#*jacqui

(Jacqui): Thanks for coming in, Max. How’ve you been?

(Max): …Um fine thanks. You?

(Jacqui): I’m not too bad doll. Now before I explain why you’re ‘ere, I want ya to know that you’re not in trouble.

(Max): Right…

(Jacqui): I just wanted to check in a bit. You’ve been back ‘ere a little while now. How are ya finding it?

(Max): [Brightly] Good! It took a bit of adjusting but Autumn and the other girls have been really nice. 

(Jacqui): I’m glad. What do you like about bartending exactly?

(Max): Oh um- well the social side of it mostly, it's a good way to meet people and um…um sorry my brain’s gone completely blank.

(Jacqui): Don’t worry love- happens to all of us…Have you ever thought about doing anything else?

(Max): …Not for a while…I went to uni to work in research but…I changed my mind.

(Jacqui): Mm. [Sighing] Look, I’ll get to the point– I’m worried about ya Max. 

(Max): Sorry?

(Jacqui): You’ve had it rough lately, but you’re in your 20s and I can see you’ve got a lot of potential that’s going to waste. People like us don’t get many opportunities in this life. I’m tryna change that.

(Max): How?

(Jacqui): Well I’m sure you know the club isn’t my only line of work. I’ve been watching you and I think you’d be a great addition to my security team. It’s unsocial, unpredictable hours but you’ll make a lot of cash…and gain a sense of purpose.

(Max): Oh…but I’ve never done anything like–well what would the job entail exactly?

(Jacqui): …Sometimes I help people out…but I don’t do freebies and some of my customers need a bit of encouragement to pay me back. D’ya get what I’m saying?

(Max): …Yeah…I just don’t know if I’ve got the right…skillset.

(Jacqui): That’s no issue, you’d be buddied up with one of my senior girls to show you the ropes. Tell ya what - Why don’t we try it on a trial basis? 6 weeks, if it’s not for you - you can go back to the bar and walk away scott free.

(Max): Can I think about it?

(Jacqui): …Fine. See what your girlfriend says.

(Max): Oh she’s not my–[Off Jacqui’s look]. I’ll let you know by the end of the week. Is that okay?

[Late Night - The Dollhouse]

(Lena - Text): Sorry I missed you baby. Just finished work. Falling asleep already so I’ll ft you tomorrow. Miss that pretty face xx 

—

(Vanessa): Don’t walk away from me, bitch!

(Emel): [Entering] You’re delusional V. Leave me the fuck alone.

(Vanessa): Just tell me the truth then! Are you fucking her or not?

(Emel): I told you, no! Now get your hand out of my face or else.

(Vanessa): [low] You know what Emel? Fuck you. [SHE LAUNCHES HERSELF AT EMEL, WHO FALLS BACK INTO MAX]

(Max): Woah what the fuck?!

(Emel): Ow!

(Vanessa): [To Max] Move! I’m not done with this sket. [SHE GOES AGAIN, BUT MAX STOPS IT, HOLDING HER BACK] [Struggling] Get off!

(Max): [Firm] No. And if keep trying to get past me you will fucking regret it. [To Emel] Are you alright?

[VANESSA KISSES HER TEETH THEN SLOWLY BACKS OFF]

(Emel): No! I think she broke my fucking ankle!

(Vanessa): Good.

(Max): Give it a fucking rest Vanessa. Make yourself useful and go and get Jacqui.

[Muffled sounds of rap music, Max getting into Lena’s car, Jacqui watching/vaping]

(Max): Lena it’s 2am. I am NOT listening to drill right now.

(Lena): Hello to you too?

[***]

(Max): …Like the shift was fine overall but I always forget how much I fucking hate straight men? Anyways, how did it go with your mum?

(Lena): Uh…It went.

(Max): What does that mean?

(Lena): She wants us to work together.

(Max): Okay…and what does that mean?

(Lena): [sighing] Too early to say.

(Max): [Sarcastic] That’s helpful.

(Lena): Max, we’re almost home. We can waste time talking about this or, we can have a chill night and I can make good on my promises from this morning.

[Distant talking, heartbeat thumping]

[Thumping continues, as does the talking, Max clenches their jaw]

(???): [broad leeds accent] Max, are you following love? I'm not saying this for me 'ealth.

(Max): S-sorry. Carry on Jacqui

(Jacqui): Alright, as I was saying- not too much has changed since you left. We’ve had a bit of a refurb so things look nicer and there’s some new girls but other than that procedure’s pretty standard. Upsell the drinks, keep it friendly but firm with the clientele and everything should be aces. Any questions?

(Max): Not that I can think of…

[Door knocks]

(Jacqui): Good. Come in love! [A young woman enters] Autumn- Max, Max - Autumn.

(Autumn): Hey. 

(Max): Hi.

(Jacqui): Splendid, you two are free to go. If there’s any problems don’t bring ‘em to me unless they’re high risk alright? 

(LENA): Wh-?

(JACQUI): Oh good, you're awake.

(LENA): What happened? My head is fucking pounding.

(JACQUI): Apologies for that love, Kat here thought you were an intruder. Loves a bit of an high kick. 

(LENA): Right.

(JACQUI): Now d’ya wanna tell me why you were creeping around like an idiot? You know you could’ve come direct.

(LENA): The last time I saw you, you spat on my dad’s grave. Wasn’t expecting the warmest reception.

(JACQUI): That’s all in the past. I no longer hold grudges for the dead. …I don’t know where your brother is either. I wish I did because at this point I’d bring him back myself. 

(LENA): [Sighing]

(JACQUI): I know it’s shit but I need to give you some advice: Be fucking careful, you know better than to do shit like this on your own. People are starting to talk.

(LENA): What people?

(JACQUI): Doesn’t matter. You know I’m right.

(LENA): …I’ve gotta find him Jacqui. Mum’s not gonna give up until he’s back, it’s killing her.

(JACQUI): [Sighing deeply] I’ll keep an eye out for you okay? I don’t expect you to stop looking but act like you have fucking eyes on you. You’re not invincible. Stop acting like it. 

(LENA): [Quietly] …Fine.