KINNETIC - MONDAY MORNING

JUSTIN

It’s my second week and I have to say I am enjoying it. Its long hours, but that’s okay as I like to work hard. I look around our cubicle set and as per usual, I am the first one in. I head to the kitchen and start to set up the coffee machines. When I first got here, everyone was queuing for the kettles and I couldn’t understand it when there were two top of the range machines doing nothing. Turns out that they may have artistic flair, but no concept of the workings of a coffee machine. I was very popular when I came in the next day and set them up, not that I said anything. I just did it and everyone was happy.

I am about to start the machine up when I spot the note: Whomever set these machines up can you please do the same for the machine in Mr Kinney’s office? Neither of us have the time to constantly finagle with it. Thank you very much, Cynthia.

I gulp and look around. I am still the only one here, so I head to the inner sanctum of their offices. I knock on the door and am so surprised to hear someone say that I can come in that I am frozen to the spot.

“Come in!!” They repeat louder and angrier so I quickly open the door.

“Yes!” The pissed-off blonde snaps over her shoulder as she looks in the filing cabinet.

“The no-note on the machine. I’ve come to…” I trail off.

“The coffee machine! Please tell me you’re the coffee machine fairy?!” She whirls around and looks almost maniacal in her desperation!

“Well I am gay, but that doesn’t make me a...oh, I see!” I stammer, blushing deeply when I realise she didn’t mean fairy in that way. “Where is it?”

“Them.” She smiles at my embarrassment. “This one’s mine. If you could set that up first as he’s still on a plane, I’ll love you forever. The other all-singing-all-dancing one is within his office. And if you could email me instructions, in English, not fucking instruction manual, on how to operate both that would be great...oh sorry. My name is Cynthia and you are?”

“Justin. Justin Taylor. Will do. Won’t be long.”

“Nice to meet you. Now could you excuse me? I need to prepare for the pitch.”

I nod and she goes back to the filing cabinet. Soon, the office is smelling of coffee and she is looking a little less stressed out. “Fuck me, I needed that.” She sighs as she takes another sip. “Okay, let me open up and you can do his.”

As I follow her into his office, two things hit me. First is how roughhewn and macho it is and secondly, how tidy it is!

“Has he been away long?” I ask as I head to the machine and set to work.

“Went last night, back early afternoon. Why?” Something in her voice makes me turn around.

“It’s so very tidy that I just wondered who the cleaner is. I could use them over at my place. I’m a disorganised muddle-grub as my mom calls me. She was so pleased when I moved into my place so she could...sorry... rambling. I’ll just finish this.”

“It’s okay. It’s nice to have someone to talk to in the morning. Nobody but him tidies his office. Can that thing be set to come on at a certain time?”

“Yes, they all can be. What time do you want me to set it for?”

“Just put it in the instructions, that will be fine.”

“Honest, I can do it now, set it for a week, different times, so that it’s fresh the moment you come through the door.”

“Okay, this one for 6.30 from tomorrow but 2.00pm today, and mine for 7.00 for the rest of the week. I give him half an hour for him to get his bean on before I do anything with him.” She smiles at me. “Oh and he likes the Blue Mountain coffee very much…”

“Oh me too, shame we ran out of pods.”

“We didn’t.” She smirks. “He moved them…”

“All of them?!” I gasp and she nods with a small chuckle.

“Well, not all of them. There was one box that was left, but by the time he remembered it had been emptied. So could you set that up to be his first cup? He can do the rest himself.”

“Sure. Oh, won’t be a second!” I tell her and rush down to the kitchen.

“Justin! What’s wrong?!” She calls out.

“Nothing, be right back!” I reply and find what I am looking for right at the back. Two wide but deep coffee cups and matching saucers. In fact, there’s two boxes of them so I pull them out and take them back. Cynthia is starting to come up the corridor. “Sorry, but I love coffee and coffee has to be drunk in the proper cups. I remembered these. I use one and get teased, but I don’t care.”

“Oh they are gorgeous, definitely need to be using them.” She takes the boxes and puts them in her cupboard. “So you know where they are just in case you break your one. They are so beautiful; they will suit his Italian side perfectly!”

“Oh wait, let me get you something.” She beckons me inside his office and opens the cupboard under the machine. And there are all of the Blue Mountain pods! She hands me a couple of the strips.

“No honestly, it’s fine…”

“Just take them. He’s not going to miss them. He’d vowed not to have any here until his machine was working; wanted his first cup to be out of there.” We both turn as the office starts to come to life. “You’d best get back to your cubicle. Thank you, Justin. You have no idea what a lifesaver you are! Oh and hide them! You and him are not the only fans!”

I hurry back to my desk and stash them in my drawer along with the other box that I managed to take before he got to it.

CYNTHIA

Now that is so much better! He’ll bitch for all of five seconds before he sits on his sofa and has his coffee. Thank fuck, he took some of the pods home or he would be fucking unbearable!

“What’s that smell?” Ted stops as he comes passed my office. “Your machine is working! Is his?” He looks so hopeful that I have to nod quickly in reassurance. “Thank goodness for that! He has worn her down, I’ll text her. And whoever did those can they do mine?”

“I’m sure, he will. Now you…”

“Oh that’s gorgeous, where did you find that?” He comes in marvelling at the cup.

“The coffee fairy.” I take out a set for him. “Mine has Dharkan in it, want one?”

“Oh please!” He comes in and takes a seat. “I hope the combination of him signing them and his coffee being in place will have him in only a bad mood.”

“Me too. He’s right though…”

“Who?” Ted frowns, but that is soon wiped off his face when he has his first sip of coffee, which he quickly drains with a sigh of pleasure.

“The coffee fairy. It does taste better out of a proper cup.” I tell him as I start to ping an email to Justin. “Want another one and what time?”

“Yes and what time what?”

“What time do you want your machine to start from?”

“Oh, 7.00.”

“Got it. Now he gets here at 2.00pm so let’s make this as pain-free as possible.”

TED’S OFFICE - 20 MINUTES LATER

TED

Oh that smells delicious! I have been gathering my favourites and they are piled in a crystal bowl to the side of machine. We all have crystal vases by our machines with a mix of pods in there. Apparently, the coffee fairy has rules about how things should be stored from a purely aesthetic point of view. Well, whatever. As long as when I hit the office at seven he is in a mellow mood, the coffee fairy can do whatever the fuck he wants!

DINER - FOUR HOURS LATER

DEBS

I tilt my head and wait for him to try and justify why he should have the machine and I can’t.

“It’s too fancy for you.” Michael attempts.

“Then it’s too fancy for either of us.” I reiterate.

“And we don’t drink enough coffee to justify that machine.” Ben points out.

“But we could...” Michael wheedles.

“But we won’t. I barely have two cups a week. And…” He peers at the machine again. “That is top of the line, the pods alone will…”

“There’s pods in here!” He crows and for a second, I start to hate the meticulousness that is Brian Kinney when the door opens and a harassed looking chap comes in. “Can I help you?”

“Yeah, I’m looking for...oh you. I’m looking for you, Debs. I...ah, there it is. It needs to be taken back. The one at work now works and…”

“Wait, who are you?” Michael demands, standing in front of the machine. “You could be a thief!”

“I have a very niche market if I am stealing coffee machines. I work for Kinnetic as one of the post room boys. I was sent here to get the machine and bring it back within the hour. I don’t want to get shouted at, so if I could just box this up, I’ll be on my way.”

“No, we need to check this out. Let me call Brian!” He holds him off, but the guy just shakes his head and pulls out his phone then puts it on speaker.

“Cynthia Moore speaking!”

“Hi Cynthia, it’s…”

“It’s Michael!” He shouts. “Someone is here trying to steal the coffee machine that Brian said we could have!”

Ever thankful that the diner is empty most Monday mornings, I just glare at him and point to the booth. He goes and sits down while Ben takes the pods off of him.

“Cynthia, it’s Debs. Sorry about that, you know…”

“Yes, I know. Look Debs, I’m really busy, so can you just let the guy do what I asked him to do please?”

“Sure honey, you carry on.” He hangs up and starts to box up the machine back up and in less than 15 minutes, what could’ve caused uproar in the diner, is gone.

“Still don’t see why we couldn’t have kept it.” Michael pouts and Ben rolls his eyes.

“We wouldn’t have used it, and eventually I would say we…” He pauses and then observes Michael quietly. “I see. And in the diner, it wouldn’t have worked either.”

“Why not?” Michael has a telling blush across his cheeks. Ben has caught him out in something.

“Because the queens and the fags would be quarrelling over the pods, as in whose turn is it to buy the next lot, and I would spend half my time cleaning instead of serving. So I am glad it went back!” I retort and he glowers at me, but then it hits me. He’d take the machine and use it for a few weeks and then agree with Ben to sell it. I catch Ben’s eye and shake my head.

“Okay, I’m going to work. See you later, Michael.” Ben bends down to kiss him, but Michael turns his face so he gets him on his cheek. He stands, shrugs and with a kiss to my proffered cheek is gone.

