The City

Pressed and dressed, Frederico entered the United Nations’ hall for the unveiling of his mural.  His nerves allayed by a little yellow pill, he mingled and charmed his way through the soiree, meeting potential project sponsors.  The official unveiling was still hours away and a finely tuned evening, organized by Leon, was ahead of them.

Looking glamorous in a black gown Nina mingled with the ambassadorial staff and other notables.  She caught Frederico’s eye with a smile and a nod as she spoke with an attaché to the US delegation. Entrenched with a group of art critics, he managed to signal to new arrivals Martin, Tyler, and Jacob that they should rescue her. 

The trio looked sharp, Jacob having thrown together some last minute cummerbunds and sashes from a supply of drapery linens he’d been hoarding.  Martin was extra charming, being that Nina had just interviewed him that afternoon for an assistant position at her real estate firm. 

Downing a flute of champagne Jacob seemed to have forgotten his troubles from the afternoon and was flirting openly with the US attaché.  Nina pulled herself away and moved over to Frederico and his group.  Linking his arm she smiled and shook hands with the critics.  Tyler watched her mannerisms and thought back on her recent divorce and the depression that followed it.  Tonight she glowed, perhaps the flattery of the attention from being Frederico’s primary model. 

“What are you staring at?” Martin asked, snapping a mini-crepe from a passing tray.    “Just admiring Nina’s glow,” Tyler responded.     “Well, don’t get any ideas.  You may be out of practice, but your still playing for our team,” Martin said.  “C’mon, lets see if the bar has any jagermeister.”  The two walked off as Jacob and the attaché laughed their way into a corner. 

Wearing an earpiece and talking into a walkie-talkie, Leon was coordinating the lighting director.  “At exactly 10 past the hour I want the lights to go down by 60% for the mayor’s introduction.  We’ll need a spotlight on the main podium.  Make sure the artist, the committee chairwoman, and the secretary-general are seated on the daise.  What?  I don’t know, you’ll have to get somebody to find them.  He’s a short man with big ears.  I’m sure you can find him, he speaks Finnish.  Just do it.  After the remarks from the chairwoman the artist will have two minutes to introduce the piece and then he’ll pull the cord to unveil the mural.  The cord isn’t really connected to the curtain, so you’ll need to get someone up there to drop it.  What?  Your cousin?  Sure, I don’t care, just get someone up there.  At that point I’ll cue the music, applause, applause, and then you can bring the lights back up to 20% shy of where they are now.  Understand?  I don’t have time to go over it again, you’ll find the instructions on page 18 of the program I glued to your clipboard.  Is Margaret with you?  Put her on.  Margaret?  What’s the deal with station 8?  They ran out of ice.  I need someone to get them ice pronto.  This isn’t rocket science, just water in its solid form.  Thank you.  And after that see if the shrimp platters have been circulating.  Please, don’t get me started on the Moroccan delegations’s diety restrictions.  If they can’t eat shrimp, they won’t eat shrimp.  The Tongans on the other hand can’t seem to get enough of the stuff.  By the time the curtain drops all the shellfish should be out of the kitchen anyway.  What?  The lights in the fountain?  I don’t think we can control those.  They’ll have to be ambient.  With the spotlight on the mural it shouldn’t matter.  Worry about the food honey.  Thanks.”  

While he was talking Franz entered, looking dapper.  He snuck up behind his partner and gleamed listening to him take charge.  He put his hand firmly on Leon’s shoulder and squeezed.  Leon turned, snuck in a kiss without stopping his directions to his staff.  Franz felt his cell phone vibrate and he snuck off to an alcove to take the call.

It was from Kimmie.  In a great mood he was ready to forgive her for their argumentative interaction that afternoon.  She apologized for costing him two more employees.  He said he understood (which he sort of did) and was only bitter about the extra work ahead for him to replace them.  She suggested that he and Leon come to Memphis for a mini-vacation so she could make it up to him.  He agreed that it sounded like a good idea and would discuss it with Leon after the gala. 

Snapping off his phone, he turned around to come face to face with Jacob and the attaché aggressively kissing behind a velvet curtain.  Franz watched for a moment and then walked off.

