The table hadn't been wiped off in a very long time, she'd have to talk to Russ about that when he had a moment away from the bar. Suneyva grabbed an ashtray from a nearby crate and set it next to her glass, lighting her cigarette with care. She had only just started the habit and though she still thought it was filthy, it gave her hand something to do instead of smacking people upside the head as she wished to do. Besides, she was already dead so lung cancer just wasn't much of a threat. However, singing off her eyebrows by mistake had almost happened numerous times already. Much as she hated fashion there was something to be said for having one's own hair, and avoiding the glib comments of other Kindred when the lost hair was replaced by feathers.
There were new kids on the streets tonight, there always were. The ones who showed up from the suburbs, the junkies turned out by their families and friends, all of those disillusioned hopefuls from the country. She studied one boy who looked fresh off the farm and smirked. Stupid Kine never learned and she had known whores throughout her lifetime. New laws were never gonna change the fact that prostitution existed and would be around forever, unless of course something really changed in the mortal lifestyle. She hoped for something drastic, it would have to be in order to stop the Kine from their chemical induced child-accidents.
She had a meeting in ten minutes with one of those accidents, Russ would send them up to her stage when it was time and she would lay out the rules of the street. She'd done this hundreds of times before, boys and girls, teens and preteens, Kine and even a few Kindred. Didn't matter anymore. She flicked some ash and sat back, trying to find that old place inside that had allowed her to give a damn about the people in her care. It was being difficult and hiding somewhere behind her apathy; it just took too much energy to search and she gave up with a snort as a boy was reluctantly pushed toward the staircase. She had scared Russ earlier, but that had been her one joy all week and he was probably worried about what she'd do to the kid now.
"Take a seat, boy." She offered him a cigarette and he shook his head. "Okay then, listen up cause I'm only gonna go over this once. You can call me whatever the hell you want, I don't care. Most kids call me the Norwegian... and no I don't do accents. I watch out for you, help you get some breaks with apartment, food, whatever ya need to be safe and healthy. I only help if you are trying to help yourself though and if you give up or start using drugs I won't have anything to do with ya anymore. You stay clean, use protection with the johns, and watch your money cause it's the only thing you'll have if anything happens to me, or this city. You be careful, trust your instincts and it'll be okay."
She stopped and looked him in the eye, "Actually it won't be okay. It'll seem like hell at first and you might hate yourself and everyone around you. Those other kids are gonna be the only friends you have though and you'll need them. Don't piss 'em off too bad if you can help it. You're a whore kid, just remember that and be a bit paranoid. People'll use and abuse you if you let them, be on guard and keep this trinket with you whenever you're on the streets." The necklace was slid across the table, "Most around these parts know the symbol and they know that if my kids are messed with they'll get their asses kicked if not worse."
Keys slid across the table next, and the kid wiped them on his jeans. "Those are the keys to the apartment, in the Serapho building above the Iron Cage. If you don't know where that is ask Russ, he has some flyers with the map. Get a bottle of juice and sandwich on your way out and take a shower when you get to the apartment... and then get out on the street. Find one of the other kids. They'll have the same kind of necklace, all you've got to do is tell 'em that you're new and they'll give you some tips."
Suneyva paused again; there had been a time that she had cushioned all of the blows in the speech and let them think that everything would be okay. All she got for the effort was dependent brats and several new junkies on the streets around her clubs. Too many gave up as soon as they realized she wasn't going to be their fairy godmother and that the stories of whores making it in the world in the movies were less realistic than the latest episode of Star Trek. "If you have serious problems, set up a meeting through Russ or come up here if I'm around. Ask the other kids what serious problems are if you aren't sure... If you see something weird, freaky, whatever...just keep your mouth shut. Happens all the time around here and there is always something going down in Gothik. After tonight that's what you'll be doing too."
She waved the kid away before the blush had left his face. Fresh and innocent ones always made good money when they first started. He wasn't as stupid as some of the others though and he followed her instructions immediately, leaving the club after gathering the offerings from Russ. He might make it for a few years and perhaps he would be smart enough to find another profession when the first chance arrived. Suneyva snorted and shook another smoke out of the pack.
*
