George
We’d made our way into a nearby strip club. It wasn’t the sort of place that I enjoyed too much, but I went along anyway. The time shortly came for private dances, but I declined. People-watching in a strip club was particularly enjoyable. I just enjoyed watching people a different way to everyone else in there. Men a lot less wealthy than me spending more money than they could afford on cheap thrills—I found it fascinating. I liked to pretend that I was above it all, but in truth I’d find a dance far too awkward and embarrassing.
Drink would help with that, but it was only the start of the night. My genius mind that helped take technology to the next level had its demons, which I tried to keep hidden. I felt awkward around new people and I was terrible at conversation. Thankfully for a man in my position, other people are more than willing to make the conversation. All I had to do was show my wealth and some gold-digger would soon approach. It was easy; the hard part was getting them to leave as soon as possible the morning after.
The anxiety and wealth were a dangerous combination, however, which left me somewhat bitter and loveless. The only way I could attract women was by showing off, and the type of girls who fell for that trick weren’t exactly the type that I wanted a long-lasting relationship with. I didn’t think I was bad-looking by any means, but girls expect to be approached and I could never do that. Well, sometimes I could, if alcohol was involved. I’d try and attract women without mentioning my bank balance, but that never usually worked.
It was usually at this point of a night where I’d either show off my wealth or just straight up tell a girl how rich I was; if subtlety didn’t work, then I was happy to be blunt. Except this night I decided against it. The euphoria of a great week and the night had died away, and I was ready to go home before I got too drunk.
Just like the walk in, I liked the walk home too. This walk usually sobered me up a bit, but I hadn’t drunk too much and it wasn’t that late. The takeaway shops were filling up and the air was loud with drunk voices trying to talk over each other. It had started to rain, not heavily, but enough to be an annoyance. I considered getting a taxi, but thought I’d persevere with it. The cool rain on my face felt nice after the oppressive heat of the bars.
As I walked on I saw a figure in the distance, crouched down and leant against a wall. It was the same figure as before. I was slightly confused. Usually at this time the city’s homeless had drifted away to find shelter, especially when it was raining. As I approached there was no begging for change. There was just the figure curled up in a ball, quietly sobbing to herself.
I hesitated for a moment and then walked on. Then a sudden urge came over me to turn around. It was probably the alcohol still running through my veins that gave me the courage to talk. I approached her, cautiously.
“Are you okay?” I asked. “Are you okay there?”
The young girl uncurled herself from the ball to check it was her that was being spoken to.
“Me?” she said with her sweet voice.
I nodded my head, and once again I was taken aback by her beauty, this time at a closer glance. Her lips were pale, her skin white from the cold, hair tied back and her face untouched by make-up. But behind all that was one of the prettiest faces I had ever seen.
“Not really... no,” came the reply. It was a fairly stupid question with a fairly obvious answer.
I didn’t really know what to say after that, so instead I pulled out my wallet and gave her my remaining coins. I took a glance at my notes, but decided to keep them. I was no philanthropist and had never really learned the art of selflessness. As soon as I gave her the change, I turned my back and went to walk away, not knowing why I went to engage with her in the first place.
“Is there any way you could help me?” came her voice, desperate, stopping me before I could leave.
“Like what?” was my curt reply.
“I don’t know, I just don’t know what to do. I’m new to this.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t help you,” I said. My instant reaction was to always say no, and I turned away to go home. After once again travelling a few steps away, I couldn’t escape the gravity of this young girl’s beauty. If the first time I was stopped was because of curiosity, this time it was because of a sinister fantasy.
I turned around and the stricken girl looked up at me, waiting on my next words.
“I’ll give you a bed for the night if you fuck me,” I said, bluntly. I thought I might play the situation to my advantage and live out a risqué fantasy at the same time.