A Taste of Respect

The Next Day Thad was at the Grand Hotel with Malcolm checking on the final arrangments for the seniors' graduation dinner. Zach, and Cody who was visiting and helped Zach move into his apartment, Dabney, Marty, Lois, Hal, Jamie, Reese, Dewey, Francis and Piama all tasted some dinner and desert samples before they decided what to have for dinner. Thad's childhood buddy, Dakota now 36, was visiting for a few days and was also at the hotel chatting with him. "Hey Thad, who is that cute blond guy over there talking to Reese?" Dakota asked. Thad glanced over his shoulder to look. "Oh that's a new employee named Zach. He's eighteen and from Boston," Thad said. "Ooh, is he gay?" Dakota asked with a wry grin. "I'm afraid not. I caught him talking to underage girls the other day although he claims he didn't know they were that young because they looked like they were adults," Thad said with rolled eyes not convinced of Zach's innocence. "Oh." "Although he is quite the opportunist and is smarter than he lets on." "Really now?" Dakota asked with raised eyebrows. "Yes; his fraternal twin brother, the slightly taller blond you see with him, said he'd probably sell his left nut for a buck," Thad said with a chuckle. "You don't say?" Dakota asked with a wide grin. "Yup; okay, Dakota, what are you thinking?" Thad asked with narrowed eyes. "Heh, I'm thinking about an indecent proposal." "Oh really now? How much are you gonna offer Zach?" Thad asked with a wry grin. "One million of course," Dakota said with shrugged shoulders. "Well he is totally straight. I don't think he'd date a man for ANY amount." "We'll see," Dakota said as he strolled over to where Zach was standing while Thad followed. "This is gonna be good," Thad said with a chuckle. Zach saw Thad walking up with a smirk on his face and wondered what was going on. "What's up, Thad?" Zach asked with slightly raised eyebrows. "Zach, I'd like to introduce you to my childhood buddy, Dakota. He has a monetary proposal for you," Thad said struggling not to guffaw out of control. "Oh is that so? Well nice to meet you, Dakota. What can I do for you?" Zach asked as he shook Dakota's hand. Cody was taking a drink of cranberry juice as Dakota talked. "Well I'll get right to the point. I'd like to offer you one million dollars to sleep with me," Dakota asked with a wicked grin and Cody's eyes went wide as he spewed his juice back out of his mouth which sprayed on a few people and the floor. Thad couldn't resist and started giggling uncontrollably. Dabney, Malcolm, Reese and Dewey, who all had been chatting with Zach, went wide eyed. Cody's mouth was agape. "Uh okay...is this a joke?" Zach asked with pursed lips. "No it is not. I'm serious. Thad said you're not gay so I thought I'd try another route. I heard from a source that you'd sell your left nut for enough dough," Dakota said with a wry grin. "Well it was a figure of speech about the nut and Thad was right about me not being gay but there are some things I MIGHT try for a buck," Zach said as Cody looked at him with a befuddled look on his face. Cody had a bit of juice running down his chin. "Are you okay, Cody?" "Uh...um...uh," Cody stammered not able to talk. "Tell you what, Dakota, since you're still a handsome man in his thirties that could pass for 25, and I don't say that very often..." "You NEVER say that," Cody interjected and Zach just ignored him. "Make it TWO million and I'll consider your proposal." "WHAT?" Cody asked totally in shock. "It's a deal and I look forward to your answer," Dakota said with a grin. "I"ll have an answer for you tomorrow. And for THAT amount I'll even consider dating you for a month," Zach said with a wry smirk. "WHAT?" Cody asked with a gaping mouth. "Well hell, date me for two and I'll make it three," Dakota said with a wider grin. "I'll consider that," Zach said as he and Dakota shook hands. "Uh...w...w...WHAT?" Cody stammered again. Thad just grinned and shook his head in disbelief. "Dakota, I thought you had a boyfriend?" Marty asked. "I did but he got a job 1000 miles away from where I live and we tried a long distance relationship. It didn't work out as he met somebody so we broke up two years ago. I've been single since then," Dakota said. "Oh." ****** Later At Zach's Apartment Near The Boys' School "Zach, I can't believe you are considering this. You are BLATANTLY heterosexual. You can't stand being in a locker room with other guys," Cody reminded him as they drove into the apartment building parking lot where Zach now lived. Zach and Cody were in a company car given to Zach to use for driving between the boys' and girls' campuses to do maintenance and janitorial work. "No, I said I can't stand being in a locker room with a bunch of naked old guys that have wrinkled skin like a prune. That is just nasty," Zach said with a wrinkled nose as he pulled into his parking space and shut off the car. "Whatever and mom will NEVER let you do this." "I'm eighteen. Mom has no say so in the matter. It's MY body so deal with it," Zach said with irritation as he opened his door and got out. Cody snorted in irritation as he opened his and followed him. "You know that's prositition." "No, prostitution is when you stand on a street corner looking for customers." "Fine then; you're a call boy." "A CALL BOY?" Zach asked as he stopped and gave Cody a screwed up look. "You know, like a call girl or an escort if you wish," Cody said with shrugged shoulders. "Look, whatever and it's not illegal for a buddy to give you a little cash for some fun," Zach said as he continued walking while Cody gave him a stupefied look. "I'd say three million dollars is a LOT more than a little cash." "Whatever." "So are you gonna quit your job and then blow the money?" Cody asked with a hint of smarminess. "No I'm not. I like working for Thad and I'm going to invest it, if I decide to take it." "Well I still think you're making a mistake." "Well that's your demented opinion," Zach said with a pleasant smile. "Oh I'M demented?" Cody asked with surprise as he placed a hand on his chest.