Roger? What a stupid name.
Well, okay. It’s not THAT stupid a name but it’s a stupid name for someone to make up as an alias and there’s just about no chance the person she’s been communicating with for the last week is actually named Roger.
Not that she has some moral high ground to stand on, of course. As far as “Roger” knows, her name is Alyssa. Yeah, it’s not terribly creative but in an industry where everyone is named Candy, Fantasia or Destiny, it’s easier to be subtle than creative when picking out an alias.
Cassie had run through her screening process dozens of times now and you can just tell when someone is using a fake name. But this guy sounded sweet.
Right from his first email, a bashful inquiry asking for more information on her booking process, she could sense “Roger” was her ideal client. He was well spoken, patient while he waited for her to reply and his requests were about as mundane as you can get in the sex-for-money trade. It’s a far cry from what she’s used to, she thought as they communicated back and forth.
Maybe that’s why she let him get away with the made up name. Maybe that’s why she didn’t press him to send her references from other escorts or a photocopy of his ID with a link to his Facebook profile and LinkedIn page.
“You’re making a mistake.” she said to herself, more than once.
If Cassie had followed any of the regular steps of her process, she might have avoided the awkward situation she’d find herself in later tonight. But this guy seemed genuine and, hell, if things went sideways she could just knee him in the balls and take off.
Overconfidence was her second mistake.
Her third was taking his money.
When Roger was hesitant to give her his ID, Cassie told him she wouldn’t continue their conversation without a 50% deposit. It was sent moments later. He hesitated to give her too much information but had no trouble sending her half the money up front?
“Yeah,” she thought. “He’s definitely married.”
And that’s how she got here. The phone chimed just as Cassie thought it would. He’d just sent the rest of the payment.
A cop wouldn’t do that. Someone who might be a risk to your safety wouldn’t leave that kind of paper trail, even if it was just electronically. Hell, anyone who knew anything about the sex-for-money business would know paying in advance is just asking to get burned. Clearly, this guy hadn’t done this before.
Paying for her services meant there was no turning back for Roger, or whatever his name was. All Cassie had to do was show up.
They could proceed. She was willing to take the chance.
As Cassie looked over at the outfit Roger has requested she wear, she couldn’t help but think this would be a good night. Sometimes it’s important to build trust with a new client. It’s how to create regulars and regulars are a lifeline for girls in the sex trade.
So what if he was married? Her job is to please her clients, not play marriage counselor.
If she knew who she was talking to on the other end of those emails, she might have played things differently.