The first time I went to a "Gay" bath house I didn't know what to expect.
I had a read about these places in the "pink" press. I had received numerous blow jobs on THE beach. SO I had an idea what went on inside and I knew I wanted "in" but what would it be like walking through the door and saying "Hi."
I decided to go to one outside of the "community" on Oxford St. I hadn't come out yet, I was still deciding. I couldn't risk being outed by a passing colleague. So....
One Wednesday evening I went to a pub, had a small meal, several drinks and wandered down to the dark end of King St. I walked passed to old terrace house several times before I actually worked up the courage to press the button on the intercom.
The door clicked open and a tall guy with a moe said "Hello".
I walked up to the counter.
I didn't know what to say so he pointed at the CCTV screen that showed the footpath.
"Made up your mind?"
"Did you see me pacing around out there."
"Only for a while. First time?"
"Yes."
"Ok. I'll be gentle. If you want to come in?" he paused for confirmation which I provided with a stiff necked nod....
"OK. You give me $20. I give you a locker key. You sign this clipboard next to the time and the locker number. I hand you a towel and a wrap."
He waved at the shelves of towels behind him.
"You go through the door to your left. That's the change room. Open the locker, put your clothes in the locker, wrap the wrap or the towel around your, er, waist. Lock the locker. Put the lacky band, with the key attached, around your wrist. GO thru the far door of the change room. Then wander around, ummmm, make friends."
I nodded.
"When you're, er, done" he winked at me " shower, leave the towel and the wrap in the bin, dress, lock the locker and give me back the key on the way out. I return your $5 key deposit and wish you a "good night."