IL CASTIGO DI DONNA ASSUNTA 1

PRIMA PARTE: LA CADUTA
- Figuriamoci! Non è possibile! Lei è un idiota, avvocato!
Gli occhi duri di donna Assunta si posarono ancora una volta sulle carte che l’avvocato Alfonso Sacramola aveva collocato quasi un’ora prima con cura davanti a lei, sul bel tavolo di mogano nero.
- È così, - ripetè per l’ennesima volta l’avvocato. Cominciava a stancarsi di tutta la faccenda, e avrebbe desiderato moltissimo trovarsi fuori da quella villa isolata sulle colline.
- Donna Assunta, è la verità! - Erano appena scomparsl dalla porta che già donna Assunta affondava il bel volto fra le mani curate. La disperazione lentamente le serrava un nodo alla gola: che fare? il disastro economico era tale da non lasciarle più scampo, e oltretutto le tasse incombevano. Vendere? Impossibile, era tutto ipotecato già da tempo. E poi c’era sua figlia, Rosalina, una innocente che nulla o quasi sapeva della situazione della madre. Rosalina da anni, dalla morte del marito, era stata di fatto relegata in un prestigioso istituto svizzero, lontana dalla madre e dalla sua terra di origine.
Stette così per un tempo che le parve infinito, e si riscosse solo al rumore insistente di una mano battuta alla porta. Era di nuovo Maria, la cameriera.
- Che c’è, stronza? Non vedi che voglio star sola?
- Signora, ci sono qui le˛tre signore, donna Isabella, donna Agnese e donna Elvira...
- Quelle tre troie? Buttale fuori!
- Ma...
- Buttale fuo...
(continua 1)

TRANSFORMATION D'UNE BURGEOISE 7

TRANSFORMATION D'UNE BURGEOISE 7

Blushing all over again and excited at the same time I repeated :

"Yes Madame, I accept to become your cleaning woman for a year!"

"Very well Maria, I am your employer from now on!!" she said triumphantly

and she continued : "Now you asked before about practical matters,

you are right we have to sort them out. First of all you will put our

agreement in writing and send it to your solicitor. Not everything of

course, just write simply that due to a prolonged absence abroad you are

authorising me, Monique Perreira dos Santos to handle all your financial

affairs, pay all the bills and run the household paying the domestic

staff (that is you!) etc,etc. Then you notify in writing all the people

that you think they might contact you, telling them that you are going

abroad for an indefinite amount of time to recover from the shock of

loosing your husband to another woman. Also you will apply to your bank

to issue credit cards in my name. Of course I'll take your credit cards,

and your car keys, your are not allowed to drive anymore, only public

transport for you. You will receive all the money that I earn from my

various domestic and cleaning jobs which you are going to undertake from

now on." She stopped seeing me getting more and more uneasy.

"But Mon.... I mean Madame aren't we moving a bit too fast here? Probably

I should stay at home for a few days to adapt to my new role and then..."

She interrupted me abruptly in an annoyed manner : "Leave that to me

Maria, I'll organise everything for you. I have lots of close contacts

and trusted friends among the Portuguese community of maids and cleaners,

soon you will be part of their world.". She looked at me again and became

more formal : "Now finish what you are doing here and run upstairs and

clean the bathroom I just used, and tidy up the bedroom. I have a few

phone calls to make, then we'll talk again." She turned and walked back to

the Living Room her heels clicking elegantly. She was 'la patronne' now.

(7- a suivre)

TRANSFORMATION D'UNE BURGEOISE 6

TRANFORMATION D'UNE BURGEOISE 6

What did I really have to loose? My life was in shamples at the moment

with the departure of my husband. I was not working and I was financialy

independent, I had not immediate family and very few friends, as a matter

of fact most of those so called friends were my husband's friends and I

knew very well that they were going to disappear from my life. And that

was going to be an experience, probably a hard one but an experience

anyhow. And why do I have this inner excitement that is transmitting

sexual signals to my body? Do I really get a sexual pleasure out of it?

I must have blushed all over because Monique looked at me inquiringly

and asked : "What is it Pet? Do you consider my proposal? You realise

of course that by that stage there is no going back. It is either my

proposal or I am out of here and your life ."

I looked at her, took a deep breath and said : "Oui Monique, J'accepte

votre proposition!" and I continued more excited now after I said the ok :

"But how is it going to work, and we have to talk about lots of practical

matters like ...."

