I was ready before my alarm clock went off. After letting loose and having a long rest, I decided today would be the day I got my act together. No more slacking off. I was a woman, damn it. And I had a job to do.

Scout took an exceptionally long time using the bathroom that morning. My breath was fog and the grass glittered with dew drops. Scout didn't seem to mind under all that fur and he sniffed around looking for the perfect place to park. He couldn't have picked a better day to take his time. I patiently waited, my hands stuffed deep in my pockets, and took him back in.

Then immediately headed for work.

The sun was just on the horizon by the time I got there. Hardly any girls either. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Jeanie wasn't there yet. I headed right for Celine's desk and smiled with all my teeth. "I'm here!" I said.

Celine looked at me with approval. And a hint of surprise. "And who is this?" she asked standing up and looking me over. "Are you here for an audition? You new?" I rolled my eyes and laughed.

"I know, I know. I haven't been an ideal employee. But I'm going to be better from now on," I said. "I'll be your best dancer, I promise."

"I'm glad to hear it," Celine said. "I've got you signed up for fourth with Dorothy. Would you like to add more?"

"How many spaces you got?"

**********

Dress on and makeup done, I was ready for a show. I picked my orange dress to wear again since it helped me so much the first time. While I danced with Scout last night I had come up with a stellar routine. It would need a faster paced song to go with it so I picked Somebody to Love by Jefferson Airplane. I requested it be played for my midnight dance. There'd be plenty of clients by then to impress and I'd earn a lot more.

"How'd you get here before me?" Jeanie asked as she gaped at all the spots filled with my name.

"I took your advice," I said. "I hauled ass to get here."

Jeanie managed to get in a couple spots after me. Henriette just got back from her dance holding the biggest stack of money I'd seen her with yet. "Turns out the guests tonight love blondes," she said hurrying past me to pay off her house debts early. I saw Sally beam at her words.

Blonde or not, I would show those customers who I was. What I could do. I had to build enough confidence in myself to pull this new routine off. If I doubted for even one moment, it was all over.

Soon enough midnight rolled around and it was my turn to get onstage. Dorothy, who was paired with me again, fixed her kinky curls in the mirror and followed me out to the stage. She didn't mind my choice of song as she was just happy to not get KISS again. "They're killing me with that band," she said. "Every night! Hottest band in the world my arse!"

I laughed and we took the stage. It was dark save a few colored lights beaming down on us. I took the pole in the front since Dorothy had it the last time. The song started and I began my routine. Using the pole as my partner, I danced for them.

Some of them paid right away and I collected the notes with my feet like always. I kept my hair down so it would fly around when I turned my head. It looked wilder than ever. I spread my arms and sauntered across the stage, making sure to really sway my hips. Putting my hands on my knees and giving the crowd a seductive look, I held my hand out. Right as a man reached out to grab it I pulled away and kept going.

Sometimes this job was a lot of fucking fun.

The cheers really started now. I looked back at Dorothy who was having a great time. Men and women walked across the floor with their trays of drinks from the bar and I knew I'd be having one myself after tonight. The colored lights flashed across the club and once in a while I'd see a face. It was usually so dark I couldn't see anybody but tonight I could pick out a few people.

Especially one in particular.

Oh my God....

I slowed my dance as the light flashed away from his face. It couldn't have been him. It just couldn't. Picking up the pace I tried to ignore the feeling in my gut. I also kept glancing back where I saw him in case the lights should show his face again.

They did. And I wasn't mistaken.

There, with a couple of friends and drinks, was Bon Scott.

His eyes widened when he recognized me.

So distracted I was that I stumbled over myself and almost fell, using the pole to catch me. The music faded and I started to feel light headed. I stayed close to the pole for the rest of my dance so I wouldn't pass out and fall over. I was already embarrassed for messing up my dance, how much worse could things get?

Finally the song ended. I stumbled my way offstage, Dorothy looking at me with concern. I made it backstage and she quickly grabbed me a chair to sit in. "What happened, Esther?" she asked getting me a bottle of water.

"I..." I couldn't tell them the truth. "I don't know. Just got a bit dizzy is all."

Betty and Henriette came running up to me with concern. "What happened? Is she okay?"

"I'm fine," I insisted. I hated all this unnecessary attention. "Really, I am."

