The Little Red Notebook: 3 Dollar Bill
THE LITTLE RED NOTEBOOK: 3 DOLLAR BILL
Back at my apartment, Salem is waiting patiently for me. Ok, she’s meowing like I left her alone for a week!
“Hold on, Salem!” as I put my briefcase on the kitchen table and kick off my Asics.
I reach up in the cupboard for her Fancy Feast and as soon as I open the can she’s jumping up on the counter. I pet her back as I spoon it out into her dish. I let her eat on the countertop. It’s her apartment too, I tell myself. I grab some leftovers from the fridge and throw it in the microwave. I hear the heat turn on and I start to feel warm and take off my blazer and unbutton my dress blouse. As I think about singing on a stage, I start to sweat and unzip my pants. Down to my underwear, socks, and my blouse hanging loosely on my shoulders, I collect my food from the microwave and sit at the kitchen table.
I open my laptop and wait for it to boot up. Salem jumps down and pads into our bedroom. Sometimes she likes to clean herself in private. I giggle. In the Google search bar I type in: 3 dollar bill
Click the link…
It’s a queer (!!) bar in East Williamsburg, just across the bridge in Brooklyn. And they have open mic from 6 to 8. Crap! This dare is serious. I get up and walk over to my wine rack, well, the one with just 4 rings and select a Merlot. I struggle with the lever corkscrew cos my mind is thinking of me, on a stage, singing (!) in front of strangers (!!!). Thankfully, the cork pops out with a satisfying sound and I pour the deep rich red liquid into my clean (yes, I’m a tidy kitty) wine glass.
Gulp.
I swallow.
Gulp.
Another swallow.
Another gulp.
And another swallow.
I read more about this nightclub with my elbows on the table. I place my head in my hands. Deep sigh.
I need some advice. I pick up my phone and open my contacts and tap my fav girl.
“Hello, girlfriend,” Nova’s voice crystal clear in my ear.
“Hello, pumpkin,” I giggle and continue, “I, ah, found this bookstore. Mysterious Bookshop, I think it’s called.”
“Oh yeah, the one on Warren St.”
“Have you been there?” now I am curious.
“No, but I’ve seen it on my way to Benares the Indian restaurant.”
“You never said you liked Indian cuisine,” now I’m very curious.
“Well, that’s when I was going with Bhavini and we used to…”
“Nevermind! Oh, sorry, I’m just…”
“Honey, what is it? You sound stressed out.”
“Let’s just say I’ve been challenged to perform on a small stage.”
“Oh? Hmmm, well, you’ve told me before you used to webcam.”
“Yeah, but that was in my dorm room dressed as a kitty, and I didn’t really see who was watching,” I say as I swallow some more red wine.
“I’m sure it was teenage boys with super hardons,” Nova giggles.
“Nova! You’re not helping!”
“Ok, sorry, baby. What are you doing now?”
“I’m sitting at my kitchen table drinking wine in my underwear,” I calmly state.
“Sarah!” Nova laughs and continues, “The table by the street window?!?? Prospect is a busy street!”
I look out my window and see an endless stream of headlights in the dark. I stand up and walk over with my kitchen light illuminating my apartment, my body, my glass of wine as I tilt my hand and drink some more. Thinking of pressing my breasts in my lovely demi cup bra against the window, framed by my open blouse. Sarah! What am I thinking? Is it the wine, or do I really have a desire to… perform?
“Hmmm, you’re right, there’s so many cars passing by. And I swear the passengers are gawking at my half naked body!” I take another sip of wine as I lean against my window, my boobs feel the coolness through the blue nylon underwire demi cups, my hot breath condenses against the cold transparent surface.
“Sarah! You freak! Ok, I do want to help you think about this… challenge you call it. Why don’t you come over and stay the night? And I can take you to work tomorrow,” Nova’s voice sounding so inviting.
“Ok, honey,” I respond.
We say goodbye with kisses over the phone (something Nova is really good at, lol) and I begin selecting my wardrobe to wear to work tomorrow and packing my overnight bag. I pull on my comfortable gray sweatpants and a warm fuzzy dark green sweater. Winter in NY is so cold. I find my favorite coat my Uncle Art gave me for Christmas. A black Mackage from Saks Fifth Avenue with silver fox lining. Ummm, so warm, thank you, Art. I put out some extra food and water for Salem and step into my Asics and head outside into the snowy night.
Ding, dong…
Nova opens the door and I leap in like a cat. She laughs and we hug and make our way inside her warm abode. I smell pizza as we enter her kitchen.
“Have some pizza, just pepperoni,” she offers with a smile.
“Thanks honey, but I had some leftovers before I called you.”
“I wish I had your figure,” Nova muses taking a bite out of a cheesy slice.
“You have a cute figure, Nova,” I purr.
“Yes, I do, thanks!” and we laugh.
I unzip my winter coat and place it over one of the kitchen chairs.
“That looks expensive. I love that fur lining,” Nova admires.
“Thanks, baby. My Uncle got it for me for Christmas.”
“Rich Uncles. I bet he has a secret crush on you.”
“Nova! Well, maybe he does,” we both giggle as Nova takes a sip of her drink.
“Ummm, is that rum and coke?” I ask seeing a bottle of Bacardi Black on her countertop.
“Oh, yes, please make yourself one,” she chimes back.
I fill a tumbler almost full of Bacardi and pour a few drops of Coke to technically make it a rum and coke. I reach for a wedge of lime and squeeze it over the glass as the juices flow over my fingers. I sit down next to her and offer my fingers.
“Sorry, I’m a messy kitty,” I giggle as Nova licks them seductively clean. Fuck.
“So, tell me more about this… challenge,” Nova says, continuing to lick her lips and sipping more of her drink.
I part my thin dark red lips and tilt my tumbler. With the rum and coke now burning down my throat, I begin my tale of mystery. I tell Nova about the bookstore called Mysterious Bookshop, the strange owner who called herself Clotho and her friendly black cat. And then about that little red notebook. Nova asks to see it. I pull it out of my overnight bag and hand it to her. I anxiously wait, watching Nova flip through the little book as her eyes get bigger and bigger.
“This is very strange. How did you solve all these clues?”
“I’m a smart kitty,” I tease as I lean against her, softly caressing her shoulders and chest.
Nova closes the book and finishes her slice of pepperoni pizza.
“Are you flirting with me?” she asks as she wipes her chin with a napkin.
“I think we are beyond that stage,” and we both laugh.
“Let’s get comfortable on my big soft leather couch, and tell me about this nightclub,” Nova suggests.
Nova stands up and lifts off her t shirt. No bra, meow. Her nice C babies rest above her cute curvy belly. I follow her lead and lift off my dark green sweater watching her eyes fall on my blue nylon demi bra. The underwire lifting and holding my babies. I follow her to the living room, watching her gray shorts caught in her butt crack and giggle.
