The Dealer

The Dealer.

By Drusilla.

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I was 21 and my first job was in The Golden Tower casino. It was the most dazzling place I was ever in. The casino floors were covered with carpets filled with brilliant colors. Green felt covered tables everywhere, Blackjack tables; Crap tables and roulette tables. All surrounded by rows of tempting slot machines, fondly called one arm bandits.

My boyfriend was Tony Duran, he was gay, and I was a lesbian. We couldn't afford an apartment on our own, so we went in together on a small two bed room. Tony was shy and still in the closet about his sexuality. He wanted to be seen in public with a girl on his arm. We could just go out together and have a great time without any sexual expectations.

We didn't see much of each other except on our days off. I worked the swing shift, and he worked the morning shift. My job was in the casino kitchen, preparing the food that would be served at the dinner shows in the evening. I made friends with this gay man in the show and sometimes he would get me free tickets, because he knew I loved to watch the dancers.

The show room was filled with hundreds of tables and booths, all covered in red and gold leather. They faced a stage of gold that was sixty foot across. The stage floor was marked with spikes of glow tape, so the performers knew their marks. The stage curtains were made of red velvet and gold streaks.

After my shift, I sometimes stopped at the cocktail lounge to have a drink before I went home. I ordered a Tom Collins and was sipping it slowly, when this Blackjack dealer sat down by me. "Hi, baby. Mind if I take a load off?" My God, I thought. She called me baby. Was it that obvious I'm a lesbian? I didn't know it at the time, but she called everyone, baby.

The bartender automatically put a drink in front of her. "My name's Sofia. What's yours?" "Allison," I softly replied. "But, most people call me Ally." She smiled. "People call me different names. None I care to repeat."

She wore a black and gold striped costume dress that was obviously made to push up her boobs. She wore a gold bow tie around her neck. Her fingernails were painted red with little white card symbols on each nail. A heart, spade, club and a diamond. Her figure was probably the most noticeable thing about her; A perfect hour glass. Her hair was straight, Coal black and long enough to cover her boobs, if she pulled it over her shoulders.

She had the most stunning face, just like her smile and her cute nose wrinkled every time she smiled. I knew she was a little older than me. "Where do you work in club?" "The kitchen. I'm a prep cook." I gave her a polite smile. "What do you do?" "I'm a dishwasher. This is our new uniforms."

She said it with such a straight face, it made me laugh out loud. "Just kidding, baby. I deal Blackjack all night." She took a sip of her drink. "You like them?" I quickly turned. "Excuse me?" "My boobs. I see you looking at them."

I quickly turned away. "I'm sorry. I, I should be going home." She grabbed my arm. "Oh, baby. Don't leave on account of that. Why do you think I have these? Men at the 21 table look at these more than they do their cards."

Sofia pointed. "Fill me up and give her another on me." I was always attracted to older women, but I was also afraid of them. Their authority seemed overwhelmed me. I couldn't take my eyes of Sofia. I thought my high school cheerleaders were beautiful. Sofia outclassed them all.

She smiled at me again. "How old are you baby?" "I'm twenty-one." Sofia nodded her head. "I thought so. You're cute as a button. You know that?" I smiled. "How old are you?" She quickly replied. "Hey! I'm over twenty-one if that's what you mean." I laughed at her again. She reached over and touched my hand. "I'm thirty-two, baby."

She sipped her drink. "You want to come home with me?" I never had anyone bluntly come out and say that to me before. Especially a woman as gorgeous as Sofia. I think it was the drinks that made me say yes.

Sofia lived in a suburban house, away from the bright lights and loud sounds of the city. She drove a car which I couldn't afford. I rode the bus to and from work. I couldn't believe my eyes when she took me to her bedroom. There it was, a huge round bed. Complete with pink sheets and pillow cases, and a canary yellow bedspread.

No girl or woman had ever driven me so crazy. I was like a piece of putty in her hands. I don't think we finished making love until four in the morning, and I forgot how many times. I woke up around eleven in the morning and Sofia was still asleep next to me. I thought what would a gorgeous woman like this would want with me. I was not in her same class, and she was obviously much more experienced.

Did she want me for a one night stand? Did she want me for a toy? Maybe she wanted me because I was so young? Suddenly her eyes open. "Morning baby." "Good morning, Sofia. Your hair is all messed up." She chuckled. "I'll give you a big kiss right on the lips if you brush it for me."

Our shifts started at four in the afternoon. We made love in the living room, and we made live in the shower. It was almost time to leave for work. Sofia stood naked in front of me. "You gonna go home tonight. Or, are you coming home with me?" "I better go home. I have a roommate and he might get worried." Sofia raised her brows. "Oh, it's a man?"

