Lorraine

I met club hostess Victoria while researching for a magazine article on prostitution  (see On The City Streets). She works as an exotic dancer in a men-only night club in Birmingham. She also gives private lessons to paying club members. Although she has nothing but contempt for her punters, she told me of one customer who has touched her heart. John (not his real name) regularly uses Victoria's services but insists on referring to her as Lorraine. Apparently Lorraine was his childhood sweetheart who died in tragic circumstances. John has Victoria play out a game of masquerade in an effort to fleetingly bring back his beloved girlfriend and shut out some of the pain. There is no sex involved. John returns every week and only asks Victoria to wear a certain perfume and hold him close for a short while to help him through his grief. Of course, the more cynical among us will simply dismiss John as some sort of a pervert. But Victoria believes in him. In her world, she meets her fair share of deviants and admits that John is the only customer she has who doesn't turn her stomach.

I can see by your smile you're a lady of pleasure

But pleasure for you could mean only gain

Come sit by my side and I'll tell you a story

Of someone I knew, a girl called Lorraine

Please don't be alarmed I would not harm you

I won't steal your rings, I won't cause you pain

But just for tonight would you wear this fine perfume?

And I'll call you my love, I'll call you Lorraine

We spend all our time reaching up

And we climb till our heads spin around

But we all must return to the ground

She was young just like you, but she was cold and she was lonely

And caught in a web, in a tangle of shame

But she loved me I knew, though her lovers were many

She could never be true, a girl like Lorraine

I can see in your eyes that you think me a strange one

Using disguise, changing your name

Please don’t be afraid, let me finish my story

There’s a lesson to learn and a truth to be gained

We spend all our time reaching up

And we climb till our heads spin around

But we all must return to the ground