Goldfinger

They come for the promise of money. Women from across Easter Europe, Scandinavia, the States and Canada most plucked from desolate situations where jobs are scarce arrive in Iceland seeking small fortunes as dancers.

For most of these women, the promise is delivered dancers have an earning potential of a Michael Milken. Exactly how much money, thought, is up for debate, but Davidsson insists that a good dancer can make up to ISK 1 million (USD 12,000) per month.

 

And they earn this cash. Most work 12-hour shifts, six days a week.

I was working in a bakery from six in the morning to four at night and it was terrible, says Helga, one of the few dancers from Iceland. Now i can meet a lot of people and have a few drinks and make good money. It´s much different from a regular job.

Much different indeed. Like Milken, the Junk Bond king, a dancer´s road to these big cash pay-offs is thought to be dubious.

 

The controversy revolves around what takes place when a dancer and patron grab a bottle of champagne and disappear behind the curtain. The private show. Marsha, one of Maxim´s best earners, who hails from Denmark, says that when some girls start out in the business they look to make extra money by offering special favors, but they quickly learn what´s professional and what´s not how far to push the fantasy. It´s all about getting the guy to lke you; tease him so he´ll buy more provate shows. Men are stupid that way. But it´s purely business. Nothing happens. That´s why they call it striptease, Marsha says ith a coy smile, twirling the silver lace of her slinky dress.

 

Marsha is a dancer at the top of her profession. She works long hours, from 9 p.m. to 10 a.m., six days a week, but makes obscene amounts of cash as she travels between Iceland and Denmark, where her boyfriend has his home. To say she´s exploited or lacks dignity is just not rue. She exudes confidence and enjoys her work. Everbody that comes here wants me! she says.