Thad was thrilled to get the callback from the new restaurant. Times were tough, and his freshly-minted MBA in finance was getting him nowhere fast. The new Western-themed restaurant was the best offer he'd had since he graduated. Sure, being a waiter dressed up as a cowboy was a far cry from a corner office on Wall Street, but beggars couldn't be choosers.

Thad was to meet Gary, the HR guy, at the Wagon Wheel. When he got there, he was surprised that he was the only applicant there. He had assumed that all the new hires would be there together.

"Hello?" Thad called out, as he stepped into the quiet restaurant. There were some scaffolds and paint cans scattered around, and the booths were all wrapped up in heavy plastic.

"Thad?" a voice said behind him, causing Thad to jump. "Oh, hi, Gary?"

"Yeah", Gary said, extending his hand to Thad. He was a handsome, tall blond guy dressed in tight blue jeans and a white tank top. "Welcome to the Wagon Wheel."

"Thanks," Thad replied, "Am I the only one here so far?"

"Yep," Gary answered. "Head downstairs, you'll find your uniform laid out on a chair. Wanna make sure everything fits right before opening day. There's a locker down there for your clothes. Put on everything you find and I'll be down in a minute."

"OK", Thad said, turning to the staircase that led downstairs.

When Thad reached the basement, he was surprised to see it was nearly empty. The locker and the chair with his uniform were there, and an old blanket on the floor nearby. Thad quickly stripped down to his bikini briefs, and started dressing in the stuff he found on the chair. A pair of jeans fit him perfectly, though the cut was tight. A nice pair of brown cowboy boots, and a black Stetson were also on the chair, along with a white athletic shirt. Thad looked for a Western style shirt to wear over the wifebeater, but there was none there.

"Looking good!" Gary's voice behind him made Thad jump again. He had a funny way of sneaking up behind you.

"Umm, thanks...but I don't see a shirt", Thad said sheepishly. "You're wearing it!" Gary said, a sly smile on his handsome face.

There was a loud noise from upstairs. Gary looked surprised, then said to Thad, "I'll be right back!"

Thad sat down in the chair, waiting for Gary's return. He heard some voices from upstairs, probably delivery men with more restaurant equipment.

A few minutes went by, and Thad heard footsteps coming down the stairs. He saw Gary's jeans-clad legs, then was shocked to see his face with a hand clamped over his mouth from someone behind him. A third figure followed them. Gary's eyes were wide over the hand that covered his mouth.

Thad's throat froze up and he watched in amazed silence as the 3 men approached. The one handgagging Gary suddenly removed his hand. Gary groaned and slumped to his knees, then sprawled out cold onto the hard floor.

"OK, shithead, if you don't want the same, turn around, put your hands behind your back and keep your trap shut."

Not wanting to be XXXX out, Thad did as he was told. Within seconds, his wrists and arms were tightly tied in white rope. A bandanna was pulled between his teeth as a cleave gag, and knotted tightly behind his neck. Then another bandanna, folded wide, was tied over his mouth. He was roughly pushed onto the old blanket on the floor, and his knees and ankles were quickly tied.

"OK, let's go",  one said to the one who had bound and gagged Thad.

"What about this one?", the second one said, gesturing towards Gary.

"We'll be gone before he comes to. Come on!"

The two strangers headed up the stairs, leaving Thad helplessly trussed and gagged and Gary still out cold on the floor.

Thad moaned into the thick cloth gags covering his mouth. He knew the job market was tough, but this was ridiculous!

The End

Thad played by Matt Photography by Caitiff

Date of Production: 12/05/2009