ABSTRACT
At the age of sixteen, Muli becomes the pimp of a young Bauri prostitute named Hara. Typically, Muli claims that Hara recruited him rather than the reverse, but he does acknowledge that Hara sought him because of rumors about his association with Koki and her lovers. Muli frequently portrays himself as reluctantly involved with Bauri women who want him to find them rich high-caste men. As in Chapter 6, Muli describes his elaborate ruses to keep his illicit activities secret; but as before, other Bauris suspect him of supplying women, although they fail to catch him at it.
Hara represents Muli’s view of Bauri prostitutes: sexy women who enjoy their work as well as the remuneration it brings. In an incident not included in this book, Muli’s teacher says of Hara, “She’s not a real human; she’s a demon with some magical or god-given power. She was not satisfied by one discharge; she wanted more, and wouldn’t let me go until I discharged a second time. She satisfies you so much that you want her more and more.”
Muli pretends reluctance, but in fact enjoys his role as Haras pimp and occasional lover. But on a deeper level he resents both Hara and her high-caste lovers because he sees them as using him. Hara earns more money than he does, and she manipulates him to bring her customers. He also manipulates her to benefit his high-caste friends. Haras customers flatter Muli and pay him a pittance, only to reach her. They gain her favors because they have money, while he stands outside, a poor Bauri boy who watches as they enjoy her. One man patronizes him by sharing a meal in private with him and Hara. Another wealthy customer expresses his contempt by taking Muli’s only shouldercloth to lie with Hara; Muli angrily refuses to take it back, but he nevertheless continues to work as Hara’s pimp until the day she suddenly deserts him.
