Felix Salten - The Memoirs of Josephine Mutzenbacher

“That is not the question,” said Rudolph. “Let her do this for the present, until you get another job. Then she can become respectable again.” This seemed to satisfy father. Rudolph had won him over completely. As a further assurance, Rudolph went on: “I only allow Zenzi to do this when I am out of work. As soon as I have a position, she must behave!” The next day I started out with Zenzi. It had been agreed, and now I entered upon my new career.

Zenzi and I walked to the city, going from one main street down to the other. It was Summertime and very warm. We were very lightly dressed, thin waists, and she taught me how to turn back my shirt so that my bare titties were visible through the garment. She seemed very efficient. She smiled at every man we met. I had not quite mastered this; I was timid and looked at every man in a sad manner. However, this seemed to suffice. On Lantern Street, I noticed a dark, old house. The first floor was entirely dark. Zenzi took me by the hand. Entering the yard, she rapped on a door. We were admitted by a homely old woman. We now found ourselves in a dark kitchen. From there we went into a small chamber, also dark. Looking me over, the old woman inquired: “Are you fourteen years old?” “Long ago,” Zenzi lied for me. “She is small for her age.” “You understand,” said the old woman, “for each time that you work here you pay me one gulden. But you must never come before eight o'clock in the evening. Above all things, look out for the police, and always collect from the men in advance.” We now returned to the main street, and Zenzi touched me, saying: “Look! That fellow over there is following us!” Meanwhile, in front of us was a tall, well-dressed man, with black whiskers. He turned around and looked at us. He walked slowly, allowing us to pass him. At the corner, Zenzi drew me into the side street: “Come,” she whispered, “we will turn in here.” She turned around. The man was standing on the corner. Zenzi nodded to him. He came toward us. “Come on,” she said, “he will not speak to us out in the open here.”

Stepping into the hallway of a vacant house we waited. Zenzi remarked: “This is a good place for you to come when you are in the neighborhood. Nobody lives here.” Just then the man came in. Zenzi smiled at him, but, walking up to me, he said: “Well, what is up?” “Nothing,” I answered. Zenzi asked: “Don't you want to come with us? Near here I know a woman from whom we can get a room.”

“No,” he whispered, “I haven't the time. We might go up these stairs-nobody lives here. Will you?” he asked me. I looked at him astonished. He looked more respectable than any man I had ever seen in this neighborhood. He carried a fine, silver-handled cane and wore a long, gold watch chain. We went upstairs. Zenzi remained on the landing, saying: “I will watch!” The man felt my breasts, saying: “Unbutton your blouse.” Then he thrust his hand inside my chemise. He seemed pleased that I was soft and tender. “Well, now, come on,” he said, his breath coming fast. I unbuttoned his pants and took out his shaft. It was white and tender, but stood straight like a wax candle. I leaned against the wall, raising my dress, thinking that he would poke me standing up. But he refused, saying: “I don't care to do it here. Just play with it and let me play with you!” So I began rubbing it back and forth. He played with my titties. He suddenly remarked: “There-that is good! Now up a little further-faster-wait!”

He handed me a handkerchief, with which I covered the head of the sword, and then proceeded. His legs began to tremble. I felt his engine quiver nervously in my hand. Then he “went off.” I wiped him-also my hand, which was wet and slimy-and then handed him back his handkerchief. He gave me two gulden and hurried away without once looking back at me. Zenzi and I waited a short time, then we also slipped out of the house. I was happy to have earned two gulden in only two minutes-and so easily!-I had had no trouble whatever. What's more, I had liked this gentleman so much that I would not have asked him for any money! On the street an old man spoke to me. I was so surprised that I was afraid to answer him. Zenzi poked me in the side.

He asked: “May I come with you?” I quickly answered: “Yes!”

He commanded: “Walk in front, I will follow you.” I started for the dark house. Zenzi had mysteriously disappeared. The old woman opened the door, ushered us into a dark room and left us alone.

“Undress,” he said. While undressing, I could see his face, which was smooth-shaven. His mouth was toothless, and he had a few white hairs on his head. His hands trembled. He seemed generally broken down. He sat on the couch. When I was completely undressed, he nodded to me to come to him. I had to stand in front of him while he looked at me, but he did not touch me. I thought that he was waiting for me to make the first move. I reached down to unbutton his trousers, but he slapped my fingers and said: “Wait till I tell you what to do! Stand still!” I stood before him expectantly. Finally he began stroking my titties with the handle of his cane. It was made of ivory and felt cool. Then he pried my legs apart. “Now, come here,” he said, stretching himself on the couch.

I started to lie down beside him, but he pushed me away with such haste that it frightened me. “Stay here!” he snapped in his thin, squeakish voice. So, standing, I had to unbutton his pants. I took out his engine. It was so small that it reminded me of the worn-out stub of a pencil. It had as many wrinkles as the year had hours. Taking this little, flabby piece of gristle between my fingers, I began working it up and down. I did not think that it could possibly get hard. I thought of the old man with whom Zenzi had had so much trouble, and I feared that I would suffer a like fate. But my surprise was great when, under my manipulations, my champion began to grow until the skin on his weapon was as smooth as a newly-ironed cloth. “Now, just a minute,” he commanded, angrily. Not understanding what he meant, I was nonplussed. “A minute!” he called louder. I rubbed harder. He fairly screamed: “What the devil!-Don't you understand!-A minute!-” “Pardon me, sir,” I replied timidly, “I do not know what you mean when you say 'a minute!'“ He apparently did not enjoy my ignorance, but snapped at me: “Take it in your mouth, you bashful dummy!” I did as he commanded. I worked as hard as possible, terribly afraid of the old codger. To my surprise, his once slack shaft grew bigger and bigger, until I could not hold it all in my mouth! Suddenly he commanded: “Stop!” As I drew my hand back, the stick-stiff lance snapped loudly up against his belly. “Now!” he ordered. “Quick! You are so slow! You could be on top already!” He remained on his back. I had to straddle him. I could not stand more than half of that terrible weapon. I had to hold on to the couch to keep from getting it too far inside and injuring me. Now he began working up and down with all his might, continually talking to himself: “So-I will show her how I can still poke the girls-she doesn't have to have others do it for me-she probably thinks that because I am an old man-well, if she does, I don't care-there-there-there-there-!” He kept this up until suddenly he seemed to collapse under me. I had to run and get him some wine from the nearest Inn. When I returned he laid there like a dead man and did not move. I was terribly frightened. I called the old lady. She told me that she knew him and said that there was no need to get frightened. Sprinkling some water on his face she said: “He always acts like that. He soon will be all right!” Suddenly he opened his eyes and jumped up. He saw the wine, drained the glass in one gulp, angrily stared at me, gave me five gulden and then left. I felt rich! I jumped with joy! Now I realized what a fortune my grotto was worth, and I decided never to use it for “charity” again. As I was about to leave, Zenzi came in with a tall young man. As she passed me in the kitchen, she' hurriedly whispered: “Wait a minute, don't go yet.” The man also said in a weak, trembling voice: “Yes, I beg of you, do that!” Zenzi came out of the room, calling me: “Come in, he will take the both of us. He pays well. This will be some sport, you will see! But you must do everything that I tell you.”