This Valdez had shown up a year ago as a black Labradoodle. He’s cute and cuddly-looking. But don’t be fooled. He can take off an arm with those sharp teeth. He also comes with an attitude. I actually enjoy our banter. At least he makes me feel safe. There’s nothing scarier than lying down for your death sleep in a strange place without protection. Valdez takes that part of his job seriously.
He talks to me when we’re alone. Out loud. Yes, it’s pretty freaky to see a dog talk. When other people are around, he sends me messages in my mind. I answer that way too. Yes, whole conversations go on and the mortals around us have no idea. The V-man is good at playing the dumb dog. But he’s anything but dumb.
I opened the apartment door and walked in on an argument. My roommate screamed at her boyfriend while he gripped her arm in a very unfriendly way.
Valdez growled and showed his teeth.
“You’d better let go of her, Sid. My dog is trained to attack any man who hurts a woman.” I dropped my purse on the sagging couch. I didn’t tell the guy that I was trained too. I could break his arm with a kick placed just right.
I moved closer. “I mean it, let her go.”
“Since when is this your business?” He did release her and eyed Valdez. He didn’t seem concerned about me. Big mistake. “Misty is supposed to be at the Velvet Slipper and she won’t go. What do you think about that?”
I studied Misty, who had tears ruining her mascara. “I think that’s up to Misty. I’ll give her a ride if she decides to go. Take off.” I threw open the door. Valdez growled and moved in on him.
“Fine. Whatever. Maybe she don’t need the paycheck.” He detoured around Valdez and stormed out of the apartment.
“Thanks, Gloria.” Misty took the tissue I handed her. “He’s too rough. But he’s wrong. I do need the paycheck. Let me fix my face and then I’ll take that ride.”
“Wait.” I put my hand on her arm. “Why wouldn’t you go with him?”
“Business has been bad so the Velvet Slipper decided to go topless tonight. Put our flyers and everything. I don’t want to do it.” She sniffled and dabbed under her eyes. “What would my mama say?”
“That she’s got the tits for it.” Valdez stared at her.
I glared at him, glad Misty couldn’t hear him. He’s a typical male but he was right. Misty has a great figure. She’s a dancer at the showroom and has long legs as well as that shapely upper body.
“Are they giving you a bonus for dancing topless?” That seemed only right to me.
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask. But rent’s coming due. You got your part?” She glanced at the clock. “You’re home early.”
“Fired. The boss wanted his own bonus, if you know what I mean. I’m not putting out for a lousy waitress job in a coffee shop. The tips were horrible. That dump was where the people who lost money in the casinos came to sober up.” I sat on the couch. “I may have to move out at the end of the month. I’ve slept in my car before.”
“Oh, wow. If you move out then I’m stuck. Come with me. Maybe they’ll have an opening at the Slipper.” She looked me over. “You willing to do the topless gig?”
“The master would stroke out if you did.” Valdez hopped up on the couch, all ears. “Not that you don’t have…” He gave me a doggy grin.
I ignored that. Yes, I had an impressive bust line. Too bad I had the hips to match. “I don’t know. I’ve danced before, but I’m not tall like you are. That’s usually the deal breaker in Vegas. I tried the showrooms when I first got here. It was clear to me that my five foot five was too short for a class act.”
“I’m sorry, Gloria, but you’re right.” Misty was almost six feet tall.
“Yeah, add the headdress and you can see the dancers from the back row of the balcony. Me? I’m lost in the crowd.”
“You’re right. They like ̕̕em tall. But you could waitress. You said that’s what you were doing before. Tips for the cocktail waitresses are pretty good.” She pulled out her compact and went to work on her makeup. “But they might want them topless too. The place has become pretty sleezy. It’s not on the Strip so Dominic had to do something to pull in the crowds.”
“Why don’t you go somewhere else, Misty?” I stayed well away from her mirror. If a mortal realizes you don’t reflect? Well, then you have to mesmerize them and make them forget the whole thing. What a pain.
“You have to be a really good dancer to make it on the Strip. I thought I was okay at the Velvet Slipper. Then there are the casinos. I… well, never mind.” Her eyes filled again and she sniffed. “Damn it, I can’t cry!”
“What about the casinos?” This was interesting. The casinos are everything in Vegas.
“That’s my business.” She waved a hand around the apartment. “I have to get up my nerve and try the topless gig. I’ll ask for a bonus. This isn’t a great apartment and I’ve been dancing in Vegas for five years. I should be able to afford better. You think I want to live like this?”
I looked around. Okay, so it wasn’t the Ritz-Carlton. The apartment was small but had two bedrooms and the roof didn’t leak, not much of a factor in the desert. I’d stayed in much worse. It did look like she’d furnished it with pieces she’d found on the curb.
