She twirled around the pole, false enthusiasm on her face. She could have chosen a gem for her stage name: Ruby, Jade, or Sapphire. Perhaps a different virtue: Faith, Charity, even the popular but inaccurate Chastity. But looking out across the sea of half-seen faces, leering gazes that represented a new transmission for her car or books for school, or just another chunk for her nest egg, the young woman knew she’d chosen well. She would have a future after this, unlike her mama. She’d make that future.

Hope danced for the faceless wallets, taking solace in the power of names.