The Golden Room

'That's like bringing coals to Newcastle. Still, I'm always interested in someone new. What about her?'

'Her name's Karen Grant. She worked briefly in a house in New Orleans. Then she decided to make a change, so she came to Chicago. She had a letter of introduction to me from an old newspaper friend down South.'

'Has she been working in any house in Chicago?' asked Minna.

'No. She tried to go straight. Went to work as a clerk in a milliner's shop here. You know what they pay.'

'Starvation wages.'

'So then she came to me. She decided to be one of the girls again. She doesn't want to work just anywhere. She only wants to work in the Everleigh Club. She wanted to know if I knew the Everleigh sisters. I told her she'd come to the right person, and that I'd introduce her to you. But that's not the point, Minna. As you know, I have an eye for the ladies. This Karen Grant is the best-looking young woman I've seen in years. I thought you might want to have a look at her.'

'Of course I do,' said Minna. 'But I have no place for her right now. My limit is thirty girls. However, the other day,

one of the girls – Fanny, you remember her – went for a walk and didn't come back. Now she may come back, and if she does I'm full up again. If she doesn't, there may be an opening.'

'Well, Minna, see for yourself.'

Minna stood up. 'I will, in a few minutes. Tell you what, you take Karen to room seven upstairs. Fanny's room. Have her wait for me. You can come back down and have yourself a drink.'

'Thanks, Minna.'

'I may be thanking you, Tom,' Minna said.

Ostrow left Minna in her office, and went off to the foyer to find Karen Grant and take her upstairs to await Minna Everleigh.

Karen Grant was seated on the brass bed in the boudoir, her apprehension mounting. The door of the bedroom opened and a small, attractive, auburn-haired woman entered.

Immediately, Karen came to her feet somewhat nervously, as the woman approached her with hand extended.

'I'm Minna Everleigh.'

Karen shook her hand. 'I'm Karen Grant.'

Minna sized her up briefly. Karen was shapely in a street dress of grey cheviot with a white mohair blouse, a white vest with pearl buttons and a wide suede belt. 'Not bad,' Minna observed. 'Despite all that padding you're wearing, I think Tom Ostrow is right. You're a well-put-together young lady. Do take a chair. Let's talk a minute.'

'Very well.' Karen sat down in an easy chair, while Minna dropped into a chair across from her.

'Now then,' began Minna, 'I rarely take on a girl if she is over twenty-three. My customers like young ones. I often think they are mistaken, but that's what they like, so I cater to their wishes. How old are you, Karen?'

'Twenty-one.'

'Tom tells me you've had experience. Amateurs wouldn't do well here. Our customers are generally men of the world. They know a good romp when they meet one. That's why they leave their wives and come here.'

The talk – the reality of what she might be getting into – was unsettling, but Karen tried hard to quell her nervousness. 'I'm experienced enough, Miss Everleigh,' Karen said. 'I had a fair amount of activity in New Orleans. I… I don't remember a man who was dissatisfied with me.'

Minna laughed. 'Well, I guess you'd know. Tell me, Karen, are you a widow?'

'A widow? Oh, no. I'm single.'

'I threw that one in,' said Minna, 'because widows usually don't work out. They're always looking for another husband, and when they find one, they leave me. I really like to take on someone I think can be permanent.'

'I am very serious about wanting to work for you, and to work for you as long as you want me.'

Minna nodded. 'You have decent enough manners. You sound like a lady. Are you well versed in – well, what's your background?'

'You mean, am I educated? I am. I had a private education in Boston.'

'Do you keep up your reading?'

'I do. Books – especially poetry – and newspapers.'

'Fine. About your attitude towards sex. Do you have any particular problems?'

'What do you mean, Miss Everleigh?'

'I mean, among our older visitors, fellatio is very popular. Have you practised it?'

'I have.'

'Does it give you any misgivings?'

'I rather like it. I like to see a man happy, no matter what he wants. You needn't worry. I'd do almost anything to satisfy a customer.'

'Well, as far as I'm concerned, there's one thing left.' Minna paused. 'I'd like you to take off your clothes, Karen.'

Momentarily, Karen was startled. 'You want me to undress?'

'Yes.'

'Everything?'

Minna nodded. 'I want to see you completely naked. I want to see you without camouflage. I want to see what a man might see when he has you alone.'

Somewhat reluctantly, Karen came out of the chair. 'I'll be glad to undress.'

'Go into the bathroom and take off your things. I'll have a maid help you. When you're nude, step out here and let me have another look at you.'

Karen watched Minna Everleigh ring for a maid, then take up a magazine. After a moment, Karen headed for the bathroom.

Inside the bathroom, Karen was soon joined by a young coloured maid. With her assistance, Karen's gown was unfastened in the back. Having dismissed the maid, Karen began to strip slowly, removing her skirt, her white mousseline and Irish lace vest, her frilled bust improver attached to a narrow corset, and the sleeveless silk chemise that came to her knees. She unfastened her silk petticoat and underskirt, and after that her cotton drawers gathered just below her knees. Next, she removed her high-heeled, strapped kid shoes. Finally, she rolled down black silk stockings, patterned with embroidered red roses.

She caught sight of herself naked in the full-length mirror. She thought that she looked rather good. At least, she hoped she did. Her first instinct, before leaving the bathroom, was to cover her pubic hair with one hand. But she realized that an experienced girl would never do that. With effort, she dropped her hands to her sides, sucked in her breath, and stepped out into the bedroom.

Minna was still seated, absorbed in the magazine. When she heard Karen enter the room, she stopped reading and threw the magazine to one side.

Leaden-legged, Karen brought herself to the centre of the bedroom, and then stood still at the foot of the bed.

Minna sat unmoving, peering up at her.

At last, Minna rose. She approached Karen, examining her more closely, from her face to her breasts, to her abdomen, to her pubis, to her thighs and legs.

'Turn around, Karen. Let me see how you look from behind.'

Karen pirouetted as gracefully as possible, and could hear -Minna behind her, clucking softly.

'Nice shoulders and back,' Minna said. 'Very nice ass. All right, you can turn towards me once more.'

'Yes, Miss Everleigh. Uh, are you satisfied?'

'To say the least, you'll do. However, there remains a problem.'

'What's that?'

'I have thirty rooms here and they were all full – until one of my girls left a few days ago. I have no idea where she went. I'm giving her until tomorrow to come back. If she does, we'll be a full house, and I'll have to keep you in mind for another time. If she doesn't, there'll be a slot open, definitely a place for you.'

'How will I know?'

'I'll call you at noon. Will you be at home?'

'Yes, I have a room not far from here. I'll leave you the number of the phone in the hall.'

'If I tell you to come in, it means you have the job, subject to one more formality.'

'What's that?'

'Our house physician examines my girls every week, over a period of two days. I think I can get him here for a third visit. If I hired you, it would be subject to your passing Dr Holmes's examination.'

'Examination? For what?'