After Hope Dies

by Lilly Haraden

  The front of his home is like any other. Weather panel, bull-eyed windows and a sad little attempt at colour in the garden. Dani walks the paces to the door and knocks gently, turning to see if Snow White is still there tied to the streetlamp. Door creaks open and a not-so-young woman fills up the space.

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Mrs Weaving? I’m Janelle Broadchurch’s big sister. She wanted me to deliver something to Hugo on her behalf.’

  The woman repeats the words ‘big sister’ with more than a note of frigidity; white and black don’t mix, do they. Dani smiles and confesses, ‘We work together.’

  ‘I see. Well, give the package to me and—’

  Dani hears footsteps crunch down the hall and a second later Mrs. Weaving is gone from view. Dani strains and hears an unknown man say, ‘Is ok, Momma, I’ll speak with her.’ And Hugo appears. Christ. Janelle was no exaggerator, was she – this man is enormous. Twice her size and twice her height! Well…ok, he’s a head taller and a fair bit wider than Dani…like Russel Hobbs from Gorillaz. Anyway, Hugo slips out through the front door and smiles to his mother as she walks into obscurity. With the door closed and adults outside, the man smiles at Dani and starts, ‘Janelle sent me a heads-up saying you were comin. What can I do for you?’

  Dani hands the man her gift, all wrapped neat inside a white bag. Hugo takes it with a strange look in the eye, and the woman explains, ‘We put our heads together for this one. But this is my way of saying thank you for everything you’ve done for my Janelle.’

  ‘I don’t even know you.’

  ‘Well, now you do.’

  Hugo smiles, happy, and digs down to retrieve the boxes. The first: an open plastic panel on the front shows off the lovely girl inside, all pale and white and golden. Man nods and smiles. Box two is remarkably similar but the inhabitant is a Japanese girl clad in a sports jacket and pants, yellow and bee-like, standing in front of a…bulldozer? Anyway, man nods and smiles. ‘Nice.’

  ‘Who are they?’

  Hugo puts the boxes back and thinks to himself for a moment, as if he’s deciding upon the worth of explanation. Satisfied, he proceeds: ‘Characters from an anime. One’s an old vampire in a girl’s body and the other’s a vigilante fighter of supernatural spirits.’

  Dani crosses her arms and replies, ‘Well, seems fitting for you, then.’

  ‘Sure does.’ And without hesitation, Hugo continues, ‘Mind if I ax you a question?’

  Dani nods and Hugo leans against the front of his home, causing the entire structure to tilt off-balance. Man looks her dead in the eyes and asks, ‘You a prostitute too?’

  ‘Mmm.’

  ‘Do you think that using kids for the job is the right thang to do?’

  ‘No.’

  Hugo looks away and says to the lawn, ‘Been thinkin’ about Janelle in a place like that. Thinkin’ how it is that people would go to a club and have sex with her. What’d make them do that. Why they’d want to hurt her like that.’

  ‘Janelle doesn’t work as a sex worker any more.’

  ‘Good. Fact is: she did.’

  ‘She did.’ Dani narrows her eyes and senses there’s more to this conversation. Like, why he’s focusing on Janelle and not Dani, the woman responsible for Janelle’s suffering. Woman asks, ‘You’re judging the people that used her?’

  ‘Just wonderin’ why it happens at all.’

  Dani offers, crossing her arms, ‘Humanity’s been at this for a long time, longer than you or I have existed. It keeps happening and there’s a reason for it. Fact that we’re all shit-poor doesn’t help, now does it? Biological, psychological – sure – but why aren’t there child brothels in Shanghai? So, if you were given the opportunity, would you use a girl like Janelle?’

  Hugo’s silent for a long moment then meets the woman’s gaze and murmurs, ‘That’s what I’m afraid of. Funny thing is: she thinks I’m like a God. She doesn’t know how wrong she is.’

  Dani bites her lip. Damn, why did he just admit to something like that straight off the bat? Because she herself is a prostitute, that you can’t break something already broken? But the woman shakes her head. ‘No. Fact is that you saved her life. If the evil in our hearts discounted all the good deeds we do in life, then the world would be without good.’

  ‘Guess you’re right.’

  Dani checks her phone and chimes, ‘Got to get to work.’

  ‘I won’t keep you. But can you do one thang for me?’

  Woman nods readily and the man replies as he opens the front door, ‘Look after Janelle. Please.’

