Donny King knew where they hid the good stuff, and so one day down in Angleton, hormones firing like spit in a skillet, he took a furtive glance to make sure the door was shut, then stuck his hand between the mattress and the box spring, almost up to his armpit, gripped the stash of Playboys and pulled them out.

This, little Donny King thought, is how it's supposed to be: convertibles, cocktails -- not mixed drinks, cocktails -- pointless-but-essential expensive electronic gadgets, a general ethic of middlebrow-aspiring-to-highbrow hedonism. And the women. Donny had never seen women like that around Angleton. Not around Houston, even. They didn't mind having their picture made with no clothes on. Being only 12, little Donny made the mistake of believing the world as depicted in Playboy magazine actually existed, and that it could be his and, wouldn't you know, he resolved that very day to make it so, resolved that someday he would come back to Angleton and show them. He'd come back with a car that cost more than most of them made in a year, gorgeous girl on his arm, Italian suit, and those doomed souls who stayed behind would be stunned into silence with the realization that Little Donny King had grown up and gone off and was living a life utterly unreachable to them, if they knew it existed at all.

Except, wouldn't you know, only one part of that story is true. When adolescent boys find a stash of Playboys, it's not the next generation of electronic gear they're drooling over, and the brain isn't the organ that becomes stimulated. Adolescent boys -- caveat: straight adolescent boys -- are interested in looking at pictures of naked girls. Very, very interested. And, as it happens, Don King doesn't remember the first time he saw a Playboy, which came into existence in 1953, the year before he did. Don King was a straight kid in Angleton -- didn't have his first beer until he was 18. But the true part is that Don King did leave Angleton, Texas, leaving his twin brother, Ron, behind as a kind of reference point -- you stay here and be me then, I'll go off and be me now -- and he went back for his 20-year high school reunion there at the Knights of Columbus Hall, and a lot had happened in those 20 years. He pulls up in a Lexus. Wearing Armani. With his long brown hair in cornrows. And a girl on his arm just like one of those in the magazines, except there in 3D in Angleton, Texas, and there is stunned silence, because these former peers know that this man -- the boss at The Yellow Rose gentleman's club who's known to an acquaintance as the nicest guy in the Austin skin trade -- these people know that this man has done it, an "it" they've never seen. That he's acquired a measure of material success and taste. That they could have done it, too, but now it's too late, much too late, isn't it?

All fun. No apologies. No regrets. Listen:

"I have had a really, really good life. I have historic, legendary times every week -- like people would be talking about it for the rest of their life. And we're just talkin' about it until Tuesday, when we start talkin' about what we're gonna do the next weekend."

No question. King never had a diem he failed to carpe.

Man at the end of the bar

If you've been at Mezzaluna downtown in the early afternoon, you've seen him there -- he's the guy at the right side of the bar, diamond in his earlobe, DK bracelet around his wrist, a pair of phones welded to his ears ("Hello? Hey Donny boy -- what's up? . . . I've got nothing to do but my hair and nails . . ."), Palm Pilot running, having lunch, drinking wine, pronouncing the latter in South Texan -- waan.

"Waan in the afternoon is like long-distance running," he says one afternoon, over waan. "You gotta know you're in for the long haul."

Don King has been in the gentleman's club business (although that's not what he calls it, and we can't tell you what he calls it, but you can go ahead and guess) for 20-some years now, at Sugar's and The Yellow Rose. He knows everybody in town, from legislators to the guys who run the by-the-slice pizza windows on Sixth Street.

Here's how he works: The first time you meet him, very early in the conversation, after only six or eight jokes, he says, "You gotta card?" And if you do, your contact information goes into his Palm, and pretty soon you're in the vast Don King network, where everybody is a friend and a client.

"Club owners have a stigma about them, that they're sleazy, drug-dealing, womanizing men," says Jackie Rhode, a once-a-month club visitor. "That's totally not DK. He cares about the women who work for him. He's a father figure, a mentor figure."

The mentor came to Austin after majoring in partying at Southwest Texas State University, and now he's the guy. The guy who knows everybody. The guy who'll make a call Feb. 13 and get you a table at the best restaurant in town on Valentine's Day. Who'll get you tickets to whatever show you want to see. Who'll give you food, shelter. Who'll visit you in prison, where you find out who your friends are. Who raises money for charity -- breast cancer prevention is a favorite -- and donates clothes to women's shelters. Who'll take you out in the limo Saturday night for some intense club-hopping. Who rounds up clothes and household items when one of his employees is burned out of her apartment. Who'll give you more than the shirt off of his back -- he'll give you the battery out of his StarTac cell phone, and expects nothing in return. Who tends to call his clothesless employees, when they're tagging along on a DK outing, "mascots." Who has a toast, many of them tasteless, for every occasion. Who's loved -- adored would not be overstating it -- by a segment of the local populace. And who, yes, is loathed by many who don't know him because of what he does, for what he represents: the American male as misogynist, unrepentant swine.

This last estimation hurts Don King, it really does, because in addition to hosting a party that's lasted every single day and night for more than 20 years, in addition to making six figures and indulging his taste for gadgets and good times, in addition to all that, Don King is a sensitive guy. And if he is criticized and condemned and scorned, well, he can curse his attackers' ignorance, but he can't cure it. Of this he speaks with a resigned, palpable weariness. Not mad, just disappointed.

Morality, ethics & commerce

The Don King who came to Austin and became Don King presents a question. The question is whether someone who makes his living in a purportedly disreputable trade can be redeemed by good deeds -- maybe not in spite of his line of work but at least in part because of it. (Did the job make Don the king, or was Don already perfectly suited for it?) To hear some of his friends, you'd think he's capable of pulling a loaves-and-fishes routine, which, come to think, would be handy if the kitchen at the Rose were to run low on loaves or fishes.

And the answer, standing before you with more loyal friends than you or I will ever have, is yes. Yes, he's a good person. Yes, he's complicated -- there's a part of him that plays to stereotype and part of him that defies it. But it's certainly an interesting way to make a living.

