A story on the front page of the NY Times Style Section called "France. Sex. Problem?" had me thinking all day about paying for sex — not me personally, I paid for a bagel — but women in general, and divorced women in particular.

In my opinion, based on what I hear women talk about privately, I don't think we are very far away from it becoming ‘somewhat’ socially acceptable. That is, for a woman to begin doing what men have done forever: pay for pleasure.

I KNOW I KNOW it's illegal. Illegal in every state that is except Nevada and (who knew?) Rhode Island.

You might remember that back in 2005, Heidi Fleiss, the former Hollywood Madam, amused women and the world with her idea to open a "Stud Farm" called “The Cherry Patch Ranch” with males serving an all-female clientele.

I’ve been a little busy since then, and haven’t exactly followed up on what happened there, so today I stopped and just made a call to the Cherry Patch Ranch to see what was up. The operator said she couldn’t answer any of my questions and that the manager would be in at four.

Heidi, I was told from another source, has been in Nevada since July but is currently operating a coin laundry — a temporary "cash and sheets business" if you will — ‘til she’s able to focus again.

She’s definitely planning to open that stud farm someday.

The Times story was about a new French movie called Cliente, which focuses on clichés about prostitution and gigolos in France. The main character is a 51-year-old hard-charging TV Shopping Channel anchor and director who, after her marriage falls apart, wants good sex without the strings (we can understand that concept) and is willing to pay handsomely for it (really now? Tell us more).

Josiane Balasko, 58, wrote it. She also, directs, and acts in the film. No one in TV would touch the topic initially, calling it “too raw” and “too hot.” Then her book became a best seller, and now there are posters in the Paris metro stations featuring a slim, satisfied woman, and a shirtless hunk with Euros sticking out of his pocket.

Said Balasko, “Men are in control of pleasure and have the right to buy it. Women do not. A lot of my friends are alone, lonely, divorced. They can’t always reinvent themselves with another man and a new family."

Balasko’s intent with this piece? To shatter "the long-held taboo in France and to send a positive message to middle-aged women who find themselves alone and wanting sexual fulfillment.”

Wow — Balasko’s really stirring up something. What if? What if divorced women starting ordering up sex like take-out? Holy Cannoli — what would those menus look like?

Could Women’s Pay-For-Pleasure Takeout Menu Options read like this?

Italian Take Out: Pizza and Paolo, Send Extra Olive Oil
Chinese Take Out: Sum Yung Guy — Spare No Ribs
Mexican Take Out: The Whole Enchilada — Seriously, We Mean It
American Take Out: Burger and 'Buns' — and ‘Lettuce’ Decide about Dessert
Thai Take Out: Thai Me Up You Co-Co-Nut
Indian Take Out: Curry in a Hurry I’ve Only Got an Hour

Hey — A woman should always have options!

Attitude is everything!