Bonnie

Bonnie

“There’s no platform,” said Vanessa in that shrill voice she used when whining about a new location.

“I don’t care,” replied Bonnie, already with her, “get your ass off the train. I’ll pass the luggage down.”

“You really know how to find these places don’t you, Bonnie?” It was a tiresome routine Vanessa always followed; nothing was ever good enough.

“Do we really have to do this every time we arrive somewhere new?” Bonnie glared at Vanessa. “Off you go. If you don’t get off, I’ll throw you off. Now git!”

Vanessa relented, as she always did, and climbed down from the carriage. Bonnie passed down a suitcase. Vanessa took it off of her and dropped it onto the ground. “Why isn’t Faith or Charlotte unloading the luggage?”

“Because you are,” growled Bonnie passing down a carpet bag, “now, here.” All the bags were unloaded so Bonnie jumped off, too.

The two of them looked around. Bonnie had explained that Brimstone was just a two-horse town. Even so, it took them by surprise just how undeveloped the train stop was.

Faith and Charlotte had alighted farther down. Bonnie sighted them and waved. Charlotte waved back and Faith picked up a suitcase and the two of them joined the others.

“Doesn’t look like much,” said Faith, looking down her nose at the dusty surroundings. “Just one ramshackle shack. A telegraph office by the look of those wires. Not even a water tower.”

“Good,” said Bonnie, “we need somewhere low profile or have you forgotten things were getting hot back East? Now stop yer bellyachin’ and let’s find somewhere safe. Don’t know about you, but I could do with a bite to eat.”

The four of them picked up their bags and headed off into town. The heat was uncomfortable but not unbearable. Bonnie would be glad to find some soothing shade. Faith had anticipated the Texan sun and she popped up a parasol.

They were the only ones to alight the train and no one was waiting to get on. There was no sign of life inside the telegraph shack. No one saw them make their way into the fledgeling town of Brimstone. Behind them, the train pulled away.

“Well that’s underwhelming,” said Faith as they stood in the centre of town. “We’ll be in competition with that there saloon. It ain’t no classy joint, that’s for sure.”

“Delilah’s,” said Bonnie, squinting up at the sign above the door. It was crudely painted and the building looked like it was built last week. “Not what you’d call subtle is it?”

“At least there is a hotel,” said Charlotte, pointing to a building farther into town.

“Hardly what springs to mind when I think of a hotel,” replied Faith, wrinkling her nose in distaste. “Doss house seems more appropriate.”

“It don’t look like we’ve much choice, unless you wanna sleep on the street,” said Bonnie, leading the way without looking back to see if the others were following.

# # #

They returned to the streets after sunset.  Bonny led them around town searching for a good spot to set up shop: not too close to the saloon, most definitely out of sight of the jailhouse.  They finally settled on the general store or, more accurately, Bonnie decided on this spot and the others agreed.  They could advertise their wares at the front and take the johns up an alleyway to practice their trade out of sight.

“I ate on the train,” said Charlotte, “I’ll keep a look out while you three do some business.”

“Good idea,” said Bonnie turning towards Faith and Vanessa, “I’m ready for something to eat. You must be hungry, too.”

“Time to get these beauties to work,” said Vanessa, pulling her top down a little and sticking out her ample chest.

“You’ve no dignity have you?” Faith said with disdain. She preferred to keep her similarly sized assets covered.

“Well,” replied Vanessa, jostling her heavy breasts in her hands, “considering what we do to keep fed, I think dignity is a luxury we lost long ago.”

“Bah,” spat Faith, making no attempt to mask her bitterness.

“If you’ve finished,” hissed Bonnie, “if you’re gonna eat...”

Faith and Vanessa fell silent.

“Good,” continued Bonnie, “now I have your attention. Vanessa, get your cleavage on display and you stand with her, Faith. I’ll be right behind you. Charlotte go to the end of the block and keep an eye on things.”

It was a slow night but it was their first and no one yet knew they were here. So this was not unexpected. It was over two hours before they reeled in their first catch.

“Evenin’ ladies,” said a cowpoke reeking of redeye and not too steady on his feet; he raised his hat at the second attempt. “what is a couple of good lookin’ fillies like you doing out in a place like this?”