Let's face it: Running an establishment such as The Yellow Rose has many, many advantages to working in an office where, except during the occasional holiday party, the majority of the people in the room are sober and clothed. Yes, some people may find what he does for a living, mmm, abhorrent? But you've got to admire his candor and forthrightness.

"He lives hard and makes no apologies," says Steve Prince, who's worked on charity fund-raisers with King. "He's exactly as he appears. He's got a huge heart."

He's heard the criticism -- strip joints perpetuate the stereotyping and objectifying of women, shackling them to a degrading but lucrative trade, and where dancers tend to possess histories of abuse and other closeted skeletons. The U.S. Supreme Court, not exactly a fun-loving bunch, is of the opinion that these places aren't in the best interest of the community. But listen to King:

"You come into the Rose and watch who the person gettin' used is. It ain't the girl. It ain't the girl. Who is it that walks in $400 up and walks out $400 down?"

It's more complicated than that, as even some of DK's dancers will tell you -- it's a two-way exploitation, cash for an eyeful -- not so much sex as transaction. Dancers work the stage, collect tips, then hit the tables and engage in highly ritualized and frankly not-all-that sexy table dances with strict but unspoken good touch-bad touch rules.

Some find places where men go to embrace their inner swine an affront, end of discussion. And doing the moral math on places such as the Rose has gotten more gnarly in recent years. Strip joints, like bowling alleys, have gone determinedly upscale. (For off-track betting parlors, there is no hope.) They're "gentlemen's clubs" and "bowling centers," and they strain to offer attractions other than exceptionally friendly females.

Some of them have pretensions of being fine restaurants that also happen to have mostly naked women running around. Hey! Would you look at that! And we just came for the steaks! And there's always a game on. (Never underestimate the distracting power of football.) These non-skin-related amenities allow clubs to claim they're not peddling . . . at risk of trotting out a perhaps pejorative term, sleaze? But it's also rather like throwing a bunch of onions and carrots in with the pot roast and calling it vegetable stew on the menu. There's still a giant hunk of meat in there.

"If sleaze is the offense," writes David Alexander Scott in his book, "Behind the G-String," which includes interviews with scores of dancers, "then dress the clubs in high-status attire and tone down the nudity and eroticism, at least until a foothold has been established."

It's a little odd, the first 60 or 70 times you see it, watching a topless woman sitting in a booth with a guy, eating pasta. But hey, I like to eat with my shirt off, too. Judge not.

Good enough for politicians

Anyway, the trick works. You see former City Council members, restaurateurs, business people from town and away. You see plenty of legislators and lobbyists at the Rose during the session, which perhaps says more about the people drawn to Texas politics than it does about The Yellow Rose itself.

"He's a delightful guy," says former state Senator-turned-lobbyist Ike Harris, who calls King an acquaintance whom he sees socially on occasion. He's also been to the club, although not since he left the Lege.

"I've not entertained anybody up there, but I hear about it," he says. "It's a good place to have lunch, I guess."

Former Texas Water Commission Chairman and lobbyist Lee Biggart says lobbyists saw the Rose as "a great tool."

"If you take in out-of-town clients, the next time they come back to town, all they ask is, 'Hey, can we go back to the club?' This does not happen everywhere," says Biggart, who sometimes goes to the Rose with his 25-year-old son.

You also see, improbably, couples on dates. Sometimes married couples such as Don and Jackie Rhode.

"A lot of guys go there to get away from their wives," says Don Rhode, the general manager and part owner of P.F. Chang's China Bistro. "My wife is kind of a celebrity there. She likes it. I joke that she's more popular than me. Every time I'm there without her, I hear, 'Where's Jackie? Where's Jackie?' What am I, wood?"

The Rhodes have known King for about three years. He first appeared at their restaurant, the two Dons started talking red wine, and a friendship was born. Then the couple started hanging out at the Rose.

Jackie: "I feel so comfortable there. DK is officially responsible for buying me my first table dance. He's pretty proud of that fact."

And it's not, oh, just a little weird, being with your husband in a roomful of mostly naked women?

"When Don and I are together, you know, as far as I'm concerned, it's innocent. When you're with your wife, how much trouble can you get into? And it helps liven things up when you get home, too."

Anyway, given a choice, hanging out in a . . .classy gentlemen's club -- where a fair number of men are in suits and appear to be entertaining clients and there's food and good wine, really good wine -- is vastly preferable to spending time in a strip joint where there's Copenhagen spit and peanut shells all over the floor, and the women have jailhouse tattoos and look like rejects from Easyriders magazine. Not to stereotype.

"This has become a legitimate business," says Mike Persinger, the club owner and King's ostensible boss. "I like to think of it as a topless version of 'Cheers.' "

There is, however, a sense that King himself is on the edge of legitimacy, that the local power brokers can always go to his place, but he can't always go to theirs because of his line of work. Nothing personal, just business.

"Because of his occupation," Biggart says, "it's sort of hard for him to get respect in the community."

So he constructs his own community in a windowless building on Lamar. The philosophy: Get the customers in, get them comfortable, keep them there. DK shots (vodka, a little cranberry, a little pineapple) appear. A woman approaches, asking, "Would you guys like some company?" All of a sudden, it's too late to go home without dreaming up some explanation, the lights rudely go up and you're looking at a roomful of blinking and uncomprehending guys thinking, "Where did the time go? Where did all my money go?"

Jobs for college students

The Yellow Rose is about as above-board as any such place can be. Many dancers say they go to the University of Texas or Southwest Texas State University, and the club used to pay dancers' tuition if they made good grades. (They don't do it anymore because tuition has gotten so expensive and the staff has grown, King says.) King brags about dancers with 4.0 grade-point averages like a proud daddy. That certainly flies in the face of the exploitation stereotype.

But what about the women? Author Scott, who spent eight years researching and writing his book, found a remarkable breadth of experiences -- some dancers with show-biz egos couldn't dream of doing anything else, others despised every minute they were on the job. Nor is it fair to stereotype women who are drawn to trade as victims of some sort of abuse, at least not disproportionate to society as a whole.

What's really going on, Scott argues, is mutual indulgence in a fantasy -- the dancer pretends to exist as a sexualized ideal (there are stories of many dancers, colleagues, not recognizing one another on the street), and the man pretends the dancer wants to have sex with him.