“What’s so funny?” she asks turning around.
“Nothing, honey,” as I look up to her smiling face and sip more of my rum and coke, well, rum and a few drops of coke. I am so buzzed already.
Nova sits on her couch and sinks into the soft leather. I place my butt next to hers.
“So, tell me baby girl, what brings you over to my place?”
“You,” I softly say as my fingertip traces the shape of her left breast.
“Ummm. But I think we were going to talk about this nightclub. What was the name again?”
“3 Dollar Bill. It’s a queer bar in East Williamsburg,” my head leans over her chest, I wet my lips with Bacardi and plant moist kisses on her breasts.
“Ummm, ahhhh, yesssss… And do you feel comfortable going to a place like that?” Nova is totally flustered.
“No. That’s why I need you to convince me,” I purr.
Nova watches me kiss the tops of her breasts as she deeply breathes in the fragrance of my dark brown hair.
“I think you’re convincing me to have sex,” she whispers.
“Only if you want to,” I whisper back.
She cups her breasts and I pour some of my Bacardi over them. Again, she watches me move silently. Kissing. Licking. Pursing my lips over her nipple. Looking up for approval. She nods her head closing her eyes. I suck.
“Ahhhh, I think you can do it, baby. You have it in you, I know it!” she practically jumps up as I bite down on her nipple, feeling its hardness between my cat teeth.
“Fuck…” she softly groans.
“Do I? I feel a fear inside me,” I counter.
Nova turns her body a little and offers me access to her right breast. Traces of Bacardi make the round shape glimmer under the track lighting from the ceiling.
“I believe you found that bookshop for a reason. I mean, Clotho, that’s one of the Fates, uhhhhh,” Nova groans as I lick her right breast clean and pour some more Bacardi over it.
“Please tell me more,” I say as my fingers playfully pinch her right nipple.
“Uhhh, and it was… ahhhhh(!) Fate that made you find this… ahhhh!!!! This red notebook. Fuck!” Nova exclaims with exquisite pain/pleasure as I tweak her lovely nipples and pressing my little face between her breasts, purring.
“You need to follow this through,” Nova gasps.
“Yes,” I agree, moving my hand down inside her tight gray shorts and finding no panties to hinder my way. The length of my fingers cover the shape of her smooth, shaved curve, the tips discover her naughty wetness. Pressing the tips of my index and middle finger against her outer folds, I look up to her face and lick her throat.
“You’ve been getting excited while I was worrying about this nightclub,” my voice sounding deep and sexy.
“Fuck,” she whispers biting her lower lip.
“And you shaved your pussy,” my voice betraying my surprise.
“For you,” Nova whispers back.
My fingers work into her inner folds. More slick with her naughty little girl juices. I gather her folds between my two fingers and move my hand up and down, real fast. Nova lays back against the couch, closes her eyes and moans for her kitty. For me. She reaches for my face and we kiss as I expertly bring her to a climax. Little compares to your girlfriend moaning into your mouth as she cums on your fingers. Meow.
I let her rest, sitting next to her and watching her hand lazily explore my breasts.
I ask Alexa to play Mazzy Star. The quiet, languid guitar strumming begins followed by the steel Fender, then…
I want to hold the hand inside you
I want to take a breath that’s true
I look to you and I see nothing
I look to you to see the truth
Miss Sandoval’s vocals, sweet, slow, sure…
You live your life, you go in shadows
You’ll come apart and you’ll go blind
Some kind of night into your darkness
Colors your eyes with what’s not there
Her chorus brings chills along my arm, Nova rests her head on my shoulders…
Fade into you
Strange you never knew
Fade into you
I think it’s strange you never knew
******************************************************************************************************************
We ride the crowded elevator up the floors of the law office building where we work. As the doors open, I kiss Nova. The male associates pretend to look down at their smartphones. The surrounding female ones just smile. I arrive at my desk and sip my coffee. Reading my messages, I see my boss requesting my presence when I’m available. I take a deep breath and walk into her office.
Ellen sits quietly behind her desk reading papers with a keen eye. Her dark blue blazer goes well with her blonde short hair. She looks up and smiles. I walk over and place a bag on her desk. The sunlight catches her ring she is wearing. The gemstone, emerald, matches her eyes.
“I brought you a multigrain bagel with garden veggie cream cheese.”
“Thank you, Sarah,” as she reaches for her coffee. “Did you get to City Hall before it closed yesterday?”
“Oh, yes, and, I…”
“What is it? Don’t stutter,” as she looks up at me with her green eyes.
“Well, you see, there’s this black cat, a red notebook, an old lady that sounds very young, and…”
“Slow down, Sarah. You act like a schoolgirl,” her familiar saying makes me feel giddy.
“Sorry, Ellen,” I say looking down at my basic black Saban dress flats.
Ellen stands up and smooths her matching dark blue skirt. Her long legs appear from behind her desk covered in white stockings ending in her smart black dress shoes.
“I like your shoes. Black velvet with those nice bows,” my voice sounding like a younger version of myself.
“They arrived yesterday. Collette Pumps. Why don’t you try them on?” as she slips out of them.
I bend one knee and reach behind to pull off my own shoe, then the other.
“Wait,” she instructs and walks back behind her desk and retrieving something from a lower drawer.
My eyes grow big as she approaches me holding a pair of my panties.
“If you act like a little schoolgirl, then you should wear little schoolgirl panties.”
I accept them. My black undies with yellow smiley face print. I step into them and pull them up under my skirt and then step into her black bow shoes.
“How did you know I wasn’t wearing any panties?” I ask.
“Need I answer that, Sarah? You’re so predictable. Ok, call it a good guess,” she softly laughs.
She takes my hand and leads me to some new furnishings installed in the corner of her office. A nice plush rug, burgundy, and matching leather couch with bronze rivets along the sinuous border. We sit down. She eats her bagel. I feel like I should be drinking chocolate milk from a carton with a straw like back in grade school.
“Now tell me all about this red notebook.”
I proceed to tell my boss what happened after I got off the bus yesterday and ended up in that bookstore. Twenty minutes later, I was out of breath. Ellen brushed my hair out of my eyes and studied me.
“You’re a grown woman, Sarah. We play these games, but that’s all they are. We enjoy this exchange. But we both know how clever you are. I think you will find your way to this nightclub. And I don’t think you will be in any danger. In fact, I know someone who works there. Her name is Kaniqua. Ask for her, you will be in good hands.”
I take a deep breath and hug Ellen. As always, she lifts my spirits and confidence. The rest of the day I keep busy with my own duties and answering a few calls for Ellen she thought I could handle. After lunch I needed to pee and go to the ladies’ room. From the stall I call Nova and tell her all about my conversation I had with Ellen earlier in the day. I even include the part of Ellen making me wear my very own smiley panties she keeps in her desk drawer. We both laugh and then I hear a toilet flush. Shit! Someone had been in the stall next to me the whole time! I peer out over my stall door and see the back of a slender young woman. Her light brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, pink polo shirt, tan twill pants and casual brown shoes. She washes her hands quickly and leaves.
