Monday, August 17, 2009

The City - chapter thirty two

Previously in the City, while on their way to Memphis, Franz learned that a few more of his employees have resigned to go work for Kimmie.  Jacob discovered a bag of cocaine in the walls of his kitchen.  Martin found his ex Frederico on a date with his boss Nina.  Tyler called Leon to let him know that Franz hired Todd to watch their house.


As the group from Jersey pulled into Kimmie’s driveway in Memphis, Franz’s cell phone started to beep. After Kimmie greeted them with hugs and smiles, Spaz and Leon unloaded the car and Franz answered his phone. Never fully on vacation, it was his office. Another employee had resigned to take a new job. Franz thanked his assistant for contacting him and turned to Kimmie to say, “Are there no other internet companies you plan to recruit from?”

Back in Brooklyn, Jacob punched Helmut’s number into his phone. The two had a brief and barely cordial conversation – Jacob asking Helmut if he knew how to contact Tony, Helmut stating that he had no idea, and Jacob insisting that Helmut think very hard on the matter, and Helmut insisting that he didn’t know where Jacob’s ex was. Within 10 minutes Jacob’s phone rang, the caller ID only showing that the call was coming from an international number. He rolled his eyes as Tony identified himself on the other end. “I hear you’re looking for me?”

Upstairs Frederico put down his paintbrush to answer a knock at the door. It was Tyler, wearing a back pack and a pair of snazzy sunglasses. Tyler asks him to feed Mr. Sulu as he won’t be home that night. “Overnight booty call?” Frederico asked him. “Hardly,” Tyler says. “I’m still not ready for that. Tonight I’m taking care of someone else’s demons.” Frederico returned to his canvas, a stunning larger than life avant-garde painting of his favorite muse – Nina – dressed as a Hungarian peasant reaping missiles in a field of death and famine.

Across the hall Martin drinks a cup of coffee while reading his mail. He grabs one letter and heads across the hall with it. Thinking better of knocking on Frederico’s door, he climbs down the stairs and knocks on Tyler’s door. Not getting an answer he tries Jacob’s apartment next. Still on the phone, Jacob answers and silently waves Martin into the kitchen, where he sits patiently. Jacob continues his conversation – “so I just need to drop it off at this address and the payment is already taken care of?” he pauses to listen; then continues “alright. Thanks for leaving me with this by the way.” He finished with a note of sarcasm and then slammed the phone shut. “What can I do for you Martin.” Showing Jacob the letter informing the tenants that ownership of the building had been transfered to a new management company, Martin worried that an increase in rent would follow.   Jacob studied the letter and pointed out that it doesn’t mention a rent increase. “I’m sure that will be in the next letter,” Martin says. “At any rate, I’m unemployed again and money is tight. I can barely make this month.” Jacob faces him and smiles “Unemployed again? Would you be interested in making a delivery for me, I’ll make it worth your while.”

Back in Memphis, Spaz gave Leon instructions on making a salad. He was checked his cell phone for messages and missed calls periodically, clearly distracted by something. Trying to get his attention Spaz snapped her fingers. “Hey! Something interesting in that phone?”    ”Not yet,” Leon responded.

In the next room Kimmie and Franz continued their discussion on his shrinking staff. Kimmie pointed out that his employees are well trained but not well compensated and that if he wanted to stop the atrophy in his department he should start by studying the exit interviews of the staff he’s lost. Franz responded with a sigh and a simple request “Please don’t hire any one else from my staff.  I’m not asking as a professional courtesy but as a friend.  Don’t ruin my career.”

In New Jersey, Tyler popped up on the door step of their house. Not getting an answer to the doorbell he tried the door knob, found it unlocked and let himself in. There he discovered Todd passed out on the sofa, an empty bottle of wine on the floor.

Posted by Tyrus in 00:55:35 | Permalink | No Comments »

Sunday, July 5, 2009

The City - chapter thirty

Previously in the City, Franz and Leon got close in a hot tub. Tyler and Martin spied on Frederico’s date. Kimmie lured a few of Franz’s employees to her new company.  Adam was cast in a Memphis theater production.  And Jacob discovered a bag full of white powder in his apartment wall.




