Many of you write romance that includes scenes that range from explicit to implicit. For you, I have this little nugget I came across the other day on Quora, which you may particularly enjoy if your romance takes place in the 19th century.
During the 19th century, prostitutes had a little gadget to measure how long they would have sex with a client.
It was known as “Short Time Sales“.
You see, it turns out that when it was time to take a client to a room, they lit some small candles. Said candles were made to burn for 5-7 minutes, and when the flame went out, it meant the customer’s time was up.
When I read this, I remembered how Jodie Foster in ‘Taxi Driver’ lit a cigarette and left it burning in an ashtray when De Niro paid a visit. No matter how much things change, they remain the same, it seems…
Nicholas C. Rossis 
It’s all about the money, honey! 😉 Cheers, Jon.
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Lol – when it comes to the oldest profession, that sure is the case!
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Classic! Honestly, I could not stop laughing for I must admit, I could have used these wee candles on a couple different occasions. (did I say that out loud?)
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Ha ha – you should read some of the comments on Quora. Too many were on the lines of, “wow, I don’t know if I could do it five times in a row” 😀
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I’m guessing most customers were finished long before the flame went out! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Judging by the comments left on Quora, that does seem to be the consensus!
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Talk about a brief encounter….
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Time flies when you’re having fun 😀
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Fascinating, Nicholas. I did not know this, and I don’t remember the Jodi Foster scene in Taxi Driver but now I’ll have to check it out. 😊
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I watched it ages ago but was reminded of that scene when reading about the candles. My most vivid memory was the “are you talkin’ to me?” scene!
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Nicholas, an interesting topic. And a clever way to mark time in a prostitute’s profession. I like your modern change to the word sales. I read the Quora piece and it was a different word. Maybe in those days, the word sails had another meaning—It was known as “Short Time Sails”. It had nothing to do with ship’s sails. 📚🎶 Christine
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Someone in the comments on Quora left a note saying the correct spelling was “sales” and I used that spelling, as it made waaay more sense 😀
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Thanks, Nicholas. I just read the first part. Sales does make a lot more sense. I should have read further, and trusted your editors inquiring further. Sorry!!Thanks for the correction. 📚🎶 Christine
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Lol – no worries! I didn’t take it as a correction, to be honest, but as a well-spotted comment 🙂
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You are too kind, Nicholas. I research everything down to the smallest detail, as you know—historical fiction book—Three Years of Her Life. But, not this time. FYI-the ebook is available in the Kindle Store. Paperback in process. ISBN/imprint mismatch that KDP tech team has to fix. Bummer! They do keep me informed. Will announce on social when both are available. 📚🎶❤️ Christine
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Looking forward to it!
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Thank you so much! 📚🎶
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Reblogged this on Kim's Musings.
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An amusing thought. I can see the scene. Candle burning out, Prostitute saying ‘Time’s up’ but client hasn’t finished! Although judging by the comments you mention on Quora, that wouldn’t happen too often.
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Lol – yeah, I wonder what would happen next, Probably having to pay twice – which is certainly incentive enough for a client to hurry up!
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Interesting tidbit. Wonder if the cigarette in Taxi Driver was meant as a direct reference to the old practice…coincidental or deliberate…likely the latter given Scorcese’s mastery of visual storytelling language.
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It hadn’t occurred to me that Scorsese might have invented that detail. Good point!
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Hi Nicholas, this is an interesting titbit of information. Thanks for sharing.
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So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you, Robbie 🙂
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Wow, this is fascinating. Learnt something new today.
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I know, right?? 😀
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