The Whorehouse receptionist

In Taliardh, a small town there was no worst job in terms of money and reputation, than being a whorehouse receptionist. But, Fernando couldn’t work anywhere else… He did not know to write or read and didn’t know how to do another work. In fact he was working as a whorehouse receptionist because his father and his grandfather were doing the same job.


For decades the management of the whorehouse together with the reception was going from one generation to the next one.

One day the old owner died and the management came to the hands of a young eager for development man. The young boss decided to develop the business. He refurnished the rooms and invited all the staff for a general meeting for new directions. He said to the young receptionist:

“From now on, apart from checking in the clients, I want you to give me a weekly report. You will be noting down the number of clients that enter every day. Every 5 clients I would like you to ask them how they believe we can make our whorehouse better. And once per week you will be giving me a report with your own notes as well.”

Fernando started to shake: he was always eager to work but…
“I would really like to give you this weekly report…but…I don’t know how to read or write.. “
“That’s a shame. You see, I can’t hire a second person to do this work and I can’t wait for you to learn how to write or read. So……”
“But you cant fire me: my father, my grandfather and my great grandfather have been working here..”
“Listen, I understand. But I can’t do anything. Of course I will give you a good compensation that will help you manage until you find a better job. I am sorry, wish you good luck.”

And without another discussion the boss left.

Fernando felt helpless: he never thought he would be in this position. Went home unemployed.
He remembered that when a bed or a table was broken in the whorehouse he was good at repairing it…maybe he could do repairing until he found something more permanent.

Looking for a hammer and nails he realized he didn’t have. Left to go and buy; he would use a part of his compensation. But then he realized that in Taliardh there was no store that was selling tools and he would have to travel 2 days to get the tool set from a near by village. “I don’t have anything better to do since I am unemployed” he thought and went.

When he returned home as soon as he was taking off his boots his neighbor
knocked on his door: “Hi Fernando, can you please lend me a hammer? “Well, you know I just..” “its ok, I will bring it back to you tomorrow first thing in the morning” said the neighbor “ok” Fernando replied.

Next day, early in the morning the neighbor knocked: “Fernando, I haven’t finished yet, can you sell me the hammer?” “Well, no, I need it and I have to travel 2 days in order to buy a new one” Ok, lets make a deal I will pay for the hammer and the cost of your traveling. What do you think?”
Fernando thought about it: this would give him money to go by 4 extra days…and he accepted.

After a few hours, another neighbour knocked on his door: “Hey, didn’t you sell to our neighbour a hammer? I need a tool box. I will pay you your travel expenses: it’s very difficult for me to find the time to travel to the next village…”

Mmmm, interesting thought Fernando. In my next trip I will bring more things back since many people who need tools, don’t have the time to travel.

Like this, Fernando, became the biggest tool importer in Taliardh. He invested all his compensation money into buying tools and from the extra profits rented a warehouse and started making the best tools of the region. In some years of hard work he became the areas biggest tool maker exporting to other areas as well.

Fernando was a philanthropist and felt it was his duty to be grateful and give back to the society. Therefore he decided to make a big contribution to Taliardh: donate a school. On the day of the opening a big reception and dinner was held in order to thank and acknowledge Fernando’s donation. The mayor said: “We are honored by your great donation: please read and sign the first page of the school book”.

Fernando replied: “I am honored, thank you. I would love to read and sign the fist page of the school book, but I am illiterate.”
The mayor couldn’t believe it “You are illiterate? You have created a big business with huge profits being illiterate? Congratulations! Can’t even imagine what you would do if you knew how to read and write…..

There, with no hesitation Fernando replied “I can imagine: if I knew how to write and read I would be a Whorehouse receptionist!”

Story by M. Buber adapted by Jill Douka