You've rented an office, an IT staff, and a customer mailing list. Now how do you, successful Web 2.0 guy, rent yourself a girlfriend to take to your next conference at the Palace?
Hookers who hold your hand in public — and know to drop it if Tim O'Reilly walks up — are called "escorts." But a lot of guys are surprised to find out it's cheaper to get an outcall escort to suck and fuck the whole dev team in the privacy of a hotel room than one who will sit and smile with just you in public.
An escort who does dinner has a more versatile skill set and risks being found out by friends and day-job coworkers. Contrary to what most guys presume, articulate, pretty girls willing to be seen in public with whoever's paying that night are a rarity. This is why they can charge anywhere from $1,500 to $6,000 an evening.
If you're looking for a hired girlfriend, skip Craigslist. Public escorts such as Amy Taylor (above) or Elise Vanderhof have their own websites. They'll be upfront about rates, and usually insist on meeting in a bar or restaurant — the best you can afford. A New York City client of mine once phoned to move up our appointment an hour because he'd just scored a miracle reservation at Per Se.
There you have it: The three-thousand-dollar dinner date. She'll let you introduce her to Arrington, but will she stay the night? Probably not. Sometimes yes if the chemistry works. You brought extra cash for that, right?
Melissa Gira Grant, the editor of Sexerati, writes about sex and money for Valleywag.
(UPDATE: Original photo swapped out, Aug. 21 2009)