Around 3 pm I talk with Ellen. There is a meeting with all the junior executives she needs to attend and if I could review some important pending cases we have coming up. When she leaves, I sit at her desk and begin reading some of the documents. About 10 minutes later there’s a knock on the door.
“Come in,” I say.
And in walks…
“Hi, I’m Jenny. The new courier.”
I stare at her face, fresh and bright. She appears very fit and slender under her… pink (!) polo shirt and… tan (!) twill pants. Fuck.
Her sun kissed brown ponytail bounces as she lightly steps further into the office.
“Hi, I’m… Ellen. Uh, well, what can I do for you… Jenny?”
“You called me to pick up a package for FedEx,” she laughs.
“What’s so funny?”
“You sound different on the phone. In fact, you sound like…”
“Sorry, I’m not Ellen. She’s my boss and I was doing some work for her while she’s in a meeting,” I feel my face blushing.
“Yes, so you’re the girl I heard in the bathroom earlier today.”
“Yes, and you’re the girl secretly listening to my private conversations,” I reply back.
“I was searching in my backpack for a tampon when all of a sudden I heard your voice in the next stall. What was I supposed to do?” Jenny calmly states, crossing her arms across her ample chest.
“You’re right, Jenny. Let’s start over,” as I get up and shake her hand, “Hi, I’m Sarah. Nice to meet you Jenny, the new courier,” trying to give her my best cat smile.
“It’s ok, Sarah,” Jenny reflecting my smile with one of her own, making me tingle with her touch.
I start to look around the room for the package and see something over on the table in the corner by the couch where I sat earlier with Ellen.
“I believe the package is over here,” as I move past Jenny smelling her fragrant soap and shampoo, putting naughty visions into my head.
I slowly bend over to get it, hoping she’s enjoying this little show, and turn around to hand her the package. We practically bump into each other.
“Oh, sorry, Sarah. I wasn’t expecting you to turn around so fast. You seemed to be frozen as you bent over,” a smirk clearly on her face.
“I wasn’t doing anything of the sort,” I stammer turning red again.
“You’re cute, and I would love to see you in your schoolgirl panties someday,” Jenny flirts as she takes the package out of my hands and walks out of the office.
I stare at her back and bobbing ponytail, my mouth fully open in complete astonishment as she exits, closing the door.
*********************************************************************************************************************
That night, propped up in my bed reading The Real Witches of New England: History, Lore & Modern Practice I picked up a few months ago at Serifos Sanctuary, I am again drawn to the chapter on one witch in particular: Nona. It seems she has a knack for seducing young girls and putting them under her spell. Oooh, wicked witch. I pet Salem next to me. She purrs.
“Salem. I’m gonna do it. Tomorrow night after work, this kitty is gonna take the stage at 3 Dollar Bill,” I say to my cat as she licks her paws.
***********************************************************************************************************************
That evening, back home in my apartment after work, I get ready to go out. I stream some Sarah McLaughlan music, hoping it would soak into my skin, change my body chemistry, inhabit my soul. Meow. She has such a silky, seductive voice! How it slightly cracks on certain words, and transitions from soft high notes to a sustained lullaby. Sensual.
I assemble nondescript clothing: black print tee, torn jeans, canvas sneakers, dark hoodie. I kiss Salem for good luck and head out into the cold, wintery night to ride the MTA. Even as I sit on the bus taking me to Meserole St in Brooklyn, my thoughts attack me. Can I really do this? All my friends say I can. And I need to find my Venus! You don’t scare me clue girl.
The bus stops at my destination. I hop onto the sidewalk and make my way to the nightclub. I come across a sign painted on the outside brick wall. It’s designed like paper money. In this case, a 3 dollar bill. Nice. I go inside and relieved to find a small venue with a small stage at the far end. I walk past a big mural painted on wood leaning against a wall. The center figure is a very buxom blonde, sitting with three legs spread out wearing red sparkle heels. Her hands hold rainbow fans. Looking closer I see a spaceship above projecting a triangle full of rainbows. Cute.
I walk over to the bar. Open mic starts in about 30 minutes. All the customers are men in women’s clothing. Like strippers and hookers, they look enticing. Some could even pass for a woman. I’m impressed and feeling awkward.
“What will you have?” a feminine voice asks me.
I turn back to the bar and see a black woman, a real black woman, a real sexy black woman waiting for my response.
“Ah, do you have Pomegranate Martini?”
“Sure do, honey,” she flashes a big smile and turns to mix my drink.
My eyes wander around the room. All these sweet men dressed how they want to look. Kissing. Groping. Laughing. I begin to feel the vibe. A sense of… relaxation?
“Here you go, girl.”
I turn and raise the long-stemmed glass full of red liquid to my lips. Sip. Sip. Sip. Ok, now I am relaxed, lol. I notice the bartender still looking at me.
“Well, how is it?” she asks me.
“Oh, excellent. Thanks! Hey, do you know where I can find Kaniqua?” as I take another large sip of my martini.
Her warm hand covers my free one. “Looks like I found you,” her voice strong and convincing.
I look down at my drink, my face turning the same shade of red as my martini.
“Don’t be shy, girl. Tell Kaniqua what do you need?”
“Ellen told me you could help,” I say, feeling her hand touching mine as I lift my other hand for another large sip. And another, sip.
“Ellen? Is that a stage name?”
“Oh, no. She’s my boss. An attorney. She says she knows you.” Sip.
I watch Kaniqua put one of her long slender dark fingers to her full crimson covered glossy lips.
“Umm. Tall blonde, short hair, angular cheek bones, always has a serious look?”
“That’s her,” I confirm. Sip.
“Now I remember. She used to come in here like once a month a few years back. Brought her girlfriend with her. Something about getting away from their usual group of friends and places they frequented.”
I watch Kaniqua think some more.
“Oh, her girlfriend was a, uh, what do you call it? Dance troupe? Ballet company!”
“A ballerina?” I say trying to hide my curiosity with a few more sips. Sip. Sip.
“Yes. A delicate creature, that one. Put her in a tutu and leggings and she would fit the classical dancer.”
I’m a bit surprised to find this about my boss. A girlfriend? And the ring she wears? Married??
“Hey, I better not say anymore. You look a bit stunned. So, what brings you here?”
“Well, it’s open mic and I want to perform a song.” Sipping the rest of my martini till the glass is empty.
“Oh, girl. This sounds good! Let me take you back to our dressing room.”
And just like that she grabs my hand and leads me backstage, like my newfound agent or manager of the nightclub scene. It’s one big dressing room with a few guys putting on their makeup, one pulling up women’s tights over his shaved legs, and another just about to pull up his g string over his…
I try not to gawk at the size of it. I stand in the middle like I’m lost. I look around for Kaniqua and she returns with my costume. It’s lingerie. With a greenish hue.
