Page 15 of Shar: A Woman Alone

Grinning because the look he’s giving Ryder is amusing. Theyare glaring at each other and I look at Trip, rolling my eyes, which has himgrinning back at me.

“My day’s been good. I’ve just got to speak to more staff asthey come in.” Looking at my watch, I see the dancers will be here any minute.“Okay, I’ve got dancers here in a few minutes, so you lot need to skedaddle.”

“We’re going. We just wanted to check you were okay andthank you for the garage transfer at the bank. We’ll sort out the transfer ofownership to the club next week,” Sharp states, looking pretty smug about thegarage ownership.

“We can do that ownership transfer next week, no problem.I’m happy to do it whenever you want. Now, off you go, I’ve got work to do.”

I don’t have time to think about anything else as nine womenwalk into the bar, all talking and laughing apart from one who looks sour asall hell. I ignore her for now, but make a mental note to keep an eye on her.

“Ladies, follow me.” Making it clear with my tone, theydon’t have a choice. I notice Cord walking behind them and when he winks at me,I can’t help rolling my eyes.

Once in the dressing rooms, I turn to the women. Theycontinue talking until I clap my hands to get their attention. “Okay. I’m notmessing around when I say this…” pointing at the state of the dressing roomwe’re standing in, “is not happening anymore. You all clear away your shit. Idon’t want to see a single item of clothing thrown anywhere. You have lockersfor your clothing and personal belongings. I don’t care that this is a stripclub, it’s a business premise and you’ll all treat it as such.”

“Who the fuck are you to tell us anything?” I knew this onewas going to have an attitude, but she’s not met me yet.

“I’m the new manager, and if you don’t comply with the newrules, you can pack your thong and head on out. The good thing is you don’thave much to carry when you go out the door.” I eye her strongly and it onlytakes a minute or two for her to look away. “Now we’ve cleared up I’m your newboss, you will call me Shar and you will be respectful, again if you can’t,then leave. It’s not a problem for me to see you walk out of that door.” When Iget no reaction apart from nervousness I continue. “Right, let’s get down toit, shall we?”

I spend the next hour watching them picking up clothing,cleaning out lockers, sorting through makeup thrown on dressers, and all thewhile I give them the new rules they have to work with or leave. Be on time, nowhoring. We’re not here to run a whorehouse. No lap dances, no bringing anyonebehind the stage area. The rules run on and I can see, apart from the one, theyare all happy with the rules laid down.

I’m thankful that the club was closed today because no waywould I have gotten everyone organized before opening time. Next on my list isthe cleaning crew and, of course, the boss of them, who I just know is going tohave an issue.

The women are all done and leave until tomorrow when theystart their rotation and I quickly make my way to the kitchen, where I grab abottle of water from the fridge.

Cord and Ryder are still here with me, and the bartendersare still working, so I’m happy I’m not here alone. Cord takes a seat and givesme an appreciative look, which has me blush slightly, much to Ryder’samusement. I ignore it, as the last thing I need is any involvement in theromantic department.

A man walks into the kitchen and Ryder gives him a blankstare, but Cord snipes, “Shar, this is Mr. Pembleton. He is the owner of thecleaning company we use.” I get the distinct impression neither of the clubbrothers like the man, which makes me wonder why they are using his company.

Standing, I hold my hand out to shake, but he looks down hisnose at me without taking my hand, then coldly says, “Why have I been calledhere?”

“Well, let's see, shall we?” I respond just as coldly inreturn. “We have cleaning issues that we are not happy with.” Before I can saymore, the man snarls.

“Who are you, and what has it got to do with you?”

“I’m the manager of the club from this morning, and I havefull authority to hire and fire, and at this moment, Mr. Pembleton, I’m on theverge of firing your company.” I can see the shock in his eyes and I go for thethroat, so to speak. “You are not fulfilling the contract of cleaning thisestablishment. The shower areas are disgusting, which, of course, includes thestalls and cubicles. The dressing rooms are filthy and the mirrors haven’t seena cloth since they were put on the walls. The whole place needs a thoroughclean, and let me be clear here, so no mistakes can be made. I’m more thanhappy to find another company or individuals to get this place up to scratch,you comprende?”

Mr. Pembleton’s face starts to redden, and it goes from apink to a red, to a purple, and as he’s about to blow his fuse Cord steps infront of me, grins, and waits, giving the body language that he’s ready foranything.

“I’ll get the staff over here and get it done.” Not waitingfor anyone to respond, he storms out. I look at Cord, then Ryder, before we allbust out laughing.

“We’ll see what happens now,” I grin, and we head out of thebar to the office, where I continue looking over the contract for the cleaningcompany. I smile to myself when I see a clause I can use if I have to. That’show I spend the next two hours taking photographs with my cell phone ofeverything I can find that shows the company didn’t fulfill the cleaningcontract.

CHAPTER 7

Shar

The evidence I collected is going to be what closes thismess down. I walk into the dressing rooms and the three cleaners are standingside-by-side looking somewhat nervous. Now, I’m sure Mr. Pembleton has spokento these three already, but that is of no matter to me. I will still say whathas to be said, and if they don’t like it, they know where the door is.

“Ladies, what pride do you take in the work that you do?” Aneyebrow raised as the question left my lips. As expected, I received noreplies. “Well, let me inform you. From where I’m standing, you have none, nopride at all in what you are paid to do.”

One of the women opens her mouth to speak and I give her thelook that I practiced with Mia in prison. The one that told everyone to stayaway from us if they didn’t want to get hurt. It did the job I wanted it to.She closed her mouth and looked at her feet.

“Let’s have a walk around, so I can show you what you needto do, and keep doing, or you’ll be losing your jobs. I won’t allow the club topay for a company that is not doing what the contract stipulates.” Again, I eyethem before proceeding to show them the images I have taken, pointing outproblems with a lot of disgust in my voice.

I drag them around the club, showing them where I took theevidence of their lack of cleaning. I also explain that their breach ofcontract entitles the club to terminate, and the compensation outlined withinthe contract.

Cord and Ryder, who have not said a single word up to thispoint, are smirking at the way the three women are becoming more and moredepressed with the situation. I shut that down with a scowl, because let’s behonest, it should never have come to this point. The club should have been ontop of it and I’ll be speaking with Sharp about this when I get back to theclubhouse.

The next hour is spent with me filling the three in on whatis expected, what needs to be achieved before the month is finished, and that Iexpect them to have higher standards or I’ll replace the company with one thatactually cares about their clients.

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