Chapter 22
“Alice Newton, are you listening to me?”
Erm, honestly Professor - no, no I wasn't.
“Yes, Professor, sorry Professor.”
“Well then perhaps you'd like to offer your opinions on the matter to the class.”
Shit, what was the question?!
“Ummm, well, I suppose that, ummm, David's idea is the best. It resonates best with the viewer.”
Professor McNulty shook his head at the front of the class. “Alice, you clearly haven't been listening. See me after class in my office.”
F*ck it.
Tess had kept quiet next to me and pulled her 'oh shit, I've been caught' face as Professor McNulty returned his questioning to the rest of the class.
“Busted,” she whispered, cracking a light smile.
'Busted again' might be a more appropriate way of putting it. The same thing had happened with my other lecturers over the last couple of weeks, my mind almost entirely preoccupied with certain other parts of my life.
I'd danced several more times since I'd seen off my stripping virginity, always in different places, always with Kyle front and center in my mind. I'd taken to visualizing him sitting there as I performed, seeing him in the place of whoever I was dancing for.
The whole thing was becoming routine for me, my once frayed nerves now cast to iron. I would walk to see the client confidently, throwing my clothes to the floor with vigor. I relished seeing them turn to mumbling schoolboys at my feet, these rich and powerful men crushed by my sexuality.
It had made other parts of my life seem so much more mundane though, my studies once more beginning to suffer. I was beginning to wonder what the point of being at college was at all as I fell further and further into the world I had recently joined.
Upon graduation I'd be left with heavy debts and the promise of what? A $30,000 grad scheme with 'excellent prospects for advancement'. Yeah, sure, if I even manage to get a job. I'd heard too many stories of top drawer graduates ending on the scrapheap and having to work for pennies just to get by. There was no reason why that wouldn't be me.
This new world, this new life, it gave me a way out of that, it helped give me the support that I needed. I didn't have a rich family to fall back on like Tess. I had nothing, no one, except myself. I'd been given this opportunity, and I wasn't going to let it go to waste.
“Alice, speak to me, what's been going on with you recently?” asked Professor McNulty as I stood like a naughty schoolgirl in front of him in his messy office.
“Nothing sir, I've just been busy with a new job. I'll get things straight soon.”
He looked over me curiously, nodding. “It is a burden that many students have to bear. But you are a very bright girl Alice, I'd hate to see you throw your education away. I advise you manage your time better if you're to fulfill your potential.”
“I will sir, thanks for the advice.”
I didn't really believe what I was saying. The advise was so obvious a monkey could have given it to me. I suppose there was little else he could say anyway - he hardly knew my personal situation intimately enough to offer any insight of value.
The truth was, though, that I had all the time in the world to devote to my studies. My only commitments were in the evening, and my sessions with Mrs Jones. It wasn't like I was working a 6 hour shift each night like I used todo at the restaurant. Then I had a real excuse, but now? Now I was working a fraction of that and earning many times more. There was no real excuse.
Tess caught me outside of the office and we headed off for a coffee before our next class.
“So talk to me,” she said, her eyes inquisitive. “What's going on with you?”
I knew what she was talking about - her fascination with my dancing was all consuming, a hot topic whenever we hung out. In fact, it was beginning to get on my nerves - it wasn't necessarily something I wanted to discuss all hours of the day.
“Same old story hun.”
“Same old story? That's what you're giving me! Come on, spill, what's going on with the stripping?”
“F*ck Tess, keep your voice down. I don't mind you knowing but the whole damn college? You know what it's like round here - rumors catch on like an Australian wildfire.”
“All right,” she said, hushing her voice and repeating the original question, “so what is going on? I haven't seen you much recently.”
“It's fine, I try to block it out to be honest.”
“Girl, come on, why are you being so closed off.”
I wish she'd get off my case. “I don't know what you want me to say. It's a job, one I don't want to do. I do it because I have to Tess, and don't really wanna talk about it around here.”
“Jesus Alice, chill. Breathe, just breathe.” F*ck she could be condescending sometimes.
“Anyway,” she continued, “I don't believe you. I see it in your eye. You enjoy it.” She sat back in her chair and cradled her oversized coffee mug in her hands, a semi conceited look on her face.
I shook my head and exhaled, trying my best to cover my lies. She'd hit the nail on the head - I was enjoying it.
“I mean, it's not as bad as I thought it would be. Mrs Jones is pretty good at helping you learn to block it all out, to put on this front. She says it's like playing a part, acting a role. I don't really see it as being me, so it's easier to deal with.”
Tess was looking at me with an envious eye. I knew full well she wanted a piece of the action. “Can we go down to the club?” she asked suddenly.
She must have been kidding. “Erm, I'm not sure you're the sort of client they want down there Tess. They very exclusive.”
“Client - no I wouldn't be a client. I'd be your friend, just seeing your place of work.”
I shook my head. “No, just no.”
“Oh come on, I really wanna see what goes on down there. I've always wanted to see a strip club - and even more now that you're working in one!”
I sat back in my seat. I knew she wouldn't quit until she got her way. That's what happens when you grow up as a little princess getting everything handed to you on a silver platter.
“They won't let you in,” I said blankly. “Private clients, all of them vetted. It's not a place where you just turn up at the door, pay your entry fee, and walk in Tess.”
“Babe, you're not listening! I'm not a client, I'm your friend. I'm sure they'd let me in if I was with you, just to have a look around. You're the prize jewel down there aren't you?!”
She was insufferably persistent, like a dog with a f*cking bone. “Fine - fine I'll take you down there. But ONLY YOU - don't tell anyone else about it.”
Her bright white teeth appeared from beneath her lips. “Babe, have I told anyone so far? No. Am I going to? No. God, chill out and trust me would you!”
Trust Tess? Chance would be a fine thing.