Starved For Money, I Became A Straight Lesbian.

My trade is a painter, art. I was then a starving artist. There was a neighborhood fair where I exhibited a few of my paintings. A man, very much a toxic male, stopped and said he liked it, and did I do commissions. I went to his office, a male dominated business, the women were all in subservient positions. He took me to the Board room, he wanted a painting, an original, four by six feet. Then in the executive suite, all male except for secretaries. A long wall, he wanted another painting, five thousand a piece, paid on delivery. I sold my soul for the money.

He had me spend some time in each area, to get the feel. He peeled off five one hundreds and told me to get something nicer, I looked like a hippy. He stopped by my 'studio', to evaluate some ideas. He told me he wanted something that wasn't museum, blended in, but when observed stood out, make it interesting. I needed money so he gave me twenty five hundred, as a down payment.

Because I was taking too much time, he set me up in a warehouse building. With a space heater. He 'supervised' me unnecessarily. One day the paintings were ready, a showing was held with businessmen of all sorts, when a banker asked for me, he said he would manage my projects, my studio was in his warehouse.

I was paid, monthly, invited to parties, presented as his 'find'. 'His girl'. After one such party he told me I was straight, he had been watching me. He further told me 'it was time to dance' with him. And I went to bed with him. He showed me how a real man treated a woman. And likewise, he expected me to be a real woman.

In my defense by then I was totally supported, I had sold out to him for money. I dressed and behaved like he wanted. So going to bed with him was one more step on that highway. I was free to paint, with a large studio, and a helper. To work closely with a framer. Avoided murals, stuck to paintings.

I turned 35, a straight lesbian.