“I’m not your mommy, you can dress yourself, now put it on. I need to see how it fits, and looks,” Kaniqua informs me.
“Ah, here?” I timidly ask.
“No, out in the cold streets. Yes, dear. Don’t worry. All of us have seen it all, and more,” she warmly smiles.
Before I can think, I’m unzipping my hoodie, pulling off my t shirt, kicking off my sneakers, then down goes my jeans. I take some slow short breaths trying not to make eye contact with the other performers and reach around and undo my bra. Kaniqua picks up my clothes and hands me the baby doll. I let it fall down over my head, the straps find my shoulders. I stand in front of one of the mirrors and Kaniqua adjusts the lace cups. Her hands feel my breasts, my hands feel the fabric of the bodice.
“It’s Lurex, gives it that shiny look. And baby, under those stage lights, you’re gonna sizzle,” she says as her hands slowly move from the lace cups to pull the halter sash around my neck and ties a bow.
I turn around in the mirror and stand on my toes, looking at the back side. The sash falls between my shoulder blades and half way down my back.
“Now if your routine involves showing some panty, I suggest the matching pair that comes with this outfit,” and Kaniqua hands me the green shiny featherlight panties.
I reach under the hem that exposes the bottom curves of my butt and remove my own panties, handing them to Kaniqua and take the green ones and like a cat, up they go over my smooth mound as the green hem falls back down in place.
I hear the audience clapping and whistling.
“Sounds like the crowd is enjoying themselves,” I say.
“They know a good performance when they see one, and honey, you’re gonna be getting that same reaction very soon. Now let me do something with your hair.”
I watch in the mirror as Kaniqua adds some purple extensions to my dark brown hair and a few long wavy ones ending in curls. Her fingers weave through my hair as fast as mine rub my kitty when I’m about to cum. Super fly, you dig?
“How do you like?” she asks as her brown hands frame my lovely tresses in the mirror.
“Meow,” I reply.
“Hey, one of you silly girls bring over some tights and heels for Veronica,” Kaniqua shouts to the drag queens.
“Who is Veronica?” I ask.
“Your stage name, honey, you,” she firmly adds, squeezing my bare shoulders.
With my wardrobe complete, I wait to be called onto the stage to complete my challenge, my dare. I ask Kaniqua for another drink. A few minutes later her dark, mesmerizing figure is sashaying toward me with a silver tray. On it is a small mound of sea salt, a couple lime wedges, a shot glass, and a bottle of Cabo Wabo tequila. She pours a shot, then takes my hand. Her glossy red lips move over it and her long, wet tongue licks the place between my forefinger and thumb. She sprinkles on some sea salt and instructs me to lick it like a good kitty. I do. Then down goes the tequila, and her hand brings a lime wedge to my lips and pushes it against them. I suck. And suck. And I wish we could have sex right now. Fuck.
We hear the audience applaud again. After a few moments of silence, the emcee introduces the next performer.
“We have a lovely girl with a passionate heart to sing a song for all you lovers out there. I present to you, Veronica!”
“That’s your cue, honey,” Kaniqua whispers in my ear and gives me a little kiss.
I make my way in my six inch black heels entering stage left. All the lights are out except some embedded in the floor. Little tiny ones providing a trail to… a bed. I kneel behind it. I wait…
The jazzy cymbals begin to fill the room with the distant echo of the lone snare drumbeat. Add the simple soft piano chords and… the surrounding lights come on. I begin.
Your love is better than ice cream
Better than anything else that I've tried
And your love is better than ice cream
Everyone here knows how to fight
During this verse I crawl over the bed, white sheets ruffled, empty, and sit on the edge facing the audience.
And it's a long way down
My hands move down my body and back
The lights playing off my teddy bear, shinning greenish blue
My legs spread, two purple ice cream sticks ending in creamy light tan thighs
It's a long way down
Again, I repeat the hand movements, down over the bodice
It's a long way down to the place
Now my hands remain between my legs
Where we started from
I move to kneel on the bed, and during this next verse my hands lovingly caress my body. The lights reflecting off my silky teddy bear, s**ttering sea green in one direction and deep ocean blue in the other. As my long hair teases my breasts, my fingers curl the purple strands.
Your love is better than chocolate
Better than anything else that I've tried
And oh, your love is better than chocolate
Everyone here knows how to cry
I lay on my back lifting my legs in dark purple tights up in the air forming a sexy V. My hands moving in the motion of the words. Down. Down. Long Way Down. Slowly, sensuously, matching my sultry voice. This position also exposes my skimpy green panties that barely cover my ass. But I don’t know that.
It's a long way down
It's a long way down
It's a long way down to the place
Where we started from...
The music ends. I lower my legs to the floor and before I sit up, the crowd is on their feet, clapping and yelling and asking for more! I quietly bow and run off, stage left to the dressing room.
Kaniqua greets me with open arms, hugging me like a sister.
“You were brilliant! And I have another piece of information for you. A package arrived yesterday by FedEx. A note inside said for Sarah and signed E. It was the teddy bear, and now I know it must’ve been Ellen, since she knew you were coming here.”
“So, I get to keep my outfit?”
“Of course, but not the tights or heels,” and we both laugh.
As I put my regular clothes back on, Kaniqua smiles at me.
“What?” I ask, smiling back.
“You’re a born sexy killer. I have one more thing to give you. Almost a month ago a mysterious woman mentioned the song Ice Cream. If I was to ever hear it performed on our stage, I was instructed to ask for a red notebook.”
My hand slowly pulls out the little red notebook I hid in the pockets of my hoodie.
Kaniqua finds the right page and adds a sticker, then also tapes the page that was torn out and hands me back the notebook.
I open it and under DO YOU DARE? I find the sticker. But I can’t decipher it. I look up at Kaniqua.
“I don’t know what it means either, but if I was grading you, honey, you could have a regular spot here.”
“Thank you, Kaniqua,” and we hug and kiss.
“Take care, little kitty kat,” and I watch Kaniqua vanish into the crowd.
I make my way outside and wait at the bus stop. Still snowing. The bus arrives. I get on and find a seat. Then I take the little red notebook back out, and read the torn page that Kaniqua added:
If you are reading this, you must have accomplished the dare. I am very impressed. What happens next is up to you. Write down what you like, anything that you may be looking for in your Venus. Then put the book back on the shelf. If I like what you write, you will hear from me.
I close the book. I close my eyes. Thirty minutes later I’m back in my apartment. Salem is rubbing against my legs. I pour some wine and take it into my bedroom. I take my clothes off, yes, even that alluring teddy bear and put on my pjs. I climb into bed and Salem joins me. I take a sip of wine and pick up that volume on witches and read some more about Nona. Salem purrs. I fall asleep.
