In which the adventure begins...

It is December, 1981. The transition to a new decade remains a scar on the psyche of the general public. Some people still cling
desperately to their habits while others cast themselves back into long-forgotten traditions. But time marches on, ignoring the pleas of mere mortals. Just two years into the new decade and the world has already seen drastic changes. International conflicts brew and threaten to bubble over, but remain cold. The United States is undergoing a period of rapid movement into the modern age of computers and technology. Just this year, it saw two space shuttles escape the gravity of the Earth in thunderous roars of fire and human ingenuity. Those that are in the know make predictions about the near future that seem
beyond possibility.

But you are in Las Vegas, a place of simple pleasures. No-matter how drastically technology changes, there is little to improve upon
when it comes to drinking, gambling, and entertainment.

The Howlin’ Hussy is a relatively small establishment. Her neon burns into the night, a beacon for those in search of the base physical
pleasures Vegas has to offer. She sits off the main drag of the Strip but still attracts a large audience. Put booze, tits, and music on display in any building and that building will be full of people. So says the unwritten law of Vegas.

Back in February, Vegas life was rocked by a fire at the Hilton that took 8 lives. Many were injured, but it was a testament to the emergency staff of the city that not more died. Even now, people still share their experiences of the Hilton Fire over cigarettes and whiskey, although the stories are growing slightly exaggerated.

On this specific night, the mood in the Hussy is good. Drinks are flowing and money is exchanging hands. The music pours from the speakers. Dancers twist and grind while tunes such as I Love Rock and Roll and Working for the Weekend lubricate their exploits. The most popular song of the night is Let’s Get Physical, and it brings the patrons of the Hussy to their feet as they empty their wallets.

Momma D: You are backstage in the Hussy, in your office. A halo of cigarette smoke hangs around the ceiling of the room. It’s been a stressful day. You usually have a few glasses of wine as the night progresses, but tonight you’re already halfway through your second bottle. You glance down at the one-way windows that let you observe the dance stage. Two girls are just starting a performance but are already near naked. You shake your head. You’ve told them a thousand times that they need to pace themselves. Overall, though, it’s been a good day for sales. The bar is full of patrons and the girls are working their magic. But something has been itching at the back of your mind all day long. You’ve always had a sense when something wrong was on the horizon. Some might call it an instinct developed from the years spent in your profession. But you’ve always had this, even as a young age. You know as sure as shit is brown that something bad is going to happen tonight.

Your phone rings. It’s Vinnie Renaldo. “Hey Momma. I’ve got a new girl for you. Shaw is bringing her in tonight. I need her to start ASAP. Thanks, doll.”

Christopher Shaw: Life has been good. Not great, and not easy, but good. Things are calming down, your therapy is going well, and you
enjoy your job. Your past hangs over you like a storm cloud, threatening to break and drown you, but you do your best to fight it off. You’ve spent you day running errands for the club, picking up supplies, and having a few quick meetings with other owners and managers around Vegas. Earlier today, you got a call from Mister Renaldo who told you to head over to the Greyhound station at
7 PM sharp to pick up a new girl for the Hussy. You were there early. The girl is a small, skinny thing. She’s got a certain small town beauty, but she isn’t drop-dead gorgeous. But you’ve seen all kinds at the Hussy and at other clubs. She has one small duffle bag with her, and it doesn’t even seem that full. She introduces herself as Lacy, but is quiet the entire drive back. You pull up and quickly move to open the door for her. The Howlin’ Hussy stands before you. You can hear the music from outside. Glancing over, you see Lacy visibly gulp. She looks terrified.

Christopher Shaw
I look up at the club like I've done so many times before. After a quick reflection on my journey to get here I turn to the terrified looking Lacy...


"I know it's no consolation, but I've seen that look on almost all the girls here at one point or another.... You'll get over it. Mr. Renaldo would not have brought you on if he didn't think you could handle it....Come on, let's go meet Destiny. She'll show you around...oh...you should probably call her Momma D....remember that."


