The Japanese Dancer

By Kevin Chapman

Growing up in the lower-estrato barrios of Medellin, Colombia, Marisa Garcia de Gomez begins married life young, with a budding career as a spa worker and beauty consultant. She dreams of someday living in a better neighborhood, maybe without any worries about money.
Two years later, now a single mother, she receives an invitation to a friendly client’s wedding gala in Japan. But a nasty surprise awaits—Marisa’s friend trades her for release on a debt to the yakuza, which Marisa will be forced to pay by working as a dancer in the teatros—the sex clubs.
Twelve hours a day, she bares her body to strangers and must allow numerous men to violate her if she wants to survive. Halfway around the world, her family is threatened if she doesn’t cooperate. How did her life spiral to this depth and what hope does she have she can ever escape?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kevin Chapman
• Release date: Nov 24, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301678495

Kevin Chapman

Kevin hails from Barrow-in-Furness, a shipbuilding and engineering town on the edge of the Lake District in the Northwest of England. After completing an apprenticeship in Vickers Armstrong he started his life of travel that extends from India in the east to North and South America in the west. Married twice, he has a daughter and son in England with their respective families and two sons living at home with his wife Marbella in Houston, Texas.

Book preview

Marisa sat in the Boeing 747 as it taxied out into the wet runway. She looked out the window at the rain slicing down from the weary, early afternoon sky.

She was relaxed and confident as she held the hand of her companion, who sat weeping softly next to her. Her thoughts passed calmly to the events of the last five months.

My parents raised me in a humble home to be God-fearing and honest. I attended church, took the sacraments and prayed regularly to the Virgin. I kept myself virtuous until I was married. I have sinned but I have always repented and accepted my penance, and sometimes it has been hard to accept. So why have I been subjected to so much depravity and brutal treatment? How did it all start?

I suppose the very beginning was when I came out of my adolescence and finally became a woman…

Chapter 1: - Medellin

I have arrived! Marisa Garcia called out to her mother as she ran breathlessly into the house. She laughed as she looked back at her older sister Alejandra, who had rounded the corner and was now laboring up the calle.

Well, about time, chided her mother. I was starting to get worried that you would be late for your own wedding. Why have you taken so long? Let’s have a look at your hair. Without waiting for a reply, she started pulling Marisa around, fussing over her.

Ah! It was the fault of that idiot, Raul, declared Marisa, attempting to free herself from her mother without success.

That’s right, leave me to carry all the shopping and then challenge me to a race, laughed Alejandra, who had finally come in the door out of breath. And Raul is not an idiot. He only wanted to wish you well for your wedding. The poor boy is all broken up over you getting married. She giggled. It is not his fault that he has been in love with you since he was eleven years old.

Marisa started to laugh again. "Well the bobo did pick the best-looking girl in the school. It’s not my fault he fell under my spell."

That’s enough of your conceit, said her mother firmly. You are marrying Jose this evening, so go and get yourself ready, my girl. Alejandra, empty that bag then go and make sure she moves herself. I have got to get finished in the kitchen.

Marisa moved lightly from the room and into her bedroom, where she removed her jeans and blouse. In her old dresser mirror, she saw a round, pleasant, fair yet still olive-skinned face with the typical "paisa" nose, small and pointed, which she detested with a passion. She secretly called it her black-girl nose because she thought it was too wide. She tossed her black-coffee-colored hair and looked proudly at her breasts. They had come a long way since she had finished school.

I am not the flat girl of the class anymore, she thought as she looked at them with satisfaction. Jose liked to get his hands on her well-developed globes every second they were alone, which was almost never. She took off her bra and admired how they stood straight out from her body without any sign of a droop. She smiled to herself. Tonight he can play with them as much as he wants and the other parts which he never had the opportunity to touch. A tingle of excitement and trepidation passed through her body.

What are you smiling at? asked Alejandra as she bustled into the bedroom. You are thinking about tonight, eh? I hope Jose realizes what a prize he has with you, hu! It is not every day a motorbike cop can marry a beautiful girl of nineteen and find her still a virgin.

