Bidding On Desire

Molly

“This is the place?” My best friend Eden asks me as we both stare at the rundown bar.  This place is literally falling apart. Even the Florissant sign is failing.

It’s supposed to read ‘The Mirage’, but the I isn’t lit so it reads: The Mrage.

  “This is where Eddy said you could make more money than you have ever dreamed of?” she asks, looking at the weird lit sign and then back at me.

I look back down at the napkin, the address is written on, nodding. “Yep, this is the place,” I say, my heart racing.

Eden shakes her head fiercely, “How? By someone stealing one of your organs?! NO, Molly you cannot go in there!” she says, her voice stressed and her eyes wide as she looks at me, “It could be dangerous!”

“Eden, I don’t have a choice,” I say as I reach over her, grabbing a piece of paper from the glove compartment, and handing it to her.

I watch as her eyes almost bug out of her head, “FORECLOSURE?”  she gasps, “But your parents said you are fine!”

“They are obviously lying, Eden.” I say, looking at the foreclosure letter. “I need to help them. This house has been in our family for generations; I can’t just let them lose it now. Plus, Olivia’s hospital bills are already piling up—I have to do this.”

“Molly,” Eden says softly, but I shake my head.

“NO! We can’t let her beat cancer and then be released from the hospital and have nothing, Eden! That’s not fair and I won’t let that happen. I am going to find a way.”

Eden sighs as she looks at the building and then back at me, “Fine, but I’m coming in with you. I’ll have the emergency number on speed dial, just in case. “I nod and we both get out of the car, but my heart is racing as we reach the door.

Two armed bouncers stand there, and they look both of us over, “Who are you here to see?” One asks and I smile sweetly.

“I was told I could get a job here,” I say, my eyes darting behind them to the doors. They are so tinted—I can’t see inside.

“Do you remember who gave you that information?” one asks, and I grab the piece of paper from my pocket and hand it to him.

“Eddy Blankeship,” I pause. “We went to school together.”

They look at each other and nod, but then turn their attention to Eden, “And what about you?”

Eden looks at me and then back at the bouncer, not sure what to say, “I am not looking for work,” she admits. “I have a job.”

They look at her and then back at me, “You can go in, but she can’t.”  

Eden’s eyes widen and she looks at me, “Molly,” she whisper yells, but I shake my head…

I’m still desperate.

“Is it true that the job here pays well?” I ask and the bouncers’ smirk, looking at one another.

“Yes, it’s true. But not everyone qualifies.”

“Is it illegal organ donation?!” Eden spits out and I gasp, pinching her arm as both men laugh.

“No, it’s not illegal organ donation,” one says, a smile still on his face. “It’s not a usual job, but it’s also not illegal. I know the place looks,” he starts but Eden cuts him off.

“Condemned?” she offers, and they both laugh again as I glare at her.

Why is she trying to ruin this for me?

“Yes, but looks can be deceiving. I promise, you are safe inside.”

I sigh, looking up at the sign, but nod, “I’ll go in,” I say and Eden scoffs beside me.

“Molly, you can’t be serious.”

“No, I am, Eden,” I say with a serious tone. “I want the interview.”

The bouncer nods, grabbing his phone out of his pocket, “There’s one more here, were sending her in.”

I smile, my heart racing as Eden looks at me, “Please, Molly, be careful… I’ll be right out here, waiting for you.”

I nod and one of the bouncers opens the door, “Go inside, the manager will be waiting for you.”

“Thank you,” I say smiling and he nods, as I walk past him to another door. I open it, gasping as I do.

This place is literally a Mirage.

The inside is NOT falling apart. It looks like a fancy New York office. I gasp, looking around—it’s not even a bar.

“Ms. Hale?” A woman’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts, and I nod, looking towards her.

“Yes, that’s me,” I smile and she smiles back… but how did she know that?

“The paper?” she asks, and I hand it to her, watching as she looks it over.

“Eddy gave this to you?”

“Yes, is that okay?” I ask. “He didn’t give me much of a description but said it was a good paying job.”

I watch as she smirks, “Come this way, and I will explain this unique opportunity.” I nod as I follow her down a hallway, “How did you meet Eddy?” She asks and I smile.

“We went to high school together,” I confess. “I was a nerd. He was a jock,” I chuckle. “You know, a tale as old as time,” I kid and she chuckles, opening a door.

“Come in here,” she says, and I nod walking inside “Go ahead and have a seat.”

I sit down and she smiles, sitting at a desk across from me, “So, let’s get this straight to the point,” I nod and her eyes narrow, “Are you ready to answer some personal questions about yourself, honestly?” I nod and she smiles good, “Let’s get started.”

“First question and the most important one…” she pauses, “Are you a virgin?”

I stare at her blankly, “That’s VERY personal…” I say softly and she nods.

“I told you this is a unique opportunity,” she says, her eyes glancing across the room. I turn my head but see nothing but scenery pictures on the wall.

“Are you?” she questions again, and I shake my head yes slowly.

“I am,” I say, almost embarrassed and she nods.

“Why?” she asks.

“Why?” I repeat the question, and she nods, her eyes serious. “Because I have always been more focused on school, than boys,” I admit. “Even now, I am busy with pre-med classes in college.”

“So, not religious or,” she pauses. “Gay?” she asks, her voice full of sincerity.

I hold back a snort as I shake my head, “No, I just haven’t had the time or been that interested in anyone before enough to go farther,” I pause, my voice lowering, “Than second base…” I say, as I look around the room. “Why is this the most important question? What does it have to do with the job?” I ask legitimately confused.

I watch as she scoots on her chair, getting more comfortable, “That is the job,” she says, grabbing a pen from a cup.”  My client is looking to buy someone’s virginity.”

I stare at her blankly… my head spinning… what the hell did she just say?