Silver Linings

struggling with the rusty key in the aging lock, glanced up in surprise. Another woman was lounging in the open doorway of the room next door. Mattie, who would have been the first to admit she had led a somewhat sheltered life until quite recently, had never seen anything quite like her. Not close up, at any rate.
    Evangeline Dangerfield appeared to be a few years older than Mattie, although it was difficult to tell precisely how much older because of the thick makeup. Her light brown eyes were heavily outlined in black, and the silver eyeshadow that went all the way up to her brows glittered iridescently. Her full, pouty lips were scarlet, and there was a slash of dark pink beneath her cheek-bones. An unbelievably thick mane of improbably blond hair was pulled up high on her head and cascaded down her back in a million curls. The mass was anchored with rhinestone clips that shone in the weak hall light.
    The rest of Evangeline Dangerfield was equally exceptional. She was an obviously well-endowed woman who showcased her two main assets in a startling low-cut sarong-style dress. The dress, a flower-splashed creation of red, violet, and yellow, was a size too small for Evangeline's shapely derriere, and the hem was well above the knees. Red heels with three-inch spikes and an assortment of rhinestone jewelry completed the ensemble. Her fingers were tipped with long scarlet nails that obviously required an enormous amount of time and effort.
    “How do you do?” Mattie, on her way out to try to find something to replace her much-abused silk blouse and olive slacks, felt rather dowdy. It was a familiar feeling, one she frequently experienced around her sister Ariel. “My name's Mattie. Mattie Sharpe.”
    “Mattie Sharpe, huh? Nice to meet you, Mattie. Been a while since I talked to another working woman. When did you hit the island?”
    “An hour ago. Just got in from Purgatory.”
    “Oh, yeah. I hear all hell is breaking loose over there. Some kind of revolution or something, huh? Don't blame you for leaving. That kind of thing is hard on business. So how long you here for?”
    “Well, I don't know for certain. Hopefully, just a day or so.” Mattie looked down at her stained clothing. “I had to leave all my things behind. I was on my way out just now to buy some fresh clothes.”
    Evangeline was instantly sympathetic as she gave Mattie a swift head-to-toe once-over. “You poor kid. You look like hell. No offense. It must have been real rough over there on Purgatory. I guess you probably need to make a few quick bucks here on Brimstone before you can move on, right?”
    “Well…”
    “No problem, honey. There's plenty to go around tonight. Navy ship in the harbor. We'll both have all the trade we can handle and I don't mind sharing.”
    It dawned on Mattie that she was talking to a professional call girl and that Evangeline assumed that Mattie was in the same business. “That's very generous of you.”
    “Hey, sisters got to stick together, right?” Evangeline smiled brilliantly. “Look, you aren't going to find any good working clothes in the shops around here. Believe me, I know. Brimstone is the backwater to end all backwaters. I have to make my own things or order them from a catalog. Why don't you borrow some of my clothes for tonight?”
    Mattie was fast becoming fascinated. “Do you think they'd fit?”
    Evangeline eyed Mattie's slender figure with a critical eye. “You're a little small on top, but we can work around that. I'm pretty handy with a needle. Why don't you come in? We won't be going to work for another few hours. The boys always like to get a few drinks under their belt first, don't they? Plenty of time to run something up for you.”
    This was rather like falling down the rabbit hole. Mattie wondered what Ariel would say if she knew her prim, conservative sister was being mistaken for a prostitute. Then she wondered what Hugh would say.
    And suddenly she could not wait to find out.
    “That's very kind of you, Evangeline.” Mattie stepped forward. “I can pay you for the clothes.”
    “Forget it. It's worth it just to have another woman to talk to.” Evangeline moved aside to allow Mattie through the door. “That's the thing I miss most out here, you know. Intelligent conversation with another woman. Most of the people I talk to are men, and their conversation tends to be somewhat limited. How about a drink? I make a mean rum punch.”
    “Thank you.” Mattie smiled