Back at my apartment, Salem is waiting patiently for me. Ok, she’s meowing like I left her alone for a week!
“Hold on, Salem!” as I put my briefcase on the kitchen table and kick off my Asics.
I reach up in the cupboard for her Fancy Feast and as soon as I open the can she’s jumping up on the counter. I pet her back as I spoon it out into her dish. I let her eat on the countertop. It’s her apartment too, I tell myself. I grab some leftovers from the fridge and throw it in the microwave. I hear the heat turn on and I start to feel warm and take off my blazer and unbutton my dress blouse. As I think about singing on a stage, I start to sweat and unzip my pants. Down to my underwear, socks, and my blouse hanging loosely on my shoulders, I collect my food from the microwave and sit at the kitchen table.
I open my laptop and wait for it to boot up. Salem jumps down and pads into our bedroom. Sometimes she likes to clean herself in private. I giggle. In the Google search bar I type in: 3 dollar bill
Click the link…
It’s a queer (!!) bar in East Williamsburg, just across the bridge in Brooklyn. And they have open mic from 6 to 8. Crap! This dare is serious. I get up and walk over to my wine rack, well, the one with just 4 rings and select a Merlot. I struggle with the lever corkscrew cos my mind is thinking of me, on a stage, singing (!) in front of strangers (!!!). Thankfully, the cork pops out with a satisfying sound and I pour the deep rich red liquid into my clean (yes, I’m a tidy kitty) wine glass.
Gulp.
I swallow.
Gulp.
Another swallow.
Another gulp.
And another swallow.
I read more about this nightclub with my elbows on the table. I place my head in my hands. Deep sigh.
I need some advice. I pick up my phone and open my contacts and tap my fav girl.
“Hello, girlfriend,” Nova’s voice crystal clear in my ear.
“Hello, pumpkin,” I giggle and continue, “I, ah, found this bookstore. Mysterious Bookshop, I think it’s called.”
“Oh yeah, the one on Warren St.”
“Have you been there?” now I am curious.
“No, but I’ve seen it on my way to Benares the Indian restaurant.”
“You never said you liked Indian cuisine,” now I’m very curious.
“Well, that’s when I was going with Bhavini and we used to…”
“Nevermind! Oh, sorry, I’m just…”
“Honey, what is it? You sound stressed out.”
“Let’s just say I’ve been challenged to perform on a small stage.”
“Oh? Hmmm, well, you’ve told me before you used to webcam.”
“Yeah, but that was in my dorm room dressed as a kitty, and I didn’t really see who was watching,” I say as I swallow some more red wine.
“I’m sure it was teenage boys with super hardons,” Nova giggles.
“Nova! You’re not helping!”
“Ok, sorry, baby. What are you doing now?”
“I’m sitting at my kitchen table drinking wine in my underwear,” I calmly state.
“Sarah!” Nova laughs and continues, “The table by the street window?!?? Prospect is a busy street!”
I look out my window and see an endless stream of headlights in the dark. I stand up and walk over with my kitchen light illuminating my apartment, my body, my glass of wine as I tilt my hand and drink some more. Thinking of pressing my breasts in my lovely demi cup bra against the window, framed by my open blouse. Sarah! What am I thinking? Is it the wine, or do I really have a desire to… perform?
“Hmmm, you’re right, there’s so many cars passing by. And I swear the passengers are gawking at my half naked body!” I take another sip of wine as I lean against my window, my boobs feel the coolness through the blue nylon underwire demi cups, my hot breath condenses against the cold transparent surface.
“Sarah! You freak! Ok, I do want to help you think about this… challenge you call it. Why don’t you come over and stay the night? And I can take you to work tomorrow,” Nova’s voice sounding so inviting.
“Ok, honey,” I respond.
We say goodbye with kisses over the phone (something Nova is really good at, lol) and I begin selecting my wardrobe to wear to work tomorrow and packing my overnight bag. I pull on my comfortable gray sweatpants and a warm fuzzy dark green sweater. Winter in NY is so cold. I find my favorite coat my Uncle Art gave me for Christmas. A black Mackage from Saks Fifth Avenue with silver fox lining. Ummm, so warm, thank you, Art. I put out some extra food and water for Salem and step into my Asics and head outside into the snowy night.
Ding, dong…
Nova opens the door and I leap in like a cat. She laughs and we hug and make our way inside her warm abode. I smell pizza as we enter her kitchen.
“Have some pizza, just pepperoni,” she offers with a smile.
“Thanks honey, but I had some leftovers before I called you.”
“I wish I had your figure,” Nova muses taking a bite out of a cheesy slice.
“You have a cute figure, Nova,” I purr.
“Yes, I do, thanks!” and we laugh.
I unzip my winter coat and place it over one of the kitchen chairs.
“That looks expensive. I love that fur lining,” Nova admires.
“Thanks, baby. My Uncle got it for me for Christmas.”
“Rich Uncles. I bet he has a secret crush on you.”
“Nova! Well, maybe he does,” we both giggle as Nova takes a sip of her drink.
“Ummm, is that rum and coke?” I ask seeing a bottle of Bacardi Black on her countertop.
“Oh, yes, please make yourself one,” she chimes back.
I fill a tumbler almost full of Bacardi and pour a few drops of Coke to technically make it a rum and coke. I reach for a wedge of lime and squeeze it over the glass as the juices flow over my fingers. I sit down next to her and offer my fingers.
“Sorry, I’m a messy kitty,” I giggle as Nova licks them seductively clean. Fuck.
“So, tell me more about this… challenge,” Nova says, continuing to lick her lips and sipping more of her drink.
I part my thin dark red lips and tilt my tumbler. With the rum and coke now burning down my throat, I begin my tale of mystery. I tell Nova about the bookstore called Mysterious Bookshop, the strange owner who called herself Clotho and her friendly black cat. And then about that little red notebook. Nova asks to see it. I pull it out of my overnight bag and hand it to her. I anxiously wait, watching Nova flip through the little book as her eyes get bigger and bigger.
“This is very strange. How did you solve all these clues?”
“I’m a smart kitty,” I tease as I lean against her, softly caressing her shoulders and chest.
Nova closes the book and finishes her slice of pepperoni pizza.
“Are you flirting with me?” she asks as she wipes her chin with a napkin.
“I think we are beyond that stage,” and we both laugh.
“Let’s get comfortable on my big soft leather couch, and tell me about this nightclub,” Nova suggests.
Nova stands up and lifts off her t shirt. No bra, meow. Her nice C babies rest above her cute curvy belly. I follow her lead and lift off my dark green sweater watching her eyes fall on my blue nylon demi bra. The underwire lifting and holding my babies. I follow her to the living room, watching her gray shorts caught in her butt crack and giggle.
“What’s so funny?” she asks turning around.
