Men”…um, did you find someone yet?”

“Did some interviews – job’s still open…lookin’ for just the right guy…if you’re interested we can meet at my office later this week. Oh, yeah…by the way…how old are you?”

“Um…eighteen - well, almost – I will be in three weeks.”

“I don’t know…I know I couldn’t hire you until you were eighteen…at least for the job opening that I’ve got…but if you’re really interested I can interview after work on Friday afternoon, say about 5…would that work for you?”

“Yeah…I mean ‘Yes, Sir…’ Give me the address and I’ll be there!”

“I’m in Freedom Office Park…Suite 101 – know where it is?”

“Sure do…I’ll see you at 5 on Friday…oh, yeah…should I wear a tie and jacket…or…?”

Rod laughed. “Casual, man…casual – whatever you’re most comfortable in…this isn’t an executive position you’re applying for y’know! If you will though, get here a few minutes before 5. The exterior doors are locked at five. You can always get out…just can’t get in. Once the building is empty we’ll have the place to ourselves for a confidential interview, ok?”

“Cool…I mean, ‘Yes, Sir!’”

Randy arrived at Cox’s office at 4:55…wearing a collared T, 501s and sandals. He was a little worried that he was too causal…but Mr. Cox said to be comfortable – and he was! Lots of people were leaving the building as he entered and headed for Suite 101. He was greeted by Cox’s receptionist, who used an intercom to let him know that his 5 o’clock appointment had arrived and that she was leaving the building. Randy sat down and nervously thumbed through a Time magazine. At 5:05, Mr. Cox stepped out of his office…a distinguished, good looking, trim “older” man…45, maybe 50 years old. He looked like Randy’s mental image of a “cool dude” – close cropped brown hair with just a few flecks of gray, ice blue eyes, sparkling smile, wearing a tailored suit which accentuated his athletic frame – narrow hips, broad shoulders, long legs…and showing just a hint of basket. He extended his hand as Randy stood to greet him.

“You’ve got to be Randy…I’m Rod – c’mon into my office where we can talk without being overheard.” He motioned for Randy to be seated in one of the two chairs in front of his desk, and took the other seat himself. “You saw my ad in ‘Mountain Men’ – right?” Randy nodded and started to speak, but Rod continued. “You do know that the readership is primarily gay men, right?” Randy nodded and attempted to speak again. “I just want to be sure that you’re aware of that before we continue our interview…and you do understand that, right?”

“I knew that when I picked up the paper – I’ve been reading it for a couple years now. When I saw your ad, I sort of figured…well, um…I’m looking for a job and a place to live after I move out of my step-father’s house – which I’m going to do as soon as I’m eighteen…and when I saw that a room went with the job, I thought it might be something that I’d like.”

“You working now?”

“Yeah…I work after school and weekends at the hardware – pay’s not real good, but it’s a job! I just need to get