It's A Fucking Struggle
Even the hookers are feeling screwed these days. From an LA Times story by Ashley Powers, featuring some rather long-in-the-tooth prostitutes at a Nevada brothel:
Amy, 58, once bought a $32,000 Toyota Tacoma in cash; now her $1,200 mortgage saps her dwindling pay. Some weeks, she could make more flipping burgers than flirting under a made-up name. Marisol's daughters think she works at a resort; she struggles to keep up the ruse. It now takes months, not weeks, to bring $5,000 back to Southern California."Marisol," one of her regulars tells her, "it costs me in gas what it takes for me to spend a half-hour with you."
Tonight, she tries lingering at the dimly lighted bar that's decorated with red Christmas lights and smells of hot dogs and beans. Wearing a shimmering strapless top, Marisol sips cheap champagne and tries to seduce travelers, some with thick guts and most with thin wallets. After 20 minutes, she gives up.
Signs of the economic free fall have cropped up in many of Nevada's 25 or so legal brothels. The Mustang Ranch, for example, has a steady stream of customers, but the number of women vying for work has soared. Even a 74-year-old applied. This summer, the Shady Lady gave $50 gas cards to those who spent $300. The Moonlite Bunny Ranch offered extras to customers paying with their economic stimulus checks.
Here, 180 miles west of Salt Lake City, near the junction of Interstate 80 and Highway 93, Donna's Ranch has seen its business plummet nearly 20%. More than three-quarters of its customers are long-haul truckers, and high fuel and food prices have drained them of "play money," owner Geoff Arnold says. That cuts into pay for his 10-member staff and the "working girls."
...From 2006 to 2007, the brothel's revenue climbed 7.6%, to about $1 million. This year, Arnold expects to make about $200,000 less. Closing that gap is tricky: Brothel advertising is legal, but billboards and bus ads risk upsetting neighbors. So the bordello sponsors a soccer team in Boise and a rodeo in Wells. It also bought lights for the high school football field and gave local motels pens, which boast that Donna's is "Your Biggest Bang for the Buck."
Arnold's staff clips coupons to slash the $3,300 monthly grocery bill. He brainstorms other cost-cutting measures. He owns 33 acres in Wells -- enough room, by his calculation, for five to 10 cows that could feed his workers.
"That's what we've come to," he says, chuckling at the idea. "Donna's Ranch could be a real ranch."
Yeah, sex is one of the first luxuries to go when the economy turns. Not that I'm crying for the hookers. They chose their job, just like the rest of us. We're facing downturns too.
I find the notion of the ranch hookers clipping coupons highly amusing. Of course, that's while I ply my own scissors.
momof3 at November 5, 2008 4:42 AM
When there is an economic downturn, a lot of people begin to "do it yourself". I guess that applies to more than home repairs.
Steamer at November 5, 2008 9:07 AM
Somehow I think a 28 year old hooker might be making money when a 58 year old one might not. That she has regulars just boggles the mind.
Kate at November 5, 2008 10:11 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2008/11/05/its_a_fucking_s.html#comment-1603005">comment from KateOf course, I don't know any individual hooker's circumstances, but a hooker without teeth does have her allure when the lights are out.
Amy Alkon
at November 5, 2008 10:37 AM
What great context to explain my own downfall that is forcing us to move back to MI.
Several months ago, I suffered an inner ear injury that put my balance off rather badly. As much of my work involves ladders and driving, I was effectively unable to work. We ate up our savings rather quickly and became rather desperate.
My partner and I came up with the solution of prostitution, which worked great for a month and kept us from losing our apartment. Having a rather deep hole to climb out of at that point, we didn't get ahead much. But I was bringing in pretty good money so we didn't worry too much.
Then the market started going south and whoring even dried up, along with four jobs that I had lined up - tile work that wouldn't require more than a short step ladder.
When I get into new work (or anything I get into), I throw myself at it with great gusto. I spent a fair amount of time networking with other providers, both local and those in other cities. This was great, as I learned about different stings the police have been working and also got a pretty good idea how business was across the board.
When the market crashed, work dried up for most everybody I communicated with. The only gigs I was picking up were with my regulars and even those were slow and often required discounting my services. Being something of a luxury, whores are among the first to get dropped when the budget constricts.
On an interesting side note, I am stuck for lack of funds, staying with a very dear friend. We are almost there, because I posted ads explaining our situation and the fact that if you want to have me, now is the moment.
Not only have I picked up some gigs, four different people (one of them a regular) have responded by offering me a little cash, in spite of not wanting to engage my services. Between them, they have given my family $150.
I love Portland and I love queers.
DuWayne at November 5, 2008 11:25 AM
Of course, I don't know any individual hooker's circumstances, but a hooker without teeth does have her allure when the lights are out.
Cringe!
Everybody needs to cut back anyway; hookers, johns, and 'other'. And do it yourself is an alternative when your gal lives a four hour drive away. It's called a webcam; just use a secure connection if you are shy.
Sterling at November 5, 2008 11:28 AM
Somehow I think a 28 year old hooker might be making money when a 58 year old one might not. That she has regulars just boggles the mind.
You'd be surprised. One of my contacts (one who I absolutely adore, because she's very sweet) is a 300+ pounder, who gets a lot of business. Even as things have gotten tough for most of us, she has only seen a slight drop in demand. Apparently, she's a great lay.
DuWayne at November 5, 2008 12:13 PM
"'That's what we've come to,' he says, chuckling at the idea. 'Donna's Ranch could be a real ranch.'"
I have this vision of young gals in Stetsons, spurs, and teensy little buckskin skirts out a-ridin' the range...On the other hand, maybe they could sell the experience. A Doink Around the Campfire After Some Vittles might be the Hot New Product Line. Cue the harmonica music, and look out for rattlers.
old rpm daddy at November 5, 2008 12:17 PM
Hey - looks like it's time to introduce Grace . A ferociously good writer, and working hard at everything.
Radwaste at November 5, 2008 3:09 PM
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