Hank Leland SEIU Research (what else) Department
Doug Henwood wrote:
> [from Tracy Quan, Diary of a Manhattan Call Girl (A Nancy Chan
> Novel), Crown, August 2001, pp. 109-111]
>
> MONDAY, 3/13/00
>
> Today I felt a trifle guilty, listening to Allison's taped radio show
> with jasmine-who couldn't stop chuckling at "the blondness of it
> all." Allie was waxing enthusiastic about the joy of Hooking in that
> smooth yet breathless voice that has inspired so many other kinds of
> calls.
>
> "This," Allie was saying, "is an empowering career. I see this as
> goddess work, I don't do it just for the money, Society benefits from
> the healing sexuality of women like me! We are responsible for
> relieving countless headaches, for teaching men about safe sex. We
> are not just sexual heaters. We are social healers. And yet we're
> being persecuted. By the patriarchy!"
>
> "But," Doug Henwood, the host, replied in an earnest tone, think we
> have to acknowledge that many people, not as privileged or attractive
> as you, are forced into it by circumstance. How healing is it for
> them?"
>
> "The New York Council of Trollops represents all the sex workers in
> this city!" she simpered. "And we're collecting used clothing in good
> condition for the NYCOT Street Project." She spelled out NYCOT's
> website for Henwood's listeners. "We accept shoes, clothing,
> accessories. A pair of designer boots can help a sex worker in Hunts
> Point command a higher price for her services! And a pair of pajamas
> will keep a homeless sex worker warm when she's not working. If you
> have blankets, coats, mittens -"
>
> "What about the darker side of your industry?" the host asked. "Have
> you ever had a problem with a customer?"
>
> There was an awkward pause.
>
> "Well, for those of us who freely choose to be sex workers," she
> finally chirped, "we have learned to define our own boundaries. You
> see, Doug, this is an integral part of our job. We define the terms!"
>
> My jaw dropped as I pictured Jack importuning Allie's doorman,
> overloading her voice-mail box, plotting a "surprise" orgy behind her
> back - all because Allie was foolish enough to take money for
> services not rendered. So much for Allie's terms and definitions.
>
> "I've heard enough," Jasmine cackled, "The boundaried one has spoken."
>
> "Wait, wait, you have to hear the phone calls!
>
> We listened to a few abbreviated calls from lewd listeners. The host
> cut them off quickly.
>
> "As I was telling Allison, there are seven words you can't use around
> here - we'll lose our license," he remarked dryly. "Bye for now,
>
> Then a sweet-sounding elderly widower from Queens bemoaned a recent
> roundup of street girls in his neighborhood. "It's been a lonely two
> weeks," he told Allie. "Maybe your organization could send some
> ladies out to Roosevelt Avenue?"
>
> "Oh, I wish we could," Allie burbled, "but that's illegal. We don't
> want to be charged with promoting prostitution, We're a support group
> for sex workers at every stage of their sexual and political
> evolution. Not an outcall service."
>
> "Sexual evolution, eh? Well, you sound like a very interesting young
> woman. Good night."
>
> Jasmine's response to all this was, at first, predictable. "Allison's
> throwing away the best years of her life! She wouldn't be wasting her
> time on this movement if she had any sense." Then she looked pleased.
> "She's giving that ex-hooker Roxana what'sher-name a run for her
> money! Has Roxana ever seen All About Eve? She'd better watch out!
> Allison's no brainiac but she's more plausible than the current
> leadership. For one thing, she's good-looking. And she waxes her
> snatch!" A partisan note was creeping in here. "That's more than we
> can say for Roxana! I mean, if there has to be a hookers' movement,
> I'd rather be represented by a chick who waxes. Wouldn't you?"