PEOPLE
SHOCK VALUE
Casey Shockley says she had only watched porn a few times before taking her job. Now she makes a living selling it.
by Sam Carlson
Casny Shockley, Lawrence resident, didn't think much of the man when he walked into the store. He was wearing a suit and a necklace. Then, he asked her questions about women's dancewear.
This was nothing new to Shockley, except the questions usually came from strippers, not businessmen. He figured he had his wife or girl in mind, when he asked for a fitting room, she knew that the wax case. Soon the man was calling her, and he said the outfit he had squeezed into a short, poke-dot dress here.
For the past six months,
Shockley has been working
at Priscilla's, 1206 W. 23rd St.
But more important than the
paycheck she receives are the
experiences she had.
"Usually I have a story to tell, she says.
The stories are often bizarre and alwayentreatening. Consider the clientele Shockley deals with — the guy who gave her a high one after purchasing lube or the one who tried to convince her to become a stripper — and these stories aren't too surprising.
in fact, Slooney's experiences might be quite normal for the typical adult toy store employee, if there were a thing.
Shockley has pink dye in her short hair rings in her ears and lip, and an anti-Bush IM PR
But her loud look doesn't seem to match her personality. She is polite without being being skin and is mature for her age of 18.
he minimum age requirement o enter the store.
The decision to take the job at Princilia's wasn't popular with Shockley's parents, especially her mother.
She appears calm and comfortable when discussing her job even though the idea of caring for people would cause many people to bleach.
"I M PRETTY MUCH COMPLETELY OPEN-MINDED ABOUT EVERYTHING. I DON'T JUDGE PEOPLE LIKE I USED TO." — CASEY SHOCKLEY, LAWRENCE RESIDENT
"The first thing when I told
A year ago Shockley worked in the food industry, but low pay led her to search for new work
"I'm pretty much completely open-minded about everything," she says. "I don't judge people like I used to."
Soon her knowledge of pizza crusts and toppings would be replaced with that of vibrators and penis pumps.
not a prostitute," Shorklev says.
She also says that although her new gig raised the eyebrows of her friends at first they quickly warm up to
She was excited to join the team at Principals, she says, but soon found out the job was more difficult and required her homework on the first day.
lakewaters who are instructed to learn the menu, Shookley had to study the literature of her craft — two books, *Toygami*; The Insider's Guide to Sex Toys and Techniques by Daliae Silicon and Sex Toys 101 by Rachel Vennin and Claire Cavahan.
the idea. Her boyfriend, Chris Sinn, Hutchinson junior, says he has no problem with her that Shockley engages his work.
Shockley knew at that point the job was going to be more than just a cashier position. The job is 'sell self,' all the time she says. But that's just fine to enjoy the life of a salesman to enjoy the life of a salesman and And accord to her boss, she's getting the hang of it.
"You have to be desensitized to the graphic nature of our DVDs and things like that. She's come out of her shell a lot more lately," says Jennifer Ternell manager of Pricilla's.
For Shockley, the line between the ordinary and the odd blurs more each workday. One time, a drunk man took his shirt and danced around while he browsed the store's DVD collection.
"My 'normal' is probably not like anybody else's anymore Nothing is actually abnormal to me anymore." Shockley says.
Ian Kerner, sex therapist and author of the bestselling book *Be Honest* "You're Not That Into Him Either says, in general, adult novelty store employees truly care about sex and sexuality.
The stores in which these employees work often function as the only outlet for sexual
knowledge in a person's community, Kerner says.
Shockley agrees, "People come in and ask questions because they assume we know what happened so, for the most part," she says.
So she can give useful advice to her customers. Shloyne says she tries to be as knowledgeable as possible about the products she sells. For example, DVDs for children are sold at 10.00 per employee can rent them for free. She takes advantage of this per趴 regularly bringing home a couple at a time, much to the delight of her roommates her boyfriend and his buddies it's a great way to make recommendations to her customers and her roommates can well watch free porn.
"It's all good for me," Smith, her boyfriend,says.
Shockley says her future plans do not include the sex industry. She hopes to enroll at the University and one day become a kindergarten teacher Her title is that of a teacher, much last longer than thanks to her experiences, she will always have a story to tell.
FOR VALENTINE'S
DAY OR ANY OTHER
DAY, SHOCKLEY
RECOMMENDS:
The Romance Massage Kit
$13.95
Kit includes candles, oil and guide
Hot Heart Massager
A reusable heart-shaped massager that heats up from the inside out
Kama Sutra Massage Oil
(Healing Blend), $14.95
Sex Toys 101 S16 by Sadie Allison
Togaysim!
$15.95
by Rachel Venning and
Claire Cavanah
(All products are available at Priscillas)
02. 08.2007 JAYPLAY < 09