I was just finishing up trying on summer clothes when the man came into my dressing room at Kohls. The door didn't have a lock. He was calm and poised like he had done this many times before. I still had my shirt off but I had on my blue nylon running shorts and my underwear but nothing else.
"Hey what the fuck? Get out of here, mister!" I whispered loudly, not wanting to cause a scene. It was a Monday afternoon back in 1995 and I was on summer vacation, 18 years old just bumming around our small mid-western town. I was getting new clothes for the summer soccer camp that would be starting soon. The man in my dressing room looked familiar but I couldn't place him.
"Listen here, kid. The store employees said they saw you bring a bag in here. I need to see if you have store property in there, okay?" The man was heavy set, early forties maybe with dark hair and hairy forearms and had on a gaudy gold watch and chains. He reeked of tobacco and garlic.
"I don't have nothing on me. You can look in the bag, there." I motioned to my shopping basket resting on the floor by the mirror. The guy was checking me out and I felt my dick move around a little bit in my white thong, but hoped he didn't see. I was not really gay, but bisexual. I hadn't made a move on any man before. The idea was always hot when I was super horny but when the real thing came around I was straight all of a sudden. I was just a confused young man going through a phase, is what my momma told me. Daddy wasn't around so maybe that made me a bit gay too, I dunno.
The security guard rummaged in my basket and let the items fall to the floor. He was a sloppy guy in a hurry. He turned to me and ordered me to put my hands behind my back. I did so willingly, not to make anything into a big deal. I was innocent, I had nothing to hide.
"Wait. Let me put my shirt on. I came in with this one on." I grabbed my white-shirt and threw it on over my head covering my pale body. I didn't have much body hair but I was ginger. It was suddenly too cold in here with the guard, I felt goose bumps run up my arms. I totally forgot my shoes and socks but I could come get them later. The guard stood watching me, hands on his hips and then led me out of the change room towards the rear of the building. We passed a mother and her son and I heard her tell him, "See, that's what you get. Don't stick anything in your pockets, boy I swear."
"Where are we going?" I tried to act casual but my voice cracked.
"To the loss prevention room. I have you on video, kid. You're so busted!" He emphasized the last word and I chuckled. I hadn't stolen anything, besides I was still in the store, I did not even leave yet!
"You think theft is a joke? You can get time for that kid, the store presses charges on all shoplifters! In here, this way." He pushed me through a swing door and then opened a large wooden door and directed me to some folding chairs around a cluster of TV monitors. High tech stuff for the 1990s.
"Woah, you can't have cameras in the changing rooms!" I was staring at the monitors and sure enough they had cameras everywhere, even inside of the restrooms. I knew that was definitely illegal.
"Shut up kid. What's your name? I need it for the report." He sat in the chair by the TVs, opening the desk drawer and pulled out a sheet of paper and a pen. I was sitting across from the desk in a white folding chair. He hadn't bothered to handcuff me, I was free to run.
"Uh, Robin. Robin James. I'm 18, sir." My feet were cold on the tile floor and remembered my sandals back in the dress room. I hoped no body mistook them for store property and tried to find a place for them on the shelf. The officer was busy scribbling down notes, occasionally looking up at the TVs, completely ignoring me.
"Ok, Mr. James. Here's the deal-eo. You have been caught on camera trying to hide store items on your person in the dressing room. That's petty theft. You need to give those items back so I can show police. Give it up." Now he was looking at me, pen down on the desk, both of his hands in his lap. He tried to command authority but he seemed soft to me.
"I don't know what you mean, sir. I have nothing on but my own clothes. What am I accused of taking?" I stood and lifted my shirt, showing my waist, nothing was tucked into my waistband. He shook his head and rolled up his sleeves, again trying to act macho.
"Take off your pants, son. You stuffed the items down there." I froze and shook my head,
"No sir, I will not. And you can't touch me either." Taking a seat again I drew my legs up to my body and crossed them. I was short for my age and it wasn't hard to do, plus I was flexible as I played soccer and tennis often. I was feeling violated but also very turned on at the same time.
"Have it your way. When the cops get here they'll just do it themselves. I'll make a note that you were uncooperative, I'm sure the judge will like that. Young boy like you in the county jail? Nice red head of hair you have there, sonny. The fellas in there will have a go at you a bet within an hour." The officer was a pervert too, I should have guessed.