Kate- Walks toward the brothel's cherry neon sign.

  The red rocket's pinup's still standing.

  "Never gives you pause?"

  Cherry- "What?"

  Kate- "I dun know... Owning a freakin' neon pinup of yourself riding a rocket, wearing ONLY a fishbowl helmet? And right at the door of your home?"

  Cherry- Smirks.

  "Should it? Old girl's practically family!"

  Kate- Frowns.

  "Might as well get a cathedral-sized stained glass rosetta of showing you in all the Kamasutra poses..."

  Cherry- "Since when did you get so judgemental about nudity?"

  Kate- Deepening frown, cogitating... cogitating... cogitating...!

  Guess since THAT day...

  "Doesn't she remind you of the bad times, the Sakura ones? Before?"

  Cherry- "She does."

  Sad smile.

  "Every Day, she reminds me of what we fought for. We freed her as much as we freed ourselves. She's a reminder of that; The cost, the gains, of those who died for the cause, and in the end, that the sacrifices were worth the pain. Yes, the revolt was bloody, but we were already damned. Now, we live."

  Kate- "Don't you just want to forget? Leave it all... behind?"

  Cherry- *Sigh*

  "Poussin, the thing with symbols and memories is that you can't erase them once they are born into the world. If you concede them, they become tools for the oppressors. They become weapons against you. You need to subvert them and reinterpret their meaning if you want what they used to represent gone."

  Chuckles.

  "Plus, if I removed her, the fans would riot! She's not just ours you know."

  Kate- Frowns.

  Crowd- *Distant roar*

  Cherry- "She's also theirs, God knows they paid a premium in cash and blood to keep us standing back then. She's their lighthouse, a symbol of a better world for them too. Shackled in the shadows of the corpo oppressive gods, they need that light. I'm not stupid enough to poke that hornet nest just yet."

  Kate- "Never saw it like that... was just a toaster-brained kid back then. Just saw things in shade of Ice or not. After, well, ya know, no time to think. And since? I've just been... running."

  Cherry- Sad smile.

  "Sex work was for millennia, exploitive most of the time. A tool of control, oppression and exploitation. But sex can be healing too, it can be soothing, fun, and liberating. Not everyone can find someone steady to be with if someone at all. Someone to support you through their physical presence. Humans need contact. So as long as there are humans, there will be sex work. But we abdicated its complexities to the Dark Side of Humanity, to the gangs, the pimps and the madams. Instead of facing the complex messy reality, we gave ourselves a rigid and brittle frame of illegality. Then, we used sex workers as a useful scapegoat. Like so many other easy, isolated targets they were tagged as the source of all ills while in fact, they were powerless and just trying to inch a living.

  I would NEVER go back to that. Now? We control what we want and don't want to do, we protect each other and the clients. They were both victims and perpetrators in the old system, just like the workers themselves. One was exploited through their financial vulnerabilities, the other through their solitude and emotional pains. It was a brutal environment where abuse was always a real risk. So we put our foot down, took control of our power, and stopped giving it to others. We made it better, never perfect, sure, this is customer service after all..."

  Kate- Raises a brow confused.

  Cherry- Cristaline laughs.

  "Right! I keep forgetting you poussins never worked in a shop or a call center. Compandroids and pseudo-AI do most of that stuff now. Well, I guess it's like your job. Gotta face all the odd types, the anti-social, the dangerous ones. You never quite know someone and how their day went before meeting you or how fucked up in the head they can be.

  This is why we vet the clients and send the dangerous ones to our bots lookalikes. We also study psychology before getting on the job and test the newcomer for compatibility with the life gradually. That way, well everyone is as safe as can be. I can do what I like, WHEN I feel like doing it. And trust me, I LOVE doing it with a lot of my clients. Most just want a presence you know, they are hurting and I feel good giving that to them. And I won't be shamed for that by some fucked up dusty old text from people thousands of years back, excusing slavery while hating on one of the most natural actions living beings can take part in.

  No, now? We are free, the clients don't get scammed or beaten for their money. Health care and mental support are constant if there is a need for it. Why would I ban a well-regulated and needed industry just because I happen to have bad memories? I'm not giving back the ground taken, even if I have to bleed and die again for it."

  Kate- "You never told me all that stuff back then..."

  Wait, what? Did she say die?

  Cherry- "Too young to get the nuances back then, Remember what's the first thing I ever told you?"

  Kate- Distracted from her thoughts.

  "Something like: LISTEN UP YOU FUCKING KIDS! The brain is mush and full of hormones until your birdbrains get to twenty-five! No big decision until you can work it out in full!"

  Cherry- Laughter.

