Chapter 4：The thong test (2/2)
Antonio inspected him. Ben's eyes were bloodshot, redder than the devil's butt-cheeks. He was sweating buckets, had shaking hands, and panted uncontrollably. Antonio squinted his eyes, then nodded in understanding.
'So this is the legendary thirst…' Antonio believed Ben was going virgin crazy. ”Ok. I understand.”
Ben followed up. ”You told me you know a master pick up artist right? I need to meet him!”
”…Whoa, slow down cuz. You should start slow so let me show you the ropes first. You're soundin' like Icarus and sh*t.”
”I don't have time to play in the kiddie pool! I need to talk to a true master right away!” Ben wasn't saying Antonio was a waste, he was only thinking it.
Antonio looked at this cousin of his: short, chubby, stupid clothes, even stupider hair. 'This will take massive work. Well...that guy might appreciate a hopeless case like this.' He made a decision. ”Ok, hold on. I'll make the call.” He got up and went outside, calling this acquaintance.
A few minutes later, Antonio returned and sat down. Ben stared at him like he was a doctor with news on his mother's surgery results.
”He said he'll meet you…on one condition.”
”Say it!”
Antonio didn't want to say it. *Cough* ”Wea* *…*****.” He only managed to mumble it.
”What? Speak up!”
Antonio swallowed. ”He said…you have to…wear a thong.”
…
”What?” Ben double-checked.
”A thong…Wear one if you want to meet him.”
”Is this guy a master pick up artist or a gay r*pist?!?”
…Antonio wasn't sure how to justify it either. ”Look, he said he needs to test the bravery of any prospective student. If you don't have the courage to wear a thong, then you don't have what it takes and it would be a waste of time meetin' you. That's what he said.”
Ben clenched his jaw as he flushed his dignity down the toilet. Screw it! If he failed, they'd be putting him in a casket. They could bury him in a thong for all he cared. At least the funeral would be memorable. ”Damn it! Fine, I'll wear it!”
The two of them walked over to a cheap department store. Ben entered and did some retail therapy that might lead to needing actual therapy.
A store employee passed and saw Ben browsing through the female underwear section. 'He must be browsing for a gift for his girlfriend,' she guessed as she approached him to offer help. After one step, she stopped dead in her tracks. She watched Ben holding various thongs against his waist, trying to guess his size…
It was clear now. The thong was for him. Ben noticed her presence and they locked eyes…
A second later, they both turned around and walked in opposite directions.