"Jean Meredith." That is what it said on the name plate sitting my new desk. The lettering was an Old English style. It was the first name plate I had ever had. Of course, this was my first job: the new junior reporter for the Hemmingsburg Report newspaper. The newspaper office is on the second floor of an old building in downtown Hemmingsburg. It was not the big time, but everyone has to start somewhere, so why not here?
I had had several questions when I interviewed for the job just a few weeks before. Firstly, why was a small town paper like the Report hiring in this economy? After all, newspapers were generally in decline. The internet has provided instant access to news all around the world with a few key strokes. What made this paper so much different that they could hire new help? Howard Billings was the editor and owner of the newspaper. He explained that the Report was a highly unique paper in the newspaper world. His reporters ferreted out unusual special interest stories. Not only did the paper report the usual garden reports, utility bulletins, high school sports results and local political concerns, but each bi-weekly edition always had some off-the-wall or over-the-line story that kept the readers curious about each and every upcoming edition. He explained, "We needed something that you could not get in other big circulation papers or on the internet. My reporters go to places and ask the why and how questions that no one else wants to ask."
Here I am now fresh out of school with a degree in journalism. I had worked school papers in high school and in college. However, my intention had been to get into work in more technologically advanced news reporting. The job market is slim. I had some leads, but I had no money. The Hemmingsburg Report seemed like a good opportunity until I can find something more lucrative. I was very happy when Mr. Billings made me an offer. And it was a generous offer. He thought I was the kind of reporter necessary for the type of stories he wanted researched and printed.
Mary Hammond, Mr. Billings' secretary, stuck her head around the corner and says, "Jean, Mr. Billings would like to see you in his office. It's first assignment time -- good luck!" Mr. Billings had come in late this morning and had been in meetings since then. I was anxious to get going. I walk down the aisle quickly. Mr. Billings' office is at the opposite end of the floor from my desk. I tell me self to be calm, breathe evenly and slowly, and to not talk too fast. I reach the door and give it a couple of light taps.
"Open," I hear shouted from the inside.
I open the door and say, "Good morning, Mr. Billings. Mary said you wanted to see me."
"Come on in, Jean. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to talk with you earlier this morning. I came in late and got tied up with some record keeping issues. I'm sorry for not getting to you on your first day."
"No problem, Mr. Billings."
"Please have a seat." Mr. Billings walks behind his desk and sits. I pull up a chair in front of his desk and sit, too. "Now, we talked during your interview about the fact that my reporters go after cutting edge stories. I have an assignment for you that may seem off-the-wall, but that is exactly what I want. If you can get us a good story, it would be a huge feather in your cap. There is nothing like getting started off with a great story."
"It sounds exciting. I think I'm ready for the challenge." I was genuinely excited. It was going to be my first reporting assignment as a professional.
Mr. Billings leans back in his chair and looks out the window. "Let me set the stage for you. The explosive growth of the internet has been fueled, in part, by the explosive growth of the 'sex' industry. There are escort services, photo and video opportunities and other recreational activities. A new business opened up on the east edge of town about one year ago. I have done a little research. The name of the business is 'Man's World.' Their specialty is providing bondage fantasy opportunities for women hungry for something that they weren't getting anywhere else. The story I would like you to write is strictly research. Find out what they do at 'Man's World.' Who is their clientele? What kind of fantasies do they offer? It's the kind of place that is so far over the edge for most people that you could get a Pulitzer Prize for the right kind of story."
All I can say is "Wow!" I sit back and look at the floor for a second. I ask, "Do you think this is the kind of story a woman should do?"
Mr. Billings leans forward in his chair and crosses his arms on his desk. "I think this is exactly the story a woman should do. There is something about this place that draws woman. You may be able to detect that magnetism. What is it that pulls the women to a place like this? You may have insights that a man would not have. In the second place, you are young and untainted, so to speak. Most of my more, to be polite, experienced reporters might not take as objective an approach as you would."
"Mr. Billings, I accept the assignment." I was eager and ready, even if it was such a bizarre story. "Do you have any initial information for me?"
"As a matter of fact, the owner is a man by the name of Hector McDougall. I don't know much about him. His online bio states that he is a naturalized Irish immigrant, unmarried, and an entrepreneur. Here," he reaches into his sport coat pocket and pulls out an envelope, "Take this, there is a card with McDougall's phone number and one thousand dollars in fifty dollar bills. You may need this for any expenses that occur during your research."
"What kind of expenses?"
