Hardwired For Love

Chapter 4-2

Br’er walked up to the reception desk at Antonio’s office. He was surprised to see a pretty young woman sitting there. He had supposed that since this was a gay escort service he’d find it staffed with men, probably hot, sexy ones.

“Hello,” the young woman said, “How may I help you?”

“I’m here to see…uh…Mr. Antonio?”

She smiled. “It’s just Antonio.”

“Oh—okay, I have an appointment with Antonio then.” Br’er returned her smile.

She checked her computer. “You’re Br’er Harris?”

“That’s right.”

“Yes, Antonio is expecting you. He’s out, but will be back shortly. He has you on his schedule. In the meantime you can fill out this questionnaire.” She handed Br’er a clipboard.

“Thanks,” he said, and turned to find a seat in the waiting area.

“Um—Br’er?”

“Yes?” Br’er replied, turning back to her.

“Br’er. That’s an unusual name.”

Br’er smiled and shrugged. “Yeah, I get asked about it all the time. It’s sort of southern slang for brother. My Dad was raised in the south. I guess he thought it’d be cool to name me that as I’ve got three older sisters. I’d be their little Br’er.”

“Interesting,” she said with a polite smile which said to Br’er she had no idea of what he was talking about, nor did she care. He was used to that reaction. He’d had to explain his name all of his life to people who, once they heard the tale, politely dismissed it.

Br’er sat down and looked at the questionnaire. The biographical information had already been filled in. This section was followed by brief instructions that read: Our goal is to give our clients 100% satisfaction. Therefore read each question carefully and answer with complete honesty. Your responses are not set in stone and are subject to change at your request should you find your circumstances change.

The rest of the questionnaire concerned itself with just what kinds of clients and services Br’er was willing to consider.

From the first question Br’er deduced that his original impression that Antonio’s was exclusively a gay men’s escort service was wrong. The question asked: Are you most interested in male clients, female clients, or either? Br’er checked male.

Next came age preference. They were listed in decades from 20’s to 90’s or he could choose a box marked Any. Br’er, wanting to avoid the relationship trap, chose 50’s and 60’s. He wanted his clients to be young enough so he’d enjoy the s*x, but not be someone he could become emotionally attached to. After all who was going to fall for an old guy?

The next question dealt with ethnic preferences. Br’er considered this for a moment then picked a box that said Any.

Then came a section which caused Br’er to feel a bit embarrassed. It concerned what types of activities he would be willing to engage in. It read:

Please indicate which of the following services you would be comfortable providing for your clients. Choose all that apply.

__ Platonic only; no physical interaction.

__ Light intimacy: hugging, cuddling, kissing.

__ s****l Roleplay.

__ Casual s****l contact: massage, manual s*x.

__ Oral s*x, genitals only.

__ Oral s*x, any area of the body.

__ Intercourse __Top __Bottom __ Versatile

Br’er thought for a moment and then checked every box. He felt that if he were versatile, he’d be more likely to get the job.

At the very bottom was a disclaimer. Antonio’s does not offer services in the areas of domination, or sadomasochism. The liability is too great. Should a client request this, decline and report this request. Such clients will be denied service in the future and referred to other agencies. If that is your predilection you must not suggest or go along with any such activity.

No problem, Br’er thought. Not my thing.

He was looking over his answers when the receptionist said, “Br’er, Antonio will see you now.” She pointed to a set of large, oak doors.

Br’er got up and started to hand the receptionist the clipboard. She shook her head. “Take that in with you. Antonio will go over it.”

Br’er nodded and headed toward the doors. He took a deep breath and knocked.

“Come in,” said a deep voice with a clearly recognizable Italian accent.

Br’er entered the office and immediately hoped with all his heart that a trial run in bed would be part of the interview. The man walking around his desk to greet him oozed casual sexuality. Tall and well built, with a strikingly handsome face, Antonio was a poster for the mature Italian male. He had black hair which was flecked with white, a graying scruff of a beard, and piercing blue eyes. His smile was set off with dimples and a row of astoundingly white teeth. He wore a silk shirt that clung to the contours of his torso. His prominent n*****s showed clearly beneath the fabric. A tuft of black hair protruded from the open collar. His cuffs were rolled back revealing well-shaped forearms accentuated with the same black hair. Br’er somehow felt overdressed in his suit and tie.

“Welcome, Br’er. It is good to meet you,” the man said in his deep baritone. He offered a hand as well as placing one on Br’er’s shoulder.

Br’er recovered enough to take the hand and reply, “It’s good to meet you, too, sir.”

Antonio laughed. “No need for that formality. We’re all famiglia…family here. I’m just Antonio.”

“I’m glad to meet you, Antonio,” Br’er said, giving the man’s hand a firm squeeze.

“Come, sit, and we’ll get to know one another.”

They sat on a leather couch facing each other.

“So, tell me, Br’er, why do you want to work for me?”

