Felix Salten - The Memoirs of Josephine Mutzenbacher

“You did that, didn't you?” “No!” “No? Why?” “I am very fond of figs.” “So am I. Well, then, why didn't you do it?”

“Well, I thought of Rudolph, and said; I don't need any figs; I want something else.'“ “What?” he asked.” “And I answered: 'Money!'“ “'All right,' he answered. Then he lifted my skirt and played around my “kitten' and took out his shaft, pushed it between my legs and rubbed it against my belly until he 'went off.' Then he gave me thirty kreutzers and told me that I must tell no one. I gave the money to Rudolph.” “And were you with the storekeeper often?” I asked. “Oh, yes-I bought everything that Rudolph sent me for and never paid for anything.” “That means that you went into the storeroom with him?” “Yes!” “Who else did you have?”

“My teacher. When I was in the fourth grade, there was a girl in our class who had big titties. The teacher always used to feel them, and I can tell you that she was very proud of it, too. During our gymnasium exercises, the teacher always helped her at the rings, or, when we were climbing, he always took hold of our arms or backs. But this girl, he always held her titties or had his hand on her behind. Then she always blushed. And I always stood there and laughed. Then he blushed, too.” “Go on,” I said. “One time while he was holding her she could not get up on the bar, so he told her that she would have to stay and do it after the class was dismissed. I stayed also, to see what would happen. I surmised what it would be. I waited outside until he came out in about a half hour. Then I walked with the girl and questioned her. “"Why does the teacher always feel of your titties and your behind?' I asked. “Then she began to talk. The teacher has a long “stopper” between his legs-' she confided.

“Well, did he show you it?” I asked her. “"Yes,' she stammered-but she didn't know what it was. Then she told me that he put it between her legs and rubbed it between her titties. He promised her a lot of pennies-and then a lot of white water came out of it.

“So I explained everything to her. She got wise, She said that she didn't care what that thing was called. If he would only not make her study any more, she would let him poke her as often as he liked.

“I thought that I might make use of this tactic also. I already had titties, but, of course, they were still small. The next time that teacher wanted to help me, taking hold of my arm, I said: 'Please, teacher, I am so ticklish.' So he took hold of my breast. “He looked at me strangely, and I smiled. Then he said: “You will stay after school.' “When all the others had gone, I remained in the dark cloak room. He came in and, putting his hands on both my titties, asked: 'Do you like gymnasium work?'“ “'Yes, teacher.' “He put his hand under my dress, holding my 'kitten,' and said: What is this?” “I acted ignorant, and said: I don't know.' “He then put his hand into his trousers. I took hold of his shaft, which was stiff and randy. “He asked: What is that?' “I told him: That is the teacher's shaft.' “He questioned me further. 'And what is it used for?” “To piss and to poke with!' I answered. “At that he almost went crazy. He said: “Do you want some pennies?'

“I said: 'Yes. But I want something else besides pennies.'

“What?” he asked in astonishment. “'Some real money!'

“'Real money?” “'Yes,' I said, laughing. “'But what for?” he said, taking his hands off me. “I raised my dress way up-so that he could see everything. Then I said: What for? So that the teacher can poke me and I will not betray him!' “He started right in! He tried to get inside me, but he couldn't. I was too small! So I took it in my mouth and then he gave me fifty kreutzers!” “How did you happen to come to the city?” I asked her. “I came with Rudolph.” “He does know everything,” I said. “Yes,” she replied; “He once said: “There is no business out in the country,' so he brought me into the city.” “And I am here, too!” “Yes; Rudolph always said: “Pepi could make lots of money if she had any sense.'“ “Well, I like that!” I fumed, hurt at his appraisal of me. “Now, you can see for yourself!” she replied. “How much have you made today?” “Two gulden in the hallway; five gulden with the old man and ten gulden now-two gulden I must pay to the old woman-that leaves fifteen gulden. Boy, father will look surprised when I bring all this money home!” “What?” she said. “You surely do not intend to do that, do you? You would be foolish!” “How so?” “You don't intend to give it all up, do you?” “No? Why not?” “God forbid! Perhaps tomorrow you won't earn anything. What will you do then?” “Then I will just tell him that I didn't earn anything.”

“So? Perhaps get a good scolding? No, no, this is the way I do it. One day I give up three, another day five, sometimes six and so on. Rudolph is happy because I bring him something every day. And why should I care if I lie to him. It is my money, isn't it?” “Yes, yes, you are right.” “Besides,” Zenzi went on, “you need some money for yourself; if you have it, you won't have to ask for it, and if you want to buy yourself something, you always can.” “Yes, and then father will know at once that I held out on him!” “You fool-if he sees it, tell him that it is a present, that is the best excuse. Always be loving to him and then you can do anything that you like.” “Aha! So that is why you act so loving to Rudolph?”

“Certainly! To keep him in a good humor, so that he lets me do as I like.” We dressed and decided to go home, although it was barely dark. We had enough money to assure us a friendly welcome, so we took the street car home. I gave father five gulden; he said nothing, but immediately went after some wine. Zenzi had to tell Rudolph how I had behaved. He praised me: Then the usual orgy began. That night I had to poke father. So ended my first day as a whore!

I was now for sale! A plaything for anybody who had the price! I accompanied Zenzi to the City every afternoon. Sometimes I went alone. I promptly gave my father my earnings on my return. He never dreamed of looking for work any more. He lived off my earnings, spending most of the money for drinks.

I never saw my brothers. Franz was still in Simmering, on the other side of the town, and Robert, who “realized what was going on-he despised Rudolph-never came near us. With the money which I held out, I bought myself some nice clothes and occasionally some little luxury. But Rudolph never allowed Zenzi and me to go after business dressed up too fancily. If we did, the police might notice us, and then the men who patronized us would stay away, for we would be recognized as professional whores. I had now learned all the tricks of my career. I knew how to keep out of the hands of the police; how to fool them, and how to get the most money out of my serviceable customers. I also had been warned against the “French sickness,” as syphilis was called. I knew how to detect it-I carefully examined every man whom I had anything to do with, and I am thankful for this precaution to the present day. But, with all the precautions, I had several light touches. It was a miracle that I did not fare worse for I often was thrown into places where I was unable to use any precautions, and nothing short of a miracle saved me from being caught hundreds of times. I owe Rudolph many thanks for my luck. It was he, who told me to beware of men doing me bodily harm; to not let them get a chance to choke me or to hold their hands over my mouth. He impressed on me always to demand my money in advance in case I accompanied a man to a hotel in a private dwelling. It was he who warned me never to enter a public whore-house. It is impossible to relate all my adventures during the years that I have been a whore. These adventures of my childhood, however-no matter how varied they were-are still fresh in my memory as I relate them in my story. I must confess that these memories of my childhood, all relating to sexual matters, hardly seem like the adventures of a child, but, be that as it may, they are engraved on my memory deeper and more lastingly than any adventure which I have had in all my later years.