I had just started my first year of college and was living away from my family for the first time. The deal with my parents was that I could go to an interstate college on the condition that I got a part time job that could cover my rent and my living expenses. I found myself a great little studio apartment a short bus ride from campus and a job waiting tables at a restaurant within walking distance of home. It was my first time living in a big city and it was great. College during the day, work 4 nights a week, party the rest of the time.
Growing up in a small town was pretty dull. But I was making up for it now I was in the city. Living alone meant I was free to bring a guy home who I met in a club, or invite one over who I met online. As an 18 year old college boy with a penchant for older guys, I was having a lot of fun. At least it was fun until the restaurant closed.
With no savings, the impact of losing my job was felt immediately. Within a few weeks I was behind in my rent and had many unpaid bills. I applied for jobs everywhere but no one was hiring. My alcohol fuelled nights of partying and clubs had stopped and I was unable to see my friends as often. It was Saturday night and my friends were out having fun without me. I couldn't sleep so I figured I would chat online to pass the time and perv on some guys profiles.
I logged in and entered the chatroom for my city. Being so late at night there weren't many guys online and the room was pretty quiet. Just as I was about to quit, a message appeared, "any boys 18-22 wanna earn some extra $$ message me." I figured it was just some guy after an escort or something. I could never do that, the thought of being felt up by someone I'm not attracted to makes me cringe. Nevertheless, I was desperately in need of money and couldn't face the humiliation of having to move back home. I decided to flick him a message.
"Hi."
"Hey boy, what's your name? You want to earn some good money on a regular basis?"
"I'm Tommy. I'm interested. What does it involve?" I enquired.
"Well Tommy, why don't you come over and we can discuss it further? If it works out, you can regularly bank over $200 for a half hours work easy. No pressure."
"I'm downtown, 328 Main St." he added.
Downtown is over 5 miles away and the buses have stopped for the night. "Sorry man, maybe another time, I'm flat broke and can't afford the cab."
"No problem, jump in a cab and I'll give you $50 just for coming over, even if you decide not to take up the offer. Apartment 1706, I'll buzz you up when you get here. What do you say?"
I don't know whether it was because I was curious or if it's just that desperate times called for desperate measures, but I agreed to meet him. I threw on a pair of jeans and a t shirt and called a cab. I had just enough money to get me there. I hope he is serious about the 50 bucks or it'll be a long walk home.
The cab ride over was a mixture of excitement and fear. It's 2am and I'm sitting in a taxi on the way to a stranger's place. I didn't even know what he looked like. I never do this sort of thing, in fact I've never met a guy online before without hours of chatting and picture swapping first. "What am I getting myself into?" I thought as I stared out the window of the cab into the dark night.
The cab dropped me off and sped away, leaving me alone in the cool air on the doorstep of an enormous apartment tower. All the towers downtown were massive, thirty to forty stories most of them. I punched 1706 into the keypad and waited nervously. A loud buzz rang out and a pair of glass doors slid open. I stepped inside and looked around. A lift bell dinged and the doors of the lift also slid open automatically. I entered the lift and floor 17 lit up as the doors closed behind me. I was whisked up to the 17th floor and the doors slid open again with a ding. I stepped out looking for 1706 when I noticed one door was already being held open. In the doorway stood a tall, mature, muscular man in a singlet and gym shorts. At least I was relieved to see he was attractive.
"Hi Tommy." he said in a friendly tone, "come on in. I'm Brad by the way."
He held the door open as I walked inside and he closed the door behind me. His apartment was impressive, modern and quite large, much larger than my tiny place. I followed him into the kitchen slash dining room, making small talk about my trip over as he poured me a glass of wine. "Here you go, take a seat." I sat in a chair next to the kitchen bench while Brad hoisted himself up onto the edge of the bench. "So tell me Tommy, why did you decide to come over tonight?"
"I dunno..." I stumbled. "I lost my job and need money I guess." I was nervous and my eyes darted around, desperately trying to avoid eye contact.