Meet Rose, an experienced but optimistic gal with the dreams of opening her own restaurant. What happens when she is taken under the wing of Madam Pearle de Verde and trained to be an infamous painted lady?
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A battle ensues between two notorious...
"Okay ladies listen up. This is Vanessa and April. They will be your veterans training you on the job.
They are my top earning girls and know all the tricks and trades. Listen to them and take in their wisdom. These are classes only a few women are lucky enough to take." Ms. Pearl announced, pointing her stick at each of us.
"Thanks Ms. Pearl" they smiled as she took her seat in the back of the room.
"So today we will be trainign y'all in good ole conversation." Vanessa winked.
"If a man comes in and says hello you say how are y'a?" "Always make sure to offer the man a drink or two. Men can come into the parlour but in order to stay, they must buy something. The higher the liquor shelf, the better" April says, pointing to the brandy and whiskey on each row.
"You must be good at holding a conversation! Men will stay the longer you make them feel important. These make the ideal saloon girls."
"Your job is to "take a turn" with a man on the dance floor and guide him back to the bar where he can purchase a drink for himself and you. Each turn was about 15 minutes long and should take no longer. If it does, the men pay up for more "private" time"
"Remember, you girls are prohibited from drinking. It is okay to let the men know this. They enjoy it actually. It paints you as innocent" Ms. Pearl chimes in from behind us.
The day went on and we learned a few more things about the parlor. How to dress, how to speak, even how to apply our makeup.
It was finally time to break for lunch and boy was I starving.
I went to the back room to see the platter of food they had prepared but pout when I see a platter of cucumbers and tomatoes.
"What's this?" I ask, looking around for some clarity. Some tall girl came beside me and picked a few. "It's tomatoes and cucumbers! Better take your fill before it finishes!" She smiles politely, filling her plate. So I guess this was part of our strict diet?
Parlour girls must maintain a slim physique!
That was rule number three in the handbook Ms. Pearl gave us.
I learned more about the girls who were employed here. Most of the saloon girls were young girls and teenagers, who came from lowly roots such as farming in search of a better life and marriage prospects.
Some women I talked to told me they came from back east and the south, ready for their new work in the Wild West .
I had to give it to Ms. Pearl, the girls who worked at her parlor sure were pretty and could dance well.
"Okay Ladies" Ms. Pearl began, breaking ous from our hushed conversations. "I call you women the "painted ladies" for a reason. Some folks want us to believe that there is a negative reputation for women who wear makeup and rougher like my girls but I say to hell with them! You are beautiful women, each and every one of y'all. There is no shame in showing off your assets if it earns me a check"
The women laughed and agreed.
"I expect all you ladies to come in ready to work. That means a full face of makeup, especially rouge on the cheek, carmine for the lips, and white powder for the neck and shoulders. Rose, I have a special powder and paint to give you that will match you're tone"
I blushed being called out for being the only negro but I was thankful she had made the arrangements to be inclusive.
"You will wear a heavily decorated dress on Wednesdays and Sundays, that's banquet night and usually when special events occur. When it comes to accessorizing I do not mind. You may add sparkle to your hair in the form of silver hair combs, bib necklaces, feather plumes (the bigger the better) and imitation flowers. Just don't make it loook cheap nor gaudy. Before you start your shift, I must approve. Understand?"
"Yes Ms. Pearl" we all said in unison.
She nods and looks at the new recruits, including me. "We will start you girls tomorrow, just to dip your feet in the water. New girls stay in the window."
We nod obediently and stare at her.
"Okay girls, let's get you dressed!" She claps, pointing to the back of the room where our dresses and makeup rested.
It took a few hours to tame my curls. They ran a hot comb through my kinks, a straightening my hair and pressing soft sponges to my cheeks to apply my rouge. With one final dip of a makeup brush, they turn my chair around, facing me to the mirror.
I gasp as I see the woman looking in the mirror. It was me? Gone were my thick black curls that framed my features. Smooth, poofy hair that were lazily curled pressed against my chin. And my lips? The makeup matched so perfectly! I looked so different. So beautiful.
I couldn't believe my eyes. I was officially a painted lady.
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Author Note:
I screamed when I found this picture!! A black model in Country western attire? I'm gagging