How does one answer such a question when the employment you’re seeking is tantamount to being a hooker? Br’er decided to be as honest as he could without being vulgar. After all, one couldn’t just blurt out, ‘I want lots of no strings s*x with guys’.

“I enjoy being with men, but I prefer not to become emotionally involved.”

Antonio’s smile deepened. He placed a hand on Br’er’s knee and said, “You’d be surprised at how many of the men I interview stumble all over themselves answering that question. I like you. You are an honest man. Now, may I see your questionnaire?”

Br’er handed Antonio the clipboard. Antonio took it and began to look it over. Occasionally he nodded or made sounds which Br’er hoped meant interest or approval.

“It appears you are quite versatile with the services you are willing to provide for our clients,” Antonio said, looking up from the questionnaire and smiling at Br’er.

Br’er returned the smile, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“This looks very promising,” Antonio said, again indicating the clipboard. “There are some things you need to be aware of as you make your decision as to whether or not you would like to join our family.”

Br’er nodded.

“First our motto, Il cliente è sempre corretto,” Antonio said in Italian. “As you would say, ‘The customer is always right’. It is our goal to provide a most satisfactory experience for those who request our services. Each client is provided with the opportunity to let his or her needs and wishes be known. Our escorts are given this information, and it is their responsibility to see that all expectations are met. This can become problematic, however. There are times when a client desires more than was indicated. Sometimes factors influence their decisions, and they decide they would be more comfortable with less. These shifts in desires may only be communicated by mood or body language. Therefore, our escorts must always be aware that these fluctuations may occur and adapt accordingly. Because…”

Antonio inclined his head toward Br’er.

“Uh…Because, um…Il…cliente è..ah…sempre corretto,” Br’er said, hoping he got the Italian right.

“Bravo, bravo!” Antonio patted Br’er on the back.

“There will be times when upon meeting your client you find that their physical attributes are less than desirable. Tell me, how would you handle this?”

Br’er sat and thought for a moment. “Well, since the motto at Antonio’s is the customer gets his money’s worth, I would put my personal preferences aside and do my best to make the client feel they were the epitome of attractiveness.”

“Very good,” Antonio said. “Easier said than done at times, but that is the attitude upon which Antonio’s is based.

Now, consider that many of our clients are lonely, needy people. They have been deprived of affection for various reasons. Here they are with a very attractive young man…”

Br’er smiled and reddened slightly.

“…who is, for all intents, making love to them. They indicate that they are developing feelings for you. What would you do?”

Br’er took longer to respond to this question. Finally he said in a tone that reflected his careful consideration, “This is tougher than pretending to find the client attractive.” He paused and thought some more. “The client’s feelings must be taken into account—you don’t want to hurt them by bluntly rejecting them, but you don’t want to lead them on, giving them the idea you could have mutual feelings for them. I…I think I would acknowledge their feelings, and assure them that I liked them and liked being with them, but I would gently remind them that I was not available. But that they should enjoy what we share, knowing I value the time we spend together.”

“And what would you do if you found you were having feelings for one of your clients?”

Fat chance of that after all I’ve been through, Br’er thought.

“I’d just make sure I didn’t see them again—that is if it’s allowed. Can I say I don’t want to see a client again if they request me?” Br’er asked.

“Of course, if you feel there is a problem, you are free to refuse to take that client.

Your common sense and sensitivity are admirable. I think you would do very well here at Antonio’s. All this and more is covered in our Escorts Handbook which Marcella, our receptionist, will supply you with. Take it and read, and when you have made your decision let us know.”

“I really don’t have to wait. I’m ready now. I’d like to be part of the Antonio’s family,” Br’er said.

Antonio’s smile deepened. “That makes me very happy.”

He stood and Br’er followed suit. Antonio opened his arms and Br’er stepped into a warm hug. “Benvenuto in famiglia,” he said, kissing Br’er on each cheek. “Welcome to the family!” As Br’er walked out of the office, he regretted even more that a trial run with his sexy new boss wasn’t part of the interview. Being held by those powerful arms and feeling the firmness of Antonio’s deep chest had produced an instant response on Br’er’s part which Br’er hoped hadn’t been too obvious.

Following Antonio’s instructions, Br’er stopped at Marcella’s desk on his way out. Antonio must already have given her the news that Br’er would be joining la famiglia for she greeted him with a huge smile and offered him the promised Escort’s Handbook. Like Antonio, she encouraged him to read it thoroughly.

She had him pose for a head shot, explaining that they provided clients with a photo if requested. “Take off your suitcoat and tie. Undo a couple of buttons. We don’t want you to look like you’re on your way to church,” she said with a laugh.

Finally, Marcella set him up with a weekly blood test, required of all escorts to make sure they were clean of any transmittable bugs. She told him she hoped he would enjoy his new job, told him to call if he had questions, and bade him goodbye.

Sometime later, Br’er was driving home. His Escort’s Handbook lay on the passenger’s seat, an appointment slip for his first blood test sticking out of the pages. Br’er let his mind replay the events of the day. Yes, he would do well at this job.