When a stripper worked the Al Baker circuit, he did not allow her to work for any other burlesk theater. Strip clubs were alright but not burlesk theaters - something to do with the competition.
One of the times I was in New York City working for Al Baker at the Roxy Burlesk Theater on 42nd Street, I heard about a burlesk theater around the corner that paid $300.00 a week. I decided to check it out.
It was different from Al Baker's theaters. One act was a live sex act with a man and woman. One dancer stuck her high heel inside her. At times, men would ejaculate on the stage. One dancer was complaining because one time she slipped in it. This was a lot different from Al Baker's theaters where no one was even allowed to touch you. But with all this at the other theater that paid $300.00 - no one was actually allowed to "touch" you either. But I put all the negative things about it aside because I needed the extra $300.00.
I was booked at the Roxy for one week with Al Baker; so I thought if I could work at this other theater for one week, it would really help. I went to see about the job. I asked to speak to the manager. I told him I was looking for a job for one week. He said "Doing what?" I told him I was working at the Roxy Theater for one week and someone told me I could make $300.00 if I danced here this week. He later told me after we became friends, that he thought I was applying for a cashier or cleaning lady job. Whenever I was not on the stage bare-assed naked - but with my clothes and glasses on and my cross-eyes glaring out, I looked completely different.
He told me I might not be able to handle the rough way of dancing in this place and for me to take a look and decide if I wanted to do it. This is the act where I saw the girl stick her high heel shoe inside herself. I needed the $300.00; so I figured I could handle it for one week. I told him I could do it. He gave me the job and saw that I was more than a cleaning lady or cashier when I hit the stage.
I worked there a couple of days when I got a call from Al Baker telling me that I could not work that other theater because it was against his rules. I told him I needed the money for my kids. This always melted his heart with him because he knew I was telling him the truth. He respected me for raising my kids and spending all my money on them.
He told me that he knew I would use the money for my kids and not give it to some man or use it for drugs or alcohol. He told me it was alright to work there for the week.
I told him, "Thanks!" - and I really did appreciate it. But he knew as well as I did that I could not afford to give up $300.00 - and that I would not. I was a good, dependable employee. I knew he wanted to keep me and I wanted to stay.
I am glad he told me O.K. Because my stubborn - bullheadedness would have caused me to work there anyway. If he would have fired me, I would have really been in a mess. But it would not have been the first mess or the last one that I got in and then survived. But I am glad he said, "O.K.".
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