As I hold the door open for her to enter I remember something from one of my meetings today about signage positioning on the front door...I'm not happy with the Hussy's current initial Point of Connection strategy. I'll have to rectify that later. The bar is full...the floor appears to be well covered....The girls are on their game tonight....good....Sometimes it's a toss up with them...but what club on the strip doesn't have that variable to consider. I take a quick look at the fire exits to make sure they are not blocked. The Hilton fire was an eye opener. Another glance to gauge the capacity. Plenty of floor space...we're good....mmmmm "Let's Get Physical"...again...It's a crowd pleaser I suppose.

"Follow me, Hun."

I lead her through the crowd to Momma D's office.

Momma D
Momma hangs up the rotary phone and lights another cigarette. Momma takes a long drag and releases a deep sigh. Salem Spirits was her brand and she never left home without them. Most of the girls that picked up the habit at the Hussy had Momma to thank for their first smoke. Smoking keeps the girls thin, that and the white stuff. The rumor is the fire at the Hilton was caused by a lit cigarette thrown in a trash can. Amateurs, you don't throw your lit butts in the fucking trash.

Just what I don't need tonight, Momma thought, a new doll while I'm half in the bag. If this is another inexperienced farm girl looking to make it big, I'll scream. Momma knows the type: big hair, big boobs and even bigger dreams. Once they realize screwing their rockstars isn't going to pave their way, they start to get real. Although Momma would never admit it, she takes pleasure in watching the sweet girls harden into experienced dancers. Once you've danced on one hard cock, you've danced on them all. Better they learn young than spend their lives with their heads up their ass.

After finishing her cigarette, Momma takes another mouthful of wine. There's not enough wine in the building to drown out that sickly feeling in her gut. Something is just not right and Momma can't shake the urge to run from it. Can't go letting Vinnie down. He's picked out this new broad for a reason and Momma's gonna mold her right. Fuck it, what's the rest of the bottle at this point? Momma finishes the remaining wine before getting to her feet. She opens her office door and is greeted with the scent of smoke, sweat, sex and desperation. Smells like home.

Chris: You cut through the crowd in the Hussy with Lacy following close behind you. You glance back to make sure she is with you. Her eyes are wide with shock as she takes in the images of what is happening in the club. You can tell that she has never seen, let alone been in the middle of, a strip club. The music is loud; you can feel the beat thumping in your chest. Lights flash and pulse, illuminating the girls as they dance and thrust on stage and in patron's laps. As you move through the club, a few girls greet you with a kiss on the cheek or a hand on your shoulder. The bartenders nod at you as you pass. You notice the regulars at the bar in their usual places. You see Lisa across the club, carrying a tray full of drinks. She waves at you after dropping them all off at a table of foreigners. A few people that you can clearly identify as tourists are having too good a time and the boys at the door are showing them out. The overall vibe in the club is good. You reach back and grab gently to make sure she doesn't get separated from you. She looks up at you with panic in her eyes for a moment, but then realizes you're just helping and she calms down. You're heading towards the "staff only" door to take Lacy to Momma D's office when the door opens and the woman in question walks out.

Momma D: You walk down the stairs and out onto the floor of the Hussy. The lights and sounds wrap around you, taking you back to your days of being a featured dancer. You quickly shake off the memories and cast a keen eye across the club. You notice a few girls underperforming and make note to give them a talking to in the dressing rooms. You also notice a few that are over-performing and taking care of some extra special requests. You roll your eyes. They need to be more discreet if they're going to do that kind of thing on the floor. There's a back room for a reason for christ's sake. You see Chris heading towards you with a young girl right behind him. The girl is small and thin. She barely has any curves. Her hair is a dirty blonde and her eyes are wide with fear.You give her a once over. She could probably be sexy with the right outfit and make up. You guess you'll have to spend a few weeks working the small town charm out off her before she'll catch on to pulse of the city. If you're lucky, she won't have two left feet when it comes to dancing. You move towards Chris when suddenly, a wave of cold nausea washes over you. You stumble and recover quickly. The feeling passes. You've felt this before. It's that gut instinct, that knowledge that sometimes tells you when a nasty event is around the corner.

