Blue Money

Alice's speed addiction takes her from the halls of the Ivy League to a commune of radical feminists and finally, back to her wealthy mother's claustrophobic Manhattan brownstone. She needs to get out, and she needs to make money. She returns to The Traveling Medicine Show, a saloon on Second Avenue where Michael McClaren, the pied-piper of women and possibly Alice's one true love, connects her to Corinne, a gorgeous madam who sends Alice to turn her first tricks. The Traveling Medecine Show is a refuge for rockstars and those too stoned or blase to bother them, while also being the best place to procure crystal meth. After things go well with her first john, a rich premature ejaculator, Alice is determined to make it as a hooker while also resurrecting her relationship with Michael.
She begins to acquire a series of regular clients after befriending Evelyn, the madam at a friendly cathouse. As her repertoire grows, so does her reputation. Alice becomes an outspoken advocate for sex workers rights and marries Gunther, a German dealer. Their explosive sexual chemistry turns violent, and when Gunther finally hits her, Alice is free to leave him and track down Michael, who is working at a new club, booking musical acts, including Eddie, Evelyn's son, who Alice knew as a sweet but troubled teen. Now an emerging star, Eddie and Alice consume increasing amounts of drugs and alcohol, driving Eddie to steal a stash. Eddie's desperate misstep has horrific and deadly consequences for them all, sending Alice into a tailspin.

Janet Capron is a writer based in New York City. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University. Blue Money is a memoir based on her time as a prostitute in the early 1970s.