"The image is so powerful, and yet it's so simply concocted it's scary," Scott says. "The structure is really there in the male mind of the perfect sexual fantasy. The guys themselves really don't know what they're doing, either. They don't know about the fantasy and the power of it."

There you have it, ladies. We really are, as you long suspected, that simple.

The downside for dancers? A tendency to gravitate toward unhealthy relationships and an attachment to the money that's hard to give up once they get a taste for it. And then, as Scott points out, dancing isn't really something to put atop your résumé, something that points to the straight world.

Which may be why Don King doesn't encourage women to make dancing a career. "It's a means to an end," he says. "I tell the girls, 'I don't want you here in five years.' Nobody wants to be a career dancer. Now all the girls quit the Rose and get their real estate license."

And yet there's a big "and yet." It's still a place where people pay to see other people take their clothes off.

A one-man Jerry Lewis telethon

And some of you are thinking, I still hate this guy. He's repellent.

Here's the part of him that defies the character he's made for himself. That heart of gold keeps coming up when you talk with people who know him. He is famously generous toward his friends and does have principles, even if they're not everybody's.

"He treats everybody like a long-lost friend, and that's how people want to be treated," says C.S. Simmons, who's known him for almost 20 years.

As it happens, Simmons has recently completed more than eight years in prison, part of it in Fort Worth, for money laundering. King would drive up to see him, always bringing a girl -- mascot -- which made Simmons big man on the federal farm. And when Simmons got out, DK set him up with a job at Richard Lord's boxing gym and sweat lodge.

Simmons: "When I got out, I said, 'I owe you a lot. What can I do for you?' He said, 'You don't owe me anything. You're my friend.' I really found out what unconditional love and friendship are."

King's annual birthday party -- last year's was at Antone's -- is a fund-raiser. He was involved in helping promote Steve Prince's BreastFest charity event this spring. In February of last year, he helped organize an auction and performance for the three children of a woman killed in a New Year's Eve car accident. Among the dozens of auction items were a football signed by Mack Brown and Ricky Williams, two Kim Wilson harmonicas and a round of golf with Willie Nelson. The auction raised close to $35,000.

He routinely has dancers bring their old clothes to the club, and he and the valets load them up, and off he goes to SafePlace, the women's shelter. "Omigosh, especially around Christmas, I can't even keep up with it," says valet manager Bob Sharp. "He has a Suburban I fill up all the time."

He's raised money for a dancer who broke her neck and a guy he knew casually who got shot in the face.

That's the sizable stuff. Then there's the out-of-pocket things -- cash, lunches. "Probably $10,000 worth of sushi DK has given me," says Melissa, an employee who's known King since the Sugar's days, and who didn't want her last name in the paper.

If it's true that he exploits women, it's also true that, in his own way, he loves them.

As Melissa says: "DK's almost a father figure. He has a very soft heart. He's always been very kind to women. Most of the people in the business get a bad attitude toward women. I've known him for so long. He checks up on me. We're great friends. . . . I love him. He really is like a father figure to me. And I know that he loves me."

This is not to say King takes a monklike approach when it comes to the help. He just draws a line between dating them and getting involved.

"I'm like the big-game hunter who's laid down his rifle," he says. "Anymore it's not sleeping with them, it's just knowing that I could have." And while the job keeps King around lots of women, it's also something of an obstacle for a serious relationship. He wouldn't say he's ever been close to marriage, although he's lived with women.

"My average relationship is a year and a half to two-and-a-half years," he says. "I've had probably five major girlfriends. It's real hard in the position I'm in to get a girl to accept my job."

Not that he's really looking to get married. One of his favorite jokes:

"Heard about the new Playboy for married guys? It's the same centerfold month after month after month."

Another one of his favorites is when he says one of his pet causes is single mothers. "You know, helping them get their start." Get it? Get it?

Tasteless jokes are an expected part of the package. Can't handle it? Sorry, but he's not going to change.

No regrets. No apologies.

It's good to be King.

Thanks for printing such a positive article on Don King. As you pointed out in your article, he has a great many friends who would be pleased to know him even if he were not the manager of such a fine club. I have had the pleasure of knowing him for a long time and my only regret is that he is always so busy that we don't have much time to talk. You should feel good about your article. It shows that there is usually more than meets the eye.  Thanks,Vince Herod

Patrick,

I was a resident of Austin for ~8 years, but recently moved to Chicago with my job. It's a heck of a lot cooler up here!! Although I was not a frequent visitor to the Yellow Rose, I managed to get on Don King's email distribution list. I enjoy seeing keeping up with the state of things in Austin through Don's eyes. I don't have a whole lot of time during the day to myself, but I did spend some time early Monday am reading your article in the Austin American Stateman(via Don's mass email). First let me say that I was NEVER a big fan of the Statesman!! At times it was a little to biased for me(I come from the Northeast, so I'm used to a different take on things). However, I thought that you did an excellent job of candid reporting on a guy who loves his life and makes the people around him love being around him. To make a long story short a lot of people in Austin should get over the fact that Don works at the Yellow Rose (or does whatever he does in his spare time) and realize the good things that he does for a lot of people. To me (and this is just one guys opinion) that's all that should matter. It was an excellent article which told it like it is!!

Keep up the good work,

Mr. Patrick Beach,

I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the article on Don King. I was very impressed with your willingness to look at Don and the industry with open eyes. Many people in the industry don't fit the stereotypes, and Don happens to be a stellar example. I came to know many strippers personally because I ran into them socially while living in Reno. Many of them were people who did not fit the stereotype. Some were caring, well-adjusted people who were simply trying to make the best of sometimes difficult circumstances, often being single parents where the father was providing no support at all. Others were women who were unafraid of their own sexuality putting themselves through college. I don't look at strippers or the industry at all the same way I once did. Yes, the stereotypes are sometimes true, but many times, perhaps most of the time, they are not. If we were to look at what makes one person good or bad, we often find a complex picture. Don King is a guy who by the most superficial of standards would be considered a bad guy. Those who take the time, like you did, will find their preconceptions shattered by the reality of a guy who has been able to help many people grow and become better people, doing so not out of selfish concern but out of a love of life and the people who make life worth living.

Regards,

Curtis Faith

P.S. While in Austin for a few months a little while back, I got the chance to get to know the dancer personally whom Don assisted after she broke her neck. The stories are all true. Don is a gem and so are many of the people he helps.

Patrick,

Thank you for article about Don King on Sunday. I have worked with Don on his first 3 40th birthday parties. He is always ready to lend a hand to a person in need, and does it without ever wanting anything in return. You truly captured his essence and I appreciate your effort.

I wanted to drop you a word of thanks for the article you did about Don King in last Sunday's American-Statesman. It was good to see such a positive and upbeat article about such a positive and upbeat guy. Hopefully your article helped some (previously closed-minded) folks see that while they may not choose DK's career and lifestyle for themselves, it suits DK and many others just fine. Fortunately, there's room in this great city for all of us! Thanks again. Great article!!

Sincerely,

Hey Don,

I just read the Statesman article and it was outstanding! Great pictures too! Wish I was in town to stop by and see you in person and buy ya a drink. Been traveling a lot for the job. Off to Boston for a few weeks now. Hey, you recommend a great tity-bar here in Dallas? I go to the Men's Club, Million Dollar Saloon and Cabaret Royal...anything else you suggest, that has that "Rose feel" and pretty girls? Take care, and congratulations for a really great article, about a really great titty-bar Czar!

To Mr. Beach from the beach in Galveston

Hi! I wanted to comment on an article well-done, the one you wrote about my friend, Don King. It was nice see him publicly recognized for all the good stuff that IS Don King. I met him several years ago, post-college graduation, and ended up waiting tables for him @ Sugar's for a year. He was @ my wedding six years ago and continues to be a presence in my life, even though I don't see him as much these days. I expect that will change when I move back to Austin, once I'm done w/PA school here in Galveston. Point is, I'm glad this very sweet, very funny, very generous man was given some recognition. Whether he'll admit it or not, there ARE sacrifices  involved in reaping the benefits of DK's job/existence; I appreciate your  contribution to the latter. 

Most sincerely,

JoAnna Brand, PA-S

Dear Mr. Beach

I read your article regarding Don King in this Sunday’s paper. I thought it was great! You described him to a T. Being an Ex-employee of his, I know the things you wrote about him, were right on the money. Don and I have been friends for many years. Of all the great people I have in my life, Don is the one that I know I can go to when I really need help. He has given me advice on everything from golf lessons, to how to buy a used car. He is a best friend, and father figure all wrapped up into one. I realize that writing about someone in his business can be very difficult. It is hard for many people to understand that just because someone works in a topless bar, doesn’t mean they are not good, decent, honest, giving, caring, law biding citizens. It was very nice of you to venture out on that very thin rope and allow people the possibility of re-thinking their previous judgments. You have taken a chance that many people before you were afraid to take.Thank you very much for writing such a great article. It really made me smile.

Hello DK

I read the article on you and loved it. Just to let you know how widelyknown you are, a friend of mine in California and one in Dallas both read the article. They were friends of mine that came down to visit and I took them to the club. But they know about you all over the country now. I cannot remember which paper they read it in, but apparently they saw it on either your website or another paper that may have carried the story too. They called me and asked if it was the same Don King who treated them to such a great time when we were in the club. I told them yes that is the same person and they wanted me to pass on a very heart felt thank you for treating them to a very enjoyable evening.

Patrick,

Thank you for article about Don King on Sunday. I have worked with Don on his   first 3 40th birthday parties. He is always ready to lend a hand to a person   in need, and does it without ever wanting anything in return. You truly   captured his essence  and I appreciate your effort.

Exceptional journalism! I am glad you portrayed him in a forthright and  honest manner. He deserves to be seen exactly as he is - Wonderful )  I am glad the Austin American Statesman finally wrote something worth reading  - LOL (just kidding)

Peace,

DK,

I just wanted to say that I loved the article they did on you in the Statesman. Having been a patron of the Rose since, well…since my 21st  birthday (that was over 4 years ago) I have come to know many people who work  in the dancing business (mainly dancers, but also waitresses and bartenders and bouncers), and ever since you returned to the Rose, I have been impressed  with your work. The charity's you perform strike a personal chord in my own heart (my mother   was a cancer victim after a 2 year struggle, and my sister was a single  mother for almost 10 years). And as recently as last week, you helped out a very good friend of mine who is in your employ with a problem she had been  having with a certain psycho stalking her at work. She would always tell me about all the incidents, and it scared the shit out of me. Even though she acted like it was not a big deal, I could tell it was really starting to scare her. And I am glad you were there for her when she needed your help. For that I am eternally grateful to you, knowing that at least when she's at work she will be safe. I've never had the opportunity to meet you and thank you for all that you do, although I have seen you many times at the club and have wanted too, I guess this email will have to suffice. The funny thing is, that if you weren't who you are, someone else would be doing this job, and more than likely they would not be doing it with as much class and concern for your girls and all your employees that you do now. After going through your website, and reading all the tributes and articles, and letters, and yes even the Linda section...and especially for what you did for my friend, I just wanted to say that you are truly a gentleman that I would call a friend in a heartbeat and would not hesitate in helping you if the need ever arose. One day maybe I will be able to thank you in person, buy you a drink and smoke a fine cigar with you, but even if I don't get that chance you have my respect.

Thank you.

To Whom It May Concern

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Paul Beach for his remarkable editorial on Don King manager of Yellow Rose Austin's Finest Gentleman's Club. I've known DK for a number of years, Mr. Beach's article was right on the money where DK's personality and taste is concerned. I found Mr. Beach's article very interesting, vivacious, open, observant, and very riveting to the point that I couldn't bring myself to stop reading. At the end of the article, If I hadn't already known DK, I would''ve felt like I really knew Don King, just by reading about him. Please give Mr. Beach a huge "at a boy" he so richly deserves.

