TW // drug use

Bessie pressed her finger to one nostril as she bent toward the vanity. She snorted in hard, trying to get as much of the white powder she could. The powder caused a sensation that both burned and felt exhilarating. Her heart began to beat through her chest. When she felt as though she'd had enough, she stood up. Her back arched as she popped a hip out, her red nail polish covered finger tips rubbing her irritated nose.

"What is this stuff?" Asked Eliza as she observed the white powder in front of her. She hardly acknowledged it, instead occupied with preparing herself for the show.

"Cocaine." Bessie smiled, her blood still moving vivaciously through her veins. "Came from South America."

"Exotic." Eliza answered as she leaned toward the mirror to fix her lipstick. She paused and looked to her friend. Bessie was sweating profusely now. Her eyes became half closed, and she backed up to lean on the wall. Eliza became slightly concerned. "Are you sure this stuff is safe?"

"Of course it is! It's the same stuff that's in tooth drops." Bessie answered in a mumbling voice. "Besides, it's not like it's opium."

"True, that stuff can really have you on a leash, can't it?" Eliza agreed.

"Then have a snort." Bessie offered. "Still some left."

Eliza stepped closer to the substance. She pondered whether or not she should have a try at the mysterious powder. Is this what those mob fellas push? She thought.

"Come on, don't be such a baby!" Bessie clapped as she stepped forward. "It's fun. It brings the world to life."

"I guess I'll give it a shot." Eliza said in a soft voice, hardly audible. Reluctantly, she lowered her nose and allowed the white powder to enter her nostrils. She felt a warmth spread throughout her face, and a sharp pain up her nose. She coughed, holding her nose shut. "God, it stings!"

"That's how you know it's good!" Bessie smiled as she tapped her foot, but there was no music playing to tap along to.

Eliza felt the world become both focused and foggy at the same time. Everything had her attention all while not making sense at all. And her heart... "God, my heart feels like it can just burst!"

"Isn't it great?" Bessie laughed as the two girls stepped out. In that moment, Eliza felt as though she was on top of the world. As though she were invincible. She practically was tap dancing backstage as she awaited for her name to be called.

"And as always, a splendid act is coming up here to raise havoc!" Fern announced to the crowd. "Please welcome, Gigi!"

The applause of the crowd was audible from backstage. That was Eliza's cue to go up on stage, but for a split moment she paused. It was as though she were stuck in place, her feet glued to the ground and her brain not cooperating.

Bessie laughed as she nudged her friend, and Eliza walked on stage. There was a vicious confidence to her, she looked out at the silhouettes in the dark crowd. If she could look in each and one of their faces, she would. She knew she was prepared to bring only the best of entertainment.

The spotlight shined on her, and she slightly squinted as she lifted her chin to the light source. She walked over to the microphone, then clasped it with her hand.

Fern noticed a change in Eliza's behavior, and then realized exactly what caused her to act in such a way. She chuckled to herself as she returned backstage.

Eliza stood, not saying a word. Her confident demeanor made it unclear if her behavior was part of the show or not. She opened her mouth as if to begin singing, but then immediately shut it. She then ran across the stage, grabbing a stool and placing it in front of the microphone.

In a slow, seductive and fluid movement she took a seat on the stool. Then she looked over her shoulder and nodded to the band. They began playing one song, but she waved the signal for them to stop. In disoriented confusion, the music slowed to a stop.

"Love me, or leave me." Eliza told them. "I think that's a more appropriate song for tonight."

Then she turned to the audience. "Am I right? We've all burn there."

One person in the audience shouted in agreement. Eliza looked seductively into the audience once more, then motioned for the band to start again. Her preferred song began to play.

Love me or leave me and let me be lonely

You won't believe me that I love you only

I'd rather be lonely than happy with somebody else

Eliza usually had a way of captivating the audience simply by her voice. While other performers needed to show more to compensate, her vocals alone kept the audience engaged. But tonight while she was under the influence, she seemed to have forgotten exactly how talented she was.

Her voice was mostly in tact, that was true. But her demeanor had entirely changed. She was extremely sensual toward the crowd, almost to the point of lacking taste. The rise and fall of her voice was exaggerated in a feminine, welcoming tone.

She shut her eyes and rolled her head back in such a way, almost to give the audience a glimpse into what having her all to themselves would be like.

You might find the night time the right time for kissing

But night time is my time for just reminiscing

Regretting instead of forgetting with somebody else

As she continued her song, she began running her hands along her body. Over her neck, across her collar bones, down her stomach, over her thighs. Once she reached her knees she opened her legs while sitting on the stool, pulling the hem of her dress up to reveal what was underneath.

Fern and other girls watched backstage. Some were completely entertained by the production Eliza was putting on, others horrified, others filled with pity.

Eliza saw a man walk up close to the stage, enough where she could see him. And then she realized it was no other than William, who seemed particularly unhappy with the show she put on.

He looked so handsome to Eliza, more handsome than he'd ever had before. She wanted to devour him right then and there. And so she stood up from her seat and began removing the shoulders from her dress and slip. Slowly she lowered her dress from off her torso, until it was only a skirt.

Her breasts became exposed to everyone. Some in the crowd gasped, many cheered. Eliza smiled at the applause in the audience.

"Eliza, come down from there." William ordered. Eliza ignored him, he wasn't the boss of her! She simply continued on singing her song. She cupped her breasts together as her voice boomed in front of her. Her skin felt great, almost electrifying. She held her head back and rolled her neck while the lyrics slipped from her lips.

She was far too involved in the glory of giving herself to the audience, her nudity a sacrifice in return for praise. After all, praise was all she had. Especially since William had a habit of disappearing on her.

There'll be no else unless that someone is you, you, you

She turned around and began lowering her skirt over her hips. Her ass was now bare and the crowd cheered louder. She walked to the stool and leaned over it, her elbows resting on the wooden surface. Her ass and all that was between her legs became revealed to the crowd.

Eliza turned around to see if William was still there. She question if he could see all that he wasn't getting. Only to find that the man she thought was William wasn't him at all. I wonder if this cocaine stuff is making me looney. She wondered.

Bessie stood backstage, horrified. Through her drugged state she still knew that her friend was acting out of character, and not in the way she'd hoped. Regret ran through her as she pressed her tongue to the roof of her mouth.

Her witnessing of her friend's embarrassment was interrupted by girls screaming. Many chorus girls began running down the hall.

"Hey! What's the matter?" Bessie asked one of them.

"It's a police bust!" The girl shouted. Officers began running all through the hallway, many of them having girls on their arms. Bessie screamed as she was grabbed by a cop too. She tried to fight him, slapping him over the head with a boa as he dragged her.

Eliza knew nothing of what was occurring backstage. So it was all the more a surprise when she was suddenly grabbed by an officer that came from the back. She squeezed her arm to her body, trying to get out of his grip. His knuckles kept pressing into her bare breast every time she tried to get out of his grasp.

"Don't you dare touch me!" She screamed. "Don't you dare!"