This morning I woke up to the news of riots all over the United States. It’s not from the recent isolation of people due to the COVID pandemic, but back to the issue of racism. As I wait to see when the night club industry reopens, I can not help but be saddened to see what has happened to our cities. This might affect our re-opening dates.
This brings me to the Tuesday I woke up on September 11, 2001. I was confused when I witnessed the 2nd plane crash into the second building of the World Trade Center in New York. I thought maybe it was a movie that was being played. I quickly found out that it was no movie. I did not work in New York at the time, so it was work, as usual, that evening.
I was 19 years old. I have already been dancing for a few years, although still a mere amateur. As I entered the club that day, there is an unusual hum of what transpired. Patrons, staff, and ladies huddled around the TV screen to keep an eye on the tragic event.
I remember hearing patrons talking about how it could’ve been them on those flights. A lot of close call stories and stories of whom they know or connected to in this event. Firefighters and first responders became highly regarded for their heroism. The “house girls” know to head straight for them to help relieve their stresses. I was still considered an amateur so my opportunity to approach them comes after the house girls.
There is a system of hierarchy in the strip clubs. “House girls” are dancers that have worked in a particular club for more than 3 years. Don’t get it mixed up with the “Queen B’s.” There may be only 1 “Queen” but usually their a few “Queen B’s” in every club. You don’t normally see them often due to them having set clienteles and everybody else comes to seek them out. They are usually occupied, always busy or you never see them due to them not having to be at work as much. Queen B’s are highly requested and you can always feel her presence, even when they are not working.
I always thought the Queen B’s carried themselves with such poise. They are usually the one that carries much sophistication and confidence. The house girls would be the ones that tend to be bullies towards amateurs and newbies.
Yes, I was bullied during this time. There are all kinds of things that can happen inside a club. There are catfights, large brawls, theft, robbery, stabbings, and shootings. Sometimes, inside the club can be hostile, just as it is outside the club. The club always finds a way to reopen and soon we are back to dancing nude, mending hearts, boosting morale, and earning beaucoup cash. In a way, we heal society. One patron at a time.
After such global devastation of 2020, I don’t know if the clubs will ever re-open. The strip club industry may have been changed forever. All I can do is share what it was like.