“Nothing, honey,” as I look up to her smiling face and sip more of my rum and coke, well, rum and a few drops of coke. I am so buzzed already.
Nova sits on her couch and sinks into the soft leather. I place my butt next to hers.
“So, tell me baby girl, what brings you over to my place?”
“You,” I softly say as my fingertip traces the shape of her left breast.
“Ummm. But I think we were going to talk about this nightclub. What was the name again?”
“3 Dollar Bill. It’s a queer bar in East Williamsburg,” my head leans over her chest, I wet my lips with Bacardi and plant moist kisses on her breasts.
“Ummm, ahhhh, yesssss… And do you feel comfortable going to a place like that?” Nova is totally flustered.
“No. That’s why I need you to convince me,” I purr.
Nova watches me kiss the tops of her breasts as she deeply breathes in the fragrance of my dark brown hair.
“I think you’re convincing me to have sex,” she whispers.
“Only if you want to,” I whisper back.
She cups her breasts and I pour some of my Bacardi over them. Again, she watches me move silently. Kissing. Licking. Pursing my lips over her nipple. Looking up for approval. She nods her head closing her eyes. I suck.
“Ahhhh, I think you can do it, baby. You have it in you, I know it!” she practically jumps up as I bite down on her nipple, feeling its hardness between my cat teeth.
“Fuck…” she softly groans.
“Do I? I feel a fear inside me,” I counter.
Nova turns her body a little and offers me access to her right breast. Traces of Bacardi make the round shape glimmer under the track lighting from the ceiling.
“I believe you found that bookshop for a reason. I mean, Clotho, that’s one of the Fates, uhhhhh,” Nova groans as I lick her right breast clean and pour some more Bacardi over it.
“Please tell me more,” I say as my fingers playfully pinch her right nipple.
“Uhhh, and it was… ahhhhh(!) Fate that made you find this… ahhhh!!!! This red notebook. Fuck!” Nova exclaims with exquisite pain/pleasure as I tweak her lovely nipples and pressing my little face between her breasts, purring.
“You need to follow this through,” Nova gasps.
“Yes,” I agree, moving my hand down inside her tight gray shorts and finding no panties to hinder my way. The length of my fingers cover the shape of her smooth, shaved curve, the tips discover her naughty wetness. Pressing the tips of my index and middle finger against her outer folds, I look up to her face and lick her throat.
“You’ve been getting excited while I was worrying about this nightclub,” my voice sounding deep and sexy.
“Fuck,” she whispers biting her lower lip.
“And you shaved your pussy,” my voice betraying my surprise.
“For you,” Nova whispers back.
My fingers work into her inner folds. More slick with her naughty little girl juices. I gather her folds between my two fingers and move my hand up and down, real fast. Nova lays back against the couch, closes her eyes and moans for her kitty. For me. She reaches for my face and we kiss as I expertly bring her to a climax. Little compares to your girlfriend moaning into your mouth as she cums on your fingers. Meow.
I let her rest, sitting next to her and watching her hand lazily explore my breasts.
I ask Alexa to play Mazzy Star. The quiet, languid guitar strumming begins followed by the steel Fender, then…
I want to hold the hand inside you
I want to take a breath that’s true
I look to you and I see nothing
I look to you to see the truth
Miss Sandoval’s vocals, sweet, slow, sure…
You live your life, you go in shadows
You’ll come apart and you’ll go blind
Some kind of night into your darkness
Colors your eyes with what’s not there
Her chorus brings chills along my arm, Nova rests her head on my shoulders…
Fade into you
Strange you never knew
Fade into you
I think it’s strange you never knew
******************************************************************************************************************
We ride the crowded elevator up the floors of the law office building where we work. As the doors open, I kiss Nova. The male associates pretend to look down at their smartphones. The surrounding female ones just smile. I arrive at my desk and sip my coffee. Reading my messages, I see my boss requesting my presence when I’m available. I take a deep breath and walk into her office.
Ellen sits quietly behind her desk reading papers with a keen eye. Her dark blue blazer goes well with her blonde short hair. She looks up and smiles. I walk over and place a bag on her desk. The sunlight catches her ring she is wearing. The gemstone, emerald, matches her eyes.
“I brought you a multigrain bagel with garden veggie cream cheese.”
“Thank you, Sarah,” as she reaches for her coffee. “Did you get to City Hall before it closed yesterday?”
“Oh, yes, and, I…”
“What is it? Don’t stutter,” as she looks up at me with her green eyes.
“Well, you see, there’s this black cat, a red notebook, an old lady that sounds very young, and…”
“Slow down, Sarah. You act like a schoolgirl,” her familiar saying makes me feel giddy.
“Sorry, Ellen,” I say looking down at my basic black Saban dress flats.
Ellen stands up and smooths her matching dark blue skirt. Her long legs appear from behind her desk covered in white stockings ending in her smart black dress shoes.
“I like your shoes. Black velvet with those nice bows,” my voice sounding like a younger version of myself.
“They arrived yesterday. Collette Pumps. Why don’t you try them on?” as she slips out of them.
I bend one knee and reach behind to pull off my own shoe, then the other.
“Wait,” she instructs and walks back behind her desk and retrieving something from a lower drawer.
My eyes grow big as she approaches me holding a pair of my panties.
“If you act like a little schoolgirl, then you should wear little schoolgirl panties.”
I accept them. My black undies with yellow smiley face print. I step into them and pull them up under my skirt and then step into her black bow shoes.
“How did you know I wasn’t wearing any panties?” I ask.
“Need I answer that, Sarah? You’re so predictable. Ok, call it a good guess,” she softly laughs.
She takes my hand and leads me to some new furnishings installed in the corner of her office. A nice plush rug, burgundy, and matching leather couch with bronze rivets along the sinuous border. We sit down. She eats her bagel. I feel like I should be drinking chocolate milk from a carton with a straw like back in grade school.
“Now tell me all about this red notebook.”
I proceed to tell my boss what happened after I got off the bus yesterday and ended up in that bookstore. Twenty minutes later, I was out of breath. Ellen brushed my hair out of my eyes and studied me.
“You’re a grown woman, Sarah. We play these games, but that’s all they are. We enjoy this exchange. But we both know how clever you are. I think you will find your way to this nightclub. And I don’t think you will be in any danger. In fact, I know someone who works there. Her name is Kaniqua. Ask for her, you will be in good hands.”
I take a deep breath and hug Ellen. As always, she lifts my spirits and confidence. The rest of the day I keep busy with my own duties and answering a few calls for Ellen she thought I could handle. After lunch I needed to pee and go to the ladies’ room. From the stall I call Nova and tell her all about my conversation I had with Ellen earlier in the day. I even include the part of Ellen making me wear my very own smiley panties she keeps in her desk drawer. We both laugh and then I hear a toilet flush. Shit! Someone had been in the stall next to me the whole time! I peer out over my stall door and see the back of a slender young woman. Her light brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, pink polo shirt, tan twill pants and casual brown shoes. She washes her hands quickly and leaves.