Celine came rushing over and I groaned. Now I had gotten everyone's attention and felt like the biggest fraud in the world. All that confidence for nothing. Of all people Bon Scott just had to be here and it threw me off. And now he knew. Now he knew where I worked and probably had a million thoughts running through his head. I did too. He was here too, after all. I worked here, what was his excuse?

Dorothy handed me a pile of money I had left onstage. "Thank you," I said taking it.

"What happened?" Celine asked looking me over. "Do I need to call a doctor?"

"No, Celine, I'm fine-"

"She had some kind of dizzy spell," Dorothy said. "She looked like she was about to faint."

"I'm fine," I insisted. Celine felt my forehead and examined my eyes. I held still hoping I'd be given the all clear. Then everything could go back to normal and I could have some time for myself to think.

"You do look a bit pale, Loulou," Celine said. "Did something happen with one of the clients?"

I stiffened. "No, of course not."

"I'll tell you what happened," Jeanie said coming to stand by me. We all waited for what she had to spout about, me clenching my fists. "Isn't it obvious?" Jeanie looked around at all of us. "Esther let her confidence get the best of her."

Celine held up a hand. "Now, Jeanie, that's not-"

"She shows up extra early to make us all look bad," Jeanie went on. "Then she steals all the good dancing spots so none of us even have a chance. And on top of that, she starts a new routine that maybe she hadn't practiced enough."

"You fucking-!" I yelled as I tried to grab Jeanie by the hair. Dorothy and Celine both pulled me back to my chair while Jeanie hid behind Betty and Margot. The other girls formed a barrier between the wolf and her prey. I lashed out at anyone who was in my line of sight before the two threw me down on the chair.

"Easy, tiger," one of the girls murmured. I sat there, my blood running hot and my face flushed red. How dare Jeanie say that about me. Jeanie Patterman, who was born to stand above everyone else and make us feel like shit, called me over confident. Saying I flubbed because I supposedly did everything she does on a regular fucking basis? That was my fucking downfall? Unbelievable. There's no way anyone bought that.

"Both of you get it together before I send you home," Celine said. "Now that's enough out of you, Jeanie. And Esther..." Celine knelt down to look at me and I avoided her ice cold gaze. "We've talked about this. You can't let your anger take over."

I most certainly fucking could.

"It was just...." I looked down at my six inch heels. "It's these stupid shoes," I said putting the blame on something. "I must have tripped over them again."

"Get used to it, it's our uniform," Jeanie said and I almost ignored Celine's words and threw my six inch heel right at her face. "You signed up for this job. Don't like it, get a new one."

"Enough, Jeanie," Celine barked. "Esther, maybe you should take the rest of the night off."

I looked at her in shock. "No way!" I said. "I can go on again, I'm perfectly fine!" Celine sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, her glasses getting in the way. "I didn't bust my ass getting here to get sent home!"

"I know that, Loulou, and I'm proud of you for showing initiative," Celine said. "But I can't have you passing out onstage and getting hurt."

"Oh, come on, I hardly passed out," I huffed. I looked to Dorothy for confirmation. She looked unsure.

"You were pretty close to falling, Esther," she said. "I was worried you wouldn't make it through the song." Well that was just great. Now Celine would for sure kick me out.

"I'm just having an off night," I said, trying to keep calm. I looked to Celine. "Can't you put me in the bar or something?"

"I'm sorry, Loulou, it's filled," she said. I groaned and put my head in my hands. How could I let one glimpse of that man fuck up my whole night? "How about you cancel your next dance. Then if you still feel okay I'll let you go onstage again." I sighed. That was the best I could do.

"Sure," I said. "Whatever."

"All right, girls, let's get back to business," Celine said as she marched back to her desk. "Lizzy, Sally, you're both up."

I stayed put in my chair and drank my water. Jeanie smirked at me before walking off and I flipped her off when she wasn't looking. "I'm sorry, Esther, I didn't know what else to do," Dorothy said. "I'd hate for you to be sick onstage with everybody watching."

I sighed. "I know," I said. "Thanks."

"You'll be okay, Esther?" Henriette asked shyly. I gave her a thumbs up.

"Right as rain."

I was so fucking mad at myself.

