Chapter 23

Saturday

It was Saturday evening. Five days had passed since Tony had moved to Mike�s place. Both Mike and Christine had been in touch with Sharon and filled her in on the recent happenings.

On the streets Sharon and Joanne met. They had been working steadily all night. All the varied clients were plentiful. It was time for a break and they entered Joey�s. Sitting themselves down they ordered a couple of cappuccinos. The conversation revolved mainly around Tony. They had come to really like Tony in the few days he had been around. Now he wasn�t hey missed him. But, they knew that that was how life was in the Cross. It moved at a rapid pace. A week was a long time. Days were like years. People were here today and gone tomorrow. Some moved on, some died, others just disappeared without any word. Relationships and friendships were formed quickly, each person making the most of them whilst they existed. Life wasn�t a precious commodity here, it was taken, used up and discarded fast, and only common sense slowed the trading cycle.

"How much have you made tonight?" Joanne asked turning the subject away from Tony.

"Let�s see, I�ve had four one hour bookings and two twenty minutes. That�s seven hundred and forty. Sharon brushed her hair back, her eyes dazzling brightly, as the morning�s heroin was almost all gone. A couple of day�s gear, you know. I�ve got the rent to pay on Monday too."

"Are we going to go for a swim tomorrow? "

"We�ll see what the weather�s like, I�d like to." Sharon smiled, "I think Tony is either at David�s place or perhaps at Mikes house. Maybe they�d like to come too." Her face lit up, "You should meet David, he is such a nice guy."

"Well, Joanne said, pushing her face towards her friend, "You should invite him!"

"I will." Sharon said, poking her tongue out before sipping her coffee that had just arrived.

The two girls chatted and laughed. Sharon poked a face at a leering guy, who embarrassed with her response sauntered down the road. The girls laughed. They were good friends, good company. Each girl drew energy from the other. Each needed their sister in the game. Times together between tricks kept them together. Each was dependent on the other just to make it through each night. Each was beautiful in her own way. They were so funny when they were joking with each other. This was one of those nights. Joey looked on with a smile, especially when he saw them eventually wave goodbye saying " See ya later Joey". It was Saturday night and the Cross was teaming with men. Many of them eagerly are awaiting street walkers as gorgeous as these two. Outside Joey�s the two girls went their separate ways.

A well dressed elderly man who formally introduced himself as Peter approached Sharon. Sharon took his hand and led him to her apartment. Once they had arrived, she took her clothes off, and asked how long he�d like to stay. Most men never saw her naked before money had changed hands. But she was selling her body and sometimes exposing it brought a bigger sale. Tonight she was glad she did. Peter, a distinguished, greying man seemed quite aroused tonight as he took out two hundred dollars. "How much time will this buy? " he asked meekly.

"You can have me till two o clock, You look harmless. You look as though you could do with a treat."

Peter smiled to himself. He was acting out a character also. They were all actors tonight. This response was a surprise still. He�d have to change a little of his book. She may not think he is so harmless when she found out his purpose for the visit.

Sharon was a goddess of subtle beauty as she approached. His knees weakened; his head swam dizzy in excitement. His maleness didn�t let him down though as she led him to the bedroom. After about half an hour, they were lying chatting on the bed. She found this Peter very interesting. He was writing a novel apparently and doing a little research.

"What sort of characters are in the book? " Sharon asked with interest.

"Oh many characters. There�s a Pizza delivery guy, and there�s a lady in her forties from an office job. I�m only a few chapters into it at the moment. Being here is really part of my research. I�m thinking of putting a working girl in the book, and I thought this would be the best way to find out all that I�d need to know."

"So you might put me in your book. That would be great. I wonder, do you need a couple of working girls?"

"Maybe." Peter said smiling. His night going like a charm.

"Because I�ve got a friend, you�d like. She would be a good character. She would be better than I would. She�s funny. She�s lively she�d be great."