  "Can't believe how hard-edge I used to be! I wouldn't let nobody pull anything stupid under my roof like a fucking Nam-era drill sergeant."

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Her face decomposes

  "This is why you left..."

  Kate- "I'm sorry, it was my fault, should have listened."

  Cherry- "No, that's on me, I should have been the one to listen then. I got scared, I pushed that fear on you, hard. I didn't listen to your needs at the moment. I should have been more patient, think of what would happen trying to control you. People's emotions can't be held in place. They are like horses, you're never in full control. The best you can do is guide them. Try to bury bodies under the carpet and it will stink up the house. I was the adult in that situation... Texas was right, I fucked up. I'm the one who's sorry."

  Kate- "I was reckless, I killed..."

  Shakes her head.

  "I kill people."

  Crowd- *Low roar in the distance*

  Cherry- Scoffs.

  "And I'm a paragon who never did anything murky? I'm forever drenched in blood Kate, Cherry Red of the Sakuras. The Angels, if anything, are heralds of death. Some people are just too dangerous, and too self-centred to change their ways. It's tragic, but you have to deal with how grey reality is sometimes. When you can't get through to aggressors, or entrenched oppressors, you have to make a bloody statement. Kill a wolf to ward off the pack from the floc. I'd prefer it if you were more choosy with your own work though. Don't become a wolf, become a sheepdog if you feel the need to put your hands in the grime."

  Crowd- *Growing roar*

  Kate- "Been too worried about next lunch for that lately, girl gotta eat."

  Cherry- Smiles

  "We'll talk about that tomorrow. Tonight, you have work to do."

  Kate- Raises an eyebrow, somewhat confused, a growing anxious pit in her stomach.

  Cherry- "You're overdue for some bonding. Don't think you'll be allowed to dodge that bullet!"

  Crowd- *Closer roar*

  Kate- "Fuck me! Make tomorrow's talk a late one..."

  Cherry- Cristaline laughs.

  "I was not born yesterday little gélinotte, I expect you LATE tomorrow."

  Kate- Looks up toward the naked, brutalist Asstronaughty's main building as she gets close to the main door.

  "You should give the place a paint job. The grey cube's a killer."

  Cherry- "Hey, kakapo, you're probably the only one on this strip who doesn't use AR. I know you're stuck with a Cere for your job and you can't trust the damn thing, but common live a little sometimes. You're as safe as can be tonight!"

  Kate- "Right..."

  Cere, turn up the AR for tonight.

  Cere- AR overlay activated.

  World- Turns into a fantastic orgy of neon lights where everyone wears avatars like fancy clothes and every building turns into millions of worlds with publicity strewn around. Hot flashes of oranges, pink and purples dyeing reality in hues of cyberpunk.

  Crowd- * Loud roar*

  Kate- Winces.

  Didn't miss that part one lick. Need a filter on ambient noise at some point...

  "Lots a folks tonight?"

  Cherry- "Sorry Katoue, didn't expect you, I would have cancelled the show otherwise. Mama gotta rock the barrack tonight. You know how it is!"

  Crowd- Murmurs:

  "Cherry! Cherry! Who's that with her?"

  Kate- "Yeah, nul worries, 'll probably be trampled all night anyway."

  Sees Jack(ed) and Alana guarding the entrance like hawks.

  "Speaking of starving beastial hordes..."

  A Guy in Line- "Hey, don't cut in front of ME, bitches!"

  Jack(ed)- "The one in the bronze dress is Cherry, fucking dial-up!"

  OGIL- Apoplexic!

  "WHAT? I'M!!!"

  Kate- "Guy doesn't know the rules..."

  Cuts in front of the OGIL to defuse the tension.

  "Hey J, ya got all big now, bro... Got your wings? Already? Look good on you man!"

  Jack(ed)- Takes a full second to compute until his face illuminates in recognition.

  "Kate? The fuck? you back?"

  Alana- Turns her head in a snap.

  "What? Kate's back? You back? Since when?"

  Kate- "Just now. Got a bit... lost on the way."

  Same Obnoxious Guy in Line- "Cherry I get, but the ugly skank can't pass. She clearly ain't a whore with that face. Why does she get a pass?"

  Jack(ed)- "Great... another one."

  Turns his face to speak to Alana.

  "Want me to take it?"

  Alana- "HELL NO! This one's all mine!"

  Cruel, gleeful smile while nodding and scat signing with closed mouth. Walks to face the young man, up close.

  Kate- "This just me or Alana looks... a bit... much?"

  Jack(ed)- "Ya got nul idea, sis. You know how people are, they all cope with stress one way or another: drugs, cartoons, porn, novels, Old World TV shows. Everyone has their own technique... Alana..."

  OGiL-" So, you bitches came to your senses finally? You learned who my dad is and came to suck me off for a pardon right?"

