Cold

Almost no one will remember this, but the penultimate corner of upper Boylston Street, with Charles and Tremont Streets as its perpendicular border, was once known as the "Windy Corner."

It’s not as if the wind subsided much once you got to the final block. In the winter, the whole area was I’d-Rather-Be-Dead-Than-Here cold. 

The women turning tricks in the area were required by market forces to wear very little—and occasionally no—clothing, although in winter they augmented this all-season  attire with faux-fur coats loosely draped over their otherwise exposed shoulders. They didn’t wear gloves even on the coldest nights. Gloves would impede speed of process. 

The physical discomfort felt by everyone—hooker and trick alike—attempting to make or spend money threw off their negotiating equilibrium. The chance to spend a few minutes in a warm car would make a streetwalker drop her price. A john cruising on foot, given the opportunity to duck into even a questionable indoor crash pad, might turn generous. Fewer scams took place in the winter; you wanted to conduct your business and bring yourself a step closer to the end of your night.

The hookers apologized when they started giving hand jobs. Even blowjobs had the issue of chapped lips. When it was below zero, those first few seconds weren’t pleasant for either party.