New York City Lights – By Unknown Author

Marlena Evans sat with her head leaning against the window. She was on a bus, a bus away from everything. Just graduating high school, she needed to get out of her small town, she had no money for college, no where to go but inbound, inbound New York City. She had nothing with her but a few changes of clothes and some extra cash from her job back home. She did nothing more than a few photo shoots for a local clothing line.
She stared out window aimlessly with a half smirk on her face as she saw the sun rise over the high rise buildings of New York City. She had never been there, for that matter never been out of Colorado except for a few family visits. She knew she would find her way somehow.
The bus stopped and Marlena gathered her belongings and got off. She took a deep breath as she walked out of the bus station. She felt refreshed as she breathed in the city’s air. She walked a few blocks, with no direction intended. 
She saw a sign for the subway and went down the stairs.
“All these numbers and colors, which one do I take?” Marlena said beneath her breath.
She walked over to a customer service desk. 
“Excuse me, can you please tell me how to get to Times Square?” She asked the person behind the desk nervously. Times Square was the only place she could think of to go too.
“Yes, you take the green line to 43rd Street.” The attendant responded.
“Thank you.” Marlena replied.
She walked over to the card machine and put 10 dollars in for 5 rides on the metro. She slipped her card through and went down to wait for the train. She was squashed by people on every side of her. When the train came it was a scramble to get on but she managed to make her way to the center and held onto a bar above her head. She weaseled her way out at 43rd street. She walked outside and a few blocks later she was in the center of Times Square. It was like another world. She stopped for a moment but was immediately being pushed by people going in every direction.
She roamed the city for a few hours and then made her way too the New York City Library. She grabbed a few news papers and sat down at an empty table with four chairs. She roamed through the news papers apartment ads, trying to find the best one for herself.
“Everything is so expensive.” She said as her eyes wandered through the pages.
She then found one for $750 rent in the village. It had four rooms, but better than no rooms at all. She called and set up an appointment with the landlord. She then looked for a job; she needed a good one now to pay for the rent. She found an opening for a waitress at night club near where her apartment would be and decided to stop on by after she met with the landlord.
She made her way to the village on the subway. She found the apartment, it looked to be 5 stories and not as bad as she thought. She walked inside to the front desk that had a man in a beige sweater vest on and big thick glasses behind it.
“Hello, I’m Marlena Evans; I called looking for an apartment a couple of hours ago.” Marlena said to the man behind the desk.
“Yes, yes, $750 a month.” said the landlord.

“Okay, can I see it first?” She asked.

“Yes, right this way.” The landlord said.
He brought her up 5 flights of stairs and into the apartment. There was nothing inside but a refrigerator in the kitchen, a bed in the bedroom and then the bathroom and living area.
“So you want it?” The landlord asked.
“Yes, I’ll take it.” Marlena said.
“Okay, I’ll just get the papers.

Marlena walked around and looked out the big windows of her living room. She could see nothing but the walls of the building next to her. She sighed and put her stuff on the ground.
“Here they are.” The landlord said handing Marlena the papers.
Marlena signed them and gave them back to the landlord.
“And if you need anything else my number is on speed dial for your phone.” The landlord said.
Marlena tried to make herself at home but was kind of hard to do. She needed to get out so she decided to go check out that night club. She walked outside and just a block away it was there. She walked inside. It looked very upscale. The lights were dim and the chairs were a sexy red color.
“May I help you.” said a woman from behind Marlena.
“Yes, I heard you had a job opening.” Marlena said to the woman.
“I’m Carla, why don’t you have a seat.” The woman told Marlena pointing to a barstool.
Carla was blonde with short hair in a pony tail.
“So you ever work at a night club?” Carla asked walking behind the bar.
“Uh no.” Marlena replied.
“Well, what have you done then?” Carla asked.
“I never really done anything like this, I use to model but nothing big.” Marlena replied.
“Okay, let me see you work.” Carla replied handing her a tray with glasses on it.
“Okay.” Marlena said nervously.
Marlena didn’t really know what to do so she walked around the bar a few times pretending to serve drinks.
“Not too bad for your first time, and you have a nice body, it will fit nice into your new uniform.” Carla said grabbing a black cami with red laces and a black pleaded mini skirt and chucking it at Marlena.
Marlena held it up so she could get a better look. She took a gulp, it looked so racy, how could she wear this?
“Is there a problem?” Carla asked.
“No nothing.” Marlena replied.
“Okay, you start tomorrow night at 10 o’clock, don’t be late sugar.” Carla replied.