  ‘I will.’

  Big man steps through the small entrance in a way that’s almost comical, but Dani just feels a little sad…even the vigilante of justice has a perversion.

  Well, that’s kindness number one out of the way. Kindness number two:

  Stallwind’s east, up past Chinatown and closer to the harbour. Where the houses become homes and elevation marks wealth. Snow White’s only been here once before on her mission to drop the girls off after their reunion. Here we are. Two good stories stacked like a cake adrizzle with afternoon honey. No need to tie the cycle up here, but Dani checks herself in the side mirrors to make sure she’s respectable with her smart riding jacket, blue hair, white pants. Like a true modern woman. Crunch and sizzle sings the doorbell. Gift under the arm.

  Man answering the door this fine afternoon. Ah, they’ve met before – those eyes recognise Dani and the women smiles as she brings out her best Mandarin.

  ‘Hěn bàoqiàn dǎrǎo nǐ. Shì nǚhái de jiā?’

  The man laughs a little with eyes not so unkind and replies, ‘Your Mandarin is almost as good as mine.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘I mean, I dream of the day someone comes to my home and says hello in Hokkien. Grandma would like that. Still. Here to see the girls?’ His mood’s changed quite a bit since their first visit. Maybe the safe return of his daughter and – shock horror – no expectation of a reward possibly softened this man’s heart to the motives of a professional slut.

  ‘Yes, just briefly, I won’t take up too much of their time.’

  ‘Well, as long as you don’t recruit them.’ Said with a smile. Ha. Ha. Ha.

  Adults take up residence in the kitchen as father calls his daughters down. Yi-Ting arrives first. Ah such radiance in that smile as the eyes sparkle. Little jacket and tight socks. Her arms so warm around Dani’s neck as the two hug; Dani looks up, still connected to Yi, and smiles with Una, older sister by the threshold. Yi breaks free and announces, ‘Really good to see you again!’

  ‘You too, you too. Back at school?’

  Yi-Ting nods. (Stay in school, kids. It’s important to get to college, get educated and start your adult life with eight hundred thousand EUS dollars in debt.)

  ‘Got something for you both. Here, and pass the other box to your sister.’

  ‘What are they?’ Yi-Ting asks with her eyes on the small white box. Her sister comes to take her own and responds, ‘Open and see, you dunce.’

  Birds. Cranes. Glassy creatures carved with lines of silver, orbit-black eyes. Strung on a fine necklace of keen chain. Dani had seen the pair on her collection trip to the jewellers. Turns out you can afford expensive stuff when you slip a few counterfeits over the counter. Anyway, could there be a more perfect gift for the girls? These two matching cranes in left and right symmetry fashioned and made as a companion piece. One for each sister. Dani watches the dark colour reflect in Yi-Ting’s eyes as the crane sits between her fingers. She’s lost there for a long moment before running the silver thread over her head and neck. There the crane sits neat above her bosom. Una’s already wearing it. Her expression is impossible to describe. The younger sister takes Dani’s hand and says, ‘Thank you, Dani. You’re my hero, you know?’

  Dani laughs it off and smiles gratefully as older sister doubles the thanks. Father by the kitchen door with his arms crossed, watching mute and attentive. Hint of a smile.

  ‘Da
d, can Dani stay for dinner?’

  Una chips in, ‘I’ve bought enough for extra.’

  Dani spares their father any attempt at allowing a prostitute to stay over for any longer than necessary. ‘Oh, girls, that’s so kind, but I have work tonight.’

  Put that frown away, young girls. You’re better off without me.

  Goodbyes at the door. Three happy family members waving and waving until click! Behind wood. And they’re gone.

  My hero. What does that mean? To be someone’s hero. Idol. Is one good deed all it takes for a lifetime of sin to purify so suddenly? Or is it a symptom, a clue, of a fundamental good lurking inside her, in place of the soul she traded away to a monster. For indeed, you would have to be a soulless creature to start up that Snow White and drive to the government housing blocks to pick up an eleven-year-old girl for sex work.

  Bzzzzzzzzzz. Who is it? It’s Dani, you all ready? Oh, Dani! Please, come up.

  It’s heartbreaking to watch father hug daughter as if he’s saying farewell forever. So long and full. Maria says she’s embarrassed by her dad’s love but that she’ll be back later on. Father makes Dani promise to deliver her home safely.

