Music - Are You Satisfied by Marina and the Diamonds.

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Tony

I was playing with my peas when I realized I barely finished my food. I couldn't eat properly and I wasn't mentally keeping up with Todd and Joanne's conversation. They were talking about school anyway so I probably wouldn't be able to relate.

Who would have thought the huge money I got from my previous client was a foreshadowing of my morning job's inevitable demise? Definitely not me. I couldn't depend on my night job as that would only mean I had to get fucked every night. My ass would voluntarily fall off of my body if that happened. If I had a choice, and if only the diner gave better wages, I would have quit being a sex worker a long time ago. But since it was only family owned and it never did well sales-wise, quitting wasn't an option. My month's worth of pay was only enough to cover the rent, and electricity, water, and food were excluded. The fact that all its employees had extra jobs was a clear indication that our wages were below the minimum.

"T?" Joanne snapped her fingers at my face and I realized I had completely zoned out. Their plates were already empty while mine was still full. Joanne was staring at me and so was Todd, their faces looked concerned. "Are you alright? You barely touched your food."

I shook my head and told her, "I'm fine. I was just thinking about work. I sort of had a rough day."

"Yeah, about that, you arrived earlier than usual. Isn't your off around two?" She asked.

I couldn't tell her I lost my job. She'd only insist in helping with the bills and I didn't want her to worry about it. "I wasn't feeling well so I asked to go home early." I reasoned out. "But I'm alright now."

I sighed. I just realized I forgot to buy the weekly newspaper for the classified ads.

"You sure?" Joanne asked for reassurance, her expression wanting me to explain further. She continued, "Because you seem so out of it."

"Yes, I'm sure, Jo. Don't worry about it." I reassured her and finally started digging on my mashed potatoes. It was already cold.

A thought crossed my mind.

I figured I could ask my former co-workers where they work at on their extra jobs. They could be hiring at the moment.

I could only go to Jack's though since I didn't have any contacts with my other co-workers, and while I didn't have one with Jack as well, I knew where he lived. Last year, he invited us to his place to watch the Superbowl.

Hurriedly, I finished my food and went to collect Joanne's and Todd's as well. "Jo, do you mind doing the dishes? I'm going somewhere." I informed my sister as I placed the dishes on the sink.

"Aren't you gonna take a rest first?" She asked as I made my way to my room. "I thought you're sick."

I searched for a decent shirt in my closet and quickly changed into it as I reassured my sister in the kitchen, "I told you, Jo, I'm fine."

"I'll be leaving too," I heard Todd announced at the dining area, as well as Joanne doing the dishes. He then offered, "Do you need a ride?"

"Not really, Todd. I don't wanna waste your time." I said as I slipped on my sneakers. I was still embarrassed with what I did to him hours ago. He was a laid back guy and it actually scared me how chill he was even after I almost stabbed him and exposed his naked body around me and Joanne.

"No, I actually don't have anything to do today." He insisted, then I thought of Jack's place. It was pretty far from ours and I needed to take a cab to get there. Cab fares had gotten higher these past few weeks. I could save a couple of bucks if I accepted Todd's offer. "I don't feel like going home yet."

"Well, if you insist." I stepped outside my room, pushing back the strands of hair that were on my face.

Todd and I were about to leave when I heard plates crashed onto the floor.

Joanne broke the plates. "The plates slipped from my hands." She told us, avoiding either of our gazes. "I guess my hands are tired, I'm sorry."

With a sigh, I said "Just clean it up, Jo. Be careful."

•••

I stared outside the window of Todd's car. The entire day had been gloomy, not just metaphorically but also literally. The sky was dark and it looked like it was about to rain cats and dogs. "Thanks for the ride," I said, my gaze not leaving the window.

"No problem," Todd replied. His car was actually much bigger than the one he was driving last week. As far as I could remember, he told me it was his friend's. "Anyway, I still find it odd and funny at the same time that I know both you and Joanne yet I have no idea you two are siblings."

I turned towards him, I was curious as to how he met my sister. "How'd you two know each other by the way?" I asked.

"I met her at a party last we-." He cut himself off, his eyes were on the road. I could tell he just realized I didn't know about it. "Don't worry, she wasn't drinking."

