"Thank you, Eleanor. I'll see you later tonight. Stay out of trouble," I teased, but as I left her quarters and started down the hall, I realized that nothing was stopping her from leaving. She could get in trouble, and I'd get punished for it. I almost turned back, but Henry, a Daddy, caught up with me and we went down together, meeting the others by the elevators.
"I wasn't sure you'd actually make it, Callahan," Ju-Won welcomed me and we piled into the elevator. He pushed the code in to go down to Gen Pop. "You're in for a treat. You see, There are places Daddies can go that DITs don't have access to."
The men around me chuckled.
"What's that mean?" I asked.
"You'll see. I think this trip will help you get your frustrations about Eleanor out of your system."
I didn't like how he said that. Dread began to slowly slide down my throat and rest deep in my belly as we went lower and lower, finally reaching a floor I'd never been to. The doors opened and the men poured out into the dimly lit hall. I was pushed out, and inhaled the deep smell of cigars and old beer.
"Come on, New Daddy." Henry laughed and waved me to follow them.
My head swiveled left to right as I took in the sights. Music was pouring from every business, and people danced in front of them, as well as inside from what I could see. Everything was dark and lit up with neon signs. We kept walking until we saw a pink neon sign.
Dirty Darlings.
I hesitated at the door, but Ju-Won caught my elbow and urged me forward.
"Don't be a pussy, get in there."
"What is this?" I asked.
"It's a peep show, man. Now, are you a Daddy or not? Because I can speak to the warden and tell him you're not mature enough to be one. He'll send you right back to the DIT barracks with your tail between your legs."
There was no way that was happening. When I still didn’t move, I was shoved from behind. I stumbled forward into Dirty Darlings.
‘A Big Hunk O' Love’, by Elvis was playing loudly from somewhere. I righted myself and looked around. There were red velvet tables spread throughout the room, and a stage on the far wall. Daddies were already taking their seats and getting their drink orders taken by beautiful women in short dresses.
"You ever see a babe like that?" Ju-Won asked.
I hated to tell him I'd had and ruin his excitement. While I'd never been to this specific establishment, Milton had dragged us DITs to shady bars where we met some women with the morals of men.
"Let's go take a seat and enjoy the show."
I joined him and a few Daddies at a table. We had whiskey and watched women dance on stage, removing their clothes and revealing pasties over their nipples. After a few drinks, I began to let loose with the others. I hooted and hollered at the women. We pulled our wallets out and offered them CAFEbucks for putting their chests on our arms, or faces, in Ju-Won’s and many other’s cases. They tried to get me to let a woman named Barbara put her sweaty breasts in my face, but I politely declined.
There was only one set of breasts I was interested in and they weren't here.
After a few hours of watching the show, Henry stood and cleared his throat. "Well, I'm ready for the VIP treatment." I stood with them all, and we went to the house manager, who took us to a back room. There were about five or six girls lounging on velvet couches who leaped up with excitement when they saw us.
"Daddies!" They screamed.
My blood chilled. What was this?
"You know the drill." Henry walked forward with his arms stretched out. "Where's my hug?"
I cringed back and tried to leave, but a large man blocked the doorway.
"We'll go change," one woman said and they quickly went through another door. We were all directed to sit down on the couches. My breathing began to quicken. I wasn't exactly sure what was going on, but I wanted no part in it. Moments later, the women returned and I was done. I stood back up and tried to bolt but was shoved back down.
"You want to be a Daddy, don't you?" Henry barked.
I shook my head. I did not. Not if this was what we were doing. I looked at the girls, all taking seats on the mens laps. They were dressed in crudely made copies of the Young Lady dresses. They were worn and didn't quite fit properly. Ribbons were torn and dangling from skirts, and some had brown and yellow stains on them.
"Give him the pink one." Ju-Won nodded to the only girl in the pink dress. The blood drained from my face. Her dark brown hair was in long pigtails.
"What's your name, Daddy?" The woman smiled and walked toward me. She saddled me and put her hands on my shoulders. "Or better yet, what's mine?"