“You do not want to see this,” Tyler repeated to Martin.  They were standing across the street from the sidewalk café where Frederico was having a date.     Too troubled to look Martin covered his eyes. “Is he hot?  Does he look like me?  Is he fat?  What?!”  He dropped his hand and turned to face the café. “What the hell is going on?” he asked Tyler.    “Maybe it’s not a date,” Tyler suggested.  “He bought flowers,” Martin reminded him.   Suddenly emboldened Martin crossed the street and strode up to his ex’s table. “What the hell is going on?!,” he demanded.    Behind him Tyler raced across the street, unsure of how to fix this awkward and embarrassing situation.  “Nina,” he said to Frederico’s date, “it’s nice to see you again.”

“Not in here,” Leon said to Franz.  They were sharing a hotel room with Spaz on the road trip to Memphis.  Franz was feeling frisky and the two had to leave the hotel hot tub before their predicament began to become obvious.  “Meet me in the shower,” he whispered to Leon.    “No, it’s too close, she’ll hear everything!”     “When did you become such a prude?”    “Can’t we get another room?”   “We have a perfectly good room here.”     “With the light-sleeper over there talking in her sleep.” Leon spat back. He had an idea. “Let’s go out to the car.  We can drop the back seat.”   “Kinky,” Franz replied.

Meanwhile in Memphis, Adam was showering after his final dress rehearsal.  He was performing in the Memphis Summer Workshop Theatre Group’s Waterworks Project Main Stage production of the Sound of Music.   It was an all male cast and he was playing the featured role of the Baroness.  He enjoyed the role but the makeup was excruciating.

Also in Memphis, Kimmie was putting clean sheets on the bed in the guest room.  She was looking forward to having her three friends with her, but was a little nervous at the news she’d have for Franz when they arrived.  Another one of his employees had been lured to join her team at EveryonesOnLine.  It was getting to the point that she didn’t even have to recruit them.  The handful who had joined her were doing a good job of spreading the news about how happy they were at their new jobs.  Their old colleagues were popping out of the woodwork to join up.

Back at 250, Jacob set aside the bag of white powdered he’d just discovered inside his kitchen wall.  He ran his fingers through his hair and began pilfering through a stack of files on his desk.  He picked up his phone and called the number on one of the contracts.  “Disconnected,” he sighed.  He glanced down at his watch, then dialed another number.  Going into voicemail, he left a message “Hi Ms. Torres, this is Jacob Yang, I met with you a few weeks ago to go over some papers to review the dissolution of investments from my breakup with a Mr. Tony Myers.  If you could give me a call back in the morning I would appreciate it.”  He snapped the phone shut and then looked back at the bag of white powder.  He opened it and dipped his finger in, then dabbed a bit of the powder on his tongue.  “No doubt about it.   This is cocaine,” he said to himself.

At the café near Union Square Martin continued his confrontation with Frederico.  “Isn’t this interesting?  My ex-boyfriend and my boss, on a date.  How quaint.”      “Martin, I didn’t know how to tell you,” Nina said.    Frederico stayed silent with a bemused look on his face.   Tyler stood to the side with his mouth agape, wishing he could disappear.     Martin’s energy fully restored, he continued, “What’s there to say?  The two of you meet, you pose for him, become his ‘muse’.  How charming?  The artist and the model.  It’s a love story straight out of Italian opera. Who wouldn’t encourage it, embrace it?”  He glanced from Nina to Frederico and back.  His voice was slightly crazed.  “Maybe the fact that he’s gay would have stopped some people, but no, you built your business on getting what you want didn’t you?”  He turned to face the crowd of diners, most not even trying to stop from eavesdropping.  “Do you hear that everyone?  My boyfriend is on a romantic date with my boss!  That’s right.  My GAY boyfriend and this woman right here! Who’s the bigger fool?  Me or her?”   Then he ran off.     Tyler was left standing there alone, all eyes on him now.    He stammered a little, before whispering “I had no idea this was going to happen.”  Frederico and Nina remained silent.  “Enjoy the rest of your meal,” Tyler said while slowly stepping away. “You look great,” he said to Nina.

