In Deception, Hugh Jackman lures Ewan McGregor into the underground world of high-class sex clubs. This is all Hollywood fantasy, right?
Well, when I came across the script about three years ago, I didn't really believe it. There's a number you call, and a woman shows up—to me it sounded like a chauvinist fantasy idea of the writer. Then I spoke to him, and he told me that he knows a guy who was in a club like this in New York. And he also read an article in The New York Times about it.

Where do these clubs operate?
Mostly in New York, L.A., Miami, San Francisco; and they're very anonymous. They refer to "the list" as we do in the movie. For example, this guy who operates a club in L.A. has a nationwide list of about 15,000 people. And they're all young, between 24 and 40.

How does it work?
Basically, they hold a party—like a regular DJ thing—at a regular venue, like a known club, which they just close and call it a "private party." People go there to have sex with strangers or with other people, but it is a completely no-pressure environment. You don't have to do anything you don't want to. It just doesn't follow the rules of a normal club. You can run around naked if you want.

How exactly does one get on "the list"?
First of all, they don't let any single guys in. You have to bring either a girlfriend or a friend or a wife or something. The comfort of the women is the important thing—this is why they really screen hard. The guys who run these clubs, to them style and class is very important. They have several levels of clubs. There is the first level, which is kind of generic, and an elite level, where only, I guess, good looking people get in [laughs]. The last level has the celebrities, and that is the most anonymous and secure. In L.A., it's more based on looks; in New York, it's a bit more based on money. You have to buy yourself in or be sponsored by two or three people already in there. Like in the movie, there's a $50,000 buy-in to join, like an exclusive golf membership or gentlemen's club, except that women are in there, too.

Is it always "anything goes"?
They keep an eye on behavior in the club. They are very careful with alcohol. If women complain about guys, they have security there to take them out. The comfort of the women is key.

Who joins these clubs?
You know how stockbrokers in Manhattan have very little time? The Hong Kong and European stock markets open in the middle of the night, so basically, if you trade internationally you are working round the clock. This is why this group exists. You can call each other up and say, "Let's have sex," or "Let's have dinner," or "Let's go to the opera."

What chance do ugly, broke single guys with no influential friends have?
I would say that it would be hard for them [laughs]. In New York, you have to have at least the money; in L.A., at least the look.