Shush, chided Marisa. She picked her bath towel off the bed and covered her breasts. Somebody will hear you.

And why not? Her sister folded her arms. It is something to be proud of, although it is more thanks to us three than it is to you.

Marisa flushed, remembering the family chaperoning her to keep her hot blood in check when she was permitted to be with Jose. Her cheeks warmed.

Now get into the shower—we have to rush to church for your confession and a last blessing before the ceremony.

Laughing, the sisters ran to the bathroom to shower.

****

Listening to her daughters banter, Marta smiled at her husband, Jorge.

We are almost there, she told him contentedly. He nodded and smiled as he moved around the small kitchen. They had raised their four children in the difficult days of Medellin when even walking down the calle was dangerous and the barrios were in the hands of the drug lords and their thugs.

The problem now is Rosa, he replied. You need to talk with her before she drives Francisco off for good with that ego and wild temper of hers.

You are right, Marta agreed with a sigh. "They get married but the problems continue!

We will not have these problems with Marisa, she said with a smile. I did a good job of selecting who called on her and making sure that she was always chaperoned."

You certainly did, agreed Jorge. Marta thought she heard a tone of reproach in his voice.

My decision was a good one, she said defensively. "He is a career police officer and most definitely a mature and reliable husband for Marisa. He may turn out to be the best of our son-in-laws as he certainly has more potential than the other two; I expect them both to do well in life and not live in an estrato one barrio all their lives like us."

Well, she was pretty controlled… started Jorge.

Marta cut him off. Controlled? I’ll say she was! she hotly replied. Her two sisters were pregnant when they were married. I made sure that did not happen to Marisa.

Okay, said Jorge agreeably, finishing drying the pans Marta had used. You did well, and I am sure they will be very happy. He had learned a long time ago how to calm her with a few words, but she could all but hear his thoughts as he turned from her, back stiff, and escaped from the kitchen:

You are so confident that you have selected the right man for Marisa, but really, we know very little about him.

****

Alejandra sat on the toilet seat waiting for her turn in the shower. Marisa’s body was visible through the plastic screen.

She still has a little way to go to be as developed as I was at fifteen, when I had to marry Carlos, she thought with a pang as she recalled the loss of her son to dengue fever. He died just two years ago, I had him for just five years before el Señor took him, but it feels just like yesterday. She pulled herself together, today was not the day for sad thoughts. Yes, she is not like me but she is ready!

Have you completely depilated yourself? she asked Marisa.

Of course, Marisa shot back showing her armpits around the curtain to Alejandra. Do you want to have a close look down below as well?

No of course not, I can see all I want to see of that from here, Alejandra coolly replied.

Marisa suddenly paused. Sticking her head out of the shower, she moaned, Alie, I am frightened that Jose will hurt me. You broke yourselves by accident and said it did not hurt you but I cannot. When I touch myself there it hurts terribly, it feels so hard.

Alejandra laughed at her. Wait until Jose sees you in your new sheer baby doll nightdress, he will think he has died and gone to heaven. She smiled. He will get you all wet and panting then just slide into you, and you will not even realize it, you will be clawing at the ceiling. Now stop being silly and let’s get to church. How can you confess your sins when you are thinking about Jose getting into you?

"You are right, Alie, you know best. When I wear that puta of a nightdress you bought for me, Jose will tear the hotel down. I bet we wake up the entire building!" Excitedly Marisa ran from the shower to her bedroom to get dressed for church.

Chapter 2 - Wedding

The car pulled up outside of the church at six in the evening. The exhausting heat of the day had passed and a cool breeze blew gently down the deserted calle.

Marisa looked up at the white plastered front of her parish church of La Bien Aventuras. She had attended this church ever since her family had moved to the barrio when she was six years old. It was not a fancy or famous shrine but she always felt close to the Virgin when she prayed here.

Come on, urged her father. We have to get you out of the car. The next wedding will be here soon.

Marisa roused herself and, collecting her wedding dress, stepped gracefully out of the car. She promptly tripped, but her father caught her just in time.

