Authors: Michelle Woodward
“More than OK. In fact I’m worried that you’re going to pinching my regulars.”
“I’m worried about my cleavage though.”
“Why... a woman needs to know what her biggest assets are. Although you’re pretty as a china doll, that bosom of yours needs to be loud and proud.”
“Loud and proud... my cleavage is practically screaming.”
“I never thought I had much of a chest.” Janice placed her hands on her ample breasts. “But this bodice has given me tits that I never knew existed.” She peered down her cleavage. ”I mean. I’m pretty sure I could stick a rolled up newspaper down there.”
“That’s the whole point... but it won’t be newspaper.”
“It’s just. I know we’re not supposed to be modest women... but?”
Chantelle folded her arms. “You’re not going to the races, Janice.”
“Sadly not.”
“Although, I’m sure you’re going to get your regulars who will want to start wining and dining you.”
Janice felt skeptical. “Why would a man want to date a woman who can be bought by others?”
“Men don’t think like women.”
“But surely.”
Chantelle checked her makeup in the mirror. “Believe me. I’ve eaten in every restaurant, stayed in hotels a girl can only dream of.” Her luscious lips blew a seductive kiss into the mirror. She then turned to pout at Janice. “This is more than just a common whorehouse... Maggie picks the best... and every man in town knows it.”
“I just don’t understand what makes me tick.”
“They’re simple beasts. As long as you’re pretty and rabid beneath the sheets... he’ll proudly walk the streets arm in arm... as long as his wife is out of town, of course”
“One thing I still don’t understand is that I’ve walked every street in this town and seen nothing to suggest a lavish life style... It’s as poor as poor can get.”
Chantelle stepped to the window and pulled back the red netted curtains. “You’ve obviously stayed on the wrong side of the tracks; we’re surrounded by mining houses and mill workers here.” She then pointed towards a distant hill. “But on the far side, just beyond that hill, is Mount Pleasant. There you’ve got enough business men to keep us employed and on our backs. Cranky Wanky comes from Pleasant.”
“But I thought if you’re rich in pocket, then you’d be rich in mind.”
“Please! They might have clean shirts, Janice. But their minds are as filthy as beggars’ underpants. Believe me, whenever they feel the urge they venture from their leafy streets and mix with the rest of us commoners.”
“Mount Pleasant? Mount Pervert more like.”
“Exactly.” Chantelle glanced at the wall clock. “Right... Stay here.”
“Don’t I come downstairs with you and the rest?”
“No. Not tonight.”
“Why ever not?”
Chantelle placed her hand on the doorknob. “Because Maggie has already got a customer lined up for you.”
“Already?”
“No time like the present. Don’t forget to ring the service bell when all is done... and Maggie will help you with your first business transaction.
~
Janice paced around the bedroom. Her skin felt clammy while her heart thumped away in her chest. She opened the bedside cabinet and took out a tub of Vaseline. “I suppose I’ll be needing that.” After placing the tub on the surface of the cabinet she shook her head before hiding the Vaseline back in its drawer. “What am I doing here..? I need to get out. ” Walking across the room to the window the sound of the heels echoed around the room. Her knees began to tremble as she peered down a long queue of men. “Bloody hell.” She felt her stomach churn. “Calm down... just think of Philadelphia.”
The door knock caused Janice to open her eyes. After muttering a quiet prayer she answered, “Come in.” She smiled the best she could as the door opened and in stepped a middle aged man wearing a bowler hat and suit. He looked as if he had just finished his shift in the bank. “Good evening, Sir.”
“Good evening, Madam... My name is Samuel.”
“I’m Janice.”
“I must say...” Samuel took hold of Janice’s trembling hand, sensing her fear as he raised it to his mustached lips. “You’re absolutely delightful.”
“Thank you.”
“But you quiver like a captured bird.”
“I’m new.”
Samuel smiled. He took off his bowler to reveal his slicked hair. He then placed the hat on the stand which stood in corner of the room. “So Maggie told me.” Feeding his arm out of his overcoat, he then hung his jacket next to hat bowler. “There’s no need to be frightened... I know how to treat a woman.”
“I have Vaseline if that’s what you mean.”
“Vaseline..?” Samuel blushed. “Someone has a bit of experience.”
“I haven’t.”
“I might start calling you Ms. Vaseline.”
“I was just told it helps. I’ve never used it before, honest. I never really needed to.” Janice spoke faster with every word she spoke. “Don’t have the wrong opinion of me. I shouldn’t be here. It’s just circumstances have put me in this place, rather than any desire for whoring.”
Samuel took Janice’s hand and led her to the bed where he sat and gestured her to do the same. “So where do I begin.”
“A bedroom is much the same as a ballroom.”
“In what sense?”
“The man is supposed to lead his woman.”
“We’ve obviously never met before, have we?”
Janice bit her lip while panicking over her faltering start. She couldn’t focus nor could she control her breathing. “I’m new, not just to this house... but in all facets of this trade.”
“Believe me, there is no need to tremble, I will treat you like a woman.”
“I’m sorry. But you’re my first client I will be better if you wish to visit me a second time.”
“I feel honored to be your first.”
Janice’s body felt rigid. “Please be gentle with me.”
“All I want from you is your ears for listening. As I wish to talk about my broken heart that will not heal.”
“That’s great!” Janice then covered her mouth. “Oh Lord... I mean. I know it’s not great for you.” Janice placed her hand on Samuel’s shoulder who faced the wall. “Sorry, Samuel. Christ... I didn’t mean any offense. ”
“It’s OK.”
“This isn’t going well. Is it?”