Both of you make a Perception check. You can make any other checks you like as well, if you want to.

Momma D

Perception of the Pukes 24

Momma D's stomach can't take much more of this. She feels the goosebumps on her arms that quickly spread across her body. Tonight is going to be a disaster. But we can't let Lacy be a disaster, Vinnie is counting on Momma.

And there she is, sweet Lacy. Momma composes herself from her bout of nausea and that chill. What was that ice that ran through her, fear? Shake it off, Momma, you have a girl to work.

Momma takes a few steps to meet Chris and Lacey. "Shaw, she looks like she saw a ghost. What did you do to her?" With a wink of her eye to Chris, Momma take Lacy by the hand. "Come on sweetie, come with Momma D. We've got a lot to do before you're ready to go on tonight." Seeing Lacy's eyes widen, Momma coos, "Mr. Renaldo wants you working right away. Don't worry, darling, come with me, you'll be fine."

Diplomacy to win Lacy's favor 14

Christopher Shaw

Shaw smiles, not surprised that Momma was expecting them.

"Hello, Momma. I see you have everything under control as usual. If you need me I'll be in my office."

The urge to itch at my arm is creeping in. I recognize the signs and try to use a technique Dr Harlock taught me....I'm still getting used to fighting the urges....Maybe just a little this time to stem the tide.

Reference: Perception as a General Manager is wont to do.
You rolled 1d20+6: 17 | [ 11 ] 11+6



I also try to find Lisa in the hustle and bustle of the night to let her know I'm thinking about her.....



Reference: Inuendo to Lisa: "You look great tonight"
You rolled 1d20+4: 5 | [ 1 ] 1+4



D'OH! CRIT FAAAAIIILLLL!!!

Both of you notice a man sitting by himself in the shadows at a back table. This isn't odd in itself. It's not uncommon for lone customers to sit back and enjoy the show while recovering from the harsh treatment of the casinos. But there's something about this man that strikes you both as trouble. Neither of you can see him clearly through the dim lights of the Hussy, but he seems like a lanky fellow. He's wearing a dark suit and sunglasses.

Chris: Your perception of this guy is that he's a typical Vegas loner. Maybe he's a high roller. Maybe he is someone in a political position that's getting out for the night in secret. He doesn't strike you as immediately dangerous, but you are suspicious. You make a mental note to have the boys keep an eye on this fellow.

When you catch Lisa's attention, she glares at you. "Save it for your new piece of ass, Shaw. I don't need this tonight." She storms off.

Momma: Your eyes immediately lock onto the man sitting by himself. There seems to be an aura of danger hanging around him. You blink slowly, and in that moment when your eyes are closed, you witness a scene of chaos and terror. You are looking at the Howlin' Hussy, but it is engulfed in flames. There is a line of figures surrounding the club in a circle. They are wearing dark robes that cover their faces. Initially, they are holding hands. They seem to be chanting in a low drone. Then, they raise their hands and begin to shout. You cannot identify the language they are speaking, but it rolls out in deep booming waves. As their chants rise to a scream, you can hear a second set of screams rising from within the Hussy. You snap back to reality and shake your head to clear your mind. You're slightly dizzy, but you regain your composure quickly. You step forward and speak with Lacy and Shaw. After your kind words, Lacy smiles and moves closer to you. She says very quietly "Thank you, Momma. This place is really overwhelming." When you take her hand, another image flashes across your eyes. You cannot get a clear understanding of the image, but you suddenly see Lacy standing before you. She is wearing a sweeping gown that seems to be made of swirling shadows. She no-longer seems like a frightened girl, but is holding herself like a fierce queen. The image disappears and you drop her hand in shock.

