2019-08-19 - Back Again

The club is in full swing tonight, with two entertainers -- a blonde and a brunette -- splitting the pole. A few customers are situated around the rail, while several more line the bar. Among the bar patrons is the over-dressed Antonio, who sips a dirty martini while attired in a dark suit with purple necktie. A blonde and busty 20-something works the bar, slinging drinks with a smile and shimmy.

Park has shown up to try her luck with Antonio. Informed that he is now present - she left her details on a napkin - she bounds into the club with enthusiasm. Her cheeks blushing once she sees the ladies on stage. A moment to compose herself before she heads to the bar, walking gingerly lest there is another incident with spilled beer. "Hi!" she beams to the man in a suit - he looks important - before attempting to get the barkeep's attention with a friendly wave. She should know where Antonio is.

"Uh, yeah, hi." The club owner lifts his martini glass to his lips and takes a sip, shooting a smirk to the bartender before bringing his attention squarely on the newcomer. "Welcome to the best little strip club in a hundred miles, young lady. And what's your name?" He arches his eyebrows as he poses the question.

Should she talk to a stranger? In a strip club? Park is dressed in a not very sexy way - sneakers, jeans, t-shirt, jacket, a satchel bag over one shoulder. "Mee Park." That must be her name. "Or Park Mee if you prefer, that's technically more accurate...and has people saying jokes about my name." Her brow furrows. "Are there other strip clubs around? Doesn't matter. I'm hoping to get a job here." Her eyes go wide before she quickly points out. "Not as a dancer! Oh gosh, no. I don't have any ta-tas."

"Don't need big boobs as long as you can shake that ass, sweetie." Antonio doesn't mince words as he drinks, laughing as if to punctuate his words. "But you wanna do something else, huh? Like a cocktail waitress? Hell yeah." He smirks.

"Umm...my ass isn't much to look at either" Park sighs sadly as she looks around at the women currently employed at the club. She may feel a little inferior. At least Zoiya isn't showing off her breasts this time. "I was hoping to be a DJ. I'm a musician. I thought I was going to be in a band but that didn't work out, so I thought that maybe I could do something musical here. I just need to find the boss to talk to them." Still no luck in getting the barkeep's attention either.

And no luck keeping Antonio's attention either as he slips away after security has a word in his ear. Not being aware of who Antonio is, Park assumes that he is in trouble with the club. How sad. She tries waving at the busty blonde barkeep again. No reaction. She's used to this.

Dahlia approached the bar around this time, having just finishing a table dance. She's wearing a mostly seethrough white dress that hugs her in all the right places and is very clearly not wearing any undergarments underneath. Hair pulled up in a messy bun, pale skin flushed red from dancing. She motions to the bartender for a water. "Thanks, honey." Flashing her an easy smile. "And whatever this pretty thing wants." Dahlia added, noting Park had been trying to get her attention too.

"Saw you were talkin' to boss man. Looking for work?" Quirking a brow to the woman.

"Thank you" Park smiles to Dahlia for the drink order before eyes go wide once more at adjacent female nudity; even if through a dress that may as well not be there. She quickly looks away. "That was Antonio?" She can be so stupid sometimes. "I will have a water too, thank you. Yes, I am hoping to be a DJ. Or do something musical." A beat. "Not dancing. I do not have ta-tas or ass. You are much better...equipped. Did the dancing go well?" She seems rather clumsy at making conversation.

"Oh you're adorable." Dahlia purred, a Cheshire-like grin on her features. "It was indeed. Don't mind him though. He'll be back around I'm sure." She also has no qualms with invading peoples personal space because she tucks some strands of Park's hair behind her ear and then picks up her water to take a long sip. "You should really talk to Lyric too. She's the DJ right now, and I'm sure she'd be happy for some help now and then so she can get a break. She could put in a good word to the Man too." Dahlia offered and then gave a soft chuckle. "The dancing went just fine. I love the dancing. But I love the teasing better." Leaning in a touch as she spoke the last sentence, as if it was some kind of secret.