In his remarks to introduce the mural, Frederico singled out Nina for her contributions as his model.  He pulled the cord and unveiled the wall to a flurry of flashbulbs and applause.  Feeling great from the yellow pill and a glass of champagne he pumped his fists into the air and gave a shout.  “What is he doing?” Tyler whispered into Martin’s ear.     “It’s a Cherokee battle cry he does on special occasions,” Martin whispered back. “He used to do it for me during.  …. Well, he used to do it for me.”      Tyler grabbed him another flute of champagne and the two toasted a great past and a promising future. 

Meanwhile, Franz’s cell phone rang again.  Going back to the alcove where Jacob was practicing his own form of art appreciation, he took the call.  It was from his new dogwalker, who was watching the house in New Jersey for the night.  “Hi Todd, what can I do for you?”

In New Jersey Todd sat on their couch and stroked the dog’s head.  “I was just calling to see how Frederico’s big night was going,” he said.

What does the City have in store next for our heroes? Stay tuned.

Initially based on actual events and real people, the story has progressed to such a point as to render everyone and everything unrecognizable.  Nonetheless, names and associations may have been altered to protect the guilty or to make things seem more interesting.

On his second cup of coffee of the morning, Leon chowed on a dry bagel and shook hands with the back-up caterer.  He was flying on faith that the runnerup company hired to handle bar service would be able to overcome the minor setback of losing the primary caterer due to a food poisoning lawsuit.  Checking that off his mental To Do List, he hailed a cab to get across town to oversee the delivery of flowers.  Seeing that one of his assistants was well capable, he then turned to the task of getting the evening’s list of speakers ironed out one last time and calling the printer to approve final revisions.  After that he took a breather by calling on the UN’s interpreter pool to be sure they had someone fluent in both Welsh and Swazi to escort the Zambian ambassador’s wife.

Meanwhile, stepping out of the subway Martin straightened his lapel and checked a final time that he had his resume on him before stepping into the offices of Harlem Realty for his interview.  “Is that Martin?” a familiar voice called.  He spun around to find himself face to face with Tyler’s friend and Frederico’s muse, Nina.  “Hey!” he said, less professionally than he would have liked.   “I thought I recognized your name,” she said.  “I’ll be interviewing you. Come on in and have a seat.”

Back in Brooklyn, Jacob returned to the apartment from the overwhelming good news his banker told him. Just that morning he learned he was in possession of quite a chunk of change.  He set about plastering the kitchen wall as his mind wandered.  The events of the last year now had a new light on them.  His anger towards Helmut, the lying German who instigated the affair with his cheating boyfriend that led to their breakup, swelled.  True that Jacob was quite wealthier because of the guilt felt by his ex, but remorse made him fantasize about the future they could have had together.  The full knowledge of what they had jointly accumulated made Jacob seethe with anger.  And all of the blame he was placing on Helmut. 

Tyler met Greg for lunch.  Greg told him the story of the bartender who had been a reliable source of entertainment without strings.  And how suddenly Greg found himself in the unexpected situation of being solicited for dates.  “Why would he go and ruin a good thing by trying to get me to dinner and a movie?” Greg posed.     To which Tyler responded, “Maybe it wasn’t a good thing for him anymore.”    “But why me?” Greg asked. “I’m totally not the dating kind.  He should be asking you.”    “ME?!” Tyler leaned back in his chair. “I don’t date.  Not for a full year.  I’m on sabbatical.”

After lunch, Franz sat in his office going over his plans for the weekend with Leon .  A knock on the door snapped him from his daydream.   It was another of his employees entering to offer a letter of resignation.  Disappointment crept in as he asked the employee the name of the company who had made a better offer.  After shaking hands, Franz picked up the phone and called his good friend Kimmie.  “So, you got another one of mine,” he said, less than polite.    “I see you just spoke to Veronica,” Kimmie said.     “No, that was Reggie,” Franz replied. “I should expect Veronica later today?”  After a terse exchange, the two friends said their goodbyes.

And after a day of sleep and relaxation, Frederico dressed and headed down to the UN.  His afternoon schedule included previews of the mural for a few board members and dignitaries before the official unveiling that evening.  A specifically timed pill guaranteed that he’d be calm and relaxed for the rest of the evening.

What does the City have in store next for our heroes? Stay tuned.

Initially based on actual events and real people, the story has progressed to such a point as to render everyone and everything unrecognizable.  Nonetheless, names and associations may have been altered to protect the guilty or to make things seem more interesting.

