Skip looked at the men whom he was addressing. There were fewer then before but they all had the same expression.

"No." One of them said, taking a swig from his glass and emptying it. "We were just leaving." He had a thick accent. Russian, no doubt. He stood up as well as the man next to him. Together they walked out, chatting away in their mother tongue.

***

Ashland rummaged through her purse. How could she have forgotten? She needed this week's paycheck to pay the rent on her apartment. If she didn't pay today, she'd lose it. She sighed and turned around, heading back the way from which she had come. 

She came back to the club clutching her purse tightly. She rushed in nearly bowling a couple over. "Charley!" She shouted, going behind stage. 

"Yeah?" The man looked up from the tangled pile of scarves. 

"I forget to get my money." She said, breathing heavily.

"Oh. Me too. Hold on." Charley dug into his pocket and pulled out bag. Inside were the checks for all the girls. 

He handed her one. One hundred and fifty dollars for two weeks. Ashland's heart dropped. "That's it?" She was about to start crying.

"We didn't have enough people come in this time around. I'm sorry Ash. I would give you more, but then I'd be fired." Charley looked sincerely apologetic. "I can't pay my ret with this. Char, They're going to [i]evict[/i] me." Warm tears finally broke through and streamed down her cheek. 

Charley looked at her and sighed. "I really am sorry, Ash."

"It's fine." Ashland sniffled and left him behind stage.

Out in the bar area, she saw Rich sitting at the counter, glass of whiskey in hand. She came to sit in the empty seat next to him. He looked at her. "I thought you went home."

"I did. But I realized I forgot to pick up my pay." She sniffled again.

"You talk to Charley?"

"Yeah. It;s not enough, Rich. If I don't have three-twenty-five by eleven tonight, I'm going to lose my apartment." Another tear streaked down her cheek.

"I can give you an extra fifty, but that's it." Rich reached into his pocket and pulled the last bill out. "I just payed my own rent." He eyed someone in the distance.

"Thanks. You're too good, Rich." Ashland took the bill from him. It still wasn't enough, but it was better.

"I wish I could pay you girls better. You work so hard." He shook his head. 

A man came to stand behind Ashland. "I'm heading out, Rich. thanks for the drink."

"Not a problem, Skip." He looked at Ashland. "Oh, before you leave. This is the girl." He motioned to Ashland who stood up.

"Ashland Reynolds." She smiled, swallowing her worry to put on a fake air of happiness. She held a hand out to Skip.

"Skip Morris." Skip smiled back and shook her hand. "Can I get you a drink, Miss Reynolds?"

"No thanks. I was about to head home." She put her hat on her head and smiled again.

"Alone?"

"Yep. I came here alone." She looked at the clock in the distance. She was running quickly out of time.

"Allow me to walk you home." Skip held an arm out for her to take. She thought about it for a moment. She shot a glance at Rich, looking for approval. He shrugged. Ashland took Skip's arm and let him lead her to the door.