I met a prostitute in a bar & grill last week. I had no interest in sex with her, but I was gripped with a singular sense of curiosity, so decided that I would entertain her. She was young, probably in her teens, and I was slightly embarrassed she had picked me to approach.
Regardless, I got her something to eat: a soda & grilled chicken. See, all my life I have read so much literature on people's encounters with prostitutes, & the impact that their sound-mindedness had had on the lives of these lot, and I thought, "this is my opportunity"
I imagined that she would be impressed with my "decency". Maybe, grateful that I did not wish to have sex with her like every other tourist. Maybe, happy to finally have somebody she could really talk to: and not simply agree with to please, for coin.
Throughout our conversation, she ingratiated herself with me. I tried to tell her that it was okay: that I was open-minded and that I truly just wanted to know her story, but she would only stare at me blankly and smile when I pushed for more. I told her about people her age...
...back in my country. And what they do for fun. I thought that would open her up. But she would only ask if she could massage me and when I declined several times, she said she had to go. And so she left. I was distraught. That was not what I had expected.
You see, I truly thought I was helping. I had hoped that maybe by showing her the other side of things, I could inspire her to quit prostitution. Her walking away like that - it's not what I had read in books. I sulked for quite a bit before I saw the truth in my encounter.
I was not helping. I was not doing her a favor by trying to talk to her. We just want to feel useful. Because what next after the pep talk? Would I be willing to take her out of that environment? Host her? Pay for her school fees? What next after the pep talk?
Here is a tourist who will sleep with you for an hour & pay you. Hopefully, again tomorrow. And the next day. And here is the pseudo-saint with his cloak & sermon wanting to take up 4 hours of your time over a soda and grilled chicken. I understand why she stood up.
There were also a few boys, same age range: making impressions for the older female tourists' enjoyment. I wanted to tell them they did not have to do that. That they could go to Nairobi, & sell shoes. But what good would it do, to sell them a dream without shoes?
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