Politics 2000

You likely heard about New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s fall from grace when he was caught paying for sex with Ashley Dupre as part of a prostitution ring. There are news reports about escorts. More so about less-expensive prostitutes.

I conducted an interview with Elizabeth, a high-class call girl who is based in Europe. I knew her before she entered the business and while she was deciding whether to start. I’ve known her since she’s been escorting. My questions are in italic. Elizabeth’s replies are in bold. I thank her very much for her time and candidness.

When I first met you, you were working in public relations. You are educated, classy and beautiful. Certainly not one’s first image of an escort. Why did you decide to become a call girl?

When it comes to one’s first image of an escort, people have their own stereotypes in mind. But people enter this “escort world” for their own reasons and they come from all walks of life. I think the main motivatation is the money.

After thinking it over for some time, I took the plunge. I started out meaning to only to do it now and then to earn some extra cash. But after a while, I went the whole hog and ditched my daytime job simply because I was earning the same kind of money in one week as an escort that I was earning in a whole month in my salaried job.

Do you work on street corners? What’s the difference between that and upscale call girls?

Gosh no! I could never do that! One of the main reasons why I even went through with it the first time was the fact that it wasn’t meant to be seedy. Hard to say what the difference between the two is. I would say the biggest thing is risk. With the “up-market” clients, they need to be discreet for their own reasons and I feel they are safer as a result. They have their business reputations to protect. Of courses the other difference is the money involved.

How did you go about finding an agency?

I didn’t actively look for an agency. It really came about by coming across an advertisement by chance.

What was meeting with the agency director like?

The meeting went really well. She is Swedish woman, used to work as an Escort herself. She gave me an honest description of what it is like to work as an escort and what I could expect. She admitted it is not always rosy or glamorous, but reassured me that the clients that she would be booking are respectable people and who would treat me well. I left the meeting understanding the business better and feeling more confident. I hadn’t made the decision right then, but the meeting was a very important step in deciding on what choices I was to make later. She and I have a very good working relationship and she is good at matching clients with her girls.

Was the idea of working part-time appealing to you? Why did you eventually decide to escort full-time?

Working part time was more appealing to begin with. Meant that I could see how it would go and not commit myself into going down that road. I figured it would be a nice way to earn some extra money. I went full time because I could see the writing on my normal job and to be honest, I was enjoying the escorting work.

You must have been nervous the first time? What was it like? What happened?

Yes, pretty nervous. I was explained what the normal process so had some idea what to expect. But when I was actually there, it was pretty nerve-wracking. I remember meeting the client in the lobby and we chatted a bit. He then produced an envelope which pretty much contained the money. The rule is that the client has to pay within thirty minutes of the meeting otherwise I have to walk out. We later went to the restaurant where we met another couple, his business contact and his partner. There was a of business discussed, I talked to the other woman quite a bit. Once dinner and the business meeting was over, it was to the hotel room…

How often do you work in a week?

I usually work around 3 evenings a week. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Sometimes, I don’t take any work on at all for a week. Maybe even two. I love the flexibility to work when I want.

Traveling around Europe for free must be fun. What do you do when you are booked for a full weekend?

Yes, its nice. Never imagined I would get to see half the places that I have been to. As tow hat happens, well that depends. Usually keep the client company, he may be doing a round of golf with his cronies, visiting art galleries or we’ll go do the sights etc. Sometimes, I’ve even acted as a guide here in London.

So the job doesn’t just involve sex?

Not at all! People think its all about sex. But the sex aspect is a side thing. I cannot deny that it happens and it is paid for. But a lot of the bookings I get don’t involve sex at all. The agency will tell me advance if the client may want sex, but that is a separate transaction to the booking.

Roughly speaking, how much may an escort earn in a night? Does she have to do certain things to earn more money? Are there negotiations with the client?

I don’t really wish to quote numbers here. But usually the agency agrees the rate, based on hours or days that are requested. If there is a sexual element involved then there is separate discussion on that. My agent is very good and will take care of the negotiations. She believes it’s not good to negotiate on the actual date itself.

Certainly not everyone approves of prostitution. What do you say to those who disagree with your career choice?

Everyone has a right to their opinion. I understand how people might see this as exploitation of women. But end of the day everyone has needs, and if I as an individual wish to make use of what I have then why not. I don’t harm anyone and they are not causing a problem for anyone. Personally, what I do have a problem is where girls are pressured/forced to work as a prostitute. People have paid for sex since the dawn of man, and I doubt if that will stop anytime soon.

What do you say to those considering becoming high-end escorts?

Go into it with your eyes open. Get to know the agency, the person running it. Having a good agency is the key in my opinion. If they put the girls first then you will be fine. I think I was lucky in that respect; but I know from some of the other girls on the agency’s book, that there are a lot of agents out there that really do exploit the girls.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS