The dancing, the costumes, the glamour. The excited fear of going through with it – the fear of not going through with it. The thoughts trickled into what had become my lonely, listless, subconscious mind.
Shameless. I say the word again out loud, and it sounds too, too delicious.

I’m not sure why I’m supposed to think this is bad – earning tips by suggesting, and then refusing, what could potentially be fabulous sex? Since when does any Jewish girl need lessons in the art of withholding sex for fun and profit?

Whatever the reason, I felt inspired and energized for the first time in a very long while. Tired and bored with the obsessively repetitive, sullen, self-deprecating thoughts in my head, I had a new plan. I’d revisit my body.

Delilah tells me how we make money.
“First of all, you need a sexy name. And you’ll need some costumes, and big shoes. You’ve got to have good shoes.” I realize that I haven’t given any of this very much thought. Until now, I’ve been completely focused on one thing, and one thing alone – I am going to be naked in a room full of strangers.