What Ever Happened to The Playboy Bunnies?

Playboy enterprises had large financial losses by the end of the nineteen eighties, such was the loss that Hugh Hefner was forced to trim down his media empire and close his franchise Playboy Key Clubs, streamlining his empire strictly to the one thing that made it what it was . . . Playboy Magazine . . .

In its own peculiar way, the Playboy Club in the mid-60's to the 90's served as a magnet and crucible for women independently driven to achieve remarkable levels of success later in life. The very same impulses that led intelligent, ambitious women to defy convention and choose to work as Bunnies would later propel many of them into vastly rewarding, and often unconventional, personal careers. Bunnydom was bright, sexy and provocative, full of free-spirited women who thrived in an era of explosive change. They were creatures of expensive innocence, with sculpted hair, glowingly healthy skin and - the sine qua non of Bunnyhood - a heavily cantilevered bosom. Compared to these pampered symbols of glamour, ordinary women looked only half-complete.

Catherine and Jodi were troubled by the closing. They had hoped that by working as Playboy Bunnies they would be able to pay their way through college. Now they had to find other work in hopes to pay the rising cost of tuition.

Catherine is an athletically built blonde with deep blue eyes and Jodi is an attractive brunette with long shapely legs. If all the Playboy Bunnies were brought together, the most beautiful would be Catherine and Jodi.

Tonight the two best friends were the first to arrive for what was possibly their last night as Playboy Bunny's. The dressing room appeared empty as they found a place to get ready. Although it is banged up and littered the Bunny dressing room is a magical place. It has everything you could need from mascara to a shoulder to cry on. It is a safe haven. Tonight they would need all of that.

"Jodi, I can't believe tonight's the last night" say's Catherine.

"It's too bad, I love working here, excellent pay, lot's of men ogling over you."

"I saw an ad the other day for work over at Spartan’s Health Club, wanna go and check it out tomorrow?"

"Sure, why not" . . . " said Jodi, "I wonder what that's for," she said pointing at a large box sitting on the break room table.

"I don't know it say's "Pelfré" on the side of it though."

"Hey there's a note on top of it."

Catherine took the note and opened it.

"Girl's, we are sorry this is your last night, we certainly enjoyed having you here at the club." " I hope you will enjoy the gift you'll find in the box, each of you deserve it."

"My sincerest regards Ralph Dergan."

"Wow, I wonder what it is?" said Jodi.

"I don't know, let's open it and find out."

Catherine opened the box to discover it contained two boxes, one labeled 'Catherine' and the other 'Jodi'. They each opened their boxes and found a charm bracelet. It appeared to be gold and it had two charms on it. One was the Playboy bunny logo in silver on a black background, just like the handle of the Playboy Club 'keys,' and the other was a small, gold figure of a Playboy Bunny colored brightly with enamel. Catherine's figure wore a blue Bunny costume and had blonde hair while 'Jodi's wore a black Bunny costume with brunette hair. The back of each was stamped with their names.

"OH, Keepsakes. Now I remember, "Pelfré" is a French Jeweler" said Catherine putting on her bracelet. "A very expensive brand I might add."

"Why a charm bracelet? Isn't that for children?" asked Jodi.

"Haven't you ever heard of Pelfré before? They’re supposed to be the most luxurious and expensive brand on the market. As if their prices didn't price nearly everyone out of the market they make it more exclusive by not having their names on the store and the window displays are of fresh flowers and not jewelry.

"I heard a former President went to Paris to buy something for his wife once, but he couldn't find the store until he called the American Ambassador to Paris who had the CIA find the address."

"How come you never told me about these before," said Jodi looking at her bracelet.

"Didn't I just say that you have to go to Paris, find the address? At their price alone, I'd stick to the cheaper brands?"

"Sorry, I was reading the package, I get your point."

"Sure was nice of Hef to get us some though."

"I"ll say, all the women that work here, must have put ole Hef back a bit."

At one time the club had thirty six Bunnies, but because of the financial crisis, it was been cut back to twenty six, eighteen of which work on swing shift.