Momma, make a Will Save and ROLL SANITY.

Momma D
The flames, the robed men, the chanting, the Hussy!! Momma has seen that vision before,just never as clearly or with the Hussy, saw it in a dream. These nightmares are now becoming living, breathing visions. And Lacy! What has Vinnie brought us? Do I walk with a timid girl or a mistress of the night? Why can’t things just be simple like they used to be, just about the pussy! Why?!

Reference: Will Save vs. the Visions
You rolled 1d20+4: 20 | [ 16 ] 16+4


Reference: Sanity, the first on the road to perdition
You rolled 1d100: 40 | [ 40 ] 40


Shake it off Momma, shake it off. You know what you've got to do. Can’t let your head get in the way of giving the customers what they paid for, a good time.

“Stay here, Lacy, don’t move an inch. I’ll be right back.”

Momma releases Lacy and scurries to catch up with Shaw. As she approaches she overhears Lisa’s curt reply.

Momma puts her hand on Shaw's shoulder, “Don't think about it, Shaw, and don’t let her distract you. Something's not right in the Hussy. We need you with us tonight. That man in the corner, with the suit, dark glasses, sitting alone, you know, at table 13. He’s make the girls feel uncomfortable, something about his stare. That’s why they’ve been rushing through their sets. You’ve gotta get him out of here.”

Reference: Bluff regarding the creeper in the corner
You rolled 1d20+6: 13 | [ 7 ] 7+6

Christopher Shaw
Damn. I'll have to speak with Lisa later.

Reference: Innuendo to bouncers to remove the man. HERE WE GO AGAIN!!
You rolled 1d20+4: 15 | [ 11 ] 11+4



I gesture to 2 of the bouncers in the way I have many times before to "bounce this fool"

"Not to worry, Momma. He looked suspicious to me too."

I approach the man to inform him that he is being removed from the club hoping my gesture to the bouncers was understood.

Reference: Diplomacy to avoid a scene.
You rolled 1d20+4: 6 | [ 2 ] 2+4

SHIT!!!


"Good evening, Sir. Unfortunately, we have to ask you to leave the club. Some of the girls are uncomfortable and we consider their well being above all else. I do apologize, and hope you can understand. We will gladly refund your cover charge."


(Sigh)

Momma: You are shaken by what you have seen. You almost fall to your knees, but you muster up your inner strength and pull yourself together. When you step away from Lacy, she hunches her shoulders and seems to shrink into herself. She looks down at the ground and won't make eye contact with anyone. You speak to Shaw and he goes along with what you're saying.

Chris: Lisa is lost in the crowd, but you feel like she's still glaring at you. She's been upset before, and you guess it was just a misunderstanding. You'll probably have to buy a few dozen roses and take her out to dinner somewhere fancy later in the week. You gesture at the bouncers and move towards the man Momma indicated. You notice briefly that the bouncers give you a puzzled look, but then you are a the man's table and are focused on him. After you speak to him, he looks up at you with a smirk on his face. "Now I find that quite hard to believe, Christopher, as no-one else is aware of my presence here. Well, other than Miss Wilkes over there." He points to Momma D. "But I will be going. Be careful, Christopher, there is much more happening here than you are aware of." He stands and moves past you. As he does, he lowers his sunglasses. His eyes are black. Pure black. There are small specks of light in them, almost like stars. Waves of color swirl through the blackness; emerald green, sickly yellow, and blood red. You feel dizzy, like if you kept staring at him you would get swallowed up. He winks. Then he pushes his sunglasses back up and starts to walk away. Even thought he Hussy is packed, the crowd seems to melt around this man as he moves towards the door. No-one reacts to him walking by.

Chris ROLL SANITY.

