Mona Lisa doesn't know why she agreed to see Raphael's performance tonight. She's never stepped foot inside The Dojo, let alone be on that side of town. Who's to even say Raphael kept his word and put her on the list like he said he would do? She knew she was out of her element. Knowing when there, she will stand out like a sore thumb just from what she was wearing alone. A dark blue tiered flapper dress with black fringe that fell down past her knees. A nice outfit but it was far out of season; and her fake pearl necklace screamed cheap.

Her makeup helped, however, to outshine her lack of uninteresting clothes. The perks of being a showgirl, you know how to make your eyes sparkle. The only nice piece of her clothing were her shoes, pretty silver heels with a skinny strap around her ankle. Even with the classy shoes, they were just borrowed from her closet back at Galactic Gals. An embarrassment to Mona Lisa, knowing her showgirl wardrobe is full of nicer and expensive clothes than her own closet.

Why was she even doing this? Because of a promise she made to Raphael. But why? Maybe because this was her chance for someone from her side of town to get into the top of the line club in the city without trouble? Perhaps doing it out of pure kindness? Mona never likes to back out of a promise she makes. Or maybe she couldn't resist Raphael's charming face and just wanted to see him again...

No. Definitely not that. Mona refused to let that be the answer. Out of kindness is her reason. Once the night is over and she's done watching Raphael's performance, they'll go their separate ways and never see each other again. Why would someone like Raphael even bother wasting his time with someone like her anyway? Mona was certain tonight would be the last time she ever sees him.

"I'm going out," Mona Lisa tells one of her fellow burlesque dancers who was in the middle of putting on her makeup. "Can you cover for me, Valaxina?"

"The boss ain't going to be happy if he finds out his best girl left work early tonight."

"He's already worked me to the bone these past few months. One night without me ain't going to hurt."

The coworker scoffs, turning her focus away from the mirror. She gives Mona a snarky grin, "Fine, but if he blows a gasket, that's your own damn problem."

Leaving Galactic Gals Burlesque and making her way to The Dojo, Mona Lisa could see just from the distance its bright neon sign encouraging everyone who looked at it to come inside. The irony of it all. The sign is so welcoming, but anyone in the lower class knows that is all a lie. The Dojo is an exclusive place only for the high clientele.

In line waiting to enter the club, she could see the true customers welcomed. Those of great fame for their music careers like Raphael and his family, well known actors and actresses on Broadway, and entrepreneurs of successful businesses. This is no place for a woman like her. Poor, of the lower class, with an occupation to dress in provocative clothes to entertain perverted men.

Ignoring the glares and haughty comments, Mona Lisa made her way to the front of the line, approaching the bouncer guarding the entrance door, a tall intimidating mutant turtle man with a spikey shell and dark green eyes that could make oneself scarce with his glare. Another example of how unwelcoming The Dojo truly is. The Hamatos need a bodyguard to make sure people like her don't get inside. Mona just hoped that Raphael kept his word and put her on the list, otherwise she'll be making a fool of herself in front of all these important people. Denied entrance and getting kicked to the curb is what all these people are expecting to happen to someone like her. They're just waiting for the inevitable.

"Name?" the bouncer asked in his gravelly voice, his eyes locked on his clipboard, that Mona could assume had the list of names of the customers who could enter into their establishment.

"Uh... Mona Lisa?"

Her voice caught the bouncer's attention, breaking his gaze from his clipboard to examine her, "Huh, you look familiar..."

He studies her for another moment before giving a shrug. "Eh, I've seen many beautiful dames come through here," he opens the entrance door. "You're on the list. Welcome to The Dojo."

"He actually kept his word..."

Entering the club, it was unlike anything Mona Lisa could ever have imagined. The rumors and theories that would fly through the streets as to what it may be like inside could not compare to its true beauty. The live music danced through the room. The wonderful ambiance. It was like a palace filled with those of royal status and noble blood. And then there was her. A commoner who just got lucky.

Mona Lisa sat at her table, a small one that could only serve a singular person, far in the back as to not wanting to gain so much attention to herself. As she took her seat, the band had just finished up another one of their songs. The crowd clapped and cheered for them, their way of thanking the band for blessing them with their glorious music. The crowd quickly replaced their cheers with chatter amongst themselves as the band disappeared behind the closing red curtain, leaving the crowd to eagerly wait for the next performance. The performance that is her sole reason for why she is here this evening.

"Y'gythgba?!"

Mona nearly jumped from that name, both from unnerving surprise but also welcomed nostalgia. Who here would even know that name? Let alone care about her presence.

"A-April?!" Mona was shocked, quickly getting up from her seat for a better look at the cigargirl serving the customers.

"Oh my gosh! It is you!" April cheers, running up to the lizard woman to greet her with a quick but careful hug, as to not drop her tray of drinks. "It's been too long!"

"Far too long! I didn't know you worked here."

"I just started. I'm on day two!" The redhead smiles proudly, "But what are you doing here? No offense, but this club doesn't really accept people from the other side of town, if you know what I mean."

"I was, um... able to get in through a friend."

"Wow, lucky you," April places a hand on her hip, lifting her other up to show off the round tray in her palm that held a few drinks, fresh cigars and a lighter. "I'm only able to get in because of my time card," she chuckles. "So, how have you been? How's your dad? What are you doing for a living?"

