Source: Adult Industry News
By: Devyn Devine
Once in a while you find someone who is not only actually literate, but can write with substance. It’s my pleasure to introduce Devyn Devine in this respect. In an industry that is notoriously unaware of grammar, punctuation and spellcheck it’s a refreshing change from the norm to read someone’s work that does not need polish. I hope she is as prolific as she is articulate. -Ed.
Taking it Off: What Some Women do to Get Ahead
By Devyn Devine
One would think I would have to go to the seedy part of town, but I didn’t. I turned my car around the bend, passing the local Fred Myers as I made my way in the dark. I didn’t see prostitutes or “working girls” as some refer to them. When I arrived, I saw the parking lot full of nice cars. It was obvious from the BMWs and SUVs that these men had money. A gentleman came out to greet me, and he grabbed my bag off my shoulder. He escorted me into the club, and he told me that I could expect someone to walk me in and out of the club every shift. His name was Chris, and he put my mind at ease. I wondered if he could tell by my surprise that this was my first time in a club. Perhaps the expression on my face gave me away. The smell was just like I expected it. Smoke loomed in the air mixed with the scent of sex even though nobody was having it. Naked bodies prancing around excreted the smell. I gazed around the room as if I was drunk from the experience of taking it all in, and apparently having to take it all off. My eyes caught the stare of a businessman with his crumpled white shirt and tie strewn about on his table. Clearly, he had been there awhile, which I could judge from his shrinking billfold. The girl he was with really turned up the heat by using her seductive moves for all his money. What would I become? Chris arrived back at me side, ushering me to the bar where I met Peter, the manager. “So this was the man,” I thought. Was kinds of “favors” would I have to perform in order to land the job. It’s not like there isn’t a stigma attached to this kind of work. Try saying it out loud. “I take my clothes off for money.” the reaction people will give anyone who says that is amazing. So I went in knowing that I would be viewed as an object rather than a scared little 18 year old girl who moved away from everyone she knew, and was getting divorced. I needed money, and I was going to do what it took to get some. Much to my surprise, Peter grabbed my hand to shake it and showed me where the dressing room was. He asked me to change into something more alluring, and he asked Aries, one of the “seasoned pros,” to show me the ropes. And just like that, I was hired.
Closer by Nine Inch Nails blared loudly throughout the club. I saw this girl on the pole. She was flying around it like some sort of flying trapeze artist. She moved about that stage like a graceful gazelle, and it was clear to see that the men at the tip rail wanted more and more. Dollars were everywhere waiting for this dancer to pluck them up in whatever manner she saw fit. I was told that you can just grab the dollars with your hands. You had to give the man a little show or a little tease. Put the dollar in his mouth and take it with yours while getting close enough for him to think he is going to feel your lips press on his. Or, there is the option to put the dollar in his mouth and take it with your breasts. Men seem to love that one. When this dancer got off stage, I saw her naked body drenched in her perspiration. Men were calling for her to give them a private dance. Later that night, I talked to her. The dancer’s stage name was Sammy. Sammy had a 2 year old daughter, and the father wasn’t in the picture. I asked her if she did drugs. She laughed at me and gave me grace because I was new and naïve. All dancers are crack whores. That is part of the stigma. I was surprised when Sammy told me she was trying to save money for college. Since Sammy was being so nice to me, I asked her if she did any “work on the side.” Again, she laughed and told me no. I thought all dancers had to turn tricks. I felt very relieved that I didn’t have to be a drug addict prostitute to fit in with this subculture of women. Sammy told me that there were many girls who fell into the pitfall of drugs and alcohol, and even getting paid to have sex. Conversely, there were many women who were just like me. I was getting divorced, I was alone, and I wanted to make something out of my life. Just like with any job, you have to stay focused and make goals. She told me to pick up the book Ivy League Stripper by Heidi Mattson, and it would give me some tips on how to approach men and how to save money. The author was from a working class family. She was accepted to Brown University in Rhode Island. Her family couldn’t afford to pay for school, so she started dancing. It was at that moment that I realized what some woman would do to get ahead.
Aries told me about the differences between states when it came to dancing. In Alaska, you could have full contact with a man which meant dancing on his lap. A dancer could do pretty much anything except let penetration occur. In Washington State however, there is a 3 foot rule. Dancers are not suppose to have contact with the customers. This seems to affect a dancer’s ability to make money which is why so many girls come to Alaska to work. Aries even explained the difference between different clubs. There were topless clubs where G-strings are always worn. These clubs served alcohol. There were nude clubs where the dancer has a choice whether or not to take off her G-string. These clubs usually allowed patrons 18 years old and over and were “juice” bars, which means they did not serve alcohol. There are many choices to consider when choosing a club. I think I chose the right one. The girls were friendly and helpful, and some even gave me help on choosing a costume and applying make-up. Aries took me to the DJ and helped me pick out my music. It was my turn up at bat. I got on that stage and danced. Ten minutes later when I came off of stage, I carried a bundle of money with me. I went into the dressing room to count it all. I made $175.00 in tips on my first time up. Men like virgin dancers. I learned that quickly. I played on my newness that night, totaling over $1,000 on my first night.
I had found my club “home” where I spent the bulk of my career. I didn’t fall into the trap of drug abuse, although I did have my fun. I saved most of my money, and I traveled. I used my experience of being a dancer to get ahead in life. Some women go to college, and some women get married. Then there are some women like me who take their clothes off for money to get to the place they want to be in life. So I say to hell with the stigma. College, marriage, or stripping – name your poison. A girls got to do what a girls got to do, and there is nothing wrong with that.