A part of me was worried because drinks could be spiked at high school parties and I would kill myself if something bad happened to her. However, Joanne was a smart young woman and I had to trust her decisions. I couldn't just worry all the time and not let her live her life. All I could do was support her and if all else failed, I should be there to help her and cheer her up.

"Is this party the one you went to last Friday?" I asked Todd and he looked at me for a second before he returned his gaze to the road.

"Yeah." He replied. "She approached us first. She even brought her sketchbook with her. She has some sick designs by the way."

I smiled. "Yeah, she aspires to be a fashion designer," I told him and I sounded like a proud dad.

Todd nodded. "I can see that." He said. He then asked, "Where are your parents by the way? Are they at work?"

I adjusted myself and leaned on the door of his car as I looked into the side mirror. "No. They're not around anymore." I said. "They've been gone for almost six years."

"Oh." His voice got a little quieter. He continued, "Sorry I asked."

I shrugged. It had been years. I just accepted the reality that people come and go and our parents happened to leave earlier than expected. I just came to a point in my life where I believed sulking in was not an option. Mom and dad had been great parents to us when they were still alive. I couldn't hate them for leaving us, I was thankful we had them in the first place. "Don't sweat it," I said.

I turned to look at him again. He was wearing a black tank top of mine. I didn't have a lot of clothes and it was a Saturday so most of my tops were dirty. The one I was currently wearing was the only t-shirt that was clean and it was pretty tight on me so I knew it wouldn't fit him. Todd was taller, and overall, bigger than me.

I also wouldn't lie, but the tank top looked great on him. He had nice arms.

Todd parked the car in a free parking area. We finally arrived at Jack's place. "Thanks," I said as I undid my seatbelt. "You know, you don't have to wait for me. I can just ride a cab home."

"You sure?" He asked.

"Yeah," I said.

"Well, see you when I see you?" He smiled and I nodded, shutting the door of his car closed. I waited for his car to leave before I made my way to Jack's place.

Jack lived in a bungalow. He told us the house was his grandma's and it was inherited to him when she died. I went on to press the doorbell and waited for someone to get the door.

It didn't take long when the door was opened by a girl with hair as pink as a cotton candy and eyes bluer than the beach on a cloudy day. She looked thirteen. I didn't know who she was and the last time I visited Jack, she wasn't around. "Hi, is Jack Evans here?" I asked the girl.

She didn't answer my question and as I looked at her expression, she was confused. She then began to move her hands around and it was then that I realized the girl was deaf. I sighed, wondering what she was trying to say. I didn't know sign language.

"Tony?" I heard Jack's voice inside, and when I looked behind the girl, I saw him walking in our direction. He had dirt all over his face and his gray shirt was stained with what I assumed was grease. "Dude, what are you doing here? Come in..."

"Sorry, I was cleaning the chimney when I heard the doorbell so I asked Libby to get the door." He explained as I welcomed myself in.

"I just want to ask something," I told Jack as I made myself comfortable on his couch. "Jack, I'm desperate."

"Woah, dude, I'm straight. Sorry." Jack teased as he disappeared to another room and soon returned with two cans of beer in his hands. He handed the other one to me. He then continued, "I didn't know you're gay and into me."

"Fuck no, I'm not into you." I chuckled and rolled my eyes. I did have a little crush on him when we first met. Who wouldn't really? He was a tall and muscular stud with gorgeous hazels. I remember getting a little hot and bothered the first time I saw him changed in our quarters at the diner. His hairy chest, the trail leading to his cock, and his perfectly trimmed facial hair were enough to make anyone wet themselves. Jack was naturally oozing with masculinity and sex appeal. Surprisingly, after months of working with the guy, I eventually got over my little crush on him.

"Oh, by the way, this is my daughter, Libby." Jack finally introduced the girl and I was a little surprised in my seat. I didn't know he had a teenage daughter. Jack was only in his early thirties. He went on to introduce me to his daughter using sign language.

"I can tell you're surprised. I had her when I was 14." He said and signaled his daughter to go back to his room. I was barely thinking about sex around that age. "Anyway, why'd you come here?" He asked.

"Jack, I need a job." I let him know and I added, "I know you have another job, is there any chance that I can apply there?"

Jack paused for a few seconds and sighed before he told me, "Tony, I'm not sure you'd like to be there." He continued, "I thought you also work at night?"

I sighed. "I need two jobs, Jack. My sister and I will end up on the street if I rely on my night job," I explained. "I'm not picky, any job, I'll do it."

