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 at 00:55:35 | Permalink | No Comments »

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

The City - chapter thirty one

Previously in the City, Martin and Tyler discovered Frederico on a date with Nina.  Jacob made some phone calls.  Todd was hired to housesit for Franz and Leon.  And Ivan felt a familiar burning sensation.


Tyler woke to a knock on his door.  It was Frederico, wearing the same outfit he wore the night before to dinner with Nina.  Tyler invited him in for coffee, but Frederico declined.  “No thanks, I won’t be long.  I’m just getting home,” he said. “I wanted to give you a word of advice.”    “Oh?” Tyler asked.    Frederico continued, “Don’t get sucked into Martin’s psycho-drama.  He and I have been back and forth and around the block a dozen times. It’s time he moved on.” He started to climb the stairs, but Tyler reached out and grabbed onto his wrist.   “I’ll take that into consideration,” Tyler said. “I’d like to add however, that Nina and I have been friends since college, I watched her go through a divorce, and if you’re going to pull her into some sort of power struggle it won’t sit well with me.”   Frederico smiled and Tyler dropped his hold. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about,” Frederico said.   “You really like her?” Tyler asked.   “Unexpected, but yes,” Frederico responded.    Tyler cocked his head and squinted. “Interesting,” he said.  Frederico started to climb the stairs before turning around a final time. “Oh!” he said, “I got a letter from the landlord in the mail this morning.  Might want to look for it in your mail too.”

Across the hall Jacob didn’t wait for the bank to return his call.  He dialed again and spoke with the bank officer who had gone over the shared investments with his ex. “I’m trying to reach Tony, but the number I have for him has been disconnected.”  Being told that the bank couldn’t share a client’s information, Jacob began racking his brain.  

Sitting in the backseat of the car, Spaz asked Franz to roll down the windows.  “It smells funky in here for some reason.”  They were hauling ass across Ohio to make up for the delay due to the flat tire.  When they stopped for gas, Leon gave Tyler a call.   “I’m so glad you called!” Tyler shouted into his phone.   “We had some trouble with a flat tire in Pennsylvania, but we’re back on track this morning,” Leon said.  “Sorry to hear that,” Tyler said, without sounding interested. “I do have some news for you.  Do you know who your dog-walker is?”    “I haven’t met him yet,” Leon replied. “Franz hired him while I was working on the UN gala.”    “It’s Todd!” Tyler said, “The guy who tried to get you kicked out of the gym for buying pot from Martin.”     Leon was confused, “That drunk guy?  I thought he moved to San Diego.”     Tyler cradled the phone between his shoulder and ear while making coffee. “No, he went to San Diego to visit his parents; he’s living in New Jersey now and working at a drug rehab center.”    Leon looked over at Franz and Spaz as they studied a map spread over the hood of the car. “Well, this isn’t good.”     Tyler listened to Leon’s breathing for a bit, then said “He seemed stable while I was there, but I don’t trust him.  There’s something about him that makes me think he’s up to something.”    “From what I remember he’s basically an asshole,” Leon said.  “Franz said he’s good with Nairobi.”    Tyler admitted that the dog was happy with him.   Leon sighed. “Listen, his biggest beef seemed to be with Frederico and Martin.  Can you go over there one more time this week just to be sure he hasn’t burned the house down.  I’ll wait until we’re back home to even discuss this with Franz.”   Tyler cautiously agreed this was a reasonable response.  “If I wasn’t taking care of Adam’s cat, I’d volunteer to spend the week there.”    “Thanks,” Leon said.

In Astoria, Ivan paid a visit to his doctor.  He got a shot of penicillin and had some blood drawn for testing. 

Running out the door to meet Frita for lunch, Martin grabbed his mail.  He sat on the train into Manhattan and read the letter from the landlord.  It was a form letter informing the tenants that ownership of the building had been transferred to a new holding company.  Although it didn’t say anything about a rent increase Martin, newly unemployed, assumed the worst.   At lunch he told Frita about Frederico’s date with Nina.  She refused to be sympathetic and told him to get a grip.  She reviewed for him the number of times he and Frederico had separated and reconciled, his infatuation with Bad News Tommy, the threat he felt from Todd’s crush on Frederico, and his one night stand with Ivan.  Additionally she questioned his perpetual unemployment.  “What do you want from life?” she asked. 