Mona could see April was still a chatterbox. So many questions shooting from her mouth, but giving her old friend no time to answer them all. Like a reporter desperately trying to get the latest scoop.

"Good. My father is doing well, and... I am a dancer," she says that last part timidly.

"Good for you! You always wanted to be a dancer. What kind of dancing do you do? Ballet? Like when we were kids?"

"Umm, not really. I work at the burlesque club across town, Galactic Gals."

"Oh..." April was surprised by her old friend's career. She never expected someone like her to end up dancing on stage as she comedically strips for drunk men, "...I'm so sorry."

Mona shrugs, giving her friend a reassuring look, "Don't be. It's good money. It may not be ballet like I always wanted, but at least I get to do what I love."

"Well, as long as you're happy."

Suddenly a customer calls for April, demanding to know where their order is.

"I have to get back to work, but maybe we can have lunch together some time and catch up?"

Mona smiles, "I would like that."

"Great! I'm off tomorrow, so how about we meet at the old lunch car downtown? Say, 11:30?"

"Sounds perfect. I'll see you then."

April smiles before turning back to return to her work. One by one, April went to each table and served their drinks, offering cigars to the gentleman and a lighter for those who needed one. It wasn't long before April ran out of cigars, and customers were demanding more by the second, so she dashed her way backstage to retrieve extras. Stepping through the backstage door, she was immediately confronted by an unexpected face.

"April!" Quickly grabbing her arm, Raphael drags the cigargirl through the backstage hall, forcing her to follow him. Before April could truly process what just happened, she suddenly found herself on the stage of The Dojo. The two stood near the red curtain, hearing the chatter of the club's customers behind it.

"What the hell, Raphael?!" The redhead angrily whispers to the turtle, not wanting any customers to hear them behind the curtain. She ripped her hand free from his strong grip on her arm.

"Sorry, but I need to talk to you."

"Right now? I'm working!"

"I know, but I just have to ask you something..." Carefully opening up the curtain, only an inch so their eyes can peek through and no one in the crowd could see them Raph asks, "Do you know her?"

Confused but also curious, April looks through the curtain's peep hole, seeing the direction of where he was looking. Among the crowd, April spots her lizard friend she was talking to just moments ago.

"Yeah, her name is Y'gythgba" she tells him, stepping away from the curtain, allowing for it to close. "Why do you ask?"

"I saw you two talking earlier," Raph crosses his arms, his shoulders slightly slumped down, as if he was embarrassed, or even shy regarding the topic. "How do you know Mo- uh, Y-Y'gythgba?"

April was taken aback by this. She assumed that after they reconciled Raphael would never talk to her again and they'd go their separate ways. Guess she was wrong, "Um, well, she's an old childhood friend of mine."

"So you two are close?"

She shrugs, "When we were little, yeah. We grew up in the same neighborhood and even took the same dance classes together. As kids, we'd play together all the time, but then I had to move away... We stayed in touch for a while, but we lost contact almost 10 years ago when her father-" April stops herself from speaking anymore. She exhales through her nose followed by an embarrassed chuckle, "What am I doing? You don't even know her and I'm telling you her life story."

"You don't know her..." those words echoed through Raphael's head.

"Listen, please don't tell your father I was socializing with the customers. It's just nice to see a familiar face around here."

"Yeah... A familiar face..."

"What?"

"Uh, nevermind. Don't worry. I'm not Leo, so I won't snitch."

"Okay?..." April was surprised by Raph's answer, along with this strange conversation. Why was he so interested in her friend? She would ask him, but she had no time to question or complain. April could hear the customers growing impatient, wondering where their drink orders were, "Look, I gotta go get back to work. Break a leg tonight."

As April returned to work, Raphael was left alone on the stage, feeling a mix of emotions. On one end, pure joy and excitement that Mona Lisa came to see his performance like she said she would. On the other however, confused and unsure. April knew her and referred to her by a different name. They have a history, a familiarity between them, while for Raphael he is merely just a philanderer in Mona's eyes. Sure, they've talked and Raph could swear there was a bond that night he walked her home, but in the end what does he really know about her?

Raphael moved back the curtain again to peek out into the audience. There he spots Mona Lisa, sipping on her fresh cocktail as she awaited for the performance she came to see tonight. She looked so beautiful. Even when surrounded by customers who dressed in suits and dresses of the finest designers and bedazzled in the most expensive jewelry, they were nothing compared to Mona and her elegance. Her confidence. Her beauty.

Raph sighs, rethinking what April said to him, "You don't know her."

And yet, she was here tonight to see him perform. Strangers who don't know each other don't just do that for one another. Right? That has to mean something. A sign? An opening perhaps for them to know each other more?

Whatever it was, Raphael was not going to let this opportunity pass. He will give the best performance tonight, sing his heart out, and it will all be for Mona Lisa. Let this be the door opening for her to know who he is, how he feels, and maybe he can then know who she is.

"Um, Raphael, sir?"

"Hm?" Raph turns to see the band leader, Leatherhead, along with his fellow musicians approaching him, instruments in hand.

"The show will be starting soon. Are you ready?"

Raph exhales, allowing him to relax as he closes the little gap he opened in the curtain to peek out into the crowd. Bringing a smile to his face and confidently fixing his tie, he tells the band, "Yeah. I'm ready. Let's give a performance tonight that no one will ever forget!"