Be careful, love, we don’t want to be getting you all soiled before we even get into the door of the church. Your mother will kill me.

Marisa laughed. Well we need to make sure Mama does not have a chance to do that, Papa. She gripped his arm for balance, and the party walked up the steps and into the church. The rest of Marisa’s wedding party was already waiting for them at the back of the church. They stood to one side while the marriage in progress came to its conclusion.

The inside of the church was a profusion of flowers as every couple being wed that day vied to outdo each other with extravagant displays of the flowers for which Medellin is so rightfully famous.

Raul is here, whispered Alejandra. He has come to make sure he really cannot have you, poor boy. This is hard on him you know. I feel so sorry for him.

What is wrong with you? demanded Marisa. "I don’t want to be thinking about that bobo now."

But he is such a nice boy, replied Alejandra. Look, he has even changed his clothes.

Marisa looked and it was true. Because he worked around the clock in his father’s small workshop, oil-stained clothes were Raul’s perpetual uniform. Today he was scrubbed and wearing clean clothes. He had never looked so well groomed, even when assisting as an altar boy in this same church.

Oh my God, he's coming over here, said Marisa. I am going to die!

Raul approached the wedding party carrying a large bouquet of flowers; the huge red heads of Colombian roses mixed with the pure white of the lily were in prominence. He respectfully nodded to Marisa’s father. Good evening, Sr. Garcia. Could I have a quick word with Marisa, sir?

This is really not a good time, said Marisa's father. We are due down the aisle in a few minutes. Jorge looked worriedly at his blunt, direct daughter. Then he sighed. You're a good boy and I have known your father for many years. Jorge stood to one side and gestured with his head for Raul to proceed.

Thank you, sir, said Raul. He turned to Marisa. She gave him a nervous smile.

Hello, Marisa, he said nervously. I am sorry for what happened this afternoon. I saw you in the street and just wanted to wish you all happiness for the future and then things started to go wrong.

No problem, replied Marisa with a smile. How are you? Did you hurt yourself in the crash?

No, I am fine thanks, just shook up, but of course my bicycle is a wreck, he added gloomily.

Marisa made a choking noise as she recalled Raul suddenly changing direction in the middle of the calle to come charging toward her and Alejandra. He did not get very far when a light truck hit him from the side, knocking him over the hood as his bicycle went under the wheels. It was a narrow escape and she and Alejandra had dashed to the rescue. They helped him to get up from the road where he had rolled from the truck hood and brushed him down. He had shyly thanked them both before dashing off to recover the remains of his bicycle. Both girls had laughed afterward in the hairdressers as they tried to wash the grease from his clothes off their hands.

Marisa could see that Raul was struggling to hold his emotions in check.

Taking another step forward he made a gulping sound as he passed to her the huge bouquet of flowers.

Marisa, I just want to wish you well for your marriage and if ever I can do anything for you in the future, don’t hesitate to ask. He made the short speech looking down at the floor and finished with a nervous, out-of-breath squeak.

Alejandra looked at Marisa, ready to cut off the expected smart reply to the young man. She has tears in her eyes, she thought in surprise. At last! She has finally seen that he is a nice boy.

Marisa was overcome with emotion.

How beautiful, she thought. I did not know Raul had it in him; this bouquet is huge and it must have taken his entire week’s allowance to pay for it. Alie is right, he is good-looking. He has changed like me since leaving school; he is taller, his chest has filled out, and look at those arms! I had not even noticed how he had changed.

Thank you, she stammered, clutching the huge bouquet. It is good of you to remember me, Raul, and I will certainly not forget your offer. To me, we shall always be more than just school friends.

With those words that he had longed to hear, Raul’s resolve broke and turning he charged for the door as fast as he could walk.

A few older people who had witnessed the exchange smiled and shook their heads; they too could remember an unrequited love.

Jorge and Alejandra were both left catching flies by what had transpired, completely different from what they had expected from their fireball.

What are you both staring at? demanded Marisa. The other wedding party is leaving, we are on! She laughed happily, as she tossed Raul’s huge bouquet to Alejandra.