**********

I paced the backstage area till my feet were sore. My next dance wasn't for a while but I was still nervous. What if I fucked this one up too? Celine would insist I take a vacation or something. What if Bon were still out there? He must have seen my stumble, he must have seen me make a complete fool of myself. I didn't know if I could dance with him watching. What the hell was he doing here? And how often did he come to places like these?

I finished my bottle of water and threw it away. I felt refreshed now and not so pale or lightheaded. When the time came, I would strut right back onstage and finish what I started. Bon or no Bon. I wouldn't let myself be taken by surprise.

Lucille, a thin Irish girl with a skip in her step came up to me. She looked excited. "Esther! Someone's asking for you!"

"Asking for me?" She nodded.

"In the VIP room," she said and my heart fluttered. Was she serious?

"Are you serious?" I asked. She nodded again. "Right now?"

"Right now," she said. "But I warn you. He's not that cute."

Great.

But hey. I like plain guys, remember? What these girls might consider average, I call cute. Alright, let's see this man.

I made my way through the club, sneaking past Celine in case she thought I was trying to sneak on the stage or something. It was dark enough to keep me hidden. The VIP room was more like a set of rooms. That way we weren't all together while we gave the clients their private dances. I knew not all clubs ran that way and I was thankful ours did. One room was occupied with Beatrice's card in the plastic holder on the door. My card had been placed on the door across from it.

I took a deep breath. I relaxed my shoulders. Clients could tell when you were nervous and that made the dances more awkward than they needed to be. Deep down I was thrilled. I hadn't been called for a private dance in weeks. This would make up for everything. Slipping inside the little room, I came face to face with the client.

Who happened to be Bon Fucking Scott.

I stood there, frozen by the door. He was sitting in the chair with a glass of whiskey in his hand. He smiled at me. "Hi, Esther."

"This isn't fucking happening," I muttered, pacing the floor. Bon stood up and I backed away from him. "What are you doing here?"

"I jus' wanted to talk," he said, keeping his voice calm and quiet. It did nothing to quell my nervous state. First I embarrass myself onstage and now I'm embarrassing myself here. "I wanted to make sure you were okay..." He stuffed his free hand in the pocket of his jeans and shrugged. "After what happened...."

I scoffed. "Gee, thanks."

"I'm serious." His eyes held no malicious intent whatsoever. I stopped pacing to listen to him. "I jus' came by with some friends, ya' know? Have a few drinks, see a few women..." He shifted his weight from foot to foot and stared at the floor. "Have a bit of fun, ya' know? Honestly, I had no clue you worked here."

I ran my hands through my hair, pulling through the tangles. "I know you didn't," I said, calming down.

"Bit of a shock really," he said cracking a smile. "You dance good, Esther." My face flushed and I crossed my arms.

"Thanks," I mumbled.

"Really, this is a nice place." Bon looked around the little VIP room we were in. It was dimly lit with plush furniture and hardwood flooring. "Might have to give it another go."

"Could you tell me beforehand?" I asked. "So I don't fall off the stage again?" Bon attempted a smile and I laughed. It was time to address the elephant in the room. "So...you really don't want a dance?"

"Nah," he said. "I mean...wouldn't be the worst thing in the world...." He winked at me and I lightly punched his arm. "But I jus' wanted to talk. Really." He gestured to a second glass of whiskey sitting on a side table by the chair. "I uh...bought a glass for you too."

"Oh, you shouldn't have," I said, making him laugh. "But really, you shouldn't have, I probably shouldn't drink during work hours." Unless you were working the bar. You had to make sure the ingredients were okay for clients.

"You dancin' again?"

"I don't know," I said. "After that little stunt you pulled my boss said I should take a break." Bon dropped his gaze to his shoes. "Hey, it wasn't your fault. I'll take a glass." I grabbed the glass from off the table and took a long drink. "You have a smoke?" Bon reached into his pocket and pulled out a carton of cigarettes, handing me one. He offered me a lighter and I let the nicotine consume me. It had been ages since I'd had a proper cigarette. I let myself fall back into the chair opposite Bon's and relaxed.

"So how long have you worked here?" Bon asked.

"Three years," I said. "Auditioned when I was nineteen. Mom wasn't thrilled but only because she knows how dangerous it can be for the workers." Bon nodded as he listened. "You come to clubs often?"

