Still not up to the discussion on love and loss, but I am feeling touched by the Muse and so, writing!
I'm not really a fan of steampunk, but I like costuming and history and the like. I have decided to actually choose a 'persona' (Well, if I'm going to keep going to see SPG at steampunk cons, I may as well, right? It'll stop me from being at a loss when people ask "So who are you?")... I've actually been working on this choice off and on for about a year but after some thought I have changed my mind and who I wanted to be. Anyway. Here, I write a beginnning....
Now, most folks in this day and age are more interested in the here and now, and what's on the surface. I tell you, no one on this earth knows more about what's on the surface, and how to use it, than me.
I spent my youngest years in relative squalor. I'm not ashamed of it, you have to mindful of where you began to know where you are going. I lived with my parents, and with 4 older brothers. I wasn't as strong or as fast as my brothers at their work.. which I suppose made me be a bit of a disappointment. Still, to be sure, it was a wonderful time. When I was younger, we would all go down to see Missus Zantica. To say that I was enamoured with her is an understatement. She was always elegantly dressed, and had a voice that purred pure butter cream. Even with this softest of demeanor, there was a coolness to her that, if angered, turned into a red hot fire. Sometimes literally.
At any rate, she would give us sweets and tell us stories, which was more than I could ask for at home. She always spoke whimsically of Parisian towns and sensibilities, of cold wintry nights... of ballroom dances. Flights of fancy to be sure. And definitely different from the seedy bottom of San Diego. Missus Zantica always said she wanted to bring some class to this shanty town, one way or another. I would soon learn what exactly she meant by that.
It was not long after I blossomed that I came under her tutelage. It wasn't easy being a poor girl in this town, especially with my skin color, and so it was quite a relief to me (and my family) that I came into her 'care'. It was then that I learned my letters, and how to keep track of numbers, as well as other talents... ones which come to mind when they mention The Business, I'm sure.
The Missus instilled in me at that time an appreciation of who I was, who we all were. "When the clients come to see you, they are not just coming in for a cheap thrill. They want to be entertained, dazzled. You are the living embodiment of their every wish, dream and desire." These words she would often say to us before opening up shop in the evening, and these words I carry in my heart.
Even with all the flowery language, and pretty imagery, it was still a dirty time. Some menfolk were known to be ...rough.. with us. "Just a part of the business." Missus Z would say, as she bandaged us up. I...was often at the short end of this stick... but I still earned my keep, and kept myself tight lipped until one day...
I was 21 years old, and had been working for Missus Z for 8 years. She was old, then, on her last days even, though she still kept that fiery spirit that she was known for. She had called me in to see her, one afternoon. Her lawyer was there, a quiet gent with a nervous manner. "Ahh, hello there Francine. I was just drafting my will." Her head tilts towards the man. "We all know our time on here is short and, I wouldn't want you girls to go without, so here. Everything will be yours to do as you want."
And boy howdy, have I done it and moreso! Some folks say what I do is crude, but I am not running some cheap whorehouse by the waterfront. We accept all types, and each employee is treated with care and respect. I will not tolerate anyone abusing my sons and daughters. And I will make sure you will regret ever crossing Lady Ravenia.
...This is just a rough draft. There's more to tell, but I'm all out of writing juice for now.
No comments:
Post a Comment