“He should’ve backed me up!” Michael grumbles as I place the diner coffee in front of him with great relish.

“What would you have bought?” I ask, sitting down.

“Bought? What do you mean bought?”

“That machine isn't the first thing of Brian’s that you have sold which he’s given to you. No doubt, it wouldn’t have been the last. So what would you have bought?”

“Something for Jenny.” He says and I smile. I love my granddaughter.

“So what did he say when you asked him?” He frowns. “Brian? About helping you pay the support this month?”

“I’ve not had a chance to talk to him about that yet. Ben is not happy about me asking him, but supports my decision to...”

“What does it have to do with Ben? Brian is your best friend! Gus and Jenny are brother and sister. Gus is his son and…”

“Jenny is Michael’s daughter and not his.” Carl’s voice interrupts sharply. “This is one of the many discussions we’ve had before, Debs. Leave it alone. Do not go around to browbeat Brian into some kind of owing you supplication. You don’t know half the stuff you think you do.”

“And since when does the opinion of an ex-boyfriend count?” Michael sneers.

“When the ex-boyfriend knows more than the supposed mother and best friend of the person they are talking about!” He snaps and places his order with Kiki before turning back to us. “The only way you will be happy Debs is to cut the apron strings. Because if you don’t, when he sinks you’re both going to drown. Oh thanks, Kiki. See you later.”

“Bye, Carl.” She calls out as he leaves before glaring at me, but saying nothing.

“What are you looking at her like that for?” Michael demands and I smile at his defence of me.

“Because he’s right, Debs. You have a good 2nd son, but you’re losing him. You had a good man too, but you lost him. You have a granddaughter, whom you don’t see...and who’s the common, very common feature in this equation...your first son.”

“Hang on there!” I bridle. “Michael had nothing…”

“Going to my section. You keep deluding yourself that he’s had nothing to do with anything!”

KINNETIC - EARLY AFTERNOON

MAIN BOARDROOM

JUSTIN

“It’s big.” Murph, my boss says, as we were all called into the huge boardroom for an announcement. We’re all seated facing three, at the moment, empty chairs. The door swings open and first Cynthia comes in, followed by Ted and then we wait.  “Very big.”

“Everyone assembled?!” A voice bellows and I feel it vibrate through me.

“Yep.” Cynthia calls back and takes a seat. Ted takes the other, leaving the middle one empty.

A tall elegant figure strides across the stage and stands in front of the empty chair. He puts his gold cup on the seat and then turns to face us. “For those of you who don’t foolishly know, and if you don’t why the fuck are you working here, I’m Brian Kinney. Your ultimate boss. We signed three major clients over the last three days and while I am an ultimate asshole/bastard/insert whatever fucking description you’d like here, I also am fair. So well done to those who worked on the campaigns and thank you for your hard work. However, special thanks must go out to the coffee fairy, who finally got my machine working. Cynthia knows who you are, but won’t tell me. Well, whomever you are, have the rest of the day off. The others get back to work!”

“Brian!” Ted and Cynthia say at the same time.

“Alright, alright, everyone fuck off then, but be in tomorrow dead on eight.”

As we almost all run back to our desks to get our things, I am just about to shut down my machine when a message comes through on IM from Cynthia; and I quote...I could just kiss the person who did this! Pucker up! Seriously, you’ve made him so very happy! Enjoy your evening.

I chuckle and gather my cup and saucer to wash them up. “I wouldn’t use them if I were you.” Grantham warns. “Only the top lot use them.”

“I…”

“This is not a police state, Grantham. People can use whatever they want!” Cynthia tells him sharply. “And I suggest you spend more time observing your work rather than what everyone else is doing with the crockery.”

“He’s new. I was just trying to make sure he doesn’t make any mistakes.” He says.

“You mean like talking to my tits the way you are doing right now?” She growls and immediately, his head jerks up. “Go home. Try to be better tomorrow.” She orders and as I’m not sure if she means just him or both of us, I’m not taking any chances and quickly rinse out my things and rush back to my desk so I can leave.

BRIAN

I could hear Cyn ripping into someone as I gathered my things and then I see a slim figure, rushing back to his cubicle and Grantham walking out looking thunderous. Cyn comes back up the corridor, looking nauseated.

“Talked to the tits again?” I ask.

“Yes. Loathsome man.”

“Bye Cynthia!” The slim figure calls before rushing out.

“Bye!”

“Come on, I’ll walk you to your car.” I follow her back to her office and wait for her to gather her things. As she does, I look out of the window. Mr Slim has stopped and is searching for something in his pockets and judging by the way his shoulders have slumped, whatever it is, is in here. He turns back to the building and starts running.

“Forgetful.” I mutter.

“Who is?” She asks joining me at the window.

“Mr Slim. He’s forgotten something.”

“Oh I see. You ready?”

“I’m waiting for you, dumbass!” I grumble and bow theatrically.

As we head to the exit, I hear footsteps and Mr Slim is running back down the corridor. He looks at his watch and then slows down to a stroll.

“Missed your bus?” Cynthia asks, holding the door for him and he nods. “Where do you live? I can give you a lift maybe?”

“Oh no, it’s fine. I can...Regent Square.” He trails off in the face of the look.

“Most people don’t get that the first time.” I laugh and he turns to look at me. My eyes are pulled straight to his mouth.

“Pardon?”

“The look conveys a thousand words. Or most likely just the two...fuck and off. Well, I’ll leave you to your evening. See you tomorrow.”

“Bye, Brian.” Cynthia takes out her keys.

“Good afternoon, Mr Kinney. Have a nice evening.” Mr Slim calls out as I head to my car.

"Good afternoon, Mr Slim.” I call back over my shoulder and he gives me a smile I feel all the way down to my toes.

BRIAN

I lean back against the car seat after I take in a couple of breaths then check my messages list and sigh. My good mood starts to rapidly evaporate as I listen to the first one from Lindsay: Brian, I know you are still mad about what I said. But we need to discuss the support payments just between ourselves. I don’t see why Ted needs to be involved. I’m not happy with having to share my financial details with him. Yes he’s our friend, but mostly Mel’s. It just makes me uncomfortable...call me please.

“I’ll just bet it makes you uncomfortable. Having to justify every fucking penny you want from me now is not something you are used to. Well tough your, flat in your case, titties! You want more, you tell me why?” I growl at my phone.

Taking another breath, I play the next one: Brian hi, it’s me your best friend. Look, I need to speak to you about your honorary daughter. I’m going to be having a little bit of a problem meeting the support payment for Jenny. So can you call me so that you can help me with it? Speak to you later.”

“You will not speak to me later, bestie! You have a husband that’s supposed to be supporting you with your daughter. So tap him for that!”

I start the engine and drive out of the parking lot, heading towards Liberty Avenue. I park in my usual spot near the diner and pray. As I push the door open, I am assailed by the smells of grease and coffee and wish I hadn’t stopped in here. I am about to turn around when I walk straight into Ben.

“Sorry, Ben. I was just going...”

“Actually, I am glad I bumped into you. Michael’s just coming. You didn’t return his call.” His tone is full of censure.

“Only just listened to his message and…”

“He called you at 11.00am; it’s 4.00pm. He’s your best friend and needs you like you…”

“Brian! Hi!” Michael squawks like a chicken. “Where have you been? You never returned my call.”

“I had just mentioned that, Babe. Let’s go grab the booth.” Ben steps behind me, blocking my exit and Michael struts, actually fucking struts, to the table like he has two cock of the walks behind him. He only has one and if he only knew that I have already had him! I sigh as I take the seat of disappointment as they both turn to me. “Well?” Ben asks.

“Well what?” I return a lot calmer than I feel.

“Look Brian, I don’t like to see Michael upset and…”

“There you are, you asshole!” Debs’s clarion call reverberates round my ears and I wait for the smack at the back of my head. I have gotten so used to it, I don’t even flinch...I just wait. It may not come immediately but it always does. “Where have you been?” She demands, sitting opposite me and next to Michael. Three sets of eyes turn to me, waiting for an answer.

“On business trip. And…”

“Is your phone broken?” Ben glares at me. “As I was saying, you seem to delight in…”

“For fuck sake! Not you as well, Ben!” Kiki snaps as she passes. “And there I was thinking you were only stupid once... you know for marrying him in the first place!”

“Kiki, you seem to forget that…” He begins in that oh so punch him in the mouth pompous way of his.

“...I don’t forget. But you seem to have forgotten yourself!” Kiki snipes and then continues on her way.

I keep my face unemotional and wait for them to turn back to me and finish what they started.

“I don’t understand why she hasn’t been fired yet?” Michael complains. “I suppose He-She must be doing something good.” He snickers.

“You mean like her job for example?” Delores snipes as she leans against the booth. “I won’t warn you again about that phrase, Mr Novotny-Bruckner. Unlike your mother, who doesn’t seem to have warned you at all, it won’t be tolerated! And I do believe, unlike some, Kiki comes here to work, not to indulge or berate her family! I take it you are on your break now, Debs?”

