I'M HERE MANDY LYNN

Ivy's POV:

Upon arrival, I could see that this place was already packed as fuck. The line alone is steadily wrapping around two blocks and people were still coming. This shit is crazy, all I could do is shake my head.

The driver stopped the car in front of the club; exited, opened the door and assisted me out of the car. The bouncer greets me and opens the door to the club.

I am immediately hit with the air from the speakers thumping nothing but BASS. Taken a back-a bit, I continue walking straight ahead until I reach the bar. Standing there with her back turned, I see my bestie, Mandy Lynn.

I shouted to her, "Hey Ma!"

She looked up from her clipboard, turned around quickly, with the biggest smile on her face Mandy Lynn jumped over the counter, ran towards me and gave the biggest hug.

"I'm so glad you're here!!!!", jumping excitedly as though she were jogging in place.

"Finally, your ass decided to come to Miami. By the way, GIRRRLLLL, your post baby body looks sexy as hell!". Mandy Lynn hugs again, while simultaneously rocking me from side to side.

"Thanks. I had been feverishly working out, like nobody's business, while I was pregnant. That way my snap back game would be on point" I said.

"No shit. Well how much longer are you gonna be in town?"

"Two or three more days, I gotta get back home to my baby. Next time I'll bring her with me."

"Damn, I wish you could stay longer; but I get it. Anyway, follow me to the back so that you can get mentally prepared and ready. You'll be on in 20 minutes." Mandy Lynn said, with the most excited voice that I have ever heard her speak in.

Mandy Lynn continues to talk as we were walking thru the back of the club towards the dressing rooms.

"Just so that you know, I already made sure the DJ was given a copy of your set music."

The dressing room was rather large and had several stations. Looking around and checking out the competition; I saw some counting their money, some preparing to leave, while others were getting ready for their set.

Some of the females were nice and cordial, while others were straight up rude, nasty-ass, ghetto-hood chicks (not ghetto fabulous, there is a difference); unprofessional skanks that should no longer be allowed to strip.

"Good looking out. So how much do these girls typically make in one night?" I asked Mandy.

"Anywhere between $2000 and $4000 dollars per night. But during the weekday, on slow night, they make right around $1000 dollars for four hours of work."

"That's not too shabby" nodding my head. "That's what I'm talking about!" I give Mandy a backwards, down low high-five.

"Well thanks again Mandy Lynn, for allowing me to make some cash while I'm here."

"No problem. When you're done come find me and we'll go hang out."

"Okay great." shaking my head in agreement.

When she left, I began to change out of my clothes and took the time to hang them up neatly. This way, when work is over, I will return to the hotel looking the same way as I left.

I quickly retrieve the costume from the duffle bag and start getting dressed. My costume is a black laced bra and thong set. This is not just any kind of black laced set. Woven into the material of the bra and thong are flakes of 24 karat gold. Everything I do or have, is the best that money can buy.

I began to apply my gold infused body lotion all over. I have a special sponge, with a handle extension, that applies the lotion to my back and other hard to reach places. Regardless of the stage lighting, the effects are most spectacular. I expertly apply my make-up and add eyelashes.

Last, but not least, I slip on my thigh high, black pan leather stiletto boots, with white and yellow gold heels. These boots were special, and tailor made just for me. I had to travel to Italy and beg the Master Shoemaker to create these boots for me. These boots were the last pair of shoes that this World Renowned, Master Italian Shoemaker, made before passing.

By the time I was ready, I took three shots of whiskey to relax my nerves a bit. Feeling the effects of the alcohol, I was now ready to hit the stage.

I never wanted to be a stripper. I always saw myself obtaining a degree in Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics, not this generic business degree that I have. But unfortunately, I got involved with the wrong man, who turned out to be nothing more than a sperm donor.

I do love my daughter with all of my being. I know that she would not be the little person that she is without his donation. I'd do and give anything in the world for her, including my life. She is the reason why, every night, I get up on this and any other stage.

No matter what, I want to make sure, that I can provide everything and anything that she might ever want or need. I don't plan on doing this type of work forever. My biggest worry is, if something were to happen to me, who would take care of her?

Sure, her grandmother, my mother, would if she were still living. The only grandmother she has is Antonio's mother; but, would she be able to take care of her and financial provide for her? I know that her father wouldn't.

What if it turns out that she has no one left to support her, provide her with a home, love her, take care of her, then what? I don't want her to suffer the way that I did. So, the best thing that I can do is save money and create wealth for her.

I will start teaching her about finances, money and life while she is young. Hopefully, she will remember my teachings and when she's old enough, she will be able to figure things out for herself.

I tolerate this profession. I cringe at the thought of my daughter being embarrassed of me one day. The life that I have lived and the things that I have done; would cause the average person to give up and wallow in self-pity.

If the saying is true: everything that goes on in the dark, always comes out into the light. Then logic says, my past will come back to haunt me and her; and it could be deadly. All I can do is my best to keep that from ever happening and hope that one day she will understand my reasoning.

Everyone thinks being a Stripper is easy and we don't have morals or values. I do and many others do as well. The problem is circumstances occur. It is not that we don't know how to handle it at that time; this is just an easy out. Too often, the circumstances involve an immediate need to satisfy the most basic part of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs...food and shelter. These two things will make you do things, that you never thought you were capable of doing.

Many strippers weren't given or even had a fair chance in life. There was no one else around to tell or show anything different. Some grew up on the streets and left to survive the best way they could. Just living to see the sunrise on a new day was sometimes a chore and many of us did not make it.

The difference between me and so many of them is, I have always had the ability to chart a different course for my life. I have experienced more to life than fast money, alcohol, and drugs. Although, this life is idolized in almost every music video, television show and movie; it ages you. The key has always been to make your money, never let the money make you.

Trained eyes can look and tell if you lived a hard, fast life; it shows on your face and in your body. Hopefully, my daughter will never have to be exposed to such a toxic lifestyle that this world has to offer. A mother could only hope; can't she?