Momma: You see Chris confront the man, who stands and speaks to Chris. Chris sways back on his feet and looks like he's going to collapse. Then the man walks away. You see him move through the crowd like they aren't even there. As he gets to the door, he turns and looks at you directly. You see his lips move. Then his words enter your mind like he's standing right next to you, whispering in your ear. "It was good to see you again, Regina."

Christopher Shaw
Reference: WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?!?!
You rolled 1d100: 29 | [ 29 ] 29


Phew.


WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!?! I think to myself. For a few moments I try to make sense of what I just witnessed.

I turn to Momma and notice Lacy hunched over. From my years of seeing girls have panic attacks of differing degrees I attempt to understand what she is experiencing.

Reference: Knowledge Psychology on Lacy's current state.
You rolled 1d20+6: 15 | [ 9 ] 9+6


"Lacy, are you alright? Let's sit down in my office... Both of you....I.... I need to sit down as well."

I turn to Momma. While attempting to lead them to my office.

"Did...did you see his eyes? I must've been seeing things."

Momma D
Chris goes to the man from table 13. No bouncers join him, which is strange as Chris has men in place to do the dirty work. They are speaking and it appears to Momma the man looks almost amused. What are they saying?

Reference: Read Lips (Shaw and the Man from table 13)
You rolled 1d20+7: 14 | [ 7 ] 7+7


It didn’t go horribly wrong as the man from table 13 is now leaving without incident. The man walks to the door and speaks Momma’s name from the distance. Momma’s breath leaves her lungs in a sharp hiss. ‘Regina.’ Her days of being Regina are but a faded memory, hints that only enter her thoughts in her dreams: The faint voice of her long dead mother, telling young Regina that she’ll do amazing things and make her mother proud. Childhood memories that may or may not be real, as Momma’s dreams seem to have a life of their own. And that man, where has she seen him? As Momma thinks of the man, the metallic taste of blood quickly flows through her mouth and then is gone. No time for this now, not with the flashing lights and pounding music, he will have to wait.
Chris interrupts Momma’s thoughts as he goes toward Lacy. She almost forgot about Lacy, for a moment, almost forgot about what she saw. So much flooding through Momma’s mind, so much it’s hard to sort. Chris’ voice snaps Momma back to reality. He’s trying to comfort Lacy. Oh sweet Lacy, she’s not what she seems. The man, he mentions the man! He knows something is wrong. “Welcome to club if you’re seeing things, Shaw. We need to talk, and soon. But not now, I’ve got to get Lacy on stage before the night is done. You know how the new girls always get the wallets open and we can’t disappoint Mr. Renaldo. Lacy and I need a little girl to girl talk. You and I will talk, right after I prime Lacy on the basics. Keep a clear head, Shaw, you’re going to need it. Maybe you should get the license plate and type of car that man is getting into. It could be important if he causes more trouble.”

Reference: Innuendo: This is serious, Shaw, don’t get fucked up on your shit
You rolled 1d20+6: 9 | [ 3 ] 3+6


Fuck. Shaw's head is up his ass. Hope he can keep his head straight and the needle out of his arm. Momma lights a Salem Spirit, takes a takes a long, deep drag and immediately feels more relaxed. Momma’s got to get back to her office; she needs to open another bottle of wine to clear her head. The sooner she can get this girl on stage, the sooner she can deal with the strange events of the night. “Lacy, you okay, girl? It’d be best to let me get my little talk about the basics over with and get you up there. I understand it’s intimidating at first but sometimes it’s best to just plunge in.” Momma leans into Lacy's ear and whispers, “That’s true with a lot of things in life, dear.”

Chris: You are shaken to your core by this. Take 1 point of Sanity damage from the encounter.

Make a Will save. If you fail, you will need to shoot up before you can accomplish anything else.

You glance over at Momma and Lacy from your place by the door. You can tell Lacy is scared and it makes sense that she's just overwhelmed by the concepts of Vegas, dancing, and interacting with the patrons of the Hussy. However, your instincts tell you that there's something more that's bothering her. Maybe it's about why she came here. You walk back towards them as they are talking to each other...well, as Momma is talking to Lacy, anyway.

