I picked up the phone. "Next," I said to Lola on the other end and then laid back.
A minute later Lola opened my office door and showed in the next applicant. "Shawn, this is Kyle Marlin. He's here for his 3.30 interview," she said in her professional secretary voice.
Once Kyle was inside my office Lola disappeared, closing the door smartly behind her. She had barely looked at me. Kyle, on the other hand, just stood there looking at me.
I slapped the sofa cushion next to me.
"Come, sit here, Kyle," I said in a friendly voice and smiled at Kyle, who seemed paralyzed. I slapped the cushion again.
'Uh. Uh, I . . . I'm here for . . . for an interviewβthe job. Uh . . ."
"That's right, Kyle. No need to be shy. From your application we feel you have the right qualifications for the position we are filling. It was a big field and a tough choice, but you made it this far. Now we need to determine, in person, how suitable you really are. If you do well here today we will put you on the short list, which we'll present to your potential employer. Then it's up to him to pick out any applicants he wants to meet personally."
At least Kyle was still with me. That was a good sign. He was still standing near the door, which showed a lack of assertiveness, but that was also a good sign. The potential employer and I were not looking for much assertiveness.
"Uh . . . um, suitable. I . . . my CV . . ."
"Your CV is very good, Kyle. The science degree is great, very relevant, and your sports success, particularly at swimming, is just what we want. The photo is another reason, of course, and I have to say it did not lie. You are one good-looking young guy."
"Photo? Oh . . ."
"Come on, Kyle. Time to sit here so we can get down to business." I slapped the cushion yet again and smiled what I like to think is my friendliest, most reassuring smile. I needed to move things along. Move Kyle along or get him out of my office. Not being assertive was one thing; not being willing to obey instructions from the man in charge was another. No one got to the next stage if they couldn't obey my instructions.
Kyle tentatively stepped over and sat down on the sofa, as far away from me as he could. I just slid closer to him, squashing him between my body and the sofa arm. He was shaking; I could feel it.
"So, Kyle." I moved a hand to his crotch and had a feel. He seemed to levitate a foot off the sofa. "You ever see a naked man with a hard-on before, Kyle? You ever have another man see you naked with a hard-on?"
"Uh . . . yes, um sports . . . uh, showers, uh . . ." He ran out of steam. His shaking seemed worse. "Um . . . this job . . . um, what is it about?" He was panting with the strain of getting a sentence out.
Time to move the interview along. I grabbed Kyle's hand and moved it to my naked erection. "So, do you think this is an impressive piece of equipment, Kyle?" I asked as I placed the trembling hand where I wanted it.
"Uh . . . ," Kyle groaned.
"Nice hand," I murmured. Kyle's fingers twitched, and he instinctively wrapped them around my rod. He was suddenly shaking more, swallowing hard, and his lips looked damp. His eyes had been fixed on my erection almost the whole time since he had come through the door. A very good sign.