Chapter 3 The Lifestyle

One of the strip dancers, a blond, tall amateur was getting down to business on the stage. Debbie handed over the tray she was serving on to another barmaid making her rounds taking orders from the customers. On noticing that Alex was not bothered by her presence perhaps in need of someone to chat with, Debbie pulled the empty seat directly opposite him backwards and sat repositioning the seat forwards. She was entangled by curiosity with an urge of knowing who the man was and yearned to know him personally and exclusively in a romantic way. After all, he was handsome and evidently wealthy.

To her, the dream of forfeiting her job as a barmaid might possibly be coming to pass, she thought. She was already feeling attached and emotionally inclined to Alex not withstanding she had just met the man. Though Debbie was a barmaid at the Dracula and envy to the men who visited the club frequently, she was an uptight and a hard nut to crack. She never compromised her principles. She was a principled beauty but with a charming attraction and most valued barmaid among the rest including Nicole, her friend. She was Paul's favorite.

"Don't be anxious. I am sure whoever it is, is on the way. You are welcome in Sun City town already" she assured him smiling.

"I am" he appreciated

"Are you coming to live in Sun City or on a visit?" Debbie asked curiously interested.

"I am coming to reside here in Sun City town. In fact, I am waiting for a property manager to lead me to my new home." Alex explained getting into the conversation slowly."

"Awesome! I thought so." Debbie affirmed expressing a lighter face. She exhibited great relief and Alex was keen to notice her change in mannerism and sudden excitement.

"You want me to stay. Don't you?" he asked cleverly. Trying to hide her excitement and composing herself Debbie mumbled.

"Me? Ahem!

"Yeah, you of course" Alex stressed

"I would want that very much .You know, it's good to meet new People" Debbie answered evasively

The dialogue was getting interesting and both were drowning in it. Debbie tried to restrict her flirting mannerisms in vain. It was clear that she was undoubtedly interested in Alex. Alex on the other hand kept his composure and consciously but charmingly snared her to stick around. He was getting comfort and solace in the new environment.

Alex went on sipping his wine from the glass while Paul's mind and eyes stuck to the stranger's car parked besides his as he sat at a strategic corner near the window perhaps for a better view. The tall blond was already at it. She whirled round a silver pole erected at the edge of the podium near the tables occupied by fanatics. She whirled seductively camouflaged by the colors of disco lights within the stage. Her eyes drowsily positioned, she moved to the rhythm as she teased the men seated near the edge. The seductive dancer pleasurably whirled over and over.

At the further end, Alex seemed uninterested by the stripper as she settled to her last of her garments inviting loud cheers from the audience. He was more into Debbie's sweet seduction and her charming prowess. Coincidentally, as he sipped the last drop of his expensive wine a man walked in to their table hurriedly accompanied by a beautiful lady beside him. It was Mike. He was Alex's one half hour's long wait. He stood next to Alex while the lady remained beside him. Alex showed a sigh of relief with a smile. Debbie looked distracted and bored by Mike's interruption. She was disappointed that he had broken their conversation with Alex but surprised it was Mike who kept him waiting.

Mike was not a stranger at the Dracula. He was a frequent visitor of the club after an extraneous long day's work. Being a senior bachelor at the age of thirty eight, Mike found the club a haven ideal to pass his night away. However, his infamous habit of changing women casually as his wardrobe was clear to those who knew him. His career in property management and agency was working out right for him making him financially apt. He was known to pick prostitutes along Lincoln Avenue on his way home virtually as a daily habit. His money literally went into cocottes since he considered himself financially subtle and a man who owned 'diverse' assets. He drove a nice Toyota Avensis and groomed casually but stylishly hence an attraction to women in the business of prostitution. He lived alone in an expensive bungalow along Spring Valley. Mike shook hands with Alex and subsequently Debbie's, kissing her wrist. He proceeded to introduce the woman with him as Ashley and apologized for keeping Alex waiting. Ashley walked to the counter and bought a pack of cigarette. She tore the pack and tapped it stroking the top end to remove a stick. She proceeded to light it and embarked on her way back, her high heeled shoes producing a rhythmic sound against the floor, her curly blond hair making a bouncy movement over her shoulders and the cigarette pack held in the left hand while she smoked with the other displaying long colored nails. Her eyes shone like fire under the whisked combed eye lashes and thinly shaved eyebrows wearing a dark eye pencil. Her lips wore a dark lipstick displaying a seductive motive. She definitely appeared like a prostitute.

Alex was getting ready to leave. He was not willing to spend an extra minute at the Dracula without having seen his new home. He rose from the seat and composed himself buttoning his white coat. He picked the receipt from the table to read it for the sole purpose of clearing his dues owed to the club for the wine he had utilized. He flipped the receipt over and noticed Debbie's cell phone number with her name boldly written alongside it. Debbie, though disappointed that Alex was leaving, she got consolation when he noticed her number on the receipt. The wine cost him one hundred and fifty dollars. He dipped his hand in the front pocket of his pair of trousers and drew a batch of tightly strapped notes. He drew two notes of hundred dollars each and handed over to Debbie. Since Debbie was also getting ready to leave for tomorrow, she extended the responsibility of clearing the bill to her mate, Nicole.

"Debbie, Right? Alex called.

"Yes" she answered calmly

"We will catch up later. May be; soon." Alex assured returning the rest of his money into his pocket. He subsequently drew his cell phone from the same pocket and noted Debbie's number in his phone book. He flapped down his phone and slid it into the pocket.

"Thanks for the company. I appreciate" he told Debbie.

"It's nothing really" she replied in a faded tone

"Mike!" he called". "Let's go" he asked

They were leaving when Debbie called.

"Your change sir...Alex" she reminded

"It's yours. Keep it." Alex replied walking away alongside Mike and Ashley.

Debbie snatched the change from her mate and walked farther behind them keeping her eyes steady on Alex. He entered into his car while Ashley took Mike's. As Alex's car locked its detachable roof driving away, the revelers attention was briefly distracted including Paul's, the manager. Debbie watched both cars disappear into thin air cruising along Rhodes highway under the bright street lighting. She took a taxi to drop her a few blocks from the Dracula where she lived in a single bed roomed apartment along Lincoln Avenue.