Momma: You catch a few words of the man's exchange with Shaw, but you cannot understand what was said in detail. The club is too dark and smokey to see clearly. You are equally stunned by hearing your old name as by hearing the man's voice in your mind from across the Hussy. Luckily, you pull yourself together and focus on Lacy and the issue at hand. Lacy reacts positively to your words and almost snuggles up next to you. She still hasn't said much of anything.

Chris: make a Wisdom check to pick up on Momma's innuendo

All: After your brief interaction, Momma turns to take Lacy up into her office. Chris is standing by the employee door, pondering what has just happened. Before either of you can move, though, you both glance back towards the main door. The man is still there. When you both look at him, he waves and smirks. It's almost as if he was waiting for you both to say goodbye. He turns to leave. The doors do not move, but he walks through them as if they were mist. No-one, not even the two bouncers standing at the door.

Momma D
Momma D almost can’t believe what she just saw, almost. The man from table 13 just waved goodbye and walked through the doors. What is the connection with all that has happened tonight? There was the initial gut feeling of impending doom, the vision of the men and the Hussy burning, Lacy’s transformation and the man from table 13. Momma needs to meditate on all of these things but she can’t do that with Lacy looming over her head. Let’s get that girl working so Momma D can think. Momma shakes it off and gets back to business.

“Come on, Lacy, let’s get this show on the road.” Momma speaks with Lacy as they walk toward Momma’s office. “Tomorrow we’ll work on technique and how to make a man hard with a look. Tonight, it’s a few wise words from Momma and I’ll set you loose. You aren’t on the rag, are you? Good, we’ll deal with that another night. Tonight I just want you to go out there and dance to the music. A little makeup, hair spray and you’ll be a main attraction, the new girls always are. Let’s watch the girls through my one way mirror. I’ll point out what they are doing that’ll make them money and what I’m going to yell at them for doing later. Just by us watching you’ll get an idea of what to shake tonight.”

On the way to Momma’s office, Momma sees Lisa making her rounds. Momma flags Lisa over. “Lisa, this is Lacy. Mr. Renaldo wants Lacy on stage tonight. I’m going to go over a few things with her. Come to my office in half an hour. You’ll do her hair, makeup and give her the grand tour before her opening. Thanks, sweetie.”
Momma and Lacy continue to her office. Momma puts the key in her door and peaks in. She give an extra look around to make sure things are in place. “Lacy, wait right here a moment.” Momma walks into her office and shuts the door behind her, leaving Lacy outside the door. Momma quickly scurries to her desk, unlocks her bottom right hand drawer and takes out her trusty Ruger revolver. She checks to make sure it’s loaded, puts it in her holster which contains extra bullets, and straps it on her left upper thigh. It’s easy access for Momma to lift her skirt and grab her gun. Not the kind of gun Momma was used to wielding, but things are changing. Momma quickly pats her right ankle where her silver knife is always sheathed. Another reason Momma wanted to get back to her office so badly.

Momma quickly shuffles back to the office door and opens it, letting Lacy inside. “Shut the door behind you,” she directs Lacy. Momma finds her corkscrew and opens her third bottle of wine. She pours herself a glass and takes a large swig. Momma lights up another Salem Spirit and things suddenly seem a bit better. She can handle things, she always does. “Lacy, sweet Lacy, you’re just a book waiting to be read, I can tell these things. Come over and watch my girls with me.” Momma leads Lacy to her mirror that lets her view the stage without being seen. “There’s a few things you’re not gonna learn through my window. Never let them rush you on stage if you’re not presentable. I want you on time but if something kept you a little later, come to me and I’ll work it out. Shaw wants you on stage, on time, and that’s all he sees. What he don’t understand is if you go on stage with another man’s load still dripping down your tits, the customers aint gonna be too happy. Now don’t look at me like that, doll. I know, I know, ‘I’ll never let a man pay to cum on me.’ Here’s my best advice, take those limits you’ve set for yourself and flush them down the drain now. It won’t happen overnight, don’t worry, but you’ll come to see that if the price is right, you won’t say no. We’re all selling something, sweetie, and in the end, we’re all selling everything, and I’m not just talking about your body.”

