There are clans existing in night spaces. Sworn sisters united often by lingo and by country of origin~ bonded by ties of kinship, and rooted by familiarity with culture and lifestyle. Sisterhood intrinsically offers basic benefits of security, and belonging. Living in a country not of one’s own, threats from bullies and unruly guests cannot be discounted; thus, having each other for consultation is a plus. What more, off days are earmarked by echoes of laughter and gossips, fun activities, temple visits, and home entertainment. In other ways, sisterhood offers fresh leads.
In the moonlight industry, there are also, the loners. Those who prefer to distance themselves from any group, class or caste. They toil alone, are resilient and they captain their own ship. They do not answer to anyone nor do they fancy forming bonds of kinship. Strong individuals who segregate themselves, only to be absorbed into their own humdrum life, lost in their own reverie, and wades through difficulties without a whimper or alarm.
There are obvious cultural differences that exist between clans from different countries, each having their own peculiar taste of fashion sensibility, and their own morale of what the service industry is about. And each clan caters to the degree of conduct deemed acceptable by their guests. Nevertheless, each clan offers different moods, colours, variety and fun. Between clans, there is friendly rivalry, yet sometimes, envy and enmity. Rules of conduct were never regulated. Thus, some pushes the limit and displays suggestive behaviour, amid scorns from those who find their conduct unacceptable. Whilst others puts on a brave smile, despite inside their hearts and thoughts, rains rivers of tears.
But day in, day out, these social workers, beit with or without clans or those belonging to different clans, scout in between tables looking for prospects who enjoys a little banter, their presence and their company. Sometimes they win, at other times, they lose. But many are brilliant face readers who could read through the pockets of strangers. When there are little or no guests, these social workers creates opportunities for themselves~ moonlighting outside familiar surroundings, luring their clients with them. Still, most return home to their abode once they feel intoxicated, while others enjoy comfort elsewhere, being pacified while sedated by promiscuous guests. There are those whose drinks were tampered with, and rights infringed upon, because they miscalculated the intentions of their guests. Whilst others had ridden safely home through trusted familiar associates, some had lewd images taken of them, and tips stolen.
Morning is a time to knock off remnants of hung over leftover from the night before. Most social workers spends their entire wake up period rolling on their bed communicating with ardent admirers, whereas others spends time watching video clips, wardrobe upkeep, personal grooming and workout routines. Despite it all, there are those who tend to their family needs both home and abroad, and entertaining lunch and dinner invites. Whereas the adventurous gamble, hoping to double their income. Many others took on other jobs to keep themselves afloat.
There is no right or wrong in the routes each of these women takes. But travelling thousands of miles for the sake of livelihood and survival, there must be stories these bravehearts carries. Still, they trod, amazingly resilient to all the risks, culture shock, immigration complications, alcohol burnout, and sexual harassment to name but a few. Many of them are single moms, both abroad and locally, when their hearts were fluttered with false promises of a good future. Their experiences taught some to be more vigilant but some still does fall for the charm of guests though their hearts told them not to do so. There are too many accounts of sob stories best known to themselves. But it still boils to a better life which everyone desires. But for the sake of their family, society should not be too quick to judge, and mean to deny them a good life, we ourselves want.
Such is their story.
Midnight flowers they are, clan, or no clan. When their luminosity fades during daylight, come twilight, again they will glow and sing inside the hearts of sick, desperate, and lonely men, in search of company.
Such is their story.
fiveloaf 