“Cross our palm with silver and you’ll find out,” said Faith.

“Huh?”

“What she means is,” explained Vanessa, “pay us and you find out why we are here.” She bent over slightly. The big grin on the man’s face showed that he appreciated the view.

“Well that is mighty fine and dandy,” he said. “What’s this gonna cost me?”

“For one dollar you get to pick one of us,” said Vanessa, “for two you get both of us.”

“Two dollars for two women? It costs five times that for just one at Delilah’s!”

“We believe in value for money,” added Faith, though Bonnie could tell she was less than impressed with the state of this man.

“Damn,” he said as he rummaged in his pockets, “only ninety cents.”

“I’ll take you between my thighs for ninety cents,” said Vanessa.

“Ninety cents?”

“Ninety cents.”

He handed over the money and Vanessa led him to the alley. Bonnie watched them for a while as Vanessa struggled to give the john his money’s worth; the red eye had taken its toll but he seemed to be enjoying himself. Confident that Vanessa as in no danger from the man she went up to join Faith.

“I am not impressed with the quantity and quality of the food here,” whispered Faith.

“I know,” said Bonnie, “and I am need of a good feed. How are you doing?”

“I have been worse,” replied Faith, “but I am not relishing a meal like Vanessa’s.” She glanced disapprovingly down the alleyway.

Bonnie sighed. “It’s always like this is a new place. It will get better.” The words were for own benefit as much as Faith’s.

“Well good evening, ladies.”

Bonnie silently chastised herself for not noticing the young man approach. Young man he certainly was. She could almost hear Faith’s thoughts echo her own: That’s more like it.

“You are out late in the night to be unaccompanied,” he said grinning like a Cheshire cat. His clothing was basic and homemade but he somehow made it look smart and he was well-groomed.  Bonnie rather liked his naïve confidence but hoped he would not be a problem. She had seen his type before, all too often.

“We certainly are,” said Bonnie, “for the price of one dollar, you could fix that and we could make your night. You alone?”

“There’s my friend, Jude,” he replied, “but he wanted me to check you out before coming over.”

“Well that works out just right,” said Bonnie, “there be two of us, unaccompanied ladies and two of you gentlemen…”

“Pleased to meet you, sir,” said Faith, bending her knees slightly in an approximation of a curtsy. Bonnie caught a glimpse of the hunger in Faith’s eyes. She hoped it would not scare off the john. “I’d be pleased to make the acquaintance of your friend Jude too.”

“Make his what?”

“She means meet your friend,” snapped Bonnie realising too late she had allowed impatience creep into her voice.

The youngster turned back, stuck two fingers in his mouth and whistled, and gestured his friend over.

Jude scuttled over, looking unsure of himself. His gaze dropped to the ground, “Good evening ladies.”

Bonnie knew that Faith would enjoy Jude so she focussed her attention on the as yet unnamed young man. “We know Jude’s name, what’s your handsome?”

“Name’s Ted but they call me Tex,” he said.

“No they don’t,” said Jude.

“Shut up!”

“If you want me to call you Tex, Tex it is,” said Bonnie, trying to sound seductive. It came naturally to Charlotte but Bonnie found it a chore. She stroked his clean-shaven face. “Will you boys be accompanying us tonight?”

“You bet your sweet ass we will!” Ted’s attempt at putting on a cool front was undermined by Jude’s over-eagerness. Bonnie could tell he was displeased with his less-confident friend by the dirty look he shot his way.

“That will be a dollar each,” said Bonnie.

“Pay the woman, you lummox,” growled Ted, “now!”. Bonnie was beginning to see how this friendship worked. Not that it mattered, dinner was dinner.

Bonnie pocketed the money and allowed herself to be escorted into the alley by Tex. They were followed by Faith and Jude. Still, there was the man reeking of redeye. Vanessa was holding her skirt up while the man did his best to get what he paid for. Bonnie could see the exasperation on Vanessa’s face, even in the dim light.

Bonnie found a spot in the alley to rest up against the side wall of the general store. “All righty boys, time to drop your trousers and show us what you’ve got.”

“Now, you might have to show Jude where to put it,” laughed Tex, “he is not as experienced as I am.”

