At 2:00, it was back to the Cell Block for the Individual Interview portion of the contest, where each of the contestants had to face pointed questions from the judges.  The four of us got to meet the fifth contestant, Frank Wrubel from Tampa, an older “rubber daddy” type from appearances.

     Sure as shooting, this is bound to be the worst part of the contest for many people, bringing to mind a job interview — or worse, for those with graduate degrees: Orals.  I had perhaps a small edge up on this, having competed in the San Francisco Leather Daddy’s Boy contest in 1998, although there I only had to face a single question rather than a whole raft of them.  (On the other hand, here a single question wouldn’t automatically make or break you, and you wouldn’t have to answer it in front of a crowd.  That would come later, in the evening.)

     We drew numbers for the order we would face the panel, and for the order we would be dealt with that evening.  Ron was #1, I was #2, Tom was #3, Frank was #4, and Bruce was last.  (#2 or 3 would have been my choice.  That way you aren’t facing a group of “cold” judges, but neither do you end up fretting too long over things.  On the other hand, just like with ice skating, the earlier you are, the lower your score may be; no matter how good you are, the judges always have to leave room for someone else to be better.)

     I came out of this figuring I had done pretty well, probably in first or second place.  I was glib enough and ready enough with answers to the questions that I suspected I came out in good position.  In fact, I ran over the allotted time and then had to pull me out.  (Well, not physically.)  As I recall, this part was something like one-third of the total points possible.

Most of the questions were the usual sort you might expect:

• Fundraising: I stressed having good connections to the fundraising infrastructure that already exists in the Bay Area fetish community, and I made mention of a couple events that I spearheaded for the San Francisco Saddletramps.  I also pushed for reaching beyond just the gay male side of things, and specifically mentioned a project that I would like to do in that arena, a “rubber fashion show.”
• Interests in Rubber beyond Latex: I certainly admit that latex as clothing and sexual plaything is where my major focus lies, and there are areas that don’t personally interest me due to my own health limitations (immobilization bondage and breath control), but I’m always interested in exploring and learning more, and I welcome and encourage people with rubber fetish angles in other arenas than mine.  There is more than enough room in rubber for us all.
• Where Do I See Myself in 5 Years?: I expressed some career goals (the major one being that I would like to be able to write full time, although I fear this is more a wish than an achievable goal), relationship goals (a stable relationship with someone who shares my kinks and interests), and the importance of expressing my creative side and being a role model (of the sort people look to as a stalwart, dependable person, rather than a flashy glory grabber sort) for the community (whatever community that might be, gay or otherwise).
• How Do I React when People Interpret My Colored Latex as “Flagging”?: By this point, the judges could tell that one of the reasons I like latexwear is that you can get it in a variety of colors, not just “basic black”.  As a result, people will tend to interpret red as “into fisting” and yellow as “into watersports”, but they usually don’t know what to make of green or blue.  My answer when somebody asks “What does that color mean?” is the same answer as when someone asks about a hanky in the pocket: “What would you like it to mean?”  Let’s talk.  I’m willing to explore all sorts of things!
• Describe a Rubber Scene Involving a Favorite Male Movie Star: This wasn’t easy, as I watch very little in the way of TV and movies, but I settled quickly on Jonathan Frakes (Will Riker on Star Trek, and I specified with the beard!  [That got a favorable nod or two from the judges.  That bit from Star Trek: Insurrection was a crime against nature, I tell you!]).  Put him in a latex and rubber Star Fleet outfit, and have him dealing with cerebral yet cruel Romulans (since Klingons are so over done).  (Okay, so the last novel I read was Peter David’s Triangle: Imzadi II, which has Will Riker [and Tom Riker, Deanna Troi, and Worf] dealing with Sela and other Romulans.)
• Am I Able to Travel?: I travel a lot.  Already in 2000, I planned on attending Mid-Atlantic Leather in DC and LeatherFest in San Diego (although that got cancelled due to the political/police atmosphere there); a rodeo in San Diego; hoedowns in Houston and Provincetown; comic book events in Las Vegas and San Diego (maybe twice); and of course various fetish, rodeo, and comic book events throughout the Bay Area.

     So mostly the usual questions, with the sort of answers designed to give the answer the judges want, yet with a personal touch.  (And of course, I fully believe in the things I said.  It wasn’t just giving them what they expect to hear, I hope.)

     My outfit for the interview was my green muscle shirt (Mr. S), lace-up latex wrestling shorts (Mr. S), lace-up leather boots, and my latex bomber jacket (Murray and Vern, bought at Whiplash!), which I had listed on my application as my favorite piece of “gear” — it is fetish and mainstream at the same time, kind of subversive.  I walked the five blocks from the hotel to the bar in this, getting a few interesting looks.  (Incidentally, the weather for the weekend was fabulous, with probably record high temperatures for Chicago in November, into the low 70s.  Very comfortable latex weather, although I ended up taking a cab to and from the bar a couple times, for efficiency.)

     During the interview portion, out in the main bar, there was a small rubber/leather swap meet going on.  I ended up buying a pair of rubber wrist bands and a flogger with tails made of synthetic chamois (which of course absorbs water, and thus gains weight and tends to stay where it hits; I haven’t tried it yet [except on myself in the shower, which isn’t a good test], but it should be interesting, if a bit messy).

     After a bit of a nap, I went to the Ann Sather location across the street from the hotel (which was oddly deserted), where I had the chicken and cheese tortellini caesar salad — light, yet filling.  (The metal giraffe statue pictured on this page is one of a pair that are right around the corner from the hotel.  Coincidentally, I went home with someone in Chicago a couple years ago who lives in the building next to one of the giraffes; I recognized the balcony area from the street.)  Then back to the hotel to mix and match and plan my costume changes for the evening’s three or four different bits.

Must... wear... entire... wardrobe...