Sincerely Yours,

Kimerlee Mahitka

The article was forwarded to me by a couple of buds! First story the media has gotten correct in ten years! Great to see you were portrayed as the true gentleman you are! Looking forward to getting down to Austin and seeing you soon.   Chuck Bradley

Power Communications

888 376-6816

pate@pwrtools.com

The article in the Austin paper should be classified as a piece of work, not on our fabulous free enterprise system and American capitalism. Rather it should be seen as a piece of work on a guy with some flair and personality who is exploiting women for personal gain, and he is succeeding because of the depraved condition of men who visit his club. Real business men and true visionaries exploit market conditions and tap into opportunities and make an honest living by seizing the moment, seeing the future and leading with integrity and strength. There are many legitimate examples of real success. You are providing exposure to a guy who is on the same level of moral competence as Larry Flint, and as a result of your influence in the Austin community, lending credence to his work. We used to gauge the value of a legitimate business venture by more than just it's P&L statement. With as much business development with hi-tech start-ups, why bother covering a story about a second rate business venture like Mr. King's? Please forward this email to Mr. King as I would encourage him to call me. I hope he calls my office, I will challenge him to find a way to use his talents of organization, and business development for a legitimate business venture. I can appreciate his hard work in getting a business established, but the success he is enjoying is due to the exploitation of people - a) beautiful women, and b) desperate men who are addicted to the stimulation provided by Mr. King's venture. I am qualified to challenge him on this matter for two reasons 1) I own & manage a successful management consulting firm and dominate the field that I work in competing with the likes of AT&T, Sprint, Anderson Consulting, Ernst & Young. We support clients from California to Florida. 2) I enjoy freedom today from a lifestyle that our society holds up as the ultimate model for young men, which is to become a ladies man, who can run the women, seducing any girl in any club, any city, anytime. Most guys dream about it and but never attain it. You see, I was a three sport athlete, a pretty boy, and gifted with leadership abilities that enabled me to show up at any club at 130 am, just before closing time and walk out with any girl I desired. My friends called me "two o'clock Pat". The nickname was coined because the more I partied, the more I became bored with the conquests, and I stopped arriving early at clubs as was the case early on. So I would show up just prior to closing time [ 200 am ], and make my selections and go home with whoever I pursued. You see until you've attained it, you never get your fill of it, and consequently you never see the emptiness of it. I have lived as a ladies man and I discovered that it is not what it is cracked up to be. After so many women, sex is reduced to a routine without any color and vitality. By the way, I am living a dream - I am happily married to a gorgeous brunette from California, and we have five very well balanced and beautiful children. Four boys and one girl, all under the age of 11. I said this so that it is clearly understood that sex is an awesome thing when it occurs in the right setting and circumstances. The male sex drive is a powerful force by God's design, that is either is productive or destructive. Fire is a great thing when the fire is contained to the fireplace, but it becomes a problem when you start a fire on your living room floor. The guys hanging out in Mr. King's place are on the destructive side, and Mr. King is catering to and exploiting their depravity in order to make a buck. Now that's some business venture. My freedom is due to the fact that I had a radical encounter with Jesus Christ 14 years ago at the age of 23, the height of my years as a ladies man. If Christ was not the answer to my craving to find satisfaction and purpose during these years of "running women", I would have returned to the clubs. But the good news is that He is the real deal, and I walked away from the life that most men dream of with no regrets.

Call me.

Patrick J. Earles

Power Communications

888 376-6816

pate@pwrtools.com

Patrick-

I was browsing the rose site and came across what you wrote about a man I care a whole lot about. It quickly became real obvious to me that you have NOT met this man. I do not work for him or around him. He just happens to be one of the best people I have had the priveledge of getting to know since I have lived here. Yes he does know how to show people a good time, but deeper than that, he has helped me out in so many ways without ever asking for a thing in return. He is a gifted man with an awesome soul, and I honestly think that anyone who is priveledged to have him as a friend, they should sleep easier at night knowing that there IS at least one person out there that will ALWAYS be there and give unconditional love. I would think that a person so involved in the christianity way of life (as you proclaim) would not be so quick to judge another one of god's sons. A beautiful creation at that. I love D.K.!

I read your comments on the Don King article and I have to say I was quite amused. To assume since you were a Pretty Boy Ladies Man and a three sport athlete and now a devoted Christian ( with a GORGEOUS brunette wife, (which indicates sexual objectification on your part) you are qualified to judge Don King is damn funny.

I have worked with Don King for over 3 years now. In my 48 years of walking God's green earth, I have never met anyone who cares about the people he comes in contact with as Don. He is always the first in line to someone in need of food, shelter, and money This includes but is not limited to beautiful women, desperate men and people who work at second rate business ventures.

As for you Mr. Earles, I think the Statesman presented a forum for you to blow your horn. I hear the noise, but you are way off key.

Tom West

Patrick,

I won't say Mr. Earles as that would imply respect that I don't have for you. I myself have never met Mr. King but I meet many people who have and I only get good vibes. I hope one day to make his acquaintance as I sure it can only be a positive experience. As for myself I can say that I am by no means desperate or depraved, but I do very much enjoy a woman's body. I was not impressed with your self proclaimed prowess with the opposite sex which if ended at 23 couldn't have lasted very long. It doesn't take talent or exceptionally good looks to pick up drunken women at two in the morning. Just as it wouldn't be hard for a woman that is typically lower than your exceptionally high standards to take you home if you were plastered. I love physical contact and can rarely get enough but even with all that testosterone running through my veins I still seem to be able to treat the women with the utmost respect. You obviously didn't.

You said you own and manage a consulting firm? Well correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't consulting require quite a bit of research and education? I know it does so please don't bother correcting me. You have proven that you didn't build the company alone....you're employees obviously did the ground work. For one, you couldn't even get Larry Flynt's name right.(Larry Flint?) and another for making an assumption on what type of person you think a club manager is. Assumption is the mother of all fuck-ups(pardon the french). You are acting more like a Jerry Springer guest than an educated professional.

