Surprise by Tinder James Page B

unemployment and a dangerously high mortgage.
    I turned to the stove, feigning to check on the food. “I’m not sure, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It may only be a one shot deal.”
    The sparkle faded and she frowned, but then her eyebrows perked. “Hey, one job at a time can add up.”
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    I was itching for the inbox before they left the house the next morning, but I kept my composure and read the newspaper’s classifieds. No ads for “wild fantasies cumming true.”
    â€œGood luck.” My wife kissed me. “Let me know, all right?”
    â€œAbsolutely.”
    â€œSee you, daddy. Good lu-uck.” The girls giggled and all three went out the door. Dirty doesn’t penetrate the surface of how I felt.
    My inbox had a new message:
    Thank you for your interest in our male actor position. At this point, we require a body shot in order to assure your interest, and to assess ours. Please send a fully nude jpeg or gif. Head/face not required. Also note that we reserve the right upon face-to-face meeting to challenge the authenticity of the image sent. If the image and the individual are not deemed to be the same, then the individual incurs all expenses. Once you have submitted your image you will be contacted shortly. Thank you for your interest in Hot Line Entertainment.
    I backed away and re-read the line about incurring expenses. That simply wasn’t an option. I almost deleted the email. Almost. It sounded professional, not like some scam. Hell, if I was honest, then there was no issue. If they didn’t like what they saw then this would go no further. And I didn’t have to include my face.
    I was naked with the camera in hand a minute later. I didn’t stop to think. I just snapped three shots and then uploaded. I chose the best, attached it to my reply and clicked send. I quickly deleted the images from the camera and computer.
    Then the realization hit. What had I done? What if they used the pictures on some web site and I never heard from them again? Could someone still recognize me? I paced and watched the news—more of the same tragedy, more ending up in my shoes. How had we gone from prosperity to poverty so fast? I turned off the television and hopped back online. I searched for careers with a future, for jobs like the one I had. The ads were all stale and unpromising, but my inbox had a new message:
    Your image and willingness match our need. However, we want to be transparent about the nature of the work. Please view the following clips of our content via the links below. If you are still interested please respond within twenty-four hours. We look forward to working with you.
    I clicked one of the links provided and a porn site popped up. A black box swirled while the content loaded and then the footage began, a guy on a couch pounding away. He was thin with ropy muscles, but his face was not visible. He moaned and finished and the screen cut to another—this one with plate-like abs who projected his batch in an arc over the bedspread.
    I was repulsed but not offended. I had not been lied to. This was exactly the offer detailed. It was more on the up-and-up than my former sales history. I didn’t watch any more of the footage. Instead, I responded to the email.
    I am interested. Please send me the full details.
    They did, complete with a contact number. It was mid-afternoon, just before I had to retrieve the girls from school. I sat at my desk and dialed the number.
    â€œHot Line Entertainment. Derek speaking.”
    My mind whistled it went so empty.
    â€œHello? Hello? Anyone there?”
    â€œYes.” I cleared my throat. “I’m, uh, I’m calling about an acting position.”
    â€œExcellent!” Derek’s voice was authentic charm, no veneer. “I take it we’ve corresponded. With whom am I speaking?”
    He reminded me of my former self. The one who called on clients and inflated their egos.