The Interview – Alex Tanner, Tucker Barrett
Apprentice Tanner did not consider himself a shy individual. He was normally outgoing and playful with others. But as he sat in the steel chair across from 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 had been thrilled and honored. At that time, his confidence and intrigue had been at an all-time high. But now, under the watchful eye of the calm and mysterious Master Barrett, Apprentice Tanner felt more humiliated than he could ever remember. What if he had failed to answer the man’s questions correctly? What if he had failed to impress these massively impressive masters, all so wise, knowledgeable, and enigmatic?
Suddenly, Master Barrett stopped talking. He stood very still in his immaculate white suit and tie and stared at the young man for a silent moment. Barrett had some more serious questions for his 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 caught off guard by this turn of events. Confused and a little shaken, Tanner wondered why he was being asked about his sexuality. Up until this point, there had been no indication that the Masonic Order allowed such topics to be discussed. What was he supposed to say? Could he be perfectly honest? What if he told the truth and was expelled? 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 terrified that Master Barrett would notice and the interview would be over. Was it even remotely possible that the touch of this utterly attractive and graceful man could mean something… more? Unthinkable. Tanner found himself tensing and weakly denying his interest in men.
Without hesitation, Master Barrett slowly removed his hand from Tanner’s knee and leaned back. The older, wiser gentleman took a different tack. Now, what he wanted to know was if young Apprentice Tanner could PROVE that he was not 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 so he must answer. Young Tanner could only mumble an affirmation that he could prove that he was not aroused by men – but deep down, the boy knew that Master Barrett could somehow tell that he was not being completely honest.
