Chapter 3: The Party

Lara gave a contented sigh as she sped down the highway in the late afternoon sun. She had the top down in her VW Beetle and was enjoying the feeling of the warm sun on her skin and the wind flowing through her long hair. It was her day off from her job dancing at The Pearl and normally she would be catching up on her favourite TV shows or lounging on the beach, enjoying the weather and sea air but today was a little different. She had been roped into attending a party with Lenny. A college pool party where she would pretend to be his girlfriend for the day. Lenny, who was the multi-purpose tech guy for The Pearl, had apparently lied to his only friend at college about having a girl and was terrified of being outed as liar and a loser. Lara had felt sorry for him and agreed to help him out as a one time thing.

That is where she was headed at this moment having gotten the address from Lenny last night along with a number of texts thanking her effusively for doing this. She had stopped replying to them after the fifth text. She would meet him there and re-iterate the ground rules. No PDA. He was to keep his hands to himself unless she said otherwise. Lenny was a pushover and she didn’t anticipate any problems. Put on an act, schmooze for a while with Lenny on her arm, and then enjoy the rest of the day sunning herself by the pool. That was the plan, anyway.

As Lara was pondering how much SPF she would need, her phone started to buzz in her hands-free holder to her left. She gave the screen a quick glance and saw Dave’s name. Dave was the owner of The Pearl and the notion of ignoring his call is something she wouldn’t entertain on most days but this was her day off.

Fuck him, I’m not answering. He can leave a voicemail if it’s important.

She let the phone buzz for another thirty seconds or so until it stopped. Lara put her eyes back to the road, pleased with herself for setting a boundary and sticking to it. That feeling was short-lived, however as the phone started buzzing once more.

Again? A flicker of doubt entered her mind as she considered if it was wise to keep ignoring him. Maybe she should answer it and see what he wanted. Might be the safer option.

Making her mind up, she pressed the answer call button and projected a fake sweetness into her voice as she said, “Hi, Dave. What can I do for you?”

“Lara, I’ve been calling. I wanted to talk to you about ... where the fuck are you? It sounds like you are in a bloody wind tunnel!” he bellowed down the phone.

“I’m in my car driving to a pool party. Lenny’s pool party,” she answered, putting particular emphasis on the name ‘Lenny’ as if to remind him that she was doing this favour in part to show Dave she was a “team player” as he had put it the other day.

“Right, yeah, yeah. The kid mentioned that alright. Along with some other stuff. Frankly, I couldn’t shut the kid up about you. Took me forever to get him off the fucking phone. Your pussy must be like crack the way he went on and on...”

A faint smile crept across Lara’s face as she imagined Lenny gushing down the phone to Dave about her. Having said that, she felt it important to correct something Dave had just said.

“Well Lenny wouldn’t know because he didn’t experience that particular pleasure, despite what he may have told you,” she said firmly down the phone.

“Just a turn of phrase, Lara. Don’t get your panties in a bunch. Either way, the kid is practically in love. And if he’s happy, I’m happy. So good job there. Well done.”

Lara beamed as Dave gave her some rare praise. He didn’t dole it out often. At the same time, she found herself getting irritated with herself that she cared what he thought. She shouldn’t care. But she did. And that was something that bothered her. Still, it might make her job easier going forward. Dave interrupted her thoughts as he continued talking through the speaker phone.

“The kid isn’t the reason I’m calling anyway. Listen, you know we sell videos on our website and I’m thinking of expanding a little. I figure since The Pearl has made such a splash in our short time open that our reputation as a world class strip joint will help in selling some instructional videos to other strip clubs. I’m thinking of doing a series of Lap Dance 101 videos. Instructional, tutorial type things that the clubs can show their dancers to help them get on our level. There looks to be a market for it. I think it could do well,” Dave said with a hint of excitement.

I know where he is going with this...

“I want you to be the star. We all know you can dance but you are smart and eloquent in a way that most of the girls here aren’t. Let’s face it, our girls are all stunning but they aren’t exactly an Ivy League bunch.”

