Petra Finds the Courage

The twosome raised their sherry glasses yet again ,"A TOAST TO US!". They relaxed into their floral recliners and as Genie pulled out the ottoman she piped up with a little idea, "I was just thinking... how 'bout we hit the town girlfriend, whaddya say?"

"Oh.. I dunno doll... you know how self-conscious I get,"

"Petra hun there's absolutely nothing to worry about. Trust me, Sydney is a veritable paradise for girls like us! Ha ha. Let's try our luck eh?"

But where to go? The Taxi Club had long been a source of enjoyment for Genie but Petra had never felt comfortable in those kind of bars. Maybe it was something about those pert little Thai trannies, thin as toothpicks and uber-femme, everything Petra wasn't. She could never compete with that. She knew it and it hurt. She knew she was envious of those petite, pretty types. She wanted to be the one who the hot wogs lusted after at four in the morning on the bonnet of some hotted up car. Flirting with men and the art of the "pick up" was never Petra's forte and she couldn't bear the thought of coming home alone, high and dry.

After Petra explained all of this, Genie began by thanking her for her heartfelt honesty and continued by deciding it was high time that Petra learned a few home truths.

"Listen Petra, you can sit here alone moping about your lot like a martyr if ya want. That's your choice. Or, you can stop worrying about all that rubbish and start living! Do you wanna end up a bitter old bitch looking back on your life wishing you had the courage to be yourself? Cos that's where you're headed doll."

"I know you're right Genie. You always are. It's just..."

"I'll make a deal with ya. You throw caution to the wind for one night only and I promise I'll let you do me up as Diana. Whaddya reckon sister?"

"Hmmmmm... maybe you can twist my arm..." Petra teased Genie, fingering the rim of her sherry glass. Her dutch courage had surely kicked in by now, "What the hey! Let's doll up! It's a deal girlfriend!"

"Weeeeeee, " howled Genie as they fell back into their recliners laughing like schoolgirls, "What about the Shift then?" Not that Genie particularly liked the place. Too many optimistic faggy Asians on the lookout for a rich old rice queen, "The VJs there are always really good. They do Young Divas without fail and they play requests!" Genie pondered a moment, readjusting the buckle on her sandal, "Actually I have a better idea - how about a straight club?"

"Genie!"

"Oh c'mon you never know your luck in the big bad city girlfriend!" Petra noticed a little of Genie's endearing Russian lilt. This always happened after a few sherries and Petra was fascinated by it.

Petra pursed her lips in faux disgust, "Oh what the hey! Pour me another sherry!"

Connections, known to the locals as "Conneckies", attracted a more upper-class clientele. Sophisticated gentlemen with money - exactly what Genie was looking for...