Ava Ever After

Chapter Two

So much for not going to The Bike Shed.

She hadn’t been intending to interview but she still found herself sitting on a bench outside, checking her watch every few minutes while arguing with herself.

“f**k sake woman. Either go in or go home” she scolded to herself.

You might as well just go home. It was pointless coming. You know damn well you don’t have the guts to go through with it.

She agreed with herself. She knew she would never go in but something had made her sit outside for almost an hour, anyway.

“Ava? I thought it was you. If I’m honest, I wasn’t sure you would come.”

Looking up, Ava saw the suit, Gully, and her heart plummeted to her butt. “Er, hi. Yeah. If I’m honest, I wasn’t sure that I'd turn up either. When I agreed to come I had no idea what kind of club it was you wanted me to interview for. If I had known, I would never have agreed. Not that there’s an issue with your club. it's just, well, it isn’t me. I mean, not that I would be, but. Oh, bloody hell. Let me try all that again. Sorry. What I mean is, I don’t have the looks, figure or confidence to do what your girls do in there. I would stick out like a sore thumb. That’s why I wouldn’t have agreed to interview.”

“Don’t worry. That’s not what I wanted you to interview for, Ava. Not that you wouldn’t be great at it, because I’m sure you would be. Bloody hell, that came out totally wrong, didn’t it?”

Ava laughed out loud as Gully flushed crimson. “I’m glad it’s not just me that’s stumbling over their words.”

“Shall we start again?” he asked, flashing his dazzling smile

“Bloody hell. You’re going to make me go in there, aren’t you?”

“It’s not that bad, I promise,” Gully told her, holding out his hand. “Come on, trust me. I’ll get you a drink to calm your nerves, and mine too. It’s been one of those days and I could do with something strong.”

The Bike Shed was nothing like she expected it to be. Mirrored balls dangled from a ceiling that twinkled with white fairy lights. Against the black paint of the ceiling, Ava thought they looked like twinkling stars and shimmering moons in the night sky. Small podiums with dancing poles, ran down the right side wall, stopping just before the windows that faced the locks. Each podium had three high backed benches, positioned around the pole, but the front was clear. Ava was surprised to see there wasn’t a curtain that could be pulled across for privacy.

A runway with a line of poles, sat in the centre of the room, with a row of high backed benches and small round tables on either side. The bar was gloss black and shiny stainless steel and covered the length of the back wall, then extended down to the podium area along the window-lined wall. The DJ booth sat centrally on the opposite wall, lined either side with bike racks, complete with a mixture of mountain bikes and BMX's secured with bike locks. The remaining wall, at the entrance, was covered in fluorescent graffiti with ‘Smokers Corner' in huge writing across the top of it and just in front of the wall, stood a graffiti-covered desk. A pretty blonde woman with spectacles on a chain around her neck sat behind the desk. She reminded Ava of her old school headmistress.

“You were right. The name totally makes sense when you get inside.”

“Yes, it does. Shall we?” Gully asked, indicating to a stool next to the bar. Ava perched herself on the stool and placed her elbow on the bar, then took it off and wrung her hands in her lap.

“What’s your poison?” He asked, waving to the bartender as he took the stool next to her.

“Erm, malibu and lemonade, please.”

“Sweet and refreshing. I had you figured as a whiskey girl. Robert, would you mind bringing me my usual and a malibu and lemonade for Ava, please? As you can see, Ava, we run an adult entertainment club here but rather than the usual seedy kind, we entertain only the best clients, both male and female. I have an opening for a waitress and I think you would be perfect. The pay is excellent and I don’t doubt you would make a healthy tip allowance too. You have the right attitude for it and your face and figure is perfect too.”

“Waitress? I wouldn’t have thought you’d need a waitress in here, with the lack of tables, I mean.”

“Some of our clients prefer to sit on their arses and flash their cash, rather than burn the extra energy walking to the bar. Besides, they usually have their eyes glued to the ladies on the runway.”

“Makes sense I suppose. If you’re coming to a club like this, you might as well have your drinks served at your table as often as you want them. What would I be wearing?” she asked, quickly taking a sip of the drink that had just been placed in front of her. She needed the courage to hear the answer.

“You seem nervous.”

“Honestly, I am. I’m not exactly innocent minded but all I know of these types of places are half-naked women with way more up top and a much bigger ego than what I have. Along with private dances, lots of s*x and the odd punch up or two.”

Gully laughed and Ava was unsure of what she had said that entertained him so much.

“Ava, I said you fit in for a reason. Take a look at Clara at the desk. Does she remind you of anyone?”

“My headmistress from school. I’m guessing she’s not a teacher though”

“No, she’s not but you’re right. What she is wearing is her uniform. Clara is our receptionist, otherwise known as ‘Headmistress’. She plays a role and very well, I have to say. Our clientele loves her, even when they’re in detention. You see, we have a theme here. School. All our floor employees, even the dancers, play some sort of school-related role. I hope you don’t take offence but when I saw you in the café yesterday, you reminded me of a bookworm I knew at school. I want you to play the role of the geeky school girl who’s a bit flirty but only has eyes for words. Of course, you’d have to wear a school uniform and it will be revealing…”

Ava noticed he was watching her reaction and she forced herself to keep her face neutral. Waiting tables, she could do without a problem. Even the flirting geeky schoolgirl act was doable, but the revealing school uniform? That was a different matter altogether. Her figure wasn’t exactly ‘to die for'. As far as she was concerned, her breasts were too small, her butt too big and her curves were plenty. She was what she liked to call extra - extra small up top and extra-wide down the bottom.

“How revealing are we talking?” She blurted out and instantly wanted to smack herself.

“Short skirt and a blouse that barely covers your t**s. Bra is optional, as is panties but they must be matching and pleasing on the eye. We can give you an advance on your wages if you need to purchase a few sets. I presume you can walk in heels?”

Ava nodded that she could while thinking of having her ass flab on show.

I can't believe I'm even considering doing this. I’m definitely not cut out for it. I’m not Sophie.

Ava knew her screaming inner self was right. She wasn’t Sophie. Sophie was loaded and Ava was broke. Sophie didn’t have to worry about bills, while Ava was barely managing to survive off what she made at the café.

But the ass flab! Think of the ass flab. It’s called The Bike Shed, not the full bloody moon!

“When do I start? I’ll need to take that advance you mentioned if that’s okay?”

Gully smiled as Ava's inner self screamed about flabby butt cheeks. “I wasn’t sure you’d accept if I’m honest.”

“I wasn’t sure I was going to. I’m s**t at acting and role-playing but luckily for me, I can flirt and only have eyes for books so it’s pretty much being myself. My only concern is the skimpy schoolgirl outfit. Not quite sure I have the confidence to pull that off but we shall see.”

“I think you can pull it off just fine, Ava. It’s like riding a bike. The more you do it, the easier it gets.”