As for religious beliefs you need to do a little more studying about what christianity is about. I have only one reason for not attending church on a regular basis and it has nothing to do with my beliefs. That reason is that I try my best not to associate with a group of people that claim a set of beliefs but blatantly and knowingly disregard them on a daily basis. These people are known as hypocrites. That is what I believe you to be. As for your children being well adjusted.....give them a few more years.....it is my experience that a sheltered childhood leads to abnormally mal adjust life just as an over abusive one does. Help them to be open minded and they will grow to be much more productive adults. I hope you rethink your judgments on an obviously loved man that we can only hope to get to know.

I apologize for the rambling in this letter but I always get frazzled at how ignorant people can sometimes be.

Let me start by saying that I am pleased to hear that you found the lord and are now born again. It disheartens me, however, to read the reply which you felt neccesary to send concerning my employer (Don King). Mr. King is probably the kindest most sincere person I have ever met. His charitable works in the community have helped hundreds of those less fortunate than you or I. I see no reason for anyone who does not know Mr. King, especially a born again christian, to judge him the way you have. I would also like to add that in your letter you painted yourself to be quite the proud and vain person ( you do know that vanity is one of the seven deadly sins, don't you?). Jesus Christ is a forgiving and loving person who taught not to judge lest ye be judged, or have you forgotten that. In the future I would suggest a more tolerant view of others (for you have sinned in the past and still do, judging from the letter you wrote) and a less vocal approach to your expession of views. Another question I had for you is concerning that whole "moral competence" remark which you made. What exactly does that mean? Competence refers to someone's ability to either perform a task or to comprehend the significance of a term. Your use of this term made no sense, and you clearly show an ignorance of the proper use of the english language. I am quite confident that in a match of wits (to quote a more colloquial term) Don would smoke your ass, as he would in just about every aspect of life. I am sure that both your lovely wife and your well adjusted children are quite proud of their father's sexual exploits, of which he is so brazenly proud. Beware dear sir for you are making a bed in which you must sleep. The lord our savior has heard your comments and knows you to be a prideful and vain sinner. Repent your ways and beg the forgiveness of your family and those you judge, for they will be the jury at your final hearing, when you stand in the presence of the almighty. The verdict, Guilty as Hell! Much love as a good person,

Lewis C. Smith

P.S.

Don't feel that I was judging you, It's not worth my time. Besides, you seem to have cornered the maket on that.

Mr. Earles,

What arrogance! I've known Don King for 21 years, and pardon the the cliche, but he would give the shirt off his back to damn near anyone. He did that for me we both worked at a bar in 1979. The club folded, and jobs were scarce. I could not pay rent. Well, he let me stay at his house along with various other hard luck cases. After a couple of months, I finally got back on my feet from a job that Don set me up with. Mr. Earles, have you ever done that with your "christian charity".

I doubt it. As far as you going from "stud" to "christian", It sounds to me like you have simply traded one addiction for another. It always seems to me that many "christians" talk the talk, but don't walk the walk with regards to "christian charity". Don King actually lives it.

Mr. Earles, your arrogance nauseates me!

Believe the sincerity,

Patrick Ray Dunn

I read your response to the article about my friend Don King. In a few instances one could chose to take offense to your references to the "type" of men that attend or frequent his establishment. "Desperate men" You obviously did not read the comments by those who know him, such a blanket statement in any surrounding is highly inappropriate. As a religious man you should know that the driving forces within any man are inspirations and desperation. Any surrounding that encompassed 150 plus men, all in a desperate state as you would have it, would not and could not produce a mix of men that have experienced and continue to experience the levels of success many of his clients and friends have attained. Without knowing you personally, I would still challenge you to compare your quality of life with those Don calls his friends. The exploitation of people, as you refer to it, is the same regardless of the business. Many of those that you train and identify as key components in an organization are pushed to excel for the greater good of the company and it's shareholders. Most times, not being fairly compensated for their contributions. That is an example of exploitation at its finest. Without exploitation to some degree there is no profit margin (service without profit only takes place when bartering).

I was a three sport athlete myself, and have no problem engaging women in stimulating conversation or in any other manner. The fact that I have found a balance in my life being a single man with a young son, managing a quickly emerging mortgage business and pursuing a life mate has not changed my feelings for the man, Don King or the industry he represents (quite well). My ability to do my job and excel made me very successful in management in the largest bank and credit card company in North America. Ttraining from consulting firms, such as yours, has made my talents a marketable commodity. In my 10+ years of managing and training, I have gained a great deal of insight on exploitation. I myself have asked employees to give of themselves in many instances, knowing that the payoff would be little or nothing. (other than satisfaction and recognition) If my employee was aware of this, then it was job well done by me and the no exploitation took place. In the case of these young ladies, bartenders and security.....they have been given ample opportunity to make the choice to work in this establishment or seek employment elsewhere. Free choice is the basis for our society. Don should not be judged on their choices, but only on his own. His balance and dedication to his friends and community are to be commended.

Please know that my intention was to merely question your basis for drawing any conclusions on DK's personal ethics/morality without knowing the man behind the enigma. I have serious issues with people touting Christianity while casting judgment on others. But I have no desire to discuss religion or politics with anyone other than my husband and close friends. So... that leaves me with responding to your comments that one has to be removed from a situation to be able to view it objectively, and that I must be "in too deep" to see the forrest for the trees. Against my better judgment, I felt compelled to respond. I don't claim to know you, and I try not to cast aspersions or denegrate the opinions/beliefs of a fellow human; however, I feel your comments merit a few observations. Namely, it seems that you feel comfortable judging others who engage in what you deem inappropriate/amoral behavior. I waited tables for Don for one year shortly after graduating from college, feeling the need to play for a year before entering the "real world" and getting "real" job. I must admit that the industry fosters some behavior in certain individuals which I find abhorrant; those with the propensity were able to truly shine in the topless-bar arena. But others, who DO respect women and people in general, were just there to have a good time and indulge in the fantasy... And while I personally could not dance topless, I made a conscious effort to avoid judging those who could and did. Not that I wasn't offered money to dance numerous times. It is just something that I personally could never do. And wouldn't want a daughter doing. But I never felt I was better than anyone else in the club. Maybe I was the one with the hang-ups! Who knows. Or cares.  The point is, the industry caters to a demand as old as religion itself. And DK is a good person who runs a clean establishment. And we shouldn't judge others or make assumptions about people just because they do   something we feel is inappropriate. I didn't mean to drone on, but it seems that you included some assumptions about me in your response that I felt required a reply. The only thing I'm deep into is school, my marriage, my family, and my friends. And if that includes an occasional trip to an establishment such as The Yellow Rose w/some friends to see an old friend and have a little fun, then I guess you were correct in making those assumptions.

