Righteous Men of Courage

Plans for Pittsburgh’s first “gay prom” had captured the attention of America. There wasn’t a television station, or newspaper that wasn’t covering the story of the gay teen who wanted to take his boyfriend to his high school senior prom. Pictures of Cody Vale, and his boyfriend Richard were popping up in such news publications as “Newsweek”, and “U.S. News”.  Before long Brian’s picture could be seen with them as well. “Fortune Magazine” who had originally touted Brian Kinney as the new golden-boy of advertising was now predicting his career demise, as Stockwell made good on his promise to drag Brian’s character through the mud by rehashing the incident with Justin at St. James Academy.

Brian peered out of the picture window of the loft at the growing three ring circus below. Reporters camped out in front of his building were now joined by a small group of picketers. The zealots carried posters with bible verses painted on them condemning the unnatural lifestyle that Brian Kinney was promoting. “God save our youth!” they chanted.

The telephone at the loft had been ringing continuously with hate messages from religious right-wingers who flooded Brian’s answering machine. The easiest solution would have been to have the phone turned off, but with less than 24hrs to prom time Brian needed to keep all lines of communication open in case of any last minute emergencies. Thank god for caller ID. “Yeah”  Brian answered the phone for what seemed like the hundredth time that morning.

“Hey, how are you doing?” Michael asked.

“Just dandy, couldn’t be better.” Brian lied.

“The prom posters are all back up, and we’re headed over to The Plaza to help ma, and Vic finish cooking.” Michael said.

“We?”

“Ben, and me.”

“Ahhh! So I guess everything is back to normal?”

“Not quite. We’re taking it slow.” Michael smiled. “He wants me to meet his foster son.”

“That’s always a good sign when they want you to meet the kids.”

“I told Ben about Mel’s baby.”

“And?”

“He thinks it’s a great idea, he’s all for it. He thinks I’ll make a good father.”

“So do I.” Brian smiled.

Michael picked up on the sullenness in his best friend’s voice. “Brian, are you sure you’re ok?” he asked.

“I’m fine, just a little tired.” Brian tried to sound lighthearted.

“I wish you would come, and stay with me until this shit blows over. It’s not safe for you there at the loft anymore.” Michael said.

“You, and Ben just got back together. How would it look if I came to stay with you now? Don’t worry about me, I’ll be alright.” Brian assured him.

“What about Justin?”

“I can’t get him to leave. I told him to go stay with Daphne, or Jennifer but he won’t go. He’s a tuff little shit.”

“So you ARE worried.” Michael confirmed his suspicion.

“I’m not worried, I’m cautious.” Brian corrected his friend. “You know how unpredictable straight boys are, especially after they’ve had a few Budweiser’s.”

“What’s that noise I hear?” Michael asked.

Brian looked out at the picketers below who had now doubled in numbers.  “It’s nothing, just the television.” he said. “Emmett just called for me to come, and give my final approval on the decorations. You and Ben go on ahead, and I’ll meet you at The Plaza in an hour. I need to shower, and change first.”

“Be careful Brian.” Michael said.

“I’m always careful.” Brian hung up the phone.

A similar gathering of picketers were strolling in front of The Plaza Hotel.  “I WANT THOSE GODDAMN LEMMINGS OFF OF MY PROPERTY!” A livid Anthony Massey barked at his head of security.

“Mr. Massey there’s nothing we can do as long as they keep moving. We can’t have them arrested for loitering until they’ve stopped.”

“WHAT GOOD ARE YOU, WHAT THE FUCK AM I PAYING YOU FOR?” Tony dismissed the plain clothed house detective with a wave of his hand. “EVERLEE, GET STOCKWELL ON THE LINE!” He yelled into the speakerphone at his assistant.

“I’ve been trying all morning Mr. Massey, he’s NOT taking your calls.”  Everlee answered.

“THEN GET MY LAWYER ON THE LINE!”

“Which one?”

“PICK ONE!” Tony bellowed.

“Excuse me Mr. Massey.” Ted tapped lightly on Tony’s open office door before entering. “I…I’m sorry to disturb you sir, but we have a problem with one of the suppliers.”

“Which supplier?” Tony growled.

“The…the…the meat supplier.” Ted stammered. “It seems that the filet minions you ordered are lost.”

“Lost? How the fuck does two cases of beef get lost? It didn’t just get up, and run away. I know it’s fresh, but it’s not THAT fresh.”

“Also, the bakery called. There’s a problem with the delivery of the punch fountains.” Ted added. “And the ice sculptures.”

Tony placed his elbows on his desk, and rested his face in his hands. “I’ll take care of it.” he said from between his fingers. “What about the decorations? How are the decorations coming along?”

“Emmett, and the crew are almost finished. We’ve called Brian, he’s on his way over for a final inspection before we let the decorators go.”

Tony sat back in his chair, and massaged his temples. “At least something is going right.” he sighed.

“Did I mention sir that we are still working well within our budget?” Ted attempted to find a positive note. “And the lobster tails were delivered this morning.”

“Thank you Ted.” Tony forced a smile.

“Mr. Massey you have a private call on line one.” Everlee announced.

“Ted will you excuse me for a moment please? I need to take this call.”

“Of course Mr. Massey.”

Tony waited until Ted had closed the door behind him before snatching up the telephone receiver. “Stockwell, you sleazy son-of-a-bitch!” he hissed.

“It’s me, Justin.” The soft familiar voice came over the line.

