The Happy Hooker

Xaviera Hollander moves to New York with hopes of marrying her fiancé Carl, whom she met while visiting her sister in South Africa. The move sets the stage for a dramatic change in her life. This departure marks the beginning of a transition from secretary to someone navigating a much riskier world.

During a tense dinner, Carl shows that he values his mother over Xaviera, leaving her feeling betrayed and uncertain about their future. This rejection confirms that Carl is not the man she thought he was. The moment shakes her confidence and pushes her to reassess her life in New York.

Xaviera finds work at the Dutch Embassy as a translator and secretary, exposing her to a world of power and money. The job gives her new social access and a sense of security she previously lacked. It also foreshadows her later entrance into a different, more dangerous line of work.

Frenchman Yves courts Xaviera and she quickly falls in love with his extravagant lifestyle and wealth. His charm and success paint a path that seems glamorous and attainable. The relationship introduces her to a world where money and desire are closely linked.

Yves announces he must depart on urgent business with a king in the Middle East. Before leaving, he hands Xaviera a large envelope of cash, signaling a possible way to fund a new life. This gesture blurs the line between affection and financial exploitation in her mind.

Inspired by Yves and the money at hand, Xaviera starts meeting his circle of friends and clients. She begins to see that sex and money can be a source of power and independence for her. This marks the early formation of her path into sex work.

Xaviera's ventures grow, and she becomes prospers as a prostitute, carving out a lucrative niche for herself. She gains control over her earnings and lifestyle, feeling empowered by her new success. The period establishes her reputation in a dangerous but lucrative world.

A corrupt police officer shakes her down, confiscating her money and attempting to rape her. Rather than paying him off, she quits this encounter by moving to a local bordello run by a madam offering a 50/50 split. The incident forces a pivotal shift in her career trajectory.

Seeing an opportunity, she opens her own bordello ten blocks away and seizes control of her enterprise. Her ambition drives her to outpace competition and become a dominant figure in the local scene. This move solidifies her status as a power broker in the trade.

Xaviera buys out her former madam's business, consolidating power and expanding her operations. She rises to become the most successful madam in New York City, building a substantial and controversial empire. Her success draws attention from both clients and rivals alike.

The corrupt cop who targeted her earlier orchestrates a raid on her operation, leading to her arrest. The law's interference jeopardizes everything she has built. This setback tests her resilience and business acumen.

Xaviera's attorney bail-outs her and introduces her to a friend arriving from Montreal who may help her continue her enterprise. The legal maneuvering provides a new path forward and hints at ongoing complications in her life. The sequence closes with unresolved ambitions and new alliances.