It was 9:30 o’clock the next night and Marlena began getting ready in the dressing room of the Night Club. She straightened her long blonde hair and put some oil on it to make it look sleek. She put on some black eye liner and mascara. She put on red eye shadow and red lipstick. She then put on her uniform. She walked over to the mirror and looked in horror at herself.
“I look like a hooker!” Marlena gasped.
“You look great!” Carla said from behind her. “Now come on, I’ll show you the ropes.”
She brought her up too the bar room and there were people already coming in, mostly men but a few had dates.
“Okay so it’s pretty easy, you just serve what they order.” Carla said.
“Okay then, I’m ready I guess.” Marlena said shrugging.
Carla handed her the tray and she went off. Everyone was dressed upscale with men in suits and woman in cocktail dresses. There were men checking her out left and right but she got used to it after a while. It wasn’t as bad as she thought too, being a waitress came naturally; it was like modeling except the fact that she had to walk with a tray in her hand.
It was a little past midnight and the club was still getting good business. Marlena occasionally mingled with some of the men but mostly small talk.
Marlena walked over to serve a man who had just arrived who sat with a few friends.
“What can I get for you?” Marlena said sweetly.
“Just a martini will do.” The man replied.
He was a gorgeous blue eyed man with shrubby brown hair who looked to be in his late 20s. He smirked at Marlena and she just smiled back. She went and got his drink and handed it too him.
“Anything else?” Marlena asked.
“A number?” The man asked with an innocent tone in his voice.
“Maybe.” Marlena replied with a giggle as she walked away.
Marlena served people for another half hour until the man came up to Marlena.
“So what about that number?” The man asked.
“I told you maybe.” Marlena said playfully.
“Okay well then what time do you get off work?” He asked.
“Two.” Marlena said while serving people at the same time.
“Okay well can we hang out then?” He asked.
“If you can find me afterwards.” She replied.
He smiled at her response and walked back to his table.
When her shift ended Marlena went downstairs and got changed into comfy black cotton pants and a white ribbed tank top with a grey zip up hoodie. She grabbed her bag and walked outside. It was humid outside but still cool. She began to walk when someone called out to her.
“Hey, wait up.” It was the man from the bar.
“Oh hey.” Marlena replied.

“Oh, I’m John.” He said.

“I’m Marlena.” She replied.

“Can I walk with you?” John asked.

“Yah.” She said with the moonlight sparkling her hazel eyes.

“You new to the city?” John asked.

“Yah, a day new actually.” Marlena replied.

“Really? I’ve been living here for my whole life. I’m the owner of Black Corporation.” John told her.

“Oh, that’s awesome.” She replied.

“Yah, so how old are you?” John asked.

“I’m 18.” She said nodding her head.

“I’m 27.” He replied.

There was a moment of silence between them as they didn’t really know what to say.

“Hey, are you hungry?” John asked Marlena.

“A little.” She replied.

“Want to come back to my place, I make some mean pancakes.” John said.

“Um, I don’t know I—“ Marlena began to say.

“You what, your not hungry now?” John asked.

“Well, I should be getting back.” Marlena said.

“Oh I see, well um, can I have your number at least?” He asked.

“Actually I don’t have a number since I just moved in but you can contact me at the club.” Marlena replied.

“Okay, well then, I’ll see you tomorrow night maybe?” He asked.

“Yah.” She replied.

They both then went there separate ways.