Paresis Hall

**Paresis Hall** is an infamous brothel in New York City run by Biff Ellison and Paul Kelly, offering services of young boys in women's clothes to a varied clientele.

## Description

The Paresis Hall is a brothel located in Tenderloin, the red-light district of New York City. The brothel has changed several buildings, at least two of which are opposite each other. The entrance to the basement opens to a large room where the patrons can gather to drink and watch the shows on a small stage. Although most customers prefer to go upstairs, it is not uncommon to find customers having sex at the tables. The bar counter offers a wide view over the whole room.

The upper floor consists of squalid rooms along a narrow and dilapidated corridor. The height prevents any escape from the narrow windows.

## Story

Following the murder of Giorgio Santorelli, aka Gloria, Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt ordered the closure of the brothel. Paul Kelly bribed Captain Connor to turn a blind eye as they moved the business to the building across the street.

John Moore conducted a private investigation into the murder. Once at the brothel, he immediately attracted the attention of Biff Ellison, co-owner and bartender. While Moore was being distracted by some of the boys, Biff spiked his drink. The amateur detective didn't notice anything and started a conversation with Sally, a friend of the late Giorgio Santorelli. Under the pretext of speaking away from prying ears, Sally led Moore upstairs where she tried to practice oral sex on him. Moore refused, saying he would pay Sally in exchange for information. But Sally didn't have much to say and Moore was already experiencing the drug symptoms. Incapacitated, Moore was overwhelmed and assaulted by two other boy prostitutes while Sally stole money from the wallet. At the door, Ellison, Paul Kelly and Captain Connor watched the scene, planning how to get rid of the busybody.

In the following weeks, a new patron began to frequent the brothel. He used to donning female clothing whilst he entertained himself some of the boys.

## People

* Paul Kelly (co-owner)
* Biff Ellison (co-owner and bartender)
* Sally (prostitute)
* Giorgio Santorelli/Gloria (prostitute)
* Ernestine (prostitute)
* Pauline (prostitute)
* Razor Riley (bouncer)
* Jack McManus (bouncer)
* John Moore
* Captain Connor
* Stevie Taggert
* Willem Van Bergen

## Notes

* The Paresis Hall is introduced in Part I, Chapter 11 of Caleb Carr's novel, when John Moore pays a visit to Biff Ellison to inquire about the events prior the death of "The Boy on the Bridge".

## Episode Appearances

* Ep. 1: *The Boy on the Bridge*
* Ep. 2: *A Fruitful Partnership*
* Ep. 4: *These Bloody Thoughts*

## External Links

* "LGBTQ History: Cooper Square and Bowery," Greenwich Village Society for Historical Preservation
* Paresis Hall on Wikipedia.org

## References

1. ↑ Hossein Amini (writer) & Jakob Verbruggen (director); (January 22, 2018); "The Boy on the Bridge". Episode 1. *The Alienist*. TNT
2. ↑ Hossein Amini & E. Max Frye (writers) & Jakob Verbruggen (director); (January 29, 2018); "A Fruitful Partnership". Episode 2.*The Alienist*. TNT
3. ↑ Gina Gionfriddo & Cary Joji Fukunaga (writers) & James Hawes (director); (February 12, 2018); "These Bloody Thoughts". Episode 4.*The Alienist*. TNT