It's been eight years since prostitution was decriminalised in New Zealand. When the transformation occurs, a stranger's reflection is what she sees. Sheer stockings are rolled up, six-inch heels slipped on, and an undersized dress becomes sultry. She is rolling a cigarette in the lounge of her Ohauiti home. Jade has been a prostitute for nearly two years and chooses to work from home. He wasn't much of a talker, but you get that.
At 23, Jade advertises herself as The younger you are, the more business you get. She's attractive, with long, straight brunette hair, a petite frame, and dainty features enhanced by makeup. Her home is tidy and modern, with a splash of her personality depicted in the black feather angel wings on the lounge wall.
A collection of painted skulls sits around the television. The mother of two moved to the Bay from Inglewood, thinking it would be a more lucrative market, but instead has found the opposite.
It's quite hard for a nice, classy, working girl to get top dollar. She says she makes more from home than working in a brothel she had a three-week stint at one and her time is more flexible.
So many stories. I always have someone here just in case. I had a guy behind me and he pulled the sheet up around my neck and tried to Well, I don't know if he would have gone through with it. You need to be pretty tough. You keep your deodorant and perfume by the bed so you could maybe spray them in the eyes. In a parlour, you could probably be more picky because there's other girls there, although you'd probably get a bullet from the boss if you turned down a client. Jade says she will turn away clients, or recommend someone else, if they appear gang affiliated or "quite obese".