"I can't wait to try this on," said Catherine. "If it's everything they say, then we're in for a real treat. Only Playboy Bunnies will have these charms so that makes it exclusive over and above the value of it being by Pelfré!" She put it on and admired it. Well it does look pretty on my wrist," she continued, "funny thing though, for our last night they give us a gift, I wish they would have done it sooner."

"IF what you say is true then a lot sooner," said Jodi and she put her's on. "OOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" Jodi said as if she dangled her hand in front of her, expecting a man to kiss it.

"Oh, why yes Count. I'd love to travel on your yacht with you to your private Greek island." Neither Catherine nor Jodi were speaking.

"DO you hear that?" said Jodi looking toward the locker-room.

"Yeah, let's go and check it out."

"This oughta be good said Jodi."

The girls went into the locker-room only to find the moaning coming from the restroom.

"OH! You're so sweet Count!!!"

"Shh, Let's be quiet," said Catherine, I wanna see who this is." She knelt down to see if she could recognize who's feet were in the stall.

"Jodi," said Catherine whispering," who wears a dark blue on days?"

"Let's see, there's Judy and Lisa."

"Lisa!" said Catherine, almost giving away their presence in the room.

"I thought that voice sounded familiar," she continued.

Catherine got up and tiptoed to the stall where Lisa was unaware of them.

BANG!! Catherine banged the door giving Lisa a near heart attack.

"Wha?" "Who's there?" asked Lisa.

"Catherine and Jodi," said Catherine, "we can hear you all the way out in the break room!" "Thought we'd come in and see what all the commotion is about."

"Man, you guy's nearly scared me half to death!" said Lisa coming out of the stall pulling her Bunny suit over her pantyhose.

"So where's your partner?" asked Jodi.

All Bunnies were required to go to the restroom in two's, so one could help the other get out and in the suit.

"Oh, Patricia came in with me and unzipped me, she said she'd be right back, but that was ten minutes or so ago," said Lisa. "Could one of you zip me up?"

"Sure," said Catherine, "I guess."

Everyone knows what a Playboy Bunny outfit consists of a strapless suit cut high on the legs and low on the bodice. It has an under-wired midriff that is very tight at the waist and was impossible to get in and out of by your self. Well, maybe not everyone. There are a lot of guys who should have come to see the Playboy Bunnies' outfits to learn what a wonder it is and also to keep the Playboy Club and the Playboy Bunny tradition alive!

After Catherine zipped up Lisa she went over to the mirror and fixed her long blonde hair and checked her makeup.

"So, you haven't told us what all that talk was about," said Catherine jokingly.

"You saw the gift Ralph got for us out in the break room?"

"Yeah," said Jodi.

"I put mine on already. It looked so good I just couldn't wait till after work. Oh, you have yours on too. You understand how special it makes you feel."

"You mean it made you feel like a Princess!" said Catherine. They all laughed.

"Yeah, I'll miss Playboy. They always made me feel special."

"I think we better get ready for shift," said Catherine.

"Yeah I'm right behind you" was Jodi's reply.

They scurried from the restroom into the locker room eager to finish dressing.

Catherine and Jodi quickly dressed down and began putting on their costumes.

As they dressed, Catherine told Jodi about her day. "I met this great guy at a bowling alley during lunch. You know the one near where the freeways cross? Well these four guys get together for lunch there one a month as it's so central and the girl I was with knew one of the guys so we were introduced to them."

"What was special about him?" Jodi asked.

"Oh, he is cute of course and he stood when the two of us walked up. I was closest to him so we talked. He is a manager over at the defense plant and did I tell you he was cute?"

Jodi nodded she had got that. Catherine went on. "He asked me for my number but I said I never gave that out."

"You liar. I thought you liked him. I've seen you write your number upside down on a guy's chest at that pool party a few months ago so I guess you don't want to see this guy."

Catherine looked hurt. "No, I want to see him. I asked him to come to the Club tonight, it being the last night and all. He said he isn't a member but he has a friend who is so he'll try to get his key."

