Editorial: Pay For Play At The Chicken Ranch - Publication: Italian GQ 2006 Back to Editorials The act of paying for sex is a highly stigmatized and often sleazy affair. The stereotypical concept of prostitution often visualized as a seedy backstreet transaction, involving those of dubious health amongst the stench of urine and glare of neon. Yet prostitution at a legal brothel calling itself The Chicken Ranch in sunny Nye County Nevada is a different affair. Fifty miles from Las Vegas, The Chicken Ranch is a fully legitimate business with girls often healthier than your average church goer - or so says brothel spokesman Bob Fisher.
As an LA based PR guy who has repped legal firms for over 28 years and the Bunny ranch since 1982, he has interesting take on notions of ethics and moralism. “The key difference between doing publicity for lawyers or prostitutes is the fact that at least with prostitutes you get what you pay for,” he says
A fully legal affair, The Chicken Ranch has real franchise potential, exercising plenty of good old fashioned private sector ingenuity. In addition to paying for sex (rate negotiable per girl) you can purchase an array of in-house merchandise, including caps, t-shirts, stickers, key rings and of course used panties once worn by the employees
Still its not all business, as working girl Dominique explains “It's like the family I never really had before. During down time the girls talk and have a good time. We all get very close and form lifelong relationships. Worker Rachel adds, “It's a comfortable working atmosphere sustained by the friendly staff and sorority-like working compatibility of the other women.”
Girls working at the ranch are employed as independent sub contractors, in turn they are responsible for their own health insurance and tax, with their profession generally denoted as ”entertainer,” on their tax returns. A core team of girls start work from noon and work through till 2am, with another team covering the 3am – 11am shift.
As independent contractors rates vary per individual, with full service fetching anywhere from $500 to $5000, depending on the girl's power of persuasion. According to brothel manager Debbie Rivenberg, girls who work at the ranch come from all walks of life, though they share the commonality of the ability to earn.
”We have employed ex nurses, ex teachers, and women who have held powerful corporate jobs. They know that by working here they can earn more in a shorter period and attain their goals quicker.”
Asked how the operation works, Debbie reveals, “Upon arrival, you will be presented a lineup of the available ladies currently working at the ranch. Once introduced, you will be asked to select a girl or you can request the presence of the ladies in the Leghorn Bar. After a client has selected a lady she will escort them to her bedroom where she will discuss activities and cost.”
Debbie says the basic rules for those working at the Bunny Ranch apply to safe sex. “They are free to come and go as they choose, but they generally stay at the brothel due to their late working hours and all the facilities being available to them. We are in a remote location, so safety is also a factor.”
Unlike street walkers or “freelance” prostitutes, legitimacy and health standards are key aspects of the Chicken Ranch. According to
Manager Debbie says she is still surprised to encounter clients who request unsafe sex. “Condoms are a must. Our clients generally know we generally police that rule so they also know they are safe.”
Employees Rachel and Dominique say they're happy to be employed at a legal establishment, as there is far less stigma. “The regulations by the government assure that we are safe and clean, which is probably the biggest problem for freelance prostitution,” says Dominique.
With
According to Pahrump country sheriff Tony DeMeo, locals have become accustomed to the brothels. “There really are only a handful, and for the most part they go unnoticed. Legislation states that they must be located outside city limits, so they generally have low visibility.
“We have had few problems with the exception of the occasional drunk who causes trouble at the brothels. Security there usually handle things and will call us to follow up.”
The Chicken ranch has its own team of round the clock security guards who are contracted from a ranch has its own team of security guards contracted from a local security firm.
On a personal level, working girl Dominique says the best thing about the ranch is the reaction she receives from her clients.” Aside from the money, the gratification I get is knowing that while entertaining a client, he forgets about his problems. “
“I was working at another (illegal) ranch in
Asked who are the best and or /worst clients, Dominique says she favors those who are easy going with a good sense of humor, while the worst she says are those with bad hygiene!
Rachel favors “clients who treat the women with respect and don't think that because they are paying for it that they can treat us poorly.” She thinks the worst are “those with bad attitudes towards women and try to pay as little as possible.”
If she wasn't working at the ranch, Dominique says she would be a ballet dancer. She also worked as a professional dancer, her last job before working at the ranch. Rachel had worked for other competing brothels before joining the Chicken Ranch. “They have a good reputation.,” she says.
Home life for Rachel due to her career choice does present some complications. “Only my sister and father know what I do. My dad says if he were a woman he would do it too! My sister won't even talk to me anymore…obviously she does not approve.”
Written by Craig Stephens |