Momma and Lacy watch the dancers and their interaction with customers. Momma gives Lacy the low down on what she should and should not be doing on stage, and off. She throws Lacy some more advice, all while continuing to ease her nerves with cigarettes and wine. Momma finally backs away from the window, satisfied Lacy has enough guidance to get her through the first night. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine tonight, sugar. The regulars know to take it easy on the fresh blood and the newcomers don’t have the balls to try what the regulars know they can get away with. You come tell Momma if anyone gets out of hand with you, I’ll take care of them. Momma D will take care of everything, even the shadows.”

Reference: Innuendo: It’s okay, Momma knows your secrets, girl.
You rolled 1d20+6: 11 | [ 5 ] 5+6

Reference: Perception: How does Lacy fare?
You rolled 1d20+7: 18 | [ 11 ] 11+7

Christopher Shaw
Reference: Maybe...maybe just a little bump...to calm the nerves...you know?
You rolled 1d20+0: 19 | [ 19 ] 19+0


I start to feel as though I might make it through. Momma, Momma is trying to tell me something...



Reference: Wisdom: What you talkin 'bout Momma?
You rolled 1d20+0: 7 | [ 7 ] 7+0




I need to sit and think. Those eyes....what were those eyes? How did he know my name? I should make sure the shotgun in my office is loaded. I don't feel right. The drugs won't help..this is real, wasn't it? Lisa... where's Lisa. I should see if she's ok....I'll ask one of the girls to pass a message along.... Who's nearby...

"Hey Carla. Tell Lisa I wan't to see her in my office."

Yeah... Momma's got Lacy under control...I'll talk to Lisa in my office...see how she's doin.

Chris: You barely manage to keep your cool and fight the urge to get your fix. (you made it by 1. wow.) You are too distracted what you saw and by the issue with LIsa on top of this to pick up on what Momma was trying to convey to you. You head directly to your office and collapse into your chair. You know your stash is near by, but you ignore the urge simmering under your skin. The events that happened with the strange man at table 13 play over and over in your mind. You can't shake the image of his eyes staring into you. Suddenly you realize that almost an hour has past and you've just been sitting there. Lisa hasn't come up at all.

Momma: Lacy warms up to you as you spend some time together. She still doesn't say much, but she does respond and interact with you. You feel certain that you've won her over and conveyed that you are there to take care of her. As the evening progresses, you manage to weasel a few details out of Lacy. She comes from somewhere in Oklahoma. She has a background in dance, but not as a stripper. She's never been involved in the skin industry in any way. She actually starts to sway with the music a bit as you talk. You can tell she's got the moves necessary to do the job. Presently, she's wearing jeans and a sweat shirt, but you can see a few necessary curves hidden underneath. She seems to absorb all the advice you give her, nodding along with you as you talk. She definitely pales when you talk frankly about the nastier aspects of the job. You notice that when you mention Renaldo, she looks puzzled, as if she's never heard the name before. Eventually, Lacy starts to ask you a few questions about the facts of the job, the "how to" of stripping. It's obvious to you that she's asking from a practical standpoint. She's clearly uncomfortable by this lifestyle, but she looks to be preparing herself to jump in. You point out a few good moves from the girls that you're watching on the floor. The one thing you pick up on as you talk and demonstrate is Lacy muttering under her breath about being "chosen".

Christopher Shaw
"Those eyes..wait...what time is....where is Lisa?"

