This one is a little further out, but you know what, I can deal with that because my payout (tips + commission) adds up to about $750 a week. That's rent made in one week. That's bills paid in two weeks. That's savings and spending money while I'm in school. Hell, I can even pay some of my tuition outright. That's having my days completely free. (That's having absolutely no weekends what-so-ever.).
Okay, so it's a bikini bar, but it's not sleazy. It was a critic's choice star winner in NY Magazine. Though... I do think working in the strip club was good preparation for this jont. It's not located in the hood; the area was relatively clean and it's a short, well-lit walk past well-kept apartment buildings to the subway stop. The manager was professional, thorough, and straight-forward. The only issue I have is that he wants my hair straight =(
Apparently, I got the interview due to chance.
I sent my resume and picture in on Craigslist; they were hot pictures: me in my bikini, my curly hair rioting wild all around my face. At the end of my interview the bar owner said, "usually if a girl sends me her picture and her hair's not done, I just delete it, but-- and I'm sure you've heard this before-- you're a very attractive young woman, and I could tell from your picture you've got this magnetic personality."
So he took a second chance on a curly-headed black girl from DC and sent me an email requesting an interview and I hopped on the train and made my way to his bar. The interview went well; he explained all of the rules to me and then got on me about the hair thing... Sigh.
The Loud Black Girl in me wanted to roll my neck and say, "my hair does look good; it is done. Forgive me if I don't follow the European standard of beauty in that regard!" However... $750 a week and my rent won't disappear like the interest from my trust fund will.
So, I agree to straighten my hair or wear a wig and he asks me to change into my bikini and do the walk-and-turn for him, which I do. ...You know I had to Catwalk It Out, right? Yeah, buddy.
(Now I know you must be thinking "but wait... didn't you just walk out of another bar where you were wearing actual clothes and not just a bikini?" This is true, however, you've got to add context. This bar is a themed bar where I'm not just the only one half-naked and it's more professional and the customers speak English, which adds to my whole comfort level... and I'm making $750 a week... not $25 a night.).
So, I got the job... and I would've worked tonight except that I wanted one last night of peace and I needed time to get my hair "done".
I also like that the owner has no illusions about his bar. He said, "it's tough to make a buck, you know? This is a place to work and build up some experience before you move on to bigger and better." And that's my plan. I can't sustain earning a fashion degree with working five nights a week from 8 pm - 5 am. But during the summer, I can definitely sustain for that $750 a week. Definitely.
I think I'll bartend at this place under the name Nikki Danes (from Nikki Dana), or Nikki D. Likey? =)
I feel really blessed. There's a non-profit DIRECTLY across the street from me where I'm getting discounted sewing lessons and the owner offered to be my "secret weapon" and "safe haven" while I'm at Parsons. I've got my family. I've got great friends back home and here in New York. I've got... the usual distractions a girl's just got to have ;-) I'm in one of the best damn fashion programs in the world! (Though, I still don't have cable, internet, or phone service for the third day in a row... damn Cablevision.).
I feel great! Now... to straighten my hair =/
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