She stopped me with her hand : "Now let's make your acceptance more formal

and from now on I am Madame Monique, or simply Madame for you and your are

'ma femme de ménage' Marie Benedicte or simply Maria, so please repeat :

"Oui, Madame, J'accepte de devenir votre femme de menage pendant un an!"

(6-a suivre)

TRANSFORMATION D'UNE BURGOISE 5

My expensive Chanel 5 perfume was filling the air around her. And there I was opposite her the

epitomy of a servant, sweat running down my forehead , my apron front

splashed with water, resting my rubber gloved hands in the mop stick.

I looked admiringly at her. "You look fantastic Monique, I can't believe

that change, you are indeed a very chic lady!"

She answered casually back : "That proves my theorie Marie Benedicte,

that finally the clothes make the master, if you know how to wear

them of course and not the other way round. And look at you, after an

hour's housework you look all the way the part of a Portuguese 'femme

de menage'. We have to work with your hair a bit and do some other

adjustments but you certainly look the part".

I looked at her aghast, but e peculiar excitement run through my body

like an electric current. I managed to answer in a rather meek tone of

voice "But what do you mena ' looking the part?', I simply agreed to

help with the housework and I dressed like this to please you."

She looked intensely at me : "We might as well sort things out here and

now! Marie Benedicte, I have a proposition to make to you. Would you

consider to change positions with me and become a 'femme de menage', a

maid, a cleaning woman for a year and I will be 'la femme bourgeoise',

a woman of the high society. You will find out where I come from and I

will be able to fulfill my dream and live the life of an upper class lady

even for a limited period of time. Think, it can be like a sabbatical

year for you, you will be able to experience things totally outside of

your own milieu. For me it is a lifetime long ambition to know the world

of luxury and wealth, a world where you come from but I know it from the

servant's side. For you it is going to be a complete reversal of roles

and positions in life."

She stopped and looked at me, I could tell she was completely taken by

her own words, she was already so near to fulfill her dream, she was

already dressed the part and she was enjoying it immensely. But what

about me, I was confused as I was trying to think hard for an answer. I

knew already that it was either her terms or good bye Monique for good.

(5- a suivre)

TRANFORMATION D'UNE BURGEOISE 4

She stopped again and looked at me. I looked back at this angry but

sincere face and suddenly I felt a strong compassion for that woman. I

felt her strength of character through her rage, I felt her willingness

to try the forbidden, for her, fruit of the bourgeois world. Probably

she is right, probably I should see how the other side lives and

works. I decided to play her game, I wanted this woman to stay with me,

I needed her. I simply nodded to her that I agree and I took the pile

of clothes and started going out. She stopped me again : "Oh no Pet,

you don't leave this room unless properly dressed as the cleaning woman

you are going to become, so strart removing your clothes and hurry up,

we don't have all day."

By now I was defeated, I couldn't cope anymore with the strong

character of this woman. Within seconds I was standing naked in

front of her and within a few more minutes I was dressed under her

insrtuctions. Black cotton panties and vest, black thick pantyhose,

and the overall dress which buttoned in front. Those were her clothes,

the clothes she was wearing just before. I could smell her b.o. in them,

nothing repulsive, just a combination of cheap eau de cologne and her

mild sweating.

5

"And now the 'piece de resistence ma cherie' Monique said smiling broadly,

come here I will tie your apron'. I approached and she adjusted the

large matching working apron on top of my dress. She criss crossed the

bib straps behind my back and fastened them to the strings with two small

buttons, then she firmly tied the strings in a big bow in the back. She

pointed to the door. "Well, this is your obligatory uniform for working

in the house Marie Benedicte, run along now like a good maid and finish

your chores and then report back here, I want to continue our little

conversation and plan the rest of the day."

It took me an hour of intense work to finish what I was ordered to do. I

was moping the kitchen floor when I literally smelled Monique's presence

in the room. I turned around and she was standing by the door looking at

me. God how she changed! She was the epitomy of elegance wearing a dark

grey silk suit, a light grey blouse, fine stockings and elegant medium

heel shoes. My expensive Chanel 5.

