It’s 10:30 when I turn into the lot of the massage parlor. My first client is at 11 and I like to get there early to make sure I’m ready, but when I pull up to the front, I see Melissa standing outside talking to two police officers. She’s a tough cookie, but she looks like she’s on the verge of having a breakdown. Quickly, I get out of the car and rush over to her.
“What’s going on here?” I ask. One of the officers glances at me, but Melissa chimes in before he can speak.
“They’re shutting us down, Cilla! Can you f*****g believe that?!”
“Miss, I need you to keep your voice down,” one of the officers says.
“Or what!?” she explodes. “What are you gonna do? f*****g arrest me?”
“We’ve had reports that you are operating without a valid business license,” he continues calmly. “And until we
