We reached a heavy door at the end. Throat Tattoo rapped on it twice, then opened it and gestured for me to step aside.
I did.
He shut the door behind me.
My heart dropped to my feet, but on the outside, I remained a poker-faced girl desperate for easy money.
The room was dimly lit with red walls and a massive wooden desk. A man sat behind it. He was dressed in a flashy blue suit, a navy tie, and leather shoes. His hair was thinning out, but styled perfectly. I suspected he had money to spend on his appearance. He just didn't know how to do it correctly.
"Hey," I said.
Cosmo looked up, eyes assessing. "Well, hello there, beautiful," he replied in a nasal voice.
"You Cosmo?" I asked as I chewed my gum.
"I am. Mr. H never mentioned anything."
"So what?" I shrugged. "He said you're cool and I'm here. Might as well do the audition or whatever it is you do here to get the gig."
Cosmo chuckled.
"You're ballsy. I'll give you that…eh… what's your name, sweetie?"
"Carla." I supplied him with the name Seven had instructed me to use. My pulse whooshed in my ears. I didn't know why I said what I said next, but I needed to eliminate any possibility of being caught. "Mr. H told me this is a cash-only establishment. So I didn't bring my ID."
Cosmo sat back, considered me. "You're a little old for this, aren't you?"
I forced a smile. "That's what they said about Marilyn."
"You know my girls here are all in their late teens and early twenties."
"I bet they don't have as much experience as I do."
Cosmo laughed. It was a loud, barking sound.
He got up and walked around the desk, flicking the switch on the wall. The room was suddenly filled with bright overhead light. He stood in front of me, then circled, slow, looking at the back of my head, the line of my jaw, my ankles.
"You say you have experience?"
"Plenty."
He stood in front of me again, hands behind his back. "Take off the jacket."
I did. Then dropped it on the couch.
He circled again, slower this time. It was a predator's walk. Every few seconds, he'd pause, studying some detail.
"Take off the dress," he ordered. His voice was different now, commanding.
Panic started to form in the pit of my stomach. The humiliation was total, but I expected this too.
I forced myself to reach for the zipper at my side.
I knew that any kind of hesitation would have him suspect me. Without saying a word, I peeled the dress away from my body. It pooled around my feet. I stepped out of it and spun in front of him. "How's that, Mr. Manager? Still a little old?"
I was left in the black strapless bra and the matching panties. I also knew I was in good shape. All that running paid off. And if he wasn't going to bite, then he'd be an idiot.
Cosmo said nothing. Just continued to inspect me for what seemed like forever, and I wondered if he'd ask me to get naked next. And even if he did, I probably would. I needed for this to be over. Whatever the cost.