As the other wedding party departed, Marisa’s family and friends moved from the middle of the church down to the front pews as they became vacant. Jose came forward with Roberto, his best man, both in their police parade uniforms, and stood in front of the altar. His family also moved down to the front rows but there were not many of them. Jose Gomez came from a small town a day’s bus ride to the south of Medellin. However, he had a contingent of fellow police officers present; he was a popular member of the local police station.

The bridal march started for the fourth time that day and Marisa started her walk down the aisle to stand next to the man to whom, from this day, she was dedicating the rest of her life.

****

The wedding went off without any incidents. Marisa gave a firm "acepto" when asked if she accepted Jose as her husband. Jose had been just as solid, standing to attention as if on parade. A friend of Jose’s who had a good camera took the photographs and then they all departed to the reception.

The reception was held in a private party ground. It consisted of nothing more than concrete columns supporting a lightweight steel roof. Three sides stood open to let through the cool evening air while the fourth side was a wall punctuated with a basic bar and kitchen area. The huge floor area was bare concrete, the center of which thousands of shoes had burnished to a brilliant shine. Tables sat around three sides of the dance floor. The fourth side was clear for foot traffic to and from the entrance to the calle. A high concrete wall with pair of double gates surrounded the building, giving a sense of security and privacy to the proceedings.

Come along, chided Marta as Alejandra and her older sister Rosa hurried through the high gates from the calle. "We have to make sure the food is heated and ready to serve. Where is señora Duran? She is supposed to be here with her daughters to take care of the catering."

Just then, as if on cue, a small, sharp-looking woman appeared in front of them. "Buenas noches, she greeted Marta. Do not worry, señora, everything is ready. We have the food warmed and ready to serve once everybody is seated."

Oh thank you, replied Marta. It is so good of you to help us out tonight.

Señora Duran replied with a big smile.

Yes you can smile, thought Marta, you are charging me a lot for this reception, well, it could have been much worse. Giving a mental shrug, she turned to her daughters.

"Alejandra, please tell your papa to set out the whiskey bottles on the main table and fill the ice buckets then help Rosa take care of the aguardiente. Now where is that boy Jhon with the stereo player?" Her mother then wandered away to organize the music.

Why me? moaned Rosa. I am supposed to be a guest as well!

Stop complaining, replied Alejandra over the loud music that had just burst into life. It’s not every day your sister gets married, and we all pitched in at your wedding. Mama, Marisa, and I spent the whole morning here laying out the tables and then Antonio and Silvia spent the afternoon arranging the flowers for the tables and the church. This is the only thing you are doing for Marisa.

"Hui!" grumbled Rosa as she pulled out another bottle of aguardiente from the cooler. Our little sister is going to have her hands full with that piece of work. He was even looking me over tonight, right before he married her.

Rosa, that’s not true. Jose has never taken his eyes from Marisa and you know it. Alejandra looked around to make sure nobody was in earshot.

Yes it is, said Rosa. "I have caught him looking at me and other women in the past. I have also heard stories about him when he goes out at night. He is no saint, mark my words, just another cheap guy in a cop uniform.

Right I am done and have to go and see to my boys." Swaying to the music of the vallenato, Los Caminos de la Vida, she headed to the end table where her husband had captured three seats for her, himself and their son.

Alejandra shook her head. Rosa has such a bad opinion of men, I hope she is wrong, she thought. Life is hard enough in the Medellin barrios without a straying husband, and Marisa is a good girl; she deserves better than that.

Just then a commotion started by the gates; the bride and groom were arriving after Marta had ordered them to drive around for a while. There was a lot of cheering from the family, friends, and neighbors. Marisa was a popular girl.

Fighting her way laughing into the blizzard of thrown rice, Marisa caught a quick glimpse of a familiar face further down the wall from the gates.

Oh no, she thought, please, I do not need problems on my wedding night.

