The Angel of Bang Kwang Prison by Susan Aldous, Nicola Pierce Page B

down a dark alley and through an open door. I found myself standing in the foyer of a big nightclub called Sheiks. The owner was there and there was a real buzz in the air as the club was to open that night, launched by the American singer George Benson. My new friend marched me up to George the owner, who glanced approvingly at my appearance. The interview was brief; ‘Have you got nice legs?’
    I lifted my skirt a little.
    ‘Good. You’re hired. Go over to that girl with the dark hair and tell her to measure you for your costume.’
    I was now a Christian playboy bunny no less; it fitted in perfectly with my plan and personality. The guy I’d spoken to had seen how easily I managed to talk to people and connect with them, and between us we knew that I could continue to talk about Christianity with the customers, allowing them to open up, but in an environment where they didn’t feel like they were being judged. For me, it was perfect. I could talk to people who needed help and assurance, and guidance in life, but I could also have some fun while doing it.
    I informed my new boss that I wanted to work the quiet nights only. He was surprised and pointed out that it would mean less tips. I shrugged and said that I wanted to talk to people. I also asked to work the lounge, which was the quietest room in the club, where the music was soft and the emphasis was on relaxing and intimate chat. The front of the club was more of a disco with a DJ, bright lights and mirror balls hanging from the ceiling. I worked two set nights, Sunday and Monday, but I would help out if they were stuck for staff. I ended up doing a lot more than serving drinks. I filled in for the receptionist, the hostess, and I even worked in the kitchen when necessary. I really enjoyed it. It suited me because I had decided that I wanted to help people who were lost and lonely. There was no point sitting in a church, since no one, especially the young and successful, go there, but they would go out for a drink, in search of company, preferably female. It was perfect! They would ask me what I did in the day time, probably assuming that I was a student. When I told them about my Christian beliefs and doings, they were amazed and would give me a tip or a kiss. More importantly, they would listen to my message.
    There was one customer in particular, a slim, good-looking, well-off executive who was always flanked by different girls every night he came in. He was a bit of a charmer and was always generous with his tips. He would brag to me about his desk in his office creaking under the weight of all his different technical toys and gadgets but I saw through his brashness and believed him to be a lonely guy appalled by the emptiness of his life. He was always ready to chat to me but never quite dropped his guard. I’d like to think that he eventually fell in love with a decent girl and married her and had lots of kids. He actually gave me a generous donation when I left Australia.
    There was another guy, a fat, cuddly Italian who also had lots of money but had been dragged through a bad divorce. He would often search me out to talk about his life, his big house which was too big for him now that he was alone. He went out on lots of dates with these tiny, attractive women, but it was probably too soon after the breakdown of his marriage, and nothing came of them.
    I loved my bunny uniform with the big ears and fluffy tail. I would shake my tush and talk about the voluntary mission work I was doing. I was a hit with the staff and clients, and I thrived in this environment. There were lots of conversations with people who wanted more from their life. I listened and counselled and served the cocktails. Sheiks proved a popular spot. It gained relative fame when celebrities, Australian and otherwise, would visit to help promote the club and would end up on the evening news. There was huge controversy when a well-known penthouse model joined the staff as a bunny girl. She