the queen of sheba , half-demon , they said , on her father 's side , witch woman , wise woman , and queen , who ruled sheba when sheba was the richest land there ever was , when its spices and its gems and scented woods were taken by boat and camel-back to the corners of the earth , who was worshiped even when she was alive , worshiped as a living goddess by the wisest of kings , stands on the sidewalk of sunset boulevard at 2:00 a.m. staring blankly out at the traffic like a slutty plastic bride on a black-and-neon wedding cake .