{{Ginger}}

"Left, right, left, right - one, two, three - down!" Verona yells from below.


I climb as high as the rooftop, grab hold of the rafters, and swing as hard as I can. Wrapping my legs tightly around the pole, it's time for the finale. One release of my thigh muscles, and I'm flying down to the ground. 
"STOP!" 
At the sound of her voice, I tighten up - and barely miss my head on the stage. I did it. A sigh of relief escapes me as I ease my feet down to the floor. 
"Good job, thought you were going to bust your head on the floor again," Verona says as she slaps me on the butt. I thank her and head off to the showers.


Six years as a "dancer", and my body is paying the price. I know it's time to leave the field, but where do you find money this good? It started out as a way to pay for tuition; go-go dancing at night clubs, mermaid swimming at mansions. Then, I got an offer to work at King of Diamonds - one of the country's largest and highest grossing strip clubs. The Miami scene was intense - we always had to keep up with the latest trends, perfect our skills - stay on top. Bringing in at least $500 a night is great, but after graduating with my dual-degree in Accounting and Business Management, I am ready for a career change. 


One of my clients suggested I get into the high-end retail industry, and I found a posting at Wildwood for Regional Accountant. Since moving here to NY four months ago, this is the first job interview I'll be going on - the cash I brought from Miami has yet to be depleted. This dance scene is just not the same, and I know I can't do this forever. My fancy sports car and Midtown apartment aren't cheap, though - and I need a job that will balance that. 


I dry off and get dressed in the locker room. Perfections is a nice club, but the girls here just don't bring in the money I'm looking for. Hopefully tomorrow's interview goes well, and the next time I step in this place - I'll be making it rain off the stage...