“Yes, Delores. I was about to come and tell you, but…”

“Just sat down instead? Yes, I noticed. You have 15 minutes left.” She butts in. “Use it wisely.”

All three pairs of angry eyes follow her retreat and I almost burst out laughing at their outrage. It’s okay for them to tell the truth to other people, but not to hear the truth about themselves!

“Can we get this done?” I sigh. “I’m hungry.”

“If you’re hungry, we can go back to Ma’s and eat there. That way…”

“I have to work until seven. So why haven’t you answered his question?”

“Which one? The one about the support? The one about the…”

“Support.” Michael interrupts quickly and I know he’s not told them about the other things he’s having problems meeting the money for!

“So why haven’t you agreed to this? It’s the first time he’s asked and it’s not as if you...”

“Can’t afford it.” Debs finishes off Ben’s sentence.

I take a huge breath once more and stand up as does Debs. “I am not giving him money to support Jenny. She is not mine. If he couldn’t afford to pay for her then he shouldn’t have ponied up, eventually. And…”

“Did you seriously just say that?! Are you sick? You must be if you’ve said that and refused my son. I have some tuna casserole at home and you are coming with us!”

“I am no longer hungry having heard that. I am not sick. I am simply saying…”

Debs raises her hand but before she can connect, it’s stopped. “For fuck sake! That slap lands and you spend a night in jail!” Carl’s bellow silences the diner.

“Carl?! What the hell is going on out here?” Delores comes rushing out and then sees Debs, still frozen in position. “Debs, go home! Just go home for the rest of the day. I will call you if we need you.”

“Now Delores, there’s no need for that...” Debs tries to placate.

“There is every need. After your son’s thoughtless comment, your son-in-law’s pomposity and now your attempted assault, there is every need. I will cover your shift tonight. Go home and if I haven’t called you by 0900, assume you have the day off...paid, I guess.”

“Come on Ma, Ben. Let’s go!” Michael orders and I step aside to let Ben out and they head to the door, scowling at Carl as he approaches me. “Brian, come on!”

“No. I’ve given you my answer and I am not changing my mind. Besides, it’s Monday and I have a date.” All three of their jaws drop.

“You okay, son?” He asks, scrutinising my face.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Honest.”

“You out back?” He asks and I nod as he squeezes Delores’s arm as he passes. “I’ll call ahead.”

“Thanks. Like I said, I have a date. You want to give me fucking tuna casserole, which I hate but he wants to buy me tuna sashimi and sushi. And I want to have fucking sashimi!” I snarl and follow Carl outside.

DELORES

“Go while you can come back, Debs.” I tell her and there is a collective sigh of relief as they leave. I head out back and smile as Carl pleads to be allowed to drive. Of course, Brian relents as he always does. It’s a shame he doesn’t relent to the Avenue and fire that mouthy redhead’s ass!

CHAYA JAPANESE CUISINE - 40 MINUTES LATER

CHEF AKINO TUN

Ah, there they are! Two of my favourite customers. I head over with the hot sake. “Good evening, gentlemen. Did he persuade you again?”

“Yes, he did.” Brian smiles and I place the sake in front of him.

“I will be back with the tea and the fatty tuna to start? Today looks like it is a fatty tuna day.”

“Definitely and eel please.” Carl says as he settles down.

I shake my head and scurry back to get their dishes.

“What am I doing?” Cherry asks, smiling indulgently across at Brian and Carl.

“Fatty tuna and the eel to start.” I sigh.

“Ooh, if I could just have two minutes with them!” She snarls as she prepares their food. Now I love my wife very much. We have been married for over 20 years, and we have never had an argument. Watching her knife skills I know that is one of the reasons why!

“I know my darling, but it is his choice who he allows into his life.”

“There is a difference between being allowed into someone’s life and constantly bulldozing your way in. They bulldoze!” She rebukes me and I have to concede that point. “Take it over then and tell them that they are having the poki, soft shell crab and beef negimaki.”

“Of course.”

CARL

“Have we ever, apart from the first time, actually ordered our own food?”

“No.” He laughs as he expertly picks up the eel and chews thoughtfully.

“I would’ve, you know.” I tell him.

“I know, but…”

“But nothing, son. One day, I am going to stop listening to you and do what she deserves.” I clear my throat. “Still can’t believe she’s not figured out that you own the diner. Explain the reasoning to me again?”

“It keeps her out of my hair....”

“She’s still in your hair. But I have to admit that Delores was a nice touch. Where’d…”

He snickers over his sake. “Who you’d like to touch?”

“Brian!” I exclaim, my cheeks flaming.

“That would be a yes, then.” The rest of our dinner arrives and he allows me to finish off the tuna. “Why not ask her out? She’s not Debbie.”

“No, but she will make sniping comments and…”

“Which is why Delores is the manager of the diner.” He interrupts with a smirk.

“No, she and Debs are joint mana…”

“Not anymore, Carl. Not anymore.”

DEBS’S HOUSE - TUESDAY MID-MORNING

KITCHEN

DEBS

I can’t believe that not only did he refuse to lend Michael the money, after all he will pay it back eventually...but he is still friends with Carl! He should’ve dropped him the moment I did! Well since I have all this free time, as Delores didn’t call, I shall go and have a word with him. As I grab my coat, my phone rings. “Debbie Novotny. Oh just the man I am coming to see. Why? Where are you going? You’ve only just got back from a...now don’t take that tone with me! What about the diner? What did you hear? What? Are you sure?!” I nod and all thoughts of going to Kinnetic are quashed. This needs to be sorted out first!

Just as I am about to head down the street, I hear a horn toot and turn around. It’s Ben. “Hey, what are you doing round here?”

“I had hoped to catch you. Are you alright after last night? Did you know about Brian and Carl having this meeting up thing? I think it’s highly disrespectful of him to have anything to do with him after you broke up. His loyalty should be to you.”

“I knew they were still friends, but not about their Monday nights. And damn right, it should be! Did you hear what’s happened at the diner? It’s closed this morning! I had better be getting paid for this!”

“How do you know that? And I’m sure you will.” He soothes.

“Brian told me after not apologising for his behaviour last night. You know Ben, it’s at times like this that I am glad that you and Michael ended up together. Can you imagine having him for a son-in-law? So selfish!”

KINNETIC

BRIAN’S OFFICE

BRIAN

That should keep her busy! I turn my screen on and take another sip of coffee. This is seriously good stuff. It actually tastes better out of this cup. “Cyn!” I call out and she pops in with a small paper bag and the boards for the Bellrush Whisky pitch.

“Coffee Fairy.” She says, putting it on my desk and then points to my cup.

“You still not going to tell me?”

“Nope, since the genius fairy wishes to remain anonymous. But please do not take this out on me...” She says as she puts the boards on the stands.

“Who the fuck did these? A blind leper?!” I gripe as I look at the boards. The shading is completely wrong. “Why is this purple instead of green?”

“They’re outside, so you can ask them.” She answers and then gestures that they should come in.

“What do you think boss?” Grantham unwisely smiles at me.

“They are shit. How did one of you numbskulls confuse green with purple? Fuck me, they’re not even in the same spectrum!”

“Well we thought as a team that it looked better this way. You see the bottle stands out more…”

“The whole point of it is that the bottle is NOT supposed to stand out! The bottle is supposed to be camouflaged in the grass!” I growl, barely holding my temper and then wincing when the handle of the cup snaps and the cup crashes to the floor. “Fuck!” I yelp as some of the coffee splashes on me on the way down.

“Don’t move!” Cyn orders and is back in seconds with water and a napkin to do some clean up.

“Take those away and do them the way I fucking said they were to be done!” I bellow and try not to whimper at my broken cup and stained trousers.

They scuttle out and I could have sworn I heard a snicker. “Okay first, let me get you another cup and the secondly, you have a second set of these pants, correct?” I nod. “Put them on and have you eaten yet?”

“No.” I pout as I head to my wardrobe and pulls out my pants.

“Well I’m going to get you something to eat. Something to balance out your sugar perhaps and give them an hour to get it right, okay?”

“45 minutes.” I growl.

“Done. Now stay in here and all will be fine.”

GRANTHAM

Everyone is glaring at me. I felt for sure that he would like the purple instead of the green, but apparently not. “You have 45 minutes to get it right!” Cynthia calls out and everyone rolls their eyes and shoot me dark looks.

“Let me speak to him. I’m sure I can get us more time.” I say confidently and head to his office. I spot that Cynthia is not there so knock on his door and walk right in.

“And how is this helping endear yourself to me?” He growls over his papers, not even looking up.

“Uh…”

“Your second mistake is remaining in my office where I didn’t say you could be!”

“What the hell are you doing in here, Grantham?! Get back to your desk and get on with your work!” Cynthia snaps.

“And you now have 30 minutes!” Brian bellows loud enough to be heard in the next state.

As I sit down at my desk, nobody says a word. They just work quicker.

