Summary

The story begins with this line: “Her name was Wanjiru. But she liked better her Christian one, Beatrice. It sounded more pure and beautiful” (89). Narration then describes how Beatrice moves from bar job to bar job and from town to town (including Ilmorog), occasionally prostituting herself but never having the sort of popularity or prosperity that other girls she knew and worked with had. She becomes particularly jealous of a girl named Nyaguthii, always popular with men and always having a lot of money even though she presents herself as indifferent to them and everything they represent.

Beatrice makes several attempts to make herself more attractive, including trying several wigs, dressing differently, and experimenting with skin lighteners (particularly one called Ambi). She does not have the money to pay for enough to cover her entire body, so leaves...