On the road in Ohio, with Spaz taking a turn behind the wheel, under Leon’s suggestion Franz called Todd to check on Nairobi.   Todd assured him that all was well.  Once the phone call was over Todd opened another bottle of wine.

Back at 250, Jacob knocked on Frederico’s door.  “Do you have Helmut’s number in Germany?” he asked.   Frederico pursed his lips and furrowed his brow. “Not exactly what I thought you’d be looking for.”

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

Posted by Tyrus at 16:04:36 | Permalink | No Comments »

Saturday, May 30, 2009

The City - chapter twenty eight

“Ronald?”  Tyler was stunned to hear his ex-boyfriend’s name.  Even more stunned to hear it said by Todd. “How on earth do you know anything about me and Ronald?”      Todd smirked and continued without explanation “Nasty little break up, wasn’t it?”    The two stood facing each other in Leon and Franz’s kitchen, their dog Nairobi energetically watching them when she wasn’t jumping up and trying to lap their faces.    Feeling like he’d been kicked in the gut first by discovering Todd was their dog walker and second by the fact that Todd had apparently been talking to his ex, Tyler tried to keep his feet firmly planted. “In fact, it was a nasty breakup.  But that has nothing to do with you.”     “Don’t get so flustered.  He checked into the center last week.  We got to talking and I put two and two together.”      Tyler caught his breath. “So, he’s finally getting help.  And you’re the idiot giving it to him?  Incredible.”     “Funny how things work out, isn’t it?” Todd grabbed Nairobi’s leash off its hook and grabbed her playfully by the ears.  “Care to join us for a walk?” 

“We can’t walk to Memphis!” Spaz said.  She was sitting between Franz and Leon in the cab of a tow-truck somewhere in Pennsylvania.  The flat tire was beyond repair and they had to call in AAA for help.  The tow truck driver had sweat stains under both arms and was chewing on the stump of a cigar.  It was a good look for him.  Fritz, upset that he hadn’t been given the chance to fix the tire himself was studying a map on his Crackberry.  He noticed Leon’s phone vibrating and nudged him. “You want to get that?”   Leon glanced down at the phone and saw that it was Tyler calling.  “It’s just Tyler, I’ll call him back once we know where we are and how long it will take.”

At 250 in Brooklyn, Frederico and Jacob tore apart the wiring in Jacob’s kitchen.  Jacob gave an overview of what he was planning to do with the space.  Expanded bathroom, remove the drop ceiling to reveal the original tin, possibly a sliding door on new pantry, window seat.  He had big plans.  “The landlord is letting you do all this?” Frederico asked.    Jacob nodded. “Yep. We have it all worked out.”     “It’s too bad Helmut isn’t here to help you,” Frederico teased.    “He might be an excellent architect, but I don’t think I’d want his help,” Jacob responded.  Then probing a little “when is he scheduled to get back from Germany?”      Frederico held a flashlight so Jacob could see behind a piece of dry-wall.  “Not sure. He thought it would only be a couple of months, but they found something wrong with his application and now he has to start over.  Last time I talked to him he said that his job here was ok with the delay and have actually been using him to do work from Hamburg.”

Up in Queens where Ivan was subletting Adam’s apartment, he bumped into the landlady as he said good-bye to another trick.  He smiled, she glared. “I don’t remember your friend entertaining so many gentlemen.”    Taken aback Ivan said nothing.   She continued “I don’t want trouble” and she wagged her finger in his face.

At the end of the day Tyler walked up the stairs to his apartment.   He had been unable to reach Leon to suggest that they reconsider Todd as their house-sitter/dog walker.  And he had been floored by the news that Todd had met Ronald, in fact wasn’t even sure he believed it.   Within minutes of sitting down a knock on his door jarred him out of his thoughts.  It was Martin.  “Need to borrow a cup of sugar?” Tyler teased.   “More like an ear,” Martin said.  “Frederico is dating someone and it has me torn up inside.  Do you have any idea who it is?”

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 at 21:23:47 | 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 at 04:22:25 | Permalink | No Comments »

Saturday, September 27, 2008

The City - chapter twenty six


Driving across New Jersey on their way to Memphis, Franz, Leon, and Spaz discussed their plans for the trip.  They were planning to get to Memphis mid-week to visit Kimmie.  While there they hoped to see Adam perform in a production of The Sound of Music.  Franz at the wheel and Spaz reading the map, Leon watched the highway fly by.  “Are you sure it’s ok to have the new dogwalker stay at your place while you’re out of town?” Spaz asked. “How well do you know him?”      “Well enough,” Franz said. ”He stayed with Nairobi last weekend while we were in town at the UN gala. I’m not worried.”      ”What about you Leon?” she asked.      “I haven’t met him yet.  Franz picked him, but I’m not worried either.  And Nairobi likes him, so that’s most important.”      “What’s his name?” Spaz asked, her tone suggesting she still wasn’t convinced.  “Todd,” they answered in unison.

