Did any of the other guys notice how nervous I was? I was the new recruit and nobody except Shane had spoken to me since I started.

Tonight was my first time performing for a large audience, though I had practiced my routine a million times at home.

This club was notoriously picky when selecting its performers, nobody got in without a recommendation from the existing talent.

Shane had vouched for me but that didn't hold any sway over the others. He insisted that I would have to earn their respect.

Everyone's performance was different, mine was centered around cosplay. I was planning to change my outfit regularly but tonight I was going to portray Sensei Warpsong from the anime series; "Blades of the Champions".

I chose the costume for its layers and hoped to dazzle the audience with something they hadn't seen before.

Biting on a nail, I watched Jason perform from backstage. He had reached the part of his cowboy routine where only a Stetson was covering his front. A crowd of only men across all age groups was going absolutely wild.

I, on the other hand, had the best view in the house... one of Jason's beautiful perky ass!

We were expected to go full monty in front of the crowd, so Jason's last move of the night was to put his hat back on his head before taking a deep bow to a cheering audience.

I was next. I was shaking like a leaf but I managed to climb the small ladder behind the stage curtain.

I jumped down and landed perfectly, my robes fluttering around me. The audience was staring at me in silence, I definitely had their attention.

I waved my left arm in an arch in front of my masked face, the long sleeves flapping in the air. I did the same with the other arm just before I reached the dancing pole. I grabbed the pole and twirled around it once, twice, three times, my robes fluttering all over.

Then, I stepped away from the pole and let my robe fall to the floor. I gave the audience a moment to absorb the sight of my cobalt blue corset with matching slip underwear. With one fluid movement, I grabbed the pole again and pulled my body up into a perfectly straight human flag. 

The crowd clapped enthusiastically. 

As I walked all the way to the front of the catwalk-like stage, I opened the corset with the quick-release cord. I dropped it onto the floor and watched the mesmerized audience stare at me.

Popping the fluffy blue tail out of my underwear, I turned around to give it a little shake. Sensei Warpsong was a warrior wolf. 

Nobody had expected the back-flip, during which I obviously lost my mask. A murmur echoed through the audience.

Ok, it was time for the last part of my act. Was I ready? It was now or never!

I put my thumbs into the band of my underwear on each side and pulled the velcro loose.

The crowd erupted into applause and inundated the stage in money. I was using my dance school skills in a high-end strip club but seeing all those twenty dollar bills flying was quite the sight.

***

I left the club a bit before five am. Just as I turned the corner, a guy stepped in front of me and said, "I saw you perform tonight, you were... phenomenal!"

He seemed genuine but I got a creepy vibe from him.

"You know, I was thinking that maybe you could give me... a private show," the guy said with a sinister smile.

"It's late," I said, "I need to get home."

"I can make it worth your while," he said, taking out his wallet.

Holy shit, I was a performer in a strip club, not a prostitute! Why did he just assume that I was for sale?

"I don't think so," I said, a bit more forcefully than I intended.

He suddenly grabbed my wrist and hissed, "I said, I'll pay!"

"Hey!" a voice said from behind me. "Is he bothering you?"

Jason stepped into view and I immediately let out a breath of relief.

"I was just complimenting his performance," the guy said, letting go of my wrist.

"Great! Now move along," Jason said, gruffly.

"Thanks," I mumbled, as soon as the creep was gone.

"No problem, dude," Jason said with an unexpectedly kind smile. "The boys and I are going for a nightcap, would you like to join us?"

Did this mean that I had earned my place?