“Shut up, I know what I’m doin’.” The blushing Jude did not sound too confident.

Tex’ efforts were less than practised but it did not take much fumbling and youthful enthusiasm before he was finished. Bonnie felt his youth refresh her body when she bit him. It quelled her hunger but she would need more before she would feel truly sated.

Meanwhile, Jude was still on the job. Faith was putting on a good performance. Bonnie realised her mistake: she had just let Tex get on with it. He might feel sore at his failure to get his woman off. One mistake she was not going to make was allow Tex to watch Jude in case he saw Faith bite him.

“Well big boy,” she said, watching him fasten his trousers, “you certainly know what you’re doin’. How does a youngster like you get so good with the ladies?”

“Fuck one, you’ve fucked ’em all,” he said, dismissively. He started to turn his head towards Jude but Bonnie pushed it back so that they were eye to eye again.

“You and your friend,” she kissed him on the tip of his nose, “you comin’ back for more? Jude has a lot of fucking to do to match you.” Do I send him Charlotte’s way next or save her until last? She let this thought slip the back of her mind. She needed to keep his attention on her.

“There is that,” he said. He seemed distracted. Bonnie wondered what was on his mind.  “There’s three of you.”

“Four. Just three of us working tonight.”

“Four of you, you say,” he said, putting his hands on her breasts. He gave them a very unsensual squeeze. “I notice your friend over there has an impressive pair of these. Next time we do business, I want to see them.”

His tone was very cold. Bonnie had no idea what was going through Tex’ mind but she knew it was not good. Her base instincts told her to rip his throat out but she knew this would create more problems than it solved. Bitter experience had taught her well.

Bonnie whispered into his right ear, deliberately blocking the sight of Jude and Faith, “We can make some arrangements for you. Looking after our customers is what we do.”

He released her breasts and pushed her away. “Good. I think we have an understanding.”

A cry of pleasure from Jude attracted his attention. “Hey, she ain’t givin’ him a hickey is she?”

“What? Hell no! She’s just holding him close, as he… erm… I think you get the picture. Some johns get a bit wobbly when they’re finishing up.”

“Oh.”

“Not everyone’s as manly as you, Tex.”

Tex accepted this. By this time, Faith was brushing down her skirt and Jude was pulling up his trousers.

“Hey, old man,” he called out, “get a move on!” He laughed and made his way out of the alleyway giving Jude a congratulatory slap on the back.

Bonnie went over to Faith. “We may have a problem.”

“What do you mean?”

“Our new friend Tex had something on his mind. I hope he was not planning problems for us.”

# # #

The following night proved to be another slow one. Charlotte had had one very satisfied customer and the others were still waiting for their first when Tex turned up with two other men.

“Good evening ladies,” he said, “Jude couldn’t make it tonight, but my friends Jacob and Isiah were keen to meet you.”

“Good evening, Tex,” said Bonnie, emerging from the shadows of the alleyway, “good to see you again. You brought us some more customers?”

He laughed.

Jesus! Thought Bonnie. I’m gonna have to kill the cocky dunderhead.

“Only see three of you,” said Tex, his tone suggested they had committed some heinous crime, “where’s the other one.”

Bonnie shouted, “Charlotte!” She popped out from the alleyway on the other side of the general store. Bonnie beckoned her over with a gesture of her head.

“Good,” said Tex, once Charlotte was with them, “now the Sheriff won’t let us carry no guns but don’t let that be foolin’ ya. We got it where it counts.” He paused, presumably for effect but Bonnie found it tedious. “Now, we don’t want no trouble and you don’t want no trouble.” If he was expecting a reply from the four women, he was disappointed. “No lip, that’s good. I like it. Now, you’re new in town. You don’t know nobody. Lucky for you Tex is here to look after you.”

Bonnie noticed Jacob and Isiah glance at each other. This is a hastily cobbled together concern. This will get messy.

“We offer our services,” continued Tex, “all we ask is half your earnings and now we’re part of the company, free access to the…” he leered at Vanessa’s chest, “…goods.”

“Only half?” Asked Bonnie sardonically.

“Hey, I was being generous,” said Tex, “but we can take more.” His tone darkened.

