In the dark, cold night I clamber through the dirty, streets of Paris. The dirt of the streets matches that of my clothes and my exposed skin. On one end of a long street I see the silhouette of what appears to be a man and jugging by how he seams to be unable to walk in a strait line I would say he is drunk. Perfect. Being drunk means being vulnerable.
"Bonsoir Monsieur." I call out to him. I stand a little taler and move my hair, dark with filth, from my face. "Monsieur, wait for me. I have something for you." I walk over to the man his face coming in to view. As the light eliminates his features I can see that he is middle aged and from the higher class. The kind of people I despise the most. However that makes what I'm about to do so much easier.
"Bonsoir Mademoiselle, how can I be of you're assistance?" As he says this his lips form into a disgusting smile and he looks me up and down. I hate it when they do is as I where a very relieving dress in order to get what I want.
"The same as you Monsieur." I say and step closer to him so that there are but two centimeters between us. "All you have to do is tell me how much you had to drink tonight."
"That is all? You want nothing more?" He asks garbing my waist and pulling me closer. On the inside I am revolted and can't believe that there are people this disgusting on earth but on the outside I smile and shake my head. With that monsieur tries to do in for a kiss but I turn my face away from him.
"No, no Monsieur. Not until you tell me how many glasses of wine you had."
"Ah Mademoiselle. Well let me think about it." He says and starts counting. I take this chance to reach into his jacket pocket and find what I am looking for, a bunch of money just waiting for me to take it. Quickly I slip the money into a pocket in the inside of my dress.
"I can not remember Mademoiselle. There is no way I ever will."
"Fine Monsieur. For once I will let it slip. However I will need you to lend me a handkerchief." Monsieur smiles at me and reaches into his shirt pulling out a white handkerchief. I not my thanks and take it from him. Than I reach up and tie it tightly around his eyes.
"One second Monsieur." I say after I'm done blindfolding him and as he waits for me to do unspeakable things I do the opposite and turn to run. I run quickly and silently through the ally until I reach the end and turn around the corner. I'm about to silently celebrate my winnings when I run into someone. That someone grabs on to my arms and prevents me from falling. I look up and see a dark haired man smiling down on me.
"Pardon monsieur, pardon. I was not looking. I will just leave now." I apologies and I'm about to make my way away from this stranger but he dose not let go of me.
"I think not mademoiselle for I have seen what you have done I and I know about the stolen money you hide." He grabs the bottom of my dress and is about to reach under but I slap his hand away.
"Do not touch me!"
" Oh don't worry, I won't. I don't need your stolen money when I can get an award for turning you in to the police."
"No!" I gasp. "Please no. I have a little brother. He is sick. He needs the money."
"I thought something along the lines. Don't we all have loved ones in need while the rich people of Paris waist away on whine." The man says letting me go and sits down leaning against a house wall.
"No offense monsieur, but you are just as drunk as the man I just robed, if not more."
"Touche Mademoiselle."
"Merci monsieur et pardon but I have to be going to buy medicine for my brother." I say hoping he forgot about wanting to turn me in.
"Wait." He says garbing for my hand. "I just had the best idea. How would you like to make some more money?"
"I would like it very much. But I don't know yet if I am the right one to help you." I say hoping he's not about to say he'll pay me to sleep with him. That's not what I do.
"Well mademoiselle, you see I have this friend-"
"Before you continue," I say cutting him off "let me just warn you that I am not a whore."
"I never said you where." He sill holds on to my hand and although he is completely drunk there is strength in his grip. "Let me finnish before you say no. Anyway this friend, some of us think he is one of thous rare people who has no sexual attraction to anything."
"Well than I do not understand how I can help you. No if you would please-" I say trying to get free from his grip but he holds on.
"Wait. I am not done."
"All due respect monsieur, but I really have more important things on my mind than your asexual friend."
"Just sit and listen please." The man says patting the ground next to him with his free hand. "I will pay you five franc to stay and listen. It's not much but all I have. Please."
Even though I don't want to I sit down to listen to this man. He is wright five franc is not a lot when you are from a rich family, but I am not and there five franc may be enough to buy my brother a warm meal.
"Merci mademoiselle I -"
"Stop calling me 'mademoiselle' my name is Clemance."
"Pardon Clemance. Anyway as I was saying, I have this friend-"
"The asexual one?"
"Oui, the very same. However I don't believe that he is asexual for I have seen him once staring at a girl."
"Monsieur if you don't mind speeding up the story. My brother is all alone waiting for me."
"Of course mademoiselle, pardon Clemance. And this girl she has a strange resemblance to you. I was hoping you could – you know, with him- "
" I've said it before monsieur and I say it again. I am not a whore, nor have I ever been. I am pure."
"Pure? Is that what you call flirting with helpless men before taking there money?"
I don't know what it is about this statement but I start to laugh. "You have a good point monsieur. I am fully aware that I am no longer pure in my mind or my sole but my body is as pure as the day I was borne. Not even my lips have been claimed."
"You feed yourself and a boy without a job and not giving up even a kiss. I must say you have impressed me."
"So you understand why I am not willing to 'pleas' your friend?" I'm about to get up but his hand grips my shoulder and sits me back down. This guy is either a really good friend or a really annoying one.
"I'm not asking you too. All I ask is that you befriend him, flirt with him, and if he shows any sign of attraction towards you your job will be done. You don't even need to kiss the guy."
"But monsieur, you still have not said what I get out of it."
"I can give you ten franc tomorrow, and ten more next week. And you never know, you may get love out of it as well."
"There is only one male I love and he is ten and dying."
"The money could save him. Do it?" After hesitating a long time I agree.
"Oui."
"Merci beaucoup mademoiselle. Meat me tomorrow at l'ABC cafe."
The man gets up and holds out his hand. Reluctantly I take it. Than he reaches in to his jacket and pulls out five franc. "Je m'appelle Grantaire. I will see you tomorrow?"
"Oui monsieur Grantaire. See you then." As Grantaire walks away down the allly toward where I know the ABC cafe is I wonder if I made the right choice. I just stand there staring into the empty ally contemplating my decision when I here a voice: "Ou est tu? I will find you mademoiselle." Immediately I sprint off. How could I have forgotten about the man I robed?