A Bump On The Head
by Debbifan

Part 4

"Seriously though Kaitlynne, you'd better get that agency to check out bookings a bit more carefully in future."

"No, you're right" Kaitlynne conceded. "I wouldn't have wanted to be faced with that situation and I'm experienced in the job. The trouble is, the agency wanted to cash in on the story and get more publicity. They were going to contact the Sun to run the story but I told them you wouldn't like that" she added. "Too bloody right I wouldn't" Debbi confirmed. "Did those brats take any photos ?" Kaitlynne wondered. "Bastards. They did, though I told them at the start they couldn't but they ignored me. I don't reckon they'll be sharing them any time soon though, they seemed so scared of that teacher bloke" Debbi replied. "Let's hope" said Katlynne. "Were you wearing the wig ? It's surprising how much that changes your appearance."

"I was thankfully, not like in the photo at the old folks home" Debbi responded. "Why, what was that ?" Kaitlynne asked. Debbi described how she had been asked to pose sitting on Fred's lap. "Let's see if it's on their site yet" Kaitlynne laughed. She did a quick search. "Oh my god, it is. Look Debbi, anyone can see it's you !" Debbi had seen the photo of course but seeing it again in context on the net was still unnerving. "And see here, underneath. It says 'Exotic dancer Debbi poses with Fred to celebrate his 80th birthday.' You didn't tell them your name did you ?" Kaitlynne was still laughing at the naivety of her new friend. "Of course not. But I did have to sign in at reception when I arrived and I just automatically put my real name. They must have looked at that."

"I am sorry you've had all this extra hassle. You are going to still cover the last two gigs for me aren't you ? The babe's on the mend but I could still do with the rest of the week off." Kaitlynne played the struggling single parent card. "I said I would didn't I" Debbi reassured her. "Well the club tomorrow will be a luxury in comparison. It's my favourite gig. A classy controlled environment and the tips are great." It was Kaitlynne's turn to reassure. "I'm sorry I haven't got any tips for you at all so far this week" Debbi apologised unnecessarily. "Don't worry. I really am grateful and especially that you're letting me keep the money from the agency for the bookings. But as it happens, you're bound to get loads of tips tonight."

"So go over again what happens at the club" Debbi asked. "OK, so there's a nice dressing room with the other girls. I've told the manager you're not a pro and he's fine with that, he says he can announce you as a novelty" Kaitlynne began. "Not as 'Debbi' ?" Debbi pleaded. "No, he'll come up with something" Kaitlynne laughed. "But anyway, there's no stripping as such. You're already undressed when you come out. It's up to you if you want to wear lingerie or a bikini but if you choose a bikini it has to be a really skimpy one. Have you got any like that ?" Debbi confirmed that she had. "I might be a serious business woman but when I'm on holiday in the Med or the Caribbean, I like to bare all !"

"Great" said Kaitlynne. "Now we know there's no time for you to learn proper pole dancing. The manager's fine with that, it's something else he'll explain to the punters. Just wiggle a bit and kind of drape yourself round the pole sometimes and rub yourself up against it." Debbi blushed at the thought. "You'll do four ten minute slots in the course of the evening."

"Four ?" Debbi wailed. "Yeah, sorry. Now, you'll be expected to take your top off but don't be in too much of a rush to do that. It's up to you if you will want to take the bottoms off as well. It can be good to keep them on because when you go near the front of the stage, the guys like to come up and put notes in the waistband as tips. It's probably a good idea to watch one of the other girls before you do your first turn, he's not going to start the night with you."

"Do you take your bottoms off ?" Debbi wondered. "There's no pressure to do so, he likes to think it's a bit more upmarket. But what I tend to do is take them off at the end of my final dance of the night. Kind of as a reward for the fellas who've stayed to the end !"

++++++

Despite being on leave, her boss Jeff had insisted that Debbi be present at work that afternoon for an important presentation. Hence it was that she was dressed in her formal business wear when she arrived at the staff entrance at the back of the pole dancing club in Reading and hence it was why the surprised manager greeted her with "Can I help you madam ?"

Debbi knew the place which used to be a legendary indie rock venue and there had been widespread protests when the local council had refused the promoters an extension to their licence but had instead granted permission for the premises to be converted into a pole dancing club.

"Er, I'm here to stand in for Kaitlynne ?" Debbi replied. The manager's demeanour changed as he took in the attractive young woman. "Oh, right. Yes, she called me. You're Debbi ?"

