Made in Taiwan 18

Day 79 continued

“What was with the attitude in class today”? Simona announced angrily as we entered the apartment after travelling home together.

Leaning down to unbuckle my sandals, I looked up at her and lifted a thinly plucked eyebrow. “What do you mean, I did exactly what you told me”! I proclaimed innocently.

“I didn't tell you to be such a bitch! Harry was red in the face after you scoffed when he got an answer wrong. You even rolled your eyes at Miss Li at one point”!

Chuckling, I kicked off the painfully tall wedges, which I’d somehow made it through the day wearing without tripping once. “That’s how Simona acts”, I stated as I stretched out my numb feet, "Sorry to be the one to tell you, but you are a bit of a cow".

“I am not”, Simona shot back, “I know I’m not the friendliest, but I’m not as bad as you made me out to be”.

Chucking again, I walked past her. “If, you say so. Do we have any beers in the fridge”?

“Hey, come back here, we’re not done”! Simona shouted. “You can't be so mean. You’re going to make everyone think I’m a bitch”.

“Too late for that, I'm afraid and it wasn't my doing. Oh, and while we’re on the subject of acting like the other. You need to stop staring at all the guy's arses. People are going to notice and think I’m gay”.

“Was I staring? I didn’t realise”, Simona replied, looking surprised. “Hey, what does it matter anyway, it's ok to be gay”.

I shook my head. “You know I’ve got nothing against people being gay, you know that. But I’m straight. It will seem suspicious if our whole personalities suddenly change overnight. It was you who said that, right”?

Knowing that she had lost out to my logical argument, Simona ran into the kitchen ahead of me. There, she opened the fridge and took out some juice. “No more beer for you”, she stated, “you need to lose some weight. In fact, we need to improve your lower body shape too”.

“What!”, I declared annoyed, “why? I passed today, didn’t I”?

“Maybe", Simona shot back”, But you were sat down, and even then, I thought you looked a little chubby. I’m not talking anything drastic. I’ll show you a easy exercise routine, just a few squats and stretches, I'll be easy”.

Groaning, I unscrewed the lid of the juice, struggling as usual to position my hands right, thanks to my cumbersome nails. “Fine, but if I'm chubby, you’re too thin. If I’m going to diet, you need to do a few push-ups and eat a bit more”.

“Fine”, Simona replied, “easy”.

“Exactly, easy”, I shot back, “It won't be a problem, you know, being you isn't as tough as you make out”.

“Oh really”? Simona announced, pulling a face. “just wait until you start my job, then”.

Turning on a pivot, a cascade of long dark hair whipped around in front of my face. “Job”! I exclaimed, “shit, I have to do your job”!

Having not considered that I might have to do other things, other than just going to university, the smug look on my face changed. Simona had mentioned before that she had a job, but she’d never gone into any details.

“What is it you do exactly”? I demanded, “and no dodging the question this time”.

Simona chuckled. “Ok, I’ll tell you. It’s not something I’m very proud of but it’s easy work and the pay is great. Take a seat and I’ll tell you all about it”.

Day 81

With the streets whizzing past me like a blur, I clung to Simona for dear life as we sped out of the city.

With one hand on her shoulder and the other between my legs gripping the material of my tiny pink skirt to stop it from riding up my legs, my thoughts were all over the place.

Having taken a pill to calm my nerves. I was now in my own personal dream world where I was trying to convince myself, everything was all a dream. I mean, there was no way I could be on the back of a scooter, squeezed into a tiny pink dress, the top low enough to show off a small cleavage, created by half a roll of sticky tape and padding. There was no way I could be wearing flimsy high heels sandals that I could barely stand on while my exact double drove me through the streets of Taipei, Taiwan on a pink scooter. That would be ridiculous!

But as crazy as it sounded to my drugged up mind, it was real, and reality hit me hard in the face as we parked up in an area just outside the main city called Banqiao. Before we left, Simona had tried once again to explain what she did. But until that moment, seeing it with my own two made-up eyes, I couldn’t really picture it.

Taking off my helmet, I looked around, flabbergasted. We had parked on a street, lined with what I could only describe as glass boxes. They were all lit up with flashing neon lights and inside, sat on tall stools in skimpy outfits, were what looked like prostitutes. I gulped, knowing I was about to become one of them.

Feeling my steeply angled foot touch the ground, I froze. I knew these girls weren’t actually prostitutes, Simona had explained how things work. but nevertheless, the job sounded horrendous.

“Come on, Simona”, The real Simona called out, extending her hand to help me off the bike. We were now referring to each other by the other's name to avoid slip-ups.

Reaching out, I took her hand, and I fell into her arms. Feeling Embarrassed to be cradled in her arms like a baby, I pushed myself free.

Stepping up onto the curb, I took a few small wobbly steps forward before stopping dead as I looked around in awe. I scanned from booth to booth, wide-eyed, trying to convince my confused brain that the scene in front of me wasn't something out of a sci-fi movie.

“Ok, I’ll introduce you to Mei. She knows the situation and will help you through your first few shifts”, Simona stated, prompting me to turn.

(See image 24)

“This feels so wrong! I don't want to be here! I want to go home”! I announced, feeling overwhelmed.

“Just breath. You’ll be fine, trust me”, Simona replied smiling, “I’ve taught you all the words you’ll need. Mei is amazingly helpful, and for tonight, I’ll stay in the area, in case, you need me. Relax, ok”?

So what did I do? Refuse to go in? Run away, heels clicking and arms flailing? No. I meekly bowed my head and resigned myself to the idea of working as a “Binglang xishi” or as they were known in English, Betel nut girl. A strange profession, unique to Taiwan. Where scantily clad women, in glass boxes sold cigarettes, alcohol, and of course Betel nuts. A seed that when chewed, gave the person a small buzz or high.

It was a custom that went back decades. Starting when where truck drivers and construction workers would stop by. Over the years, competition grew. And as a result, the girls started dressing more and more provocatively to attract customers. The booths were now illegal in Taipei city itself, but in the surrounding areas and the rest of the country. Betel nuts and the profession of selling them was all legal and completely above-board.