Two Women of Riz

“I’d be out of luck when that time comes,” I countered. A happy laughter ensued between the two of us. I was enjoying her company, and it was telling on me my joyous acceptance of her contagious cheerfulness.

“Tell me, how long have you been in the stable?”

“It’s been quite a long time. I was 18 when a friend introduced me to Amah.”

“And in that span of time why I have not seen you here even once?”

“I was in the aquarium the whole time. It was only the middle of last year when the madam threw me into the street.”

“Aquarium?” The puzzle again caught me, and the woman giggled at the show of my subtle befuddlement. She was certainly amused of my ignorance in some of her spoken words.

“It’s actually a den because it has no water. It was a glass enclosure where Madam Jade’s favorites were confined, and where clients would come picking their partners for a night.”

“I think I have good idea about it. I’ve seen a scene like the one you mentioned in a local movie once,” I said.