The Referral Game

understood that Maximum Susie would be putting on display.
    The crowd was enthusiastic, leaning against the runway and stuffing dollar bills in the girls’ garters among other places. One guy in uniform, who appeared to be treating the three-drink minimum as a dare, got into the spirit too much and jumped on the stage to dance with the girls. Before he could do more than one bump and grind two muscular bouncers came out of the wings and efficiently removed him and tossed him into the street.
    The security reassured me in a way. If I could manage to talk to Susan at least she would be in an environment where she didn’t feel threatened. Putting people at ease was half the battle in getting them to open up and give whatever information they might have.
    I decided to take in the atmosphere and have another drink before I tried to talk with Susan. I still wasn’t quite sure how I wanted to play it when I motioned one of the waitresses to come over. She was a short blonde in hot pants and a tube top that she was falling out of, but compared to what was on the stage she was dressed for church.
    “What’ll it be sugar?” She chirped.
    “Scotch,” I said “And when does Susie come on?”
    “A fan huh,” she said slyly.
    “No, but I have heard a couple of nice things about her,” I returned. I could banter if I had to.
    “I’ll bet you have,” she said with a laugh. “But you’ll have to idle your engine for a while. Susie won’t come on for hours yet.”
    “That’s to bad,” I said. The disappointment in my voice wasn’t false. I didn’t feel like hanging around all night paying eight bucks a drink.
    After a pregnant pause she said: “For real high-rollers we do have private VIP rooms for personal dances with the ladies.”
    “How much?”
    “You’ll have to discuss that with the manager. I’ll send him over if you like.”
    “Okay, in the meantime send over my drink and make it a double as long as I’m a VIP.”
    “You got it sweetie,” she said. “You know I get off at midnight if you’d like to get together and do something then.”
    “That’s good to know. Maybe we can work something out.”
    She walked back to the bar and said something to the bartender. He glanced over at me with a face that gave away nothing, picked up a phone and after a short conversation hung up. Within a minute a door next to the bar marked office opened. A short balding man in a tuxedo came out. He walked to the bar, leaned his head toward the bartender, looked up at me and walked to my table.
    “I’m the manager, sir. I understand that you are interested in one of our special services.”
    He had bourbon breath, perspiration on his upper lip and a nametag that read Rudolph Martinez.
    “That’s right Rudy,” I said. Martinez winced. Since I was a high roller I decided I could afford to be rude.
    “I’d like a private dance with Susie Max.”
    “Susan hasn’t arrived yet this evening,” he replied stiffly. “Perhaps we could interest you in one of our other entertainers. One of the ladies on stage would be fine companionship if you desire-”
    “Forget it,” I interrupted. “Susie is what I’m interested in. Can you deliver or not?”
    The waitress came back with my drink.
    “Here you are, sir,” she said, winked at me and left. This VIP stuff was great.
    “As I explained, sir she isn’t in the club.”
    “Then call her.”
    “That would be expensive, sir. She is our headliner. On top of that to be called to the club early, well…” He spread his arms expansively.
    “Give it a number Rudy.”
    I could see the cash register in his head tallying a sum.
    “Perhaps $200,” he ventured.
    I thought it over for a moment. I was sure that he had at least doubled the price because I had needled him and that I was in such an obvious rush. Pomeroy had said he would pay any expense. “Okay Rudy you got yourself a deal. Give her a ring, I don’t want to wait here all night.”
    “Yes sir,” he said. He had a new respect for me. I wondered what his cut of the $200 would come to. “Perhaps we can take care of the financial aspect now?”
    Since it was clear that nothing would proceed without an up front payment I pulled the envelope Pomeroy had given me out of my breast pocket and relieved it of two one hundred dollar bills. Martinez leered greedily at the envelope.
    “Now make the call.”
    “Yes sir. Right away sir. If you require anything else consider the club at your disposal.”
    “Just