JUSTIN

Jesus! I look across at the Whisky team and feel glad I’m not on that account, and all because of Grantham. He is such a control freak and glory grabber! He took credit for the Marshall Ward pitch that he had no hand in and got a bonus for it which should’ve gone to Patricia. She was so furious that she left. She actually interviewed me and told me not to work for him. I am working on the Woolstone pitch, which is a cute marble frog.

“What you doing?”

“I could ask you the same thing.” I reply calmly and close my pad before turning to Grantham.

“I need your help on something and Murph said I could use you.” I look around for Murph, but he’s not here. “He said it’s fine, now come on!” Something gives me pause and that something is a furious looking Brian, striding towards us. “Oh fuck!” He breathes before he heads back to his desk.

“In my office now!” He snaps as he strides past and I want to kill Grantham!

Less than a minute later, I am knocking on Cynthia’s door and she bids me enter. “What are you doing here?”

“Mr Kinney wanted to see me.” I tell her miserably and her frown deepens.

“Are you sure?” She says just as the door flies open and the man himself strides in. “Brian, he’s here. Shall I give you a minute or two?”

“Why? I am not going to be less mad the more I wait!” He stands by her desk, glaring at her and she glares back. “Well, where is he?”

“Um, I’m here.” I tell him, trying to sound a lot less timid than I feel.

“Mr Slim, can whatever you want wait? I have an ass to rip off and he’s not helping himself by DAWDLING!” He bellows again, making the room vibrate.

“Stop bellowing! The stain will come out. Now who exactly is dawdling?” Cynthia asks.

“Your favourite tit-stalker! Actually, why was he talking to you when he was supposed to be fixing the fuck up?”

“He said that Murph wanted me to work on something and…”

“Murph would not do that. Go back to your desk, Mr Slim. It’s not you I want.” He takes a huge breath. “And on your way, can you tell Mr Grantham and his team to get here now or I will review their work in the middle of the office.”

I swallow hard and run out. I don’t like the guy, but the rest of the team doesn’t deserve that.

“Grantham, you need to go in there now!” I tell him, but he just stares at me. “Seriously, that’s what he told me or he will critique your work right here!”

His team looks at me and then him before getting up and heading to his office. “Where are you going? We’ve got another 5 minutes!”

“But he said that he said…” Mark, the junior artist, starts.

“And I am your boss and we have another 5, well now 3 minutes. If Kinney had said what he said then he would be over here right…”

“This close enough for you?!” Mr Kinney rasps and all colour leaves Grantham’s face. All of his team looks like they would rather die than be there at that moment. “So show me. In fact, do the pitch as you would to them.” He demands and I feel so sorry for them. “Come along everyone, Mr Grantham…”

I know you’re angry, but please don’t do this to them. It’s not fair; it’s not their fault! There is a stunned silence and everyone is looking at me and I realise that I have said that out loud.

“It’s not fair?” He echoes and takes a step towards me. “Not fair?”

“No, it’s not.” I whisper and just stare up at him as he stares back unwavering. Finally, I have to look away.

“Say thank you to Mr Slim, Grantham and team. You get to pitch to me in my office in five minutes.” He strides away without a backward glance and I sit down in the nearest chair.

“Jesus, Justin thanks!” Mark gasps. “That was awesome! We owe you a beer, don’t we?”

“To say the least!” Kelly grins. “But first, let’s get this finished!”

Twenty minutes later, they are back and looking relieved. Kelly gives me the thumbs up and I smile, still disbelieving that I did that! I am still not happy with my frog when my message box pings up.

Cynthia: He wants to see you.

Me: Oh crud!

Cynthia: Don’t keep him waiting.

I gather my things as best as I can and Murph frowns: he wants to see me, I mouth at him and he just smirks and waves me away. I make my way to his office...again.

“Go straight in.” Cynthia clips out, but there’s something wrong with the sternness on her face. She appears to be trying not to smile.

“Mr Kinney?” I poke my head round the door and he waves me in.

“Draw me a caterpillar.” He said, handing me a notepad and some pencils. “And then one of a butterfly.”

“A…”

“Caterpillar and a butterfly.” He repeats calmly. “You have an hour. The caterpillar has to be green with golden eyes and look cute. The butterfly green, blue, black and white; make it look realistic. Take a seat over there.”

DINER - SAME TIME

DELORES

I look at a red faced Debbie Novotny as she opens and then closes her mouth in disbelief.

“I’ve been demoted?!” She demands again and again, I shake my head.

“Here is the official email.” She screws it up and throws it at the bin. It misses and I try not to laugh. “You are still a manager, but you’ve not been demoted per se. I’ve been promoted. The joint in your title has been changed to assistant...sorry, temporary assistant.”

“I want to speak to HR about this! We do have an HR department, right?!”

“Yes. How can I help you?” I smirk at her expression. “I handle all HR related queries in this branch.”

“Branch?!” She gapes incredulously. “So you deal with all complaints about yourself?!”

“But of course. Isn’t that the way it used to operate or would you like to speak to the owner?”

“Damn right, I want to speak to the owner! I have been here for years and…”

“You never tire of reminding us. Now obviously that means nothing to the new owner or they wouldn’t have put me in total charge. Whilst there was a campaign to keep you here when the diner was first bought and that was a successful effort, it would appear that your people-stock is plummeting. And apparently, so is your hearing and memory…” I talk over her attempted interruption. “This was discussed at the last staff meeting; you should ask Ben to remind you. He was there, after all! Now you and I need to sit down and redo the shifts for next week. For some reason, you seem to have put yourself down for all the morning ones and Kiki for the graveyard hours. This needs to be more evenly spread.” She continues to stare dumbfounded at me. “Shall we make a start?”

KINNETIC - AN HOUR LATER

BRIAN’S OFFICE

JUSTIN

I keep checking the time, but I have a few minutes left. I check them both one more time and then clear my throat.

“Let me see them, then.” He says, waving me forward and I feel like a child in school. “The caterpillar first, obviously.”

He chuckles and then turns over the page and then turns it back before nodding. “Nice detailing.”

“Thank you.” Although, I am not quite sure what the point of this is.

“I like the way you brought the colouring of the caterpillar into the butterfly.” He presses the intercom. “Mr Grantham, to my office.”

In less than a minute, he’s here and looking nervous. “Mr Grantham, I asked Mr Slim here to draw a caterpillar and a butterfly. I gave him very basic instructions and this is what he came up with. What do you think?”

He takes the pad and flicks through it, looking displeased. “He’s clearly mis…”

“Understood me perfectly. He understood me perfectly. Did you thank him for saving you and your team from humiliation?”

“We’re going to take him for a drink later.” He responds and I just about stop the roll of my eyes. Mr Kinney continues to stare at him. “Mr Kinney, sir.”

“I doubt that was your idea, then. Go back to your desks and thank you, Mr Slim.”

“Yeah, thanks for earlier, you know.” Grantham mutters and rushes out.

“Meant with all sincerity, I’m sure!” I sigh as I head back to my desk but then pause. “Mr Kinney, why do you call me Mr Slim? And what was the point of that?”

“You’ve not told me that I shouldn’t. As for them, they are my son’s favourite bugs.” He replies. “And I can’t draw them for shit!”

“Oh…” Is all I can think to say. It’s not until I get back to my desk that I realise I didn’t tell him not to call me Mr Slim, but that can wait for another time. I’ve been in close proximity of him enough today!

WOODY’S - EARLY EVENING

JUSTIN

I had my thank you drink with Kelly and Mark. Thankfully, Grantham made his excuses not to come with us. I find a corner in the bar and try to figure out my day. As I am ruminating, a familiar smell assails me and I look up and there he is! He seems to be in a world of his own just peeling away the label on his beer bottle. I swallow down the rest of my beer and watch mesmerised as his Adam’s apple bobs as he drains his bottle. I make my way to the bar just in time for him to order a whisky...oh no, that will not do!

BRIAN

I look up at Steve, the barman. “I didn’t order that.” I point to the shot of whiskey.

“I know, but the guy said that this is better than that. And for the record, he’s right.”

“Who is?”

“The guy who bought you the drink, from an unopened bottle. Yours to keep if you love it or to share, if you don’t.”

“Where is this good Samaritan?”

“Kinney, you’ve known me for years. Taste the damn drink!” Sighing, I do as I am told and then eye him carefully. “Keeping or sharing?” He asks, a smirk pulling at his mouth.

“Kee…”

“Brian! What are you doing here?!” The shrill tones of Michael cement my answer.

“Out of sight!” I answer quickly and grab my coat. “Going home. I had a long day shouting at idiots. Bye.”

“But Brian, we have to…” He puts his hand on my chest to stop me from going past him. “...talk about Jenny. How am I...”

“Ah Mr Bruckner, kindly remind your husband of your duties.” I remove his hand from my chest very slowly. “Which is to…”

“Ma has been demoted.” Ben interrupts. “What are you going to do about it?!”

I take a second to think if they know, but clearly they don’t or they would be clamouring for the removal of both Delores and Kiki. “Since when do you call her ‘Ma’? It was always Debs and what exactly would you have me do?”

