Chapter 11

Author's Note: Since the name "Brittany" didn't come into use in America until the 1970's, I am altering "Brittany Susan" to "Betty Sue", a more historically appropriate name. Suffice it to say, it's the same character.


Rachel and Noah walked the short distance from the club to the brothel in comparative silence, save for the sounds of the bustling city around them. Neither had felt such a strong connection to a relative stranger, and both were at a loss as to what to do about it. Rachel worried over how long she could keep her charade going, and what the ramifications would be when the truth was revealed. Would he accept her for the person she truly was or, having proved his point, laugh in her face and turn away?

Noah, still convinced that 'Ruben' was a woman, contemplated how to best orchestrate her unmasking, as well as how soon after he would take her to his bed. There was a nagging thought at the back of his mind, though; what if he was mistaken? He quickly disregarded it; after all, he wouldn't have such an intense attraction to another man…would he?

They came to a stop at the entrance to a nondescript brownstone; only a small sign projecting out from the wall next to the door advertising "The Choir Room" was proof that they had arrived at their destination. Noah announced, "Here we are!" but before they ascended the stairs, Rachel nervously asked, "Um…Puck…who do I pay?"

Noah smirked as he replied, "Don't worry about it, old man; it's on me."

Rachel quickly responded "Don't be silly, Puck, I can take care of it."

He reacted to her insistence with a chuckle, reassuring her "I insist, Berry; consider it my Bar Mitzvah gift to you."

They headed up the stairs toward the door, Rachel turned to Noah, inquiring, "Why is it called 'the Choir Room'?"

A still-smirking Noah cocked his left eyebrow, and replied, "Mercedes swears that her girls are so skilled that when you 'come', you'll sing their praises to the heavens." Rachel looked down in embarrassment as Noah chuckled lightly and rang the buzzer.

A pretty girl answered the door. She wore a flaming red teddy trimmed in black lace under a short red kimono-styled robe that flowed back in the breeze, revealing her slim shape and minimal attire. Rachel averted her eyes, not knowing quite where to look, and Noah greeted her "Hey, Sugar! Where's Mercedes?"

Sugar took Noah by the hand and led them down a short corridor, turning right into the parlor. She dropped his hand, and as she walked away, he slapped her ass playfully, setting her into a fit of giggles. Rachel, her emotions a mixture of embarrassment and jealousy, momentarily looked away.

Having not known what to expect, she was relieved by what she saw as they entered the room. Her imagination had painted a garish picture of red walls and over-stuffed gilded furniture holding seedy people performing depraved sex acts for all to see (and participate in). What she encountered was a tastefully decorated parlor with a piano in the corner that was currently being played by a well-dressed man in a wheelchair. The women were scantily clad, to be sure, but their behavior wasn't overtly sexual, merely friendly and (for lack of a better term) familiar, and the room was permeated by a mix of popular music, conversation, and laughter.

Holding court on a cream colored settee was a curvaceous Black woman, apparently not much older than herself, snuggled up next to a good-looking blonde man whose face lit up when he saw Noah. "Hey, Puck," the man called out, "what brings you here tonight? Lookin' for a little 'companionship?'

Noah grinned, replying, "Not for me, Sam; for my friend, Ruben, here," thumping Rachel on the back with enough force that, although it wouldn't phase another man, nearly knocked Rachel over. She looked at Noah disdainfully, causing him to retort, "Backing out, old man?"

Rachel pulled herself to her full height, replying as confidently as she could muster, "Of course not, Puck."

Noah cocked his eyebrow, his eyes twinkling. "Who would you recommend, Mercedes? It's his first time, you see…"

Mercedes smiled knowingly, kissing Sam on the cheek and momentarily extricating herself from his arms. She stood up and began walking among the room, mentally sizing up the girls as to who would be an appropriate guide for a young man's first sexual encounter. She stopped by a tall blonde; they had a brief conversation, and then the two women came over to Rachel and Noah.

"Gentlemen, this is Betty Sue. I think you'll 'enjoy her company', Mr…err…"

All eyes were on Rachel as she hastily replied, "Berry, ma'am; Ruben Berry."

Betty Sue linked her arm with Rachel's; she smiled gently, leading Rachel away. Rachel looked back at Noah, who advised her (with just the slightest hint of irony in his voice) to "Have fun, buddy! I'll see you later."

As the "couple" faded from view, Mercedes focused her attention on Noah, teasing, "So, Puck, see anything you like?"

Amused by her question, he laughed as he replied, "Of course, Mercedes, what's not to like? Tonight's about Ruben, though, so if it's all the same, I'm just gonna visit."

"I see you managed to free yourself from Lucille," Sam sardonically commented as Mercedes rejoined him, snuggling in as he placed his arm around her shoulders.

"Yeah," Noah agreed, "Blaine's gonna make sure she gets home tonight." Noah considered briefly before remarking, "Honestly, Sam, I don't get why you're keeping company with that woman; she's 'nuttier than a fruitcake'!'

Sam chuckled, teasingly drawing Mercedes a little closer as he replied, "We've known each other, well, practically since diapers; our families expect it, even if we both have other ideas…at least, I do." He grinned, kissing Mercedes on the cheek before continuing, "Apparently, Jesse St. James has been slithering around, lately, and Lucille is a sucker for flattery, so I figure it's only a matter of time before they're an 'item' and I'm a free man."

The look of confusion on Noah's face prompted Sam to explain, "He's a police detective with a law degree and political aspirations, and his eye's on the Assistant District Attorney's office. With a big 'butter and egg man' like Russell Fabray bankrolling his campaign and a kitten like Lucille on his arm, he's a shoe-in." As the conversation continued, Noah found himself tuning it out, wondering just what was going on upstairs…


Heading up the stairs to the next level, the woman introduced herself, "Hi! I'm Betty Sue…first time, huh?" Rachel sheepishly nodded her head, to which the woman reassuringly replied, "That's OK honey; we all gotta start sometime. I'll go easy on ya'."

Rachel gingerly smiled, thinking to herself, "Lady, you don't know the half of it…"

They stopped at a room and Betty Sue opened the door with a key, explaining, "We each have our own rooms. We keep them locked; that way, nothing's stolen, and none of the 'johns' get any ideas about sneaking back in." The room was clean and modestly decorated; again, not the den of debauchery that Rachel had anticipated. Only a boudoir doll in a ruffled dress and a very large tabby cat grooming itself on the bed lent a personalized touch to the space.

"That's Lord Tubbington, my cat," Betty Sue explained. "I'll put him in his own bed now, and I promise he won't watch or take any notes." Rachel looked oddly at the girl, but Betty Sue seemed so sincere that she decided to disregard the remark. After removing the cat and placing him on a cushion under the window, Betty Sue sat down on the bed and patted the space next to her. "Come over here, honey," she invited Rachel with a soft smile. Rachel tentatively inched her way to the bed, eventually perching herself on the edge, as if she would take off at a moment's notice. "Relax, baby; don't be scared," Betty Sue coaxed her, placing her hand delicately on Rachel's thigh. "This won't hurt; and I'll make sure you have a good time."

Betty Sue leaned in and kissed Rachel softly on the lips. Although Rachel didn't feel a physical reaction, she returned the kiss. Betty Sue moved closer, unbuttoning Rachel's jacket and loosening her ascot. As the kissing escalated in intensity, Betty Sue's tongue attempted entry to Rachel's mouth. Rachel immediately ceased, backing away with a look of abject horror in her frightened eyes.