The Transaction

Patrick Eichner’s “The Transaction”, created in 2020, follows Jane (Audrey Coletti), a sex worker, as she struggles to navigate her current lifestyle working under her abusive partner/pimp, John (Thomas Gipson). Amidst this personal barrier, one particular client (a cameo from Patrick Eichner himself) engages in a conversational transaction with John in a cafe, who contains more in store than John’s run-of-the-mill purchasers. The short, through one 18-minute anecdote, compacts numerous horrific normalities of this industry explored between these three characters.

John’s aggressive behaviour and language towards Jane provides a commentary on the pressure typically placed upon these workers and the power perceived of those who work above them (mostly manipulative men who make unlikely promises, as John does here). These two match the gender stereotypes that divide the labor efforts here; men should be the “muscle” as John and his blade make clear, and women should be the promiscuous “prize”, reinforced by the staring and catcalling Jane receives in the opening scene. The ignorance against Jane’s wishes to level up their scheme by forming a more personal connection with clients also reflects a common desire to level up at the expense of worker’s mental and physical health. It is not uncommon for these clients to breach the agreed dealing, hence the “frisk” carried out by John on the current client for anything suspicious and Jane’s direct reference to a previous incident involving non-consensual choking. Jane’s drug usage also explores a common issue prevalent in sex workers as they are often a cheap mental escape from the trauma that can be faced during work, however, this in turn creates more abuse and a pressure to get sober for the sake of higher income. Whilst the client appears to be a cliché white collar middle aged worker desperate for an easy satisfaction outlet, however his true intentions lead to a shocking twist. This ending ultimately represents how lots of these transactions in the real world can end: with damaged relationships, people getting hurt, but also (ironically), a sense of relief for at least one person involved.

The short film underwent a successful festival circuit across 2020/21, permitting Thomas Gipson to win best drama actor at the 2021 Brightside Tavern Film Festival, New Jersey. Alongside his director role, Patrick Eichner also produced and edited the project. Writer and cinematographer George Firewalker Carlson’s company, Firewalker’s Dreams & Images, also oversaw production of the film. Outside shots are unapologetically dark and grungy, foiled by the warm and inviting setting of the cafe, suggesting that at face value, customers are in for a good time without ever having to look behind the nightmarish curtain.

This short is no doubt a difficult watch and a caution should be given to those who may be able to relate or triggered by the subject material. That being said, the content provides a detailed view into what lies beneath the surface of a what attempts to mask as a strictly pleasurable industry. If it were only possible to apply the key underlying message of “The Transaction” globally, thousands of workers, or those close enough to soak in the effects, could be saved from the inflictive demand created in the world of sex work.