Jodi gave a sour look. "You know they'll confiscate any key in the possession of a non-member. This is the last night so his friend will never get his key back. There will be no more sold and those keys will be big collector items."

"Oh. I never thought of that. Oh, I hope he can come." Catherine looked thoughtful. "I don't know if I can wait a month to go for lunch at the bowling alley."

"You'll probably forget him by then and if you do go, you'll look pathetic." Jodi said. She waved her braceleted hand in front of Catherine's face and said, "Or should I say, 'Tres pathétique?'"

"I'll be alright. If he really wants to see me, he'll buy his own collectors item just for one night," Catherine said as she picked up her uniform and Jodi left for the restroom.

"Better make it quick, we gotta start early you know," Catherine said, slowly pulling up the shiny black hose and wiggling her ass to keep them snug without wrinkles. Catherine shuddered as she pulled them up snug and tight. "One thing I do know is that I'm gonna be good all night long whether he comes or not!"

Realizing what she just had said, she made a circle of her mouth then put her hand up while mouthing 'naughty me!'

As she finished slipping on her uniform, Jodi said, "Man this is evening is almost too intense, hurry up woman we haven't got all night."

"I'm coming."

"I know you’re cumming, that's why you asked him to meet you here."

"Ha, ha, very funny," Catherine said, pulling on her uniform. "Now, zip me up!"

Catherine leaned in toward her locker and Jodi zipped her up.

"OOOOOOO!" said Catherine as she straightened up. "I swear these suits get tighter and tighter every time I put them on, feels good though now when you just put them on. They make me feel like a goddess!"

Jodi looked in the mirror, twisting side-to-side to check herself out. The suit itself showed just enough skin to be sexy but stay innocent, a visual symbol of Hef's "Look but don't touch" policy with the Bunnies. "I know what you mean but the only other time these outfits feel good is when you take them off at the end of the shift."

Catherine watched her friend making sure the suit was perfect. "Even so," she told Jodi, "The sex appeal of the costume itself will always hold a certain mystique. It's an amazing experience to stand there in those high-heeled shoes and stockings and see your self in the mirror. It really, literally takes your breath away."

Soon Catherine zipped up Jodi and they were ready, having put on their cuffs and ears and that infamous cottontail. Catherine wore blue to match her eyes, while Jodi wore jet black. Every Bunny really wants a black suit for they are considered the most elegant. They became so popular that now a Bunny has to earn the privilege of wearing one. It could be the most senior girl, a Bunny who really excels in her duties, or epitomizes what is called 'The Bunny Image.'

The two were pretty before but now they were sophisticated, elegant professional women whose beauty was enhanced by the costume. They both knew the sexiest part of the costume wasn't sewn on at all. Part of being a Bunny is being a flirt, and the costume really helped a girl flirt. When they got a tip they'd slip it in what was euphemistically called 'The Bank.' She'd slip it into her cleavage. That was a turn-on, there's no question.

From their dyed-to-match three-inch pumps to the tips of their satin ears, they were all Bunny!

On their way out to the floor they passed through the break-room where other coworkers had shown up and were looking at their packages of Pelfré jewelry.

"Brook!, how ya doin?" asked Catherine beaming.

"Fine. What's with the charm bracelet?"

"Ohhh, you'll find out. If you don't like it, you can sell it to me," said Jodi snickering.

The girls went to the floor to begin their shift, relieving Lisa and Patricia.

Lisa was happy to get off, and the girls bid them farewell.

"Well I'll see you later Catherine, Jodi, it was nice working with you."

"I've got to go to the office, I guess Ralph has something for me, see ya at the party!"

"Gee, I hope it's a bonus," said Jodi.

"Might be," Catherine replied.

The three entered the Playboy Club. If you weren't used to it was overwhelming. Guests needed a Playboy key to gain entrance; it was a kingdom unto itself. The Playboy Club was planned as an elegant key club for powerbrokers and VIPs. Part of the inspiration came from Rick's Cafe American, in the movie Casablanca.

