I didn’t like not knowing who was in the room. Maybe there were others there, in the shadows. Unseen viewers hidden by the darkness.
But wasn’t that a metaphor for the whole experience of being in porn? You never knew who was watching. That was a level of control you had to sacrifice.
Maybe that was part of the appeal. For a model into exhibitionism, it could be the perfect trifecta: getting paid for getting off by showing off.
For me, not so much.
“Oh, okay,” I said to Pierce. “I was thinking it was strange Mason didn’t answer me. Now I get it.”
“I don’t know he would have answered you even if he were here,” Pierce said. He always sounded annoyed to be speaking to me, as if I were somehow beneath his attention. “Seeing as how you didn’t actually ask anything,” he added.
“Sorry, I forgot to phrase my response in the form of a question,” I clarified, feeling as if I were being chided by Alex Trebek.
Pierce exhaled noisily through his mouth. “Don’t take it personally. It’s not as if you’re that special.” I think Pierce would have preferred not responding at all, but he couldn’t miss this chance to put me in my place.
“When a potential model calls to schedule an audition, we always try to get him in as soon as we can. That day, if possible. All we require are some pictures before we make an appointment. No point in wasting everyone’s time if he’s a pig.
“If he has the right looks, though, we move fast. The decision to appear on film is generally made on impulse. Often it’s out of desperation-money is tight and there are no other options. I can’t tell you what a boon the bad economy has been for us. A nine percent unemployment rate is the best recruitment tool we have.
“Still, given a day or two to consider it, an applicant may chicken out. Maybe he’ll decide that job at the fast food place isn’t so bad after all. Or, he’ll swallow his pride and ask Mommy and Daddy for a loan, even though he’d sworn not to. That’s why it’s imperative we get him on video before he has a chance to identify other options.”
“So, basically,” I said, unable to stop myself from getting in a dig, “your business model is to take advantage of people at their weakest.”
I couldn’t make out the features of Pierce’s face, but I could hear the smug smile in his voice. “Yes, we’re just awful, aren’t we? Like those restaurants that feed you when you want to eat. How dare they profit from your hunger?
“Or the credit card companies that are only too happy to extend funds to young people at interest rates so punishing they were previously restricted to the practices of loan sharks and Shakespearean villains.
“How horrid of us,” he continued, on a roll, justifying his actions in a controlled but impassioned rant he’d probably given dozens of times before, “to provide these young men with work that pays more than they’d make anywhere else, while protecting their health and safety. No, better they should work for eight dollars an hour in a coal mine getting emphysema than make a hundred times that for suffering the indignity of a well-delivered blow job.”
Jeez. I had to admit he made a good case. Not that I’d admit it to him.
“It’s not like you’re doing it out of charity,” I pointed out. “You guys are doing pretty well yourselves.”
“I’m afraid I don’t have the time or the inclination to educate you on the basic tenets of capitalism,” he said, dialing his condescension meter to eleven. “Does SwordFight make money from the efforts of its employees? Absolutely. So does every company in the world. I’m simply explaining that, in my opinion, we pay and treat the men who work for us more than fairly. Often, a good deal more.”
“So, you don’t feel badly about taking advantage of guys at their most desperate?”
“I wouldn’t say the majority of our models come to us when they’re at their ‘most desperate,’ as you so charmingly put it. But, even if they did, why would I feel badly about providing employment that I truly believe is in their best interest? Extremely generous compensation for work that is not only safe, but, for those without Puritanical hang-ups, quite fun? The best sex many of them will ever have, in fact.
“And for those who truly are in immediate need of cash? What would be preferable in your world-to offer them nothing? Or to give them a choice?
“We’re not holding a gun to their heads, Mr. Connor. Just a camera and a paycheck. Does that really make us bad guys?”
I kind of hated myself for not having a snappy comeback to that. Having been a sex worker myself, I didn’t harbor the Puritanical streak Deepley deplored. Nor did I think it was inherently immoral to make or appear in porn. People had a right to use their bodies in any way they wanted. If they could make a living by giving pleasure to others, more power to them.
So, if it wasn’t their business I objected to, why was I picking this fight with Pierce?
It was, I realized, because I didn’t like him. Or Mason. It wasn’t their work that made them “bad guys.” It was their characters.
From the moment I met them, they struck me as manipulative, uncaring, exploitative assholes. Their callous lack of concern for Brent only reinforced that initial impression.
Maybe I was being naive, but it seemed to me there was a way they could run their business while remaining human beings.
“Sorry,” Mason’s voice boomed as he walked back into the studio. “That was the owner of EuroBoys Films. We’re forming a partnership with them. Actually, it’s more of an acquisition.”
By now, Mason had walked over to where Pierce stood. He put his arm around his assistant in a celebratory gesture. Go team.
“It would never have happened without Pierce. He’s the one who first approached them. The lawyers hammered out the details, but Pierce got the ball rolling.”
He was so excited he was mixing his metaphors.
“We’re going to be the first international M/M video company. Can you imagine what that means to me? I started this company from nothing. Nothing. Just a five-hundred-dollar video camera that shot on VHS tape.
“Now, we’re weeks away from having a worldwide presence. It’s-literally-unbelievable.”
The jubilation in Mason’s voice was almost manic. His grin was so wide I wouldn’t have been surprised to see his jaw completely unhinge, like a snake’s.
He squeezed Pierce tighter. There was nothing sexual in the gesture-it was pure pride. All business.
“I’m telling you,” he continued, “I’d be lost if anything ever happened to this guy. I’d track him to the ends of the earth if that’s what it took.”
I didn’t doubt it.
As long as Pierce continued to produce, as long as he brought in the money, Mason wasn’t about to let him go.
So, why was he so unconcerned about losing Brent?
Something didn’t add up.
“But enough about that.” Mason released Pierce from his clutches and stood by my side.
“We’re here for you today, Kevin. You ready to start making some movie magic for me?”
No, I thought.
“Yes,” I said.
“Excellent.” Mason clapped his hands together. “Let’s get the cameras rolling and see what you’ve got. Pierce, you ready to start shooting?”
“Oh, I was ready to shoot him before you even arrived,” Pierce assured.
If Mason got Pierce’s double meaning, he didn’t acknowledge it. “I don’t blame you,” he said, with seeming sincerity. “He’s absolutely adorable. I can’t wait to see if what’s under all that clothing is as delicious as I expect it to be. I’ll be surprised if isn’t.” He winked at me.
Oh, you’ll be surprised, I thought.
At least, that was my plan.
Although now, under the blinding, hot lights, the running cameras, and the unexpected presence of Pierce in the room, I was wondering if Freddy was right and I hadn’t gotten myself in trouble after all.
Plans and I didn’t get along very well.