"I don�t know if I�ve that much money. Or the energy, Look at me you practically wore me out. I�m not a young bloke you know. He smiled to himself. She wasn�t suspicious in any way. Joanne was already in his book; she had a chapter devoted to her already. This wasn�t about her becoming a character. This was Russian roulette. This was about whom would die. Sharon or Joanne.

"I could introduce you if you like, over a coffee."

"That would be nice." Peter said as he lifted the sheet to once again give the goddess before him some attention.

Another fifteen minutes passed before Peter went and had a shower. As he left, he asked Sharon a question." Could you do me a favour?"

Sharon followed him into the shower, turned the tap on, and they both climbed in. She began to wash him and asked, " Yeah, what do you want me to do? "

"I bought some heroin the other day. Especially for tonight. You use it don�t you? "

"Yes", Sharon replied.

"Well, he continued. I thought prostitutes did at least the street walkers. Anyway, I thought I�d take some whilst I was here with you. I don�t know how to do it. I want to feel the sensation, because I have to write about it. I wonder if you could mix me up a little dose if you would be so kind."

The time was around midnight; it was time for the girl�s shot. He knew that, he had the tapes to prove it. As they dried themselves, Peter went to his bag to retrieve the heroin and his gear.

"Sharon, do you want to help me take some of this?"

"Sure. "

"Yeah I�m a writer. I want to include a heroin user in my book and so I�ve purchased some to try it out. I wondered if you could help me. I want to make sure I don�t overdose Sharon mixed up some heroin, and injected some herself, to check the strength. As it entered her blood stream she leant back and put a hand to her forehead.

"Where�d you get this?"

"Oh, a friend. Why? Is it okay?"

"Man it�s oh�."She rolled her eyes in pleasure. It�s divine."

"Well I�m not a user. Can you make sure you mix up just enough for me?"

"A pleasure." She mixed a little up and held it over the flame of the stove. "Do you think�?"

"That you can buy some Sharon?"

"Yes."

"Tell you what. Get dressed and give me my shot. I�ll need you to help me into the cab. I have no further use for this heroin. Take it, as my way of saying thanks. With one condition!"

"Yes?"

"That you buy a copy of my book when it comes out."

"Deal!"

Sharon went into the bedroom to change. And that�s when he did it. Before leaving the room, he made sure to leave some different heroin for Sharon to find later. He�d spent a long time researching the habits of the two girls and knew they spent Sundays together. The next injection would probably kill either one of them. Yet, he was happy to kill either.

She gave him a business card and then brought the needle to his arm. She put a belt around his arm, raised a vein, instructing him as she did so. Then with one push, Peter�s head exploded. He was glad, as his feet lightened and he started to lose control of his body, that he had Sharon to help him into a cab.

The stuff was powerful that was for sure. It was death, a dream come true, the unsung hero- his little assassin.

*******

As Sharon breezed up Bayswater road in the arms of her lover she couldn�t remember another hit like the one she was experiencing. It took her back; it caressed every cell in her body. It stole her attention, turning her mind from worry, its power vibrating her, shaking itself through her so completely.

The numbness came in waves; a sunny smile broke across her face; her arms were waving like palms free in the wind. She felt peace; her shadowy home street gave way to the flashing neon clubs; her body bathed in light, colour, shadow and smooth curves is a picture on a postcard; her body a centrefold undressed in men�s stares.

Sharon was a walking contradiction. Her life is predictable, but filled with each day�s surprise. Her profession the world�s oldest, but not one the wise attends to pursuing. Her figure cut perfectly in societies fashion sense, her heroin addiction societies worse disease. She was lost in a sea of hopelessness; but still gave hope to lonely and depraved men. Her virginity was no badge of honour she could wear; but the lack of it had its own attraction amongst men. She had simple desires; she had complex issues to deal with. She gave herself freely to the needy; but her life needed help charity couldn't help.

On this morning she treated herself to another warm bowl of soup. She was alive. She had a little love and she had a wonderful bag of heroin she wanted to share with her best friend.