Standing alone in Frederico’s kitchen, Martin pondered the empty condom box he’d discovered.  Not sure what his emotional response should be, he took a deep breath.  Hearing footsteps in the hall, he slammed the box down on the counter and walked out of the apartment.  He came face to face with Jacob.  “What’s up?” the new neighbor asked, sounding chipper. “Have you guys had dinner yet?”      “Not yet,” Martin said. “I just got home, picked up some Chinese on the way, was just about to eat it.” He stared at Jacob blankly. “Do you want Frederico’s?  He’s not here.”       “Oh really?” Jacob said coyly. “I thought I heard the two of you earlier.  It sounded like you were having a good time.”  He smiled, then stopped suddenly. “Oh.  That wasn’t you.  I have trouble keeping it straight in my head who is with whom.  Umm..  I think I’ll go back downstairs now.”      “Wait,” Martin said.  “You heard them?” he pointed over his shoulder.      “Just a little.” Jacob was being cautious. ”Through my ceiling.”      Martin sighed. “Fuck him,” he said.  “Here, take my food, I don’t feel like eating it anymore.” He pushed his way past Jacob into his own apartment.  Jacob followed. “What’s wrong?”       “Isn’t it obvious?” Martin shouted. “Why do I let this happen time after time?”     “Sit down, I’ll make you dinner,” Jacob said.  He took the food out of the bag and began setting up two plates on the kitchen table.     Martin sat down and fumed. “Just when I think he’s out of my system, I get sucked back in and I’m doing all these nice sweet things thinking that we’re on the same page.  Then I come home and find an empty box of condoms in his kitche - a brand I’d like to point out that he and I never used together - and confirmation from you that you could hear them going at it through your ceiling!”      Jacob set a plate of rice and chicken in front of him. “I guess you guys need to have a conversation about where you’re going instead of where you’ve been.  He might feel the same way, but considering you get together, break up, get together, break up again I doubt he knows either.” He shrugged.         “I’m such an idiot,” Martin said.

The next day Frederico worked in his studio.  He whistled as he painted, clearly in a good mood.  He went to the refrigerator to grab a beer when he noticed the box of food and the note from Martin.  “That was nice,” he said to himself. “Too bad I didn’t come home last night.”

In New Jersey, Tyler was on the phone with Leon.  “No, he’s not here yet.  I just took Nairobi for a walk and now we’re watching some cooking show.   How far did you guys make it? Where are you now?”        “We’re in Pennsylvania,” Leon said. ”Stayed at a motel last night outside of Harrisburg, planning to stop in Amish Country today for a bit.”      “That should be fun,” Tyler said.  Hearing the sound of a key in the lock he said “Sounds like the house-sitter is here.  Do you need to talk to him?”       “No, he should know what to do.  He has Franz’s number if he needs it.”       Tyler turned off his phone and went to the door.    His jaw dropped when Todd walked in.      “Hey Tyler, good to see you again,” Todd 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 at 17:36:39 | Permalink | No Comments »

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

The City - chapter twenty-three


“The party is awesome.  Leon did an amazing job producing this event.  Everything is flawless.”  Franz was talking into his cell phone.  On the other end, Todd the new dog walker was house sitting in Jersey.  With both Franz and Leon working full time they needed someone to watch their dog Nairobi during the day.  Not realizing the animosity between Todd and the rest of the world, Franz hired him.  “Thanks for agreeing to watch the house for us.  Leon ’s going to be so surprised when I take him to the Plaza Hotel tonight.”     “No problem,” Todd said.  He lifted a glass of wine to his lips and held a photograph of his former friends celebrating Martin’s birthday last spring.  Leon was front and center in the picture, one arm around Martin the other around Tyler . “I’m sure Leon will be pleased.”     “I can’t wait for you two to meet,” Franz cluelessly said.     


