Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Write in the ROMANCE genre (04/19/07)
-
TITLE: The Brothel | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marilyn Schnepp
04/22/07 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
"Yeah, whadda ya want?" came a voice through the door.
"I wanna see the boss."
The door opened and Jimmy was escorted into Big Sam's office. "What's up, Man?" Sam asked as he offered the old bellboy a chair.
"I've got troubles, Sam, big troubles."
"Trouble? What kind of trouble? The girls threatening to strike again?" Sam laughed aloud.
"No, Sam, nothing like that. It's a copper named Karl who's ..."
"Whoa, hold it right there, Jimbo," Sam interrupted, "I'm just a bookie in the numbers racket, not a cop killer!"
"I know that, Sam; I just need you to sabotage a romance that's going on between this cop and a desk clerk downstairs. He's always hanging around, bringing her coffee, sitting in the hotel lobby, and as long as he's visible the Johns won't come in, and the girls can't work. He's ruining my business!"
"Yes, I see." Sam lit a cigar. "Have you tried hush money?"
"No way, Boss, this cop is clean; but something's got to give, and soon! Business has dropped down to zilch, zero, nada, since he's been hanging around that girl. You gotta do something!"
"Okay, Jimmy, I'll look into it. She's the green-eyed brunette, right? We'll concentrate on her, forget the cop."
Sam walked Jimmy to the door just as Gopher came in like a whirlwind. "Cripes," he gasped, "I almost got busted with the bag money! That big cop and his girlfriend got on the elevator with me, but he was more interested in her than me, thank goodness!" Gopher was sweating.
"Sam patted Jimmy on the back, "Don't worry, Jimmy, I'll handle it," and quickly closed the door.
Karl's beat was the Woodward and Grand River area, downtown. The 6'4" Traffic Cop knew every inch of his turf including the six story Whitfield Hotel with its 6th floor brothel, a numbers racketeer on second and a Lounge in the basement.
However, Karl's job was to keep downtown traffic flowing smoothly and leave the illicit trafficking to the Vice Squad.
Every salesperson, parking attendant and shop owner knew and loved the tall, good natured cop guarding their turf. Karl had no enemies. In fact, the first time I laid eyes on him, I fell head over heels for him too, literally! I missed the step off the curb and landed on my derriere right at his feet.
Helping me to my feet, he directed me to the destination where the Want Ad said they were looking for a Hotel Clerk, and wished me Luck. When I got the job and a free room to boot, I was so ecstatic that I had to stop by and tell the nice policeman the good news.
My knight in blue shining armor with badge, white gloves, and black boots stopped by every day to check on me. However, I had no idea that our budding romance was putting a strain on the Brothel's finances. But I was about to learn...the hard way.
First, a bartender's bankroll was planted in my locker, making the Lounge Manager think I was a thief. Then anonymous calls to Vice reported I was accosting and soliciting, causing me to narrowly miss being arrested; not to mention the numerous break-ins and trashing of my room.
Harassment I could handle, but Karl, bless his heart, had too much to lose. His career, reputation and future were at stake, and he was constantly getting mixed up in all this mess by standing by me. What to do?
When the Final Curtain came down it wasn't pretty:
The green-eyed brunette, a.k.a. TROUBLE, split the scene; Sam was paid handsomely for ending the romance; Jimmy's business was again thriving; And, oh yes; Karl was heartbroken; but later married, and after thirty years retired from the PD with Honors.
It's dusk, now. My favorite time of the day - for soon I'll be witnessing a touch of romance as heaven bids the earth "good night". I'll watch God pull down His evening shades, turn on His night light, and tuck the sun 'neath the blue horizon, and once again fill my fading green eyes with stardust as I remember the thrill of an old romance when I was young...
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.