Around 3 pm I talk with Ellen. There is a meeting with all the junior executives she needs to attend and if I could review some important pending cases we have coming up. When she leaves, I sit at her desk and begin reading some of the documents. About 10 minutes later there’s a knock on the door.
“Come in,” I say.
And in walks…
“Hi, I’m Jenny. The new courier.”
I stare at her face, fresh and bright. She appears very fit and slender under her… pink (!) polo shirt and… tan (!) twill pants. Fuck.
Her sun kissed brown ponytail bounces as she lightly steps further into the office.
“Hi, I’m… Ellen. Uh, well, what can I do for you… Jenny?”
“You called me to pick up a package for FedEx,” she laughs.
“What’s so funny?”
“You sound different on the phone. In fact, you sound like…”
“Sorry, I’m not Ellen. She’s my boss and I was doing some work for her while she’s in a meeting,” I feel my face blushing.
“Yes, so you’re the girl I heard in the bathroom earlier today.”
“Yes, and you’re the girl secretly listening to my private conversations,” I reply back.
“I was searching in my backpack for a tampon when all of a sudden I heard your voice in the next stall. What was I supposed to do?” Jenny calmly states, crossing her arms across her ample chest.
“You’re right, Jenny. Let’s start over,” as I get up and shake her hand, “Hi, I’m Sarah. Nice to meet you Jenny, the new courier,” trying to give her my best cat smile.
“It’s ok, Sarah,” Jenny reflecting my smile with one of her own, making me tingle with her touch.
I start to look around the room for the package and see something over on the table in the corner by the couch where I sat earlier with Ellen.
“I believe the package is over here,” as I move past Jenny smelling her fragrant soap and shampoo, putting naughty visions into my head.
I slowly bend over to get it, hoping she’s enjoying this little show, and turn around to hand her the package. We practically bump into each other.
“Oh, sorry, Sarah. I wasn’t expecting you to turn around so fast. You seemed to be frozen as you bent over,” a smirk clearly on her face.
“I wasn’t doing anything of the sort,” I stammer turning red again.
“You’re cute, and I would love to see you in your schoolgirl panties someday,” Jenny flirts as she takes the package out of my hands and walks out of the office.
I stare at her back and bobbing ponytail, my mouth fully open in complete astonishment as she exits, closing the door.
*********************************************************************************************************************
That night, propped up in my bed reading The Real Witches of New England: History, Lore & Modern Practice I picked up a few months ago at Serifos Sanctuary, I am again drawn to the chapter on one witch in particular: Nona. It seems she has a knack for seducing young girls and putting them under her spell. Oooh, wicked witch. I pet Salem next to me. She purrs.
“Salem. I’m gonna do it. Tomorrow night after work, this kitty is gonna take the stage at 3 Dollar Bill,” I say to my cat as she licks her paws.
***********************************************************************************************************************
That evening, back home in my apartment after work, I get ready to go out. I stream some Sarah McLaughlan music, hoping it would soak into my skin, change my body chemistry, inhabit my soul. Meow. She has such a silky, seductive voice! How it slightly cracks on certain words, and transitions from soft high notes to a sustained lullaby. Sensual.
I assemble nondescript clothing: black print tee, torn jeans, canvas sneakers, dark hoodie. I kiss Salem for good luck and head out into the cold, wintery night to ride the MTA. Even as I sit on the bus taking me to Meserole St in Brooklyn, my thoughts attack me. Can I really do this? All my friends say I can. And I need to find my Venus! You don’t scare me clue girl.
The bus stops at my destination. I hop onto the sidewalk and make my way to the nightclub. I come across a sign painted on the outside brick wall. It’s designed like paper money. In this case, a 3 dollar bill. Nice. I go inside and relieved to find a small venue with a small stage at the far end. I walk past a big mural painted on wood leaning against a wall. The center figure is a very buxom blonde, sitting with three legs spread out wearing red sparkle heels. Her hands hold rainbow fans. Looking closer I see a spaceship above projecting a triangle full of rainbows. Cute.
I walk over to the bar. Open mic starts in about 30 minutes. All the customers are men in women’s clothing. Like strippers and hookers, they look enticing. Some could even pass for a woman. I’m impressed and feeling awkward.
“What will you have?” a feminine voice asks me.
I turn back to the bar and see a black woman, a real black woman, a real sexy black woman waiting for my response.
“Ah, do you have Pomegranate Martini?”
“Sure do, honey,” she flashes a big smile and turns to mix my drink.
My eyes wander around the room. All these sweet men dressed how they want to look. Kissing. Groping. Laughing. I begin to feel the vibe. A sense of… relaxation?
“Here you go, girl.”
I turn and raise the long-stemmed glass full of red liquid to my lips. Sip. Sip. Sip. Ok, now I am relaxed, lol. I notice the bartender still looking at me.
“Well, how is it?” she asks me.
“Oh, excellent. Thanks! Hey, do you know where I can find Kaniqua?” as I take another large sip of my martini.
Her warm hand covers my free one. “Looks like I found you,” her voice strong and convincing.
I look down at my drink, my face turning the same shade of red as my martini.
“Don’t be shy, girl. Tell Kaniqua what do you need?”
“Ellen told me you could help,” I say, feeling her hand touching mine as I lift my other hand for another large sip. And another, sip.
“Ellen? Is that a stage name?”
“Oh, no. She’s my boss. An attorney. She says she knows you.” Sip.
I watch Kaniqua put one of her long slender dark fingers to her full crimson covered glossy lips.
“Umm. Tall blonde, short hair, angular cheek bones, always has a serious look?”
“That’s her,” I confirm. Sip.
“Now I remember. She used to come in here like once a month a few years back. Brought her girlfriend with her. Something about getting away from their usual group of friends and places they frequented.”
I watch Kaniqua think some more.
“Oh, her girlfriend was a, uh, what do you call it? Dance troupe? Ballet company!”
“A ballerina?” I say trying to hide my curiosity with a few more sips. Sip. Sip.
“Yes. A delicate creature, that one. Put her in a tutu and leggings and she would fit the classical dancer.”
I’m a bit surprised to find this about my boss. A girlfriend? And the ring she wears? Married??
“Hey, I better not say anymore. You look a bit stunned. So, what brings you here?”
“Well, it’s open mic and I want to perform a song.” Sipping the rest of my martini till the glass is empty.
“Oh, girl. This sounds good! Let me take you back to our dressing room.”
And just like that she grabs my hand and leads me backstage, like my newfound agent or manager of the nightclub scene. It’s one big dressing room with a few guys putting on their makeup, one pulling up women’s tights over his shaved legs, and another just about to pull up his g string over his…
I try not to gawk at the size of it. I stand in the middle like I’m lost. I look around for Kaniqua and she returns with my costume. It’s lingerie. With a greenish hue.
