Chapter 3 Raven: Audition

• Raven POV
• Alexa stands in front of us. I stretch slightly and get ready. “Right ladies, the audition is split into three dances. The first one is burlesque, if you don’t have experience in it, don’t worry, just do what you know. If you can dance, we can teach the types. The second one is dancing using the pole, and the third is dancing together. I need to see how you do when your space is limited. During the final dance, you can leave the stage, dance around tables and such.”
• That is all fine; I’ve done burlesque and pole dancing. I’ve also danced with ladies before, so I should be fine.
• “We want to see how you react to an audience; hence, there are some guys here. If you struggle to audition with a few men watching, you won’t succeed when the place is full. Any question?” She looks at us, waiting.
• “Yes, the first and last dance. Is the pole off-limits?” I need to know if not, I can incorporate it.
• “No, if you are dancing and can fit the pole into your routine even for one move, use it. The dances show us how you do without a planned routine. Anything else?” I look at the other women, rolling my eyes. They should be asking questions. I know that, though, from going to too many of these auditions.
• “Yes, the ad did not state the types of clothing that will be worn or if the dances involve stripping. Even if you end up in lingerie? Also, the advertisement didn’t mention touching. Is it a strict no touching the men, or dancing on them, or can you touch while dancing?”
• Alexa nods and smiles.
• “I was hoping someone would ask. I left certain details out of the advertisement to see who knew their stuff. For most dances, you will either wear a corset or similar to dance in. Or, you will have an outfit on, a short outfit, which you strip off until you’re in lingerie. As for touching, you can dance on a man, such as a lap dance, but we would rather if you didn’t stroke along them using your hands. You can place your hands on them to steady yourself.”
• She smiles at me like she appreciates that I asked.
• “Anything else, Raven?” She looks at me, not at the other women.
• “No, I think I covered everything.”
• “Okay, Em, you’re first.” We come from the stage as the first woman dances, and she looks amazing. It’s clear the women here can dance. The second dancer kept missing a beat, but clearly through her nervousness. Lucy, the third dancer, panicked before even starting and ran. I’m now standing watching Rachel. I’m dancing next. The music starts and she begins to dance, having no issues, I watch the men whistling and trying to grasp her and see her freeze.
• She can dance but doesn’t know how to handle handsy men. Which isn’t good. I watch as she panics before crying and running off.
• “Raven?” Alexa looks at me. I nod and get on the stage. I like that they chose the music; it means no one could have planned their routines. The music begins, and I listen to the beat, slowly moving. As I dance around the stage, I hear the men whistling but ignore them perfectly while not being ignorant.
• I fall to my knees near them, my hips rolling. I feel a hand grasp me, and turning, I smile at him, shake my finger, and tut, causing him to laugh and stop touching. By the end of the dance, I’m smiling too much.
• “Points for that round, usually the lowest two leave, but two left, so we won’t be kicking anyone. Raven, 10, Em eight, Lucy 3, I listen to the rest of the points, smiling that I got top marks. “Remember, the men are the customers. Some will try to touch you, but how you deal with it and react is what matters. You can deal with it in several ways, but if you freak out, they will laugh, you will miss your next moves and everything goes to shit.” She looks at us.
• “If you will not be comfortable with this, I suggest you walk now.” I watch as Lucy stands and walks out, Alexa rolling her eyes. It’s clear too many people are not ready.
• “Right ladies, Pole dancing time.”
• The rest of the audition goes well, and two women are sent home after pole dancing. After the final dance, it is just myself and Em. I watch as Alexa discusses things with the others.
• “Are you new to the area?” I turn and look at Em and nod to her. “I figured I didn’t think I had seen you before. If you want to get to know some of the local people, tonight there is a party. This is the address.” She hands me a piece of paper. “You look like someone who likes to drink and forget.” She laughs, and I nod.
• “Okay, ladies. After discussing everything, including your scores. Raven, welcome to our family.” She smiles at me, and the other women clap. “Sorry, Em, but feel free to try again next time.” I watch as Em walks off. Alexa introduces me properly to the women, before offering me a drink.
• “Hey.” Turning, I looked towards a guy who had grabbed my leg. “I’m Rob. I usually work on the floor watching over the women.” Ah, so he isn’t a customer.
• “You played the customer well.” I smile, and he laughs.
• “I guess seeing them every day helps. Welcome to the family, it was clear from the get-go that you were getting the position, asking the questions that were needed and such.” He grins and I sit talking to him, I wait and meet other dancers as they come in to get ready for their shifts.
• I start tomorrow. I feel excited; it is far better than any other club I have worked at. After saying thank you and goodbye, I leave, deciding to drive to the party that Em had told me about. I need to meet some people local, even if I know I won’t be staying long. If my dad is anything like my mother, we will be moving at least twice more this year.