Kurt ran through the rainy streets of New York; running from the only place he had to live; running from the only guy who had ever loved him. Apparently not enough to keep from cheating on him. He ran until he hit a dip in the sidewalk and went down hard to the concrete. He just laid there for a minute or two until he got up to his knees and picked up his belonging from his spilled backpack.

“Hey, you ok?” He looked into the face of a nice looking black woman around his age.

“No.” His lip trembled and tears fell down his face.

“Come on. Lets get you dried off.” She helped him up and into a club. He read the name on the door as he walked in ‘Holly’s Holiday’. What he saw when he walked in blew his mind. Guys and girls working poles together.

“What is this place?” He looked around bewilderedly.

“A club of sorts. We don’t just cater to one gender. A dancer is a dancer here. Brandy! Cognac!”

“Um I uh don’t mix my drinks.”

She laughed “No boo, this is Brandy, she’s getting you a Cognac.” She handed him the glass and a towel. “Now, tell me. What were you doing running in this weather?”

“I just walked in on my boyfriend and his new lover, In MY apartment that we shared. I’m thinking now that running was a bad idea. I just thought he was going to be the one ya know?”

“Oh honey, I know all about that. Men are pigs! But you know, the one place that nobody can touch you is up there on that stage. When you’re up there your untouchable.”

“I need a job.”

“I’m not the one to talk to. That would be Miss Holly, you just sit right here. Im going to go grab her.”

Kurt sat for a few minutes and watched the dancers and the other customers. He was about to get up and leave when a curly headed stranger walked up and sat next to him.

“Hey Brandy, no just a dry white wine will do fine.” Kurt looked at he stranger. No doubt he was handsome, but he was probably very straight and here for the pretty Blonde or Brunette girls. He was just bout to introduce him self when he heard the girl who helped him out side come walking back with a tall thin blonde woman.

“Look Mercedes, unless he dances I can’t hire him. What’s your name kid?” She wasn’t mean or rude.

“Kurt, I’m not a dancer, but I’m a good worker and I need a job. And a way to forget about my pathetic life for a few hours.” Kurt didn’t mean to sound desperate, but he really needed a job, and way to forget.

“Look. I’ve got enough bartenders.”

“I’ll wait tables. Ill do what ever I can. I just lost my job, and walked in on my boyfriend and his new lover. Please.”

“Oh come on Holly, he’s cute. Id buy a drink from him.” The guy from the bar finally spoke up.

“You’d buy a drink from any guy in here Anderson.” Mercedes played with him.

“True, but there’s something different about this one.”

“Shut up, finish your wine and leave.” The guy named Anderson turned back to the bar and the others finished their conversation.

“What can you do?”

“I’ve been a waiter before, and I was a model up until about an hour ago.”

“Fine, what ever. You start tomorrow night. Be here at five.” Kurt had to hold his emotions in and try not to scream like a girl.

“Hey Mercedes. Could I get your help with something?”

“Sure boo.”

“Feel free to say no, but how ghetto can you get?” The girl raised and eye brow.

*****

Chandler woke up to a loud pounding on the door. He felt James stir in the bed next to him. He pulled on some underwear and quietly padded to the door. “llo”

“Is this the scumbug sir?”

“Yes officer, this is the man who broke into my apartment.”

“Broke in? Kurt I live here. With you. Is this some kind of sick role playing game?”

“You lost all right to living with me when you brought your little whore in here with you. You have ten minutes to get all of your shit out of here before I call in the real cops. Now move! And I want that whore out of my bed!”

“Kurt, can’t we talk about this please?”

“No, times a ticking. So hurry!” Kurt looked bored and irritated by it all. Mercedes kept up with the fierce look on her face and Chandler went back to the bedroom and started packing up his stuff. Kurt waited a moment and walked back there as well. He ripped the covers of the bed and flipped on the light.

“What the hell dude?! I was sleeping.”

“Yes I know. In MY bed! In MY house.”

“What the hell?! He said this was his house!”

“Get your ass dressed and out of my bed!”

“And you. In my closet, OUT NOW! I will find you and mail you your shit.” Kurt walked into the closet and pulled his favorite shirt from Chandler’s hand and pulled him out of the closet. He grabbed Chandler’s keys and took his key off the ring before throwing them and him out of the house and onto the street. He slammed the door shut and locked the dead bolt.

“I like you. You’ve got balls.” Mercedes was sitting on his couch flipping through a magazine.

He sat down next to her and leaned on her shoulder. “Yes, well to live in New York you have to. So, what’s it like to work at Holly’s?”

“Well, thankfully you’ll be away from most of the drama; it mostly goes on back stage. With all the dancers.”

“Good, I put up with enough of that in high school. Who was that guy at the bar?”

“Oh him? He’s nobody you need to worry about right now boo. He’s trouble with a capital C. The short is that he is a very rich playboy, and man eater.”

“Oh. I see. What’s his name though?”

“Blaine Anderson. AKA sex on a stick, and he sings like a dream. But stay away! Your too pretty get chewed up by him.”

“What would I do with out. I know I’ve only known you for a few hours, but it feels like longer. Feel free to say no again. But would you want to be roomies?”