Take care and vio con dios.

Sincerely,

Subject A response to you letter

As expected a moral zealot of your type cannot stand it when when a business exists -much less gets a favorable review- that involves the appreciation of the human body. Religious leaders have attempted to make us feel dirty and shameful about our physical selves for centuries. And from a self proclaimed religious man your past predatory behavior does not surprise me. You obviously had to misuse power over these women the way you once felt it was misused over yourself and hence your present arrogant attitude now reeking of denial- but of course cleaned up with financial success and the stamp of Jesus...how sad to be you. Your parents should have modeled better behaviors than this ..like impulse control and respect for others. But because they obviously didn't I would have to hear it from your kids themselves whether they feel 'well- balanced' or not...(no offense) like maybe when they are a little older and going to the bars.

To put it quite simply, your cold and self righteous attitude - only in the ' loving christian wife ' version - is exactly what has made these businesses you hate so successful !

Robert Sharp Father of 2 Austin, Tx.

Your point was; 1. in your own mind, 15 years ago, you were a stud. (weren't we all)

2. You never went into a topless bar, (not many kids do, because of the expense?

3. You say your monetary success is personal success.

4. Today, you believe are still a stud, with money, therefore you have no need to go to a topless bar, and besides, it would probably piss off your wife, because she is a religious fanatic.

I am not a frequent visitor of topless bars, but when I go, I go for the camaraderie. I am happily married, and own a successful business. I am neither embarrassed about going, nor is it necessary to lie to my wife about were I have been.

Many businesses are owned by Adult Entertainment owners/managers that are family oriented business, and cater with children in mind - family oriented. Adult entertainment has helped many communities grow. I just thought I would give you that "hint" of info. You really have a good character and I'm thrilled that you have earned/found yourself a better life - a more stable life. Obviously you have found a good woman, the right woman for you. I would think that would make those experiences insignificant, and your wife very significant. What a compliment! She must be happy and proud of you!

I am impressed by the loyalty of those who know you. You may not be aware of   it, but I have received a half dozen email response from your peers /   employees who have spoke very highly of you since I responded to your   invitation to send feedback to the Statesman about your being featured in  the paper.  I responded to Mr. Beach and asked him to forward the message on to you and   in my comments I challenged you to find a business venture that would afford   you the opportunity to make an honest living and enable you to use your   drive, vision, and ambition to create something that brings real, measurable   value to the community.  You see I live and work in the real world, like you. I do not live and work  in an ivory tower where I am insulated from the pressure and influences of  this world. If my challenge to you ruffled some feathers, that was the   intention. King Solomon made a statement, he said "iron sharpens iron". Yes,  I have taken a strong position. And due to the fact that we have not met, I   would understand your dismissing my remarks as arrogant and off base. And   because in years past, I was guilty of exploiting women, and for more than a   decade, I have enjoyed permanent freedom from those vices.  I recognize your gifts, your dedication and your leadership. Building a  reputation and getting any business to turn a profit requires an outrageous  commitment, and a high degree of ambition and endurance. There are common  characteristics that are woven into the fabric of men / women who were born  to lead. From seeing your story, I believe you have those attributes.  I know that your defenders, who point out your compassion and kindness,  would never question you about the level of success that you may have   enjoyed with your "business", and the resulting satisfaction that you may   feel. They have joined you in your pursuit and your enterprise has become   important to them for many reasons.  King Solomon made a statement, he said "iron sharpens iron". Yes, I have  taken a strong position. And due to the fact that we have not met, I would  understand your dismissing my remarks as arrogant and off base.  But I also know that God created men and women to achieve excellence and  we've been designed to aspire and to accomplish great things. The evidence   of this truth can be traced to the fact that we possess tremendous ambition   in life, and we are driven find a purpose with meaning.  The question for each of us is, if God were to take inventory of our  success, how would He define our accomplishments.  By the way, for those of you who via email have rightfully have taken me to  task over my "prior" accomplishments with regard to women - understand that  these are no longer viewed as accomplishments. But rather a real source of  embarrassment to me. Although the forgiveness from the past is real, as is   the freedom, the emptiness of the lifestyle is what motivates me to get   involved in challenging men to find the real source of purpose and meaning  in life.  I expect to travel to Austin in the coming months, I would like to buy you   lunch and let you take me to task. Think about it.

Best regards,

Patrick Earles

Power Communications

Robert,

I am responsible for my own actions, and the comments about my past were intended to present a case to say - "I've been there done that", and I know that it is a vain pursuit. What drove me to be was the corrupt nature within me was a combination of aspirations to be somebody, and the sexual drive that we are all born with.

You are exactly right when you say that "my parents should have modeled better behavior than this". My parents were seen in our circles as having been the perfect model parents in American society. I was powerless to reign in the impulse, but I bear the consequences of my actions.

They were attempting to do the best they could in preparing me to be successful in life. And they were diligent to be faithful with what knowledge and understanding that they had and were given. I do not fault them for their inability to reign in my impulses because they didn't have the ability to harness that influence for me.

Contrary to popular opinion, Christians with a mature, balanced perspective appreciate the beauty of the human body. God Himself said that everything that He created was good. Their are few things in life on this earth as visually compelling as a the beauty of a "human being". It is truly a work of art, and evidence of God's genius. There is a difference between appreciation and adoration; appreciation doesn't consume you, adoration does and it continues moves toward worship.

Yes it is true, past generations did not have or possess a healthy view of sexuality and the human body. And yes the many religious leaders were responsible for fostering that widely held view and it left people living without the biblical perspective.

Many of today's generation of leaders are bringing the right balance and debunking the previous generations' beliefs. Having a healthy balance does not mean that you live indecently, nor in fear or with reservations. In spite what you may argue, the reality of life will prove to you that you cannot effectively be sexually intimate with more than one person. In addition, while you mature and you can begin to enjoy pure passion "privately" in life, it is unproductive to be so open and public with regard to sexuality.

