“You know, Craig, most small businesses are struggling in the current economic climate. I won’t give you a rose-colored view of the world. I’m not paid to do that.”
Craig huffed. “I’m sure we’re not paying you nearly enough for all you’re doing for us.”
Smiling almost too sweetly for such a hulking figure of a man, Sam put his hand on Craig’s shoulder. “I know you’re not paying me enough.” He chuckled. “But what I also know is there is a market for what you’re proposing to sell, and the best part is, it’s for a consumer who has the disposable income to invest in your product.”
“Sex sells.” Craig smirked.
“No. Love sells, although the option for sex thrown into the mix doesn’t hurt.” Sam walked back to his desk and settled in his chair. He pushed a stack of papers toward Jeff. “Why don’t you start signing? I’ve flagged all the places you need to sign or initial. Take your time to read as you go, and then sign or initial as indicated. It should all be quite clear, but if you have any questions or concerns don’t sign that section until you’ve asked. I don’t want you accepting responsibility for something you don’t completely understand.”
Jeff took the pen and the thick stack of documents and began to read. He wanted to say something to Craig to calm his nerves, but he thought better of it. In this case, silence was golden and should only be broken by Sam. The savvy attorney seemed to know just what to say to make Craig take notice and remain focused.
As Jeff signed the first short document, establishing the name for their business, he felt Craig come up behind him. Craig’s hands kneaded Jeff’s shoulders as he leaned down and whispered loud enough for Sam to hear, “I hope you know what you’re getting us into. My fingers are already callused from working day and night at that damn keyboard. Are you sure you’re willing to be fully dedicated to making this business of ours work?”
Squeezing the pen in his hand, Jeff placed it carefully on the stack of remaining paperwork. Turning slightly in his seat to make eye contact with Craig, Jeff noted his best friend’s furrowed brow. Reaching up, Jeff gently brushed his hand over Craig’s cheek and let it rest there for a moment. Craig leaned into the touch, then blinked as he quickly stood up tall, taking a step backward.
“We’re ready for this, Craig. I’m ready. We’ll be partners.” Jeff quickly glanced from Craig to Sam who was sitting back in his chair with his hands clasped on his desk and a strange, almost smug look on his face. “Business partners. We’ll be great business partners.”
Craig nodded and returned to the seat he’d abandoned much earlier to pace. “Okay, let’s get this Mount Everest of paperwork signed so we can start making some money.” He picked up the second pen Sam had left on the desk in front of the empty chair and took the form Jeff had already signed, scanned the sheet, and signed on the indicated line at the bottom.
Relieved to be back on track, leaving Craig’s panic attack behind, Jeff took the next form and began to read carefully, initialing at the bottom and then handing it to Craig.
Both men had questions for Sam as the process continued, none of which were deal-breakers. The stack shrank rapidly, and Jeff was surprised to see the final paper signed and notarized within two hours.
“That’s it, boys. You’re incorporated. Now go help the homos of this country find their perfect mates.”
Craig chuckled. “Care to be our first client?”
“Don’t think I haven’t thought about it.” Sam came around and leaned against the edge of his desk close to Jeff and Craig’s chairs. “There’s a lot to be said for having to answer to no one and going out whenever I want.” He paused, grinning. “And getting whomever I want, but there’s also the thought of removing the sense of loneliness and having someone care whether I come home at all. Give me a few days; I may just earn my pay in trade for services from The Male Room.”
“I can’t believe I agreed to that cheesy name.”
Jeff smiled from ear to ear. “You know it’s catchy.”
“But what if we want to attract lesbians? The name surely won’t fit the bill.”
“Ahhh, but it’s all in the marketing. Besides, we’re a new business. Let’s start small, with just the men. We can move on from there.”
Sam added, “You can always change or slightly augment the name in the future to reflect a broader diversity of clients.”
Craig stood again, this time he was evidently more relaxed than the first time he’d launched out of the chair to do laps across the office. Shaking Sam’s hand, he had a genuinely pleased look on his face, no longer flushed or agitated. “Thank you. Knowing how you felt about Jeff, and the fact that he, well, turned you down for a repeat, I wasn’t sure how this would go.”
“First of all, Craig, my ego isn’t that easily deflated. Jeff and I had our fun, but this is business. I never mix business and pleasure if I can help it.
“Don’t get me wrong. I’m disappointed not to get another night with you.” Sam looked directly at Jeff. “But from what I’ve gathered during our meetings over this past week, you are definitely a one-man’s man, not really the tricking type.”
“You noticed that?”
Sam patted Jeff’s back. “It’s kind of hard to miss from my angle.”
Jeff snorted. “I wish some others shared your angle.”
“I just bet you do.”
Craig picked up the bound packet of documents that represented The Male Room’s copies of all the signed documents. “What are you two going on about? Let’s go start this thing and get people signed up. I’m just about finished with the new program.”
Jeff shook his head and sighed. After Craig walked out of
