- Joined
- Nov 22, 2025
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- 298
I look at the eviction notice sitting on the desk next to me. And the stack of other bills. Maybe I am that desperate. What the hell. I'll talk to them. Maybe it's not what I think. I can always say no.
I'm shocked when I get a reply from them two hours later, asking for a zoom interview this afternoon. Here's where the rubber meets the road, I guess. I take a deep breath and agree to the interview.
I clean myself up and put on my interview suit, a charcoal power skirt and jacket over a sedate pale blue silk blouse. Ten minutes before the interview was scheduled, I click on the link and waited.
Two minutes before the scheduled time slot, a middle aged man in a poorly fitting suit appears on the screen.
"Melanie Sanderson?"
"That's me. Please call me Mel."
"Okay, Mel. My name is Jack Symmington. I work for a large lumbering company and, at the instigation of a group of our lumberjacks, we have been trying a new program for the last nine months, with great success thus far. Before we go any farther, may I ask you to stand up and turn all the way around once, slowly."
I look at him oddly, but do as he asked.
"Would you please take off your jacket and turn around one more time?"
"Nothing more than the jacket is coming off. You're not some creep just running this as a scam to get women to strip for you, are you?"
"No, I assure you the job is very real. I need to make sure the team will not be disappointed with the hire. Okay, that's good. You'll be fine."
"Just what the hell is this job? I never heard of a Team Morale Specialist before. Are you hiring a prostitute? What are the expectations of me in this job, if I take it?"
"It's largely what you choose to do. Your official responsibility is to keep a team of twenty lumberjacks happy. You will be living with them for thirteen weeks in a remote logging camp, no easy way back from there, so all twenty one of you are stuck there for the duration. Exactly what you do with them to keep them happy is up to you, but you should be aware that they have some sexual expectations."
"So you are expecting me to fuck twenty lumberjacks often enough to keep them all happy?"
"Not all of them want direct interactions with you. In particular, some are married and choose to maintain their vows. And when they proposed this plan, the lumberjacks realized that sleeping with the entire team was not sustainable for the entire three months. So they came up with a scheme. All interested men would put their names in a hat and the specialist would draw six names for the evening's entertainment. As long as you keep the team happy, you are free to do whatever you want with the six."
"If I'm only servicing six of them, how is the rest of the team staying happy?" I can't believe I'm talking as if I would actually do this. I haven't slept with six guys in my lifetime, let alone in one evening.
"Oh, our teams are very tight. Everything you do will be on a stage in the mess hall with the rest of the team sitting around watching. All for one and one for all and that sort of thing."
I can feel myself blushing. And getting wet. Oh my god, I'm not actually considering this, am I?
"The ad says three evenings a week for four hours each. Is that correct?"
"So far, it's been Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings each week, although I'm sure you could shift that schedule with the team if you wanted to."
"What happens if what I want to do isn't what the team wants out of me."
"The team has the authority to fire you if they feel you are not properly doing your job. You would remain living and eating with them for the remainder of the contract period, but you would no longer receive your pay for any remaining weeks. They have their own incentive to not fire you, because they will not have any morale specialist for the remainder of their stint either."
"So I just have to do enough to keep them happy enough not to fire me."
"If you want to keep getting paid, yeah."
"Do I sleep in the barracks with them?"
"No, you have your own cabin, with its own shower, so you do not have to use the communal shower. Whether you spend time in their barracks I guess depends on your relationship with the team. You will see them at breakfast and dinner every day at a minimum."
"What do I do with myself during the day when they are out yelling timber and cutting down trees or whatever it is they do?"
"That's completely up to you. There is power, but there is no internet connectivity and your phone will have no signal. So you need to be able to entertain yourself. Do you like to read? If you're a writer, I suppose the experience would make an interesting book."
I nodded to him, uncertain what comes next.
"So can I sign you up?"
"Um." Can I really do this? I look over at the eviction notice. Do I have a choice? I'm out on the street next week. It's at least a roof over my head and food in my belly if I get there and decide I can't do it. "I guess so. What's next?"
"Can you come down to the offices tomorrow at 10 and do the paperwork? The bus leaves Saturday morning at 6AM."