  ‘I promise.’

  Slightly unpleasant part – Dani reaches into her pocket and pulls out two little pink square cards, hands one over to the girl’s father, explains, ‘These are her details, right? Numbers on the back in case anything goes wrong and you need support.’

  Mugshot: chestnut brown-haired girl, smiling sweet, ‘Professional AE Worker’ and prostitute category details by her side. Class ‘M’ for minor. Father pockets the card and sighs.

  Maria takes her own card, holds it up to her nose and looks deep into her future.

  Out on the square, hand-in-hand with the child now. A few kids have accumulated in the vicinity of Snow White and Dani thinks glumly that she was two minutes away from losing the front wheel. The crowds scatter when they see the mistress coming. She’ll park somewhere safer next time…

  ‘You all ready for your first work shift!’

  ‘Uh-huh. I’m kind of nervous.’

  Dani lets Maria fiddle with the helmet sheet to see whether she can do it herself this time. After some serious puzzle-piece fiddling the sphere pops open – success! Dani applauds the young thing as she performs a bow, thank you thank you, as liquid chocolate hair catches in the last sun spilling over her shoulders. What’s she wearing under that jacket? Dani will give her the once-over at the club. They’ll need to shop for better clothes, surely. Maybe Janelle can come along…

  ‘What are you looking at?’ Miss Cheeky.

  Dani is looking at the beginnings of a new little slut.

  ‘Nothing. Let’s get going!’

  First shift

  Sunday night. Really a middle day for the patrons. No craziness like the Thursday (almost-weekend) to Saturday night (actual crazy), and nowhere near as placid or strange as Monday to Wednesday when the secret pervs come, or the men who are so harmless it’s almost scary. Sunday is the middle. Sunday is a mixture and a good place to start for a young thing that is going to be serving the men.

  Dani parks and escorts her charge past the fancy cars lined up beside the club; Maria’s eyes magnetise to the expensive wheels, astounded gasp to see such riches. Fritzy and an extra goon greet them at the rear entrance; well, it takes the old bouncer a second to notice they’re approaching – Candy Crush can do horrible things to a man’s senses and perception of the world. At least Bax made good on his promise for extra help. Maria hides behind Dani a little bit. Oh, Fritzy isn’t that bad, is he?

  ‘Beaten Bax’s high score yet?’

  Big dude hops from foot to foot and replies, ‘Nah, man, shit. It’s like he’s from outta this world. I spen’ hours workin’ to beat his score an’ he tops it in five minutes. That’s some pay-to-play buuuullshit right there, no matter what he be sayin’. You play, young miss?’

  Maria takes Dani’s hand and nods a little. Dani gives the girl a look that says it’s ok, he won’t hurt you, then gives Fritzy a look that says don’t you dare hurt her.

  Girl murmurs, ‘I do.’

  ‘We shud team up and wipe the floor with him. Before you know it, we’ll be the top of the club ranking!’

  It’s happening again. The evil is repeating, like a ceaseless, manic heart, beating when it should not.

  Maria smiles a little and Dani shuffles them past the bouncer pair. Inside now, on the mezzanine level facing the front, where curtains and pillars obscure the back entrance. Maria asks her big sister who Bax is.

  ‘He’s our boss. Usually he doesn’t meet with the girls unless he really wants to see them.’

  ‘Is he scary?’

  ‘Is a pussycat scary?’

  Maria laughs. Dani’s distracted. There’s an atmosphere in the club that’s usually reserved for one of the more rambunctious nights. Voices and shadows dance through the curtains to the main venue; Dani steers little Maria down the back corridor and into the private areas. Baths on the left, dressing rooms on the right. Dani takes the shoulders of her young charge and steers her into the dressing space. Here, these rows of women preening in front of their star-lit mirrors like gaudy office cubicles. Energy and perfume tease the air. Dani catches sight of Madia – minder of Frankie, Julie and May. Still wearing normal clothes. Over she comes through the small army of women in various stages of undress.

  ‘Dani! Dani, Bax wants to see you.’

  Her heart sinks. ‘Right.’

  Madia leans in closer and whispers, ‘Extra security tonight, what’s the deal?’

  Janelle’s death. Bax kept that one super-quiet, though, and seems to have followed through with the promise of extra eyes inside. Dani shrugs back and Madia turns to the little girl, cooing, ‘Oh, and who’s this?’

