Gay for Pay Chapter 1
"What are we going to do?" Evelyn asked me with a pleading look in her eyes.
I didn't know. I honestly couldn't think of what to do about the fact that my job at Rayari Research Company has laid me off after 20 years. It was a great job, good benefits, perks, and the only job I'd had straight out of college.
"I will look for another job" I told her. I knew in my mind it wouldn't be easy. My skillset was particular to the type of specialized equipment utilized by Rayari.
"Nicky," she said "If you don't get something soon, then the bank will take the house, and the kids will have to either take student loans or drop out of college..." She trailed off as if there was more she wanted to say.
I hung my head in my hands, looking at the pile of bills in front of me.
"I know, and your mom's treatment." I said softly.
Looking up at her, there were tears streaming down her face. Her mom has cancer, and her insurance company wasn't covering the cost of the treatment. Aside from the huge mortgage on this house, three cars, college for our daughter Katie, and the idea that our son Nick Jr. was graduating from High School soon. We were barely covering the bills before her mom got sick. Once we started to help pay for the treatment, our financial situation became dire.
"Maybe we should sell the house?" Evelyn asked.
"We owe more than it's worth. Either way we don't walk away with money. If we sell, then we still owe the difference, but we are homeless." I replied, laying the truth on the line.
Evelyn got up, softly sobbing and went to sit in the living room. From the kitchen I could hear her sobs and sniffles, but I knew that comforting her wouldn't solve the problem. After a few minutes, she calmed down, walking back in, and said "Please, let's not tell the kids yet. I just don't think I am ready to answer any questions."
I nodded in agreement.
For the next week, I was looking for any type of engineering job. I contacted headhunters, visited job boards, looked online, and called a few colleagues from my college days. It was a week of having the door slammed in my face. I was disheartened. There were no job opportunities to be had, even within a few hundred miles.
I watched my wife Evelyn come back from grocery shopping one Saturday, with only a single bag of groceries, all of it was cheap foods, knock off brands, and day-after-the-expiration sales. I realized at that moment, I couldn't let this happen to my family.
I went back online looking for any jobs. Not just in my field, but any job that would pay that I could do. I was desperate to keep my family together, and off the streets.
After several hours of searching, I came across the following job posting:
WANTED: Want to earn $$$$ and have fun doing it? We need people! Section43 Studios is looking for inexperienced actors for an upcoming movie. We have positions available for the right person and are willing to pay up to $5,000 per day.
My eyes lit up at this. I had some acting experience in college, although it was 20 years ago, and my acting experience consisted of a few minor parts in the town theatre. I was willing to give it a shot. Even if they fire me after a week, it was thousands more than I had right now.
I called the number in the ad, and woman answered.
"Good morning, Section43 Studios" she said as a standard greeting.
I said "Uh. Hi. Yes. I'm called about the job posting in JobBoard.com. Is the position available? I mean, are you still hiring?" I was fumbling my words.
"Name?" was all she said.
"Nick. Nick Sommerton." I said.
"Can you come by this afternoon for a screening and a meeting with the director? He wants to meet all candidates." She asked.
"Absolutely!" I replied, too enthusiastically.
She gave me the address and said to show up at 3PM. I hung up and looked up the address. It was in the middle of the city in a townhome. It was 1PM now, and I had about a 45 minute drive. I didn't say anything to Evelyn who was watching a movie on TV. I went upstairs and took a shower, shaved and got dressed. Afterwards, I was looking at myself in the mirror, and I said "Don't screw this up Nick" to my reflection. "Your family needs you to man up, and do whatever is necessary."
I walked downstairs and Evelyn was still watching her movie and I said "I'm going out for a bit. I will be back later." She nodded, not looking at me, engrossed in her movie.
On the drive on the way there, the "check engine" light came on in my car, followed by a big "thunk" sound from the car. "Oh great, now what?" I thought.