A trail of expletives passed through Bonnie’s head. She wondered if her annoyance at this fucking amateur, as she thought of him, was showing.

“Alright,” he said, “We’ll take half. I did say I was generous, did I not?”

“If you want half our money,” said Charlotte, “you’ll have to up our trade.”

“Watch your lip!”

“She’s right, Tex,” said Bonnie, “besides, busier we are the more money you make. It’s in your interest to drum up trade for us.” Fucking Amateur!

“She’s right Tex,” said one of the men. Bonnie didn’t yet know which was Jacob and which was Isiah.

Tex gave out a begrudging harrumph.

“I think we have the beginnings of a working agreement between us. Shake on it?” Bonnie feigned a spit onto her hand and held it out.

Tex spat on his hand and they shook. Bonnie gripped his hand tightly and locked her gaze onto his eyes. She felt him return the pressure but he was no match for her cast iron grip. “I am glad we have an understanding. You deal through me and me alone. I look after these girls, me. If you any problems with the girls, I’ll deal with it. Clear?”

Tex opened his mouth to speak. She could see the mild discomfort he was feeling at her firm handshake but Bonnie interrupted him before he could speak. “Through me!” Her tone brooked no argument.

“Of course, of course,” said Tex, “easier that way.”

Bonnie released him. Tex glanced down at his hand and back at Bonnie. He gave Bonnie a cold hard look.

Bonnie just glared back at him. I am going to eat you for breakfast and I’ll be hungry again by noon.

# # #

Charlotte was fleet of foot. Her excellent night vision meant she could see farther in the night than the average person. This made her good at following people at night. She returned to the Grand Hotel after one such excursion following Tex. Bonnie knew she was good but she still worried when she was out alone. She had been pacing in the reception area of the hotel awaiting her return for what seemed like days.

Bonnie was relieved to see Charlotte walk through the door but she was also eager to learn what she had discovered.  Bonnie hurried Charlotte upstairs to their room. When the door was safely shut, she asked, “So what did you find out?”

“I followed him back to the other side of town. He is living on a campsite in a tent. He shares it with his parents. His father is the bullying kind, which explains a lot. He gave some of the money he pimped off us to his Dad. His Dad never said thank you and bellyached about Ted not joining the army like his older brother.”

“What about Jacob and Isiah?” Asked Bonnie.

“Oh yes,” replied Charlotte, “I nearly forgot. They divvied up the money and they went their separate ways. Them two are hired muscle.”

“Tex ain’t the rough and tumble type, so he’ll be an easy kill. His thugs could be trickier.” Various scenarios ran through Bonnie’s mind on how best to deal with them.

“Got a plan?” Asked Charlotte.

“Not yet,” said Bonnie, staring into space as her mind worked, “I think doing all three of them at once might draw too much attention. I think just killing Tex is best.”

“I think you are right. You can always kill the other two later.”

“You get some sleep, Charlotte, I’m gonna ponder this for a while.”

# # #

After a week in Brimstone, overall things were not going too badly for the four of them. They were fed, housed and free from physical harassment. In their line of work, this counted as a success.

There was still the problem of Tex and his two partners in crime but a century of this life had taught Bonnie to tread carefully when it came inflicting lethal violence on to the guilty. Charlotte had learned that Tex’ older brother was stationed at the fort, to the east, guarding the silver mines. Tex, his father and his mother got what work they could. His father never let up about Tex joining the army, oblivious to the fact that Tex was not the army type.

Jacob and Isiah also lived in tents in the same area as Tex. Eavesdropping on conversations had revealed their frustration with how little money they were earning from Tex’ enterprise.

Unfortunately, no opportunity to waylay Tex while he was alone had presented itself. So business continued as usual. Tex had decided that Vanessa was his favourite and was getting his freebie in the alleyway. The others were hanging out on the street. It was still early so business was quiet. There was also an awkward silence between the three women and Jacob and Isiah.

Passers-by occasionally came and went but the first john of the evening was yet to make an appearance.

“Hey,” said Isiah poking Jacob with his elbow.

“Oy! Watch it,” protested Jacob.

“No, look!” He pointed down the street.

“Goddammit, the Sheriff.”

The two of them looked at each other and a look of panic came over them. Then they fled. Bonnie watched them run and allowed herself a bit of a smile.

