The HazeWalker

The Last Straw

I finished my run and headed home to get ready for work. If I didn’t let the Lion part of me out at least

a couple hours a day, I couldn’t control the human part of me. It was like I almost had to keep a balance with

the two worlds. I got home and dressed in my regular jeans and low cut top I wore to the bar. I tried not to

show too much skin, but if I wanted to make any tips I had to at least show a little. I hated the job but I made

double working at the bar, than I did at the diner. I was exhausted and overworked and didn’t know how

much longer I was going to be able to do this. Some nights when I phased I was too tired to hunt and would

just walk around looking at the stars. I could never risk phasing during the day, anyone could see me, and I

was in danger because of hunters anyway. What they wouldn’t give to have a white, blue eyed mountain lion

stuffed and perched by their fireplace to show off to all their friends.

I arrived at the gentlemans club half an hour later and already dreading my shift. I walked in and

walked back to the locker room to put my things away. The girls were getting dressed and having regular

locker room gossip just like in high school. “Hey Liza.” I heard a cheerful voice from behind me say. I

recognized the voice before I even turned around I knew who it was. Mandy was an 18 year old that had only been working at the gentlemens club for a couple weeks and I had taken her under my wing and told her the

do's and don'ts of the business. I may not have been a dancer but I knew all the Shady s**t Gary tried talking

the girls into. I couldn’t believe Mandy had decided to do this, she was absolutely gorgeous and had her whole

life ahead of her. She wasn’t tall maybe 5” 6 but she had a barbie doll body and her dark hair, tan skin, and

electric green eyes could hook any man in a matter of seconds. “Hey babe, how you doing tonight?” I asked

her with a smile. “I’m good, Gary just had me in the back trying to talk me into booking “extra private

dancers” for the high rollers.” she said rolling her eyes. “And what did you say?” I asked just making sure. “I

told him absolutely not and if he asked me again I would quit.” she said matter of factly. Mandy made Gary a

lot of money on the nights she worked. She always brought in a lot of high rollers who desperately wanted

alone time with her, but it wasn’t aloud. The girls even had security with them during private dances. It was a

precaution the ceo of the company had insisted on. Mandy was working her way through college having lost

both her parents at a young age, and her grandmother couldn’t afford to send her so her last resort was

working here. “Would you help me do my make-up?” she asked me using her pouty face. I had come to think

of Mandy as the little sister type and there wasn’t much I wouldn’t do for her, unfortunately she knew this

and definitely used it to her advantage. “Alright sit your ass down.” I said laughing and shaking my head.

After doing Mandy’s makeup I made my way out to the front to start taking orders. As soon as I

walked out I saw Gary standing at the bar. If the ceo of the company knew the shady s**t Gary was trying to

pull in his business Gary would be gone in a second. The ceo was a nice gentleman I had only met once. His

name was Michael and he seemed pretty straight laced, always looking out for the girls safety and best

interest. He wasn’t to hard on the eyes either. The original tall dark and handsome type. His only downfall

was hiring Gary and not checking up on him regularly. All the girls were to scared of him to say anything to

Michael, but I had reach my limit and the next time he disrespected me I was going to Michael no matter how

much pull Gary had in this town.

I hesitated but walked to the bar anyway knowing he was going to b***h at me about something. He

was absolutely disgusting. He was a short fat man with long greasy black hair, and he always wore a suit with

rings on almost every finger, and smelled of stale cigars. “Where the hell have you been, your shift started 20

minutes ago.” he growled at me. “I have been here Gary, I was in the back helping one of your dancers get

ready.” I told him pointedly. “I didn’t hire you to be a f*****g stylist.” he roared. “Whatever Gary, I got better

shit to do than listen to you b***h at me all night.” I told him as I picked up the drink tray and made my way

to the table. As I walked by one of the tables a man smacked me on the ass. Before he could retract his hand I

grabbed it and squeezed. “Touch my ass again and lose your f*****g hand.” I growled at him releasing a little

of my inner lion. “Chill babe.” he surrendered holding up his hands. My animal side also helped improve

things on my human side. I had great reflexes, I was super agile, and a lot stronger than I would have been

normally. Not the hulk strong but still pretty strong for my small petite frame, at least I thought so. I also had

great stability and balance on my feet and with my hands. I made my way to the table and started passing out

the drinks. “You guy having a good time tonight?” I asked the 3 gentlemen at the table batting my eyelashes,

trying to get a better tip. “We would have a better time if you would join us.” One of them said to me. “Maybe