“It could be better.” Samuel turned back to face Janice. “But I’m not overly offended.”
“Are you still interested in talking?”
“Of course.”
Janice lightly tapped Samuel’s knee. “I’m all ears.”
“Maybe not something I should admit too. But I’m a regular to this establishment. I have done since Meredith passed away three years ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. How did she pass?”
“During the birth to our second son. I lost the both of them.”
Janice yelped. “That’s horrendous.” She then placed a hand on his back, and felt him rock as he began to relive his raw emotions. “Oh you poor man.”
“Life can feel cruel sometimes.”
“You must miss her.”
“Terribly. She was my soul-mate. For months I found it difficult to live... never mind leave the house to work” Samuel shook his head while a rivulet of tears ran the length of his cheeks. “My days felt pointless. I opened the shop and only to sit behind the register to cry.”
“Did your loved ones help you?”
“They might mean well. But listening to people tell me how sorry they were... or to keep my chin up, meant nothing to me as no one could understand the sadness I felt.”
“She must have been a good woman.”
“The best I have ever met.”
Janice’s mind searched her for appropriate questions. “Tell me about her. What did she look like?”
“You bear more than a passing resemblance... maybe half a stone lighter than she was.”
“I’m sure she must have been prettier than me.”
“Maybe.” A wistful smile lifted Samuel’s face. “Her cheeks were full and she had the kindest eyes you can imagine. Just looking at her made you want to smile. ”
“Sounds like she made you complete. How long were you married?”
“I knew her my whole life. Childhood sweethearts that lived on the same street. Marriage seemed like the natural step to take.”
“At least you have loved.”
“I have.” Samuel’s eyes shimmered with tears. He took out a hanky from his trouser pocket before wiping his nose. “I know it must be strange to watch a man cry. It’s an unusual therapy for me, I admit. But it certainly helps me.”
“I feel honored to help.”
“And you. What brought you to... you know. This life?”
Janice rolled her eyes then shook her head. “I came to Newtown for love. Travelled all the way here from Philadelphia.”
“That’s the East coast. It must have cost you a fortune.”
“It did, that’s why I’m here... to earn enough money so I can return.”
Samuel asked, “But what about your man? How did your love turn sour?”
“He has another woman.”
“The heartless bastard... who could be better than you?”
“Well he believes he’s found one.” Janice wanted to turn the conversation away from her own heartache. “Why do you pay to talk to the likes of me? Surely you can find someone to talk to, who want charge you for talking.” Janice shrugged. “Save you a fortune.”
“It feels good to talk to people I don’t really know. Plus women are more understanding and less likely to judge me. Men just tend to think that I’m weak.”
The knock on the door signaled the end of Samuel’s time. He stood from the bed, gave a shy bow towards Janice. “Thank you for your time.”
“You’re more than welcome. I... I hope all my clients are as kind as you.”
“I fear that will not be the case.”
“It scares me to think of what I will go through in order to get back to Philadelphia. All I wanted was to find love... and all I found is this degrading existence.”
Samuel took his jacket from the stand. “Janice.”
“Yes.”
“I have a son of seventeen years.”
“You don’t look old enough.”
“He is shy and retreating.” Samuel placed his bowler hat on his head. “One might say he takes after his father.”
“Not such a bad thing if he did.”
“How about I take you to meet him tomorrow?”
“You’re matching your son with a hooker? Surely you want better for him.”
“I don’t view you as one. You told me I was your first client. Don’t tell me that was a lie, now?”
Janice nodded. “That is true.” She then rubbed her fingers down the back of her neck. “But by all accounts I’m going to be on my feet... or rather my back, until daybreak.”
“Right... Can I speak to Maggie on your behalf?”
“Depends what you will speak to her about?”
Samuel lifted his wallet from out of his trouser pocket. “I wish to buy you out of any contract you have with her.”
“Why?”
“I have need for a new maid. Plus that way you will remain a fit for my son.”
“I’m not sure if Maggie will agree.”
“Maggie will have no choice in the matter.” Samuel fingered through the notes. “Just the scent of banknotes makes her weak at the knees.”
“That’s mighty kind. But it will take me an eternity to get back to Philadelphia on a domestic maid’s salary.”
“I won’t be paying you a maid’s wage.”
“A whore’s wage?”
Samuel tapped the wallet up and down on his hand. “I will pay for your travel back to Philadelphia in a month’s time. You don’t need to worry about that. In the meantime, I just want you to give my son a fair chance.”
“But what if we’re not a good match?”
“You’ll still get your ticket if that’s what you mean. You have my word on that.”
“Although that’s a striking outfit you’ve got yourself.” Samuel opened the door. “Before we leave, I would like you to dress a little more appropriate, first. You understand?”
“Yes.” Janice broke into a large smile. “Right away.”
~
Inside the grandest house she had ever set foot in, Janice wiped the damp cloth over the kitchen worktop. She heard the sound of footsteps in behind her, and then turned around. A tall and handsome man shyly spun about to walk back out. “Joshua?”
“Hi.... sorry, you must be the maid. Father has told me about you.”
“I am. I have been looking forward to see you... but our paths haven’t crossed for the last three days. I was beginning to think your father had lied to me.”
“I’ve been busy.”
Janice smiled. “What are you looking for? Can I help you with anything?”
“Something I can take out for lunch... I’m going out into the field today.”
“Into the field? There’s nothing but desert around here.”
“It’s an expression we use in science... it just means I’m working outdoors.”
Janice opened the cupboard, and then took out a jar of marmalade. “Oh... so you’re a scientist?”