The day of the UN gala arrived.  Leon was woken by the whining of Mr. Sulu, the cat Tyler was watching for Adam.  The cat was staring at Leon’s face and poking him with his clawless paws.  Confused at first, Leon remembered he’d spent the night on an air mattress in Brooklyn so he could be in the city and start the day running.  Which he did, vaulting from bed and into the shower. 

Tyler woke at his usual slow pace and started making coffee.  Mr. Sulu ran back under the bed.  Tyler offered Leon breakfast when he emerged from the bathroom.  “No time!” he shouted, pouring coffee into a thermos. “I’m meeting with the emergency back up caterer in 30 minutes.  Hopefully they’ll have samples.”  He sprinted out the door.

He bumped into Jacob on the sidewalk, literally.  Without dropping the coffee, Leon landed flat on his back and immediately jumped up, grabbed his bag, held out a hand to the dazed Jacob, handed him the envelope he knocked out of his hands, apologized, dusted his shoulders, and ran to the train.  Tyler watched it all from the window.  “He’s in a hurry,” he said to Jacob.  Jacob looked up, “Was he one of yours?”   “He stayed last night,” Tyler responded before realizing how that sounded. “I mean, he’s just a friend.”    “I’m sure he is,” Jacob said, saucily.  He looked around at the pavement to check for any lost items. ”I have an appointment in 30 minutes, you can tell me about it tonight at Frederico’s unveiling,” he said.  Realizing how that sounded, he added “I mean, the unveiling of Frederico’s mural.  At the UN.”

On the third floor, Martin was checking himself in the mirror.  He had a job interview today, for an office assistant position with a realty firm in Harlem.  He felt he was overqualified, but the unemployment was getting boring.  Checking his suit and teeth, he dropped a copy of his resume in his shoulder bag and headed out.  He knocked on Frederico’s door, but didn’t get an answer.  “Poor guy,” he muttered. “Must be exhausted from all the work he’s been doing.”  He checked his watch and headed out.

As he was heading into the shower, Tyler’s phone rang.  It was Franz checking to be sure Leon made it out on time.  “You just missed him,” Tyler said. “He was up first thing this morning, then nearly wiped out my new neighbor on his way to the train.”   “He’s been working too much on this project.  Luckily, tonight’s the night and I get him back to myself tomorrow,” Franz said.   “You mean until the next project starts,” Tyler joked, to awkward non-laughter from Franz.    “Anyway,” Franz said, “I’m surprising him all weekend with a room at the Hotel Walstoria.  We’ll be able to go directly from the gala to a luxury suite.”   “Excellent,” Tyler opined. “Who’s going to take care of Nairobi?”   “The new dog walker/cleaning guy I hired has volunteered to stay here all weekend,” Franz said.    After hanging up the phone, Franz took Nairobi for a long walk.

Later that morning, Jacob met with his banker.  He and his ex were supposed to divide their combined investments, but the ex was a no-show.   “He called shortly before we closed yesterday,” their financial advisor said. “He asked that everything be put in your name.  I’ve drawn up the papers, all you need to do is sign here, here, here, and initial here and here,” she said.    “He’s not coming?” Jacob was stunned, and confused by the sudden generosity.  Guilt was apparently a motivating factor in his favor.    “He said he didn’t want you to try to talk him out of it so he’d be in later to sign.  It’s a very generous offer Jacob, and I think you should agree to it.”    “And what exactly is everything?  It’s just a joint savings account, right?”  He flipped through the papers.     “Are you serious?” the banker asked. “You co-owned quite a few serious investments with him.”  She began describing each piece as Jacob’s ears burned and jaw dropped.

In an apartment in Astoria, where Ivan was subletting from Adam, a neighbor watched as another strange man left the apartment.  She tried not to be nosey, but it seemed that this summer tenant had a penchant for overnight guests.  And rarely the same one twice.

Working on the railroad, Greg avoided a phone call from his bartender/recent date.  ‘No way am I taking this call,’ he said to himself.  ‘When did casual become serious?’