The swanky playmate bar is on the first floor. There is a living room above on the mezzanine with a decadent buffet and glossy dancing floor. On the third level is a velvet VIP room with fine French dining and specially trained Bunnies wearing blue velvet trimmed in silver lamé to match. Upstairs, there is a playroom and then the penthouse playing four shows a night of jazz, magic acts, comedy, musical reviews to packed houses.

They found their stations and noted that most of the tables were filled already and the night was early. The new girls drew the attention of most of the males and some of their dates. They have to remember Keyholders can look but not touch.

The Bunnies are instructed, in a 44-page 'Bunny Manual,' that they can not date customers, give out their phone numbers, last name nor any other personal information, or meet their boyfriends or husbands within two blocks of the club. If they do, they face the penalty of being banned from the "Hutch." Also important is the mantra: "Always remember, your proudest possession is your bunny tail." To ensure enforcement, a 'Bunny Mother,' the matriarch at each club who hires and fires all the bunnies, serves both as confidant and enforcer of the rules.

To ensure absolute conformity with the Hefner rule-book, 'Bunny mother' inspected costume and deportment with all the rigor of a regimental sergeant major. Some Bunny Mothers monitored the weight of their charges with an industrial weighing machine, normally used to measure commodities. Of course, the Bunny Girls were rather more glamorous than piles of Dutch Masters, but commodities they were nonetheless.

As soon as the girls moved into the Bunny Hutch, the resort's bunny dormitory that was inexpensive housing provided to Bunnies, they began Bunny training which consisted primarily of learning the cocktails. Playboy Bunnies are at core, glorified cocktail waitresses. The payoff for all of this was the tips.

There are more than cocktails involved though. They also learn how to cope with the figure-clenching Bunny outfit - keeping stray pubic hairs out of sight, stuffing their regulation D-cups and keeping their bosoms from spilling out into their customers' Martinis. They avoided this singular mishap by employing the so-called 'Bunny Dip,' a backwards twirling motion, when serving drinks.

Customers are not allowed to touch a Bunny and they certainly could not pet or date a Bunny. If a problem arose, she would tilt her head and smile to summon the room director. The Bunny, was always sweet as cherry pie.

Being the last night, the house was packed with horny men and key club members all wanting to get their last look at the famous Playboy Bunnies.

Catherine and Jodi soon were busy serving drinks to members and trying to avoid being groped by them. It was the usual rule not to touch the bunnies, and the club had always strictly enforced it, but since tonight was the last night, it was "no holds barred," and the rules went out the window. The girls were not happy about it but they got into the spirit and only complained when guys went too far.

It wasn't long before things picked up and the other bunnies had begun work. They had plenty of practice doing the Bunny dip; Playboy’s signature manner of serving drinks. They put their knees together, gave a slight roll, the bosom strategically directed away from the customer while the Bunny tail rises. The Bunny Dip requires the Bunny to lean backwards slightly with her tray level at her waist as she balances on one foot in front of the other while bent at the knees. This is the only way to keep from popping out of the top.

They didn't get much practice doing the Bunny Stance for they were too busy to stand and look pretty. It also has a back lean with the knees bent slightly back and the waist bent to bring the upper body vertical. One foot is in front of the other.

The evening seemed to fly by, Catherine and Jodi dodging amorous men, serving drinks and getting their pictures taken with the patrons.

All the girls were selling a lot of drinks and food to the guys and some girls who came with them. They did more 'Bunny Dips' per hour than they ever had before. This job certainly kept their legs shapely and their waists thin.

It was only an hour after they started when Jodi had a moment to talk to Catherine as she waited for drink orders. Jodi spoke quietly and quickly. "The cutest guy just came in and I seated him between our service areas. If you like the other one maybe we can go out together."

Catherine glanced to the table where Jodi was pointing and asked, "Which one is the guy you like?"

Jodi answered, "The shorter one with the brown hair. Do you like the looks of the other one? He's cute too."

Catherine chuckled, "Yeah. I guess. His name is Bill and he's the one I met at the bowling alley today."

