Deja Vu Showgirls of Stockton is San Joaquin's premier adult club. While satisfied patrons keep on coming back for more, there's still many who look upon this class act establishment with a judgmental eye. Recently SJ Fanboy sat down with Olympia Hawthorne - the club's lovely and articulate manager - to discuss what makes the place tit (Um, did I say "tit"? I meant"tick". Yes, having so many beautiful girls around your humble interviewer got him tongue tied a tad) At any rate, the savvy businesswoman gave us the lowdown on what makes a good dancer, Deja Vu's troubles with a nearby church, and why more San Joaquin women may soon be visiting Deja Vu.

Your slogan is thousands of beautiful girls and 3 ugly ones. Where did that come from?

Deja Vu is a big company and that's always been our slogan. We have numerous clubs throughout the United States, and it's our catchy slogan.

Have there ever been three ugly ones?

(Laughter) Definitely yes.

What's the difference between a good customer and a bad customer?

Good customer are our regular customers, who come back, bring friends, help us promote the club, and help us with word of mouth. A bad customer I would consider someone who comes in buys a drink, does not want to get any lap dances, does not tip the girls, and wants to come and sit at the bar.

We have many good customers very few bad.

Any incidents where your bouncer had to get down to business?

Our bouncers know that they're not here to be tough guys. They're basically here to defuse the situation and escort any problems off the premises and leave it at that. There have been incidents in the past where a customer has thrown the first punch, and a bouncer has had to defend himself.

What are the differences between a good and bad dancer?

The girls have to be prepared mentally more so then physically for this job. It's definitely a head trip. If you've never been in this business before, it's hard mentally, because you have to come in here and leave your stuff at the door and put on this different personality. You have to always be happy, all your problems have to go behind you; customers don't want to hear about your bills, your ex-husband, or whatever. So I think a big part of this job is mental.

Bad dancers... I don't like to call any of them bad dancers, but what I would consider a bad dancer is someone who comes in and gets caught up in the less appealing aspects of this job. Those girls have emotional problems; it's hard on them.

What I would consider a good dancer is someone who is all business. A bad dancer is someone who lets the business take care of her.

What kind of support system do you offer to your dancers?

I'm here for all my girls. They know I'm a very hands on office manager, and they know they can talk to me about anything. I'm really understanding of what they're going through. I talk to them all; they have my personal number and can call me anytime. I'm definitely more of a counselor than anything. If they're having problems, they know they can come talk to me about it.

What do you say to a first time dancer?

I tell them to pretend like they're at home in front of their mirror not performing in front of a large group of people. If you're able to tune out the crowd and get into the music, get into the song, get to your performance, you can get over being nervous. That's what I tell all my new girls - pretend like your at home by yourself in the mirror dancing.

Is there any cattiness between the dancers?

(laughter) Yes, that's part of the business.

How does it affect the working environment?

Well, you know the good thing about it is that whatever cattiness that they go through, they keep it in the dressing room. They're all very professional out on the floor. I have girls who hate each other who out on the floor are polite , very nice at the bar, will even do dances together for customers. They're pretty professional, business-like. The cattiness mostly goes on in the dressing room where no one can see it.

What are the hallmarks of a good lap dance?

That's a good one - a girl who follows the rule first and foremost. The customer is not allowed to touch. The hallmarks of a good lap dance I would say is a girl who does her best, puts on her best performance, gives the customer his money's worth, and makes him feel special like he's not the fiftieth guy that she's given a dance to that day.

How do you think the Stockton Showgirls compares to numerous adult clubs in Sacramento?

I think the biggest difference is that the girls here are a little more personal with their customers. They're not as brisk. I have been to numerous clubs in Sacramento and it's very "take a number" type of experience. Here the girls will actually open up a little bit to the customer and talk to them on a personal level. It's not just about do you want to get a dance. They are very personal with the customers.

Will Showgirls ever be fully nude?

No

I don't think I've ever asked anyone such a question.

Not in this county. It's illegal in San Joaquin County to have a fully nude club.

Where do you think the club stands within San Joaquin county?

It's mixed. There are a lot of people who welcome our presence here. Our customers varies. We have a lot of businessmen. We have young guys, college kids, middle class, upper class, it varies. I think that...being honest and blunt... a lot of people don't really want a topless bar in their community, but it's something they just have to deal with.

Ironically there's a church right across the street, and I understand there's been some negativity perhaps moreso on their end than your's. What is the current state of relations?

We're respectful of them. Our dancers are not allowed outside. You'll never see any dancing nude girls, topless girls in the parking lot. The current state of relations? We really don't have a relationship with them.

There isn't any current friction?

No, they're not outside protesting us. Thank God.

How did you become the manager of Deja Vu Showgirls?

I ran my own business for two and a half years. I'm a licensed day care provider. I know the ins and out of running a business. However, I started here as a bartender. I bartended for about a month and a half, and then I was promoted to bar manager. Then my boss who trained me was fired and I was given this job.

On a typical day what are your duties?

Basically I come in and open. I make sure that everything is right as far as the money. 75% of my job is paperwork. I'm usually done with all of that by 2:00pm, and then I'm just here for whatever the girls, whatever the employees need. I make sure everyone is coming in on time and make sure there no scheduling conflicts. Check out our advertising. Try to get more promotional packages together. I do a lot of promo work on the weekend as far as going out to clubs and handing off flyers, promotional t-shirts. We recently did the Toughman Contest. We also did some promo stuff with the 2004 Police and Fire Games. I work hard. I work 60-70 hours a week. I put my all into this job, and it's definitely paying off for me.

Any job environment has its wacky stories. What are some wacky stories working at Deja Vu?

I get asked about three times a day to please go back and do a dance. I have some customers who come just to see me, and they really want me to be a dancer. So I field a lot of that all day every day. I find it flattering.

That was definitely a wacky story. Okay what does the future hold for Deja Vu?

I would love to have a Ladies Night where we have all male dancers. I think a lot of women are threatened by strip clubs, and they don't really hang out. We don't have a high female customer percentage.

Deja Vu Showgirls is located at 4206 N. West Lane in Stockton.

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