Lara knew he was buttering her up. Laying the compliments on thick so that she would say yes. And the thought of displaying her talents to other professionals in the industry did give her a little thrill but putting her face out there, giving a lap dance on video, scared her. Her family had no clue what she did for a living. They all still thought she was waitressing and not dancing.

“I don’t know about this Dave. I’m not sure I feel comfortable being plastered all over the internet,” she said, with some clear doubt emanating through her voice.

“Oh you won’t be, you won’t be,” Dave said reassuringly. “This is for professional joints only. The public probably won’t ever see it.” There was a pause on the line until Dave continued.

“What about a mask?” he said.

“A mask?”

“Yeah, a mask. One of those sexy, small ones that cover your eyes like Cat woman. Masquerade ball type shit,” he suggested.

The idea wasn’t bad. It would hide some of her face so she could perform without much fear of being recognised. Plus, it would add some intrigue and mystique to the entire thing. The masked lap dancer, perhaps? Maybe she could do it.

“Still,” she replied. “I’m not sure...”

“Well, I wanted you to do it but I guess I could just ask Sarah instead...” Dave said, leaving the last few words hanging between them.

Fuck that. I’m not bowing out so that bitch can get famous. Not happening. She knew she was being baited by Dave but at this point she didn’t care. That red-headed bimbo bitch cunt wasn’t getting one over on her.

“No need for that. I’ll do it.”

“Fantastic! I’ll start to get the ball rolling. I’ll get Lenny to set up the tech tomorrow and I’ll work on finding a male co-star to sit in the seat. Some Fabio type fucker who’ll look good with his shirt off,” Dave said, clearly delighted with himself. Lara could tell by the tone of his voice that he was sitting there with a smile from ear to ear.

“Sure. It sounds like fun,” Lara said down the phone line.

“Great. Well, enjoy your party. Don’t let Lenny get too drunk. See you tomorrow, we’ll talk more then...” Dave said as he ended the call.

Lara admonished herself for answering the call. She should have ignored it. He’d goaded her with the idea of Sarah taking her place and she had fallen for it but the damage was done now. She had agreed to it so she may as well make the best of it.

I’ll draw up a lesson plan tomorrow. Moves that every pro should know and how to link them together to ramp up the customers arousal. That sort of thing, she thought to herself.

Today though, she was going to relax. The GPS said she was only a couple minutes away so she put it our of her mind and concentrated on not missing her exit.

Lenny was waiting for her at the top of the driveway. She parked and got out to meet him. He was dressed in some long shorts and a goofy looking t-shirt that read “My dick is down here!” in bold lettering.

“La ... La ... Lara! Finally. I know we said fashionably late, but still! The pa ... p ... p ... party has been going for hours. It is practically over! And I’ve been w ... wa ... waiting for eight minutes. I was worried you had changed your mind,” he said in a panic. She laughed a little at his statement.

Eight minutes. Not five, or ten. But eight. I guess he likes specifics.

“Yeah the traffic got heavier the closer I got. But I’m here now so let’s head in,” she said linking her arm in his. “You seem ... different,” she said as they walked through the open gates and around the back of the large estate towards the party noises.

He was stammering. Struggling to get his words out. He had stammered when she had met him in the club but he hadn’t at all the previous day.

“Are you nervous? You don’t need to be,” she said, trying to reassure him.

“Yeah I’m nervous. And I sta ... st ... stammer when I’m nervous,” he struggled to get out.

“I need my Xanax,” he replied simply. He opened a small tube and popped one in his mouth.

“My therapist p ... p ... prescribes them. You want one?”

“No thanks,” she replied, wondering to herself if he had only taken one.

“You bring your suit? Everyone here will b ... b ... be wearing one.”

“Yeah, I have it on under my coat. Brought it in case it got cold later and I didn’t want to just be in a bikini in case I got pulled over or my car crapped out. Which happens more than I would like.”

He nodded as they walked and her heels clacked against the stone. Her coat only came to her thighs and he couldn’t help but stare and admire the way her heels accentuated her long, bare legs. He was eager to see her shed the coat and reveal the bikini she had chosen.

