I guess I am a cheap bastard. But I had a good time.

So, this was my first time back since pre-pandemic, I think. It's been a while and I had a good time. For those who may remember, I found myself reminiscing of the old days before the remodel, back with Dr. Nick. I know Diva and Suzy are still around, but my personal favorite was Kendra. Anyway, I like the current brunette bartender. She actually took my $5 cover (as there was no one working at the front when I arrived.) She seems good at her job. She seems to care about her customers and check regularly if you need a refill. There was no one dancing either at first. Made me realize that I prefer gradations: spend a little tipping on stage to find a dancer I like, spend a little bit more on a nude lap-dance, and if it's good, purchase even more. Then, if I'm crazy for this girl, escalate to a champagne room . . . well, you get the idea. Anyway, I learned of an impediment to my gradation strategy: the 15 minute champagne rooms appear to be no more? I was quoted 30 minute room only and for 400. Not sure if that included the tip for the bouncer? I wasn't paying that close attention. But it didn't include the tip for the dancer. I have ponied up 900 for executive lounge back in the day, but I don't know if I'm getting older or wiser or cheaper, but I don't feel like going there these days, not unless I found an all-time favorite. Still prefer the gradations. I mean back in the day, I had a few amazing air dances at Deja Vu when I found a dancer with whom I shared electric chemistry. It can happen. But yea, that's rare. I did have one dancer try to hit me up for a room immediately today and she didn't want any small talk. So, if that's your cup of tea, you may be able to find a kindred spirit. I told her that I prefer to hang around for 2 or sometimes 3 hours, and that I'd be good for several dances. That turned her off, making her think I was just a time-waster. Haha! Maybe I was by her standard? A different dancer got 210 dollars from me. I guess it's all relative. To me, that's a fair amount of money for 15 to 20 minutes ($10 a minute) of entertainment. That was 7 dances. Again, there must be whales dropping the 1000 at the drop of the hat? Is it just me, or anyone else remember places like Kenny May's in Hammond, dive places that weren't so expensive? (I was in lust with Mariah there.) Yet, maybe I am cheap . . . but not with the right woman, and not if she warms up to me a little. Dancers this afternoon included Lovelle (with whom I enjoyed very pleasant dances, thumbs-up!), then Foreign (whom I tried to get for a dance but had trouble flagging her down), then Ivy, Madison, Summer, and one or two others. All in all, I still love 390. Atlantis is great too. Just wish there were more options, especially up in the western suburbs (Naperville is a strip club desert!)