Last night

Last night I had something struck off my bucket list. We went to Love & Rockets, a strip club in the Valley. I arrived later than the rest as I had a get-together/farewell dinner with other friends. As I entered the premises, it looked like any club under dim lighting conditions (and the place smelt good too!) until I saw a lady dancing only in her underwear on stage with poles erected and other ladies standing around dressed in lingerie. However, the place didn't come across as sleazy. It seemed like a safe environment for them too as when a guy walked around topless, the DJ singled him out and security immediately approached him and asked him to put on his top or get out.

This is how it works (or so I think): As each dancer performs on stage, the audience can get her to strip by tipping her. Sitting at the seats along the stage meant you wanted to tip her and if you're lucky, the dancer might come up close and personal with you. While I have some form of admiration for the dancers who were acrobatic and really worked the pole (because pole-dancing isn't easy), others who got by dancing around the pole in their high heels and writhing on stage didn't get my stamp of approval. And when they strip, I began to feel a little awkward because I didn't know where was an appropriate spot for my eyes to land. And no prizes for guessing, I just kept staring at their flat, toned stomachs and long, slender legs. Of course occasionally my attention would be drawn to their bosoms, thinking if they were au naturel or otherwise.

As the hour progressed and the performances by the dancers started to look the same to me, I can't help but wonder why they took up this job. Was it a last resort, a means to earn a quick buck, or did they do it because they enjoyed being a spectacle? I wonder if they lead double lives and if their loved ones know what they are doing, or has their job defined who they are. But whatever I thought, this is definitely an eye-opener for me.