Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Carson City ❯ Vol. 1, Chap. 4: Nightingale ( Chapter 3 )

Nightingale

The one thing Kira never wanted happened anyway. It started when she got home from her walk with Tom after her first day from school. Her mother, Sheryl, Carlos, owner of Club 75, and Botan, Sheryl's friend, were all sitting in the kitchen of the Wantanabe apartment talking. Kira spotted them from the doorway. She quickly became suspicious. “They are only together for business,” she thought bitterly. “What are those vultures plotting now?” Kira processed in with grim bitterness.

“Mom, I'm home!” she called out.

“Oh good!” Sheryl replied. “Come in here then!” Kira did so with suspicion. She made it to the kitchen. Sheryl, Carlos, and Botan looked up at her. Her mother smiled at her daughter.

“Hi darling!” she called out. Kira studied all of the people in the kitchen. Sheryl was a big woman. She was the favorite of all men in Carson City. Who could blame them? The woman had double D's. She loved to show them off. The woman always wore tight low-cut tops and dresses. Sheryl had the morals of an alley cat as well. The woman used every trick in the book. Painted face, painted nails, jewels, tight revealing clothes, fine expensive shoes, you name it, she had it and used it well.

Botan was a thinner version of Sheryl. She was a loud party girl. Kira found her pretty annoying. Botan was rude with skank tendencies. Like Sheryl, she too had many lovers. Together, they were well-known across Carson City. The women embraced the lime light as long as they could. Botan and Sheryl wanted to go out with a bang.

Carlos was the worst of all three. He was the sleazy owner of Club 75. He was always surrounded by beautiful women. Kira wanted to spit on him every time she saw his face. The man was truly scum of the Earth with his drugs, jewels, and women.

Kira kept up her guard.

“Okay,” she said suspiciously. “What is this all about? Why are you here?” The trio sat there smiling. Sheryl cleared her throat.

“Honey,” she said. “I got you a job at Club 75!” Kira stared at her blankly.

“What?!?” she yelled in shock. The trio kept smiling at her.

“That's right, doll!” Botan called. “You're family now!”

“Call me dad!” Carlos joked out. Kira looked as if she was going to be sick. “Tell me this isn't happening!” she thought in misery.

“And what do I do at Club 75?” she asked aloud sickly. Sheryl kept smiling at her daughter.

“Sing!” she replied. Kira looked at her confused.

“What?” she asked.

“Well, yeah!” her mother called. “Isn't that what you wanted ever since you little?”

“Yeah, but…” Kira began.

“But nothing!” Sheryl cut in. “You wanted to sing; now you shall sing! Who knows you might get a record deal out of it! So what do you say?” Kira stood there speechless. She was in a tight spot. She wanted to sing in public. But not like this! Kira wanted fame in a clean way. But then again, chances like this rarely came along and demanded to be grabbed onto tightly.

“Uh…” Kira replied. Sheryl smiled at her in greed.

“Great!” she called out. “You'll start tonight!” Her daughter looked her shocked.

“Tonight?!?” she asked in shock.

“Yeah!” all three called out. Kira wasn't expecting this! They were moving way too fast for her.

“But…” she tried to reason.

“It's settled!” Sheryl interrupted. “You sing tonight! Let's go right now!” Then, the four of them headed out the door to Club 75. Poor Kira was just dragged away into the world she tried to avoid and couldn't refuse the ride.

Evening fell on Carson City fast. The night life was coming out to play. Tom was roaming the streets looking for some action. Despite the many options on the well-lit streets, Tom didn't feel like doing much. Gambling wasn't as attractive as it used to be. The strips clubs were a bore now. He didn't feel like visiting a brothel house. Maybe tonight wasn't the night to be out.

That's when he saw it! The mighty Club 75. It was lit up like the New York Christmas tree. This was the tallest building in the city. The white pearl color really drew attention. Tom was drawn in like a moth to a flame.

The inside was just as spectacular as the outside. Life was everywhere. Lights were bright and all over the place. The stage was hot and glittery. Gold and purple were all around. Beautiful waitress in short tight black dresses were walking around serving drinks. Randy men were staring at the beautiful waitresses and women in the club. Drugs and drinks were being passed around like free candy. Tom had a grin up to his ears. This was his kind of place!

Tom made his way is causally. He came up to the torii-style checkpoint. The big black guard checked him for weapons. Once Joad proved to be clear, the guard stamped his hand and let him through. The lone wolf chose a golden booth in the corner near the stage. When he went to clubs, he liked to watch and flirt. Tonight, his flirting skills would get a good work out.

Tom chatted up every waitress that passed him by. They seemed to enjoy the attention showered upon them. He even tipped well. But Tom himself was in for huge surprise tonight.

Halfway into the night, the lights began to dim down. Everyone looked around quickly. The main light directed their attention to the main stage in front. The deep plum curtains slowly rose up. A single mic stood on the stage. Everyone waited in excitement. Tom was curious. What was so big that they had to dim the lights for?

Then, Carlos walked on stage to the mic. He was in a nice white dress suit. His gold rings glowed heavily in the dark. The owner looked at his audience. He grinned to himself like a sick pig. It was show time!

“Good evening!” Carlos called out to the people. The crowd went quiet. The club owner kept on.

“Now for tonight's new entertainment!” he called out. “Give it up for Kira Wantanabe!!!” That quickly caught Tom's ear. Confusion struck him hard. “Kira?” he thought in surprise. “What's a girl like her doing working in a place like this?”

Then, Carlos moved away and there was Kira Wantanabe herself. She walked on stage as if she was to be hanged in front of the crowd. The Carson girl looked great tonight. Kira was dressed in a small black dress that hugged onto her lovely curves. Her shoes were black with a velvet look to them. Her hair was back in a lovely ponytail with a pretty white camellia flower. Despite her face of not wanting to be here, Kira looked like a princess.

The crowd stared at her in excitement. Tom kept watching her. Kira took the mic and began to sing. Her first song was Fiona Apple's “Paper Bag.” And you know what? She wowed the crowd completely. They were clapping in the end. Kira sang two more songs before the night was over. Tom himself was impressed with Kira's voice.

When the night was over, Tom found Kira heading home in an ashamed rush. The man chased after her in the same pace. He finally caught up with her and grabbed her on the shoulder. Kira froze dead in her tracks. She knew who was behind her. She saw him at Club 75 tonight before she left the stage. Kira was worried about what he would think of her now.

“My mom signed me up to work in Club 75!” she called out. “I didn't want to work there! I'm not like other girls! I'm actually trying not to be a full-fledge Carson girl! I don't want to become a slut! I'm not like that at all!” The Carson girl heard chuckling behind her. Confused, Kira looked behind her and saw Tom smiling.

“It's okay,” he whispered. “I don't judge people. I know you better than that to sell your beliefs and dreams for frame and sex. Besides, I loved your singing.” Kira was blushing now.

“Really?” she asked. Tom nodded at her genuinely.

“That's all I wanted to say.” he said. Kira began to smile. That was the best thing she had heard all day.

“Thank you.” she replied. Tom kept smiling at her.

“You're welcome!” he called.

“Good night!” Kira said to him.

“Night!” Tom said back to her. Then, they went their separate ways for the night. Kira walked home smiling. She now had a reason to endure the job she forced into doing night after night. Singing for randy men on stage wouldn't be so anymore!

Hunger Hurts