“I’m not your mommy, you can dress yourself, now put it on. I need to see how it fits, and looks,” Kaniqua informs me.
“Ah, here?” I timidly ask.
“No, out in the cold streets. Yes, dear. Don’t worry. All of us have seen it all, and more,” she warmly smiles.
Before I can think, I’m unzipping my hoodie, pulling off my t shirt, kicking off my sneakers, then down goes my jeans. I take some slow short breaths trying not to make eye contact with the other performers and reach around and undo my bra. Kaniqua picks up my clothes and hands me the baby doll. I let it fall down over my head, the straps find my shoulders. I stand in front of one of the mirrors and Kaniqua adjusts the lace cups. Her hands feel my breasts, my hands feel the fabric of the bodice.
“It’s Lurex, gives it that shiny look. And baby, under those stage lights, you’re gonna sizzle,” she says as her hands slowly move from the lace cups to pull the halter sash around my neck and ties a bow.
I turn around in the mirror and stand on my toes, looking at the back side. The sash falls between my shoulder blades and half way down my back.
“Now if your routine involves showing some panty, I suggest the matching pair that comes with this outfit,” and Kaniqua hands me the green shiny featherlight panties.
I reach under the hem that exposes the bottom curves of my butt and remove my own panties, handing them to Kaniqua and take the green ones and like a cat, up they go over my smooth mound as the green hem falls back down in place.
I hear the audience clapping and whistling.
“Sounds like the crowd is enjoying themselves,” I say.
“They know a good performance when they see one, and honey, you’re gonna be getting that same reaction very soon. Now let me do something with your hair.”
I watch in the mirror as Kaniqua adds some purple extensions to my dark brown hair and a few long wavy ones ending in curls. Her fingers weave through my hair as fast as mine rub my kitty when I’m about to cum. Super fly, you dig?
“How do you like?” she asks as her brown hands frame my lovely tresses in the mirror.
“Meow,” I reply.
“Hey, one of you silly girls bring over some tights and heels for Veronica,” Kaniqua shouts to the drag queens.
“Who is Veronica?” I ask.
“Your stage name, honey, you,” she firmly adds, squeezing my bare shoulders.
With my wardrobe complete, I wait to be called onto the stage to complete my challenge, my dare. I ask Kaniqua for another drink. A few minutes later her dark, mesmerizing figure is sashaying toward me with a silver tray. On it is a small mound of sea salt, a couple lime wedges, a shot glass, and a bottle of Cabo Wabo tequila. She pours a shot, then takes my hand. Her glossy red lips move over it and her long, wet tongue licks the place between my forefinger and thumb. She sprinkles on some sea salt and instructs me to lick it like a good kitty. I do. Then down goes the tequila, and her hand brings a lime wedge to my lips and pushes it against them. I suck. And suck. And I wish we could have sex right now. Fuck.
We hear the audience applaud again. After a few moments of silence, the emcee introduces the next performer.
“We have a lovely girl with a passionate heart to sing a song for all you lovers out there. I present to you, Veronica!”
“That’s your cue, honey,” Kaniqua whispers in my ear and gives me a little kiss.
I make my way in my six inch black heels entering stage left. All the lights are out except some embedded in the floor. Little tiny ones providing a trail to… a bed. I kneel behind it. I wait…
The jazzy cymbals begin to fill the room with the distant echo of the lone snare drumbeat. Add the simple soft piano chords and… the surrounding lights come on. I begin.
Your love is better than ice cream
Better than anything else that I've tried
And your love is better than ice cream
Everyone here knows how to fight
During this verse I crawl over the bed, white sheets ruffled, empty, and sit on the edge facing the audience.
And it's a long way down
My hands move down my body and back
The lights playing off my teddy bear, shinning greenish blue
My legs spread, two purple ice cream sticks ending in creamy light tan thighs
It's a long way down
Again, I repeat the hand movements, down over the bodice
It's a long way down to the place
Now my hands remain between my legs
Where we started from
I move to kneel on the bed, and during this next verse my hands lovingly caress my body. The lights reflecting off my silky teddy bear, s**ttering sea green in one direction and deep ocean blue in the other. As my long hair teases my breasts, my fingers curl the purple strands.
Your love is better than chocolate
Better than anything else that I've tried
And oh, your love is better than chocolate
Everyone here knows how to cry
I lay on my back lifting my legs in dark purple tights up in the air forming a sexy V. My hands moving in the motion of the words. Down. Down. Long Way Down. Slowly, sensuously, matching my sultry voice. This position also exposes my skimpy green panties that barely cover my ass. But I don’t know that.
It's a long way down
It's a long way down
It's a long way down to the place
Where we started from...
The music ends. I lower my legs to the floor and before I sit up, the crowd is on their feet, clapping and yelling and asking for more! I quietly bow and run off, stage left to the dressing room.
Kaniqua greets me with open arms, hugging me like a sister.
“You were brilliant! And I have another piece of information for you. A package arrived yesterday by FedEx. A note inside said for Sarah and signed E. It was the teddy bear, and now I know it must’ve been Ellen, since she knew you were coming here.”
“So, I get to keep my outfit?”
“Of course, but not the tights or heels,” and we both laugh.
As I put my regular clothes back on, Kaniqua smiles at me.
“What?” I ask, smiling back.
“You’re a born sexy killer. I have one more thing to give you. Almost a month ago a mysterious woman mentioned the song Ice Cream. If I was to ever hear it performed on our stage, I was instructed to ask for a red notebook.”
My hand slowly pulls out the little red notebook I hid in the pockets of my hoodie.
Kaniqua finds the right page and adds a sticker, then also tapes the page that was torn out and hands me back the notebook.
I open it and under DO YOU DARE? I find the sticker. But I can’t decipher it. I look up at Kaniqua.
“I don’t know what it means either, but if I was grading you, honey, you could have a regular spot here.”
“Thank you, Kaniqua,” and we hug and kiss.
“Take care, little kitty kat,” and I watch Kaniqua vanish into the crowd.
I make my way outside and wait at the bus stop. Still snowing. The bus arrives. I get on and find a seat. Then I take the little red notebook back out, and read the torn page that Kaniqua added:
If you are reading this, you must have accomplished the dare. I am very impressed. What happens next is up to you. Write down what you like, anything that you may be looking for in your Venus. Then put the book back on the shelf. If I like what you write, you will hear from me.
I close the book. I close my eyes. Thirty minutes later I’m back in my apartment. Salem is rubbing against my legs. I pour some wine and take it into my bedroom. I take my clothes off, yes, even that alluring teddy bear and put on my pjs. I climb into bed and Salem joins me. I take a sip of wine and pick up that volume on witches and read some more about Nona. Salem purrs. I fall asleep.
2 年 前