Tony quickly changed his tune. “Justin, I’m so sorry princess. I thought you were Stockwell. I’ve been trying to get in touch with that asshole all day.  How are you?”

“I’m scared Tony.” Justin said. “I’ve never been so scared in my life.”

“What’s happened?” Tony asked.

“It’s Brian, they’re going to kill him.”

“Who is?”

“Stockwell!”

“Oooh princess.” Tony began to laugh. “I know Stockwell is sleazy motherfucker, but he’s no killer. He won’t hurt your boyfriend. Stockwell’s not going to do anything that could be traced back to his administration. He loves being mayor way too much.” Tony said.

“Brian has been getting death threats on the telephone.” Justin said.

“Pranksters.” Tony suggested.

“They’re picketing, and parked outside of the loft. We can’t get in, or out of the building without plowing through a bunch of strangers yelling at us, and shoving microphones in our faces.”

“Like these assholes out here.” Tony looked out of his window at the slow moving parade in front of his hotel. “I know they’re annoying, but for the most part they’re harmless.” he chuckled.

“Yesterday someone slashed the tires on the Jeep, and spray painted “Die Fagot” on the passenger door.”

The line suddenly went silent. Tony wasn’t laughing anymore. “Where are you princess, and can you make it to me?” was all he wanted to know.

The religious posters outside of the loft had now been joined by the confederate flag as the good old boys of Pittsburgh joined the picket line.  Brian took a deep breath, and picked up his keys. There was no getting around it. He had to venture out even though his instincts were telling him no. Hopefully the Jeep was still intact. The reluctant warrior was on his way to the door when the telephone once again began to ring. This time the name on the caller ID said Joan Kinney. Brian’s first thought was to ignore it. Then he thought again. What if this would be the last time that he heard his mother’s voice? “Hi mom.” he answered the phone.

Joan Kinney wasted no time starting in on her son. “Don’t hi mom me. How dare you drag this family into your perversion.” she said.

“It’s good to hear your voice too mom.” Brian said.

“I just talked to your sister Claire. Your nephew John Jr. was suspended from school today because of you!”

“I haven’t even seen the brat since Thanksgiving, how can you blame this one on me?” Brian wanted to know.

“John Jr. was suspended for fighting because the kids were teasing him. They were calling him a fagot like you!..”

“They say it runs in families…”

“Don’t you dare get snippy with me you arrogant, self-absorbed heathen. Have you no shame? Have you no respect for the religious teachings you were brought up with? You’re going to burn in hell for what you’re doing Brian ….”

“I have to go mom.” Brian attempted to retreat, but Joanie continued her tirade.

“It’s bad enough that you disgraced this family by having relations with a child. Now you have the nerve to flaunt your sick lifestyle in front of the whole world. It was a sad sad day when you were born. I should have listened to your father, and never had you. You’re sick Brian!….”

Brian had heard enough. “I’m sick? You’re the one who wake up with a sherry in your hand every morning, and nurse one throughout the day.” he began.  “You’re the one who stayed with a man who kicked your ass on a regular basis while he flaunted his affairs in front of your face. You’re the one who would conveniently close your bedroom door while your drunken husband was in the living room beating the shit out of your child, and you’re the one who didn’t believe me when I told you that uncle Frank had been ramming his dick down my throat since I was six years old. So if you NEED someone to blame for my sick, perverted lifestyle on you can take a look in the mirror, and blame yourself..”

“Dear god, he’s lost his mind.” Joan Kinney gasped. “You know that’s not true Brian!…”

“Goodbye mom.”

Brian hung up the phone, and once again picked up his keys. The protesters chants of hate meant very little now as a combination of hurt, and rage blinded his common sense. From the elevator Brian could hear the commotion escalating outside. Upon stepping off of the elevator cries of obscenities could be heard coming from the picketers as they caught a glimpse of the subject of their outrage. Brian stopped dead in his tracks when the angry mob began to surge forward toward the glass vestibule door. Suddenly without warning he was grabbed from behind, and pulled back into the elevator. “Take it easy Mr. Kinney?” An unfamiliar voice said.

A startled Brian scuffled his way free, and quickly turned toward his assailant. At that same time two more men entered the elevator from nowhere, and flanked him on both sides. “Who the fuck are you?” Brian prepared to defend himself.

“My name is McDonald. I’m head of security for The Plaza.” The first man flashed his badge. “Mr. Massey has sent me to escort you back to the hotel. The limo is parked out back. Don’t worry. It’s bulletproof.” he said.

“Yes sir Mr. Massey. We have him.” Brian heard one of the other guards relay the message over his cell phone. “Mr. Kinney, Mr. Massey would like to speak to you.”

“Brian, how are you holding up?” Tony’s voice came over the wire.

“I’m just dandy, couldn’t be better.” Brian breathed a sigh of relief.

“I’ve secured a suite for you, and Justin here at The Plaza.” Tony said.  “Bring whatever you need for the prom tomorrow night. Don’t worry about your loft, or the Jeep. I’ve placed a 24hr watch on your place until after all this prom shit is over.”

“Where’s Justin?” Brian asked.

“He’s here.” Tony said. “You hang in there precious. This will all be over soon. I’ll see you when you get here.” Tony hung up the phone. Wait a minute, what the fuck did he just say?……

Brian held the cell phone away from his ear, and stared at the receiver.  What did Tony just call him?….

“Mr. Kinney, I think we’d better go now.” McDonald said.

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NEXT WEEK: Two Princes

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