I’ll take you up on that offer later.” I said winking at him but having no intention of following up on it. He slipped a twenty dollar bill in my pocket. “I hope you do.” he said winking. Half the guys in here weren’t really

that bad, but then you had the other half who were complete scumbags and ruined it for everyone.

As I was walking back to the bar to put in an order I heard Beyonce’s song Dance for you come over

the speakers. I knew Mandy was coming on so I stopped to watch. I had taught her this routine and we had

practiced every night for a week now. I knew she was going to kill it. I loved to dance, I got lost in the

movements and the music, but no amount of money would get me on that stage. I had been helping Mandy

with her choreography since her first night when she almost bombed on stage. I felt sorry for her and took her

home with me. We stayed up all night rehearsing her routine for the next day. I had taught her four more

routines since then.

Mandy came out in a her long black overcoat with it tied at the waist, and black stilettos. .Underneath

we had put a black corset that was attached to her black thigh highs and lastly her matching black thongs. I

had insisted on a boyshort type of panty but Mandy had went with the thong. She said it would get her more

tips. Mandy was doing absolutely fantastic. She had everyone in the clubs attention and was getting a lot of

tips from a lot of high rollers. Oddly enough I was proud of her. The dance was slow and sensual gradually

getting to a faster beat and Mandy stayed right on cue. She came spiraling down off the pole gracefully just

like we had practiced.

After Mandy’s dance was over I worked 3 more grueling hours until it was finally time for my break. I

decided to go to the locker room and see if Mandy wanted to go grab some coffee. As I was walking to the

locker rooms I could hear Gary’s loud booming voice coming from his office. “If you don’t do this you're fired

you little tramp.” Gary roared. Who the hell was he talking to? I thought, and decided to listen a bit longer.

“Let me know your decision by in the morning but if you decide not to do it don't show your face around here

again! Now get out of my office I can’t stand to look at you any longer.” Gary screamed. All of a sudden the

door swung open and Mandy walked out with dark tears streaming down her face, from the make-up. I

grabbed her instantly pissed. I could feel the anger building inside of me. How dare him treat her that way.

“What the hell is going on.” I asked Mandy. “Gary wants me to go to a party on a yacht one of the high rollers

is having. He said it was a private party and I was to be the guest of honor. I refused. It’s untelling what those

men would do to me Liza, but he threatened to fire me if I don’t go and I can’t lose this job.” she shuddered.

“That’s it!” I roared storming into Gary’s office. “How dare you threaten to fire Mandy because she won’t

screw a bunch of your dope buddies, or connections or whatever the hell they are.” I screamed at Gary. “I’m

sick of how you treat the women here, we are people not your play things to just pass out as you please. These women are not f*****g prostitutes and your not their f*****g pimp you fat ass weasel.” I screamed not even

taking a breath. “I have had it with you, and I am going to Michael no matter what you threaten me with I am

done with you and I am done with this job. Stick it up your ass you f*****g bastard.” I roared throwing my

apron at him. I didn’t even give him enough time to react I walked out of the office grabbed Mandy by the

hand and pulled her out of the club into my truck. “Liza what are you doing I need this job.” she cried. “No

you don't, and I fear after I just went off like that he will take it out on you.” I explained. “What am I going to

do about college.” she put her head in her hands and started crying so hard she couldn’t catch her breath.

“Hey, don’t you do that, I have got you covered baby girl.” I whispered to her as I rubbed her back trying to calm her down. I was done with this town but there was no way I was leaving Mandy in the club a second

longer.