“Hard agree,” I replied. “Can I think about it?”
“Of course.” She pushed a macaroon towards me. “Let’s treat it as a research project. Watch some porn, talk to people at the clinic, get some different perspectives. How can we approach this positively and without judgement? Skye, I know you’ll handle this with sensitivity and passion. You, my dear, are perfect for this commission.”
“Commission?” I shrieked. “I thought we were treating this as a research project?”
“Don’t pretend this isn’t causing some excitement for you, darling.”
“It is,” I laughed as I stood up and threw my bag over my shoulder.
“Are you off, dear?” Dr Chris asked.
“Yep, I’m going home to watch me some porn.”
“That’s my girl!”
I didn’t make it home to watch porn. On the walk back to the flat after leaving Dr Chris, I was reminded that Brighton has an abundance of sex shops catering to many tastes and levels of kink. Hardcore shops were hiding from the main shopping streets, softer core shops were mingled in with hemp stores and vegan cafés. One store in particular, called Religion, was popular for stocking plastic willy straws for hen night capers, but descend into the back and you would find studded whips and crystal cock rings. Inside, it was decorated with a decidedly naughty religious feel. The cash register was sitting on an alter with a golden crucifix. Hanging from it were squishy cocks and knitted vaginas. I studied the displays, laughing at the funny magnets and love coupons and turning on the vibrators that were there to be touched and played with. Going further towards the back of the shop, through the racks of naughty nurse outfits and bondage-inspired dresses, I found another door.
“Can I help you?” I turned to find a guy wearing a black shirt with a dog collar and leather trousers decorated with silver studs. He had a large ring through his nose and a dangly diamond in one ear. I almost applauded him for wearing the highest red stiletto heels yet still managing to walk without grimacing.
“Yes, actually, you can. I’m doing some research. Have you worked here for long?” I asked.
He looked puzzled but answered anyway. “Getting on for three…no, four months.”
I pointed to the closed door. “Is that where you stock the pornos?”
“Yeah. Is there anything in particular you’re looking for?”
“I’m more interested in talking about your clientele.”
“OK.” He looked slightly alarmed as I took his elbow.
“Like, who buys porn films? It’s easy to find porn online, I would have thought there’s not much demand for physical copies now.”
“You’d be surprised,” he replied, opening the door and allowing me to go through first. “We stock films for all tastes and new titles arrive weekly. People have favourite actors or directors and we have their latest. We also have an option to watch before you buy. He pointed to two large flatscreen TV’s mounted on the wall with a pew in front of it. “Veeery popular. We have another shop that is more bespoke. There’s a cinema next door where we hold premieres or show particular tropes. A lot of our clients have collections. They perhaps like vintage, more classic porn or exclusive porn they won’t find on the internet for free.” He switched on one of the TV’s and a male couple were in the middle of frantic and heavy anal sex. “Can I ask why the girl with the bubblegum hair has so many questions?”
I was transfixed with the images on the screen. This was hard, physical sex. Dirty talk, filthy words. Vintage. The use of a huge dildo. Leather caps, moustaches and plenty of grunts.
“I can change it,” he said as he watched me cautiously, reading me, perhaps confused. “What are your tastes?”
I thought for a second. “Show me your most popular film. The one most watched or purchased.” He flicked on the other TV and a woman started moaning. There was a guy fucking her in the front, one fucking her from behind, she was sucking a guy off and had two guys in her hands. They were stood over her on either side and all I could think about was male dominance and how small and unprotected she must have felt with them standing over her. This wasn’t hot. This was…disturbing.
“This is by far the most popular. Hard core. Not to all tastes,” he said.
“What’s the age range for who buys this particular film?”
“Ooh, I don’t know. All ages but probably on the younger side.”
“Why do you think it’s so popular?” I asked.
“The pop shot at the end,” he replied before forwarding the film.
“Pop shot. You mean the cum shot?” I’d heard the phrase before, laughed about it, seen a few myself.
“Ready for this?” he asked. I sat down on the pew as he played the film. The five guys all declared that they were ready to cum and one by one they removed themselves from wherever their cocks happened to be. A clear bowl came into view and each one shot their load into it, creating what could only be described as a bowl full of spunk. I covered my face as the woman started to drink it, moaning and spilling it down her chin like she was savouring a cold glass of milk.
“Jesus, what the fuck?” I gasped, peeking out from between my fingers. “What the actual fuck?”
“I know.”
“It’s not nice,” I said, grimacing. “Not nice at all.”
“Not all porn is nice.”
“I don’t feel turned on at all,” I replied, holding my stomach. “In fact, I think I’m going to puke.”
“Porn directors have to come up with new things to keep fresh and notorious,” he said, raising his eyebrows. “Although, I agree with you. I can’t say it’s really my thing.”
“What’s your thing?” I asked, swiveling around, my legs dangling over the side of the pew.
“Well, she’s the wrong sex for a start,” he snorted. “But the one of the left has a beautiful
