<span style="font-family:Assistant">Alice's song ended soon and she made her way off stage after collecting her money from one the dancers. Every time a dancer performed, another dancer would help with collecting the money. It made it easier for smooth transactions into the performances each night. One of the stagehands handed her a towel and her robe. She thanked them while wiping her brow gently to avoid smudging her makeup.<br/>
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"A-Alice!"<br/>
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Her blue eyes zoomed in on Wyatt. He waddled over. Face red from running errands around the club. Her brows knitted curiously. She never saw him during the performance backstage. Usually he out doing Gwendolyn's bidding out in the main area. "What's up?"<br/>
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Wyatt glanced at his pocket watch. "G-Gwendolyn would like to see you in her booth."<br/>
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That was a first. Alice felt the color in her cheeks disappear. Their boss had made an appearance this evening. A rarity in itself. "Alright. I'll go change and come out immediately." He shook his head. "No, she requests to see you now," he whispered.<br/>
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Alice nodded silently. She has been hoping to speak with Star before her dance, but that would have to wait. She followed Wyatt out to seating area giving Raven a look of distress. Wyatt brought her over to the VIP section and to a booth a bit higher than the rest. Alice avoided the intimidating stare of the woman sipping a glass of red wine, legs cross, wearing a scandalous <a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FTyPnpDb.jpg&amp;hash=725f45443367593ed93304fd637d6f2a" href="https://i.imgur.com/TyPnpDb.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">red dress</a>. Something you wouldn't think a strip club owner would wear. But Gwendolyn wasn't the norm. She loved going against the grain. She ignored Alice for the first few moments savoring her drink and watching the patrons. Her eyes cut to Wyatt as he jumped slightly. "That will be all for not Wyatt. Off with you."<br/>
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The man looked relieved and practically ran off. Gwen patted a place on her right side. "Sit." Alice scurried and sat down next to her putting as much distance between her. Gwendolyn chuckled sipping her wine. A cocktail server brought over a bottle of lime sparkling water and set it down in front of Alice. <br/>
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"You were distracted tonight," Gwen finally said. <br/>
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Alice jumped taking a sip. "I-I was?"<br/>
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"Bullshit Alice. You know you were. Whatever problems you got, leave them outside. It cost money and you make a lot. You're gonna sit with me during Star's dance. Then tomorrow you're gonna work with her. Got it?"<br/>
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"Yes Gwendolyn," she answered.<br/>
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The older woman nodded swiping the curls off her face. She leaned in close to Alice grabbing her chin making the young girl yelp with pain. No one could see nor hear what was said from their booth. "If I find out whose selling you whatever you're taking, people <i>will </i>disappear. Capisce?"<br/>
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The</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"> </span><span style="font-family:Assistant">fear in Alice's eyes was enough for her as Gwen sat back pleased with her threat. In all honesty, she didn't care about the drugs. It was all money to her, but her merchandise was being messed with. She let the girl shiver in the corner as she turned her attention back to the stage for the next dance.</span>