Joker's Mistress

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

“Sometimes,” Ava answered honestly. “After a few drinks one of them might get brave enough to swipe a hand between my legs. But for the most part, they were pretty well behaved; amazing really, all things considered. And there were always guys who would tug on your pubic hair, to attract your attention. The girls serving drinks had to deal with that the most. But no one ever complained.”

“I guess not,” Sandy marveled, still thinking of a two-thousand dollar payoff. “You know, I think I could do that, if that’s all they’re going to do; tug on my pubic hair when they wanted a fresh drink. I could do it like you, just until I get on my feet. And there’s security right? If things get outta control.”

“No. Not in the Sidewinder Room. It’s a private party for special VIP guests. The troops are relegated to the gaming rooms upstairs. In the Sidewinder Room the girls are expected to be entertaining and not complain about the juvenile antics of a few spoiled rich boys.”

“Still. I think I could do it. Look, I know you’ve just met me and all, and that you don’t really know me, but have you heard anything about the Adobe hiring new girls?”

“Sorry. I’m not privy to the inner workings of the Personnel Department. But they usually send a notice around.”

Sandy was clearly disappointed. She knew as well as anyone that the notice was a call for staff recommendations. The management trusted their employees to recommend friends or family members for upcoming jobs. It meant anyone coming in from the street didn’t stand a chance. Sandy needed Ava’s recommendation.

“Do you mind if I ask you something personal?” Ave broke the silence.

Sandy took another swallow of vodka. “Of course not.”

“When you talked about being interviewed at the Shamrock, you said something I thought was a little odd.”

“Yes? And...”

“You said you lied about having a boyfriend. You’re very attractive. Lovely, in fact. Surely you didn’t have to lie. You must have had the boys lined up, back home.”

Sandy dropped her eyes. A funny little smile curled the corners of her mouth. “I’m gay,” she whispered. “I don’t do guys.”

“Mmm. And your girlfriend?”

“Okay. We’ve been lovers, off and on, since high school.”

“So it must have been painful to stand by and do nothing, knowing those men at the Shamrock were using your lover as a toy. Treating her like dirt.”

“And they still do. If she wants to keep her job she is expected to put out from time to time. Sometimes it’s a special customer, sometimes her boss, sometimes she’s just loaned out, as a favor to someone. Like I said before: I couldn’t play the game.”

“I see...”

“But you could help me at the Adobe. I know you could. Your recommendation would at least get me in the door.”

“Yes. But you’re right... I hardly know you.”

“You could get to know me better...”

The words blistered Sandy’s lips. It’s not what she had meant to say; or at least the context was all wrong.

“Sorry Ava. I didn’t mean for it to sound that way. I like you a lot. And I think you like me, too. At least I hope so. I would love a chance to work at the Adobe and you could help me with that. I need a recommendation, and for that, I’m willing to pay. That’s all I meant. Think of it as a very meaningful return for a favor. I’m going to have to f**k someone to get a job in this town; I realize that now. So it might as well be you.”

“Me...”

“Sure. Or maybe you’d like to give your husband an unexpected treat, on his birthday. Or maybe you owe someone a favor. Look, I’m not a slut, please understand, but I need your recommendation.”

“Sandy... I...”

There was the taint of desperation in Sandy’s voice. “I know I’m young and everything, but I’ve had a couple of lovers. I could please you. I’m not pushing here. But if ever you were so inclined... I know what I’m about.”

“I’ve never done that type of thing before. With a woman, I mean.”

“You wouldn’t have to do anything. Just relax and let me please you.”

Ava shuddered. Her buttocks clenched and twisted her spine. She had wondered about it, been curious, what woman hadn’t? The thought of a girl, this young girl... touching her... there! She reached for the last of her Remi and the glass trembled violently in her fingers. She flushed. Her nerves had betrayed her.

Sandy saw it; knew there was more than just a passing fancy. “Get me a shot at the Adobe,” she said, her voice low but steady, “and I’ll please you in a way no man can.”

The heat rose in Ava’s face and a cold sweat broke out across her shoulders. She fumbled under the table to regain her shoes. She had to leave, get out, but there was a nagging emptiness; did she really want to leave? Dismiss what this young girl was offering?

Ava jammed her toes into her pumps and struggled from the table. Sandy looked up, her expression as wide open as the desert sky.

“Look. I’ll do what I can for you,” Ava said. “No promises, but I’m pretty sure I can get you an interview, the next time we hire. But that other stuff? God, I don’t think so.”

“I’ll be your lover,” Sandy said, reassuringly. “Your husband need never know. And the s*x will be great, the best you’ve ever had,” she confirmed without doubt or hesitation.

Ava stepped back from the table. “I don’t know. I just don’t.” She held up her hands and, to Sandy’s consternation, Ava fled from the restaurant.

