A Ram in The Bush

Part 2

Tony closed the small refrigerator door underneath the wet bar located in his office at Pittsburgh’s Plaza Hotel. He took a quick sip from his own glass before rounding his desk to hand the other drink to his guest. Brian held the glass of orange juice briefly to his nose, and sniffed. “Just checking.” He said before taking a sip.

“You still don’t trust me.” Tony laughed, and took a seat in his executive chair. “This is certainly a surprise. What can I do for you Mr. Kinney?” he asked.

“I need a favor Tony.” Brian cut to the chase.

“A favor?” Tony’s eyebrows went up.

“I’m sure you’ve been following the news about the plight of Cody Vale.” Brian began. “He’s the gay teenager who was banned from his prom because he wanted to take his boyfriend, instead of a girl as his date. I want to throw a prom for gay teens, but Stockwell has blocked every move that I’ve made.  The Hilton now refuses to allow us to use its ballroom, my caterers have cancelled, and the security firm that I hired decided to bail at the last minute as well……”

“So you want to use The Plaza.” Tony quickly concluded.

“That’s right.”

“Whew!” Tony shook his head. “You really know how to pick a fight don’t you?”

“You ought to know…” Brian took a sip of his drink.

“Yeah, I know.” Tony agreed. “This prom of yours is a political hot-spot Brian. I’m a businessman. I don’t get involved in political hot-spots.” he said.

“Is that a no?” Brian asked.

Tony thought for a moment, then stood up, and walked over to look out of the picture window of his penthouse office. Brian’s eyes followed the handsome millionaire tracing the perfect creases in the back of Tony’s tailored trousers, up his long, sturdy legs to the outline of his ass that was discretely draped by a black sharkskin Canali suit jacket. “Why is this prom so important to you Brian?” Tony asked.

“I’ve got 200 gay teens holding tickets, and their breaths for a chance to make history. They’ve rented tuxes, bought new dresses, made appointments to have their hair, and nails done, and ordered corsages. I can’t let them down.” Brian said.

Tony turned, and looked at Brian. “You know how Stockwell feels about this prom.” he said. “It’s an embarrassment to him, and he’s going to use everything within his power to stop it. Hell he already has! Even if I allow you to use The Plaza who’s going to cater the event at such short notice? I’m certain that my cooks are already booked for that night, and no other caterer in town will come near you. What about music, and decorations?”

“Let me worry about that!” Brian said.

Tony walked back to his chair, and took a seat. “Brian you say that you can’t let THEM down. Is it really Justin that you can’t let down?” he asked. “You can’t give him back what that Hobbs kid took away from him Brian. In fact you could even make it worst. What if other Chris Hobbs decide to crash the party? How are you going to be responsible not only for Justin’s safety, but for the safety of 200 kids when no security firm will touch you. You can’t depend on Stockwell’s police force, and The Plaza doesn’t have the kind of manpower to secure all of the hotel guests, AND a high risk event such as your prom. I can see the lawsuits now!”

“Is that a no?” Brian asked again.

“I’m sorry Brian, but I can’t help you.” Tony said.

“Thank you Tony.” Brian stood up, and headed for the door. Tony’s dark brown eyes followed the determined hazel eyed man tracing the perfect creases in the back of Brian’s tailored trousers, up to the outline of his ass that was discretely draped by a merlot sharkskin Armani suit jacket. Brian stopped short at the door, and turned back to Tony. “Did you go to your senior prom Tony.” he asked.

“No. I was raised in foster homes. There wasn’t any money for dances, or proms.” Tony said.

“Did you want to go?”

“Yes.”

“If you had the money would you have been able to go?”

“No.”

“Why?”

Tony swallowed hard, and took a deep breath. “Because sissy-boys don’t go to proms.” he said. “They get beaten up on the school grounds, spat on in the locker room, and have their best second hand clothes taken away, and flushed down the toilets.”

“Yeah, I know.” Brian smiled bleakly. “I’ll see you around Tony.” he said.

“Mr. Massey this is indeed an honor.” Mayor James Stockwell hurried over to greet his unexpected guest. “I didn’t expect to see you here. I heard you were back in Chicago.”

“I had to fly in this morning to attend to some unscheduled business.” Tony said. “My assistant gave me your message.”

“How good of you to make some time for me.” Stockwell smiled.

“Well it isn’t everyday that an humble businessman like myself gets invited to the mayor’s office for an emergency meeting. This isn’t another fundraiser is it Jim?” Tony joked as he shook Stockwell’s hand.

“No, not this time.” Stockwell laughed. “Please have a seat, and I’ll explain it to everyone at one time.”

Tony looked the room. Assembled along the long conference room table was Pittsburgh’s “A-list” of entrepreneurs. The owner of Pittsburgh’s grandest five-star hotel nodded to familiar faces, and stopped briefly to speak to former, and present business associates as he made his way to a vacant seat.

