You must think we looked strangely out of place, but keep in mind that we were wearing men's attire, masks, and long opera capes, and since members of the “upper class” were continually visiting these places, it wasn't at all uncommon to find visitors dressed somewhat like ourselves.
The next place, though a little better, furnished us with a little bit of excitement. It also proved to us that our “guards” were ever on the alert. We were approached by one of the other visitors to the place who asked for a drink. This girl was of the medium type, and after perching herself on the edge of the table and going through the formality of adjusting a garter-a little trick common among them when they wanted to flaunt their wares upon an unsuspecting wayfarer-she asked one of us if we wouldn't buy her a drink. That in itself wasn't at all out of the way, and we would have gladly done so, had not something else happened at that moment.
Before we could summon a waiter, we were approached by a villainous looking man who promptly insisted that we were trying to steal his darling girl. The altercation was cut short by the timely appearance of a stranger who promptly delivered the would-be troublemaker into the waiting arms of his mistress. The scowling face of our rescuer seemed to convince the callow fellow that it would be far better for him to take his girl and leave.
When I discovered our deliverer was one of our guards, I said, “What a splendid man, my dears! I should like to know him better!'
Anna, being better acquainted with the brute, answered, “Leave well enough alone, darling! That brute, while he appears gorgeous, is little better than the man he ruined and would as soon knife you as protect you. The only reason he doesn't is because he is being paid more for his work than he could possibly get from our purses.'
As you can readily guess, I put all amorous thoughts about our protectors out of mind.
On to the next place! This one was of the better-class resort, and I really got something of a thrill there. Instead of being in a smelly basement, the place was off the sidewalk, and we had to pass between two burly doorkeepers before we could enter.
I wondered if our eight “guards” would be denied admittance and was glad to see they followed us; a whispered word from one of my companions seemed to have done the trick. Inside, however, they seemed to have melted away, but Nina said, “Don't be alarmed my dear; they aren't far away-they haven't been paid all their money yet, and until they get it, you couldn't lose them if you wanted to.'
The place, besides sporting a dance floor of sorts, was lighted by gas-lamps, and all about the dancing section were tables where one could sit and enjoy the activities of the others, while sipping your drink. I noted, too, that there were several other groups, dressed somewhat like ourselves, sitting at the tables. They, too, were women, only an occasional man being present, though they all wore masks.
I remarked at this. The only answer I received was a shrug of the shoulder and a lifting of eyebrows. I wondered at this.
Another strange thing about the place was that several of the guests received notes or cards or a whispered word from the waiter, and in almost every case the one receiving the summons left their group and entered through a door at the far end of the room and disappeared from sight. My curiosity being aroused, I called attention to this, remarking of the scarcity of men present.
'How do you know they're not men?” asked Anna.
'So,” I thought, “it's that kind of a place, is it?'
Knowing more or less about the type of man who ran about dressed as a woman, I didn't think I cared for it. They were, as Anna so aptly put it, a sexless crowd unable to produce a hard-on for even the most beautiful girl.
There was a string band, which furnished music for the dancers-which were chiefly women-and after a short stay we departed. Riding along, Nina said, “Having a good time, dearie?'
I laughed. “If seeing is having a good time, then I'm surely enjoying myself, but it's like coffee without cream-there's something lacking.'
'Something to quell the raging fever?” asked Anna, reaching across and patting my belly.
'Something like that,” I answered.
'Just what's on your mind, dearie? A man? Maybe a talented woman would do the trick?” This from Nina.
'Are you trying to flirt with me?” I asked. “If you are, I'll take down my trousers.” This caused a lot of lewd answers, then Nina said: “All right, dearie. The next place we stop, you can turn yourself loose a little-only you've got to take your chance with what you get.'
'Meaning?” I asked.
'Are you game?'
'The way I'm feeling,” I answered, “I'm game for anything!'
A few moments later we were driven into a darkened street, and, closely followed by our “shadows” as we had gotten to call them, we entered a dimly lighted house not unlike the former place.
Here, however, the occupants were fewer and consisted chiefly of men, though, like the others we had seen, they, too, wore masks.
'Another one of those places, huh?” I said.
'Satisfied with anything you get?” Nina asked. “Just as long as you can get your gun off?'
This was a droll way of putting it, and I couldn't help laughing at the daring girl. “You seem well versed,” I answered, “so suppose you pick out a nice ‘gentleman’ for me?'
'Done,” she said, “but knowing your weakness, dearie don't try returning the compliment; some night in the near future we'll take you to a place where you can go the limit, and where they don't wear masks.'
'You interest me, my dear,” I said, “so let us hope it will be soon.'
A waiter was approaching. “Let me order,” Anna whispered when the waiter neared the table at which we sat.
'Merry Wives,” said Anna to the waiter. “Something to warm the red lane.” He bowed. It was obvious he understood this strange request, for he said: “Perhaps the gentlemen would prefer being served in a private dining room?'
'Later,” answered Anna. “For the moment, we shall watch the dancers; perhaps we will find someone to dance with.'
'Merry Wives? Something to warm the red lane? What in the world were you saying, Anna?'
'Just an expression to convey our needs, dearie. Our friend the waiter knows what we're here for now, so go ahead and pick out a partner; the best way is to pick out one you want, then dance awhile.'
'Good heavens,” I cried. “Why all the secrecy? What's it all about?'
'There's no mystery about it, darling. Just a little surprise; surprises are always more thrilling, you know. Now take the one over there for instance; see the tall gentleman with the Vandyke?'
Nodding my answer, she went on: “The gentleman with the Vandyke happens to be the daughter of one of our wealthiest bankers, and her desire runs to pretty women. She's looking over here now, and a nod will bring her running. Suggest a dance and see what happens.'
'You intrigue me,” I said. “Well, here goes!” and I gave the expected nod, which was immediately answered by the “gentleman” with an reciprocal nod. “Too late now to back out,” whispered Nina, “for here she comes.'
I approached her as she neared our table. “Dance?” I asked.
This was the expected source of introduction, and as we moved about the dance floor, I could see the eyes staring intently at me through the small holes of her mask.
'You dance divinely,” I said, pressing against her. Something about this woman (for it was a woman) attracted me. Her mouth was pretty, as were her teeth, and what I could see of her complexion was unusually fair. I found myself wanting to kiss her. Glancing back at the table I had just left, I noted that both Anna and Nina were walking out upon the dance floor. My partner noticed it, too, for she said, “Your friends will be occupied for some little while, so why not join me in a drink?'
'At your table?” I asked, watching her eyes.
'I have a private little place where we could be quite alone-besides,” she continued, “I am quite thirsty.'
Well, my friend, to make a long story short, I allowed myself to be led to a small room. Once inside, my host pulled a cord. Almost immediately a waiter appeared. “A bottle of Benedictine,” she promptly ordered. The waiter withdrew. “Won't you remove your cape?” she asked, tossing hers to one side.
'I would rather wait until the waiter has come and gone,” I said.
