The Invitation

Part 1

Even during times of economic crisis some things remain the same. Babies are going to continue to be born, and fags are going to continue to party. Babylon, the iconic gay night spot was as popular as ever, offering some much needed escapism from an America that was rapidly spiraling toward its second great depression. The Plaza Hotel was another establishment that was still operating in the black. With business travel, and convention revenue down, the five star hotel’s newly revamped, gay friendly atmosphere was turning out to be its savior. Weekend getaways and vacation reservations were booked solid. Much to the dismay of conservative right wingers, other gay establishments had taken notice of the Massey/Kinney formula, and were now offering package deals of their own that included tours of Pittsburgh’s flourishing gay nightlife. Indeed, while the rest of working-class Pittsburgh was teetering on the brink of collapse, Liberty Avenue was thriving.

The housing crunch was another issue that had taken a surprising turn along the fabulous gay mile. With foreclosures on the rise all around them, the once moderately priced homes, apartments, and businesses along Liberty Avenue were seeing a sharp climb in property values. This was due largely in part to the Massey project, or as it was now called, “Camelot on Tremont”.

Tony’s assistant, Everlee sat across from his desk, and opened her daily planner. “You have a meeting with Holster & Associates at eleven,” she began.

“Holster & Associates? I thought we were going with Gentry,” Tony said.

“Holster outbid Gentry by another $80,000 at the last minute,” Everlee informed him.

“Does Holster understand that we’re only using local, licensed, union carpenters, and that we will be checking credentials?” Tony emphasized.

“They understand, and Kenneth wrote it into the contract,” Everlee assured him.

“Excellent. Let’s move on,” Tony said.

“Ava Flowers from Cosmopolitan Magazine called. She’s still looking for a commitment from you to photograph, and interview Pittsburgh’s Royal Trio,” Everlee said.

“Mr. Massey, excuse me, sir. There’s a Dr. David Cameron here to see you. He does not have an appointment.” The receptionist’s voice came over the speaker phone.

An unconscious smile swept across Tony’s face. “Tell him to have a seat. I’ll be with him in a few minutes……What?”

“I didn’t say anything,” Everlee said.

“You don’t have to. I know that look. David is an old friend,” Tony felt the need to say.

“I remember Dr. David, tall, dark hair, very handsome. The two of you were quite an item for awhile there,” Everlee recalled.

“We were never an item,” Tony corrected her. “Let’s finish our briefing.”

“Does David know you’re married now?” Everlee pressed the issue.

Tony suddenly felt uncomfortable. “And why is that any concern of yours?” He shifted in his seat.

“I was just asking.” The suspicious assistant shrugged her shoulders.

“Of course David knows I’m married,” Tony said.

“Uh huh.” Everlee turned the page on her daily planner.

“What do you mean, uh huh?” Tony took offense.

“Nothing, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with an old flame…I’m sorry, an old friend showing up at your office in the morning, after all these years, while everyone happens to be at work, or at school,” she said sarcastically.

“Keep your nose out of my personal affairs, and finish your report,” Tony said.

Everlee rushed through the day’s agenda, and exited Tony’s office. Yep, the man waiting in the lounge area was certainly the David that she remembered. She watched as her boss greeted his unexpected guest, and closed his office door behind them.

“You’re a hard man to catch.” David hugged his friend.

Tony returned the embrace. “That never bothered you before,” he smiled. “Have a seat. What brings you here so early in the morning?”

David removed his overcoat, and sat down on the oversized leather sofa. “I can’t stay long. I have a patient to see at eleven o’clock. I just stopped by to find out what happened to you since you were missing in action at the inauguration. Everyone was asking about you,” he said.

Tony took a seat next to him. “Something came up at the last minute,” he said.

“Brian.” David shook his head. “Lucky, believe me, I understand that you’re going through a midlife crisis. I’ve been there myself with Michael. I must admit that there’s something to be said for smooth, young bodies, but you’re starting to scare me now. When is this phase going to end? You’re losing yourself in your own fantasy.”

Tony couldn’t help but laugh. “What I have may appear to be a fantasy to you, but for me it’s very, very real. I love my boys, David,” he said.

“Maybe so, but do they love you?” David played devil’s advocate. “Lucky, when you love someone you don’t have to change who you are for them. Brian of all people should know that. You were involved in Obama’s campaign right from the beginning, long before it became presidential. There’s no way you would have missed his inauguration, unless you were being negatively influenced.”

“I have to consider what’s best for my new family,” Tony said.

“Giving up who you are isn’t best for you, or your new family. Having said that, I came here to bring you this.” David reached inside his breast pocket, and handed Tony an envelope.

“What is it?” Tony asked.

“It’s an invitation from the White House to attend a summit on healthcare. I know how important universal healthcare is to you. I thought you might like to go to Washington with me next weekend to see what our new president is proposing,” David said.

Tony broke the presidential seal, and began to read.

“I brought the letter to you as soon as I got it in the mail. I know you need time to get your permission slips signed.” David took the cheap shot.

Tony couldn’t ignore the insult. “I don’t need anyone’s permission slip. I go whenever and wherever I please,” he said.

“Good. I’ll take that as a yes then.” David smiled.

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Over at Kinnetics, Brian was catching up on time lost during his convalescence. Thank god for Theodore and Cynthia. During his absence the two had been invaluable in maintaining the day to day operations of the office. The added responsibility appeared to have been a godsend for Theodore. The once mousey accountant now sported a wardrobe of designer suits, worthy of impressing the most discerning client, and he walked with the new found swagger of a man with confidence.

