Musings of a Porn Store Clerk

I certainly never expected to find myself working in an Adult Video store. As a child I had grand dreams of being a school teacher or a bag lady (unfortunately I am not joking), but the adult entertainment industry was not a thought I harbored. I cant tell you what it was that made me stop at one of the most popular porn stores in Austin, Texas. I had passed by the store for 3 years on the way to work and never even looked twice. The truth was I was bored with a life of routine, same customer service job for years, same parties on the weekends. I wanted to be daring, do something crazy, something to shock those around me and hey, maybe it would be fun.

I don't know what I expected when I walked in. Maybe some sleazy guy standing in a dark corner or how about somebody's grandfather grinning at a magazine from ear to ear. Nope, that was not it. What I got was a guy who had just fired everyone that worked for him and was willing to hire me on the spot. He was large, bossy, and was quick to fire anyone who annoyed him. I started the moment I walked in the door. I had no idea what I was in for.

I found myself in the largest porn store in Austin, Texas. Open 24 hours a day, with a large theater, videos for rent or sale, individual token booths, and group booths for more than one person. Mike (my new boss) advised me that it was not often he had women wondering in offering to work and that this was a porn store - expect to sexually harassed and proceeded to slap me on the butt. He let me know as long as I was working (one person running the place per 8 hour shift) that I was in charge. If someone annoyed me, was rude, nasty, or if I just didn't like the way they smiled at me I could kick them out. He then let me know that although I was alone, I was never really alone. There were regulars. Regulars that were there so often they would remain for a full 8 hour shift. They became good friends. I could trust them to watch things while I ran to the restroom or if someone was causing a scene - they would protect me. And they did.