Today was such a special day for us. The results of eighteen months of hard work had finally paid off. Myself and Jerry had bought this place for a steal! However, it took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to bring it to its present glory. We were proud, real proud. This was going to make us rich. Our 'cash cow' as Jerry called it.
Jerry is my oldest friend and my soul mate. Our paths should never have crossed really, as we both had way different lives back then. Jerry was a very well respected Judge. He was known for his no-nonsense attitude and his lengthy sentences. People feared him! So when I found myself standing before him on that cold December morning, I truly expected to be spending the next five years behind bars.
Judge Kingston (as he was formerly known), listened intently as the prosecution listed off my numerous charges. Every so often the judge would shift eyes to me whilst making notes. The bottom line was that I had been found guilty of being a Madam in a high-end brothel. I had a contacts book containing the names of many high-powered and rich clients, which was also seized. I was indeed up shits creek without a paddle!
"Miss Fox", exclaimed the Judge. To which I got to my feet. "You have been found guilty of all four charges brought against you. Taking into account time served plus your hand written apology promising to amend your ways, I am therefore sentencing you to five years probation and a fine of $250,000 to be paid to various women's shelters". The Gavel pounded and it was over! Before Judge Kingston stood up to return to his chambers, he caught my eye for the briefest of seconds and to my shock, and delight, gave me a cheeky wink!
Two years later Jerry and I ran into each other again one evening in a restaurant. I was just finished having dinner with a prospective client. These days I was staying on the straight and narrow like I had promised I would. I was now running a high-end escort agency and it was almost as lucrative as my previous profession.
Just as my client stood up to leave, I noticed Jerry coming my way. I was pretty shocked to see him and I quickly grabbed my purse and started rummaging around with the hope that he wouldn't notice me. I watched as his feet passed my table, but then quickly come to a halt. "Miss Fox, is that you?" he enquired.
I feigned surprise "Oh, Judge Kingston" I responded, as I began to stand.
"Oh please don't get up" he smiled, "We're not in court now". I laughed along with him as he gently shook my hand in greeting.
"It's so wonderful to see you" he said, with sincerity.
"It's wonderful to see you too" I lied.
Jerry asked if I was alone and if so, would I mind if he joined me. Within minutes I was sat facing the judge once more. God, he was so handsome! His ice blue eyes highlighted by his golden tanned face. Very distinguished indeed! He grabbed the attention of the waiter and ordered a bottle of Champagne to the table. We spent hours chatting that evening. Jerry explained how he had to take a career break due to personal commitments and was now enjoying his newfound free time immensely.
Over the course of the next twelve months, we both became extremely good friends. What started out as the odd meet-up for drinks became somewhat of a regular occurance. It turned out that we had so much in common; a lot more than we ever anticipated.
Jerry was very interested in my line of work. He disclosed to me one evening that he himself had engaged the services of an escort on more than one occasion. He went on to explain how on numerous times he, along with some of his esteemed colleagues, would hire hotel suites for weekends at a time, where they would spend hours playing poker, indulging in the finest food and whiskey, and would hire the services of top notch escorts. I was very intrigued by his revelations, but I was not hugely surprised, as many of my members were known to have high powered positions.
Jerry called me late one afternoon. "Hey Lynn, if you've no plans for tonight, can we meet at our usual spot?". I loved meeting Jerry so I didn't hesitate.
"Yeah sure, can we make it for eight?" I asked.
"Yeah, no problem. I have a business proposition that I would like to put to you and before you say 'no' Lynn, promise me you'll hear me out?"
He knows me so well! "Yes Jerry, you talk and I'll drink" I laughed. "Afterall you are 'The King', whatever you say goes".
"And don't you forget it", he chided. "See you at eight".
We gave each other pet names early on in our friendship. It came from toying with our surnames. I told him that being a judge with the surname Kingston, was very fitting. He was the ruler,'The King'. He said my name was also very apt. Fox; cute and cunning! So he christened me 'The Vixen'.
That evening Jerry arrived with a folder neatly tucked under his arm. Once seated and drinks ordered, he opened the folder and slid it across the table to me. "This" he said, "is going to be our Cash Cow". As I looked through the folder of architect drawings he explained what it was that I was looking at. It was a blueprint of a property that Jerry had designed and intended to purchase. For the next hour I did as promised, sat and drank and listened.
He began by explaining that during his time as a judge, he had numerous cases involving prostitutes. In fact 75% of cases were taken up with street workers, pimps etc. He had sympathy for such people. He understood that they were just trying to make a living but he also felt that the sex-work industry was clogging up the courts' time and resources. He figured that surely there must be a way to make everyone happy; get the hookers off the streets and lose the pimps.
Eventually I raised my hand to interject. "The solution is already there Jerry, they're known as brothels!"
"Ahh but see, brothels are illegal Lynn" he smiled. Quietly adding "as you ought to know!"
"Funny Jerry" I sarcastically replied whilst flipping him the middle finger. "So then what is it that you're actually suggesting?" I asked. Jerry went on to explain his proposal and given his connections it appeared to be fool proof.
His plan was to build a 'Rehabilitation Center' of sorts. Where street workers (if convicted) would get the option to come to the Center or do some time behind bars. If they chose the former, they would come to the Center for six months. During this time they would spend their days in the classroom, where they would partake in academic courses/classes which would give them proper life skills and prepare them for a more productive life on completion of their time there.
On the face of it this place is all run legally and above board. However, just underneath the surface it is something entirely different! By day, a reputable Rehab Center, by night, a very dark den of iniquity.
Jerry had already spent months perfecting his idea. He had hand picked a crew of wealthy businessmen, all of whom were not only eager to get involved, but had invested financially in the project. Jerry had also introduced his wonderful idea to many of his former colleagues. These select judges were more than happy to offer this as an alternative to prison.
"Now, the way in which this works is as follows" Jerry continued. "Hooker is up on charges, the length of her arm. Judge has no alternative but to throw the book at her, which before now was what he or she would have done. But now he tells her that she has another option and she can choose to go to Rehab for six months. Whilst she's in there she will get educated and rehabilitated, thereby better equipped to lead a different, better life when she leaves. Sounds good right?"