“Sheriff.” Faith greeted the man, in a stiff and polished tone. Bonnie doubted that would impress him. Charlotte smiled and gazed at him innocently.

“Ladies,” he said, his manner business-like, “it has come to my attention that you are operating a business of ill-repute on the street.”

“With so few options in this world, a lady has to do what she can to survive,” said Faith. Her words were so cold, it was a wonder icicles did not appear.

“That is as may be, ma’am, but the law is the law,” he said, “I am issuing a twenty dollar fine. Failure to pay and you go to jail.” Bonnie took the notice of the fine from him.

The Sheriff tipped his bowler hat and said, “Have yourself a fine evening ladies.” He turned tail and headed back to the Sheriff’s office.

Now was her chance. Bonnie crept into the alleyway where she saw Tex manhandling Vanessa’s bare breasts. She put her finger to her lips. Vanessa took hold of Tex’ head and pushed it between her breasts and cried out with faux-pleasure. When Tex re-emerged, Bonnie was stood right behind him.

“Vanessa, you and your chest and incredible,” said Tex, “I wish I could…” He never finished the sentence. With a sharp twist, Bonnie broke his neck. The body slumped to the ground.

“Did you feed?” Bonnie asked Vanessa.

“Yes,” she replied, as she put her chest back into her dress.

“Good. We just had a visit from the Sheriff. We have the option of paying a twenty dollar fine or going to prison.”

“Do we have enough?”

“If Tex pays his share, we should. Go and get the others. I’ll search him out then we must deal with the body. In fact, wait. Send Charlotte back to the hotel for the bottle of whiskey. I have an idea.”

# # #

The knocking was loud and impatient. It roused Bonnie from her slumber.

“Who the Hell is that?” Asked Charlotte, still groggy. None of them woke quickly during the day.

“Hold your horses, I’m coming,” called out Bonnie, “give me a moment.”

“Open up!” It was the hotel’s owner.

“You stay in bed,” said Bonnie as she put on a robe, “I’ll handle this.”

Charlotte pulled her blanket up to her chin.

Bonnie opened the door. The immaculately dressed figure of the owner contrasted with the grizzled appearance of the sheriff.

“Sheriff Williams is here to see you,” said the owner. “I told him I don’t allow no business on the premises but…”

“If I may, miss,” interrupted Sheriff William, removing his hat.

“Your ticket says we have until the end of today to pay the fine,” protested Bonnie, “…erm, what time is now?”

“The fine can wait,” he said, “we can speak in your room or we can go down to the jailhouse.”

Bonnie opened the door fully.

“Thank you, Miss,” said Sheriff Williams. He nodded to the Grand Hotel’s owner who departed before making his into the room. “Close the door. Good. Are you familiar with Edward O’Brien?”

“No,” said Bonnie shaking her head.

She looked at Charlotte who said, “Me neither.”

“He goes by the name of Ted. Likes to call himself Tex.”

“Oh Tex,” said Bonnie, “you will have to pardon us. He never did tell us his last name and no one never called him Edward.”

“Don’t sweat it, Miss,” said the Sheriff. “happens more often than you think.”

“What about him?” Asked Bonnie.

“I am told that he is associating with you. Is this so?”

“Yes sir,” said Bonnie, it was an effort to use the word “sir” but she needed to show due deference. “He volunteered his services as a pimp. Wouldn’t take no for an answer. He threatened to cut us if we didn’t do as he said. He stole… took half our money. We’re just defenceless women trying to survive out here. What can we do against the likes of him?” It was a practised routine. It was not the first time she had had to do this and she doubted it would be the last.

“You don’t need to worry about that no more.”

“Really officer,” piped in Charlotte, “have you arrested him?” She smiled and gazed at the rough cut Sheriff with child-like eyes.

The Sheriff cleared his throat. Bonnie could see he was feeling a little uncomfortable. “No, no Miss. We haven’t arrested him. He was found at the horse paddock this morning.”

“Probably passed out,” spat Bonnie, “the toe rag took our whiskey. I bet the urchin puked it all back up. Waste of good rye!”

“Miss, if you will let me finish,” said the Sheriff, “he was found dead.”

