She dances for him; en pointe, lightly skimming the dark wood of the tabletop.
“Enchanting, Number Eight,” he whispers huskily. He watches from the shadows, hooded eyes black as a starless night, dark hair falling across his face.
Assemblé…changement…petit battement. A final jerky chaînés, then she is still. Eyes closed, she awaits his critique.
“Beautiful, Mon Cher,” he breathes, awestruck.
“Nine, how will you compete with such a magnificent performance?” he asks of the next girl.
Nine moans through the gag. Her watering eyes plead as he pulls the rope and the noose tightens. En pointe, she dances.