Strippers VS Religion

"What's that, sugar?" Priestly asked, taking a step back. He caressed Mars's cheek, frowning with concern. "Come on, now, don't be sad--you look like a good boy to me. I bet God loves you, and your parents love you, and you get good grades. You look like the type."

He chuckled, smiling softly.

"Certainly, you're better off than me."

"I'm perfect," he replied, and he felt his nose sting as the tears sprung to his eyes. "I get perfect grades. I never stay out after curfew. My friends aren't trouble makers. But my parents don't love me and neither do my siblings or God."

He sniffled, biting back the tears.

"What do you care? You're just a glorified prostitute," he spat. "You're only listening to me because you got paid."

"I'm listening to you because you're a cute kid and I like you," he said sincerely. "My job is just to strip--you don't think I'm this sweet on everyone, do you?

"I'm sorry if I put you off. You really caught my eye, is all--you remind me of myself, in my younger days."

"Why do I always make friends with the weird people?" Mars grumbled, wiping his eyes. "First Rhode and now you. I just hope you're better than Rhode..."

He sighed deeply, biting his lip.

"Just forget I said anything. Just...do whatever, I don't care, anymore. I just...how old are you?"

He smiled and winked.

"Twenty-two. That's what it says on my resume and all my online profiles."

"Then you're just doing this to get through college, right?" he asked, trying to justify the idea of him and the other man being friends. If they became friends.

He hoped they didn't become friends.

"Well...I guess...we're just sort of wasting time talking, so...are you gonna...you know..."

He grinned, ripping off his pants to reveal a pair of shiny, tight spandex shorts. Even in the dim light of the private room, the leopard print was gaudy and attention-grabbing.

"I really look like the type for college? Sugar, you're the sweetest client I've had in months. Certainly the cutest, too..."

He was so intently staring at the gaudy shorts he almost forgot to answer Priestly's question.

"Well, of course you...you're college aged." he said, confused. "...don't tell me you do this as a real career...? That's...you can't. Don't you...I mean, don't you have dreams? This seems like a terrible job."

He shrugged.

"I got this job to pay the bills, and I've never really needed much more, you know? College is expensive, and I don't really have a reason to go...I'm alive, aren't I? God gave me this life, and I'm living it--I don't really want for much."

"But...but there are so much better things you could be doing!" he said, shocked. "You could go to college and...I know it's expensive, I know really well it's expensive, I mean I'm going right now, but...it's worth it! I can't...you really don't want to go?"

He shrugged.

"If there are better things I could be doing, I can't think of 'em. I get to meet people and sleep in during the day and I have enough food to get by."

Mars just stared, completely unsure of what to think. He couldn't believe someone would just...give up on life and do something like this. He didn't know what to say for a few moments.

"...how much is it for...this? I mean, how much did Rhode pay...?" He asked awkwardly.

Priestly glanced around, then whispered a number into Mars's ear.

"That's because it's private, though--my wages are normally less, but the tips are pretty good. You'd be surprised by how much money fits in a g-string."

He blinked.

"...are you serious?" he asked. "Rhode paid...that? But I..."

He frowned deeply. He had kind of been hoping he could see Priestly more often under the guise of paying him for his time, but there was no way he could.

"N-never mind."

He chuckled.

"You know I have free time, right? You look so nervous."

"I'm not nervous!" he lied, flushing. "I just...I...I've never met someone else around my age who didn't hate me..."

"Get used to it--you're loveable," he chuckled. "I can't imagine how you aren't popular--maybe you just don't strut enough?"

"I am not loveable!" he hissed. "If I was, I would have friends. All I have is Rhode, and look what he does for me!"

"You know how much this cost your friend," he said, frowning. "I'd say he loves you a whole lot--you don't pay that much because you don't like someone. If I were you, I'd give your friend a big old hug when you see him next, because he obviously really likes you."

Mars clenched his fists.

"I don't understand Rhode...no matter what I do, he always does stuff like this for me. I don't like it, but he insists on doing it anyway! He pays more money than I know he has and I don't get it! He knows this won't make me happy. I don't get it!"

"Maybe he just wants you to loosen up," Priestly suggested, ruffling Mars's hair. "You seem like you could use it, sugar. I'm sure he just wants to see you kick back and have some fun. That's what people do for the folks they love."

Mars flushed, fixing his hair.

"...how much time do we have left?" he asked awkwardly.

"An hour or two," he said with a wink. "Why? You still want the whole show?" He licked his lips and tugged at his tank top.

"No!" he insisted, shielding his eyes.

"Sorry, am I not your type?" he teased. "I always thought I was good looking--maybe I was just mistaken."