some beer." He stepped into the tiny kitchen.

"Okay to put some records on?" asked the dark-haired youth.

"Sure. Make yourselves to home," the man said. "By the way," he continued, "my name's Jim."

"Mine's Ray," said the blond.

"And mine's Jerry."

Jim passed the beer around, Jerry turned on the phonograph. The man sat beside Ray on the bed. "You boys live around here?" he asked.

"North side." Jerry answered, tapping his foot in time to the music. "You got some good records, Jim."

"Thanks. You boys come to the park often?"

"Just when we're lookin' for something," said Jerry. He rubbed his bare stomach and fingered the hairline that crept upwards from his belt line.

"Looking for what?" Jim pursued.

Jerry was non-commital. "Oh, just things," he said. Then, "Where's the john' ?"

Jim indicated the door and after it had closed behind the youth, he turned to Ray. "You still in school, Ray?"

"Yes, I'll be a junior." He was in a half-reclining position on the bed, his jeans pulled low and when Jim looked him over the beast howled louder. "And Jerry?"

"The same." Ray tilted his head and emptied his can of beer. "How about another beer, Jim?"

While Jim was opening the beer, Jerry re-entered the room. By chance or by plan his jeans were unbuttoned. "This is sure a swell place, Jim," he said. "Guy could do almost anything and not be heard."

"Like what?" the man asked pointedly handing a beer to both the boys. His eyes were not on the boy's face.

"Like I said, almost anything," Jerry answered with a grin. He sat in the basket chair and rested one leg on its edge seemingly unaware that his jeans pulled tight in his crotch outlining his manhood. The beast howled louder.

Jim changed his tack. "How come you guys are out so late?"

"Going on a weekend fishing trip," Ray answered. It was apparent from his slouch that the beer was beginning to affect him. Jim got up, opened three more and passed them around.

"Here's to a good trip," Jim said raising his beer. He took his seat on the bed. "Got enough money for the expedition?"

"Can always use some more," Jerry said. "You offering?"

Jim shrugged. "I've got a little extra," he said with a smile, "but I'm not going to give it to you."

"When it comes to money," said Jerry in even tones, "we're willing to work for it."

Jim looked straight into the boy's eyes. "What are you willing to do?" he asked, and the beast howled loudly, so loudly the man thought the world would hear. Jerry grinned a lopsided grin and scratched his crotch. "You name it. Jim, and we're for it. We didn't come with you just to talk."

"What did you come here for?"

"The same thing you brought us here for," the boy answered.

The man relaxed visibly. "Who's first?" he asked quietly.

There was a short silence; then Ray spoke. "I am."

Jim turned to him, the beast in his eyes. "Okay, Ray, take your jeans off."