Brian rounded his desk, and took a seat in his executive chair. “What’s on the agenda for the day?” he asked.

Cynthia crossed her legs, and opened her daily planner. “It’s good to have you back, boss,” she smiled.

“It’s good to be back.” Brian readjusted the height on his chair.

“I’m sorry. I meant to fix that before you came back. I hope you don’t mind that I used your office while you were away. It’s much more impressive to the clients than mine,” Ted said.

“No problem.” Brian was eager to get started.

“Are you sure you’re not coming back too soon. You know I can handle things around here if you need more time off,” Ted offered.

“I’m fine, Theodore,” Brian assured him.

Cynthia began, “The new photo layout for Brown Athletics spring collection is in,” she said.

“What new photo layout?” Brian asked.

“I convinced Leo Brown to change the one you submitted. We’re going with Drew Boyd instead of the unknown gym bunnies,” Ted informed him.

“Drew Boyd, of “The Iron Men” football team?” Brian looked at Ted.

“We were lucky to get him to contract with us,” Ted said.

“How lucky?” Brian asked.

“Two million,” Cynthia said as gently as she could.

“TWO MILLION? Are you out of your fucking mind?” Brian nearly leaped from his seat.

“Before you get excited, Brian, see the big picture. Professional athletes are always big moneymakers when it comes to endorsements,” Ted defended his decision.

“Not when their team ended the season with the worst losing streak in the league. How did you talk Leo Brown into putting out that kind of money?” Brian asked.

“Kinnetics picked up the tab for Mr. Boyd’s contract,” Cynthia said with caution.

“WHAT?”

“Let’s move on,” Ted directed Cynthia.

“You have an eleven o’clock meeting at The Plaza with Holster & Associates,” Cynthia said.

“I thought Tony said we were going with Gentry,” Brian said.

“I received the fax from Everlee this morning. Holster will be your contractor for Camelot,” Cynthia said.

“This is a great thing you and Tony are doing, Brian. Do you have any idea how many people will be able to find jobs because of this project? There are already reports of other renovation activity in the area,” Ted said.

“Just think, before long there’ll be heterosexuals living on Liberty Avenue. I’m looking into a townhouse for myself not far from here,” Cynthia smiled.

“It never fails. Fags move in, revive a dump, and before you know it, the breeders want to take it over. If I had known this was going to happen, we would have moved to Brentwood.” Brian recalled the gated, predominantly heterosexual community that was Tony’s first choice.

“Forget about Brentwood. My condo just went up in value by 30%.” Ted grinned.

“I wish I could say the same for Kinnetic’s stock. Two million for Drew Boyd, are you sure you’re an accountant?” Brian still couldn’t fathom the idea.

“The investment will pay for itself in the end,” Ted assured him once again.

Cynthia finished running down the schedule of events for the day. Although still upset by the Drew Boyd deal, Brian was relieved to know that his client load had not diminished during his absence. A 9 am presentation with yet another potential account had ended favorably. It felt good to be back at work. It felt good to be creative again, but most of all it felt great to be healthy again. Brian was on top of the world when he left his office, and made his way to The Plaza Hotel. The bravest member of The Royal Trio flipped his car keys to the valet, and entered the giant revolving glass door of the trendiest hotel in Pittsburgh at the same time Dr. David Cameron was making his exit. The rivals paused briefly when their eyes met.

Brian made the complete circle, and followed David outside. “It’s kind of early for a house call, isn’t it, doc?” he said.

David handed the valet his ticket, and casually turned to Brian. “Doctors are always on call. We come when we’re needed,” he said.

“Needed, being the operative word,” Brian emphasized. “Why the hell are you here?”

“This isn’t Babylon, Brian. I don’t need your permission to come here.” David smoothed his leather gloves onto his hands, and adjusted the collar on his overcoat. “It’s chilly this morning,” he noted.

“I know about your early morning fuck with Tony. There won’t be any repeats, so I suggest that you stop circling like a buzzard, and go look someplace else for your next meal.” Brian cut straight to the chase.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” David said.

“I think you do,” Brian disagreed. “Michael saw Tony leaving your house the morning after the “Colors” party at Babylon.”

“Michael?” David chuckled.

“You remember Michael, cute, dark hair, naïve, gave up his life to follow you to Portland…” Brian jarred David’s memory.

“…Hopelessly in love with his best friend, who didn’t give a damn about him,” David added. “Don’t tell me that you have him following me around for you now. Poor Michael, he was always such a well trained little dog. Surely you don’t think you’re going to be able to lead Lucky around like that.”

“LUCKY is my partner,” Brian reminded him.

“He’s also my best friend.” David smiled.

“Find another best friend. I’m sure there must be someone at the baths looking for companionship,” Brian suggested.

“Is that a twinge of insecurity I’m detecting?” David suspected.

“Not at all,” Brian lied.

“Well it should be, because this time you’re out of your league, Brian, and I think you know that. Tony’s not a wide eyed romantic like Justin, and he’s not a lap dog like Michael. He’s his own man, who happens to be going through a midlife crisis at the moment. It’s just a matter of time before he wakes up, and realizes that he needs a partner that’s more on his level. Let’s face it, Brian, no amount of Armani suits or Prada shoes can cover up what you really are, a backroom whore, and we all know that you can’t change a whore into a housewife.” David smirked. “My car is here. You have a nice day, Brian. Tell Lucky I’ll see him next weekend in Washington.”

The Washington revelation caught him off guard. Brian stood speechless in the middle of the sidewalk, and watched as David got into his car, and drove away.

 

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