Stella tried hard not be excited but she couldn't help it. She knew she shouldn't let herself be, and kept asking herself what on earth had possessed her to even accept the invitation. But then she figured it was just a show and dinner, and there was no harm in enjoying those.  She had pulled out her little black dress, and a hand embroidered stole - in case she felt cold, a bright red, sequined clutch, and black high heeled pumps. Since she started work at the bar she had paid attention to how women dressed and tried to look a little more dressy and smarter. She, who had never cared about clothes and fashion, had realized she kinda liked dressing up, and she liked classic styles. Much of her last three weeks of income from the bar had gone towards clothes. She had found an upscale resale shop and loved going there, partly because she loved the vintage feel of the place and because she suspected that it was highly unlikely that Magdalene would ever set foot in a resale store. And why would she need to? She undoubtedly got to keep most of what she wore anyway.<br/><br/>Her mind briefly went to the evening the previous week when Magdalene had showed up at the bar. Stella smiled to herself when Magdalene, who could not be accused of being slow on the uptake, had realized what Stella was doing when she had played a few well chosen songs. They didn't stay long after they had finished their meal and drinks, maybe to head to find the nearest bed? Whatever it was, it was none of her concern and Stella only remembered the incident because it had been so deliciously satisfying to her.<br/><br/>Two of the regulars at the bar seemed to be in a competition to see who could lure her to bed first, and while they were both good looking, and one of them, Martin Sedgewick, was well heeled to boot, she had no interest in any relationships. But they tipped well, and she made twice as much in a week now than she had at that blasted music school.<br/><br/><i>'Lookin' sharp, chicka'</i>said the devil on her shoulder.<br/><br/><i>'smokin'</i>agreed the angle,<i>'more mascara, though.'<br/>
</i><br/>"I am going to have dinner and watch a show," said Stella firmly closing the mascara tube, "I'm not performing in it."<br/><br/>She looked at the mirror and liked what she saw. Her cheekbones looked sharper than they used to, she had not been very regular with eating, but she wasn't underweight or anything, so she didn't worry. Her red hair was in a classic chignon secured with a few pearl tipped hairpins, and she wore a simple strand of pearls she'd snagged at an estate sale, not sure if they were real, but hey, they looked great! She went to the full length mirror in her bedroom and looked at the ensemble, the hem of the dress ended up just above her knees, she had a somewhat lowcut back and her cleavage was sort of covered by the sheer black inset which looked, in the right angle and light absolutely daring.<br/><br/><i>'Naughty' </i>piped up the angel.<br/><i>'Totally'</i>agreed the devil.<br/>The little shits actually fist bumped.<br/><br/>Tesla was already in Anton's apartment with Lics as they had agreed on earlier, but she said she'd meet him at the restaurant, not go there together.<br/><br/>A quick puff of her favorite perfume, L'Air du Temps and she was ready to go.<br/><br/>The Uber was waiting for her, it was an elderly gent who drove because he was retired and bored, and she specifically requested him every time she used Uber.<br/><br/>"My my," he said as he opened the door for her, "You on a date for once?"<br/><br/>Stella laughed, "Yes, actually I am. Well, sort of. My neighbor invited me for a show. We'll have dinner before that."<br/><br/>"That's called a date, at least it was in my time," said the sixty some year old man as he closed her door and got in. He merged smoothly into traffic and they chatted until they arrived at the restaurant which conveniently was only two blocks from the theater.<br/><br/>"Mademoiselle," said the driver as he opened the door and extended a hand.<br/><br/>"Thank you, Gary," she said and climbed out of the car. He left with a wave and a shout "Enjoy your it's not a date - date."<br/><br/>She was three minutes early she realized, looking at her wrist watch, and decided to wait for Anton outside after sending him a text that she was at the restaurant, just in case he was already inside.