And on the Union Square train platform, Frederico spotted Martin and ducked behind a pillar but was too slow. “Hey!” Martin called out.   “Oh, hi!” Frederico said.    “Where are you coming from?   And weren’t you wearing that yesterday?” Martin asked. ”If I didn’t know any better, I’d say somebody got lucky last night,” he teased.    “Oh, yeah, that’s me,” Frederico said nervoulsy, “traipsing about town all night.  Ha ha.”    “Did you work another all nighter?” Martin asked, sounding sad.     “Yep,” Frederico responed. “Perfectionist that I am.  Never happy until the paint’s dry.”    “Well, go home and get some rest.  Tonight’s the big night” Martin said, patted his ex on the shoulder and trotted off to catch his train uptown. 

Initially based on actual events and real people, the story has progressed to such a point as to render everyone and everything unrecognizable.  Nonetheless, names and associations may have been altered to protect the guilty or to make things seem more interesting.

Home from taking Helmut to the airport, Frederico knocked on Jacob’s door.  Jacob answered the door wearing a pair of overalls, rubber gloves, and a face mask.  He was in the process of knocking out the shower walls with a sledge hammer.  Explaining that he was running out to the UN to work on the fresco, Frederico stated that he couldn’t help but notice the tension between Jacob and Helmut.  “What’s the story?” he asked.  Jacob responded that there was no short answer and if Frederico was really in a hurry there wasn’t time to explain.  Frustrated that his curiosity wasn’t sated, Frederico changed into his work clothes and ran off.

As the UN event drew nearer, Leon’s long hours at the office became even longer.  Feeling pulled in a million directions by the committee members and half-wit minions, he forced himself to take a 10 minute coffee break with Tyler one afternoon.  “When was the last time you slept?” Tyler asked him.  Before he had  a chance to answer, Leon’s phone rang.  It was Franz asking if he’d be home for dinner.  He also pressed for Leon to give him some input on summer vacation plans.  “I’m too busy to even think about that,” Leon snapped.  “Let’s get this event behind me and then maybe we can discuss a trip.”  Tyler sat wide eyed and sipped his latte.  He’d never seen Leon and Franz argue.  Leon slammed his cup down and said “I am so stressed by this damn job!”   ”It’s your first project, it’ll get better,” Tyler tried to be soothing.   “The company has gone through 3 project managers since the start of the year.  I’m #4!”   ’Wow,’ Tyler mouthed. 

Halfway through the week, Greg and his bartender went to see a movie.  Greg squirmed uncomfortably through the film, a chyck-flick starring Drew Barrymore, Ashley Judd, Hilary Duff, and Ashton Kutcher.  He wasn’t sure how, but the purely physical relationship with the bartender had turned into date night. 

Adam, on his way to Memphis, dropped his cat - Mr. Sulu - off in Brooklyn for Tyler to watch over the summer.  Mr. Sulu promptly hid under the bed and wouldn’t come out.  Earlier in the week Adam had agreed to sublet his apartment to Ivan, whose roommates had kindly asked him to leave on the grounds that he was entertaining way too often.  Ivan was looking forward to having his own apartment for the summer.  He rearranged the bedroom furniture and changed the pictures on the walls.

During another day of unemployment, Martin went up to the roof to sunbathe.  Jacob was up there taking a break from his work on the apartment.  The two introduced themselves.  “What’s the deal with Tyler?” Jacob asked. ”He seems to embarrass easily.”     “Don’t let the blushing white boy act fool you,” Martin said. “He knows how to play the game, he’s just out of practice.”    “Oh?” Jacob asked.    “Bad break up last winter,” Martin explained. “Three year relationship.  He needs to get over it and come out of his shell.”    “Hmm, good to know,” Jacob said. ”And you and Frederico?”     Martin rubbed sunscreen on his shoulders and looked off towards the Manhattan skyline. “That ship has sailed,” he said.