(4- à suivre)

TRANSFORMATION D'UNE BURGEOISE 3

TRANSFORMATION D'UNE BURGEOISE 3

by Conchita
translated from French and adapted by Monica 

I followed her instructions like a robot. I was about to finish filling

the tub when I heard her voice form the bedroom : "Marie Benedicte, could

you come here for a moment?" I went back to the bedroom, she was wearing

one of my bathrobes. She looked mischievously at me : "I decided to test

your good intentions, I thought that when I'll be having my bath you can

go down and finish the housework that I left undone. Would you like to do

that for me?" I was about to refuse it, proposing something of the type

' I can wait for you to finish your bath and we can do it together like

partners', but she didn't give me the chance. Instead she continued :

"I won't take no for an answer, be a good sport and play our little game."

I blushed again and said meekly : "Ok Monique, I'll do it, tell me what

you want me to do". I thought I saw a triumphant glimpse in her eyes but

she kept her cool and said in a 'giving instructions or orders tone':

" Just finish the dusting and vacuuming in the living, dining area and

then do the kitchen properly, do the dishes, clean the tops and mop the

floor thoroughly. Ok pet?" now she started calling me pet. I started to

go out of the room but she stopped me again : "Did you forget something

Marie Benedicte?" I turned around looking puzzled and with a big grin

she indicated at the pile of clothes on top of the bed. "You forgot

your working clothes dear!" And she was pointing to her overall dress,

apron and head scarf.

This time I did turn red from embarassment. "But Monique I don't have to

be dressed like you to do the housework, I can do it in my T-shirt and

jeans." This time she got red but from pure anger and said to me abruptly

: "Listen to me Marie Benedicte, either you do it my own way or I get

dress and go this instant and you will not see me again!" She stopped

to catch her breath, boy she was angry now, and continued : "I have been

doing that all my life and I am over 40 now, cleaning houses and offices

and public toilets and being an hotel maid and anything menial you can

think off. I am fed up of being a Portuguese maid, probably you can get

the feeling what it is like not to be an arrogant bourgeoise and be in

the other side of the fence."

(3- à suivre)

TRANSFORMATION D'UNE BOURGEOISE 2

TRANSFORMATION D'UNE BURGEOISE 2

 by Conchita

As I was talking she took me by hand and we went to the living room,

we sat together in the couch and she started holding my hand as I

continued my monologue. When I stopped I started crying again, God what

was happening to me, was that strong sleeping tablet that made me so

emotional? She put her hand around my shoulder and pulled me towards

her. Soon my head was resting on her shoulder and I closed my red eyes

for a moment of rest.

Suddenly I felt her warm lips kissing my cheeks and forehead and then

she kissed me in the mouth in an unexpectedly passionate manner. I was

completely taken by surprise but I felt at the same time an increased

sexual excitement. She then wiped my wet eyes with the edge of her apron,

something that excited me even more. She started talking to me in a quite

but firm manner, definitely forgetting her position in the house. She

spoke to me as a friend rather than a domestic : "With the little I know

you are completely secure financialy, you owe this wonderfull property

and you have a steady income from your grandfather's trust. You are 37

years old, you don't have to work for a living and you can organise your

life anyway you want." She stopped and looked at me rather sternly I

must say, as if she was accusing me for having all those benefits in life.

I looked back and all of a sudden I realised that I needed that woman. I

said without hesitation : "Look Monique. Would you like to stay the

week with me to help me get over this terrible crisis I face, even if

you thing that is not that serious?"

She answered back immediately as if she knew the answer even before I

asked. She said : "I'll stay on one condition, we have to establish a

different relationship, not the one of employer and employee to start

with. I am Monique for you, but you are Marie Benedicte for me." I blushed

a bit when she mentioned my double name. Coming from an upper class

family I had several names in fact my full name was Jeanne Marie Benedicte

Batiste D' Armagnac. But for my friends I was simply Marie Benedicte.

"Of course I accept Monique" I eagerly said and at the same time I was

thinking what she means with this 'to start with'.

"In that case" she continued "you have to give me access to your wardrobe,

I always felt envious for your elegant clothes and I don't have but my

working clothes with me. And since I'll be a guest in this house for the

rest of the week, no more housework for me. Do you agree Marie Benedicte?"

I blushed again, this woman had a way of intimidating me that I hadn't

notice before, a whole new persona of Monique was in front of me. "Of

course Monique, there are plenty of clothes in my cupboards, more than

I can use myself, you can choose anything you want and I think we are

about the same size. Please let's go upstairs and sort things out"

We reached the master bedroom and to my total surprise she started undoing

her apron and overall dress. She saw my look and said casually : "I think

I'll have a bath first before I dress in my bourgeois lady clothes. Would

you be a pet and run a bath for me, and please add some of the nice bath

oils you are using, I want to smell like a bourgeois lady from now on."