"Bus?"
"It's the only way to the site. It takes 26 hours to get there."
"It's a 26 hour bus ride?"
"Well, there are two one hour stops for food and let everyone stretch their legs. And most importantly, to swap drivers. There is a bathroom on the bus for each eight hour stint. That same bus will bring back the crew that's there now."
"Does that crew have a morale specialist, too?"
"Yes. You will be our fourth morale specialist, finishing out our first year of this program. It has been very successful so far. We've gotten a six percent improvement in productivity and two fewer injuries in the first nine months. You will be doing a valuable service, to the team and to the company."
"Do I get my signing bonus tomorrow?"
"You can, if you really need it."
"I need it to clean up some loose ends before I go away for three months."
+++++
The address for the office is a nondescript suite in a somewhat rundown section of the city. I knock on the door and Jack Symmington lets me in. He appears to work alone in this office.
"Do you work for the company, Mr. Symmington?"
"Please call me Jack. No. I'm a contract recruiter. I assemble this team every quarter, but I do other recruiting jobs for other projects, both for the lumber company and for other companies. I have to say, hiring the Morale Specialists is the most unusual hire I make. And my favorite."
I fill out fairly standard paperwork for the job. Nothing that seems weird, other than I guess the job title. But even that sounds like standard corporatese. At the end, he hands me a check for $753.81.
"I thought it was a thousand dollar signing bonus?"
"It is, but we have to do the standard withholdings."
I nod. I had forgotten that. Shit. I had kind of planned out how to spend this money down to the penny. I will need to rethink some of this. Quickly.
"So you need to be here Saturday morning. The bus leaves sharply at 6AM. If you miss it, you owe us that money back. And we will find you."
+++++
Renting a truck is one of the expenses that has to go. I guess I have to call Bryce. This is going to be awkward. I take a deep breath, take out my phone, and find him in my contacts. At least I didn't delete his contact when I said I would.
"Hi, Bryce. This is Mel."
"Mel? Melanie Sanderson?"
"Yeah, it's me. I know I swore I would never talk to you again, but I suddenly have a big favor I need to ask you. You might have heard I've been having a problem getting a new job. I just agreed to a three month contract for a job, um, overseas. And, um, I'm not going to keep my apartment while I'm gone, so I need to put my stuff in storage. And I, um, thought about your truck and how strong you are and how you offered to help me whenever."
"Mel, that was before you threw me out of your life and swore you would never talk to me again."
"I know that, but I really need this. Please?"
"What's in it for me?"
"Would you do it for a blowjob?"
"Jesus, Mel, I used to have to beg for a blowjob. You MUST be desperate. Okay, When?"
"Well, I leave Saturday morning."
"Damn. I was figuring it was going to be over the weekend. Okay. Tomorrow at four?"
"Thanks, Bryce. You're a godsend. I owe you one."
"How about a drink together when you get back."
"I can do that." God knows what I will do when I get back from this. What I will be capable of doing.
I rent a storage unit, paying four months up front.
I then dive into packing all my stuff, either for the three month job or for storage.
+++++
Bryce is there at 3:57 and we start moving stuff down into his truck. On one of our last loads, he sees the eviction notice. I was certainly not packing it, so it had just been left on the kitchen counter.
"What the hell is going on Mel? Are you okay?"
"It's been tough. I am going for a three month job, but please don't ask me any more about it. All I can say is I will have food and shelter and hopefully some savings when I get back. Hopefully ready to restart my life."
He just looks at me and shakes his head. He knows how proud I am, I was. I'm not sure I'm there any more.
I turn away from him and wipe the tears out of my eyes. What I'm about to do has suddenly hit home with me. I feel empty.
"Would you like a hug? If I remember you at all, and I certainly have tried not to, I think you need one."
I turn back to him and wrap my arms around him. Bryce can be an asshole, but he has a good heart. I sob for a few minutes on his shoulder then back up, wipe the tears from my cheek with my arm and say, "We should take this to the storage unit."
Bryce doesn't say another word about any of this.