Park unconsciously pats at the hair that was moved, doing her best to look cool but failing. "Lyric? That's a nice name...appropriate too. I don't want to stand on anyone's toes but she probably doesn't work twenty-four hours. Does she?" A few mouthfuls of water to help her relax as Dahlia gets even closer to whisper in her ear. "You are very good at teasing" she smiles bashfully.

"I hope she doesn't. This is my second job. We sort of work on a...as we feel like it basis? So I just come on the days I'm not bartending and don't need a totally off day." Dahlia offered as she leaned back to give Park some space. Flashing her a grin. "Why thank you! You look a little familiar, you grow up around here?" Dahlia was a few years her senior, they probably saw each other in passing a time or two around town at the very least when they were both younger. Before Dahlia up and left after high school.

Park is less uncomfortable about the proximity than she is envious of the beautiful, powerful, self-assured women who work here. "You have two jobs? Wow. I'm also studying. Dentistry." There is no enthusiasm in her tone about that field of study. "I did grow up here" she nods excitedly. "Class of 2015. Sorry, I don't remember you. I would have...definitely. But I spent most of my time studying."

"Sure do. Here and I also bartend down at the Firefly Club. " Dahlia nodded, eyeing Park a moment. "Dentistry huh? That sounds about as boring as you think it is." Offering her a touch of a smile. "Where are you studying? At the college here?" Not really familiar with what the college offers. "I was class of 2012 so nothing to apologize for hun. And I left as soon as I graduated." A shrug of her shoulders. "Yet, we always seem to come right back."

"It's a nice town" Park shrugs as a reason to keep coming back - though she doesn't sound convincing. "Yes, the local college. My father is a dentist and my mother is a dental assistant, so it runs in the family. Expected, you know?" She looks around at the club. "They would freak if they knew I was here" she giggles, though she seems proud that she is at the club. "It is boring" she nods, "Especially compared to music. Is the Firefly club another strip club? Because Antonio said this was the best one for a hundred miles."

"It sounds like a strip club doesn't it? I keep saying that but...whatever. No one listens to me. Also, it makes no sense to change it." Dahlia laughed. "It's just a regular bar and dance club. No stripping. Swing by sometime and say hi." She mused. "Antonio says a lot of things. Most of them are at least semi-accurate." Another drink of water and then she giggled again. "Going through that rebellious phase huh?"

"Do you think I am a rebel?" Park seems quite excited to be identified as one; there's even a hair flick of pride. "Yeah, they'd have to change all the signs and stationery. No point in doing all that. It's not a bad name. Maybe I should check it out. I like to dance. Though, you know, nowhere near as good as you."

From the belly of the beast comes Cristobal, emerging from the back of the club where only the employees and the occasional guest of the bossman are allowed. One of the newest additions to the Platinum is this particular man, who seems to have been given the position of one of the bouncers. Giving one last check of his phone with a frown, he shoves it in his back pocket. Wearing a black on black ensemble of taunt t-shirt and dark jeans, he tends to blend into the shadows until needed. He walks by one table that currently has a school girl gyrating on top of it, leaning to whisper something to a patron that has his hand down his pants. Whatever low word is exchanged, has the ruddy faced customer rushing to throw a couple twenties on the table and rush to the exit. Satisfied, Cristobal heads to the bar.

"Well, if you're here and your parents would flip their shit if they found out? That's being a rebel." Dahlia gave her a little nudge. "I love to dance. Though, Zoiya is way better than me. But I'm happy to dance with you any time honey. Or on you." Another wink and a tease. Seeing Cristobal heading their way, she lifted her hand in a wave. "Settling in alright?" When he was closer. They likely haven't had too many interactions since Dahlia is only here a few times a week, but definitely at least know of each other as fellow employees!

"Yay, I am a rebel" Park giggles before Dahlia's offering to dance 'on' her? The rest of Park's beer disappears in a hurry...and she starts coughing afterwards. Still not used to the 'hard' stuff. "I cannot..." cough "Afford that kind of dance. Sorry. I am sure it would be wonderful." She is distracted by the appearance of Cristobal, offering the barman who never serves drinks a smile and a shy wave. Does he remember her?

