Chapter 2:
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When I stepped off the boat and onto American grounds, I knew that my life was never going to be the same. The streets were bustling with people, everywhere in nice American clothing, and big hats. I was immediately informed that we were ported in Brooklyn harbor, and that it was a rather rowdy town, so we were to be sure not to linger.
Head Maid wasted no time exiting the ports and heading right into the heart of the city, heading for a long bridge so that we might escape the danger of the rough town. She took us straight through in a hurry, all of us walking in a line like chicks to a mother hen. I found myself having to run to catch up many times, through all the noises and people and sights that distracted me. My clothing seemed so out of place, and the fact that my robes were so bright in color did not help matters any.
People who were selling things were yelling all around, trying to get me to buy newspapers and fish and the like. I longed to stay and examine the merchandise, and to meet some of the people, but Head Maid walked so fast I barely had time to spare a glance.
Once, a large oncoming crowd of newspaper boys weaved into our little group of girls, some of them pinching a few of us, and laughing afterwards. As instinct, of course most of us flirted right back.
Then a short newsboy near the front of the group plowed straight into me as hard as a bull as I passed, surprising me that such a small man would hurt so much. He seemed greatly irritated by the fact I had not jumped out of his way, mumbling something about me "being blind behind squinting eyes" of which I took great offense.
"Pardon me!" I said with a thick Chinese accent over my poor English, putting my hands on my hips. "I heard that!"
He glared straight back with eyes made of ice and fire all mixed together.
"You were meant to," he said coolly, then continued on with his friends.
"Whores," he uttered to one friend, shaking his head in frustration.
I frowned at the rude young man, and was slightly disturbed by the fact that he knew what I was. I was not dressed in any way that would hint this to a stranger, and it confused me as to how he figured it out so quickly. I shook the thought away, and caught up with my own group.
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The teahouse was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. Even though I knew it was just another house of harlotry, it was also the most sophisticated and high-ended place in the field. This was the best of the best, and a small part of me felt proud to be associated with it.
Entering it felt like I was entering a palace, or what I could imagine entering a palace felt like. The floor was wooden, and the windows were hidden behind fine silk, and in the center of it all, a place I knew I really belonged: a stage, complete with velvet red curtains and enough lights to make the sun jealous. It was thing only thing I stared at as we walked on. The very thought of performing made my heart lift, because at that time I had no idea what that stage was actually used for. In the old teahouse I worked at there was no scale of glamour put into harlotry such as this place, and it was very simple and crude.
"Don't worry," Head Maid said, noticing my longing for the stage. "You'll be there soon enough."
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Signed,
--RedRogue