Eli Lewis is a young escort in New York who shares his experiences in the sheets on his popular blog Tales of A Rentboy (which picked up a Hookie this year for best escort website!) I managed to squeeze myself into his busy schedule and he was more than happy to answer some questions about his work as a rent boy!

 

BananaGuide: The first question has to be: how did you end up doing escort work?

Eli Lewis: Two amazing and gorgeous people inspired and opened the doors for me: retired CockyBoy, and my favorite Ginger McNugget, Kennedy Carter and comedienne Margaret Cho who said, “I have a lot of respect for [escorts]. I wish I would have thought to charge.” I came into it wanting to explore my sexuality, have some fun, and get paid doing it – I don’t know if you could tell but I’m a bit of an exhibitionist.

 

Do you remember your very first hook-up with a client?

My first gig was thoroughly frustrating and cockward (that’s my word for an awkward sexual situations). I was nervous that I would show up to my client’s apartment and not have the heart to go through with it, thereby embarrassing myself and leaving him high and dry. I was more than pleasantly surprised to arrive at his gorgeous Chelsea townhouse and be greeted by a wet dream come true. He was built like a brick house and stood at around six feet tall, had broad shoulders, amazing arms, and chest, and a smile that made me jizz my pants right there at the doorway.

 

He invited me in and I was ready to pounce on him, but instead he offered me a water bottle, and we started to talk about where I was from, what I did outside of escorting, and other first date topics. It took all of my self-control not to strip off my clothes right there and beg him to take me. We sat across from each other in his living room, drinking our cocktails, and really getting to know one another that I almost forgot he was a client. This went on for another two hours after which he stood up, walked to his study, and came back with an envelope full of cash for me. Dazed, confused, and sexually frustrated, I tried to kiss him goodbye but he sent me on my way, asking to see me again next week for dinner if I was available. I accepted his offer and ran home to bust out a few loads.

 

What was the strangest request you've ever received from a client? Did you do it?

A client once asked me to be his dominant top. I raised an eyebrow at his request and asked if he looked at my ad or booked the wrong guy because, as much as I give off the brutal top vibe, I’m a big ol’ bottom. I was headed for the door when he asked me to give it a try and pulled out a magical blue pill. Needless to say that gig only reinforced my place in this world as a power bottom.

 

 

Any bad experiences?

The only bad experiences I’ve ever had were when there was absolutely no chemistry between me and the client. I’m great with newcomers, recently divorced, and shy guys but when you don’t give me anything to work with it’s difficult to read what you want from me. An example of this was when I met up with a guy who said he was “fairly new to the scene” which I understood to mean he just came out of the closet and was unsure of what he wanted. Easy enough, except he seemed terrified during our entire meeting and awkwardly responded to my attempt at breaking the ice and starting a conversation and would flinch at my advances. I didn’t know what else to do so I asked him if I should go, he responded in the negative, so we just sat there watching television for the rest of the hour.

 

What is the best thing about working as an escort?

I think a lot of other escorts would agree with me when I say that the best thing about escorting is getting to meet so many interesting people with whom you start to develop solid friendships and relationships. These people have amazing stories to tell and it’s amazing to hear about and share each other’s stories.

 

And the worst thing?

The worst thing, in my opinion, is receiving that call or email when you’re out with friends or otherwise engaged in another activity. Being constantly on call is difficult because sometimes you’re just not in the mindset to put yourself into that scene or situation.

 

 

If you were given full control over a hook-up, what would your ideal encounter with a client be like?

There’s a lot to be said about client expectations but when it comes down to it my ideal client shares qualities similar to what I look for in the person with whom I’d be dating. My ideal client would know exactly what he was looking for upon calling me and be very direct and straightforward with his intentions and desires. We would subscribe to the same code of conduct and be prepared, timely, and not waste time with idle banter. I hate when potential clients call or text me back and forth with unnecessary questions, asking me for more pictures, and generally wasting my time.

 

Any celebrity hook-ups that you can share (or hint at)?

It is stated in the RentBoy Regulations HandBook, section 6 article 9 that “an escort may never, under any circumstance, reveal the identity of his or her client.” There are certainly terms in which that rule may be overlooked but I will tell you that I’ve had my fun with a handful of closeted athletes. I want a senator, though!

 

Speaking of which, if you could spend a night with any celebrity, who would it be and why?

I want Anna Kendrick to be my boyfriend. We can stay up all night talking about boys, eating Pirates Booty, harmonizing to the musical stylings of Jack Johnson, and live tweeting about the Hunger Games. House Lewis and House Kendrick should totally form an alliance to take back the Iron Throne.

 

 

What are three things a client should do to prepare for a meeting with an escort?

While escorts should carry the three p’s: props, paraphernalia, and protection, it’s also a good idea for a client to have some of that as well. Hygiene is also a big plus – unless that’s your scene in which case don’t wear deodorant, I guess. Lastly know what you want out of the experience. I hate getting asked what I’m into, especially if it’s from a client. This is your fantasy, I’m here to fulfill it.

 

Any advice to guys considering doing escort work?

It’s good money and great fun if you have the attitude and chutzpah for it. You should definitely ask yourself a few key questions before jumping into it. As discreet as you try to be with your escort work you are now in the public eye; are you ready for people you know to come across your advertisement? While I know several escorts who have been hustling for decades, it’s good to have an exit plan. What are your long-term goals? Lastly, learn to manage your money. It’s easy to burn through cash now that you’ve greatly increased your income, but you don’t want to be living trick to trick. Ain’t nobody got time for that!

 

Congratulations on your Hookie for your website Tales of a Rentboy - you must have been super proud! Why are you so open about your life?

You have NO idea how excited I was that night! I had been campaigning with nominees in other categories, most notably Austin Wolf (@AUSTINWOLFFF), Christopher Daniels (@CtopherDaniels), and Charlie Harding (@CHardingXXX), to boost our votes and chances to win so I was really happy that we all won in our respective areas. I was also nominated Best Newcomer and Best Dancer, so when I lost those two categories I threw my hands in the air in outrage and ran to the bar to drown my sorrows. I didn’t even hear my name called for Best Website! My friends actually picked me up and dragged my drunken ass to the stage to claim my award.

 

As for why I’m so open about being an escort it’s because I subscribe to YOLO (you only live once) – unless you believe in reincarnation, in which case YOROL (you only remember one lifetime).

 

I’m honest and upfront of it all because I find no shame in what I do, and why should I? I don’t judge people (much) for wearing UGGs and Crocs and expect the same courtesy offered to me.

 

There is definitely a negative side about it all, with ignorant people constantly barraging you with their self-righteousness and shaming you for your apparently poor life choices, but I’m one happy camper and that’s more than can be said for some of them. This is simply one facet of my life, and if you choose to judge me for it then that’s your prerogative but ain’t nobody got time for that.

 

 

Three things that clients / fans would be most surprised to know about you ...

I’m an open book and don’t really have any secrets but, when mentioned, there are actually a few things people are shocked to discover about me. I dropped out of college at 19 years old to join a ballet company, started touring around the country with several different projects and shows, and paid off more than half of my debt – whoever said you can’t make money as a professional dancer clearly hasn’t met many dancers.

 

I fear my title as a power bottom may be in question since I’ve never been double-penetrated… yet. I’m making that a goal for 2013 and have been working on sizing up higher and higher so that my tight hole can finally fit two cocks in there. I don’t know if I have the square footage, but I’m sure I can rearrange some furniture, and make room. I’m one determined bottom!

 

Also, I knit.

 

Thanks Eli!

 

If you want to find out more of Eli, you can check him out his website, Rentboy.com ad, Twitter and Xtube!