"Monsieur, any money for a starving girl? Mademoiselle, do you have any food for a famished child?"
It was a petite voice, one of a small girl. It was dainty and high-pitch. I turned around on the street again to look at the begging child.
She perked up when she saw me reach into my coat pocket. "You have food? Money?" she asked excitedly.
I tossed some coins into her opened palms. "So, how old are you, my child? What is your name?" I asked casually.
She was counting the money. "My name is Bella; I was ten-years-old last week."
"And what happened to your parents? Why are you on the streets, begging for your deserved nourishment?"
She pocketed the coins. "My parents died in a fire. I have no relatives, and the government won't help me; so, I am now forced to beg on the streets of Paris like a common peasant. I use to be like a princess." Her eyes flashed dangerously with recollection.
"Well, ma chérie, would you like to come visit my house? I could treat you just like a princess, and all the men who would want to visit you would treat you even better - like a queen! So, what do you say to that? Just a quick little visit, but you could stay if you'd like that."
She clicked her tongue. She was a sassy one.
"I suppose . . . but what do you mean, I'd be treated like a princess? And what men are you talking about? Would they give me very expensive things like jewels as well? I like jewels."
"Oh, yes, ma chérie, of course! The men would pay lots of money just to be in your presence! And once they'd paid all of the money, they would still give you pretty jewels. They might even make you feel very, very good."
"I like the sound of all of this."
"Very good! So, shall we adjourn to my house? I have many other girls living with me, and they would love to meet you, and be your friend! They can teach you all of the ways to get very expensive things from the men who visit you; we will all have such a grand time!"
"That all sounds very good."
"Oh, perfect, gosling! Well, let's get you home, I'll have you sign a little something, you can meet your new sisters, and they'll tell you all about your new princess life!"
"Wonderful."
So, I took the child's grungy hand, and we walked down the street to my bright, brand-new, flashy whorehouse.