The Master is occasionally asked by a friend or house guest about using the pool or backyard facilities to host small private events that the Master is not a part of. Examples of these have included a birthday party for the friend of a woman that the Master used to work with, a pool party for friends of the Master’s college-age nephew, and an employee party put on by the Master’s tax advisor, who happens to be a close friend as well. The Master never charges for use of the facilities but does ask the person responsible for the small group to conduct proper cleanup after the event.

Friends who ask the Master for use of the facilities know about the Naked House Boy of course, and it’s the responsibility of the friend to make sure that invited guests are made aware too. The Master turns down requests to use the property that conflict with the Master’s plans or are otherwise problematic, but for dear friends and others that the Master may owe a favor to the Master will occasionally approve. The House Boy is not consulted and has no say in who gets to use the pool or backyard facilities, and the boy is expected to go about his usual duties and chores on the day of the event.

When the Master has approved a friend to host a small group on the Master’s property, a note about the event will be posted on the weekly schedule, and will include the number of expected guests (usually 4-12), the name or demographics of the group (‘Lordy, Lordy, Sharon is Forty’), and the start time, duration and facilities to be used (2-3 hours: pool, barbeque, open space, etc). Checkboxes will be marked to advise the boy how to handle unexpected last-minute requests, like an invitation to join the group or request to serve refreshments. Unless one of these checkboxes is marked as ‘Yes’, the Naked House Boy is expected to go about his regular duties and chores at their assigned times regardless of who is present and could observe, including outside duties in the back yard and pool area if these are scheduled.

In the example photo, the Master’s real estate broker has asked and been approved to host a luncheon with three of her agents in the Master’s backyard. Coincidentally, the boy was scheduled to water plants and clean the pool filters about the same time, and the ladies have called the boy over to the table to say hello. It’s normal for guests to be curious about the boy and his duties, and failure to be courteous and talk to the guests would be deserving of punishment if the boy was reported to be aloof or rude. The boy is permitted to use good judgment in deciding to delay minor or unimportant chores to answer the ladies’ questions, but he should politely excuse himself for more important tasks that can not be delayed, like removing food from the oven or answering the phone or doorbell. A copy of the House Boy’s chore schedule is always given to the group leader on the day of the event. The boy’s shower and exercise times should always take place as scheduled, even on summer weekends when they are assigned to the outdoor shower and lawn area within view of the group. He is still the House Boy and he has no right to privacy.