It all started when I was looking through Craigslist. In part, I enjoyed laughing at some of the stranger ads, and in part I was looking at a few of the help wanted ads to see if I could pick up a few extra dollars for a vacation I wanted to take.
I was perusing the personals section when I saw the ad for a photographic model. I never questioned why the ad was in the personals section - though I should have.
I half-heartedly opened the ad expecting to find a sleazy come-on designed to lure dumb eighteen year old bimbos. Instead, and quite to my surprise, I found the means to fund a few of the extravagances for my vacation. (A vacation I planned to take without my girlfriend. A trip on which I would indulge a secret of mine.)
The ad was, in fact, looking for a model. Not a girl but a guy. I never considered for a moment that I was handsome enough to be a model, but the ad was clear that the company was not necessarily looking for an Adonis.
The intended model would have to be between the ages of 45 and 55, straight, average height and weight, and most importantly able to fit clothing of specified sizes.
I planned to move on, but the pay grabbed my attention: $400 per hour with an opportunity for a continuing role.
I responded to the ad then forgot about it until I received a reply the following Thursday. Included was an electronic advance of $100 and instructions to be at the given address Saturday night showered and shaved. I could have ignored it but it was too easy to deposit the money in my account.
When I arrived I expected to be at an office of some sort but found myself inexplicably in a safe, quiet, residential neighborhood. I had suspected some sort of scam or foul play and was greatly relieved when two well dressed normal looking men answered the door instead of some lone serial killer. They introduced themselves as the producer and the photographer - very professional.
Inside I completed some paperwork, had a glass of offered Tequila, was given a check, and was informed that today's meeting was a casting interview so I would still keep my pay, but there were no cameras until next time.
We went into the living room where Chad shoved a leather outfit in my face, bruskly telling me to put it on. The expression on Jim's face made it clear that I was expected to put it on right now despite there being no dressing room. I was embarrassed to disrobe in front of the two manly guys but I supposed it was no different really than changing at the gym.
I started to decipher the assorted parts only slowly figuring out that it was black leather underwear. I looked up to be met by Chad's disdainful smirk. I could tell he was silently laughing at me inside, but four hundred dollars was enough for me to get past a little humiliation. I could see three other outfits on the couch: the price I would pay was to be four outfits for one hour, and then I would be free.
They had me stand in a few positions with Jim readjusting my arms or body at Chad's direction. There was a porno playing on the monitor in which I could see a female model in the same living room in the same outfit. Jim had me copying her poses, however, I never considered the larger, darker, implications.
Next was a pink satin thong and bra set with a matching skirt that was clearly women's lingerie. The positions became more suggestive and Jim's touch became as much more aggressive as his attitude was more demanding. Meanwhile, Chad was constantly talking about lighting and foreground and photography stuff.