I giggled. "We've been friends for a long time. He's gay. Tony tells everyone he's living with his girlfriend. He doesn't want anyone to know he's gay. I know it sounds strange." I rode to work with Sofia, and we didn't see one another until our shifts ended. I met her again in the cocktail lounge.

The bartender placed a Tom Collins in front of and smiled. Sofia took a sip of her drink. "How was your day in the kitchen?" "Hot and horrible. What about your day at Blackjack?" "Oh, I better than usual. I made over four hundred in tips."

I leaned back in my chair. "Really? You can make that much in tips." The bartender laughed. "Dealers do. Especially if they a big winner at the table." Sofia leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. "Let me drive you home. It's not safe on the bus late at night."

I went home with Sofia, again. We spent another night of moaning, groaning, screaming love making. It was like I couldn't get enough of her. Sofia was so lustful and I was so needy. We only had one day off together. I had Mondays and Wednesdays off. Sofia had Mondays and Tuesdays off.

On Wednesday, I went to see Tony. I told him I was staying with Sofia now. I would leave him my share of the rent, so he could keep the apartment. Tony laughed. "I'll keep your room just like it is. You never know when you might need to move back in."

Sofia and I continued our affair over the next three month. She even loaned me money to buy a small car. It was the best three months of my life. It was my first true love affair and it was more overwhelming than I ever imagined. I was so happy, and so much in love with Sofia. I couldn't imagine this beautiful woman was in love with me.

It was an election year, there were campaign ads everywhere. Sofia got involved in politics, she volunteered at a local office for Brian Clark. He was running for senator. Sofia insisted I go to the rallies with her, which I reluctantly did. Then one day, Sofia met Mr. Clark, and he fell instantly in love with her. I couldn't blame him for that. I had done the same.

Brian Clark had been widowed a year ago; His wife died in an auto accident. Soon it was Brian and Sofia that was all over the news. Senator hopeful, Brian Clark has a fiancee. Sofia came home and found me crying my eyes out on the bed. She sat down and hugged me. "Baby. I know I can't give you any answer that will satisfy you. All I can do is try to explain."

I wiped the tears. "Have I disappointed you?" She kissed me several times. "It's a marriage of convenience, baby. Both parties get something from it. Brian gets a wife that gives him a positive boost in his political career." "And what do you get, Sofia?"

She kissed me again. "It's an opportunity that comes only once. When you're young and you don't have kids; You don't have wrinkles, and gravity hasn't taken its course yet. It's the only time it will ever happen, baby ? I'll get respect; I'll get stature and wealth. I won't be that sexy twenty-one dealer, with her boobs hanging out. Listening to suggestive remarks from all those drunken men."

I began to cry again. "You have no idea how much I love you." She hugged me tighter. "Listen, baby. You have a full life ahead of you. Opportunity will come to you, don't waste it. The pain will go away. What we shared, will live with me forever." She kissed on the lips and stood up. "I kiss you goodbye, Ally. What breaks my heart the most, is I won't be kissing you goodnight."

I moved back in with Tony, who now had a steady boyfriend. His name was Mark, he would drop by three or four nights a week. It was never a bother, because I still worked from four to twelve. I never seen much of them if at all. I was in the kitchen when this very dignified lady walked up to me. "Do you know how to prepare chicken confit. With mushrooms and broccoli over a bed of angel hair?"

I was surprised by her question. "Yes, ma'am. For who?" She placed her hand on her hip. "Do I look like a waitress? It's for me!" "No, ma'am. I didn't mean that you were..." She waved to the chef. "Paul! Make sure she gets my dinner correct, and have her bring it to me."

Her name was Thelma Ward, production manager for all the stage shows at the casino. She could hire and fire all the dancing girls in the show. That included the stage hands as well. She was a tall woman, slender figure, always wore a white blouse under a black vest, black slacks with black suede low heel dress shoes. She always wore her hair in a French twist.

She was not an unattractive woman, by any means. At one time, she was a very gorgeous show girl. In her mature years, she was still quite attractive. Now, she was a production manager. Many said, she was the best in the business. She demanded perfection and her productions always reflected that.

I stood in front of her door, staring at the sign. "PRIVATE. Ms. THELMA WARD. Production Manager" I softly knocked. There was a loud reply. "Who is it?" "It's you dinner, Ms. Ward."

There was another loud reply. "Well, bring it in!" She was sitting at her desk, typing something on the computer. "Sit it down." "Yes, Ms. Ward." I sat it on the edge of her desk. She looked up at me. "Where are you going now?" "Back to the kitchen."

She picked a folder up from her desk. "Do you know where the wardrobe department is?" "No, ma'am." "Outside my door and to the left. To the stairs, down one flight to the door marked, wardrobe. You think you can remember that?"

