Jason Eggers - Innocents for sale

"Probably so," he answered, smiling knowingly at her, but realizing that she would not remember what a magnificent lover he had been. Oh well, he smiled secretly, there's time enough for her to find out what I can do, but next time when she's fully conscious.

She ordered a large breakfast and two carafes of coffee from the waiter and lit her first cigarette of the morning, but put it out. Even they taste bad today, God, I must have really tied one on; I don't even remember getting upstairs and to bed.

She hadn't quite finished her last cup of coffee when she saw Mr. Ward coming into the dining room.

"Well, well, you certainly look chipper this morning. You must have had a good rest. You almost fell asleep at the table in the middle of cocktails!"

"Oh yes, I'm afraid that I wasn't very good company, I'm sorry."

He laughed, "That's perfectly all right, you were charming company," he answered, and thought, if you only knew how charming, from what I understand.

He joined her while she finished her breakfast and asked her what her plans were for the day.

"Nothing in particular. Thought I'd walk around the Hay Market for awhile, do some souvenir shopping and maybe go to the beach, why?"

"Well, I just thought you might like some company. I know the island very well, and I would be happy to be your guide."

He patted her on the knee and said, "We don't want you to get lost or get yourself into any trouble on your first day here, besides I'd like to introduce you to some of my friends. Maybe we can even line up a job for you so you won't have to worry about going back right away."

"That would almost be too good to be true, but I'd love your company. Where should we start?" She just couldn't refuse him, he was being too nice and it would be marvelous if she could find a job so easily.

"Well, first I'll show you around the Hay Market, but I'm sure you won’t be able to stand that for very long. The stench down there is a little hard to take unless you're used to it and that takes quite some time. Then there is a little club called "Dirty Dick's" that you might enjoy and we can stop there for lunch and a cocktail. After that, I'll leave the agenda open and we can play it by ear, how's that?"

"That sounds just fine. Let me run upstairs and get my pocketbook and I'll be right with you."

While she was upstairs Raoul came over to Mr. Ward and whispered that everything was set up at the Kit Kat Club and that she would be offered a job, but not to go there until later that evening. They laughed privately about the performance the previous night and Mr. Ward said, "Can't wait to get at it myself, but this time it was your turn to go first!"

She was back in a few minutes and they left the hotel and walked out into the hot morning sunshine and headed for the market place.

The market was already thriving and crowded with people, mostly the local citizens who had gone down there early to buy conch, crayfish and the vegetables that had been shipped in.

"I can see what you mean by the odor here. It really is pretty awful, isn't it?" she commented.

"Well, even though the fishing boats come in every day, there are always some barkers who try to sell fish that has been around for a few days, and it certainly doesn't make it very pleasant. But there is another part of the market which you will enjoy I'm sure and you can get your mementos there. Shall we?"

She followed him through the crowded narrow street, down a small alleyway until they reached the stands where the women were selling baskets, pocketbooks and straw animals that they had made by hand. Each woman was trying to underbid the other and on several occasions they actually followed them down the street, trying to bargain.

"I know a woman who has a shop just down the street here and I'm sure that she will give you fair prices. Half of these people will take anything they can get and even then it usually isn't worth half of what you pay!"

They stopped in a tiny shop about a half a block away where they were greeted by a large Bahamian woman who seemed to know Mr. Ward quite well.

"Well, it's good to see you again, and with such a lovely young lady. What can I do for you today, baskets, jewelry or a favor?" The woman winked at Mr. Ward and she wasn't quite certain what was meant. Everyone in town seemed to know him by name and they all winked at him when they commented about her. Maybe it was just a local custom, she didn't know, but it was beginning to strike her as very strange.

"This young lady would like to buy some mementos to take back to the mainland with her… if and when she goes. Give her a good price, Martha," he added and slapped the woman soundly on the bottom. She just laughed and assured him that she would be happy to accommodate her and that he shouldn't worry.

"We never deal unfairly with our friends, mon, you should know that!" And she laughed heartily.

The woman handed her a straw doll that had the address of her shop on it and said, "Here's just a little something from me to you. Come back anytime to do your shopping, a friend of Mr. Ward's is always welcome here."

She thanked the woman and tucked the doll into her purse and they left.

"Why does everyone always wink at you," she finally had the nerve to ask.

"Oh, it's just because they think you are such a pretty girl and I am such an old man. These people are very romantic and maybe they think we are lovers!" He chuckled as he said it and she blushed.

"Oh, come on now, I didn't mean to embarrass you, I was just kidding. They are all old friends and they love to tease. It means nothing more than shaking hands."

She accepted his explanation and took his arm as they fought through the people once more in order to get out of the marketplace.

The sun was hot as it beat down on the narrow earth streets and the stench from the fishing boats seemed to follow them even after they were several blocks away. A little boy ran up to them and begged for a penny and tried to sell them some Chiclets. She was about to reach into her purse to give the child a coin, but Mr. Ward stopped her. "If you give to one, we will have twenty following us all day, believe me. I made that mistake the first time I was here and it took me hours to find a peaceful spot where I wouldn't be bothered. It seems unfair, but that's just the way it is."

She smiled weakly at the boy and shook her head, and fell into step with Mr. Ward as he hurried up the street before any other of the street boys could follow them.

"How about some lunch now? It's 11:30 and if we don't eat early, everyone will be taking a siesta by 2 and we'll never eat."

"When in Rome," she answered with a smile," "do as the Romans. Let's go!"

They turned down what appeared to be the main street of the town and walked into a dark and dingy looking doorway. Inside was a small cafe with several tables scattered here and there with no apparent pattern.

"This is the famous Dirty Dick's," he told her. "Here we can always get a good cool drink and decent food. It may seem grubby, but that is just for atmosphere because everyone expects it. Actually the bar and kitchen are quite clean."

"It certainly is quaint, isn't it? I'm getting caught up in the island spirit already, and it feels marvelous!"

They chose a table in one corner and a slender, young Bahamian boy came over to their table.

"Mr. Ward, mon, I hain't seen you in a long time. Good to see you, we missed you."

He acknowledged the boy's enthusiasm and explained that he was only excited because he usually left him a big tip because he played the steel drum for him whenever he came in.

He ordered two tall rum drinks for them and offered her a cigarette, which she took and tried to smoke, once again. Her hangover was beginning to wear off and she was really feeling fine, except for the fact that she still wondered who in the world had been her lover the night before.