"Are you sure?" He asked and somehow, I was more curious about what his other job was. Was he also a prostitute? I would shit the fuck out if he was.

"Yes."

He began to check me out and stared at me from head to toes. "Tony, how old are you again?" He asked.

"I'm twenty, turning twenty-one next month," I replied.

"I'm not sure, but I think they can do something about that." He muttered to himself. He then explained, "This is legal, don't worry. But it sure isn't comfortable. You okay with that?"

"What is this job?" I asked Jack.

"Tony, I work at a strip club." He said to me and he asked, "You fine with stripping?"

"Definitely." I didn't hesitate to say no. It wasn't as if being a sex worker was better than being a stripper. I didn't mind flaunting my body in front of a huge crowd. I may not be living the best life, but at least I knew I was pretty hot. I wouldn't be attending auditions and castings if I didn't know I look good. "But...do strip clubs pay well?"

"Well, I can tell you I make a pretty huge sum of money a night compared to those regular corporate jobs out there. It really just depends on looks, personality, and penis size." Jack said. He went on and explained, "Gay men are really into my type. Muscular, hairy, and well-endowed of course. I make about three hundred and fifty to a four hundred a night and that's some good dough."

'He's well-endowed? I need receipts.'

Three hundred and fifty a night was more than enough. I could even quit escorting if I could make that much a night. If I worked hard enough, we could move to a better apartment. "Hold on, If you're making that much money, why did you work at the diner?"

"I'm saving up for Libby's college. All the money I'm getting from stripping's for that." Jack said. He explained, "The money from the diner's for myself and the bills. University's pretty expensive you know. But obviously, I have to make some adjustments now that the diner has shut down."

"Is there sex involved in this kind of job?" I asked with curiosity. It would be lovely if I didn't need to get fucked for the sake of money.

"Not really. There will be a lot of touching and groping, but the owner makes sure the club is strictly just a strip club and not a sex club." Jack explained. "The wealthier customers would ask for a private show where you give them a lap dance while you're butt naked. But that's the farthest the club allows."

He continued, "But about the sex, I wouldn't say that doesn't happen even if it's against the club's rules." Jack said as he crossed his arms and rested his back comfortably on the couch. "Some do it for extra cash, but they have to do it outside the club."

"Well, do you do that?" I asked Jack.

He shook his head. "Not really. I don't mind gays, they're fun and all, but I'm straight and I really don't need extra cash if I get to have hundreds of dollars in one night. Some women in their fifties would actually ask me how much I charge for one night of wild fucking, but I love to stick with the club's rules. I still have my limits. Those dancers probably just wanted to get fucked and the money that comes with it's just an added bonus." He explained.

Jack then told me, "I must say, I do let some customers jerk me off over my boxers. It's easy money. There's this one guy once who asked me if he could touch my dick over those leather briefs that I was wearing. I let him and bam! An instant hundred and fifty dollars for me."

He then squinted his eyes as he looked straight at me, his left brow was raised, "Would you have sex for money?"

I avoided his gaze as I cleared my throat and focused my eyes on the center table. Somehow, the white circle table with a cactus ornament in the middle became interesting. "Jack, you do know that I have a night job right?" I muttered, but I made it sure he understood what I asked. I confessed, "I'm actually a prostitute."

Jack tilted his head a little to the left as his eyes widened in surprise. "You're a what?!"

I sighed, "I'm a prostitute." I repeated. "I've been wanting to quit, but working at the diner's not enough. My acting slash modeling career's also almost non-existent. But I wanna try this one. If this works for me, I'll quit."

"I'm just a little concerned about your age. The club only hires twenty-one-year-old and older dancers." Jack told me. "But I'll talk to my boss. Just please, quit that job, Tony. Aren't you worried about contracting diseases?"

"I use protection, Jack." I defended myself when he suddenly started to sound like a worried parent. "I can assure you I have about five condoms in my wallet right now. I'm trying to survive life, not end it."

Jack nodded as he got up from the couch. "You should come with me on Monday. I'll introduce you to my boss and we'll see what he can do." He said as he made his way to the kitchen, saying, "I'm pretty sure that pretty face of yours can get your ass in."

The only thing that was left for me to do was hope that the job would work in my favor.

--- End of Chapter 8 ---