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There was a group of teenaged boys in front of Illusions in the early afternoon. One of them reached out and grabbed Paul's arm as he walked by. "Hey. You're new here ain't you? We saw you pick up a john in there last night and before you do that again you need to know the rules."
Paul shook the hand off his arm and stepped back. "What kind of rules?"
"Oh, you know, for our protection and stuff." The boy smiled at him. "Sit down with us and we'll tell you about them. Oh, and I'm Tony." He pointed to the other two, "That's Spider and that's Robbie."
He sat carefully on one of the crates and offered a small smile in return. "I'm Paul, and I am very new to this."
Tony shrugged, "Well, we all were at some time and we were all told about the rules as soon as we started tricking. Follow the rules and the Norwegian will help you, protect you if you need it. She's good at that kind of thing. I suppose it's cause she has money. She owns this place and a few others, but she wants us to follow some rules. You see, there ain't any pimps on this side of town and she wants it to stay that way, so if someone starts hasseling you to work for them you gotta tell her. You also have to use protection; you do know why don't you?" He waited until Paul nodded. "Okay then. There's also a rule about instinct- you have to trust your instincts about people. Sometimes a guy will come up to you and you'll get a creepy feeling about him, if that happens don't go anywhere with him. There are a lot of freaky people around here and you can't always tell who the creep is by what they're wearing."
"Who is the Norwegian? Why would she want to protect us?" Paul looked at the older boy, a little wide-eyed. "Do we have to give her anything?"
Robbie shook his head, "Naw, she just wants us to be safe. I heard that one of her kids was forced into this once and she doesn't want other kids to get hurt. Of course she could help us out of this, but she does other things to let us help ourselves." He pointed to the club behind them. "Like Tony said, she owns a few of the places around here so she has money. When you meet her you'll find out the rest."
Spider suddenly moved closer, kneeling in front of him. He grabbed Paul's chin and looked into his eyes. "You don't need to be so scared, Paul. We take care of our own down here, the Norwegian watches out for us, and you are part of us now."
Paul looked away from the other boys, "That isn't it really. It's just that...I don't know what to do. I'd never been with anyone before last night and I have to be good, I have to be able to make some money so I can..."
"So you can stop? Maybe go back to school?" Tony laughed, "Nice dreams, but it ain't ever gonna happen. You'll see that for yourself in a few months. Once you get here you never leave."
Spider shook his head, "Don't give up Paul. I'll help you learn." He blushed faintly. "I have lots of experience. I can teach you." He reached out and caressed the younger boy's cheek softly and Paul was able to meet his eyes again.
"Would you, please? I need to know what they want from me...I have to be good." He took the offered hand.
*
His eyes opened slowly as he shifted in someone's embrace. It was Robbie that smiled back at him before darting forward for a quick kiss. Behind him, Tony tightened the embrace a little more and nuzzled the back of his neck. Paul froze, unsure of what they would do next.
All three boys had joined in Paul's training; there was little else to do and they had actually taught him quite a bit in he few hours they had. He had little choice in the instruction, but Tony had casually remarked on that and let it slide, "Get used to that. You do what the john wants; this isn't about love it's about sex and they pay you to do what they want." Spider had only smiled at that and had brought him to the bed.
Paul rolled out of Tony's arms and sat up, looking around Spider's small apartment. He wanted to have a place of his own; it didn't have to be big or anything, but something that was his own would be so nice. "Are you still going to introduce me to the Norwegian tonight?"
Spider giggled from where he sat across the room. "And thus ends the initiation," he intoned, still laughing. He grinned at the three on the bed. "Hey Paul, borrow my New Joy of Gay Sex book and I'll practise anything you want to try."
Tony slid a hand up his back, "Me too. You are very pretty, everyone is going to want you as their own bottom. You'd be popular even if you didn't know anything." As Robbie helped them out of the bed he continued, "We do need to get ready to go out. I'll take you to meet the Norwegian; the others'll be working."