(2- à suivre)

TRANSFORMATION D'UNE BOURGEOISE 1

TRANSFORMATION D'UNE BOURGEOISE

by Conchita

translated from French and adapted by Monica

Translators Note

The story is happening in Paris of the early 1970s and could be based on real facts. At the time Portugal was still a very poor country and not a member of the European Union. Lots of poor girls and married women were coming from there to work in France as factory workers, cleaners and maids. Many of those girls were working as live in maids in many Parisian bourgeois houses or apartments. If they were working in

apartments they had there own separate rooms at the top of the building, usually in the 6th floor, at what was called 'la chambre de bonne' (maid's room). Of course there was no elevator in those buildings of the late

19th century and the maids were going down from the back service stairs

to the kitchen door of the apartment they were working. They were not

allowed to use the font entrance of the building even when they were out

of uniform and not on duty. For them there was the back or side service

entrace to come and go, the same way that the garbage was coming down as

well. All those apartment buildings had there own live in concierge who

had a little place to stay either by the entrance or in the basement. The

concierge was usually the 'terror' of all live in maids because she was

checking on them all the time, reporting back to their employers.

So the term Portuguese maid/housekeeper or 'femme de menage Portugaise'

was synonymous to a poor backwards peasant girl or woman often illiterate,

coming form the rural areas of Portugal to work in the sophisticated

Paris. The rich bourgeois Parisians had the tendency of course to look

down on them.

At the time they were lots of specialized shops in those rich Parisian

suberbs, selling 'domestic workwear' for those in live in service. Those

shops were called 'blouses et tabliers boutiques' (overalls and aprons

shops).

In today's Paris, as elsewhere in the western world live in maids are a

rarity. Portuguese women are rich and elegant an go to Paris for their

shopping and the 'blouses et tabliers boutiques' are nearly gone.

CHAPTER 1

My husband left me!! I simply can not believe it! It finally happened

and it happened just like that. Yesterday he announced to me that he had

an affair with a nurse (how banal Mon Dieu!) Working in his clinic and

they were moving out of the country to start new parallel careers in an

exclusive private clinic in Milan, Italy! I simply can not believe it,

my husband decided to leave his beloved Paris for an Italian city, even

if that is Milan? Later I understood that this was planned well ahead and

it was me in my notorious innocence and naivety that didn't pick anything.

He packed a suitcase of clothes and personal things in a haste and left

yesterday evening directly for the airport, they had a late flight to

catch. He said that He didn't need anything else from the house which

belonged to me anyway, through family inheritence. But in a goodwill

gesture, as he said, he left everything that we bought together for the

house the five years we stayed together.

We parted as friends without unnecessary scenes, we both were low key

people and we didn't like screams and abuses. He even managed to convince

me that he wasn't good enough for me, he wasn't the type of man I needed

etc. Probably he had a point. I really don't know. Of course after he

was gone a terribe emptiness overtook me and I started crying bitterly

on my own. It took me some time to calm down and only after I took a

sleeping tablet I was able to go into a deep dreamless sleep.

I opened my eyes quite late the next day, it was past ten in the morning

and I could hear the familiar noise of the vacuum cleaner from the floor

below. God I forgot! It was Monique our Portuguese cleaning lady. I felt

uneasy I had to explain to her what happened. She was coming to the house

3 times a week and we were quite happy with her. All of sudden the feeling

of emptiness came back to me. I was still thinking in terms of WE, but

I was alone now! Tears started coming up tp my eyes and I desperately

tried to control myself.

Soon I was in the dining room where usually breakfast was served when

Monique was around. She saw me and I must have looked quite a sight

because she stopped what she was doing and came towards me, a concerned

look in her face. She looked very neat in her light blue overall dress

and her matching bib apron and head scarf. I was a firm believer that

a domestic in the house should look the part, nothing fancy, just a

practical maid's uniform.

"Bonjour Madame, you look terrible this morning, is everything

alright?" "Non Monique pas du tous, everything is not alright" I said

and tears started coming up again. "Pauvre Madame, please tell everything

to Monique"

And I started and I said to her in detail what happened, sobbing softly

at the same time.

(1- à suivre)