“That’s an outrage! When did this happen?!” Michael demands, reaching for his phone.

“This afternoon, and the shift schedule has been redone. Well she is obviously going to have a pay cut...and she will need…”

“Whatever it is she needs, you can provide, I am sure.”

“But after everything she’s done for you in the past…” Ben begins the same ole song but this time with Zen cymbals, causing my headache!

“Is in the past, Ben. Besides, I spoke to Delores and she’s been promoted. Debs remains as is, so I seriously doubt she has had her pay cut.” The highly pissed off tones of Emmett Honeycutt cut across him. “She’d be raising merry fucking hell herself if she had, now wouldn’t she?” He gives a noncommittal shrug. “Is your silence Zen for yes and I’m being a dick to Brian more and more these days?”

“Since when are you pro-Brian?” Ben scoffs.

“I am not pro-Brian; I am pro-fairness. I will call him on his shit just like I am doing to you.” Ben narrows his eyes and purses his lips. “So who was that drink from?”

“What drink?” Michael demands.

“Don’t know, but I could use another glass of it!” I sigh as I realise my chance of escape has now gone.

“So where is it?” Michael asks, eagerly.

“It is for Kinney and only he gets to decide who has any or not.” Steve explains.

“Well obviously, I get a glass and so does…”

“No, you don’t Michael and nor do you, Ben. The only people who get some is me, this Nelly bottom and if he’s still here, the guy that bought it for me.”

“He’s gone.” Steve tells me, pouring the two glasses.

“So some random guy is buying you drinks? You don’t know what’s....” Ben sermonizes.

“He’s been coming here for years and all the barmen look after him! And I don’t like the inference that we don’t!” Steve scowls.

“I didn’t mean anything like that.” Ben backtracks. “But with Brian’s reputation and previous behaviour, you…”

“...had no problem with my behaviour at the White Party!” I snap, finally fed up with his holier than me attitude.

“What’s that supposed to mean?!” Michael demands, looking between the two of us.

“Nothing. Nothing at all. Just Brian stirring…”

Emmett stops in mid drink and turns to Ben. “Brian does not lie.”

“Maybe he is mis-remembering something...” Ben shifts slightly.

“Nor does he mis-remember anything at any time. So, I am going to go with it was before you met Michael and he’s kept quiet all this time?” Emmett gives him his steely gaze. “Until you pushed him too far. Everyone has their breaking point, Benjamin. Try to find yours!” He turns to Steve. “Now another one of these each and Brian let us find a quiet corner, where you can tell me what he was like before he got sucked into the hive! He must have been something for you to want to fuck him since you always have exceptional taste!”

As we walk away, I chuckle at the loud, hectoring voice that is Michael demanding an explanation!

MICHAEL

Ben is not looking at me, but is looking furious. “You fucked him?!” I hiss.

“No.” He replies shortly as he scans the crowd, trying to locate them.

“He fu...fucked you?!” I gasp.

“Keep your voice down!” He growls. “Yes, yes he did.”

“But you-you’re my husband and a top!”

“I wasn’t your husband then and I was versatile. Now, I need to have a talk with…”

“No! Fuck that and fuck him, which you claim you didn’t! You and I need to go home and you are telling me every fucking thing you two did!”

“Michael, is this absolutely necessary?!”

“If you want to stay in the house, let alone the bed, then yes! It is absolutely necessary!”

EMMETT

“Please tell me the only part of him that was stiff as his stance now is the only one that mattered?”

“Yep.” Brian smirks and clinks my glass. “I tied him up.”

“I suspect that the rope was a lot more fun than the collar and lead that the Novotnys are dragging him around by. I can’t believe how much he’s changed! Kiki was saying there was a guy almost on the cusp of dragging him into Meathook just to beat some sense into him!” I roll my eyes and then look at Brian. “Come on, finish that up. You are staying at Ted’s tonight.”

“Why?” He frowns, but finishing off his drink.

“They won’t look for you there. Chances are that on the way home, Michael has bitched and whined to his mother, who will no doubt make her way to the loft. Do you have the energy or patience to deal with her?”

“Good point and no. I really don’t.”

“There you go. You’ve had enough honesty for one day.” I laugh. “You don’t need to be dealing with the reaction of Debbie with her head going one way and her wig going the other!”

GRANTHAM

I hiccup and pull on my jacket. I head out of Woody’s and spot Kinney. That fucking bastard Kinney! Fucking bitch Cynthia! Almost lost my job today because of them! If he could only have seen my fucking vision, it would’ve been fine. But no, it had to fucking be camouflaged. I’ll fix him and fucking Finch too! He had no right to ream me out like that...

Start of flashback

KINNETIC - 7PM

GRANTHAM

“But I told you three times not to change the shading to purple!” Finch yells at me. “I was at home on my day off when I was called by an irate Brian Kinney and told to get here before seven as he needed me to speak, yet again, to you!”

“I know, but hear me out. I thought it would work if it was kind of iridescent, which was what I was aiming for. If Kinney had let me…”

“Mr Kinney wanted what he asked for and that’s what you should’ve given him! Now this, coupled with the staring contest you have going with Cynthia’s chest, leaves me no option but to put you on a warning. Another word will have you fired!” He growls at me. “Now I am going home to my upset husband and ruined dinner! I suggest you go and join your colleagues for a drink, though I doubt they would welcome you. Or go home and think about how you can do better tomorrow!”

End of flashback

DINER - EARLY MORNING

DELORES

Oh, there seems to be trouble in the Novotny-Bruckner household. That’s the second time, he’s yanked his hand out of reach.

“Morning, Ms Crowhurst.” Debs sniffs as she comes in and starts to walk passed me.

“Mrs Novotny.” I return sweetly. “Did you have a pleasant evening?”

“It improved as the evening wore on.” She replies, narrowing her eyes.

“Good to hear. Though the same can’t seemingly be said for your son and his husband.” I nod my head in their direction and she frowns. “Been like that since they got here. I do hope they kiss and make up soon, such a sweet couple.”

DEBS

Oh for fuck sake, now what’s happened?! I quickly make my way to hang up my coat and grab some coffee. “Talk quickly!” I order as I notice the snarking look she gives me.

“Ben cheated on me with Brian!” Michael looks tearfully at me. “Can you believe that?!”

The jug crashes to the floor and I glare at my soon to be ex son-in-law.

“For fuck sake, Michael…” Ben growls and runs his fingers roughly through his hair.

“Well that’s what you did!”

“When?” I demand. “When did you, you bastard, cheat on my son?! And with Brian, of all people! You know how he...when?!”

“White Party, 8 years ago.” Delores comes up with a mop and bucket, then she puts the dustpan and brush on the seat next to Michael.

“Wait when?! 8 years ago? Eight years...how the hell did he cheat on you when he didn’t even know you?!”

“Thank you!” Ben snaps.

“But when you met Brian, you should’ve told me then!”

“Shouldn’t you be stopping them?” I hear someone ask Delores.

“Oh no honey, we’re quiet! Let’s sit back and enjoy the show.” She sniggers.

“If anyone should've said anything, it should’ve been Brian.” Ben declares. “He’s your best friend. It was his responsibility to…”

“Was it rape?” Kiki hisses from the counter and the diner goes silent.

“No, of course not! Brian would never do such a thing!” Ben exclaims, his face twisted in disgust at the very idea.

“So two consenting adults at a dessert fuckfest got together and did what they wanted; no regrets, no foul. How is it any different to you having boyfriends or one night stands before you met Ben, Michael?”

“He’s my best friend! And he fucked my husband!”

“You got crabs at the last White Party you went to.” Kiki interrupts. “On the first night.”

“Kiki!” Michael wails horrified. “Who the fuck told you that?!”

“Your mother. And Lamont after he got them from you. He, unlike some, didn’t fuck anyone or get fucked by them after he found out. He came straight home, fuming about irresponsible people. So tell me who is worse? You, for knowingly passing on a disease? Or them for keeping quiet so as to not hurt your feelings, knowing how irrational you can get?!”

“You did what?!” Ben hisses and stands up. “Jesus, you are such a fucking hypocrite!” He throws some money on the counter and storms out.

“Thank you, Kiki!” Michael snarls at her and runs after Ben, shouting his name.

“You’re welcome! Anytime you need the truth told about yourself, let me know!”

I don’t say a word as I look at the mess, which yet again, Brian has left me to clear up!

KINNETIC - FOUR DAYS LATER

CYNTHIA’S OFFICE

CYNTHIA

We have mostly, as an office, been sick. Violently and horribly sick! I have been trying to find out the source of it. Luckily Brian, Ted and I were out this week doing pitches, so we weren’t affected.

“Oh fuck me!” I hear a groan and poke my head out just in time to see Murph, running to the bathroom.

I look back at the tech guy. “How long until this fucking thing is done?!” I growl.

“Two minutes.” He smiles nervously.

“30 seconds!” I retort.

