When Love Runs Away

Dignity Has Been Lost

All day long, Anna couldn't stop thinking about two things. One of them being how Agathe was willing to die just to have her book, criticising the government, be published. The second one, which Anna wished never crossed her mind, was the alleyway that she stumbled across two days ago. In particular, the brothel and the thought of becoming a prostitute. She marveled at how much money the sex workers made and she almost envied them at some point.

Agathe came in the dining room with a plate with three croissants. She put them on the table and noticed Anna staring through the window and was rather intrigued at what made Anna look so deep in thought.

"May I ask what's having you in such deep thought?" Agathe asked.

Anna turned around and blushed profusely with embarrassment.

"Oh! Don't mind me. Nothing to worry about."

"Alright then," Agathe replied, taking a seat at the dining table, "did you find a job yet?"

That caught Anna by surprise. She was trying to articulate her words as she joined Agathe to the dining table and began to fiddle with her fingers.

"Let me guess, you haven't found one yet?" Agathe asked.

"There was this one job I was thinking about doing. I'll have to go to their place at night to confirm my place there."

"Well that's nice. What kind of job is it?"

A lump formed in Anna's throat. She physically couldn't bring herself to speak which worried both her and Agathe.

"You seem to be on the verge of choking. Do you want water?" Agathe asked her.

"N-no. I'm g-g-great."

"Alright, so what kind of job is it?"

"Erm ... erm ... ah! Washing the clothes of a rich lady! She pays a worker fifty French francs for every pile of clothes."

Agathe nodded her head and made a weird noise with her mouth.

"Well. That's pretty decent. At least you found a job. Now you'll certainly gain some experience."

"A very memorable experience."

Agathe smiled warmly at Anna and then looked down at the croissants and then back at Anna.

"Eat then! The croissants aren't going to eat themselves, are they?"

Anna giggled and shook her head.

"No."

*

When Anna was sure that Agathe was fast asleep, she darted out of the house and straight to the alleyway, ready to tell the boss that she was going to take the job. She knew that she'd be ridiculed by everyone but no respectable employer would hire her for some reason. This was the only job that she thought was exclusive.

She panted for breath after running a considerable distance and then walked to the door of the brothel. As she was about to open the door, it flew open itself, revealing two sophisticated looking young men walking out of the brothel while adjusting their ties. One of them nudged at the other to have his attention divert to Anna.

"Are you a worker here?" One of them asked.

"Well ... not yet. I'm coming here to confirm my place though."

"That's great. You're a pretty girl, I'll come back tomorrow for you."

Anna was left in confusion as the men guffawed their way out of the alleyway. That was strange, Anna thought as she entered the brothel to see the boss and Lucille in a deep discussion. Lucille looked worn out. Her dirty blonde hair was drenched in sweat and pearls of sweat dangled on her pale skin. Their eyes met each other, and a smile crept on Lucille's face.

"Anna, what you doing h-he--"

"Take it easy Lucille," the boss said, "take a seat on the couch and I'll deal with this girl."

Lucille stumbled to the couch and practically passed out once her head met the couch. The boss then turned to Anna and shrugged his shoulders.

"What? I'm about to close, what do you want?" The boss asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry for the inconvenience but I'm here to tell you that I'm willing to do the job."

The boss scoffed and turned to Lucille.

"Do you hear that Vermont? She's willing to take the job!"

"Let her have it," Lucille argued, "she's clearly the prettiest girl you've met so far, you couldn't stop talking about her. Didn't you say she'll do well for the business?"

"Shut your face! Don't believe a word she says."

Anna gave him a blank stare.

"Never mind. Okay then. I congratulate you on becoming a whore! Now I can finally reveal my name to you. Swear not to tell a soul!"

"I swear not to tell a soul!"

"Alright, my name is Samson DeLouilles, alright? Or just call me Mr DeLouilles."

"Mr DeLouilles. Got it!"

Lucille rose from the couch and yawned out loud.

"Give her the clothes then DeLouillles. Give her an extra skimpy set of clothes. I'm telling you, a girl like her could attract many men."

Anna didn't even know how to respond to what Lucille said about her. It felt as if all her dignity had been lost from those remarks.

"Wait a second." The boss said and walked up to Anna and began to feel her waist.

She bit her lips in order not to scream as Samson was literally massaging her body without her consent. She felt humiliated in every way possible.

"She has a fine body," Samson told Lucille, "I'll give her the most revealing clothes I can find."

Samson walked to a different room, leaving Anna and Lucille alone. Nervously, Anna turned to Lucille.

"Is he always like this? Touching his workers?"

"Ah! Anna! Don't think too much of it. Its not a big deal. You'll get used to it."

Anna was startled at the response. She quickly turned away from Lucille and met Samson, with a set of clothes and gave it to the poor girl.

"These are your clothes. Starting from tomorrow, everyday at the twenty-first hour, you come down to the alleyway. Make sure no one sees you otherwise, we'll be doomed!"

"How?" Anna asked him.

"I don't want to tell you, but please, be careful when you come into the alleyway. Make sure no one sees you, I beg you. Please!"

"Yes sir."

"Great. You may leave and I'll be expecting you tomorrow at ..."

"The twenty-first hour!"

Anna walked out of the brothel and looked at the clothes in her hands. She had really stooped to the lowest level.

:)