They arrived at what appeared to be the epicentre of the outdoor party. She glanced around at the sight before her. There was a large pool round one end surrounded by a few deck chairs. The pool had a net for volleyball that four guys and four girls were currently playing. The girls were sitting atop the guys shoulders as they supported them and moved them around the pool in a failing attempt to get keep the ball alive and in play for longer than three seconds. She figured the game itself wasn’t that important to the participants. It was more about the contact. If Lenny wanted her to join in, she’d have to think about whether she was willing to go that far for his lie.

She scanned the other end of the massive garden and noticed a wooden dance floor with speakers and lights scattered around the floors perimeter. It was empty at the moment. Either Lenny was right and they were late or she figured it would fill up as the evening turned into night. Finally, there was a tennis table that currently had a bunch of solo cups, spread out in some sort of elaborate beer pong configuration she hadn’t seen before. The place was packed. At least thirty people filled the place. Full of youthful, energetic college goers flitting around in all forms of bathing suits, most of them small enough to barely qualify as bathing suits. She laughed to herself and stared a little as they passed one guy rocking a speedo, confidently striding around the place.

Maybe I should’ve gone to college. I missed out it seems.

She led Lenny to one of the sun loungers situated near the pool and dropped her purse on the towel already provided.

“Doesn’t the towel mean it’s taken?” Lenny asked, some nervousness creeping into his voice as he looked around at the other loungers.

“Relax, Lenny. All the loungers have towels. Whoever owns the place set them out for us,” she said, reassuring him. She then disrobed and placed her coat neatly next to her purse and turned back to him so he could get a good look.

Lenny took her in as she turned to meet him. Her chosen bikini top was a vibrant blue in colour and consisted of a halter-style neckline secured by thin and delicate strings that tied behind her neck and back. Her large breasts strained slightly against the top but her body formed to it well, helping to create the desired amount of cleavage without appearing too over the top. The cups of the top were constructed from a luxurious, soft fabric that looked expensive and comfortable as it clung to her breasts.

Her bottoms were matching in colour and were a classic-looking cut, that sat high-waisted and hugged Lara’s slender waist while also accentuating her long, delicate legs. It was tight across the back, displaying her rear beautifully. It was revealing and sexy but the material covered just enough to be considered tasteful. Just.

Her heels he had admired earlier were high, very high. Bordering on stiletto’s. He wondered how she moved about in them so gracefully.

Lara raised her arms out to the side and did a slow spin for Lenny. “Wow, you look incredible,” he said while ogling every inch of her. “We may need to examine our bikini scale from yesterday. Phoebe Cates and the rest of them can take a hike,” he said with clear lust in his voice.

Lara smiled back at him appreciating the compliment and said, “I aim to please. Right, we should do the rounds so you can introduce me to everyone.”

“I don’t know everyone,” he said uncertainly as his eyes darted round the unfamiliar faces.

“Well, who do you know?” she asked patiently.

“Will. He’s my best friend at college. And I sort of know Alan and Rob too. The three of them hang around together a lot,” he said pensively.

“Great. We’ll start there,” she said linking her arm in his and leading him away from the social safety net of the deck lounger. She figured he would hide there all day if given the choice. She had noticed that he had stopped stammering which was a good sign.

“What have you told them about me? What’s my cover,” she said with a giggle, enjoying the idea of being somebody else for the day.

Asset is on site, preparing to infiltrate, she thought, hoping that her non-existent spy craft could stand up to the scrutiny she would be placed under today.

“You go to a different college than us.”

“In Canada?” she laughed back at him.

“No,” he replied, completely missing her joke. Without a hint of sarcasm or irony he continued and said, “You go to Greendale Community College.”

She stopped walking, bringing them both to a complete stop and turned towards him, a look of panic on her face.

“Lenny, you can’t be serious. Please tell me you’re joking. You do realize Greendale is not a real college and what’s more, its the college they go to on the tv show...”

“Yes, I know, I know,” he cut across her. “I panicked, alright? It was the first name that popped into my head,” he said sheepishly.

“Well, I guess we’ll deal with it. If anyone brings it up I’ll laugh and say I’m with you for your sense of humour or something,” she said trying to calm him down.

Would that make me Annie or Britta? she wondered to herself as they walked. She looked down at her own bikini clad body.