Everytime I tell people that I used to work at X-otic Tan, they say to me, "So what did you do there?" Understandably, very few people seem to have any idea what goes on at X-otic Tan. While they may be an extreme case, it seems that we tend to have very little knowledge of other venues or types of sex work, other than what each of us has tried personally. So, I thought a little information might not be a bad idea. For the next few issues I will be reviewing either a different place to work, or a different way of working (i.e., doing bachelor parties or private shows). Anyone who has input about where or how they work, please feel free to write in to the PO Box.

So, what does really happen at X-otic Tan?? Well, when I walked in for the first time, I was struck by how elegant it was. The atmosphere is a rather regal mix of purple, blue, and gold, dominated in the front room by a black desk with (fake) flowers on. As I walked in to the empty room, a loud buzzer went off to announce my presence. Presently, a slim woman with a bubbly smile walked in and asked me how I was. I had heard rumors over and over again about how X-otic Tan was a front for prostitution, and just like a massage parlor. After all, the women there are alone in a private room with a customer; anything could happen, right? Actually, nothing could be further from the truth. I was given an application for employment by the young woman who had greeted me, whose name was Destiny, and told to call or come by when the manager was working. So I did.

The manager, Lydia, was a nice, straight forward woman who also worked there. She explained that we are not dancers at X-otic Tan-we are models. Technically, the business is not an adult business, because the women who work there are not described as "dancers", and do not go nude. However, in order to stay on the sunny side of the law, there are a host of small rules one is obliged to follow to work there. For instance, most men who come in masturbate. Surprise, surprise. But, the "model" can touch herself only after the customer has begun touching himself. For those few men who do not masturbate, this rule makes for a rather frustrating show, as the model cannot do so many of the moves she customarily includes in the show. Even touching breasts is forbidden. When the customer does touch himself, the model can too-but only through her bra and undies. Uncovering any "pink parts" is an absolute no-no, and physical contact between the customer and model is forbidden. The only exception is that it is legal for the customer to touch the model's legs from the knee down. Apparently, lawmakers decided that there couldn't be anything sexy about the lower legs and feet. Either that, or they're all foot fetishists, and didn't want to make their fetish illegal. Anyway, if anyone does break any of the big rules about touching or uncovering, there are hidden video cameras in the rooms, which Lydia watches randomly. If you do something forbidden, you're outta there.

I enjoyed a lot about working at X-otic Tan. For one thing, the company was great--all the women I worked with were delightful and interesting people. There are two shifts per day, from 10am to 5pm, and 5pm to midnight, and only two women work at a time. There is very little competition, because only one of the gals working greets customers as they come in, and as soon as she gets a show, the second gal greets customers until she gets one. On the off times, there is a comfortable room to wait in, with a T.V., bottled water, and a phone. If you have homework or other quiet things to do, the (sometimes long) times between shows can be invaluably productive. On the other hand, the business is totally unpredictable, and tends to the slow side. For every show you get, the business gets $40, and you get $20, plus any tips. Sometimes tips were great, and sometimes customers didn't tip at all. In the six months there, I averaged $80 to $100 per shift.

There are times when I miss the companionship and relaxed nature of working at X-otic Tan. But the constant surveillance made me nervous, and I just wasn't making enough money for the time committed. During one very dry spell, I had to quit. Overall, I would recommend X-otic Tan for anyone not willing to go nude, women that don't like or know how to hustle for dances or tips, and students who need quiet time to do homework.

So, here's my biased perspective on X-otic Tan. I hope it was informative, and if you have other experiences, give me a buzz!!