Bon shrugged. "Been to a few," he admitted. "I mean, hey. Anythin' to support you lovely women, right?" I raised my glass as a sort of cheers and took a drink.

"You're too kind, Bon."

"An' you really were great up there," Bon continued. "Of all the dancers I've seen in my life, you're my favorite." I felt my heart flutter. Surely he had to be charming me. "Must be hard gettin' on those poles though, huh?"

I shrugged. "Can be. Especially in these death traps." I lifted my foot to show him my shoe. "I use the pole as more of a support. I don't do the stunts."

"You were still great."

"Thanks." I watched the ice clink around in my glass. "So....you're not....you won't think of me any differently?" I asked. "Now that you know what I do?"

He shook his head adamantly. "Course not, Esther, I wouldn't dream of it," he said and I smiled. "Ya' didn't send me away when ya' saw all my tattoos an' all, did ya'? Or when you found out I sang in a band or when ya' met the band?"

Aside from the few doubts I had about his intentions, I hadn't sent him away for that. "I suppose not."

"Rent's not gonna pay itself, like," Bon said. "Ya' do what ya' gotta do to keep your head above the water, ya' know?"

"Damn straight," I said. It was a dog eat dog world out there. Everything cost money and sometimes you just had to do what it took to stay alive. "I will say, your job seems a lot more glamorous than mine."

"How's that?" Bon asked. I took a drag off the cigarette.

"You get to travel the world and stay in fancy hotels, girls throwing themselves at your feet..." Bon laughed.

"Well....I wouldn't say all that," he said. "We travel, sure, but it's for concerts an' the like. Don't get to stay put long enough to see anythin'. An' the hotels really aren't that fancy," he said, his voice getting quiet again. "But we have a good time."

"Hoping to make it rich?" I asked.

"Sure am," he said. "Gonna get me a proper house an' settle down."

"I'd love a proper house," I said. "I can only afford my apartment though."

"Eh, you'll get one eventually," Bon said smiling. "Jus' takes a bit of patience, ya' know?"

I smiled back. "I sure do."

**********

Bon and I talked for longer than we intended. We got so wrapped up in conversation I had completely forgotten I was still working. Lucille came looking for me and her eyes widened to see me drinking and smoking my second cigarette. "Am I...interrupting something?" she said, her eyes on Bon.

"Of course not," I said standing up in a hurry. "I'll be right out." Lucille skipped away and I looked back at Bon. "Time's up," I said. "I had a nice time."

"Likewise," he said. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. Before I knew it he was pulling out a few notes. "Here." He held them out to me.

"You don't have to," I said feeling skittish. "Clients pay us to dance, not talk." Bon insisted.

"Hey, I was the one wastin' your time, not the other way around." I took the money from him. "Figured I owed ya' somethin' after scarin' you on the job."

In the spur of the moment I rushed over to the bar where two girls were serving up some cocktails. They looked surprised to see me so out of breath and red faced. "Does anyone have a pen and some paper?" One of the girls set her mixture down and reached behind the counter. She pulled out an old pencil and a business card for the club. "Thank you." I took them and rushed back toward Bon who had been waiting patiently for me to come back. I wrote my number on the card and handed it to him. "It's my number," I said shyly. "Give me a call sometime."

Bon grinned. "Will do, Esther."

I beamed up at him and froze when he leaned over to kiss my cheek. He grinned as we left the room together, the music much louder than before. It was hard to see who was dancing onstage but I thought I saw Henriette and Margot. Before Celine could scold me for taking so long with a customer I said my goodbyes to Bon. "Nice seeing you again," I said over the music.

"An' a pleasure it was talkin' to ya'," he said. "I'd better be goin' myself."

"What about your friends?" Bon turned to see his friends engrossed in the show.

"Eh. They're alright," he said. "I don't think they know I'm gone."

And with that, Bon left the club and I stood there feeling elated. This night didn't turn out as bad as I thought. Tucking Bon's money into my garter, I made my way backstage.

And once I was there, I heard a petrifying scream. There stood Jeanie; eyes aglow and fanning her face. "Are you sure? You think that was him?"

"I've never seen the band before so I don't know for sure...." Beatrice said. "But I took a peek in the room and I think it was him."

