Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
“I’m doing great. How are you, Chase? Hi, Maddox.”
I feel like I’m still glowing after last night and this morning, and hopefully my bosses will assume it’s just enthusiasm about my promotion.
“Are you ready to go on tour?” Chase asks.
“I’m really excited. Thank you again for the opportunity.”
“Thank you for being someone we know we can trust,” Chase says. “This is a big step for our business.”
“I won’t let you down.”
“How do you think Rose is working out?” Maddox is referring to the younger woman I’ve been training as my front desk replacement.
“She’s doing great. All you really need to do in that position is grab all the money women fling at you as they rush inside to see the show.”
This earns a laugh from both Chase and Maddox.
“I’m sure it’s not that easy, but I’m glad to hear she’s working out,” Maddox says.
Next, they go over the schedule for the first tour I’ll be leading, which will include seven shows at six venues over the span of a week.
“It’s a very ambitious start,” Chase says, “but we want to kick things off in a big way. Really make an impression and get people talking about Club Red all around this part of the country.”
They have many more shows in the works that will follow this tour, and I won’t be surprised if our tours expand to farther-flung areas. This new position holds a lot of promise, and I can already imagine myself relaxing in my new home between tours.
“The van you’ll be taking will be ready tomorrow,” Maddox says.
“We’ve had a new vehicle custom fitted for you,” Chase says. “I think you’ll all be very comfortable while you’re traveling.”
I have no doubt. My bosses are great guys, definitely unique among men.
“It will be your responsibility,” Chase says, “to make sure rehearsals are held at each venue before the show. We’ve sent detailed information to each venue manager, but we need you to ensure that each show maintains the same high level of quality, because each and every show reflects back on Club Red.”
“Of course.” The men started training me for this role two weeks ago, and I’ve learned a lot about lighting and stage production. They’ve ensured me that I won’t have to operate anything, but I do need to oversee everything. I’ve never done anything like this before, and I’m honored that they decided that I was up to the job. I’ll be able to figure out anything I’m unsure of, and there’ll be owners or managers at each site to consult if I have questions.
“Along those lines of quality and reputation, your bigger responsibility will be keeping the performers on track,” Maddox says. “Make sure they’re where they need to be on time, make sure their behavior meets our standards.”
“We went over all of the rules last week,” Chase tells his brother before turning back to me. “We chose you because we know you’ll keep the men in line.”
“I will.” I nod and keep a serious expression, but inwardly, I’m smiling. My previous bad relationships aside, I’ve become known as someone who doesn’t take shit from anyone. It’s gratifying to think that my reputation has now qualified me for a job.
“The guys can be cocky,” Maddox says, “but their big egos can also be fragile, so don’t be too hard on them. If they’re happy, they’ll perform better.”
Again, I just nod, but I’m wondering what other reputation I have around here. Maybe he knows how I feel about most of the dancers, and about men in general. I have to laugh about the ego thing. Don’t most men have fragile egos? And why should I have to tiptoe around their self-esteem? But I will do my very best to strike the right balance, because this job is important to me, and I want to keep the Stantons happy.
“The performers should be arriving any minute,” Chase says, “and there’s been a change. One of the guys had to drop out, so we’ve hired a replacement who’s been rehearsing the past few days. He’s done this work before, and he’s getting up to speed quickly.”
Chase pointed the men out to me at a show last week, but he was still finalizing details and contracts, so I haven’t formally met them yet.
I know things about some of the dancers from what I’ve seen and heard around here, and I have my fingers crossed that it’s one of the worst ones who dropped out.
No such luck.
“C’mon in, guys,” Chase says after there’s a knock on the office door. Three conventionally attractive men file in, all of them with different shades and styles of brown hair, well-developed physiques, and expressions on their faces that make it look like they think they can do no wrong. One of them is eyeing me like I’m a piece of meat, as if I’m the one who’s been hired to take my clothes off.