He brings me back to my apartment after everything is in the unit, which took much longer than either of us expected. I'm sore and exhausted. I turn to him, trying to smile as I say, "Ready for your payment?"
"I don't know what you've gone through and what you're about to do. And I probably don't want to. But I don't feel right about taking that. I'm going to insist you contact me when you get back from wherever. It doesn't have to be for drinks, but I need to see that you're okay. If you feel like paying off then, we can see. We had some good times together and you once meant a lot to me. You've brought some of that back to me. That's payment enough for now."
+++++
I check into a cheap hotel not far from the office. my luggage for the three month trip with me. My alarm goes off at 5:30 Saturday morning. I walk the two blocks to the office, lugging my two big suitcases. I see a bus waiting and Jack with a clipboard, checking people in. I hurry over to him.
"I was starting to worry you had stiffed me," he says.
"You're not the one I'm supposed to be getting stiff," I say, trying to work into character.
He laughs. "Your luggage goes in there," he says, pointing to the luggage area. I struggle to lift the smaller one up.
"I can get that for you ma'am," a deep voice says from behind me. Surprised, I turn to see a large man with a kindly face, maybe a few years older than me. He lifts both suitcases with ease, sliding them in the storage area. It looks like I was the only one with suitcases. There are lots of duffel bags.
"There's no need for you to have to do that. There's plenty of muscle here, willing to help you."
"Thank you, so much. My name's Mel. I guess we'll be seeing a lot of each other over the next three months."
"People call me Gator. I'm sure looking forward to seeing much more of you."
I blush as I realize he is already mentally undressing me. Then I manage to compose myself, saying, "I hope you like what you see."
I'm realizing that maybe I can minimize the number of really nasty things I need to do if I can keep them happy with flirting and teasing. I know I'm going to have to have more sex than I ever have before, but I'm hoping to keep it on my terms, so I don't feel so much like a whore.
Ouch. That word hurts even when I say it in my own head.
Jack says, "Hurry up. You're the last two."
I climb up the steps into the bus. There are a range of men on the bus. Not all as big as Gator, but they all look very strong. Except for one older wiry man sitting right behind the driver. I'm not sure I'm ready to mingle with my future lovers yet. I sit down in an empty row across from the wiry man.
"Hi, I'm Mel. You don't look like a lumberjack," I say to him.
"I'm Stu, the other driver. And you're the company whore."
"I prefer Morale Specialist."
"Whatever, lady. You're still getting paid to fuck these clowns. You're a whore in my book."
So much for having a conversation with him.
The driver closes the door then speaks loudly to the twenty two of us sitting in the bus. "I'm Dave. No eating on my bus. Keep the bathroom clean. We'll stop for food in about eight hours."
I watch the road go by for a while and then drift off to sleep. I'm not used to getting up at 5:30. The day becomes a blur of highway and restless sleep. I'm snapped awake by the bus coming to a halt. Dave announces, "Rest stop. The food in the diner's edible, but I'd avoid the chili. Bus leaves in exactly one hour. Don't miss it. It's a long walk home."
I let everyone else get off the bus first as I shake the cobwebs out of my head. Getting out of the bus, it feels really good to stretch my legs. I didn't think to save any money for food on the bus trip because I was thinking they were feeding me. I guess I'll be hungry today.
I check my purse and I have seven dollars left. Hopefully enough to get a cup of coffee and maybe some toast each stop. I sit by myself at the counter. The prices are reasonable. I can only get toast once, but I can afford coffee both stops.
Gator and a man shockingly even bulkier than Gator come over to me. "Mel, meet Mongo."
"Mongo? Really?"
"It's what they call me. My real name's Fred. But with my size, I get it."
"Well it's nice to meet you Mongo."
"Toast is not enough to keep you going, Mel. You need to eat more."
I look around before sheepishly saying, "I didn't think to bring any money for food on the bus ride. I'll be okay."
"Mongo and I'll pay for it, Mel. Whadya like?"
"Are you sure?"
Gator laughs, really a deep roar. "Course I'm sure. Wouldn't say it if I weren't"
"I'd love a BLT and a chocolate milkshake."
