Suspicion

Shandalier tentatively made her way onto the stage. As the harsh glare of the spotlight enveloped her, the entire room broke into "Happy birthday to youuuu".

Shit she thought. Shandalier had completely forgotten it was her birthday. What with the drama of the last few days and the arrival of the poisoned pen letters, she had more than enough on her plate. Furthermore, birthdays were something she preferred to forget, she had celebrated too many and never discussed her age. Not that she looked it. People often commented on her flawless skin. "Honey, black don't crack" she would drawl

Born in Boiling Springs South Carolina way back when, she was the youngest of 6 children, although "she" was actually born a "he" and had been named Leroy by his strict Episcapalean parents. They saw to it that their children had a strict religous upbringing.

Leroy's fondest times were spent singing in the local church choir. He loved entertaining, but wondered why he was different from the other boys about town. Never would he be out playing ball, preferring instead to stay indoors watching his mother cook. He loved to sew, he hand stitched cousin Maisy's wedding quilt. It was sheer perfection.

But as he moved into his late teens he knew something was wrong. He had always been a feminine child and he came to the realisation that he was not happy being a boy. He felt himself a girl but in a male form. He attempted to discuss this with his mother but she quickly dismissed him saying these were sinister thoughts. It was the work of the devil and she would see to it that he met with the local priest. She also gave his behind a good walloping for good measure.

Leroy decided he was not sticking around. He raided his mothers purse and hopped a bus to Charlotte. It was here that he fell in with the wrong crowd, or perhaps in his case the right crowd, for at the age of 21 he took the plunge and had "the" operation to make him complete. Shandalier was born.

As the years progressed. Initially to make ends meet, Shandalier worked as a pole dancer, but later she went on to dance burlesque at some of the fancier digs about town. She had many gentlemen callers in her time. And unlike others in her field who spent as quickly as they earned, she socked most of her money away, until she happend upon the opporunity to purchase the Sassy Palms.

Here she was, on stage peering down at all before her. She eyed Morty and Saul who sat smirking at her. Was it they who were blackmailing her. What was she to do. She had a plan. All she need do is........................................