Continued from http://morganmckeown.theworldrace.org/index.asp?filename=women-for-sale-one-dark-place-part-1
A raised carousal of g-string clad women slowly spun around. The platform was placed so that the women’s bodies were eye level for the customers. Each woman had a pole on the rotating stage. The newer girls tightly clutched their pole, knuckles turning white. The more experienced girls moved in explicit ways, trying desperately to attract one of the male customers for the night. Later I learned that the girls are required to be bought with a certain amount of men per month, or else they have to pay the bar.
(The baby shrine mentioned in part one)
Like cattle at an auction, each women had a number pinned to her. Any woman branded with a number could be bought and used. Some of the girls looked about 14. They were reduced to objects and used by men. It’s estimated that 60% of the men who come to Thailand come for a prostitute.
I kept praying, asking for guidance. Rebecca’s leadership was a God send. She asked the Mamasong to pick us out a girl who spoke English well. A young woman was led over, we got her a drink, which buys time to talk.
Noon (name changed), number 37 was brought over. She smiled brightly but one look into her eyes showed that it was all part of the act. She was 20 and had been working at the bar for two years. Coincidentally she also had a two year old daughter. In Thailand it’s the girls job to provide for both their parents and their children.
(The spirit house outside the bars)
We asked if her parents knew what she did for a living. “Oh, no” she replied, “they think I work for K.F.C. It’s not O.K. for Thai girls to do this, it brings shame to our families, but I need the money.” We talked for quite a while. I truly enjoyed the conversation. Some how we both were able to forget the circumstances for a moment. At one point she even ran to get her cell phone and show off pictures of her daughter.
Unfortunately our conversation was interrupted, it was her turn to dance, time to ride the demented carousal again.