Gator calls over to the waiter, "Get the lady a BLT and a chocolate shake. And make it snappy. She needs time to eat it."
They sit with me while I eat. Gator really is nice. And Mongo is very funny. It's the best time I've had in a while. And it feels much better to have some food in me.
+++++
When Gator, Mongo, and I climb back on the bus, Dave is sleeping in Stu's seat and Stu is in the driver seat. I briefly thought about going back and sitting with Mongo or Gator, but I settle down in my same seat.
Around 1AM we stop for an hour again. Mongo buys me breakfast. Back on the bus, Stu is back to his old seat and seems to already be asleep. Dave turns to me and softly says, "Sorry about Stu. He's just an asshole. And he can't figure out why women won't sleep with him." He laughs.
I laugh with him.
+++++
The rising sun wakes me up while we're still driving. I look around and see nothing other than thick forest on each side of the road. I realize we're now on a one lane dirt road. Finally, I see a clearing well in front of us with some buildings in it. There are two larger buildings and three smaller ones. As we get close, I see a group of people standing outside. Twenty one men and a single woman. There is a pile of luggage next to them.
The bus pulls up just past them. Dave opens the door and turns to me to say, "Welcome to the end of the world."
As I step off the bus, a greasy looking man says, "Melanie, I assume?"
"Call me, Mel. Who are you?"
"You can call me Mr. Benjamin. I run this camp. Grab your stuff. Your cabin is over there. I have to warn you, I didn't agree with the decision to bring a whore into my camp. So don't make any trouble for me or I'll make trouble for you."
I stand there a little stunned. I had gotten used to Gator and Mongo's warmth.
"Get out of the damned way and let everyone else off the bus, would you. If it's not too much trouble for your highness."
I step to the side, still a bit in shock.
The woman comes over to me and says, "It's okay honey. You don't work for him. You work for the lumberjacks. And they're a good bunch. Just ignore him and try to stay out of his way."
She looks at me. "You're not used to turning tricks, are you?"
I shake my head no.
"Why did they bring you here? You must be pretty desperate. I'm sorry." She sighs. "Just keep up a good attitude and the guys will be gentle with you. If anyone gets out of line, the others will take care of it."
"Thank you."
"Good luck. I'm Sam, by the way. I might see you again in three months."
I hear Mr. Benjamin saying, "Frederick? Samuel?" I look up and see Mongo and Gator nod to him.
So Gator's real name is Samuel. I stash that info away. I see them each pick up one of my suitcases as well as a duffel. "We'll take this over to your cabin for you."
I could get used to having big strong men wanting to do things for me.
My cabin is snug, about the size of my bedroom in my old apartment, with an attached bathroom. I do appreciate that.
Mongo and Gator set down my suitcases. On the way out, Mongo said, "See you in the mess hall in a few minutes. This one's on you."
+++++
I was struck by two things immediately upon entering the mess hall. It feels bigger on the inside. It probably seats only forty or fifty people. But it feels big.
And two of the tables are pushed together. On top of the tables is a bed. My workplace. The reality of what I signed up to do hits me. Can I really do this? My legs go weak.
I feel a hand on my back. Then Gator's booming voice says, "Why don't you come have a seat with us."
He gently supports me while I walk towards the table where Mongo and some others are seated. He quietly says, "You don't have much experience doing this kind of thing, do you?"
I nod my head, trying to keep the tears in check.
"We'll make sure it goes real easy on you the first couple times. And don't do anything you really don't want to. Remember, you are in control up there."
I reached up and kissed Gator on the cheek.
"Oooh, she's already got a favorite!" Mongo calls out from the table.
As I sit down, Gator points around the table, one at a time introducing everyone sitting with us. "This is Chief. He's from Arkansas."
I look at him, clearly with indigenous heritage. He corrects Gator, "Call me Bill, please."
"Chief, er, Bill, is married and maintains his vows, so you won't be getting to know him real personal like. He's in love with his wife or something."
"I think that's admirable," I say to him.
He nods to me with a bit of a grin.
"This is Tex, but I guess he's from New Mexico."
Tex shrugs and waves to me.
"He's got a wife, too, but he says they have an understanding."