At the end of the week, Frederico came home from the project site for a long shower and a raw meal of celery, carrots, apples, nuts, berries, and greens in lemon juice.  He invited Jacob up to his apartment and told him “I’ve got a couple hours of free time.  What’s the story with Helmut?”  He poured two glasses of chilled wine.    “Well,” Jacob started, then took a long drink. “It’s probably not as dramatic as you might think, but the main reason I moved in downstairs is because I’ve been struggling to pay the rent in Soho since my boyfriend moved out last year.”    Frederico said nothing, indicating with a head nod and warm eyes that Jacob should continue.     “You said Helmut has been here for 3 months?”     “Yes,” Frederico said, “he came on a tourist visa, decided he wanted to stay, found a job, and is on his way back to Germany to work out the visa.”    “Well,” Jacob said, taking another long drink and offering his empty goblet  for a refill. ”He was also here a year ago and made a move on my boyfriend.  More than a move actually, they had some ridiculous two week long affair while I was in California for my mother’s funeral.”    Frederico’s head tilted and his mouth opened.  Helmut had told him he’d never been to the City before. ”He told me he’d never been to the City before,” he said. “No wonder you didn’t warm up to him last week.”    Jacob smirked, “Chalk it up as another lie.  He comes every summer.”  and he lifted his glass, this time to offer a toast. “To new friendships and old nemeses.”  Their glasses clinked.

What does the City have in store next for our heroes?  Stay tuned.

Based on actual situations, names and associations may have been altered to protect the guilty or to make things seem more interesting.

While Jacob used his sledgehammer to tear down the walls of his bathroom and kitchen, upstairs Frederico and Helmut toasted their new projects.  They headed downstairs to see what the noise was.  Frederico introduced Helmut to the new tenant.  Jacob greeted him coldly.  Apparently there was some history between the two.  Intrigued, but too polite to pry, Frederico steared the conversation towards the changes Jacob intended to make in the apartment.  

Before the champagne was finished Helmut headed home to pack his bags.  He had to head back to Germany to handle his visa paperwork and would return to the City to begin his new job when everything was in order.  Frederico turned to Jacob and asked “What was that about?”  Jacob shook his head and simply stated “Not much. Not much.”

Deciding to make some changes of his own, Martin deleted Bad News Tommy’s phone number and email address.  If he was going to forget about the man he had to start by making it harder to contact him.  He enrolled in an extra kick-boxing class and revised his resume.  Something new was going to come along and it was up to him to make it happen.

Meanwhile busy planning the UN event Leon met with florists and caterers and entertainers.  His work days spilled into evenings and he got home later and later as the event date came closer.  Always the proud hubby, Franz had his own worries as another member of his staff turned in a resignation letter to take a new job with YooHoo.com.

Frederico began putting in long hours at the project site.  Occassionally a member or two of the Arts Committee would stop by to offer “advice”.  He took this in stride with a smiles and eye rolls.   

Adam received good news from his agent.  He’d been cast in a production of The Sound of Music at the Memphis Summer Workshop Theatre Group’s Waterworks Project Main Stage.  He had one week to find a cat sitter, sublet his apartment, pack up and get to Memphis for rehearsals.

The departures continued as one day while waiting for a train in SoHo, Tyler saw Todd approaching.  He instinctively turned away, but it was too late.  “Tyler!” Todd shouted.  Awkwardly Tyler greeted the alcoholic ex-friend.  “I’m glad I bumped into you,” Todd said.  “Oh?” Tyler asked, not sure what to make of Todd’s sober mood.  “I’m leaving the City and heading home to San Diego next week,” Todd said.  “Oh?” Tyler asked, perking up.  “My dad’s sick and Mom needs me home to help out,” Todd explained.  “Oh,” Tyler said, feeling bad for ever thinking ill of him.  Todd shrugged.  “So,” he said, “be sure to tell the guys that they don’t have to worry about bumping into me any more.  I’m through with them and the City.”   “Oh!” Tyler said, again reminded of Todd’s overly dramatic nature.  Todd turned and walked off.  Tyler watched him, just to be sure he was going.

What does the City have in store next for our heroes?  Stay tuned.

Based on actual situations, names and associations may have been altered to protect the guilty or to make things seem more interesting.

On Kimmie’s final night in town before heading back to Memphis, Franz and Leon took her to dinner.  Spaz came too, but she wasn’t allowed to choose anyone’s entrees.  After the meal, while Spaz and Leon pulled the car around, Franz asked Kimmie if she had been recruiting from his staff at Everyone’sOnLine.  She admitted that she may have interviewed a few of his employees.  He asked who, and she refused to say. 

On Monday Leon began his new job and met with the planning committee of the charity event he his planning, a large mural unveiling at the United Nations.

Later in the week, while visiting Frederico, Helmut told him that if he doesn’t find a job in the next week he’ll have to pack up and move back to Germany.  While the two drank their espresso Frederico got a phone call from the UN’s art committee.  His mural proposal was accepted and he begins work right away. 

