“Ok, you can go.”
And just like that he dismissed her. She unlocked the door and walked out feeling low.
Everywhere she went in the club that night the other women giggled and laughed at her and the patrons side eyed her. She got half in tips than she had the previous night.
Zoe hadn’t said anything and now it was time to go to her place and wait for Dante. Zoe would have told her if there was a rumor that had to do with her wouldn’t she?
“You want to walk out together or do you need to collect your money? I wanted to talk to you.”
“Sure, I can get it later. What’s up?”
“Let’s get out of here first.” Zoe looked around.
Madison went to the room to grab her stuff. All the girls were in there talking, but stopped when she came in. “See you guys tomorrow.”
“Maybe,” Gina said.
“Not if we have anything to say,” Brittney said and sashayed past Madison and bumped into her and pushed her into the wall. The other girls followed, until it was just her and Sabrina who gave her a smug smile and walked out. Sabrina didn’t bother to say anything. Madison was hurt. This seemed beyond them being upset that there were different rules for her and them. But she didn’t understand where it was coming from. It was like everyone knew something Madison didn’t. She wanted to hide away and cry.
Madison headed out to find Zoe. “So, what’s up?” Her voice was shaky, and she kept bringing up what had happened in her mind.
“There’s been a rumor going around for a couple of days now that you’ve been playing innocent, but you haven’t just been on the stage but are sleeping around with others and with Dante and that you have an infection. The rumor and the infection have spread to the customers. That’s why there were not a lot tonight and only a few went to you.”
“Oh.” Fear and panic clawed at her throat. Each fought to get out.
“Yeah, the thing is some of the girls got tested and they have crabs and so do some of the clients. Enzo came around while you were on stage and said everyone needed to get tested and that they would have someone come.”
“Oh.” This was bad. If it affected the business and that meant she wouldn’t be making the money she needed and if she wasn’t bringing in money, would Dante let her keep the headliner position for the three months she needed to get her finances back on track?
“I know it’s not true. But I did want to tell you what’s going on, before you hear it another way.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“I can give you a ride.”
“That’s ok. I guess I need to be alone to process this.” Madison was going to head to the bus stop when one of the bouncers, Ed, called her name.
He walked over to her. “Boss wants to see you in the office.” His tone was gruff, but it always sounded like that. His face was as blank as a mannequin. Madison followed him into the building and up to Dante’s office.
As they reached the top of the steps, Gina, Amber and Brittney were leaving.
“I hope he fires her,” Gina said.
“I know, giving everyone crabs.” Brittney glared at her as the girls walked past.
“Go on in,” Ed said.
Madison’s head was on the chopping block. She hadn’t done anything wrong, and now she was going to lose her only source of income. As headliner, she had made way more than she had expected.
It was a consistent thousand dollars extra which made her wonder if she was getting special treatment and it wasn’t because she was the headliner. The girls worked at other clubs so the rumor would spread and no one would want her to work for them.
Inside the office was a man in a white coat sat on the couch. Dante stood in the corner, hidden in the shadows so she couldn’t make out his face.
“Madison, we’re doing mandatory STD testing on everyone. It seems someone had something and passed it around. Dr. Emory here will take your blood and give you an exam.”
Madison’s eyes widened. She had never been seen by a male doctor. She made sure all her doctors were female and even then getting her yearly pap exam was an embarrassing experience.
“Can’t I have my own doctor do it?”