  Young girl pipes up, ‘Maria Barco.’

  ‘Pleasure to meet you, young Maria Barco,’ and Madia taps the girl friendly on the nose. ‘Dani tells me you’re a new waitress.’

  ‘That’s right.’

  Dani bends down and says to her sister, ‘Maria, why don’t you go off with Madia and meet some of the other girls! Oh, don’t give me that look – nobody bites. I’ll be back in five. We’re working together tonight, remember? I just gotta speak with the boss first, ok?’

  ‘Ok.’

  Dani gives a look to Madia. She understands. Little Maria wanders off with Madia’s arm on her back as they traipse through the jungle of pink lights and pink tights, of mirrors, of girls and tokens and personal belongings and bags and beds and coke machines and kitchen sinks and televisions and books and to a gaggle of girls Maria’s age and up. Tiny smiles. Little wave of the hand.

  My God. Why are there so many girls here tonight…?

  Dani leaves. Anxiety rises. The woman storms from the private areas, feeling the fury touch her heart. By the time she reaches Bax’s secret corridors and enters his office, she is a living tempest. Enter. Smoke and light; she parts her way through the Red Sea of spirits and finds Bax in his circle. He’s standing, back to her, deep in conversation with a few ghosts who have taken on a slightly more real guise…as if brave, emboldened by the fact that only Bax can see them. Strangely human, strangely animal. They shrink back to outlines as Dani casts her eye on them but their form is unmistakable. Sensing the change in his friends, Bax turns sharp and greets Dani, extending both arms. You’re here!

  ‘Bax, what the fuck is going on?’

  All neon and strange, the man replies, ‘PD made a last-minute booking tonight so we’re short of girls. Called in the whole crew. It’s gon’ be a mad Sunday.’

  Dani keeps her cool and says forcefully, pushing the ghosts back into their circle of grey, ‘They’re supposed to make a booking two weeks in advance so we can accommodate them and screen them. What’s this about better security, eh? Call Marcel and cancel it. We can’t send a message that they can barge in whenever the fuck they feel like. We’re not on-tap luxury for them.’

  Bax waves
it away. ‘Ahh, the sweet bureaucratic principles of bookings and timings seem not all that sweet when compared with a sweeter payment. A very, very generous one.’ Bax folds his arms and says with a smile, ‘It’ll be nothing out of the ordinary – on par with a busy night. Oh, did you bring your new recruit with you today? Fantastic. She can start.’

  ‘Start,’ Dani repeats, feeling the oil spark in her veins.

  ‘Why not?’

  Dani keeps herself from yelling. ‘She’s not on contract to do sex work.’

  ‘Oh, just send her home afterwards with triple pay for the night.’

  Woman spells out with her hands, slow, ‘No, I mean she’s already signed a contract.’

  Bax narrows his eyes and slaps a hand across his thigh. ‘Damn it. Paperwork’s a double-edged bitch.’ Shakes his head, slurps air in disgust, continues, ‘Can we work around it? Tonight’s not the night for this. We’ve got a bidding war for Frankie and Mars going on later and barely enough girls to accommodate the spillover. Luna says she’s three girls down on account of whooping cough and I’ve had Crystal and Denise cancel on me. Shit, Daniela, this isn’t the time to blue-ball our customers.’

  ‘I’ll walk if you force her to have sex with the clients.’

  Bax smiles a little, pitiful. ‘Don’t pretend like you have that much power.’

  That’s enough! Fuck it all. Dani’s resolve breaks and the acid rises; she points to the spirit and roars, ‘You and this club wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for what I did. You think I traded my soul so you could live on only to abuse and take advantage of us? Like I wanted to give up my humanity so you could lure more young girls in? How fucking dare you.’

  Bax narrows his eyes. ‘Careful now.’

  Dani repeats. ‘I’ll walk. I’ll pull the plug on this club. And you’ll die in the process.’

  Bax takes a step towards her, very carefully, and concedes, ‘As is your right. But for the very same reason you traded your soul with that monster in the first place, you won’t betray us now. You can’t let this place die: eighty women, thirty children, twenty men – they rely on this place to live. Shit, even the extra security we pulled in on account of Janelle’s incident rely on this place. Where else in Stallwind can they work under the same pay with the same protections? The Back Door? Please. You think every brothel has baths and escorts and contraception and drug-rules?’