On top of the feeling that his luck in love has flown the coop, Martin was downsized at the salon.  They gave him two week’s pay and showed him the door.  Alone and frustrated he found himself looking for someone online to occupy his mind.  When the trick showed up on his doorstep it was a familair face.  “Aren’t you Tyler’s friend?” Ivan asked. “I thought you looked familair.”

Meanwhile downstairs, a new neighbor moved in to the apartment next to Tyler.  Tyler rang his bell and offered a banana nut bread as a housewarming gift.  Jacob, the new neighbor, answered the door in a bath towel and a big smile.  “I’m your neighbor, Tyler,” he stammered and thrust the plate forward. 

What does the City have in store next for our heroes?  Stay tuned.

Based on actual situations, names and associations may have been altered to protect the guilty or to make things seem more interesting.

Running home to Brooklyn from his conversation with Frita, Martin walked into Frederico’s apartment.  He let his ex know that he’s coming to grips with the realization that he is still harboring feelings for him.  Frederico stood at the sink cleaning his brushes listening to everything Martin had to say.  Then he turned to him and flatly informed his younger ex that their relationship is in the past and any lingering feelings will have to be left to fizzle out.  “I’m happier being your friend, acting somewhat as an older brother even, but I remember too well how tumultuous our relationship was.”  Disappointed but not surprised, Martin went back to his apartment and pretended not to cry.

Downstairs in Tyler’s apartment, Omar was over helping build a desk.  Omar asked Tyler when he was planning to date again.  Tyler reminded Omar of his New Year resolution that he not date at all in 2007.  “This is my year to take care of myself.  New job, new apartment, new me.  Next year I’ll dedicate to finding someone.”  Knowing Tyler’s long history of serial monogamy, Omar quietly applied the drill to a few screws and rolled his eyes.

In Astoria, Adam took his cat Mr. Sulu to be neutered and declawed.  Later in the week he auditioned for a few roles in a variety of summer stock theaters. 

One day during his lunch trip to the gym, Franz came upon Kimmie having lunch with one of his star employees.  Stunned, he flustered a little before deciding not to interupt.  He was aware that he business trip was designed to build her team, but he didn’t think she’d do it by stealing members of his.

Down in Soho Leon was awarded a promotion to Event Producer.  His first assignment is a charity event in the Upper East Side.

What does the City have in store next for our heroes?  Stay tuned.

Based on actual situations, names and associations may have been altered to protect the guilty or to make things seem more interesting.

On the heels of Franz’s father’s visit, Kimmie popped back into town and stayed with the Jersey boys.  She was in town to conduct interviews for the new team she was building at YooHoo.com.  While in town she and Franz and Leon and Spaz took in a Broadway show and enjoyed dinner in a swanky new bohemian restaurant in Jersey City.  Spaz, ever the decision maker, selected everyone’s dinner entrees. 

At one of Leon’s jobs a position was created for an Event Producer.  He decided to submit his resume and apply for the job.

In Brooklyn, Frederico wrapped up his sketches of Nina and headed to the UN to drop off his proposal for the new mural project.  He was nervouse meeting with the committee of Upper East Side matrons.  Afterwards he phoned Tyler suggesting they meet for dinner.  They headed to a raw food restaurant in SoHo.  Tyler looked over the menu and ordered a watercress salad.  Later on the way home he grabbed a slice of pizza, a frozen yogurt, and a serving of moo-goo-gai-pan.

Ivan met a man online who wanted to use a variety of toys in their romp.  Coming off his latest experience with Mr. Fister he shrugged and played along.

In a coffee shop in Chelsea, Martin sat with Frita.  He discussed his latest run-in with Todd and his lingering feelings for Bad News Tommy.  Frita made the interesting analysis that Martin’s obsession with Tommy was actually a poorly masked longing for his past with Frederico.  Her theory is that due to the close living quarters with Frederico it wasn’t safe for Martin to show affection for his ex and therefore had subconsciously created the infatuation with Tommy.  She opined that Martin’s command to Todd that he stay away “from me and my boyfriend” could easily apply to Tommy and Frederico.  Martin’s head spun upon hearing this. 

What does the City have in store next for our heroes?  Stay tuned.

Based on actual situations, names and associations may have been altered to protect the guilty or to make things seem more interesting.