The Interview – Alex Tanner, Tucker Barrett
Apprentice Tanner did not consider himself a shy individual. He was usually outgoing and playful with other people. But as he sat in the steel chair facing Master Barrett, he couldn’t help but feel nervous and tight-lipped. And when the older man spoke, Tanner was strangely unsure of exactly how to respond. The initial interview questions were simple and easy to say, but the young man found himself mumbling his answers.
When Tanner was first introduced to the Masonic Order, he was thrilled and honored. Back then, his confidence and intrigue were at an all-time high. But now, under the watchful eye of the calm and mysterious Master Barrett, Apprentice Tanner felt as humiliated as he could ever remember. What if he didn’t correctly answer the man’s questions? What if he couldn’t impress these massively impressive masters, all so wise, knowledgeable, and enigmatic?
Suddenly Master Barrett stopped talking. He went very still in his immaculate white suit and tie and looked at the young man for a moment of silence. Barrett had some more serious questions for the apprentice. And he wanted to know if Tanner could be completely honest with him. Seemingly out of nowhere, the older man asked Tanner if he was sexually attracted to men.
Tanner was completely off guard by this twist. Confused and a little shaken, Tanner wondered why he was being asked about his sexuality. Up until this point, there was no indication that the Masonic Order allowed such topics to be discussed. What should he say? Could he be perfectly honest? What if he told the truth and got kicked out?
The next question Master Barrett asked made young Tanner shiver. Gently, the older man reached out and placed his hand on the boy’s knee. The touch was completely unexpected, but also somehow comforting – and pleasurable! Tanner was too afraid Master Barrett would notice and the interview would end. Was it even remotely possible that the touch of this utterly attractive and graceful man meant something…more? Unthinkable. Tanner found himself tense and weakly denying interest in men.
Without flinching, Master Barrett slowly took his hand from Tanner’s knee and leaned back. The older and wiser gentleman adopted a different tact. Now, what he wanted to know was if young Apprentice Tanner could PROVE that he wasn’t excited by the idea of a man’s touch.
The boy was both shaken and derailed by this line of questioning. But an answer was expected and therefore he must answer. Young Tanner could only mumble a statement that he could prove he wasn’t turned on by men – but deep down, the boy knew Master Barrett could somehow tell he wasn’t being completely honest.