I get up from my desk and head to the door to open it. Once opened I look around the floor half expecting to see that strange man again and half expecting to see Lacy on stage.

Reference: How's the floor look?
You rolled 1d20+6: 25 | [ 19 ] 19+6



"why isn't Lacy on stage? It's been an hour! I thought Momma would know to get her right out."

I begin walking to Momma's office to see what the hold up is....After all...I want these girls on stage on time....The customers always open their wallets a little wider for a new girl. As I walk through the crowd I try to find Lisa again as well. She seemed pretty upset. I don't want things to get awkward between us. It was going along so well. Maybe I wasn't moving fast enough for her....I can't leave this hanging out there...festering.

Reference: Perception: Li...Lisa? You there Gurrll?
You rolled 1d20+6: 26 | [ 20 ] 20+6



(If I see Lisa my intention is to stop and talk to her)

Chris: The floor is looking good. It's almost 9 PM and things are starting to pick up. People are roaming the looking for entertainment and the Howlin' Hussy welcomes all. The bar is packed and the servers are running ragged carrying trays full of drinks and snacks. The main stage is in full swing. The regulars who always sit around the stage are relaxed and enjoying themselves, waiting for their favorite girls to perform. The newer guys are on their feet, howling and drooling and waving their money in the air, trying to get attention. You see girls giving lap dances at some of the smaller tables and a few of them working together on a group of business men at the back booths. Your bouncers are keeping an eye on things, so nothing should get out of hand. In the hall outside your office, you hear girls walking back and forth, chattering away as usual about the happenings in the club. Nothing seems out of the ordinary. When you exit your office and walk towards Momma's, you happen to run into Carla. She's been a waitress for a few years and is slowly transitioning to a dancer. In fact, she has just come from doing a number on stage and is flush with sweat and excitement. She's wearing a loosely tied silk robe. She has scraps of leather and lace clutched in one hand, and a stack of bills in the other. You ask her about Lisa. "Oh, Lis' left about half an hour ago. Said she was feeling the flu coming on. She mostly looked upset, though. You two having a fight again?"

Momma D
The chosen one? Is this connected to the vision I saw of her? Something, obviously, is not right.

Brenda knocks on the door of Momma D’s office, interrupting her thoughts. Brenda has been dancing at the Hussy for four years now. She was waitressing tonight because it was her time of the month. “Come in, Brenda, what’s going on?” Brenda looks annoyed but politely replies, “Lisa left sick, she apologized for not coming in to talk to you. She hopes it doesn’t cost her job but she said it was an emergency. Lisa said you needed hair and makeup for a girl?” Lisa was fine earlier. Hope her and Shaw didn’t have another fight. That’s the last thing on Momma’s list right now. “Brenda,” Momma answers, “This is Lacy. Lacy has been watching the girls and I can tell she’s going to be a star. Take Lacy around and show her the Hussy. She’ll need her hair, make-up and wardrobe. Give me at least 45 minutes before bringing her back here.” Turning to Lacy, Momma puts her hand on her shoulder, “I’ll see you before you get up there. Don’t you worry; you’re going to be just fine.”

Momma ushers both of the girls out of her office and locks the door behind them. Momma sits down at her desk and lights up a Salem Spirit. After smoking a cigarette and lighting up another, she picks up her rotary phone. She dials Vinnie and nervously taps her lighter on the desk waiting for him to pick up. After thirteen rings, Mr. Renaldo answers the phone. “Hey Vinnie, it’s Momma. My apologies about calling you so late but I had some questions about Lacy, our new dancer. Lacy, you know, the girl you called me about earlier…”

Momma: Brenda takes Lacy down to the dressing rooms and gets to work. When Vinnie answers the phone, he sounds annoyed, like you're interrupting him. He snaps at you with a completely different tone from when he called you a few hours ago. "Is there a problem with Lacy? I trust that your extensive experience can manage anything that develops. I need Lacy on stage now. She dances before midnight.

Roll Perception.