Across the room, Frederico’s sedative and champagne combination kicked in.  Draped between Nina and Leon, they dragged him outdoors.  His phone rang - Helmut calling from Germany to congratulate him.  Too drunk to take the call, Frederico handed the phone to Jacob.  Still thinking he was speaking to Frederico, Helmut told Jacob about his upcoming interview with the consulate in Hamburg . “I should be back in the US sooner than expected,” he said.    Without a word, Jacob slammed the phone shut.   “Who was that?” came a voice behind him.  It was the attaché Jacob had been canoodling behind a pillar most of the night.  “Just a friend of Frederico’s, calling from Hamburg ,” Jacob briefly explained to him.  “What a coincidence,” the attaché said. “I work at the US consulate in Hamburg .”    An idea forming across his smile, Jacob said, “Interesting.  Want to go dancing?”  


Spotting Tyler and Martin approaching them, Leon hissed “Get him out of here before the paparazzi get a shot of him.”  Martin whisked the barely standing Frederico into a taxi.  Leon ran back indoors, leaving Nina and Tyler alone on the steps.  “What’s their relationship like,” Nina asked him.   “Martin and Frederico?” he responded. “Platonic.  I think there’s the potential for more, but they both know they work better as friends.”     “I wonder if the living arrangement you all have will let the friendship develop.” she replied.


In the back of the cab Frederico passed out on Martin’s shoulder.  “I love you,” he said.  “I love you too,” responded the other.


Long after the party died down, and the cleaning crew arrived, Franz carried Leon across the threshold of their room in the Plaza Hotel.  Leon exhausted and weary eyed, Franz loving him more than he ever could.  They fell asleep in each other’s arms.

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 at 04:30:36 | 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 at 05:39:37 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Saturday, June 23, 2007

The City - chapter seventeen

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.

Posted by Tyrus at 01:54:50 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

The City - chapter twelve

In the last few days of his father’s visit, Franz and Dick had a heart to heart admitting the difficulty they have seeing eye to eye on many things.  They were able to have a safe discussion about Franz’s brothers, Dick’s new wife, and financial concerns around Dick’s end of life health care. Ultimately they shared a touching moment with the requisite tears and fairwells.

Leon spoke to the management at his gym about the events that lead up to Martin’s promise to find weed for him.  They rescinded their previous decision and allowed Martin to rejoin.  When Todd witnessed the two going over their boxing moves together, he became rather angry.  But couldn’t do anything about it.

Omar came by Tyler ’s apartment in Brooklyn bearing gifts – an iron and set of shelves, hand-me-downs from his and O’Brien’s combined household.  He was impressed by the progress made, but concerned about the standstill in the kitchen. 

Frederico busied himself putting together a proposal for a mural project at the United Nations.  He locked himself in the apartment for days on end.  Nina stopped by to visit Tyler, who was out walking Frederico’s dogs.  Frederico popped into the hallway long enough to ask her to pose for a few hours. 

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 at 01:55:56 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Sunday, April 15, 2007

The City - chapter eleven

Tyler and Adam attended a play in Hell’s Kitchen that wasn’t entirely bad.  Following the show they went to a party in Chelsea where they bumped into Frederico and Helmut. Helmut had quit his job after an unwelcome sexual advance by his boss.  He was giving himself one more month to find employment before heading back to Germany .  Refraining from alcohol as part of his fitness regimen, Frederico was bored by the crowd.

At the same party, Ivan and Greg compared dating habits.  It was noted that while Ivan preferred the ease of using the internet for anonymous hookups, Greg was more comfortable in an old fashioned bar setting.  They both went home alone.

Martin tried to take advantage of Frederico’s absence from the building to invite Bad News Tommy over for a nightcap.  But Tommy wasn’t answering his calls.  Instead Martin went into Chelsea for a solitary cup of coffee.  There he bumped into Todd and a font of anger erupted, using words like “pathetic”, “loser”, and “whore”.  Todd returned the favor with expressions such as “pot head”, “asshole”, and “D-lister”.  Finally in an impassioned outrage Martin said “Stay away from me and my boyfriend!” and stalked away.  But he wasn’t sure which man he was referring to.

Franz and Leon hosted a dinner party in honor of Spaz’s mother who retired this week.  Over dessert they joked about the request she’d made about smoking weed to make up for a well mannered youth. Dick, Franz’s terminally ill father, piped up that he had stash of medical marijuana he was more than willing to share.  The room burst into laughter, followed by Franz drawing the shades.

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 at 01:53:30 | Permalink | Comments (1) »