At that, Jodi broke into a smile. "It looks all systems go!" and gave the 'thumbs up' sign.

As soon as she could she went to their table to talk to Bill while doing the Bunny Perch. Catherine sat gently on the back of a chair when talking to someone. It requires the away foot to be out to the side and the tray to be in the away hand with the near hand on the seat for stability. It makes conversation more casual being face-to-face than have the customer look up with his head back.

Bill introduced her to Jack, the guy Jodi liked. "I'm glad you could come as this is our last night," she said to them both. "You must be the card holder," she said to Jack, "and I'd like to thank you for showing your support tonight and bringing your friend Bill."

"How can you miss the last call?" Jack answered. "Anyway Bill said this would be a special night even if it wasn't going to be the last one."

Bill asked her, "I should have asked earlier but what are you going to do now? Do you have anything lined up?"

Catherine struggled to keep it upbeat. "I'm planning on seeking something different than serving drinks. One reason is I'll never make what I made here if I become a cocktail waitress and the other reason is I want to do something more professional but I don't know what it is yet."

"I have a suggestion. There is a company that puts on trade shows in the area. Two weeks ago I met one of the managers and he told be they are always looking for people, especially women. It seems they can't keep women as they get married right away."

Suddenly he let out an "HHMMMmfff!" and asked Jack, "What did you do that for?"

Jack just smiled and Bill went on, "Anyway, his name is George and I can get you his phone number."

"It sounds good for me although I don't know what I would do. I'm not planning on getting married until I graduate. This job has been perfect for I earn enough to go to school and the hours don't conflict."

"Well that might be a problem. They put on shows from Cleveland to Denver so they are always on the road. You should talk to them though and find out what they need. I don't know how much they pay but I doubt there are any tips."

She introduced them both to Jodi who was passing to deliver drinks. Later Catherine saw Jodi talking to Jack.

Catherine told Jodi about the job Bill had mentioned and suggested she call the guy too when they have the number. Jodi agreed. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained," she said.

More and more customers came in so the girls were too busy to spend much time with any one table. The customers understood how crowded it was and that with the drinks and feels they had made them expansive and the tips increased.

Before they knew it, it was ten thirty and their shift was coming to and end. About that time Ralph Dergan came up to them and asked them to meet him in his office up stairs, he said he had a parting gift for them.

Catherine and Jodi figured it was a "bonus" and said they would be right up as soon as they could.

"Man I can't wait to get out of here," said Catherine, "this outfit is driving me crazy" she said smoothing her suit.

"Yeah I know, I can't wait to get home and change for some more fun."

"What about the guys, Bill and Jack? They want to go out afterwards."

"You know we can't. There's going to be a party for all the staff and it will last all night," Jodi said.

"I will call Bill in the morning with the number. Tell them we’ll go out with them tomorrow night or after that if they're busy. What do you think?"

"I think that's a plan," Jodi answered. "Let's do it now."

The two girls went to the table and to the guys their was a staff party tonight. The guys agreed

"Well, I'm cashed out Jodi," let's go and see what kind of bonus Ralph's gonna give us."

"I'm with ya!"

Catherine and Jodi headed toward the elevator that would take them up to Ralph Dergan's office, they entered and pressed the button that would take them there.

A soft rap on the door was quickly answered by a curt, "Come in." Ralph was on the phone and indicated the girls to take a seat in the office as he finished his conversation. Ralph too was looking for a job. Once off the phone Ralph told the girls the terms of their termination. "You will be given two weeks pay plus an additional week for every year you have been a Bunny. You can have that all in one check or weekly checks as you prefer. You remember you were not paid the first week so your pay will continue for the number of service years plus three weeks."

"You will be allowed to stay in the Bunny Hutch for four weeks only no matter how many years of service. The Bunny Mother will be there and the same rules will continue to apply."

After that he thanked them, they thanked him for the bracelet, they lightly hugged and they went to change. It was a sad time in the dressing room for it was the last night. Now that she was no longer a Bunny each girl was required to turn in her suit when they left that night. Then they went to await the start of the party an hour after the club closed.