 

What does the City have in store next for our heroes? Stay tuned. 
Posted by Tyrus in 05:14:53 | Permalink | No Comments »

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

The City - chapter twenty seven



“Hey Tyler. Good to see you again.”  The words came from Todd, archnemesis of the residents of 250.  Tyler stood in the doorway of Leon and Franz’s home in Jersey, stunned.    ”What?” Tyler said.    Todd pushed his way past, leaned down to pet an eager Nairobi, and smiled up at Tyler who continued to stammer. “I don’t understand.  You.  You’re in rehab.”       “Rehab?” Todd asked. He pulled a treat from his pocket and fed it to Nairobi.   Recovering from the shock, Tyler spoke more directly. “No, you told me yourself you were moving home to San Diego to take care of your sick father.  And then Martin told me you checked into an alcohol rehab center in New Jersey.  Now I find out you’re Franz and Leon’s dog-walker.   This is unbelievable.”    Todd shrugged, “Believe it.”     “Does Leon know Franz hired you?  You tried to have him kicked out your gym for buying marijuana from Martin.”      ”Water under the bridge. They needed a dog-walker, I needed the extra money, and voila! here I am.”      Tyler crossed his arms. “I don’t think it’s that easy.”


Meanwhile on the side of the highway in Pennsylvania Franz had the car jacked up so he could replace a flat tire.  ”I don’t think it’s that easy,” Spaz said. She had the car manual in her hands and was giving directions. “Did the bolt you removed look like a T or an I?”  On the side of the road Leon was on the phone with Kimmie.  ”We were making good time until the tire popped.  We’ll put the spare on and at the first garage we see put on a new tire.   Shouldn’t hold us back.  We were planning to stay the night in Ohio anyway.”  


“OK,” Kimmie said.  She was in her home office, putting in a few hours on a Saturday. “Does he still seem angry about losing so many of his employees to Yoohoo?”  Leon looked over his shoulder towards Franz on his back under the car. He cursed as Spaz handed him a wrench. “No, he’s moved on,” Leon said.  


In Brooklyn, Jacob knocked on Frederico’s door.  Frederico answered in his painting smock and a smile on his face.  ”You’re chipper,” Jacob said.   Frederico smiled even broader, “What can I do for you?” He stepped aside and motioned that Jacob should enter.    ”I’m about to rip out some wiring in my kitchen,” he said. “Do you mind if I turn off the power in the whole building for about 30 minutes?”  Frederico agreed and even offered to help with the project.  But first he put on a kettle of water and washed his brushes.  Over a pot of tea the neighbors discussed matters of the heart.  ”I think it’s possible to be friends after a break up,” Frederico said. “Martin and I are doing great as friends.”   Knowing otherwise, Jacob probed. “Really? You don’t think there’s a chance of a relapse? That one or both of you won’t take the warm feelings too far and fall back in love?”    Frederico pondered the theory. “No, I think we’re beyond that. I know he had some feelings still just a few months ago, but he’s been dating and has moved on.  I really believe that.  So, so have I.”      Jacob looked over his tea cup. “You’ve moved on?”       Frederico smiled again. “That’s what I said.”


“Do you you think he’s seeing just one person?” Frita asked Martin.  They were walking next to each other on adjacent treadmills.   Martin sighed. “I hope not!  How can he be dating someone?  I’d rather he be having cheap hookups than falling for one person.”    ”Really?” Frita asked.    ”Yes! Maybe. I don’t know!”   “Martin, you are a piece of work. You push him away, you pull him back, you push, pull.  Make up your mind.  Do you want him back, or is he just attractive because he’s unavailable?”     Martin sighed and stirred his coffee. “When will I get over him?”


And back in Jersey, Tyler and Todd continued their stand-off.  ”Aren’t you supposed to be getting back to Brooklyn?” Todd asked.   Tyler snorted, “and leave you here alone?”    The two sat down and glared at each other.  Finally Todd spoke. “Let’s clear up some stuff. First, I went to San Diego for a week to see my parents. Second, I didn’t check into rehab, I’m working the night shift there. Third, you don’t need to stay and keep an eye on me.”  Tyler eyed him for a while before speaking. “There’s something wrong with you. Everytime I turn around there you are, usually only a few feet from Frederico. Did you take this job just so you could keep tabs on him?  Man, let him go.  Let that friendship die.”    ”I have better things to waste my time on than Frederico.”     Tyler noticed a tone change that belied the truth. “That’s it!  You left because of Frederico.  Your dad isn’t sick, you moved to Jersey to get away. You’re trying to get past a major crush on Frederico, but instead you’re getting some cheap thrill out of working for his friends.” He punctuated each statement with a finger jab at Todd’s chest.   Todd quickly grabbed Tyler’s hand. “Don’t,” he said definitively, “don’t try to make this into something about him.”   Tyler pulled his hand back, “I’m going to let Leon know that his boyfriend hired the guy who got him kicked out of the gym, and has a problem with alcohol, and a bigger one with the truth.”    ”The truth?” Todd said. “Why would I take a lecture about the truth from you?  Ronald tells me you’re not so good with it.”   Tyler was stunned into silence again, by the mere mention of his ex-boyfriend’s name.