  Dismissive Alana- Sneers.

  "Shut up!"

  Jack(ed)- "... is Alana."

  OGiL- "What did you..."

  Points toward Alana hard, stepping forward one step.

  "...say to ME?"

  Points toward his self-important majesty.

  Crowd1- "Oh? We're in for a show!"

  Alana- "Oh well..."

  Insane smile with all her teeth, like a clownish starving wolf.

  "...Tried!"

  Pulls a compact shotgun from nowhere.

  Rocksalt Shotgun- *BANG!*

  OGiL- "MY BALLZ!!!!!! YOU SHOT MY FUCKING BALLZ!"

  Larger crowd- *Hillar laughters*

  Crowd1- "What a noob, he had no idea? Is that even real? This not AR? What a dumb fuck!"

  Crowd2- "Brutal! Rocksalt to the balls!"

  OGiL- "YOU FUCKING CRAZY BITCH! MY FATHER WILL HAVE YOU SKINNED!"

  Crowd3- "He really doesn't know shit, does he?"

  Mistress Alana- "Your father Honk? Alright, I'll bite! Let's have some fun! Mar-E? Wait... what? FOR REAL? This ain't a fucking prank? Ahahahahaahahaha! Call Piggy for me, would you?

  Piggy? This is Mistress! Your ugly spawn is causing trouble at my gate. What do you think I should do? Yes, yes, I know! Thinking isn't your strong suit. Humour mistress! This is her command to you. Yes, that's good! Now call that overcooked nutsack waste of yours."

  OGiL- "Dad? .................... WHAT?!!!"

  Happy Rocksalt Shotgun- *BANG!*

  OGil- *AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!*

  Mistress Alana- "Now get the fuck out of here! You're banned for a decade from all our services!"

  Pauses a second. Then, a light illuminates her face as she remembers a detail.

  "Right, including the online platform! As for you Piggy, I'll facture you this as a booty call and a conflict resolution with all the usual fees. Yes, I mean the second shot, not the first one. Yes, you're unworthy of my forgiveness! Yes, next Wednesday... 3 pm is good. Don't forget to bring a gift to soothe my wrath.

  Mar-E, add an appointment for Piggy, and ban Junior like I said. Thanks!"

  Obnoxious guy not in line anymore- Tries to contain his pain and speak through his teeth.

  "Not the platform, please! What will I..."

  Alana- "Not my problem junior. Learn the rules, the important ones! Here, anything goes so long as the other is consenting and you're respectful of their person. Fuck around and find out!"

  Jumps on the top of an automated taxi and waves to her domain with both arms.

  "Your daddy got no pull here! Everyone's the same. Doesn't matter to me if they're personally on the fucking Council, let alone your pig of a father! This is the fucking Asstronaughty, Honk! Extrajudicial territory. We don't make exceptions for any big or... well..."

  Looks down on him then his crotch like she would a cockroach.

  "Small, pricks."

  Kate- In a smirk

  "He was kinda right y'know. No need to go that far!"

  Alana- "About your ugly mug?"

  Kate- "You're a crazy bitch you know?"

  Sister Alana- "Remember rule four? Do you feel like shitting some rocksalt tomorrow? This warning is the only leniency you'll get from me. After that, won't be my sister anymore, I'll be Mistress Alana to you!"

  Crowd 2-"That's some crazy thought love bro! That little nepo shit got it good!"

  Crowd 3- "Dude, shut it! They might be safe in here, but if Junior hears you badmouthing him... even if Angels get revenge for actions against clients, is only that, revenge."

  Crowd 2- "Right, right, nepo shit stain power ain't no joke!"

  Crowd3- *Shushhhhh!*

  Mistress Alana- "Alright everyone! 'Nough gossip for the day! Will I need to spread more love to you dirty fuckers?"

  Waves her shotgun.

  Enthusiastic Crowd 4- "PUNISH ME, MISTRESS!"

  Mistress Alana- Jumps down the vehicle, barely surprised.

  "OH? You've asked for it piggy!"

  Enthusiastic rocksalt Shotgun- *BANG!!!!*

  Crowd4-*AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!*

  Larger Crowd- *Roaring in general laughter*

  Alana- "Ain't this just Paradise?"

  Jack(ed)- "This gonna go viral!"

  Kate- "Posting that? Sure 't's a good idea?"

  Jack(ed)- "Good footage, plus it might dissuade a few dial-ups. Call it horde immunity through vaccination."

  Alana- "See! I told you I could become a doctor if I wanted."

  Jack(ed)- Whinces while coughing.

  "Not that again? Being good with surgical gloves and prostate "exams" don't make someone a doctor Al..."