Red Light

January 16, 2011

It wasn’t the slip of money….or the knock on her small red door that was so surreal to watch. It was the awkward exchange of glances that led to a few minutes of tension and release.

She stood in her black bra and panties guarding her tiny 3 by 7 foot red room. A mirror on her left where she peered to steal a few glances, making sure the product was up to par.

The door cracked open and the glances started.

He shrugged to see if she was open, she scrunched her face together as to say he better pay well if he was going to come into her one room home.

He said a price, she lifted her eyebrow, and he dropped twenty more.

The velvet curtain closed….

Another women has just opened her curtain with a look on her face as if it was time for a coffee break.

The man put himself together they chatted about…well I can’t imagine….not about another date, or a drive-in, probably not even a phone number.

She gently opened her door as to say, “Thank-you for the business.”

I always wanted to know how this human need in us blooms into an urge so bad we go window-shopping for a quickie. When did the laughing group of teenage boys turn into the well-educated men of the night?

Did she feel happy here? The girls from Chicago didn’t seem to think so. I questioned whether she was forced or willing to sell her body. I thought how crazy she must be if she wanted this for a life. Then I thought people would do anything to survive. It was a game of cat and mouse played in my head the whole night.

To me it was very sad. Sad that a woman had to sell the one thing in this world that is truly hers. Sad that many girls didn’t have a choice. Sad that people need the sensation so bad.

I needed to see more. Next time. It’s not hard to find…..it’s all over the world.