An Unexpected Kindness

In the book entitled Sweet Thursday, John Steinbeck introduces us to Madam Fauna. She runs a brothel and takes a liking to a prostitute by the name of Suzy. Madam Fauna sets Suzy up on a real date with a man, not a client. She buys Suzy a nice dress and helps her get ready for the evening.

As Suzy is leaving, she, moved by Madam Fauna’s kindness, asks her, ‘You have done so much for me. Can I do anything for you?” ‘Yes, ‘ the older woman replies, ‘you can say, I’m Suzy and no one else.” Suzy does. Then Madam Fauna requests, “Now say, “I’m Suzy, and I’m a good thing.” And so Suzy tries. “I’m Suzy, and I’m a good…” and Suzy begins to cry.”