When I first got the call from Shelley, our receptionist about problems with sickness, we were in Utah pitching to ArchDemon. But we never told anybody that because it was such a top secret and important pitch. As far as everyone was concerned, we were brainstorming and were not to be disturbed. So to all intents and purposes, we were in the office. It was when they were pitching to Woolstone and nobody was sick on the day that I began to smell a rat. The only person who wasn’t as sick as everyone else was Grantham. Murph got through the pitch, but was ill the next day. I told IT to monitor every staff communal area, especially the kitchen.

“Okay we’re all set, Ms Moore.”

“Run the feed.” I order and we watch nothing out of the ordinary so far. I smile as Justin comes in and sets up the coffee machines. “Not a word to anybody, okay? He’s an absolute sweetheart.”

“He’s more than that; he’s a hero!” I frown at him. “We have a hot chocolate setting on them!”

“Pause that!” I demand and dash to my machine and sure enough there’s a hot chocolate setting and pods…and a note: only just discovered it. This the cup to be used! Yours CG.

I make myself a cup and we continue to watch. “Grantham!” We both growl as we watch him mess with the food, each and every day, especially the food for Brian and I, except the day of the pitch! We switch off when the door is swung open without knocking, but sigh in relief when it’s Brian.

“Anything?!” He barks.

“Grantham. He’s been sick, but not as sick as everyone else. Just enough to fly under the fucking radar!” I explain pacing.

“Oh, has he now? Well that is going to fucking change!”

“No, we can’t knowingly do that. He’d sue the shit out of us!”

“So what can we do?” He demands.

“Just fire him. But let everyone else know what he’s done, so they can deal with him in their own way.”

BOARDROOM - AN HOUR LATER

TED

We are at half strength, but those who can Skype into the meeting are doing so. We have got a watertight case against him and once we were in the boardroom, IT locked him out of the system and Finch took great pleasure in clearing his desk!

“Right ladies and gentlemen, thank you to those who have remained in person. We do appreciate it. So as far as signing contracts, we have secured Woolstone and ArchDemon, both for 5 years with an option to renew in 3, so well done. And the floor is yours, Cynthia.”

“Thank you, Ted. So with regards to this bug that has been plaguing Kinnetic, we have found the source. Please watch the screen…” As everyone watches, the evil looks and murmurings abound. “...so needless to say, Mr Grantham or should I say Mr Bug, you have been squished, terminated or in layman’s terms fucking fired! Those of you who wish to extract your pound of flesh from Mr Grantham, we will be more than happy to help with any legal fees you may incur. Get that fucker out of our building!”

“You asshole Grantham!” Someone screams. “I missed my kid’s birthday because I had to stay in a hotel, just in case I gave him whatever the fuck I had!”

“I was sick too! Kinney hates me and…”

“I could’ve had you fired numerous times recently…” Brian coldly interrupts as he strides in glaring at him. “...but you were too close to the Bellrush account for me to chance that. Now that is over and you have signed a new NDA, this is no longer an issue. Also, your poisoning of the staff has been reported to the police. Those would be the people waiting over there in the very real police uniforms. Officers, he’s all yours!”

As he is dragged, screaming and swearing out, all eyes turn to us. “Right, so we are going to shut the place down for the next four days to get it cleaned thoroughly. Please forward all medical bills to Cynthia and we will pay them. Now get out and get better!” Brian orders.

JUSTIN’S CUBICLE - AN HOUR LATER

My eyelids hurt. I know I should be going home, but I know I saw that picture for the pitch somewhere. I keep clicking back on screen after screen. I feel my head start to swim, but I just have to find it!

“Mr Slim, what the fuck are you still doing here?”

I look up and see at least three of Mr Kinney. “Brandy pitch. Must find picture.” I mumble.

“No, must go home and rest.” He orders and starts to pack up my things and shut down my screen and then I see it.

“Wait! Stop! There...the dog...please save the dog!” I mutter and try to stop one of the Kinneys from closing down the screen.

“Jesus, you are burning up! Cynthia!” He bellows and I wince at the loud ringing in my ears.

“Save the dog!” I insist and then collapse in a heap at his feet.

“Mr Slim, don’t you close your eyes... don’t you dare close those eyes!” I hear him yelling as I start to fade into darkness.

NOVOTNY-BRUCKNER HOUSEHOLD - EVENING

MICHAEL

It’s been four days since Ben has spoken to me. This is all Brian’s fucking fault! He didn’t have to say anything! Once again, I look to the window and once again, Ben is not coming up the path.

PRECINCT 57 - SAME TIME

CARL HORVATH’S OFFICE

CARL

I blink twice. Yep, it’s definitely him. I wave him into the seat and wait for him to speak. He clears his throat.

“Why are you and Brian still friends?”

“Because we are. Now, if that’s all…”

“I just don’t understand how you can be after you and Debs split up. So how?”

“Nope. Not going to give you more things to twist around and beat him over the head with. Now if that was what this recon mission was about, consider it aborted. Now excuse me, I have five minutes till the end of my shift and I want to use them in better company...yeah even murderers because at least their intent is obvious from the outset!”

“What is that supposed to mean?!”

“You befriended him and then became just like them. That’s what it’s supposed to mean!” I snarl finally able to vent my frustrations in my domain. “Here you were, nice as pie and then you changed when you married Michael. You became a bigger and even more pious version of him! And he was so fucking disappointed; we both were!”

“Disappointed?” He looks...well, he looks crestfallen.

“Yeah. I know about you two at the White Party. He got drunk on sake and told me, said you were one hell of a lay, said you stayed up all night just talking about shit and sharing a blunt, once he got you untied...like I said, he was smashed on sake. Made me promise to not to say anything to Debs because he knew she would tell Michael to split you up.”

“Split us…”

“She never wanted you to marry Michael. It was always Brian! That’s who she wants for Michael and that’s why we broke up. Because I told her flat out that Brian, for all his faults, is too good for her son!”

“So what does that make me? Just a fuck for Brian and a what for Michael?” He snaps.

“You are a nothing to them! Don’t you get it? The only person that Debs wants for his wallet is Brian. You can’t provide that and even if you had your health, you don’t have the one thing that Debs and Michael need to keep you in line...you don’t have a sense of shared history...or to give it their way of looking at it, a sense of shame. You don’t, nor have you ever really needed them. They have always thrown it in his face that without them, he wouldn’t have survived. But the thing is he would’ve, and they knew that! It might have taken him longer, but he would’ve gotten here.”

“I can’t reconcile the people, the person that I married being so…”

“How many times a day did you hear about Debs patching Brian up? How many times did you hear about Michael letting him in at night after his dad had beaten him up?”

“A lot.” He mutters.

“When you are an abuse victim, God he hates that word, but when you are what he is and someone threatens to take away the only love you know…”

“Christ.” He mutters. “How do I fix this?”

“What do you want to fix more? Your marriage or you? Because they are mutually exclusive.”

“What do you mean?”

“Ben, I was wrong. You are exactly the same as Brian. They have abused you, too.”

“They have?”

“Think about it. Aren’t I wonderful for allowing you to marry my son? Isn’t he wonderful, caring and magnanimous to love you despite your potentially deadly mistake? Now sit there, be quiet, and do as you are told, or speak what I want you to or…”

“He would run to his fantasy life and make it a reality.” He slumps back in the chair. “He gave a guy an STD.”

“Lamont, yeah she told me.” I shake my head. “Just because the illness doesn’t kill you, doesn’t make it okay to pass it on.”

We sit in silence for a few minutes before he starts to grin. “So he said I was a good fuck?”

“No, he said lay. He didn’t fuck you, he laid you. Apparently, there’s a difference.” I chuckle.

“What?”

“Something about knots and wriggling!” I smirk and I have never seen Ben go that red!

ALLEGHANY HOSPITAL - TWO HOURS LATER

JUSTIN’S ROOM

JUSTIN

How can I be making that noise...that godawful noise? It takes two attempts, but I manage to open my eyes and look around. Hospital, I am in the hospital.

“Justin!” Cynthia is at my side in seconds when I turn my head to her. “How you feeling?”

“What happened?”

“You reacted worse than most to what Grantham did. But they flushed out the toxins and you’re going to be fine. Now let me get a doctor, once you have finished the water.”

I sip slowly and gratefully. “What’s that noise?”

“He’s snoring.” She jerks her head towards the back wall and there is Mr Kinney, flat on his back on a cot with his mouth open, snoring.

“What a handsome devil.” I giggle after I hand her back the empty cup.

“Okay, getting a doctor now.” She says quietly and closes the door behind her.

I peer across at him and he is now making a lot of noise. “Mr Kinney!” I call out between gales. “Please turn onto your side!” He continues to snore. Huffing crossly, I slowly get up and make my way across to him with every intention of waking him up, but then I see it. Resting on his chest is a piece of paper with the dog I found, with the word perfect written on it.

And that’s when I get the blanket to cover him up and go back to bed.

