EXCERPT FROM MIDNIGHT CALIFORNIA
A DARK ROMANCE
At seventeen, she had no where else to go. It was either here or skid row. She was just as likely to encounter the darkest parts of humanity there, so why not have some control? At least a roof over her head, meals, and a paycheck. They recruited the young, the old, the…interesting characters, but not addicts or psychologically scarred. Well, not to the point of being broken. Vega realized on day one, that was the job for the owners, the…mysterious masters of her destiny. They didn’t even ask how old she was, they just looked at her and said, “Perfect for the Virgin and those rooms.”
She stood in front of a hotel check-in counter where the glass between her and whoever was on the other side was impenetrable. The voice was computerized affording further anonymity. Vega looked at the ground, then up only to see her reflection. She admitted, “I’m not—”
“Of course not. You look the part. It’s all that matters. Take her inside and explain.” It was really that simple. Sure, she would be eighteen in a few months, but no one seemed to care if she was thirteen or thirty as long as she looked the part.
Upon entering the hotel proper, beyond the doors that had to be buzzed open, Vega was seated in a room, where a rather pleasant woman who was probably in her late sixties possibly early seventies began explaining the benefits plan and pay scale. She read through the documents quickly and signed. Did it matter? She had nowhere else to go so thirty percent of the activity fee and a room in the hotel to live was enough for now. The woman took the papers to the door, knocked and slid them through to someone on that side.
“What is the virgin…role about?” Vega asked as the woman returned to the table.
“Depends on the fantasy, but usually it’s the easiest job since you don’t always have sex with the client. Sometimes the most challenging because…you don’t always have sex with the client and…well, you’ll get used to the performance aspect rather quickly. We all do.” A man stepped into the room and handed the woman something. She nodded and handed it over to Vega, “Here’s your card. Money will be deposited at the end of the shift. Here is your room key. These are still traditional and that’s on purpose. Only you and the vault have this key. Understand?”
She nodded.
“You need food? We have room service, but it does come out of your check.” She then said, “What size are you?”
Vega shook her head, “I don’t know. These are…all I have. I…ran and…this was it. I’ve lost a lot of weight since then. As you can see.” She pulled at the shirt that used to fit perfectly, but was now loose, a bit dirty. She did try to stay clean. Sneak into places she could lock a bathroom door and wash her body, her clothes. Her stomach growled at the mention of food. “I’m hungry, but…I guess I need to find out how much it costs to eat.”
“Stand up, let me get a look at you. Turn around, okay. All right. I think I can figure it out.” She walked out.
Vega put the key in her pocket, remained standing, and fidgeted with the credit card in her hand.
She looked at it and realized it had her name on the card. They made it right there in the hotel. The woman returned with a duffle bag and winked as she said, “Look through here first, dear. Okay? If these don’t fit, let me know. Watch what you eat. Take care of your skin, your body. You want to stay in the young rooms as long as you can, dear. Trust me on that.”
Vega picked the heavy duffle off of the table and said, “Thank you. Where…do I go from here?”
The woman handed her a map and said, “Technology is an amazing thing, but sometimes…especially in our business, we just want to know no one can open that door without permission. You never have to let another person past your threshold. There are cameras in the halls for…security reasons. Be careful with that key, dear. Keep it safe.”
It sure didn’t sound like any aspect of this place was safe. It was a job though. A profession as old as the tracking of time in words on pages, so why not? She needed shelter, food, and employment by someone who would not ask questions. At least until she could earn enough, turn eighteen so no one would return her to her family, and make her own path again.
The woman continued, “Only the employee rooms are keyed this way. Every other floor has codes. You are on the thirteenth floor, room thirteen thirteen. I think it may be a lucky number for you. No one has been in that room for years.”
She winked and Vega could feel the chill wash down her spine but forced a smile and nodded. “Thank you. M…I don’t know your name.”
“And you won’t until I trust you. I suggest you come up with another name, too.” The woman smiled and left the room.
This is an excerpt from the WIP Midnight California. It is a twisted, dark romance.