Passion is a powerful thing, and there are two types of passion - pure passion and impure passion. One leads to greater freedom, the other leads to enslavement.

The guys who are hanging out at the club are not enjoying the pursuit of passion in a pure way. While it is visually stimulating to see a stripper, the stimulation is temporary at best and in the long term, it does not produce in us and deliver for us the permanent value and gratification we crave.

I can say so, because of experience. A man with an argument is at the mercy of a man with an experience. I have lived on the inside, and also now have broken free from the control of it and live on the outside. I know that life on the outside as a free man is far better.

I apologize for the misrepresentations of true Christianity of generations past, and I understand that without personally knowing me, you would naturally conclude from my remarks that I too fit the mold of those who did not bring the right perspective and who left people in bondage to the view that, " God did not create sex to be enjoyable, it was only meant for procreation".

By the way, I only responded to this article because of an invitation to do so.

Best regards,

Patrick Earles

Power Communications

Jerry,

I don't hide behind anything. As a matter of fact, I not only leave my phone number, and email, I extended an invitation to Don King for lunch on my next trip to Austin.

I would extend the same invitation to you as well.

Concerning my / our manhood, let's not go there. If it would serve some real purpose for us to challenge one another to one on one, in a game of hoops, we could do that for the enjoyment of the competition. But neither one of us should define our manhood by how many points we score in a game, how much you beat me by, how well I may have done with the ladies, or how well you did, even what our total earnings or financial worth is. It is not productive.

To conclude, at the end of our lives, when we breathe our last breath, God will reconcile our "successes" and only He can really define, because of His objectivity, our success.

Have a great weekend,

Patrick Earles

Power Communications

I appreciate your comments and wish you well in your endeavors. I hope that you understand I am simply holding out hope to those who see their need like I did. I can vouch for the fact that what we were condition to believe about success in life, the pursuit of money fame and power, is an empty pursuit apart from the love of Christ. Because of my business and the freedom that I enjoy in my schedule, I have the privilege of speaking with high school, college men and women on occasions. I see first hand the damage that is done to them when they are conditioned to develop a perspective like the one that I had for years. The fallout from promiscuity is broken relationships and hardship that are insurmountable and they can't always put their finger on the source of their struggle. In the right setting, these young people have an opportunity, by God's grace, to gain a new sense of innocence. In essence, their slate is wiped clean and they start over again with a fresh perspective.Concerning business ambitions....in life, you can be an ambitious person, and maintain a strong moral compass and character and not compromise the character of God and his purpose for your life. Compromise will destroy your dreams. In the pursuit of finding God's purpose for your life, you will find that His strength is the proverbial "edge" in dealing with the pressure in life and competing effectively in the marketplace. If it were possible and appropriate for men to bottle His strength, (which of course it is not), and aggressively market it to the masses, every executive and manager would buy it. The pressure in life is intense, and people are looking for real and permanent release. .God's presence is very tangible and it provides us with the insulation from the heat, and the pressure. You can find a sense of permanent satisfaction at night after a hard, grinding day at the office, because you know that you are laying all on the line, making an honest living, honing your craft refining your vision.Yes, I see your point about exploitation in the business marketplace, and to a point I agree. But there is a major difference in the exploitation you speak of and that kind I personally was guilty of, and also that which is employed in the night / strip clubs. Success at the expense of faith and family is really failure. Put your future in the hands of our Maker, continue to dream and entrust your success to Him, in Christ name. He will empower you to accomplish his purpose. With that type of perspective, you guaranteed to win the race.

Best regards in your pursuits,

Patrick Earles

Power Communications

I responded to Mr. King's invitation to comment on the newspaper article, and to specifically comment on the exposure created by the Statesman. I did just that. My reason to respond was due to the fact that Mr. King solicited an inquiry and he got one from me. Over the years, I have seen the email invites about joining the gang at the UT football, and I chose to respond to this particular email due to the fact that the newspaper is taking a very positive position publicly that lends credence to the industry that is not deserving of the honor. Your blind loyalty to your friend is evidence of the fact that as a culture, we have lost our collective common sense, and dignity. The only that cannot be tolerated by people who share your perspective is someone who is confidently critiques any business endeavor which is undertaken with absolute sincerity and devotion. I am confident that my position in challenging my King's chosen profession, not his abilities or his sincerity in his desire to help others, is consistent with biblical ethics. If I were to meet with Mr. King, and have a conversation with him, I would maintain the same position face to face, and do so with dignity, and respect for him as a person, recognizing his talents and unique gifts. Concerning your use of the scriptures in response to my position, read all of what Jesus said during the course of his life so that you can gain a broad perspective from which to discuss the matter. Taking one verse or passage to persuade someone of the truth is dangerous. You have heard of zealots who in the name of Christ rip out the eyes of people that they suppose are tormented and demon possessed. Stories of these types of tragedies appear every so often, and these crimes are committed by people who are delusional to begin with and who take scripture out of context.  Using the logic that you employ, I suppose one could argue that Al Capone was a benefit to those in his community because he provided opportunities for people, gave them a sense of purpose and destiny. The amazing thing about life is the fact that you have to leave a environment that you're in for a period of time in order to be able to look back and see / recognize the delusion that you were under. If you read anything from my commentary, understand one thing, I was on the inside for years, and now that I have been on the outside as a free man, life on the outside is immensely better. Do you think that today's generation of young men, growing up in a very sensual society, gain a strong sense of respect for women, with the increase in gentlemen's clubs?. How does his membership in the "yellow rose fraternity" help him to foster a balanced view of women. Do you think that he is developing an ability to look below the surface and appreciate a young lady for who she is as opposed to how well endowed she may be, and her physical beauty? Has it ever dawned on you that maybe your daughter or niece may marry who may have an inherent problem in how he views, appreciates and values her? I would think that from a woman's perspective that you could see the danger therein, and be a part of the solution. Maybe you're in too deep to see the connection.

Best regards,

Patrick Earles