“Dead?” Asked Bonnie. “How?”

“Neck’s broke,” explained the Sheriff, “I need you to tell me what happened last night.”

“You turned up and Tex’s two cronies, Jacob and Isiah got spooked and hightailed it. Tex was with Vanessa. Did I tell you he forced us to give it to him for free?”

“I don’t think that is relevant,” replied the Sheriff, the flatness of his voice revealed the sad truth that this was so, “continue.”

“Tex was with Vanessa. She is a buxom wench and he likes… liked that. After your visit, business was slow so we decided to call it a night. Tex got shirty. He bellyached about losing money and said something about cutting his losses by taking our whiskey. Poured half of it down his gullet and staggered off. We came back here.”

“Did you see anyone else?”

“What, after he left? No. Do you think someone attacked him? You don’t think he had a fling out with Jacob and Isiah do you? We don’t earn much even before a pimp takes his cut.”

“Don’t you worry, Miss,” said the Sheriff, “my deputies are speaking with them. Looks like he got drunk. Tried to ride one of the horses and fell off. It can happen. Fall off wrong… I shan’t distress a…erm…” he hesitated for a moment, thinking of the right word, “…woman with the details.”

“Sheriff,” said Charlotte, twirling a lock of hair in her fingers, “what if Jacob and Isiah come back for us?”

“Don’t you worry about them, Miss,” replied the Sheriff, “I’ll make sure they behave.”

# # #

It felt good to be independent again. Not having to worry about a parasite leeching their earnings was a weight of Bonnie’s mind. There was still the Sheriff and his fines but that was normal working practice. Society looked down on whores but it was all too happy to take their money. Bonnie was not happy about it but there was little she could do. She had to accept it as did thousands of other women trapped in her profession.

Her plan was to get a little money saved up and then move on. Small out of the way towns like Brimstone were pretty much off the grid. A good place to lay low. The problem was that the communities were small and tight-knit with everyone knowing everyone else’s business. Sooner or later someone was bound to notice that no one had seen them eat food. This would lead to awkward questions that they did not want to answer. It was much better to move on.

It was over a week since Tex’ tragic accident. Business was steady. None of them was going hungry but they were not getting rich either.

Charlotte and Vanessa were in the alley with a john each while Bonnie stood with Faith on the street. Both were looking for their second customer for the night.

“Hey up, who’s this?” Asked Faith.

“Huh?” Bonnie followed Faith’s gaze and saw a lone woman walking towards them. “She must be a painted lady to be out on her own at this time.”

“Good evening ladies.” Said the newcomer. She was a redheaded woman with porcelain skin. She is probably high class, reflected Bonnie bitterly, I bet she is not short of money.

“Good evening, Miss,” said Bonnie, “we don’t get many women customers.” She used a deliberately aggressive tone to intimidate the woman.

“I can’t say I’ve ever had one,” replied the newcomer.

“Hey, we ain’t recruitin’,” said Faith.

“I ain’t here to join you,” said the newcomer, “I’m here to make you an offer.”

“Oh you are, are ya?” growled Bonnie. Having recently got rid of one pimp, she was in no mood to replace him with another, even if she were a madam.

“Erm, yes.” Squeaked the newcomer.

Good, I am getting to her, thought Bonnie.

The newcomer paused to clear her throat. “Like I said, yes. It’ll work both ways. I am short of women. If you work for me, it gets you off the street.”

“What if we don’t want to work both ways?” Faith said. She had little regard for mortal humans. Bonnie knew she did not like working for them.

The newcomer turned her attention to Faith. “You miss, do you not want to ply your trade on a warm comfortable bed rather than up against a cold, stone wall?”

“She has a point, Bonnie.”

“Pleased to meet you, Bonnie,” said the newcomer. She held out her hand. Bonnie ignored it. “My name is Jolene but I use the name ‘Delilah’ when I am working.”

“We don’t work for no madam,” said Bonnie, “we’re in-de-pen-dent.”

“We could check it out,” said Faith. That was not like her but checking it out was not the same as accepting her offer. Maybe she was thinking about looking in on the competition.

“We don’t take no risks,” said Bonnie, through gritted teeth “that’s how we survive.”

