Josie Moraine, the novel’s narrator, begins by explaining that her mom has been a prostitute since Josie was seven, when they moved to New Orleans from Detroit. She explains that her mother Louise is “[n]ot the filthy, streetwalking kind. […] But she sleeps with men for money or gifts” (1). Josie remembers their first night in New Orleans, when her mother met a man and left her alone in a hotel lobby all night. She promised Josie a doll if she waited; she returned with a pearl necklace and a fancy hotel room.

Cokie, an African American driver, takes Josie and her mom to meet Willie, the madam of a brothel. Willie’s house is ornate and smells like smoke and old perfume. Louise tells Willie that she is back, and it has been many years. Willie confronts her about the man from the night before who gave her the pearls. Willie says she does not want Josie to live there because she does not like kids. Josie says she does not like kids either and tells Willie she can “clean and make martinis” (5); Willie likes this information. Josie says she skipped second grade.