Pilgrimage

Pt. 3

The reopening of Babylon resembled that of Oscar night in Hollywood. Tuxedo clad, invitation only guests stepped out of stretch limousines with their entourages of drag queens, fuck buddies, and trophy boys in tow. Garth Racine, and his A-List of gay businessmen were the first to make their entrance. Soon after Congressman Stroger arrived with members of Pittsburgh's Gay & Lesbian Alliance, followed by Zack O'Tool, and no less than ten of his leading men. Several newspapers, as well as financial magazine reporters had also made the pilgrimage to Liberty Avenue's gay Mecca, Babylon to witness history in the making. One by one they passed through Brian's iron tight security.

Ted was like a groupie backstage at a rock concert. "This is so exciting, will you look at this turn out! I recognize most of these guys from Garth's parties. Christian Shaw of "Act II Theaters". There's John Provost, he sits on the board of Kraft Foods. Look over there, it's Dr. Madison, and his partner Dr. Wilder."

"Yeah he's wild alright." Brian casually acknowledged yet another former trick.

"There's senator Cain!"

"You're pointing Theodore." Brian said. "Can you tell me why Emmett is wearing sunglasses at a night club?"

"I don't know, I guess he's gone Hollywood too." Ted grinned. "Speaking of Hollywood, isn't that Ang Lee?"

"Who the fuck is Ang Lee?" Brian couldn't care less.

"He's the director of "Brokeback Mountain". I've got to go get his autograph." Ted hurried off into the crowd.

Brian looked at his watch, then back to the door where guest continued to file in, as hordes of others were being turned away. It seemed that everyone was showing up except the two men he wanted to see the most, Tony and Justin. Brian had assumed that Tony's RSVP was an indication that any hurt feelings there were between the two of them had been laid to rest, and he was grateful for the second chance. This time they were going to do it right. Brian, and Tony would go to Justin, and present Tony's proposal that all three of them could be lovers.

"What a great party!" Michael practically fell over onto the bar.

"Congratulations Brian." Ben held onto his already tipsy boyfriend.

"Thanks." Brian smiled, then looked at Michael. "Are you going to be alright Mikey?"

"Don't worry, I've got him." Ben laughed. "Where's Justin?"

"He'll be here." Brian said, or so he hoped.

The truth was that Brian hadn't spoken to Justin since their blowup in Brian's office three days earlier. Alright, perhaps Brian had gone a tad too far when he called Justin the whore of Babylon's whore. It wasn't suppose to sound as harsh as it came out. What Brian meant to do was remind Justin that gay men were different than breeder boys, and that he didn't have to conform to their stereotypical right-wing values. Instead Brian ended up calling his baby a pseudo-heterosexual. Ouch! Also, maybe it wasn't wise to compare Justin's sexual prowess to Brian's, and to point out how much the hot little blonde loved cock. It would have been better if Brian had simply told Justin that there was nothing wrong with being a young gay man with a healthy libido. It was ok, and only natural that both of them would want to fuck someone like Tony. Alas, it's not what you say, but how you say it.

The pulsating beat of techno house music pounded against the soundproof walls luring Congressman Stroger to his feet. Much to the delight of the television news cameras that had just arrived. The balding older man grabbed Mrs. Stroger, and the two began cutting the rug along side lesions of shirtless, sweaty boy-toys who had danced out of their tuxedoes. Michael and Ben had also joined in the mix, while Mysterious Marilyn lead a line of drag queens in a cancan on top of the bar. Emmett with his sunglasses kept the champagne flowing as he, and his catering staff circulated through the revelers with fresh chilled glasses of the bubbly. Amidst the madness Brian again peered over the crowd at the latest black limo pulling up in front of the door. No, it wasn't Tony. "Mr. Kinney, I'm Sylvia Perez of Channel Seven Eyewitness News. Can we have a word with you?" The popular reporter shoved her microphone in Brian's face.

*************************************

"He called me a sanctimonious closet cockhound, and then he said I was just like him, that no cock was too big for me, and that I could fall asleep with a dick in my mouth, and wake up with one up my ass. How the hell could he say that to me after all the shit I've taken off of him?" Justin was livid as he rehashed the humiliating event that took place in Brian's office to Daphne. "He even called me a brat, can you believe that?"

Daphne watched from the sofa as her ranting friend paced back, and forth. "So you're not going to the opening tonight?" she asked.

"Hell no!" Justin snapped. "I'm done with Brian Kinney once, and for all. I should have stayed with Tony in the first place, then none of this would have happened."

"How do you know that?" Daphne played devil's advocate. "You said Brian always wanted Tony for himself. How do you know they wouldn't have ended up with each other anyway?"

