Ilja Pfeijffer - La Superba

She didn’t look at me as I penetrated her. She wasn’t there. I was only fucking her body. I was nothing more than a customer. I burst into tears and came at the same time.

“Well,” she began, “now on your triumphant return to your cultural friends in your fatherland at least you can say you fucked the most beautiful girl in Genoa.”

You understand, dear friend, that I’m telling you this with the greatest possible reluctance. I’ve always taken a great deal of satisfaction from regularly keeping you up to date with my trials and tribulations in my new country. But I never thought I’d lose my way so badly.

I have just one final request, but it won’t come as a surprise. I’ll never rework these notes into a novel. They’re too painful for that. I don’t want anyone in our home country to ever know where I am and what happened to me, and I’m begging you — destroy everything I sent you. I know you’ll understand and that I can count on you. My thanks.

40.

I made the necessary purchases en route, in Via Canneto Il Curto, Via San Luca, and Via del Campo. Although I didn’t have any interest in bartering or trying to get discounts, no one overcharged me.

Ornella stood smoking on her one leg in the alleyway in front of her sex cubicle in the Ghetto. “I knew you’d come back, Giulia.” She kissed me. “Come in. Let’s have a look at what you’ve got. I’ll help you.” She got her crutches and extinguished her cigarette with her one blood-red pump.

She picked up my bag. “Let’s see what we’ve got here. Oh, you got that blue dress from that shop. I almost bought that one. But it’s a bit too respectable, don’t you think? This black one is good, not just because it’s a bit shorter but because of the cut-out sides. I think that’ll look lovely on you. And the black has a slimming effect. What kind of a wig do you have? Long black hair. That’s really lovely. Where did you find it? Did it take a long time to find? But it will go perfectly with the black dress. First we’ll have to shave you. Get undressed. I’ll do it for you. It’s important that it’s done properly. Can you just fetch that silver razor from the bathroom for me? I’m a little unsteady on my leg. And the shaving foam. And a towel. Yes, the red one is good. Come and lie down. It won’t hurt. See? All fixed. Now we’ll get you nicely dressed. The room next door is free, actually. Well, that’s actually a relative concept in the Ghetto, but you can use it for the time being anyway. I have the key. No, that blue dress isn’t good at all. Try the black one. And what kind of stockings do you have? No! Those are much too thin. A single snag from a fingernail and you’ll have a ladder. You’re a professional now, remember that. I’ll lend you some. Shoes? Wow. That’s courageous. Almost no one here has heels that high. And you’re already so tall. Let me give you a tip. If you’re standing in the alleyway, you have to stand on the ball of your foot and support most of your weight on the wall by leaning back against it. That way you can lift your other leg up sexily if someone walks past. Got any lubricant, by the way? You’re going to need it, believe you me. Otherwise I can lend it to you for tonight. I’m sorry I’m so stingy, but on a busy Friday or Saturday night you can get through entire tubes of the stuff, and it’s quite pricey. Sit down. I’ll do your makeup. Why don’t you fill your bra in the meantime? Don’t hold back, a bit more. Do you want to earn money or not? And now your wig. Oh that’s lovely. It looks like real hair. So soft. And it looks stunning on you. Ready. Come, take a look in the mirror. What do you see?”

“Giulia,” I said in a strange, high-pitched voice.

“The most beautiful girl in Genoa.”

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