On this side of town, small rundown apartments are shown along with homeless people living on the streets. The director introduces the audience to Vivian and Kat in the context of their small dirty apartment, in which they must to hide their rent money. The necessity of hiding money serves two purposes in this opening scene: first to tell the audience that they have only cash, and do not use bank accounts; and second to let the audience know that much looting occurs in their neighborhood. On the streets, drugs are being sold, people are dying and girls make their living as prostitutes. .
Both Vivian and Edward are very much aware of their differences when they meet, which occurs when Edward pulls up to Vivian in a Lamborghini. Right away, Vivian accurately assumes that Edward has money from the combination of his car and his nice attire. Likewise, Edward knows that Vivian is a prostitute herself for similar reasons. This class-consciousness is shown throughout the movie. Class-consciousness can be defined as one's awareness of one's class position in terms of power relationships within society.
Upon Vivian and Edward's arrival at the hotel in which they will be staying, Edward gives Vivian his coat to cover up. This action's main purpose was to keep Edward's own reputation clean as well as to prevent attracting negative attention. Even with the coat, guests at the hotel stare at her in a condescending manner. At the hotel the entire staff knows Edward, and takes very good care of him. This power and prestige that he possesses is a result of his success and money. The next day, Edward sends Vivian out to buy herself "suitable" clothes. When Vivian walks into the store wearing her "hooker attire" she is immediately turned away. The saleswomen assume that by the way she is dressed, she does not have the money to be shopping in their store. In this scene, the dialogue plays an important role in portraying society's view of Vivian, as she is a prostitute.