Jeanie screamed again. I looked around for Celine to see if she would come running in with a bat to scare off whoever was hurting her girls. "This can't be happening!" she squealed, jumping up and down in her heels." Beatrice looked at me over Jeanie's shoulder and Jeanie turned around. "Esther!" She hustled to me and put her hands on my shoulders. "Was that Bon Scott with you in the VIP room?" she asked. I shirked from her stare. "So help me God if you're all playing a prank..."

I debated on telling her. But she didn't have to know I knew him, just that he had made a trip to the club. It wasn't uncommon for rockstars to go to clubs and things like that. It didn't mean anything in terms of our friendship. "Yes," I said. "It was."

Jeanie shrieked right in my face and I stumbled backwards. Fucking hell, she was loud. "I have to get a dance with him," she said. "I have to. Or dance for him onstage, something!"

Dare I tell her he left? Do I dare pop her shrill, helium filled balloon? It was tempting...But before I could say anything Jeanie went running out to look for him. I took my money with me to my bag and and stuffed it away. Beatrice grinned at me. "I've never seen the Grinch so excited!" she said.

After talking with Bon I felt better about how my night went, but I decided to go home. Maybe tell Celine I really had fallen ill and needed the night off. I changed into my regular clothes and zipped my bag up. I wiped all my makeup off and splashed some cold water on my face from the sink. Loud stomping came in the room and I went to investigate.

"Of all the fucking luck!" Jeanie said. She had plopped down into a chair and crossed her arms. She looked pissed. "I finally get the chance to woo Bon Scott and he's gone!" She saw me and pointed a finger at me. "You weren't lying about it, were you, Esther?"

"No," I said. "Bon was here with a couple of friends, I saw him." I shrugged and gathered my things. "He must have left."

Jeanie wailed in despair and put her head in her hands. I smirked like the Devil Himself.

**********

I angrily threw my violin case into the trash can. I never wanted to see that stupid thing ever again. Despite all my best efforts I hadn't gotten the hang of playing it and no amount of practice would bring Dad back.

He was gone.

Instead I grabbed a suitcase from under my bed. I wasn't staying here in this apartment. I couldn't stay here knowing Dad would never sit in his recliner again. Knowing he'd never come home from work ever again. Knowing we'd never see him again.

I had to leave.

There weren't many places for a preteen like me to go but I'd find somewhere. Maybe stay at a friend's house or something. From all my huffing and crying and throwing clothes around I didn't hear Mom come into my room. "What are you doing, Esther?" she asked.

"Leaving," I sobbed, not turning to look at her. I didn't want her to see her daughter this way. Mom didn't respond. "I'm leaving and I'm not coming back."

I heard her walk to my trash can and pull the case out. "Why are you throwing this away?" she asked. She sounded heartbroken.

"It's a piece of junk and I'm no good," I said zipping my suitcase closed. I wished she would leave so I could make plans for a bus ticket. I had enough money to last me a while. Money I secretly saved up to help pay for Dad's medicine. Medicine he didn't need anymore.

"Your father wouldn't have wanted you to quit," Mom said.

"Well he's not here anymore, is he?" I screamed at her, finally turning around. Her eyes were red and her cheeks were wet. She had just finished packing up his guitar and records to sell. I couldn't stand to watch her do it. Money or not, those were Dad's favorite things and she was getting rid of them. Why couldn't I get rid of my stupid violin if I wanted?

Mom set my case down on the floor and opened her arms for a hug. In spite of myself I ran to her and hugged her, letting my tears fall on her dress. She was warm and smelled like fresh pastries. My sobs came out muffled as she smoothed my hair.

"I miss him more than you'll ever know, Pucci," she said, her voice cracking. "He was my best friend. And if you really want to give up the violin you can. But...just know your father loved hearing you play. And so do I."

"I'm awful at it," I sobbed.

"You're better than you used to be," she said. "And if you keep practicing you'll be a pro in no time." I didn't believe her. But I let her go on. "And I don't think running away is a good idea either."

"I don't care," I said. Mom sighed and kissed my hair.

"Dinner will be ready in an hour," she said. "I love you." And without another word she left me alone. I stood there in the middle of the room. The violin case lay in front of me; my suitcase behind me.

I had a choice to make.