“First I want to thank you all for coming on such short notice.” Stockwell began his meeting. “I know you’re all very busy, so I’ll try to be as brief as I can. I’ve assembled you here to enlist your support on behalf of the good citizens of Pittsburgh. By now I’m sure that you have heard of the “gay prom” that is suppose to take place this weekend. Let me remind you again that this prom is NOT sanctioned by your school board, and does not have the blessings of this office. I have spoken with the Hilton management, and they have assured me that the heathenish event will not be taking place there. I am requesting that same support from the rest of you here.”

Mumbles of agreement could be heard as Stockwell continued. “It is my intention to force its sponsor, Brian Kinney to refund all monies, and I intend to look into allegations of fraud.”

“Fraud? On what grounds?” Tony raised his hand to ask.

“Brian Kinney is the same man who showed up three years ago at the St James Academy prom with Justin Taylor, his underage lover. I have reason to believe that this prom is just another device for him to meet more underage boys.”

Rumblings of surprise could now be heard around the conference room table.

“It is my understanding that young Mr. Taylor was eighteen years old at the time.” Tony said.

“He still had no business there!” Someone called out. Others around the table agreed.

“It’s just a dance. What harm would it do if we allowed the kids to have their prom?” Tony posed the question over the escalating voices.

“What harm would it do? I’ll tell you what harm it would do!” An animated Stockwell defended his position. “During my first few months in office I’ve shut down three fag pornography web sites, closed two of the most notorious bath houses in the city, and padlocked the infamous backroom of Babylon. My administration has already made a huge dent in the moral decay of this city by forcing the degenerates back into the privacy of their homes. I won’t allow this Sodom & Gomorrah shindig to stop that progress, and embarrass this office.”

“Here, here!” The conference room began to applaud.

“Maybe you should let them have their prom, and turn the football team loose on them!” Someone at the other end of the table joked out loud.

“No, let’s call the baseball team, and tell them to bring their bats!” A wave of laughter went up at the last suggestion.

“Gentlemen please!” Stockwell attempted to calm the crowd. “As much as I would love to eliminate the vermin, there will be no baseball bats. That’s what the police have their nightsticks for.” He said setting off a final roar of laughter before concluding his meeting. “So gentlemen, can I count on you for your support? Can I depend on you to send this Brian Kinney packing if he approaches you? Let’s have a show of hands.”

Not far from city hall, in the loft apartments on Tremont street Brian was holding his own meeting. “The prom is in three days, so we don’t have any time to waste.” he began. “Emmett, you, and Vic are in charge of the food. We want a traditional sit down dinner with salad, entrées, deserts, the works. And make sure there’s no alcohol in the punch. We don’t want to give Stockwell any reason to raid the place. Jennifer, I want you and Deb to get together with your PFLAG mothers, and e-mail the parents of the kids. Convince them that this prom is legit, and not just another orgy. Tell them that their kids won’t be in any danger. Get that for me baby.” Brian ordered Justin to answer the door buzzer that had begun to ring.

“Michael I want you to get the posters put back up around town. I want it known that Stockwell has not stopped us. This prom WILL take place.” Brian continued.

“What can Mel, and I do?” Lindsey asked.

“You can go home, and put that woman of yours to bed before she hurts my grandchild!” Debbie said.

“I’m not an invalid!” Melanie protested.

“The doctor wants you to stay in bed.” Michael reminded her.

“Lindsey you and Mel can make the party favors. That way Mel doesn’t have to get out of bed.” Emmett suggested.

“What about me? What can I do to help?” A familiar voice ask.

All eyes turned toward the loft door as Ben made his entrance. Michael’s heart skipped a beat. It had been months, and a thousand lonely tricks ago since he had laid eyes on such a warm face. Brian walked over to greet him. “Thank you for coming Ben.” he said. “If you don’t mind, I’d like you to help Michael get the posters back up around town.”

“I wouldn’t mind that at all.” Ben smiled.

“Alright, I guess we’re all set.” Brian said as Ben reclaimed his place next to Michael. “Remember everyone that we’re working on a shoestring budget. Give your grocery lists, and estimates to Theodore. He’ll be juggling the books for us.”

“Brian!” Ted raised his hand. “I hate to rain on this parade, but we still don’t have a place yet. Where are we going to hold the prom?” he asked.

“The prom will be held at The Plaza.” Tony stepped through the open loft door. “I checked with my event planner. All of the party rooms are booked for this weekend, but you can use the hotel’s “Gazebo” restaurant if you want to. I’ll close it for the night, and have the glass walls that we use for inclement weather put up. It has its own kitchen that you’re welcomed to use. Make a list of everything you need, and I’ll guarantee that you have it. That includes decorations. Just tell me what you want.” Tony said.

“Flowers, we want lots, and lots of flowers.” Emmett swooned.

“In a rainbow of colors.” Debbie added.

“In gay pride colors.” Vic concluded.

Justin watched as Brian walked over to shake Tony’s hand. “I knew you’d come through.” Brian said.

“Really? And how did you know that?” Tony asked.

“Because for righteous men of courage, and conviction there will ALWAYS be a ram in the bush.” Brian said.

“What?”

“It’s a long story. Come on in, and have a seat.” Brian smiled.

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NEXT WEEK: Righteous Men Of Courage

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