I swallowed before I answered. "Yes, ma'am." She stood up and handed me the folder. "Give this to the first person you see. Tell them I need these wardrobe changes by this evening. Do you think you can remember that?" I was becoming annoyed. "Yes, ma'am. I'm not an idiot." She pointed. "Show me by leaving."

In the following weeks, I was the only one allowed to prepare her dinners and bring them to her. "Here's your dinner, Ms. Ward." "So, tell me Allison Barker. Do you like working in the kitchen?" I nodded. "Yes. It's alright most of the time." "Have you ever thought of changing careers"

I paused for a moment. "I had thought about going to a dealer school. So I could become a Blackjack dealer." She placed her hand on her hip again. "Really? You think that suits you?" "I suppose. They make good tips." "How would you like to work for me? I need a personal assistant."

I stared back at her. I don't know why, but at that moment, she reminded me of my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Fisher. I was always intimidated by her. "I don't know anything about show production, Ms. Ward." "You've already told me you're not an idiot and I believe you. You look to be a very astute young woman. The pay increase is quite above what you receive now. You have only one boss. Me."

I went back to the kitchen and thought about what she said. I talked to the chef about it. "It sounds like an offer you can't refuse Ally. Personal assistant to the famous Thelma Ward. That would open many doors for you in the future." "Then, you think I should do it?"

Paul sat his coffee cup down. "I've been friends with Thelma for more than 25 years. She is a strong and demanding woman. There's another side to her, that nobody ever sees. Yes, I think you should take the job." That was the day I decided to change careers at the Golden Tower. It launched me into the back stage of show business.

Working for Ms. Ward was a much more exhausting than kitchen work, but it was by far more exciting. She began to show me pictures of costumes and asked what I thought. Were the plumes too big, or the right color. Were the backboard costumes sexy enough. Too revealing or not revealing enough. Sometimes we would work late into the night.

One night, out of the blue, she tossed the folder of drawings on her desk. She leaned over and kissed me squarely on the lips. "I've wanted to do that for so very long, Ally. You're such a beautiful little thing. If I offended you, I'm sorry. I won't ever do it again."

I had grown close to her and I absolutely loved the way she smelled. Deep inside, I had feelings for her, but I had no courage to make them known to her. I had waited so lone for her to make the first move. "No, Ms. Ward. You haven't offended me. I've wanted to kiss you many, many times. Only my fear of you has prevented that from happening."

She reached over and took my head in her hands. "I don't want you to fear me, Ally. I do want you to kiss me. Kiss me as much and as often as you want." She turned around. "Undo my hair." Her shiny brown hair dropped all the way past the middle of her back. She turned and kissed me with her tongue.

She whispered in my ear. "I have a suite upstairs in the hotel. Would you go there with me?" "Yes, Ms. Ward. I would." She stood up and took my arm. "We'll take the staff elevator. Call me, Thelma from now on." We took the elevator to the tenth floor. She unlocked the door and we went in.

I had not made love to a woman since Sofia left me. Because, I never thought it would ever be as good. Thelma was like a Jekyll and Hyde. Once in bed, she became another woman, gentle, soft and warm. The tender touch and her passionate kisses would set me on fire. I tried to reciprocate, but she wouldn't let me. She treated me like I was a priceless piece of fine art. I went to sleep in her arms, completely satisfied.

I slowly opened my eyes. Thelma was sitting by the window, sipping coffee and reading the paper. "Oh, my little fawn awakes." I rolled out of bed and walked to the table. Thelma waved her hand at me. "Will you put something on, before I take you back to bed." I slipped on a hotel robe and sat down. "Did room service come?"

Thelma smiled. "Yes, come and gone while you were asleep. We have coffee, juice, hard boiled eggs and English muffins." I had coffee with English muffin and jam. Thelma folded a piece of the paper and handed it to me. I stared at the head line. Senator Brian Clark and his wife Sofia were attending a presidential dinner at the White House this weekend.

I glanced up at Thelma. "You knew about Sofia and me?" She smiled as she sat her cup down. "Yes. Everyone in the casino knew about you and Sofia." "I didn't know I was so transparent." Thelma reached over and took my hand. "I wanted you too, but Sofia got to you first."

I sat there, staring out the window, thinking about all the times Sofia and I had together. How it all came to an end. "Sofia said the pain would go away. I truly believed I would never give my heart to anyone again. But now, you have taken it. I think love you more than I did Sofia."

Thelma motioned, "come here Ally." I knelt down in front of her. She leaned down, kissed me and gently stroked my face. "Ally. In time, you'll leave me just as Sofia has left you. There will be someone much younger and more beautiful than me that will come along. They will steal your heart just as Sofia did and I have done."

Thelma stood and pulled me up with her. "We have a show to prepare for. And, we have many more days and nights to spend together. As your boss, I say get dressed and get to work."

END.