KINNETIC - A WEEK LATER

CYNTHIA

It has been hellish these last few days. We’ve had less than 15 people in. He really did a number on us, but our clients have been great. And of course, Brian has been running on almost empty and his mood is not being helped by his family. Well Michael, in particular. He’s been calling and coming to the office, demanding at top volume to speak to him and save his marriage!

“I want to speak to him fucking now and I am going to speak to him right fucking now!” I hear him yell.

Sighing, I get up and head to deal with him when I hear a very calm and very cool. “No, you are not!”

“Yes, I am! You are clearly new here. I have unlimited access to…”

“Yes, I am new and no, you do not! Now Mr Novotny, I have been instructed by Mr Kinney, Ms Moore and Mr Schmidt to not let you past reception and I am not going to let you go past reception! If you wish to see how I will stop you, then that is entirely up to you but stop you, I will.”

“Brian and Ted would never do that to me! I am their…”

“What you are or are not in your own mind is irrelevant. This is a place of business not, I repeat, not a playground for you to spit your dummy out and throw tantrums. Mr Novotny, I am going to warn you one last time. If you don’t leave immediately or if you attempt to proceed further into this establishment, then I will…”

Suddenly, I hear that all too familiar buzz and a squeal...so I start running. What greets me warms my heart and takes every ounce of professionalism, not to burst out laughing. For lying on the floor, twitching and his mouth agape is Michael Novotny and standing less than 10 feet away from him is a young lady, holding a Taser.

“Hi.” I say cautiously.

“Hi there!” She replies brightly. “Won’t be a minute. Security to reception, immediately, security to reception immediately!” She steps towards Novotny and pulls out the pins. When Security arrive they just gape at her and then at me. “Can you take that out, please? Thank you.” Again, they look at me and I nod.

“Hello, Ms Moore. I’m Daphne. I am covering for Shelley, in her absence.” She puts out her hand just as a confused and very tired looking Brian comes in. He points at the door.

“Why is he twitching? The leaving part, I have no problem with, but the twitching from a legal point of view...”

“Good afternoon, Mr Kinney. I am Daphne. Mr Novotny refused to leave when politely asked to do so. I warned him several times but he did not heed it. Instead, he became even more belligerent, screeching and such. I warned him again and then fired. The surveillance footage will back up my statement.” Brian just blinks at her. “Shall I pack my things, Mr Kinney?”

“No. You can stay, but next time he comes, call me first... So I can watch.”

“Yes, Mr Kinney.”

“Cynthia, with me. I need you to order me something to eat from anywhere! I am starving and...oh for fuck sake!” He bellows as he steps into his office and sees the boards. “Have we hired a relative of Grantham?!”

“No, we’re at half strength remember and stop yelling! I will order you a turkey on brown with a salad and get the boards redone!”

FOUR DAYS LATER

JUSTIN

If he yells at me one more time, I will fucking quit! He asked me to do a giraffe. I did a fucking first class giraffe and what does he say? Nothing... not a fucking thing! Not even a simple fucking thank you! Oh no, he’s just stomping around like a bear with a sore fucking head!

“Yes, I am aware of you being hungry, Brian, but yelling at me is not getting it here any faster!”

BRIAN

I am so fucking hungry and finally, Cynthia slams the box down and storms towards the door.

“Are you trying to piss me off?” I ask quietly.

“No, but you are fucking me off enough to try!” She glares at me from the doorway.

“How the fuck am I supposed to survive on air?!”

“What are you talking about?” She demands, coming to the desk and I show her the box with a weight in it and a picture of turkey sandwich wrapped around it. “I don’t understand. What does the note say?”

“For every shout you make, I take a bite.”

“What?” She takes the note and reads it. “Wait, there’s more...if you don’t shout for the next 15 minutes, I will put the sandwich back.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?!” I bellow. “I am the fucking boss here. Take that back and get me my damn sandwich!”

15 MINUTES LATER

I look up at Cynthia’s all too familiar knock. She has another sandwich box in her hand and I snatch it off her and there is my sandwich, but with a big bite taken out of it!

“You shouted.” She says and I glare at her. She taps a napkin with a label on it. “It says you shouted.”

“Order me another sandwich and guard it with your life!” I snarl.

15 MINUTES LATER

I look up and she doesn’t have a box at all. “Now what?” I sigh as she hands me the bag itself with a wad of napkins and I leaf through it and find the labelled napkin. “Next time order a sandwich with a bit more taste. Turkey is rather boring, and oh and crustless, please?”

“Find this person and bring me their head on a platter!”

A WEEK LATER

I can’t believe this fucking bastard keeps taking my food! I will not be dictated to, but I am losing a bit too much weight. “Cynthia, could you please order me a turkey salad sandwich on brown?”

“Sure, Brian.”

15 MINUTES LATER

It is with great trepidation that I call for Cynthia to come in and she comes in with something that doesn’t smell like a turkey and salad sandwich. “What’s that?” I sigh.

“I don’t know, Brian. I ordered a turkey salad sandwich. You heard me do that, right? I have sat here the entire time until Daph called me to reception. This is what they delivered.”

I open the box and take the top slice off. Inside, as well as warm turkey, there is two crispy strips of bacon and a sunnyside up egg. I cover it back up and start to look through the napkins until I find it. “See what calmness brings you? Now eat. You are much too thin! Enjoy. “Oh fuck it; I’m hungry enough!” I grumble and take my first bite...and the sandwich is gone in 5 minutes.

“Good?” Cynthia smirks as she hands me another napkin to wipe up my tie.

“Like I said, I was hungry.”

“Brian, I have known you for years. You’ve been known to live off an apple a day before the White Party! That was not hunger...that was enjoyment.”

HONEY’S FABULICIOUS FOOD

EMMETT

I put down the phone and have to smile. I prepare the warm turkey, bacon and sunnyside egg sandwich for delivery to Kinnetic within the next 20 minutes. I remember the first time Cynthia came in to order his food personally and was looking frazzled. I had to find out what was wrong. They had stopped ordering from the diner when the problems first started. The next time she placed an order, she sent a little blonde sprite of gorgeousness, who also looked frazzled. He was grumbling about bossy Irishmen, who shout a lot needing to be taught a lesson. But it was the way he said it... there was a softness in his voice. So I dropped a little tidbit about teaching said lesson and having a bit of fun at the same time.

OUTSIDE THE DINER - FRIDAY LUNCH TIME

DAPHNE

He has been very quiet on the way here. I am now his designated driver. “We’re here, Mr Kinney.” He looks up, nibbling on his lip. “Mr Kinney, would you like me to open the door?”

“No. No Daphne, I wouldn’t. Can you take me back to Kinnetic please? I really don’t have the strength to deal with them today.”

“Yes sir, Mr Kinney.” I restart the engine and pull out into traffic.

INSIDE THE DINER

MICHAEL

I have had nothing but a stream of angry calls from Mel, demanding the support money. Rather annoyingly, I have had no support from Ben because he just had to go on a teacher’s course for the last two weeks. After I recovered from the attack at Kinnetic, I went straight to the police. But when I got there that little bitch had already reported me, me of all people, for trespass and threatening behaviour! I look at my watch again and then at the door. He said that he would be here, so where the fuck is he?!  He’s supposed to be here for me!

The door crashes open and Ma flies to the table. “I shouted and yelled and now he’s not answering his damn phone! I know that asshole saw and heard me; I know he did!”

“Ma, what are you talking about?” I check my watch again.

“Brian was outside in a car! I saw him and he saw me, but ignored me! He IGNORED me! After dealing with him for years, patching him up and giving him shelter, he dares to ignore me?! I think a visit to Kinnetic is called for and he better start fucking groveling because I won’t tolerate his behaviour towards us any longer!”

KINNETIC - AN HOUR LATER

CYNTHIA’S OFFICE

CYNTHIA

“Thanks for the heads up Kiki. I appreciate it.” I hang up and hit my head repeatedly on the desk. “Why the fuck can’t they just leave him alone?!”

“Uh Cynthia, you okay?” Shelley asks as she comes in with the afternoon messages.

“No, but it’s nothing you need to worry about.” I smile at her and then frown when she remains where she is. “Anything else?”

“I know I shouldn’t most probably ask, but can I have a cup and saucer? For the hot chocolate and the coffee.” She rushes out and blushes.

“The coffee, yes. I will ask the Genius to send me the link to…”

“What did she say?” Kate stage whispers badly.

“She said come in and tell me how many sets I need to order!” I laugh as all the girls come in.

“This is Justin’s fault.” Kate grumbles and I school my features to neutral. “I was desperate for a cup of coffee and he gave me his as he was going to a pitch and then insisted and I mean insisted that I gave it back.”

“And does he share the Blue Mountain coffee?” Shelley folds her arms in annoyance. “I know he has a stash in there. I’ve seen them! I almost lost a nail because he shut the drawer so fast!”

“Ah he’s the thief, is he?” Brian growls. “I was looking for that last box for days!” I wince as he stalks to his office and hear the crackle of the intercom. “Mr Slim to my office, immediately!”