As she burst through the crowd and into the courtyard, she saw Alejandra and her husband talking. She ran to them and planted a kiss on her brother-in-law’s cheek. She whispered, Can I borrow Alie a minute, Carlos? I will give her right back, I promise.

Carlos laughed and gave her a hug. "No problem, cuñada, he replied. I need to go and get a whiskey before the animals drink it all." He directed himself with haste for the nearest table.

Alie, I just saw Raul outside when I was getting out of the car—he has come here now. Please ask him to go away. If Jose and his friends see him, there will be trouble; they saw him in church giving me the flowers. I told Jose they were from his mother and father, but he is not convinced.

Alejandra needed no further prompting and headed for the gate. Marisa pulled herself together and started the rounds of kissing the cheeks of all the friends and family gathered. This is my night and I am going to make it a night to remember!

****

The night was starting to wear down and Marisa was worried. Things had started well with the speeches and meal. Jose had been funny during his speech ensuring that all assembled knew that he had a virgin bride next to him. She had wanted the ground to open up under her feet when all the men in the room turned her way with knowing looks. She had blushed so high that a gale of laughter was let loose at her discomfort. Everyone present knew how rare it was for Marisa to be lost for words. Jose then led her out for the first dance before passing her off to her father. Marisa then disappeared with Alejandra to change from her wedding dress. She returned to the party in a sexy assemble that turned everyone’s heads including her new husband. However, that had been four hours ago and Jose had been drinking steadily.

"Amor, she whispered. Can you stop drinking or at least slow down? I have never seen you drink so hard!" When out with her alone or in a family gathering, Jose always drank in moderation.

"Don’t you worry, mi amor, I can drink more yet and still have enough left for you, he boasted, burying her in a cloud of foul-smelling whiskey fumes. Why don’t you go and dance with Roberto?" He was referring to his best man, who had spent the evening dancing his way through all the young girls. He then turned his attention to the preparation of his next whiskey. Marisa rose angrily to her feet and headed to the dance floor with Roberto in tow.

Unknown to Marisa, Alejandra had been observing Jose and she was worried about her little sister. She made her way over to her father and mother who were now both sat staring into space waiting for the festivities to end.

Papa, we need to get Jose and Marisa out of here and off to the hotel. He is getting drunk and Marisa is worried.

What! Why is she worried? He looks fine to me, besides the party is still going strong, Jorge replied as he looked at the swaying throng of dancers on the floor in front of him.

Jorge! ordered Marta. Alejandra is right, it’s time to finish the celebration or this lot will drink all night and your next three paychecks. Get ready to make your closing speech. Alejandra, go and tell Jhon that after this dance to turn off the stereo.

Poor Jorge had to get to his feet, and when the music stopped, he beat on a glass to get attention from the complaining crowd. He managed to thank everyone for attending his youngest daughter’s wedding. But now it is time to join with my wife and me to wish the happy couple Godspeed. Many ribald comments rose from the floor, mainly about the forthcoming end to Marisa’s virginity and Jose’s luck, before the party started to break up.

Marisa was out on the dance floor when Jorge called a halt to the proceedings. She had been enjoying the dance with Roberto, who was a new person to her circle. Jose had mentioned Roberto but all she really knew was that he was Jose's best friend since their first days in the police force and he was single. What she did not know was that he was a moreno with actor-like good looks and an outgoing personality that radiated confidence. The aroma from his aftershave blew her away; I have to buy that fragrance for Jose, she thought. He could also dance which Marisa appreciated. Jose was a mediocre dancer preferring to sit and watch the action. Marisa was a very accomplished dancer having taken lessons in all popular forms of Latino dance.

Seeking to make conversation with him, she asked how he had come to join the police.

I always wanted to be in the police since a child, he told her. My father was a police officer here in Medellin until he was killed in a shootout with a drug dealer.

I am sorry, replied Marisa awkwardly. I did not know or I would not have asked.

That's fine, smiled Roberto. You could not know. He abruptly changed the subject. You know that Jose drastically changed his normal routine to court you?

Marisa was interested. Is that so, how? she asked him with a smile.