"Settling implies staying." Cristobal intones with a slightly tilted grin to Dahlia, as he slides behind the bar. He flips over a glass and puts it on the mat, taking the ice scoop and jabbing it in the reservoir before sprinkling a few cubes into it and adding club soda. He does all this with one hand, keeping the other free and resting on his thigh. "Back again, Miss Park? You're persistent. I'll give you that." He ham fists a lime over the top of the glass, adding the splash of fruit to his nonalcoholic drink.

"I'll give you your first one free whenever you wanna get one." Dahlia promised, clearly enjoying flustering the younger woman. Then she gave Cristobal a feigned, wounded look. "Are you going to be leaving us so soon? And I was just starting to like you." Batting her lashes before she giggled again, finishing off her water. "She wants to help Lyric out, she was talking to Boss Man, but I guess he got pulled away or somethin' "

Cristobal remembers her! Park is not only a rebel, but memorable too. she nods to Dahlia's words about why she was here. "I didn't recognise Antonio when I was talking with him but he had to leave for something." A beat. "I don't think that was a 'no'. I should talk to Lyric too." A free lap dance from Dahlia. Park's cheeks find new shades of red. "That is very nice of you. Thank you."

Cristobal's eyes tick from Dahlia to Park at the mention of a free dance, one eyebrow cresting upwards but ultimately it's the dancers prerogative. "Yeah, well. He's a busy man." The bouncer makes no excuse for Antonio, just the vaguest of explanations in a tone meant to discourage further questions as to when or if he'll return tonight at all. He tilts his glass to his mouth, sipping the bubbling water. "I'm touched." The bland response to Dahlia indicates he obviously expects what she said to have been a joke.

"You're very welcome." Dahlia relaxed against the bar, eyeing the gathered patrons a moment. Maybe seeing who would be good to target next. "You should be." Dahlia winked to Cristobal, looking amused. "Can you hand me another water?" Since he was back there already anyway. "And even if the DJ thing doesn't work out- I hope you still come by now and again anyway." She offers to Park again. "How far along are you with the Dentist thing?"

Park nods to Cristobal's explanations about Antonio - much too polite to press. She is a patient soul. "I am making so many friends here, I will definitely visit even if I don't get a job" she grins happily - she must think that anyone who says 'hello' to her is a BFF. "A few more years yet" she sighs. "And least I will be a dentist rather than an assistant. But, it may all be moot, I could be a rock star by then. If I can find anyone who wants to play with me."

For a brief moment, it looks as if Cristobal is going to deny Dahlia's request out of some twisted sort of principle. Lips slightly parted, his tongue touches on the edge of one of his canines and he makes a sucking sound before he reaches down, pulls out a bottle of water from the cooler and plunks it down with a little crinkle of the plastic. "You want to voluntarily stick your hands in other people's mouths for a living." It should be a question, but it's not voiced as one.

Dahlia keeps an eye on Cristobal until he gives her the bottle of water. "Thank you." Flashing him that sweet as pie smile shes' so good at. Then looking back to Park. "So, question. What's the worst thing what would happen if you just told your parents you didn't want to be a dentist?"

"Don't you voluntarily stick more than hands in other people's mouths for fun?" Park giggles at Cristobal. "People need their teeth and they need to have them looked after" she adds in a more serious tone before looking to Dahlia. "I'd be disowned. Cut-off. No one in my family would ever talk to me again. Lose free dental cover. Well...cheaper dental cover." Her nose screws up. "I think they would be the good things." A deep breath as she looks around the club. "I don't think Antonio is coming back. It was very nice to meet you and I look forward to that dance." A little bow to the pair. "Good night."

"Sometimes being disowned isn't the worst thing that could happen." Dahlia offered with a light smile. Though she wasn't disowned so much as shut herself off. But,same principle right? "It was nice meeting you too, hun. Come back soon yeah?" Giving her a wiggle of fingers in a wave and taking another drink of water. Looking to Cristobal, "Guess I should go sneak in another dance or two before I call it a night. Don't have too much fun brooding."

"Touche." Cristobal's grin disappears behind the rim of his glass, more likely to obscure his amusement rather than needing a drink. Park gets a firm nod in farewell, and as Dahlia declares she's off to dance again, he says in a quiet rumble. "You know where I am if you need me."