I put on the hazards, and pulled off to the side of the highway, where the car rolled to a stop, dead. All of the lights on the dashboard came on, and the car wouldn't start. I needed this problem like a hole in the head. I checked the time on the clock. It was 2:30PM. I would have to call a cab to come get me and then come back for the car. As I was looking for a cab company in my phone, a pickup truck pulled up right behind me. A well dressed older gentleman got out and walked up to my car.
"Hey, buddy. You need help?" He asked.
I rolled down the window a few inches and said "Yeah, actually. It just went dead, and I have some place to be."
He replied with a chuckle "Don't we all! Pop the hood, maybe it is something easy. If not, I can give you a lift into town."
I opened the hood, and it looked like a bomb went off in there. Hot oil was dripping from the hood, and there was steam everywhere.
"I'm Cliff, by the way. I'm not some creep. Just saw you pull over and figured I would do the good Samaritan thing" he said. "Oh, and it looks like this isn't going anywhere. You blew a valve. This car will have to be towed."
"I'm Nick." I said, shaking his hand. "Thanks for stopping. I was about to call for a cab. I figured I would call about the car later."
I looked up at Cliff, and he was staring at my crotch for a long few seconds. As if I caught him looking, he looked up at me and said "Hell, if you are going into town, I will drop you off. My cousin owns a mechanic shop a few miles from here. I can give you his info. He can tow your car and give you a good price."
Not having any choices, I said "Yeah, that'll be fine. I'm glad I didn't get hurt."
We closed the hood, and I locked the car, following him back to his truck. "So, where are you headed?" he asked.
I looked at my phone for the address, and said "A job interview, of all things." Laughing a bit.
He nodded, pulling into traffic, and said "No, I mean, what's the address?"
I gave him the address, and he said "Well, that's not too far out of my way. There are a few good spots to eat and drink over that way. If you get the job and end up working there, give me a ring. My cousin, a different cousin, owns a restaurant there called the Brass Monkey."
We exchanged numbers and fell silent for a bit. I looked around the cab of the truck when I noticed the pride flag hanging from the mirror. I wasn't bothered by it, but it did explain the stare. After a few turns off the highway, he pulled off to the side of the road.
"Well, here we are. Good luck to you Nick!" he said, holding out his hand.
I didn't realize we were here, looking around. I shook his hand, saying "Thank you so much Cliff. You are a life saver." I got out of the truck, looking around. I looked back at Cliff and he pointed at the correct door.
Cliff pulled away and I walked up to the door. It was a non-descript door, with a doorbell. I rang the bell and waited. For a few moments, I was sure I had the wrong address, and here I was in the city, without a car, and no way to get home.
The door opened suddenly, and a well-dressed woman was standing in front of me.
"Yes?" She asked pertinently.
Taken aback, I said "Oh, hi. I'm sorry. I think I have the wrong address." Looking down at my phone again.
"Mr. Sommerton?" She asked. "Mr. Bates is waiting. Come in." She said, stepping back from the door.
I walked inside a wide hallway with stairs going up. She closed the door behind me and started up the stairs. I followed her up two flights, to a door marked "Section43". She opened the door and walked inside to a small waiting room with a few chairs.
"Wait here" she said and walked through a door on the opposite side of the room. I looked around and saw some headshots of actors, and some dubious looking movie posters. I looked down at the stack of magazines on the side table and noticed the second one in the stack looked like something called "Military Boys". Before I could see the cover photo, the door opened again, and they young woman said, "This way please."
I followed her down a long hallway, and through a double door to a lush office. I entered, and she pulled the doors closed behind me.
I noticed a few things about the office. The first, there several cameras set up pointed at a couch in the middle of the room. The room was well decorated with a leather couch, a large desk and credenza, and books lined the walls. I walked over to look at the books and noticed "The Secret of O" when the door opened again, and in walked a clean-cut, fit younger man in his 30s with dark hair and piercing eyes.
"Mr. Sommerton," He said, "Please, sit. Be comfortable."
I shook his hand firmly, noticing how soft his hands were. His skin was warm and soft like velvet.
"My Name is Cyrus Bates." He said, as we both sat down. "I understand you are interested in acting with us."