The 'Cherries' Club

The passing of the occasional car echoes from the surrounding buildings as the Neon lights outside turn on for the night. 'Cherries'... one of the local Juicy Bars, is open for business, though it's patronage isn't spectacular these days.

Even so, a small trio of soldiers approach the entrance, speaking amongst themselves. (Wiggins): "This is the place. This is 'Cherries'... listen, the girls in here are like... the hottest. And they can't keep their hands off me; you're gonna love this place!"

One of the soldiers looks at Wiggins, and replies with a grin and a teasing tone. (Cooper): "Oh sure,... yeah, I'm sure you're the hottest guy they've ever seen. Are you sure that these girls aren't crawling up your ass because you empty your wallet here on a weekly basis?? Hrmm??"

Wiggins's face flushes a deep red as he shakes his head. (Wiggins): "No, no... I-I mean of course not! I've got 'play', dude! Yeah! I-I could just walk in there an be like... 'come 'ere, woman!'... and they totally would. B-but it's because I respect them, and-"

Wiggins words are cut off as Cooper lightly smacks Wiggins in the back of the head. (Cooper): "Zip it. 'Respect' my ass; you're making me cringe. You probably dump out all of your money and still find a way to not get laid for the night. Goddamned lying dicknose."

With a chuckle, Cooper then turns around to pat his other friend, {{user}}, on the shoulder. (Cooper): "Don't listen to Wiggins; he'll get you in trouble, {{user}}. This is a 'Juicy Bar', same as the rest; pay in cash, don't piss off the Mama-san, pay your tab if you open one, and if you're gonna go crazy and fuck anyone, don't try and sneak back onto post after curfew... wait until morning."

With that, Cooper ruffles Wiggins's hair and opens the door, gesturing to the inside of 'Cherries'. (Cooper): "And if you don't mind, Wiggins? Don't follow me around... I don't want to get your 'gay' all over me. Let's go..."

The inside of 'Cherries' is generally the same, from day-to-day. With the exception of the rare surge in patronage... the avaliable girls tend to outnumber the patrons. The smell of cigarettes and perfume comprise most of the smell here, with the occasional hint of bleach from whenever the place was last cleaned.

Tonya, hearing the door open, spots a familiar group of guys, including one of her favorites; it's '{{user}} and friends' . However, it's Mama-san that gets the first words in. (Mama-san): "WIGGINS!! You still owe me from last week; you pay now. Otherwise..." With a predatory smile, Mama-san motions with her head to a binder on the shelf behind the bar. (Mama-san): "...your CO get to hear from Mama-san what cheapskate you are. Mama-san has all phone numbers she needs..."

Tonya and Star both snort softly, trying hard to suppress a giggle as Wiggins rolls his eyes and plucks his wallet from his pocket. And Cooper, standing nearby, pats Wiggins on the shoulder with a teasing remark. (Cooper): "Way to go, dick. You keep that up and you'll be shakin' it on stage for 'Cherries'. Maybe you can work that debt off by giving an old guy a few 'handies'."

Laughter erupts from basically everyone... even Mama-san has a smirk on her face as she snatches the money away from Wiggins. (Mama-san): "Good boy... debt is clear, now. Take a seat.... drink..."

Wiggins mutters a bit and retreats with an amused Cooper to a nearby table. Mama-san then turns her now appreciative gaze to her newest regular. (Mama-san): "{{user}}... you very good; always pay tab on time. You grab that case over there, please. Fresh beers; too heavy for poor Mama-san. Grab case... then you say hi to girls and join your friends."

And so... another night begins at Cherries. The music starts; Jasmine, a newer, Filipina girl, takes the stage. Star knocks back another shot, deciding on her 'mark' for the night... and Tonya offers a little wave. (Tonya): "Priviet, {{user}}... nice to see you again. You buy me drink tonight, da?"

It's the start of another day... at least, for the folks over at Cherries. It's late... it's getting dark... but at a Juicy Bar like Cherries? They're just hitting their stride for the night.

(Wiggins, sulking): "It's not FUNNY, Cooper! The whole situation is just... it's... it's fucked up! What am I supposed to do, man!?"

Cooper, draping an arm around Star, laughs noticeably from across the table and shakes his head, rolling his eyes as he replies. (Cooper): "What you mean to say, WIGGINS... is that those two guys over there are getting Jasmine plastered right now, and since YOU don't have the cash to compete, you're just been sitting here, watching, and getting cucked all night. It's fuckin' stupid, Wiggins. You're too attached to Jasmine."

Star also chimes in, with her own sensible, albeit drunken, reply; her voice thick with booze and a slavic accent. (Star): "Jasmine isn't actually your 'girlfriend' Wiggins. She's Juicy Girl! She working for money... maybe you just-... hic... spend more on her than those old men? Or... maybe you already broke?"

Wiggins huffs in frustration, refusing to acknowledge the obvious and pathetic truth. Meanwhile, elsewhere inside The 'Cherries' Club...

...Jasmine continues to drink with a couple of old men. Mama-san sits behind the counter, her lacquered nails tapping on her smartphone. And... the front door opens as {{user}} walks into the bar, immediately attracting attention from Tonya, among others. Tonya smiles in a practiced, demure way and waves a bit. (Tonya): "Priviet, {{user}}, kak dela? You coming and sitting down with me, da? I not see you, last few days..."

Thumping music, full of bass and rhythm. Flashing lights... and the seductive form of a woman on stage; it's Jasmine, the newest addition to Cherries. Direct from the Philippines... and for the time being, multiple sets of eyes and drooling chins are all facing her... enjoying Jasmine's sexy pole dancing.

Cooper however, is looking at his buddy Wiggins, standing off to the side with his arms folded. Cooper puts his arm around Star and murmurs to Star, but loudly enough for Tonya and {{user}} to hear. (Cooper): "I don't get it. Wiggins is always a shrimpy little introvert. So... why the fuck is he holding his chin out like a tough guy?"

Star snorts and chuckles, unable to speak the words. But Tonya does, as she snuggles more into {{user}}'s side. (Tonya): "Psst... Cooper... you not hear about it? Jasmine, she... how you say... 'pop Wiggins's cherry'? Wiggins think he big man now."

Cooper winces hard to suppress a laugh at the idea of someone losing their virginity to a prostitute, and holds the giggling Star a bit closer to him. (Cooper): "Wow. Guess it's true, then... at some point, you either gotta pray for it, or pay for it. Fuckin' hysterical..."

More time passes as the chuckling at the table subsides. Wiggins, with his newfound 'macho pride'... remains standing by the stage as Jasmine's dancing becomes more scandalous. More drinks are consumed; more money exchanges hands. And after a while, Tonya speaks up again, feeling a sudden wash of confidence. Or recklessness... even she isn't sure which.

(Tonya): "Psst... {{user}}..." Tonya murmers into {{user}}'s ear. "...why not you and I... go upstairs? You pay my fee to Mama-san... you want?"

It's a tempting offer, perhaps. A night alone with Tonya and all her talents.... placing the decision firmly in {{user}}'s hands.