The heart of the tenderloin (a seedy part of San Francisco) can be the


loneliest place on Earth at Christmas time. The streets are empty; except for


the regular junkies and prostitutes that walk around as if it were any other


day, looking for any reason to feel good about anything.


Patty's Pub, on the corner of O' Ferrell and Bush, is normally


completely empty on Christmas, but this year, at 11:00 pm...there is life. A


woman, well-to-do in her mid-fifties and a younger woman with a fur coat and


blue stilettos sit at each end of the bar staring into their glasses in silence.


At last, the young woman spoke, "So what, you didn't get that new


B.M.W. you asked for? Oh no...you poor...poor woman. I can only imagine how


you feel." The sarcastic needles are thrown with precision and get the desired


reaction. The older woman exploded, "What would you know about it? What? Tell


me, you tramp. What would you know about anything?" You could almost taste the


satisfaction in the room coming from the young woman's end of the bar. The


older woman was obviously hung-out and starched.


The young woman said,"You're right, I don't know you or your


circumstances but I do know this - you and I feel exactly the same or why else


would you be in this rat-hole, drinking until you're blind."


The rich woman replied, "I don't have to explain myself to you or any


one else for that matter. But if you must know, I try to get blind every


night. I can't stand that man...that pathetic excuse for a man, and it's been


this way for the last 20 years."


"Well, I take it back-we don't feel the same. I actually feel much


better...that I'm not you." The young woman replied with a smirk.


The older woman is getting rattled by the young woman. "You're a whore!


That's all you are and that's all you'll ever be. A Whore!.......Whore!" She


exclaimed. The young woman replies, "And what exactly does that make you?


Riddle me that. Really, let's see, you married your husband for money, you


drink obscenely and you're a disgrace to your friends and family. Right? At


least I'm honest about what I do and who I am...and free--I don't answer to

anyone."


In a low disgusted voice the woman replies, "What you're doing is


illegal, I'm glad you can justify it for yourself but you should be locked-up


right now. You're disgusting."


The young woman answered, "I know that you feel the same way about


yourself...I know it. Listen, I'm sorry, OK? I didn't mean for it to go this


far, I really was just joking with you."


In a low, chuckling voice, the older woman replied, "Well, the truest


things are said in jest. Aren't they?" You're right, I am a whore, and after


talking to you I don't feel so bad about it either." The two women start


laughing uncontrollably. Then the young girl said(while laughing), "Freedom is


my gift to you...Merry Christmas...Ho Ho Ho!" And the two women drank and


laughed into the night.


The End