It was a quiet mid-morning flight and Kathrine enjoyed the extra room afforded by an adjoining empty seat. She was just getting settled. “Mind if I join you for a few moments?” The voice came from the aisle.

Kathrine glanced into the eyes of one of the air hostesses. “Regulations,” the woman in uniform said. “I have to be belted in for take off,” she explained.

The stewardess was sultry dark and attractive-looking in that efficient way that characterized all successful airline attendants. Are they born that way, Kathrine wondered, or is it something they put in the water at stewardess school?

“Of course,” Kathrine replied, “please... join me.” And she shifted her knees around to give the woman room. The air hostess coiled a long torso into the seat beside Kathrine and snugged the belt across her hips. Kathrine heard the jet engines spooling and the plane lurched and waddled out onto the sun-baked tarmac.

“I’ve seen you before,” the woman in the uniform said. “You work at the Adobe, don’t you?”

“For the last fifteen years,” Kathrine said, without elaboration. “Forgive me, but I wouldn’t have taken you for a gambler.”

The woman laughed. “I’m not, really. And the name’s Dell,” she said. “Short for Dellalisa. It’s Italian, though both my parents were born in New Jersey. But they traveled a lot; especially to Italy.”

The woman chatted easily and Kathrine instantly liked her. “It’s a pretty name,” Kathrine replied. “So why do you come to the Adobe? You don’t gamble...”

Dell eased back into the seat cushions and stretched elegant legs out into the aisle. Her tight uniform skirt slid a little high, much to the delight of the man seated across the way. Kathrine noticed that Dell had caught the man’s look, but instead of awkwardly tugging at her hemline, Dell casually tossed one leg over the other; the motion accompanied by the whisper of expensive pantyhose. Dell’s crossed knees displayed curvaceous calf muscle, narrow ankles and trim feet in three-inch heels. The man across the aisle actually sighed. Out loud. Even the guys in coach deserve a little encouragement, Kathrine figured.

“I take my crew,” Dell raised her voice over the whine of the engines. “The girls up forward.” And she pointed towards the service area of the aircraft. They had reached the end of the runway and the pitch of the jets increased, the plane leaning heavily on its brakes.

“The girls are single and enjoy meeting the men,” Dell chatted on. “I’m married, you see. My husband and I have a home in Malibu.” The plane kicked and began to roll. “I play a little twenty-one and lose my small change to the slots, but the drinks are free and sometimes the girls and I take in the floor-show.” The plane was screaming now, the acceleration forcing Kathrine back into the seat cushions.

“I’m particularly proud of Buff; she’s the blonde muppet.” Dell pointed again.

“She’s from up north somewhere; came south to California to take a shot at the movies. But she had a bad experience, poor kid, and I was lucky enough to hire her for the Airlines.” Dell giggled. “Given half a chance, she would be in coveralls under the plane; helping the ground crew change tires. And I half expect to find her on the flight deck one day; flying the damned plane. Whatever she takes on, she just can’t get enough. Just hope she doesn’t meet some high roller in first class. I’d hate to lose her to the altar.”

The plane suddenly lurched up at an awkward angle and dipped a wing, everything off-kilter.

How can she be so casual, Kathrine thought, when we are all about to fuckin’ die! In Kathrine’s mind, she saw the plane flipping over and spinning directly into the side of one of the mountains that barred their way to the Coast.

“He’s a developer, my husband, and a general contractor and I fly this bus back and forth. Not much of a home-life, really, but it seems to work for us. And it’s a lot better than the longer flights. When I first started with the Airlines, they had me on the trans-Atlantic: New York to Paris route, twice a week. I was hardly home. But I did get to vacation in Saint Topaz.” Dell sighed.

“Saint Topaz?”

“Oh yes. You’ve never heard of it? It’s in the south of France. On the Mediterranean Sea. The most romantic spot on the entire planet. And I went twice, every year.”

“Topaz. I love the name.”

“It’s a very special place. If you ever have the chance, don’t hesitate... just go! Everyone should visit Saint Topaz at least once. I was young then, and single of course, and could appreciate the French boys. And the wealthy men from around Europe would come to walk the beach and admire the bare-breasted French girls. Money, wine, food... it’s all there. And now I’m married. Run back and forth to LA. How things change. But my husband and I are both very busy people; no kids, no real home life, like I said, so I guess it works. Most of the time.”

Kathrine studied the woman. She seemed sincere and there wasn’t a hint of wistfulness about her voice. The plane started to level out.

There was something that attracted Kathrine to her companion; but she couldn’t quite put a finger on it. If Dell had been applying for a position at the Adobe, Kathrine would have hired her in a heartbeat. But why? Kathrine turned slightly and studied the woman and slowly it came to her. Dell wore her hair differently, pulled back from high cheekbones and a smooth forehead; thick dark waves held in place with a sliver clip. The makeup was different, too. And Kathrine had only seen her in profile. But now, Kathrine couldn’t imagine how she had missed it.