“No flip-flops, shorts, tank tops or T-shirts,” says a dead-serious voice over the soundsystem at Déjà Vu Showgirls, normally a sex emporium for those seeking the latest DVD or vibrator technology. Today, the store is filled with hundreds of people who will think about sex later. Right now, they’re really looking for a job—nearly 200 positions, to be exact, created by Hustler for its upcoming gentleman’s club on Dean Martin Drive.

“Guess I can’t interview today,” bemoans 24-year-old Tera Loftis, unemployed for a week after quitting her job because they wouldn’t work around her school schedule. Loftis is wearing what looks to me like a tank top, and her friend, a Treasures employee who came for moral support, asks an attendant if her attire’s okay. Turns out it’s fine. Loftis sighs. She’s hoping for a hostess spot. “This is something different. Seems like fun.”

Manuela, who was applying for a manager job, prefers to not use her last name—turns out she’s already a manager at a Strip property. “This is a pretty good job. Because ...”

“Sex sells,” finishes Spencer Lawson, 25, a hairstylist applying for either barback or doorman. “This would be a great night job, plus I could do the strippers’ hair, build up a clientele,” he says.

Mike Lamothe, 38, who’s been unemployed 18 months, says this will be the ninth job interview he’s had since moving here three weeks ago. A disabled vet who was formerly working for the Florida Department of Corrections, Lamothe can’t even afford to fix the air conditioning in his car, despite his monthly disability check. “My parents in Montreal want me to move back in with them, but you want to make it on your own, you know?”