For a good time, call Lee Clifford. He's been a 'rent Boy' in Chicago for more than seven years. I sat down with Lee recently to find out what it's like to get laid and get paid. Here's what he said.
RR: What made you get into the business?
LC: I came to Chicago from the Twin Cities. I had a friend with a catering company whom I could live with until I got settled. I was doing odd jobs: waiting tables, cleaning, and so on. He and I had a disagreement and I moved out and met this guy. I stayed with him for three weeks, but already had my own place picked out. I just needed the security deposit. I kept wondering how he was getting by; he seemed to be doing all right for someone who had left his job. I picked up one of the local gay rags and saw an escort ad and thought, 'Oh! I know that phone number.' So once I got my place, I put in my own ad.
RR: So it worked out for you?
LC: Yes. If I had known it would be that good, I would have come down ten years earlier.
RR: How do you separate your private life from your escort life? Or do you?
LC: I guess I do. But … I mean you can have fun and get paid for it, too, right?
RR: Did you ever date anyone or have a boyfriend?
LC: No. It would take a strong guy to deal with what I do.
RR: So you don't really keep this part of your life separate?
LC: Well, to me I separate it easily; it's no problem. I'm open; I show my face in my ads. It's hard to find somebody who could handle that. Most guys can't deal with someone being an escort or making porn movies. They're weak.
RR: So your friends are cool with it?
LL: Oh, they're fascinated by it.
RR: What about your family?
LC: No.
RR: They don't know?
LC: No, they don't want to know. There's no reason for them to. They know I'm gay; that's all they need to know.
RR: So, is this your sole way of making a living?
LC: No.
RR: What else do you do?
LC: I've had various jobs. Usually, I have one stable job and do this on the side. I also do videos, whatever I can think of.
RR: What do you charge?
LC: It varies … my mood, what they want, their place or mine. The average is $150 in, $175 out.
RR: Do you ever turn people down?
LC: God, yes.
Next week: weirdest escort experiences and more.
E-mail me at jimmyfels@yahoo.com .
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