"I don't have any idea. It is just a good idea to be prepared. Don't forget the saying on the sign on the wall." Mr. Billings points to the wall on my right. I look and read the sign, 'The only difference between wishes and results is preparation.'
I stand up. "Thank you Mr. Billings. I will get started today."
I turn and walk to the door. Mr. Billings says, "Jean, remember, a good reporter cuts through the hearsay and gets the facts. A good reporter also suppresses his, or her, own opinions and personal preferences in order to create a balanced, interesting and useful story."
"Mr. Billings, I will do my very best." I was determined to do the best job I could.
"I know you will."
I close the door behind me and walk back to my desk. I must have been smiling from ear to ear. I got my first assignment. It was a weird one, but I am a reporter. I was ready to get the facts and nothing but the facts!
Jerry Winfield, a twenty year reporter, has a desk next to me. He looks over at me and says, "My, aren't you looking perky today. Did Billings ask you to check out the elementary school playground vandalism?" He sounded sarcastic or, maybe, condescending.
"Oh, no, it is better than that. Mr. Billings asked me to check out a business called the 'Man's World.' It is out on the edge of town."
Jerry looks stunned. "Yeah, I know where it is. That's a prime story, and he gave it to a first-day-on-the-job reporter. What a crock." He gets up, goes out the stairway door and walks down stairs.
I sit there for a second. I wonder what his problem was. Mr. Billings had told me during my interview that Jerry was his top reporter. But, in the couple of hours that I had known him, he seemed bitter and uninterested.
Nevertheless, I had a job to do. I did a quick internet search on 'Man's World' and on Hector McDougall. There was not very much there. The 'Man's World' webpage says the business offers edgy fantasies for the bored female: rope bondage, spankings and whippings, etc. I wonder what the 'etc' might mean. That is the job of a good reporter, eh? The searches on McDougall brought up a couple of articles on lawsuits from a fraud accusation and a bankruptcy. It was not a lot to go on.
I look at the card Mr. Billings had given me. I pick up the phone and dial McDougall's number. It rings twice and is picked up. "Hello."
"Hello, this is Jean Meredith of the Hemmingsburg Report newspaper. I am a reporter for the newspaper. May I please speak to Mr. Hector McDougall?"
"Why, of course, this is Hector McDougall. Please call me Hector."
"Thank you, Hector."
"May I call you Jean?"
"Sure, that would be fine."
"So, what can I do for a reporter of the Hemmingsburg Report?"
"My boss, Mr. Billings, would like for me to do a feature story on your business, the 'Man's World.' That is your business, isn't it?"
"Why, yes it is, Jean. I know your boss; he is a good fellow. Just what kind of story are you looking for?"
"I would like to learn about the services you offer and the kind of customers you have: why they are drawn to the services you have to offer."
"I think that would be an outstanding story, Jean. Let me look at my calendar." I hear him shuffle a few pages over the phone. "What about the day after tomorrow at 9 a.m.? Would that be okay?"
"That would be wonderful. I will see you then."
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Thank you, Hector. Have a good day. Goodbye."
"So long, Jean." I hang up the phone and sit back in my chair. I pick up my pencil intending to write down a few notes in my notebook. I need to be prepared. This is my first reporting assignment.
***
Two days have passed by. Today is the day for my first interview as a reporter. I had told Mr. Billings yesterday that I would be going straight to the 'Man's World' business in the morning. He encouraged me and said he was glad to see that I had jumped right in. And I was encouraged. I had a notebook full of questions and I was ready.
I jumped in the car, cranked it up, and pulled out of my parking space. I headed out of the apartment complex and onto the highway. I turn right onto the bypass, and drive toward the 'Man's World' building.
***
I can see the 'Man's World' building just ahead. It is a plain looking warehouse. It sits in a sparsely populated section of the bypass. As I drive up closer, I see there is a fence abutting the edge of the building and going back into a swampy wooded area behind it. There was no parking area in front of the building; it must be on the other side.
I slow down as I get to the building; there was a small sign that said 'Parking' and an arrow pointing to the far side of the building. I drive past the building and turn into the side road. The parking lot had about two dozen spaces. Only two cars were in the lot. I park in the first space. I sit there for a few seconds and try to focus. I take a quick peek at my notes, and then get out of the car. I walk up to the building. There is a door on the side of the building with a sign above the door that reads 'Office.'
The door is open and I walk in. The lobby is only about ten foot by five foot. There are two doors opposite the outside door. The one on the left is labeled 'Office'; the other is labeled 'Do Not Enter Without Authorization.' I walk to the left door and knock. The door opens and a man steps out.
He says "You must be the reporter."
