Contents
Chapter 30
Overview
Birdie and Charlie finalize the dance floor and begin staffing the brothel, confronting the grim realities of the work. Isabelle Heidelberg calls, exposing a conflict with the Georgia Tann agency and threatening Meg’s return, forcing Birdie to stall for time.
Hiring yields the volatile Ruby Slipper and exhausted twins Trixie and Dixie; a sick applicant underscores the stakes. They schedule medical testing, plan a Saturday opening, and consider hiring taxi-bandleader Mr. Binny to keep drivers quiet.
Summary
Birdie and Charlie rebuild the old Sears dance platform and string lanterns to sell the house as a “dance club” front. Birdie fields a call from Isabelle Heidelberg, who expected an infant from Georgia Tann’s agency, questions Meg’s background, and suggests returning Meg. Fearing Garnett regaining control and Meg’s disappearance into labor placements, Birdie resolves to stall and requests time to produce records.
As the brothel advertisement runs, a poised applicant, Esmeralda, inspects the house and leaves unimpressed. Formal porch interviews begin: a secretary arrives by mistake and is redirected; Ruby Slipper, a tough, antagonistic worker with a violent edge and scars, is hired despite red flags; a severely syphilitic woman is turned away; two exhausted identical twins, Trixie and Dixie from Texas with sideshow pasts, are hired, preferring to work together. The thin pool confirms how precarious and desperate the labor market is.
Birdie stocks the kitchen and receives a sweet note from Jack, even as her new front deepens. At supper with the new hires, tensions flare—Ruby’s rudeness and smoking provoke Birdie and Flossy. Practicalities are set: every room needs a clock, a premiere girl would help, and Dr. Kleinkamp will test the women for syphilis, gonorrhea, pregnancy, and general fitness at an increased fee.
Charlie targets a Saturday opening with four workers and Flossy, declines placing another ad to limit exposure, and proposes hiring Mr. Binny—both bandleader and taxi driver—to control what drivers learn and say. Birdie agrees to have Silva call him, even as she continues to delay Isabelle, hoping Meg bonds further with her new family.
Who Appears
- Birdie CalhounNarrator; builds dance floor, fields Isabelle’s call about Meg, stalls for time, cooks, manages front logistics, and plans to contact Mr. Binny.
- CharlieOrganizer of the brothel; sets terms, hires Ruby and twins, schedules medical tests, aims for Saturday opening, leads house rules.
- FlossyVeteran prostitute and fixer; screens applicants, supplies lingo and rules, clashes with Ruby, arranges Dr. Kleinkamp’s testing.
- Mrs. Isabelle HeidelbergMeg’s adoptive grandmother; calls Birdie, questions Meg’s origins, considers returning her, threatens to involve Dr. Welty Pittman.
- Ruby SlipperTough, volatile hire with a rough past; confrontational but a moneymaker, returns with a radio, tests house boundaries.
- TrixieOne of the identical twins from Texas; talkative, road-worn, hired with sister, prefers working doubles, likely fleeing a man.
- DixieThe quieter twin; exhausted, scarred, skilled pickpocket, insists they’re fleeing a man who won’t pursue them.
- EsmeraldaPolished prospective hire; inspects the house, notes deficiencies, and leaves, signaling higher-end standards.
- Dr. KleinkampDoctor who tests sex workers; agrees to examine the women at an increased fee before opening.
- SilvaParty-line operator; patches Isabelle’s call and will be asked to reach Mr. Binny.
- Mr. BinnyTaxi driver and bandleader; targeted for hire to provide music and help contain driver gossip.
- Unnamed syphilitic womanDesperate applicant showing late-stage symptoms; turned away, underscoring the risks and cruelty of the trade.
- Mrs. NuttPostal worker who passes Jack’s note to Birdie, briefly lifting Birdie’s spirits.