24274

The supreme flower of feminine pulchritude, Tira the Incomparable (and part-time lion-tamer), sashays into Big Bill Barton’s Wonder Show to the sound of trumpets and a red carpet rolling in front of her.

Her dress revels in every curve. She purrs through painted lips as she saunters past leering men:

“A penny for your thoughts. Got the idea boys. You follow me?”

Then she sings:

They call me sister honky-tonk
I’ve got the face of a saint,
I’m a lover that ain’t tamed,
Beware of these eyes,
I’m a devil in disguise,
Oh, they call me sister honky-tonk
They call me sister honky-tonk.

Oh, to be the sensational and salacious Mae West!

Match the story (and the number) to the face at Mirrors.

Discover more from Maura McHugh

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading