Too early – the club wasn't even open yet. I showed up early for my first shift after the audition. "Suzie." I turned the name over in my mind before nodding slowly. Once you pick one, you are pretty much stuck with it for your entire career, because you develop a following of loyal customers who ask after you by name. What do each of you want to be called?"ĭeciding on your stripper name is a rite of passage. "Now, let's get your names down for some shifts, ladies. The lights back on, we dressed and lined up in front of Rebecca for our evaluation. Feeling awkward and unsure, I unhooked my Target bra and did my best to copy what she was doing. "When you feel ready, take your tops off so we can see your boobs." Aware I was being judged, but not entirely sure under what criteria, I waited until Jasmine "felt ready", took her top off, and began gently rubbing her (fake) DD boobs. The girl nearest to me, Jasmine, had worked as a stripper before, so I watched her closely, trying my best to emulate how she moved. I took a deep breath, and clambered up, gripping the pole tightly with both hands and beginning to sway my hips to the beat. The other girls in my group were undressing and climbing onto the different stages.