“You call working the streets taking no risks?” asked Jolene. “Look, come and see the premises, we can have a friendly chat over a hot meal.”

“Who’s this?” said Charlotte emerging from the alleyway. “Oh, hello, you are a pretty one aren’t you. Shame, I’ve just done a john or I’d be all over you like sawdust on a saloon’s floor.”

“She’s not a john,” snapped Bonnie, “she’s just leavin’.”

“Oh what a shame,” replied Charlotte, “I’d love to ruffle your feathers. If you change your mind, you know where I am.”

“Yes, it is a shame,” said Jolene, “I came here to offer y’all a place at Delilah’s. Bonnie here says you are strictly independent. I am sorry you cannot accept the safety and comfort of a saloon. I shall have to find someone else to occupy my vacant rooms.”

“You have rooms?” Asked Charlotte.

“Yes.”

“Vacant rooms?”

“Yes.”

“We could check it out.” Charlotte stretched out the word “could” like a child begging a parent for a treat.

“I don’t like it,” snapped Bonnie, “ever since we’ve been...” Bonnie paused making sure she did not say the wrong thing, “…working, we have relied on ourselves.”

Jolene, “There’s nothing else I can say. You can come and have a look, see what you think. If nothin’ else, you get a free feed.” Bonnie caught sight of Faith giving a sideways glance to her at the mention of a “free feed”.

“We’ll let you know. We know where you are.” Bonnie said with finality.

“I suppose that’s fair enough,” replied Jolene. She turned to look directly at Charlotte and returned fire with her own sweet smile. She cocked her head slightly and brushed a curl of red hair from her face.

Once Jolene was out of earshot, Faith said, “I think you have met your match, Charlotte.”

“It does not matter,” snapped Bonnie, “we are not going!” She regained her self-control and said more quietly, “I’ve dealt with one pimp since we got here, we don’t want to be saddled with a madam.”

“Bonnie, we could check it out,” said Charlotte, in her most child-like voice, “we don’t have to stay.”

“I know what you want,” said Faith, glaring at Charlotte, “or should I say who?”

“She’s very pretty…” replied Charlotte.

“Stop it you two,” said Bonnie. She felt tired and wanted to return to the Grand Hotel.

Vanessa emerged from the alleyway escorted, arm in arm, with a cowpoke. “What’s going on?”

Bonnie waited until Vanessa’s john was out of sight before replying, “The madam from Delilah’s came over and offered us jobs.”

“She most certainly did,” said Charlotte like an excited child awaiting birthday gifts.

Vanessa clocked Charlotte and knew what the score was instantly, “Caught your eye did she?”

“Christ on a crutch! Shut up the lot of you.” The three of them stared silently at Bonnie.  “Have I got your attention? We are not going.”

“She did mention a free feed…”

“Faith! Carry on and I’ll kill you myself!”

“I think we should check it out,” said Vanessa, “if nothing else it gives us a chance to check out the competition.”

“If she’s recruiting women off the streets, she must be desperate,” said Bonnie.

An evil smile spread across Vanessa’s face, “And that puts us in a good bargaining position.”

“All right, all right, I’m not going to hear the last of this am I?” It was Bonnie’s way of conceding defeat.

# # #

“Ladies?” Said the barman.

Jolene, her back to the main door turned around. Bonnie locked eyes with her.

“Nicer place than I was expecting,” said Vanessa in under voice to Bonnie.

Faith grunted to show her displeasure but Faith was never satisfied. Everything was always beneath her.

Jolene stood and walked towards the new arrivals. “Welcome, welcome to Delilah’s. I promised you a good feed. We’ve nothing special here but it ain’t bad chow.”

“No food,” snapped Bonnie, “we ain’t stoppin’ long, are we ladies?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” said Charlotte, looking around the room before her gaze lingered on Jolene.

“Behave!” Said Bonnie.

“Here, take the load off,” said Jolene, gesturing to a nearby vacant table, “let’s talk.”

Bonnie noticed Charlotte staring at Jolene like a love-struck youngster. The card tables had caught Vanessa’s eye. Faith had her signature scowl on her face.

“If you don’t want food, can I at least get you ladies a drink?” The sweet smile Jolene was using reminded Bonnie of Charlotte’s. It was like a deadly weapon but they were not johns being reeled in. “What about some rye? On me. Only the good stuff for my guests!”

