Jim didnt stop to wonder about the incredibly low price of the two inflatable donkey pool toys he had just purchased. He was in a hurry.
Earlier that day his friend Tom had phoned him to announce that he was having a spontaneous pool party and that Jim and several others were invited. Jim always enjoyed Toms parties. Tom had a flamboyant way of making every gathering in to an event and every event in to a major explosion of a party.
Nobody said no to Tom, even the straight guys like Jim enjoyed his parties. If you wanted to meet rich beautiful people, then Tom had the connections. Jim had met his last girlfriend through Tom and had never regretted it, even though it was now over between them.
Jim arrived 20 minutes later to Toms house and rang the bell.
The door shot open and Tom stood before him wearing little more than a tight black pair of spandex trunks and a whistle. On his chest was written "lifeguard" in what was definitely permanent marker.
"Oh my god you came! And you brought gifts! I love you sweety. Lets go out back and schmooz!" Toms greeting was a tidal wave of information all exclaimed with sincerity that confused most people who had never met him.
"Hey Tom. Sure thing, where is the beer?" Jim said following him in to the front door.
"Beer is out back but Im afraid YOU my little pet are stopping in the lounge first to change. This is a pool party and the lifeguard requires proper attire be worn at all times. You can delve in to my wardrobe in there too, cause I knew you wouldnt come prepared duckling." Tom points to himself as he says lifeguard, stabbing his thumb at his well oiled and tan chest. He has been outside for a little while already and his skin is bronze from the sun. He could be a model in any catalog, but instead he sold cars using his good looks to foist large gas guzzling cars on to soccer moms. They would get ripped off and still love him. A few might be at this party.
"Geez. You always come up with the crazy theme partys. Im sure there is something conservative and not embarrassing in there for me Mr Lifeguard." Jim replies standing in the doorway to Tom's lounge, which is really just a den with some sofas neatly arranged and a wet bar in the corner. In the middle of the room is a clothes rack draped with several selection of swim wear, all very slinky, all very spandex, and none of them very modest.
"Ha! I would never live it down if I did. Now get dressed and come outside. Give me those. I'll blow them up. Im good with that. Just ask Sam." Tom gives him a wink and chuckles as he walks to the door that leads to his amazing backyard and pool with the blow up toys under his arm.
"Alrighty..." Jim sighs and picks out a suit that has a Nike logo on the hip and little white stripes down the sides. Its brief cut but its the only one that looks like the kind of suit he used to wear back on the high school swim team. Its the only one he will feel at home in.
He quickly undresses and pulls the suit on. Its snug but the waist size is right. He is pale and the sun beckons, so does the noise of the pool party outside with layers of music and chatter mixed with splashing and laughter.
"The things I do to pick up on single women... Oh well. I could always cop out and get a guy instead. Never tried that. I wonder." Jim laughs as he has the fictional argument with himself and steps outside in to the warm sunlight.
There are guys everywhere, most wearing bikini or square cut suits. The two blow up donkeys are floating in the pool with several swimmers chatting and splashing. The deck has some chairs set up with several women on them, the few straight men present are already trying their luck. Slim pickings for Jim.
Then...