Bukit Bintang street is vibrant with festivities of the city dwellers and tourists, as they flock the street forming a part of the colourful night life. There are the clubs for party goers, bars and lounges for those wanting to chill, and a variety of restaurants for the hungry diners. For every colourful facade of the city, there is also the darker side of it.
Night butterflies bat their wings along the streets looking for bait - men seeking carnal fulfilment. Although prostitution is illegal, the trade is very much alive in the city, forming part of the social contract and attraction which appeal to certain type of tourists (and even locals) to this country. For some, the availability of such attraction despite the illegality of it, is what brings them to this foreign land.
This little amusing incident happened few weeks back as the bunch of us were caught at a traffic light in a car. Out traipsing along the sidewalk was a lady in loud makeup, plunging neckline and soaring hemlines. Heads turned as she walked by. Even us in the car could not help but check her out.
She disappeared into the dark and just before the lights turned green, there she was, returning to the hotel in sprightly steps. Just few meters behind her was a guy in red shirt, a black cap and khaki bermuda pants. There was nothing sleazy about him, nothing like what one would imagine - a dirty old man with a thin moustache, and a hairy mole at the corner of his leery lips. He was just a regular looking Joe, one we would meet everyday among us.
He must be new in this, perhaps shy or just ashamed because he stood below the steps of the hotel pretending to look curious while making a phone call. We thought we were wrong about him until madame butterfly appeared at the doorway urging him to get in.
All these in a mere few minutes just before the traffic started moving. Indeed, butterflies rule the night.
