I am a retired fireman, because of a bad back. I looked for jobs but frankly being in retail sucks and taking orders from kids sucks. I was a bit more than depressed. I have always been a decent dancer and signed up with a friend to be the male dance partners at a Fred Astaire dance studio, it paid a little but really it was to get out. Lots of ladies dancing.

One lady who came weekly, she was a widow and was a decent dancer asked me if I wanted to go with her on a cruise, all expenses paid. She knew I was a retired fire fighter and didn't have the means to pay for a cruise, but she did have the money and said she loved to dance and if I would be her company she would be delighted. The cruise was seven days and frankly there wasn't much dancing, but being company was my job so I was company to the lady and we got along fine. She had her room and I had my room, so no there wasn't anything inappropriate. I was company.

On the cruise during happy hour we talked to people and the story was out and there were several women who approached me and asked if this is what I did. I said no, first time and they said well maybe I should think about it, be an escort for single ladies because frankly traveling alone was never fun. I got more than one name. These ladies were professional travelers, as was the lady that invited me, and I got invited to go on several cruises, all expenses paid, on each cruise I met other single ladies and soon my dance book so to speak was full and I was doing six cruises a year.

Now to be honest not all the ladies were so gentle as my first employer, some wanted to dance cheek to cheek, some wanted to have their backs rubbed, some wanted to see what they needed to do so that I rose to the occasion. They came well prepared, with massage paraphernalia, condoms and Viagra and lubricants for dryness in their nether regions. They meant to have sex, and were accomplished with their mouths and with the curtains closed and the lights off crawling around to find a willing fanny was easy. Lots of showering together, lots of sitting around and talking to other guests, lots of comparative anatomy to their pocket willies.

I got paid, and not a little either and I got a reputation to uphold and not always on holiday or a cruise, around town to a dinner party, or the theatre or just out to dinner, Viagra included. Take the little pill out as dinner was coming to an end, a glass of wine and between finger and thumb put it on my tongue and down it went and by the time we got back from dinner their eager mouths and fannies.

I had created a cottage industry, for myself. Yes, I admit that I do it for the money. I am selective, those with money come first, I don't really see it as a social service. Holidays are always nice, and cruises offer all the opportunity to be a bit nasty away from the home crowd. I look around and see the older gentlemen escorting what must be a younger family member and showing her the world, why not Mrs. Q who lost her husband to divorce or death and left her with a pile of cash to spend? I stay in shape, I keep up my dancing form, and read magazines and books to stay conversational. I have improved my massage skills, and not only for her back.

Here's to a ride down the Danube, cheers.