Bonnie was about to answer when she realised that Jolene was making eye to eye contact with Charlotte. What was this, a duel of the flirtatious smiles? Bonnie suppressed the feeling of frustration that welled up inside of her. “No, no thank you. We don’t partake.”

“Suit yourself,” said Jolene.

“We are here to hear what you have to say and then we are leaving.” Bonnie had realised her mistake regarding refusing the whiskey. She hoped the Sheriff did not learn of this conversation.

“How much are you charging?”

“A dollar,” replied Faith, like the words were poison in her mouth.

“Only a dollar?”

“We get by,” snapped Bonnie, throwing an icy glare in Faith’s direction.

“The johns here pay ten dollars,” said Jolene, sitting back, not for a moment easing up on her smile, “the girls get half, I get half. I make sure the fines are paid and for a maid to do the cleaning and housekeeping. You still have to pay for food and lodging out of your money. I don’t own the saloon. You pay Irish Jake for that.”

“So we do the work and you take half our money?” Bonnie was no longer suppressing her frustration.

Jolene kept her cool, her smile unwavering. “I am running a business here. There are expenses. It is a fair deal. You look after me. I’ll look after you. One john a night booked in advance after we get established. You’ll be making up to thirty five dollars a week. Three times more than the average cowhand round here.”

“Don’t sound too bad to me,” said Vanessa.

“I want to see the rooms,” added Faith.

“Of course,” replied Jolene.

The room Jolene showed to them was clean, well-furnished, rather basic by Faith’s standards but not for the area.

“Well it is better than the Grand Hotel,” conceded Faith.

Bonnie realised this was another battle she was not going to win. In the plus side, there would be no more Texes but there would have a Jolene, whatever that meant.

“I want to discuss this with my friends in private before we agree to anything,” said Bonnie.

“Take all of the time you need,” replied Jolene, “I’ll wait for you at the bar downstairs.”

When she felt sure they would not be overheard, Bonnie said, “You’re going to go for this aren’t you?” There was an accusatory tone in her voice.

“It’s better than we have now,” said Faith.

“And the Faro table,” said Vanessa, “I could have lots of fun on there.”

“I bet you could,” replied Bonnie, “distracting the menfolk with those.” She pointed at Vanessa’s chest.

“I just use the gifts given me by the Lord.”

“Charlotte,” said Bonnie, turning towards her, “get that Jolene into bed with you and fuck her like she's never been fucked before. Make the bitch fall for you if you can. She is all charm and no knickers if you ask me. I want her to have an emotional connection. It might make her easier to manage, to control.”

“You don’t have to tell me…”

“Yes I know,” interrupted Bonnie, “I want her eating out of your hand.”

# # #

Bonnie lay in her new bed. She was very tired, it had been a long day, but sleep eluded her. She had never found it easy to sleep during the hours of darkness. It did not help that she had never been able to sleep well on the first night in a new place even before she had entered her current life. Over the years she had learned to grasp this insomnia and use the time to think.

Despite her misgivings, she was well fed, sheltered and had some money in her pocket. Not that she cared overly much about money; in her experience, it caused as many problems as it solved. If she had enough for her needs then that was good enough.

The quiet of the early hours of the morning was shattered by a cry coming from the next room. Bonnie had insisted on taking the one next to Jolene’s. Charlotte was certainly getting the job done with Jolene.

A sadness passed over Bonnie. She had been living her current life for about a century now. Her previous life was a distant shadow, barely discernable in her memories. She could not even remember if she had enjoyed sex back then when such pleasure was possible for her.

Charlotte had excelled even herself, either that or she was killing Jolene. Bonnie smiled. She could not think why it made her happy but for some reason it did. Even the thought that this might turn into a regular occurrence did not bother her.

To while away the time Bonnie thought about what she might spend her money on. Perhaps a new dress, though some new weapons would not go amiss, perhaps a small dagger or a derringer.

Also in the Brimstone series: "Father Nathaniel Blackadder", "Jolene White", "Hubert Alderman", "Bartholomew Carlisle", "Charlotte" and "Ingrid Baxter".