"That's me" Debbi confirmed. "She did tell you that I have no idea how to dance ?" That was one of Debbi's major concerns for the evening. "Yeah, she explained. That's no problem. Well, it normally would be a problem but since it's such a lovely girl as yourself I'm certain the customers won't mind as long as you're showing some skin ! Kaitlynne did explain that to you ?" he asked anxiously. "Yes, I've done a couple of her other gigs" Debbi reassured him.

"Come on through. I'll introduce you to the other girls. They're all Ukrainian but very friendly." He led Debbi along a corridor to a cramped dressing room where three lithe and leggy women were sitting in front of the mirror, clad only in their underwear and expertly applying their stage makeup. "Hi girls, this is Debbi. She's taking Kaitlynne's place. Show her the ropes will you ? I've got to go and supervise the drinks delivery."

There was an awkward silence after the manager had left. Debbi could sense the hostility emanating from the three girls. One statuesque blonde rose and approached Debbi, shoving her aggressively on the shoulder. "Who you ? Why you take Kaitlynne job ? We like Kaitlynne. Kaitlynne have baby, need job."

"No, no. It's not like that. I'm not taking Kaitlynne's job." Debbi hurriedly explained the situation. She did not go into the details of the initial memory loss fiasco but simply presented herself as a friend of Kaitlynne who was doing her a favour. Which was kind of the truth. "We like you. You good friend" it was decided.

The girls made space for Debbi at the counter and showed her a small locker where she could place her clothes. She quickly undressed and put on the skimpy bikini she had brought along as her costume for the night. "Is good bikini. Is weasel ?" asked the tall girl who had introduced herself as Ana. The other two were Masha and Megan. "Yes, Wicked Weasel" Debbi confirmed the brand. It was by far her skimpiest bikini and she had only got up the nerve to wear it on the final few days of her most recent holiday in Tenerife, where its' brevity was confirmed by the tan lines that were visible from where she had worn her other bikinis.

"It good for show. Boys not mind" Ana decided when Debbi mentioned the tan lines. She put on the blonde wig and set about touching up her own makeup. "Wig is good. Perverts not recognize you" Ana approved.

Debbi was in the middle of showing the other girls her tan lines when the manager returned. "Wow, so that's what you were hiding under that conservative business suit ! I knew you were a pretty face but didn't realize it was such a rocking body. OK, so some of our customers may go for bigger tits but we've got Ana here to cater for that crowd" he asserted. "You got cheek" Ana pouted. "Sexy tan lines by the way" the manager added.

He then became more business like as he addressed Debbi further. "Right, so we open in 15 minutes. Kaitlynne told you that you'll dance four ten minute slots ?" Debbi nodded in confirmation. "The girls will go on first. I suggest you watch from the wings to get a feel for things. Don't bother worrying about matching their moves, I'll introduce you and explain all the circumstances." "Not in too much detail I hope ?" Debbi reminded him. The manager laughed. "Don't worry, I'm not going to tell them your life story. Just watch the girls first and get a feel for how they work the room and end up with all those lovely tips !"

"Are you planning on going any further than the bikini ?" he asked as an after thought. "Maybe I'll take the top off ?" Debbi conceded. "Ah, I can see you're a real trooper. That'd be great. But not too soon, see how the girls do it. We're a classy establishment, nothing too explicit, more of a tease."

Debbi watched from the side of the stage as Megan, Masha and Ana went through their routines. She could not really see the size and the makeup of the audience but was captivated by and in awe of the girls' performances. The looseness of their limbs, the ease and athleticism with which they launched into their gymnastic displays on the pole. She could just see a few hands coming forward to insert money into the waistband of their panties. All three girls had chosen lingerie rather than bikinis, though Ana had said they sometimes changed costumes for later slots.

It was finally Debbi's turn and her nervousness increased as the manager went on stage to announce her. He held up his hand as his unscheduled appearance on stage was greeted by good natured booing. "Yes, OK, I know you don't want to see me and I don't usually announce the acts but tonight is just a little different. As you know, we pride ourselves on our professionalism and never have anything as crass as an amateur night. But our lovely Kaitlynne is indisposed this evening ( murmurs of disappointment ) Yes, I know you all love her but her bairn's poorly and she's at home looking after him ( ah ! ) However, a good friend of hers has very kindly agreed to step into the breach. Now, she's not a professional, which is why I've come out to beg your indulgence if her dancing is not quite up to the standard of the rest of the girls. In fact, she is actually a high flying business executive in the I.T. field and that just goes to show what a loyal friend she is ( cheers of agreement ) So, I won't bore you any longer but just ask you to give a warm welcome to the lovely Debbi !"

Too much information, Debbi gasped. Why did he need to say all that ? And he used my real name !