"The performance doesn't require traditional acting skills," Mara explained carefully. "It requires... a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. To portray intimacy, affection, closeness with other performers."
Helena's confusion was slowly changing to alarm. "What kind of intimacy?"
Mara smiled in what she probably thought was a reassuring manner.
"Physical intimacy. The patron enjoys watching people express affection in... private ways. But it's all performance, Helena. All acting. Nothing real, nothing that has to mean anything beyond the moment."
Helena stood abruptly, her face suddenly pale.
"You're asking me to prostitute myself? To perform sexual acts for money?"
"Not prostitution," Mara said quickly. "Performance. Acting. With people you trust, in a safe environment, for exceptional compensation. It's completely different."
"It sounds exactly the same!" Helena's voice rose with distress. "And you want me to do this? You think I would degrade myself like that?"