*
Paul hadn't noticed the elevated stage the night before, but that was where Tony led him. They went up the stairs carefully; the lighting had been dimmed so that the spotlights would appear more dramatic on the crowd below. When they stopped on the top of the steps Paul got a glimpse of movement and suddenly there was a blond woman standing before them.
She smiled and touched Tony's shoulder. "Thanks, I'll take it from here. There's something for you at the bar, just ask Russ." Her attention immediately shifted to Paul and as Tony turned to go back down the steps Paul was drawn forward. "You are new here, do you mind if I ask why you have come to this part of town, why you have started hustling?" She had him sit; more of an order than an offer though no words were spoken. She had a strength of presence that Paul could not deny.
"I had no where else to go, nothing else I could do. I tried to find a job, but I don't have a diploma or anything and no one would hire me...I have to have some way to survive." He stared at his hands, fidgeting slightly under her steady gaze.
"But why aren't you home with your parents...what is your name?" She leaned across the table, almost looming over him though she was at least two feet away.
He glanced up for a moment. "My name is Paul Lewandowski...and I can't live at home anymore." He stopped as his voice broke. "My parents don't want me. They kicked me out because I'm gay." He flinched and looked away again.
"Oh, I see your problem...but there are shelters; programs to help you, aren't there? You don't trust them?" He shook his head and she continued, "Well, you know there are certain rules around here. I'm sure that the others told you about them, but I have a few more. You see, I don't want for you to have to do this; it is distasteful to me. My own son was forced into prostitution for a while, he was lucky to get out alive."
"Um...excuse me for saying so, but you don't look old enough to have any children." Paul looked up, startled as she began laughing. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything."
"I don't mind hearing things like that, don't worry. I have to tell you this before we get into anymore flattery though. You see, I want for you to have a chance to get out of this...lifestyle. I have an apartment building that the other boys live in. There is an opening; two rooms and a bathroom. Since I want you to have a chance to go back to school, get a job and a life elsewhere, I only charge fifteen dollars rent per month. I have a few other things that might help you; I don't mind if you pick up men here as long as you are subtle about it, and when you are here anything you want at the bar is free. I can also give you some help with groceries and other necessities." She looked down at the dance floor and Paul saw her frown.
"I wish that I could take you in myself and help each of you, but it is not possible. I can't save everyone. These few things I can do will help you, but even to me they do not seem enough...I hope that you do well Paul, be careful. Please don't take risks with your health; your life is important even if it sometimes feels like you are alone." She shook her head and looked back at him again.
"If you have problems, come to me. I'm here almost every night, at least for a little while. Or give the bartender, Russ, a note and I'll be sure to get it." She shifted a little and took something from her pocket. She held it out over the table while she dug for something else in her jacket. "Here is a key to your apartment, you know where the other boys live? The number is on the key and it is in the same building. And here, wear this and everyone will know that you are under my protection; this is how you'll get help from the grocer and Russ. The people who come to this area of town know what this means and they will not harm you if they wish to continue living. You'll wear this?" Paul looked at the pendant in wonder; the silhouette of the wolf was incredible. He nodded sharply.
"One more thing Paul, would you tell me how old you are?" She clasped the hand that was reaching for the pendant.
"I just turned sixteen last month." He met her eyes briefly, but couldn't stand to see the pity in them. He took the necklace and the key and turned away quickly; he couldn't get out of Illusions fast enough.
*
It was easier to find someone that night, but he still didn't have any amount of expertise at anything that was asked of him. All he really wanted to do was sleep, to see what his new home would look like. Pretty empty he supposed, but if he could find a few more johns he might be able to get something to put in his two rooms.
He walked up the street, moving towards one of the hotels and slowly someone would approach him, ask a price and sometimes grasp his hand to follow. It became mechanical; his thoughts on something else when he touched, and he managed to survive for a bit like that. But he was always alone inside; his heart, his soul, his life was untouched even by the other boys and the Norwegian's generosity.
*
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