#ccsemberclub

"No no.." during off hours for the club, CC is teaching, "it's not cha cha - cha cha..." it's 'cha cha- cha cha cha' watch my h..watch my feet."

That's the problem with building new talent up, sometimes they go off and get careers elsewhere when they get good so you have to restock.

The three new employees ape her actions with varying degrees of success.

William watches from his table with a small smile.

"Okay, Jane? Remember how you wanted to use the name 'Simone' here because you thought it would be sexier? "

Jane blushes a bit then nods. "For a stage name... "

CC nods, "Right. Not to be rude, but if you can't master these steps, you don't get to be Simone, or Natasha. I will assign the names, and right now, you're doing fine as a Jane, but I will label you as a Delores if you slack. You might rank up there with Jennifer soon. "

"Natasha?" Jane says hopefully.

"Dream on," CC says flatly.

Then as the girl's face falls, CC says "I mean that litteraly by the way, you each came here with Dreams. You came to THIS club, and it sure wasn't because you heard I was a soft touch. You love the feel of Jazz... you feel the blues, you think of the wonder of bygone times that never really leave... I'm teaching you the steps if you listen to me, but you need to listen to your passions if you want to be great at it. Come on, move with me again now"

He sips his drink, watching.... observing.

The girls perk up a bit at that slap slap kiss teaching technique. CC tends to have a knack for stomping hard on bad habits before they can form, then picking up the ego she just bruised.

If William thought about it too much, he might wonder if such techniques have been used on him

Oh, but he loves that dance with her.

It does mean the game never really gets too lax. Keeps the blood pumping.

And it works, as Jane now strives to earn Simonehood.

Finally, CC declares the lesson over, "Now, I want you to keep your practice up. Dance where you are if you're in a place you have to stand waiting. If anyone gives you lip, look them square in the eye and tell them 'I'm an entertainer' like you were Vankman proclaiming his science accreditation, and don't TELL me you don't get that reference, it's a classic. Go on.. shoo."

The three girls leave, and CC rejoins Emerson/Wiliam/Love Kracken "So, you were watching. What do you think?"

"They would do well to watch your hips, I know I had trouble taking my eyes off them." He passes her beverage to her. "Jane feels inhibited, shy, unskilled and it's difficult because she's always been told, and thought, she had skills and promise."

"You think I'm taking the wrong tact?" Not offended , truly asking. His knack for reading people is invaluable in lots of ways.

"No. Might be easier if you sang a lesson or two to her....."

"mmm well.. I suppose, but I need them to understand that I'm not a singer telling them how to dance. I'm a dancer telling them how to dance. Sometimes there's a subconcious resentment when folks don't show they belong in a lane. Darn it. I wish Daphne well, but she picked a fine time to get snagged by that broadway musical ..not that she's at Broadway herself yet."

"She is following her Dream, Dearest." Mildly.

"I know, and yes I rrealize as we lapped the trickling glamour from her like a lollypop that I MIGHT be a bit hypocritical to gripe.." She says "But Jane, like you said has her problems. Terresa has..another one. Oh she's learning the steps fast, but she's cold to the other girls, and cold to the audience. It's one thing to go out there and think you're the 'shiznit' it's another to go out there and think the folks you're performing for are shit. She could be the best dancer in the world and eventually that will grate on folks. "

"That cold attitude hides insecurity." Sip. "Her age, I think."

"Really?" CC is startled, "That one slipped past me." She admits

And he is rewarded with a kiss "Go on."

"Mm!" That was nice. "Well, I'm not entirely sure it's age but... yes, if she is cold and standoffish then no one gets close enough to see how weak she is, or close enough to hurt her."

"Why do so many people act like the gift of pan is cheating, then work so hard to bring it on themselves?" She asks rhetorically

A dark chuckle. "Because they secretly want it."

"I say that about Terresa because of the way she looks at you, and the other girls. You, in jealous awe. Them in frustrated envy. Under a veneer of chill, of course."

"mm" a chuckle "probably true. It's like those college kids who act absolutely smashed on a non-alcholic drink. They want an excuse to break the rules"

She ponders, "Maybe I should sic Caesar on Terresa, let her think she's 'pinched my son' away.. long enough for her to loosen up a bit."

"Oh, she wants to be like you, Dearest, not necessarily steal from you."

"Well, being CC IS an understandable goal" She nods hint of humor in her eye

"Yes, indeed." He agrees with a leer.

"But I guess I need to help her find a way to be the best HER she can be and learn the worth in that. Insecurity" She ponders "I really missed that"

"She hides it well." He assures her. "I caught her smoothing her face in a mirror. That let me see. Her records say she is 29. Old for a dancer."

"Yes, you can tell men run the entertainment industry" A roll of her eyes "Twenty nine old? Hmmph"

"I agree entirely. 29? Hardly any flavor there at all
" Sip.

A deep chuckle, "Oh I'm not the only one who knows how to play to their audience" her eyes dance on him with gratitude "ANyway that changes things- I think I can help her. It's true, dancers face some..discrimination based on age, but get big enough? Become a solo act? You can do a lot more than folks think. " A roll of her eyes "And if she really feels her face is fading on her, well.. masked acts can be very period and she'd be lovely as the 'masked lady of mystery'. I've done it myself to great effect. The audience loves a cipher, they put their own hopes and dreams on such things and fill in whole stories."

A slow smile. "Put it that way, Dearest, and I think you will have her."

"Oh I know better than to just fling a mask at a girl and say 'here, cover that'" A grin then she touches his hand "Thank you by the way. I appreciate your insights. I'm used to being a performer more than a teacher and I do miss things."

"Please believe me when I say, with total honesty, it is my pleasure." A wicked grin.

"Sweet, wicked man" Adoration in her eyes.

He leans over and kisses her.

And she returns the kiss

"Now, what else can I help with?"

"Mmm grand kids are Caesar's job" She ponders "At this stage, I'd take illegitimate. Something for YOU to help with mmm"

He quietly, but lovingly, rolls his eyes