Old Man In The Club

He's tired.

Unmoved by the nubile, oily, body’s writhing around him.

Doesn’t want to be there.

Envy's the dancers.

Hates the fact that he’s envious.

Should be at a different place in life.

He’ll be 50 in 6 months.

Ought not to be struggling.

Not regret trips.

Begrudge the ballers tossing thousands of $1 bills.

Everyone here makes more than him.

Every.

Single.

Person.

It’s actually life or death for him.

Puts his life on the line.

Knows he’s not worth much.

Feels worth more than the $125 he makes each night.

Isn’t even getting tips.

Probably because he is desperate.

Plus he’s been gone to long.

Reputation is old news.

Lethality isn’t as obvious.

Looks like someone’s Dad.

Has a respectable job.

Still doing security but in a suit and tie.

Guard’s an office building from 3-11. 

Easy.

After he wishes the office staff a good evening he watches movies until it’s time to leave.

Since his 'setback' he’s been running from there to the strip club.

Only short $600.

Can’t put only in front of it when you don’t have it.

Watches all the minutiae.

“Sweepers” use a garden rake to gather up currency into plastic bags.

Only workers he feels deserve their pay.

Trash bags of dollars are more than enough to pay his rent.

Would only need one.

Tells himself he just needs a boost, a spring board to get ahead.

It’s not true.

Can’t manage money for shit.

Any amount would slip through his fingers.

He could win the lottery and be broke.

Seems addicted to poverty.

Told himself 7 years ago he was done.

Before getting shot.

The sawed off shotgun blast had just been the final straw.

Body aches from his old wounds.

Tries to limit his activity at the club.

Can't lose his day job.

While the $20 hourly the Club pays is technically an increase, he works  40 hours at the Office Park, they also have benefits.

Medical.

Dental.

Life.

Vision. 

Needs those assurances as he gets older.

Time isn’t his friend 

Requires a lot more push-ups and gym hours.

Door explodes.

A celebrity he knows.

Might make rent after all.