Another day at the office

I hope you can all understand where I am coming from here. If not, then I think you should all do something about it! I went to the anonymous clinic today for my testing. It’s the fourth or fifth time I have been through this process since becoming an escort last September. It’s not fun, no, definitely not fun. But it is the responsible thing to do so I do it.

So I get there and I have gotten used to how this works. Basically you are known as a number as opposed to a name. This is the one time I do not mind being just a number. My family doctor does not know what I do in this business, nor do I care to let him know so this anonymous testing is a great way to go, except when you get a nurse that feels you need to be saved.

First I get the usual chit chat as I fill out the forms. Even though it’s anonymous I still feel the need to stretch the truth on the questionaire. “Have you had sexual intercourse with anyone since your last visit?” Um, I think that is why I am here, no? “How many people have you had sexual intercourse with?” “Including my husband”? I ask. They don’t have a very good sense of humor in this office! Three. “Have you ever had unprotected sex”? A very valid question if the third question above this one didn’t ask me to list how many children I have. I am now the Virgin Mary.

I am chuckling to myself as I continue answering questions. I notice that the nurse is sizing me up. No, not in a way that I would like (although she really isn’t my type). And here starts the spiel. “It is not too often that a woman as healthy looking as yourself comes into this office”. Well, thank you I say, I hide it well! She is a little confused but I am having fun playing with her now. She goes on to tell me of the services that are available for “women like me”. So I ask her with interest “Oh, you offer CSI classes”? Now really confused she asks what I mean by that. I went on to explain:

“Well, women like me are interested in Crime scene investigation and I have been thinking for some time to take up a few courses. And women like me enjoy yard work, do you have any brochures on perennials? And women like me are mothers, I’ve been having trouble with my teenage daughter, how can you help me out with her? Women like me work for our money just as you do, perhaps you could direct me to the best accountant in the area to give me the biggest tax breaks. Oh, and women like me love sex…..now I am sure you have a brochure all about that one don’t you”?

The nurse now asks me to calm down stating that she didn’t intend to offend me. “Now just how could I be offended, you simply asked me what a woman like me is doing in a place like this”. Just what are you trying to imply but that comment I ask. Are you saying that women like me are not as likely to contract a communicable disease as opposed to women not like me? Is it not your job to be understanding and supportive? To make it easier to find help and be safe in this disease ridden world? It is no wonder why there are such stereotypes out there about this business, I think to myself.

This is our government talking. This is how they look at us. Do I find this frustrating? Hell yes! I know that I shouldn’t but I do. I look around the office and everything there is to read, every brochure, every poster, every book is all about sex or drugs! You want to help these women, and I mean really help them? Yes, educate us about sex, give us free condoms and test us anonymously. But……empower us! Teach women how to love themselves instead of running to their pimp to be beaten. Teach them self defense, beg Karate schools to offer a significant discount to ladies referred to them by the office. Contact the local high schools and colleges and see what they can offer these women and have that information readily available in the office. Advertise government programs, spirituality courses, work opportunities and computer training available for women like us!

I could go on and on here. If you feel so bad for the women that lead this type of lifestyle then why not examine why they do what they do. That is how you help them. Give them alternatives, a way out if they feel they need one. Don’t belittle us. Those of us in the office are not the ones that need saving, it’s the ones that don’t make it to the office that do!