"Who's side are you on Daph?" Justin couldn't believe his ears.

"I'm on your side Justin!" Daphne assured him.

"Well it sure as hell doesn't sound like it! I need a cigarette." Justin said.

"I thought you stopped smoking." she reminded him.

"Well I started back again!" he barked.

Daphne pulled out a cigarette from her purse, and passed it to her friend. "Brian didn't mean anything he said, he was just angry because you sent Tony the invitation to Babylon's party." she said.

Justin lit his cigarette, and took a long drag. "I told you I didn't send Tony that invitation!" he insisted.

"Fine, then who did? It certainly wasn't Brian. Even if he did slip up, and fucked Tony you know it was just a one time thing. Remember how Brian was when you first met him? The house rule was one night only, with no repeats. You're the only one who was invited back to the loft for a second time, and you're the only one he loves Justin." Daphne said.

"You mean I'm the only one dumb enough to let him fuck me bareback. God knows what I might have. Fucking whore!" Justin growl.

"Brian would never do anything to put your life in jeopardy…."

"Oh really? May I remind you that if it wasn't for Brian I would have never been raped by that maniac Kevin! That's another thing the son-of-a-bitch said. He said that no ride was too rough for me, as if I enjoyed it. He called me a whore!"

"A whore?" Daphne's eyes widened.

"Worst than a whore. He said I was HIS whore."

"His whore?"

"That's right, he called me the whore of Babylon's whore, and we all know who that is." Justin took another drag from his cigarette.

"Poor little Justin, always the victim." Daphne tried not to laugh. "Let's summarize what we have here. Brian has fucked every fag in Pittsburgh, and no doubt Tony has fucked every fag in the free world, but still YOU wanted them both. You've been carrying on with Tony for three years behind Brian's back, now Brian has fucked Tony, which means that Tony has fucked you both. Humm, if you ask me the three of you sound well matched for each other. Will the real whore please stand up."

Justin stood, momentarily stunned. "Get the fuck out of my house Daph." he said

Daphne got up from the sofa, and walked over to turn on the television set. "There's a good movie coming on tonight." she said.

"Did you hear what I said? I told you to GET THE FUCK OUT!" Justin repeated his order.

Again Daphne ignored him, and proceeded to the kitchen. "You got any microwave popcorn?" She began searching through the cupboards.

"Are you fucking deaf?" Justin hissed.

Daphne turned around, and looked at her friend. "No, I'm not deaf Justin." she assured him. "You stupid little faggot. You just lost both of the men you love. I'm not going to let you loose your best friend tonight too. Now where's the fucking popcorn?"

"I'll get the popcorn. You go find the movie." Justin said sadly.

Daphne returned to the television set, and began flipping through the channels. "Tomorrow you can call Brian, and get this shit ironed out. He's probably as miserable as you are right now…. Justin come here quick, it's Brian! Babylon is on the ten o'clock news!"

Justin hurried over to the sofa, and sat down next to Daphne.

"We're here at the re-opening of Pittsburgh's Liberty Avenue's legendary Babylon night club, and this is the man who made it happen. Congratulations Mr. Kinney, what a great reopening night." Sylvia Perez spoke over the music.

"Thank you, it's everything I hoped it would be, and more." Brian spoke into the microphone.

"Indeed it is." Sylvia smiled. "This place looks like a who's-who list of gay activist, and supporters. We know there has been bad blood between Pittsburgh's gay community, and mayor Stockwell's right wing majority. Are you anticipating any trouble this evening?"

"In this homophobic society whenever gay people gather together there's ALWAYS the risk of trouble. That's why I've added extra security. We're sparing no expense to ensure the safety of my guests. There won't be a repeat of the violence that erupted on the kids that attended the prom two years ago." Brian promised.

"Speaking of the prom, what a shame that Anthony Massey couldn't be with you tonight. We know he's been one of your staunch supporters. Have you gotten any word on his condition?" Sylvia asked.

"What condition?" Brian looked puzzled.

Realizing her mistake, the seasoned reporter abruptly ended the live report. "This is Sylvia Perez reporting to you from Babylon."………………………….

"Condition, what fucking condition?" Justin leaned in closer to the television.

"Maybe there's something on one of the other news stations." Daphne quickly changed the channel.

"Anthony Massey, owner of The Plaza Hotel chains suffered a heart attack in his home this morning. He was rushed to Loyola Medical Center in Maywood Illinois where he underwent emergency triple bypass surgery. A spokesperson for the hospital at this time is reporting his condition as critical." the reporter said.

*************************************

NEXT WEEK: Fantasy Season 6 concludes with: Pilgrimage, pt 4

Return to Fantasy Season 6