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minor job, usually as a salesman in a department
store. That being the case he’s called a “ribbon
clerk.” To make lunch on an hour’s break means -
that he has to dash from work to the restaurant,
slug a few martinis and grab a hot dog on the way
back. His “keeper” proceeds with a leisurely lunch,
returning to work at three in the afternoon.

The cocktail ritual is repeated at 5:30 in the after-
noon, the prelude to a dinner with more drinks, a
theatre, after dinner drinks and then home. All this
time the “keeper” has a sharp eye on his property,
ready to fight like a cat if anyone lays a hand on
him. Despite his protective zeal, telephone numbers
do get exchanged and secret dates are arranged be-
tween the boys and the older men.

It’s that much easier if the john has a better apart-
ment, more money, a more elegant way of living
than the fellow presently occupying the youth’s time.
Elegance is the keynote of this particular level of
homosexual society.

How does a “boy” edge himself into this group.
Easily. Unlike his downtown counterpart, he makes
no pretense of being normal. He has probably been
practicing homosexuality for some years, even at
school. Having completed a business course, studied
decorating or prepared himself in any of the fields