Chapter 30: CODE NAME SINGAPORE WHORE

EROS is clear of the traffic lanes, with clear horizons and no blips marring the radar screens. Captain Laura dismissed the extra lookouts for the time being. It’s been a hectic time for all, and confusing for nearly everyone. No one has really relaxed for days. For the first time in days, everything is now calm and peaceful. With one exception.

High above it all, an intense meeting of fanatical geniuses is underway. Each member contributes her own genius in a different area. Each has her own bone to gnaw and worry. They are well disciplined, and organized. They are four.

“Hope we don’t run over anything. Nobody’s on watch on the bridge. Laura and Phil are in a serious rut. On the floor.” Flor reports. She’s the last to arrive.

“We’re on watch up here. And the floor is properly called the deck, dear.” Bebe corrects her mentally challenged, adored lovable and loving daughter.

“Can I help it, if naturally, I happen to like the word floor better?” Flor defends her word use preference. Giggles.

“Everybody on board is trained for an emergency. No worries there.” Luz, in Luz child corporeal form, smooths and soothes any loose tattered nerves among them.

“If I have to hear ‘If in doubt, pull...” Carlita gags on the unfinished phrase.

“You dirty dog! Barf, barf!” Flor mimics dog barking and vomiting. All pretend to gag and barf, punctuated with giggles.

“Okay, enough of that, settle down girls. Grams?” Bebe defers to their senior, eldest member, as the natural leader.

“Thank you, Bebe. Club will come to order. Calling the roll and reading of old minutes, dispensed with as ridiculous. Ahem. We have a report from our principle field agent, on the status of the ... Explain why again, we need to use a code name?”

“Thank you Grams. Reporting on the current status of the ‘Singapore Whore’. I installed the subject with a Wee friend and relative, sorry no names please, who owns and manages a House in Singapore. The subject has better than adequate food and shelter, and wise old souls to watch over, guard, and guide him, oops, IT.

The House is prosperous and long established, with an excellent reputation for cleanliness and health. No walk in trade, no call outs, all business strictly on premises. Excellent security, and all clients are pre-screened, backgrounds, financial status investigated and checked. The facility enjoys protection and concessions from many friends and former clients in high office. Police as well as government. They speculate remaining in business for many decades to come.

The House specializes in providing Lady-boys and underage girls, primarily to rich tourists on underground promoted ‘Oriental Sex Tours’. Need I specify the supposed children are actually Wee masquerades? The subject we now refer to as the ‘Singapore Whore’ is safe and is being trained in ‘The Life’ as a profession.” Carlita finishes her report. Nods to Luz. Scattered applause.

Luz reclaims the floor. “Questions? Floor is open.”

“Rand ... Ow! Sorry! The, uh, subject is now a Lady-boy? That’s sad!”

Flor whimpers, rubbing her shoulder where Carlita punched her, a reminder to be more careful of her word choices. Everyone is appalled at this lady-boy idea. All look to Carlita for clarification.

“No, of course not, nonsense, that makes me giggle to even imagine Ran ... OW!”

Carlita glares at smug Flor, self-satisfied after her revenge punch to Carlita’s shoulder.

“Code words are your own regulation, you imposed upon the rest of us. Don’t imagine you are exempt, or above the club’s regulations, Carlita.”

Bebe sternly admonishes. Flor hugs her mom in gratitude for her support.

“Sorry. Continuing. The subject is not yet a sex worker. In one aspect, THAT is a sad state, because rrr-the subject’s debt is mounting, and the interest rate is, ahem, usurious, putting it mildly. The small emolument credited to hz, cough, THE account for service as a doorman and greeter, doesn’t even cover hz, cough, Costs for food each day. Debt is mounting rapidly, daily.”

“When the subject has completed training, and begins receiving clients, only a small percent of client fees actually accrue to the worker, the bulk is retained by the house. From this small percentage earned, the worker must maintain their-self for their daily expenses, or else if earnings are minuscule, fall ever deeper in debt, AND, they are expected to begin paying back, the owed monies, out of their meager earnings. ‘The Life’ while attached to a House, is a difficult life.