Well, he replied. He stopped going out with us for a beer after work and our nights out disappeared completely. I lost my friend but now I can see why. He was trying to keep you all to himself.

Marisa was both flattered and slightly offended. A nice complement, she thought. But is he making a pass at me on my wedding night?

Yes, I am going to miss Jose in the future but I hope you will let him come out with us occasionally. Roberto carried on, oblivious to Marisa’s thoughts.

Marisa smiled back at Roberto, it was difficult to be offended by him. Of course he can go out with his friends, she said. As long as he behaves himself, she added with a laugh.

The two friends were a contrast. They were both almost the same age and height, Roberto being a little taller, but then they diverged. Jose was the more reactionary of the two, explosive and excitable. He enjoyed drinking and the manly pastimes of watching sport on the television and chasing girls. That lifestyle was already starting to show in his face and paunch. Roberto, on the other hand, rose early to work out in the gym before going on duty, drank in moderation, and usually, like tonight, had to turn girls down. He was also the thinker of the pair, guiding his friend to logical conclusions where left on his own Jose would have gone with his emotions. Despite these differences, Roberto and Jose enjoyed each other’s company in and out of work.

While Marisa was dancing, Alejandra had continued keeping a surreptitious eye on Jose. She could see that he was not pleased that the fiesta was over, but he was making a pretense in front of his new in-laws. Marisa came off the dance floor and stood with Jose and their parents for one last round of photographs before making their way over to the gate and the waiting hired car. Alejandra had reported that Raul was nowhere in sight when she had gone out earlier, but nonetheless Marisa had a quick look around and was relieved to see that the calle was completely deserted.

Her brother handed her into the car, Jose had already lowered himself in ahead of her. Sitting there, she started worrying at what the next hour was to bring when, as the car pulled away from the curb, Jose magically produced a bottle of whiskey from his side of the car.

That’s what I call good friends, he declared as he broke the seal and filled up his glass of whiskey and watery ice. He did not offer any to Marisa. That would be a waste of time, he thought with a smile. She is tea total and stuck-up as well but she will change, I will make sure of that!

Marisa was ready to break down in tears. This is my wedding night and here I am on my way to the hotel with a drunk. What is going on with Jose? I did not know that he liked to drink like this!

Not only did she not know her new husband, but also she did not have any idea how to handle the situation.

Chapter 3 - Honeymoon

The car arrived at their honeymoon hotel, a four star hotel in El Poblado, the best end of the city and really quite expensive. The room was a wedding gift; some of Marisa’s and Jose’s friends had clubbed together to pay for it. When the car stopped in front of the hotel entrance, one of the door attendants ran out and opened the car door. Jose heaved himself out and left the door attendant to hand out Marisa, something that was not lost on his young bride.

Jose is normally better mannered than this. He has changed. It has to be the drink, she thought, already finding excuses for his behavior.

Marisa got hold of Jose’s hand and headed for the door while the door attendant recovered their two small overnight bags. The reception formalities were quick and then they were being whisked up the lift to their room on the top floor. When Marisa went into the room, she let out a gasp.

Look at that, she whispered. It is beautiful. She took in the nighttime view from this part of the city, a panorama of lights stretching across to the other side of the valley and up into the opposite hills.

Jose glanced toward the window and grunted before letting himself down on the bed. I suppose you are going to be all night in the bathroom. Let me use it first and then you can take your time, he said.

That seemed reasonable to Marisa so she readily acquiesced. True to his word, Jose soon came out in a pair of shorts and smelling of deodorant.

Come here! he said and made a halfhearted dive for Marisa but she ran squealing into the bathroom and locked the door.

She disrobed and showered. She then combed out her hair and put on her new sexy baby-doll. I am really something, she thought smugly as she admired herself at different angles in the full-wall mirror.

She toyed for a minute with the spaghetti-like panties and almost discarded them but then thought it would be fun for him to take them off her. Then it hit her—

This is it! I am going to step through that door and be deflowered by my husband!

She felt the fear again and started to shake but she realized hiding in the bathroom was not going to change the outcome. She unlocked the