SHE walks down the street beside a young man, their arms swinging so close they could be holding hands. She wears black stockings, a tight black shirt and exposed bra, and foundation applied hurriedly in the light of a car mirror. Sunglasses sit high on her head at night, pushing back lank hair she teases with her fingers.
 
They walk along Carlisle Street, St Kilda, into a small park. She squats, then sinks to her knees. In her handbag is $50-the price of oral sex-and a new box of condoms. "Buddy, hurry the f--k up.Get f--king on with it," she spits.
 
Ten minutes and it is done. He slinks to a nearby service station, buys an ice coffee-flavoured milk and walks away. "Lovely to meet you, have a good night," she says.
 
"You too, have a good night," he says. It's a civil end to an otherwise brutish transaction. The girl, Sarah, is only 16. 
 
The Age, Sunday 1 March, 2008