The party was at the Bunny Hutch, a college dormitory style nunnery. This being the last night and the party being for the entire staff including the men, the party was held in the common area and the Bunny Mother set herself near the entrance to the rooms so only the girls could get in easily but not the men.

Open bottles of liquor were brought from the bar as well as a keg of beer and a case of Champagne. It was pour you own but the bartenders helped at the beginning when everyone wanted a drink. There were records and tapes from the girls and a lot of dancing when there was not reminiscing and hugs for nearly any reason. For the most part the staff are friends so there was not as much groping as the Bunnies got from the closing night customers but there was some. Boys will be boys!

The party lasted until dawn when everyone agreed to go for breakfast. That was a sobering experience with lotsa coffee for all and no booze. With all the partiers in party clothes the regulars were in awe.

Catherine called Bill as promised in the morning for the number and to confirm their dates this evening. There was no answer but she was able to leave a message. Catherine used her best, perkiest voice with a husky ending. Men usually called back with that combination of sexual promise and competence. Competent sex was all anyone wanted.

She had to stay at the Hutch to get the call back. When he did, Catherine was professional. She asked questions about the job, the pay and the benefits. It was more responsibility than being a Bunny but mostly it was helping resolve problems at the conferences and being a pretty girl to allay angry men. "Nothing always goes as planned and everything is important to someone. We've found that women are less likely to draw anger or loud voices," George said.

The pay was not as good as Playboy even without tips but George said there is a probationary period after which anyone can apply for any opening. George described some of the other opportunities and pay and it was competitive with Playboy without tips. George said he would have to meet with her before he could accept an application.

Catherine told him about her being in school and he surprised her by telling her she could be about as busy as she wanted just working in town. "We always have conferences there but our work is mostly during weekdays so you have to decide how to trade off with school and work but we can be helpful if people are helpful to us."

Catherine thought that statement suggested 'playing along' but didn't say anything. She would take it as it came but so far she never had trouble saying no; at least not to a sober man.

George asked what her experience was and she told him. After she finished telling him about Playboy he said he would accept an application and promised to send her one. "Fill it out at once and include your best references including your boss at Playboy. We will need people for a conference in Denver the middle of July and you may be working if I get the application back soon."

Catherine told Jodi all about the discussion. "I think this might work out and if you get an application back promptly we can be in Denver together." Then Catherine went to sleep.

While Catherine and Jodi were dressing for their dates they discussed the issue of where they were going to live after September started. All they could agree upon was that they should keep looking for a job until this bird and the bush flew into their hands.

Bill and Jack picked them up in two cars and took them to dinner. Bill wanted to know all about her discussion with George and was pleased it was working out for her.

After dinner they went club hopping until after midnight when the guys took them home. Kissing in the car was all they could do while they lived in the Hutch.

Bill asked Catherine out but Jack didn’t ask Jodi out by again. Not that Jodi has trouble getting dates. Catherine and Bill remained dating as she thought he was cute and he thought she was wonderful.

They still had the problem of finding a place to stay after they had to leave the Hutch. "If we go to Denver then work until school starts we will have little time to find a place. All we've seen so far is too expensive and we've even looked at places for four girls," complained.

Jodi’s friend called with the answer to their housing problem; "House-sitting." A married couple moving on business to Europe for two years needed a trustworthy house-sitter. Catherine and Jodi met with the couple and told them their jobs involved traveling. "My friend can stop by as often as you wish while we're gone," Jodi offered.

The couple accepted them and said to have the friend look in only if they were away for more than two weeks. "Let the neighbors to the west know you'll be gone and they'll look after things. It isn't unusual for us to be gone longer than that when we go on vacation."

The job was perfect for them both with the only problem being class absence when they traveled out of town. Both girls took the job seriously and soon they were directing people who had been directing them. Their Playboy Bunny experience had prepared them to handle many different people from movie stars to people who didn't speak the language not to mention mashers.

One of the things that got the two noticed from the start was the charm bracelet with the Playboy logo and the enamel Bunny.

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