tattered Russian comic book she had borrowed from Marnie's locker. The guard didn't knock, but walked briskly in, scanned the room, and barked out "14004?"
After a quick visit to the shower block to clean up, she was passed through the routine gauntlet of waxing and plucking, before finally being led to a nearby dressing room. It was larger than she'd seen before and several other slaves were being dolled up; painted with beautiful glossy lipsticks, with hair in large barrel rollers atop their heads. There was a man there also, his golden hair being blown beautifully back by one hand and his eyelashes being curled by a second. Some of them turned to look Joni up and down as she entered, and turned back away as quickly, whispering between themselves.
She sat in the chair closest to the door, and allowed one of the hands to quietly begin combing through her hair as her mind wandered, trying to ignore the hushed remarks of the others. They weren't from level 2, and the competition between the slaves got worse as you ascended.
As before, once her makeup and hair had been perfected, she was presented with her outfit. The scarlet satin dress slipped between her fingers easily, and was feather light.
"Where's my underwear first?" She asked the hand.
"Sorry, just that this time." She replied, packing her vanity case away neatly.
Joni sighed, but feeling it pointless to argue, stepped behind the curtain and slipped the cool material over her head. She was thankful it skimmed conservatively just below her knees, but that was the only saving grace; the material clung like wet tissue to every curve of her body. Joni was quite sure you could have counted her freckles through it if you had the time.
"Jesus." She turned in the mirror, scrutinising every angle.
The straps were set with a row of small glittering diamantΓ©'s and the straps on the stiletto heels matched. She mused for a moment about who chose these outfits, and allowed herself to chuckle at the idea of 4 picking out shoes and matching handbags.
She was given no jewellery, but the hand did step forward to secure a small diamond slide into her hair, tucking that side behind her ear and away from her face. The rest cascaded down her back in voluminous curls.
With a short sharp rap at the door, the guard returned for her.
The walk had taken them a direction Joni hadn't been before, and a beating thrum of music beckoned them, growing with each step. The hallways opened up, the ceilings lowered, and the bright fluorescent lights dimmed. When they reached the large open doorway, the music was booming; a slow and deep rhythm that reverberated up her legs and put her in mind of dark and dirty things.
'Club Kletka' was written in dark red neon lights, in a swirling script hung above the doorway. She was pushed inside roughly from behind, shoulders brushing against the crowd that gathered there. The room was arranged around 3 large podiums, each with a shining pole in the centre and a beautiful woman twirling around it, teetering on skyscraper platform shoes. Tables surrounded the poles, with glossy red velvet chairs seated at each, and at the perimeter of the room were matching velvet booths. The walls were lined with heavy dark curtains that reminded Joni of a cinema back home, and she thought to herself that this was like no club she'd been to before. There had been a strip club in the dodgy end of her town, but the drunkards who rolled out of the door of 'pussycat lounge' looked nothing like the clientele here. Crisp white shirts and sharp suits as far as the eye could see, with a smattering of polished gold chains and oversized watches. In stark contrast was the bevy of barely dressed women draped around them.
The guard brought his head to her ear said 'There' and pointed a thick finger to the far end of the club, before stepping away to stand at the doorway. Joni was left, standing at the edge of the room, and felt acutely aware of the eyes on her. She wished the material of her slip was thicker as she felt her nipples harden.
She looked to where he had pointed, where a bustling bar took up the length of the room. At one end of it, she spotted him. He was wearing a black shirt, that pulled tight across the muscles in his back, and sharp dark blue jeans. As he turned, his eyes found hers and she moved towards him instinctively.
"Good evening." 4 spoke lowly, leaning towards her to be heard over the thrum of music. He took her by the elbow, her skin igniting, and led her to a empty booth besides him, gesturing for her to sit.
"Welcome." He said sternly, moving to sit across from her, leaning back to bring his left foot to rest on his right knee. He looked so comfortable here, so at ease with himself. He flicked his wrist up in a practised motion, to eye his watch face.
"I read your file. You have waitressing experience?" Joni was busy watching his mouth to realise it was her turn to speak, and she croaked out her reply awkwardly when he raised an eyebrow at her.
"Yes! I...worked in restaurants."
"I may find work for you here or in one of my other clubs from time to time, serving drinks... Virgins make less money day to day obviously, so I will make use of you in other ways."
"Okay..." she crossed her legs, feeling the dampness there. The top 2 buttons of his shirt were undone and Joni was focused intently on the curve of tanned chest and light dusting of dark hair that peeked out.
"Can you dance?" He asked, nodding towards the nearest pole, where a lithe performer was twirling gracefully. Joni shook her head apologetically, staring with envy at the dancer. She flipped elegantly upside down, her sheet of glossy black hair swinging beneath her.
"No other services will be expected of you here. But my other clubs are different."
"What do you...?" Joni asked awkwardly, missing his obvious tone.
"You won't have to suck dick here. It's just a strip club." He rolled his eyes at her naivety.
"Would you prefer to go to one of them? If this is too tame for you?" He smirked now, clicking his fingers in the direction of the bar.