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


Based on events and people that may be familiar to some, names and associations have been altered to protect the guilty.

Posted by Tyrus in 04:22:25 | Permalink | No Comments »

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

The City - chapter twenty-two

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.

Posted by Tyrus in 05:39:37 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

The City - chapter twenty-one

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.

Posted by Tyrus in 02:00:00 | Permalink | No Comments »

Sunday, May 27, 2007

The City - chapter fifteen


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.

Posted by Tyrus in 05:03:00 | Permalink | No Comments »

Saturday, May 26, 2007

The City - chapter fourteen

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.

Posted by Tyrus in 18:15:55 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

The City - chapter thirteen

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.

Posted by Tyrus in 01:57:44 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Thursday, April 5, 2007

The City - chapter nine

One week into the new pad in Brooklyn , Tyler has had his share of spackling and painting the raw apartment.  Grocery shopping was a particularly trying enterprise.  The bright spot is that although he’s no longer living under the protective umbrella of Leon and Franz’s support he does have Frederico and Martin living in the same building.  They have been good resources in settling into the new neighborhood.

They’ve also been entertaining.  Five months after their (most recent) breakup, the two have been testing the waters of dating again, while also testing the limits of what is acceptable to flaunt in front of the other.  Frederico was careful to invite a boy over only in the afternoon when he knew Martin would be at work.  Likewise, Martin was wary about going on a date on a weeknight when it would be more obvious.  They’ve managed to keep everything civil, but Tyler has observed some tensions brewing just under the surface.

Nina joined Tyler, Frederico, and Martin for cocktails on Friday.  After her recent divorce she moved into the upper unit in the Harlem brownstone she and her ex-husband own.  She was full of questions as to how they manage to stay friends yet live so close to each other.  Tyler was smug and quiet as he leaned back and listened to their insistence that they have no problems.

Helmut also joined them for drinks, but wasn’t in a good mood.  Although his employer has agreed to sponsor him for his work visa he needs to pay the attorney’s fees himself.  The process is becoming longer and more expensive than he anticipated.

Ivan resumed his internet hookups, tricking with a horned up musician in the Upper West Side .  All was going well until the trick pulled out a can of Crisco and asked for some fisting action.  Although he balked a little, Ivan shrugged and decided to try something new.

Kimmie called Franz midway through the week from Memphis .  She was very excited to tell him that she was offered the position at Yoohoo.com and that she accepted.  As he had coached her through the interview process he was very excited too.  The fact that Yoohoo.com and Franz’s employer Everyone’sOnLine are major competitors shouldn’t get in the way of their friendship.  So they think.

Leon cleaned out the guestroom that Tyler just vacated to make room for the impending visit of Franz’s father, who was recently diagnosed with a terminal heart condition. 

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.

Posted by Tyrus in 01:50:06 | Permalink | No Comments »

Sunday, March 11, 2007

The City - chapter six

Franz and Leon made finishing touches to their bathroom remodeling project while Tyler solidified plans to move into his own place in the Brooklyn tenement Frederico and Martin call home. 

Kimmie called from Memphis to discuss with Franz a job offer she received from a competitor of his employer. 

Spaz pulled Leon aside to explain that the weed she was looking for was for her mother.  Nearing retirement the older woman wanted to imbibe in a few of the things that she poo-pooed in her youth.  Leon was relieved to know that Spaz wasn’t turning to the drug.  He was also a bit humored at the thought of her mother trying it.  He assured her he’d ask around.

Frederico bumped into Todd in Union Square.  Hurt by the abrupt end to what he saw as a building friendship, Todd asked Frederico directly what it was that caused him to be cut from their lives and not invited to Martin’s birthday party.  Frederico bought Todd a cup of coffee and recounted to him the night over a month ago when Todd showed up drunk to Frederico’s gallery opening.                                   

In Queens Adam re-signed his lease.  A heartbreaking decision, as he internalized the fact that he no longer lives in the heart of Manhattan’s theater district  Self doubt became solvent by the document he signed.  Are the best performances of his career behind him, or will the Queens lease be a new beginning?

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.

Posted by Tyrus in 20:46:39 | Permalink | Comments (1) »