“Oh fuck!” Shelly groans. “I didn’t mean to get…”

Her sentence is cut off as Justin comes running in with all of the pitches he’s working on.

“I…”

“Mr Slim! You are here to see me not to chat with Cynthia and the ladies, who should really be going back to their desks...now.” Brian drawls from the door and in seconds, it is just the three of us. “This is where you enter.” He walks backwards, beckoning him in.

BRIAN’S OFFICE

JUSTIN

I scramble to pick up the pads and pencils that I dropped the moment I got into the room.

“Butterfingers.” He looks at me while he leans against his desk.

“Which did you want to see first?” I ask as I finally get my pads in order.

“Your stash of Blue Mountain pods.” He says softly and I freeze. “You have been working all hours that I demand. Ask Cynthia to order you a box but in the meantime, help yourself. I have my own stash in the cupboard.”

“Par-pardon?”

He taps the cupboard under his machine with his foot. “They’re in there and…”

“YOU WILL FUCKING LET ME PAST! I AM HIS MOTHER!”

I watch all colour drain from his face and he closes his eyes. “Fuck.” He almost whimpers.

Before we can move the door is banged open and a furious looking redhead is standing framed in the doorway with an equally angry, yet smug-looking dark haired man behind her. “Who do you think you are, you fucking asshole?! How dare you treat us like this?! You do not…”

“SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU UGLY ASS DRAG QUEEN! NOW GET THE FUCK OUT OF THIS BUILDING BEFORE I KICK YOUR ASS FROM HERE TO HELL!”

“That’s her, Ma! That’s the woman that Tasered me!” The dark haired man has pushed his way inside the office and is now pointing behind his Ma.

“Oh is it indeed?! Hey you, asshole, sit down and wait. In the meantime, I am going to deal with this uppity little…”

“Final warning!”

“Oh yeah? What are you going to...gnnnnnnnhhhhhhhh!”

She suddenly starts to twitch and tremble before she falls flat on her face and the uppity little steps into the office.

“Priming!”

I don’t know what priming means, but know I need to get away from the screeching dark haired man. So I move one way, but am suddenly pushed forwards and then pulled just as quickly to the side and I hear another buzz. Then Mr Kinney slumps to the floor.

“Fuck! Sir! Sir! You get out of the way!” She growls and I watch dazed as she pulls something out of his arm and turns him on his side. “Cyn! An ambulance now!”

“On it!” Cynthia yells and I hear her shouting into the phone. The angry smug man is just sitting there.

The next half an hour passes in a blur. Mr Kinney has come around and the redhead and the dark haired man have been taken away.

“I am not fucking going to the hospital! And who the hell ripped my shirt open...you’d better find all the fucking buttons, this is Armani!”

“Mr Kinney, I am so sorry. I was primed and I couldn’t stop it!” Uppity Little is explaining.

“It’s okay, don’t worry. Where is everyone?”

“Drag Queen and Gimp are on their way to hospital and Mr Slim is over there. I think he’s in shock. Hey, can you look at him for me please?” She asks an EMT, who nods and comes to check me over.

Another twenty minutes pass and it is just Mr Kinney, Cynthia, Uppity Little, Ted and me in the office and we’re all quiet. “So am I fired?” Uppity Little asks.

“If you fire her, then I leave!” Cynthia growls.

“Nobody is, ouch...fuck is there still a piece in me? It feels like there’s a piece in me.”

“I told you to go to the hospital!” Cynthia snaps and runs her finger down his arm. “I think there is something there. Let me get my set.” She’s back in seconds with a beauty set and takes out a magnifying glass and a pair of tweezers. “Now hold still.” She orders sternly and finds the spot again and then her hand shakes.

“Cyn?”

“Sorry. I’m fine, it’s just...I’ve never seen it at that level of...” She shakes her head and clears her throat. “Right, let’s get this out of you.”

“Let me do it.” I sit next to her and gently take them from her. “I owe him. He took it for me.”

“Aww shucks, Mr Slim, you doth make me blusheth!” He jokes.

“I will maketh you winceth if you don’t windeth necketh ineth!” I retort, locking eyes with him.

“Lipeth zipped!” He chuckles.

“Goodeth!”

OUTSIDE THE DINER - NEXT MORNING

BRIAN

Daph pulls up outside the diner and smirks in the mirror at me. “Shall I come in, Mr Kinney?”

“No, I think it might best if you remained in the car. One armed person is enough!”

“Spoilsport.” She grouses with a smile, but that falls from her face and she quickly locks the door. “Do you know that gentleman, Mr Kinney?”

I look through the window and am surprised to see Ben was reaching for the door handle. “I do. You can unlock the doors.” She holds my gaze for a few seconds before the doors are released. I reach across and open the door. “Ben, to what do I owe this...pleasure?”

“May I sit?”

“That would be the point of me opening the door.” I retort sourly. He gets in and then says nothing. “Well that was…”

“I was a cunt to you and I’m sorry. I know I have a lot of making up to do and I hope to prove to you that I mean what I say.  I have had the truth pointed out to me. Not sure when I lost my way or my own voice, but I’m striving to get it back, and in abundance. You have no reason to believe or trust me yet, but I do mean it. I’m very sorry I let them take over my own thoughts and actions. I hope to never to fail to live up to your expectations again.”

“It takes a brave and honest man to call himself a cunt. What brought it on?” I ask.

“I went to see Carl. He pointed out a few brutal home truths.” He sighs. “Did you know? About the STD, I mean. Did you know?”

“What STD?” I frown.

“At Michael’s last White Party, he caught an STD on the first day and didn’t tell anyone.”

“But...but why would you take a risk like that?!”

“A risk like what?” Ben demands.

“Sleeping with Michael. His last party was 4 months before he met you.”

“Are you fucking me?! That son of a...how DARE he? He knew about my HIV; I was honest with him from the very beginning. He KNEW and still didn't say a fucking word! Instead, he had the audacity of making me feel guilty about not only having HIV, but about the constant risk of getting him infected as well. Wait until I get my hands on you, Michael! You...”

“Want to borrow my Taser?” Daph turns to face us and puts it through the partition.

“Taser? What?” He just barely stops himself from reaching for it. “Who did you Taser? And why?”

“The Gimp first. That was a few days back and but then when they came back to the office, I tried to do both of them. Him and his Ma, who I mistook for a drag queen. I got her but hit Mr Kinney instead of him when he pushed Justin in the way.”

“Drag queen?” Ben looks at me and rolls his lips in then clears his throat. “So this p...ahem...pu...ahhhheeemmmm...pushing thing.”

“She made this kind of ‘gun’ noise and then flopped like a baby seal seeking milk or a frog on a dissecting table. I’m not sure which describes her best. Do you know that frogs still have nerve endings that react when stimulated even after death? It’s true they do.”

There’s silence for about ten seconds before Ben and I are roaring with laughter and Daphne slides up the partition and presses the intercom. “I will give you some privacy gentlemen. I have heard good things about Fabulicious and am hungry.”

15 MINUTES LATER

I hand him my handkerchief and he wipes his eyes with it. “Keep it.” I tell him and run my fingers through my hair. “I shouldn’t have said that about the party having agreed we wouldn’t.”

“Like I said, I was a cunt to you. I was surprised you held back so long.”

“Speaking of holding back, what exactly has Michael told you about me and my life and what he’s been asking me for? No. One second thoughts, let me tell you about my life and what he’s been saying and not doing.”

AN HOUR LATER

BEN

“Don’t cry for me Argentina.” Brian tells me. “I’m out of there now. And now you know what I know. She’s been calling him for the last three months to pay his support and he’s not done so.”

“No he has, be...because I have been giving him the money for it. The only reason we were short this month was because he was short on the mortgage for the shop, after he had to help his Ma, I mean Debs, with her mortgage.”

“How short?” He asks. “And what mortgage?”

“About $400. What do you mean what mortgage?”

“Debs does not have a mortgage. I should know since I paid it off. And if he’s only short $400, why is he asking for $1100?”

“I don’t know. Wait, though! If Debs doesn’t need the money, then what the fuck is he spending the money on? Oh, I know what he’s spending it on... Toys! Those fucking, only benefiting him, toys! I have had enough and it’s about time we played them at their own game. Follow my lead.”

“I don’t follow, I lead.” He snorts.

“Please, for the second time, allow this great lay to bottom from the top?” I ask smiling.

“Okay.”

DINER

CARL

Delores, Kiki and I are not looking at each other. I know if I catch either of their eyes, I will laugh. The door opening brings in Brian and Debs immediately gets up. I clear my throat hard and she sits back down again. Michael just glares at me as Brian sits in the same booth as me then leans across to say something. I look at him in surprise, but then nod.

“Can you two come over and wait with us please?” Immediately, they rush over and sit down, both glowering and Debs sits on the other side of Brian, trapping him in. “We’re just waiting for one more person. Ah, here he is.”

They both look at the door as Ben comes in and sits next to Michael and I can feel Brian tense up.

“Ben…” Michael sniffs. “...you would not believe what’s happened while you’ve been away…”

“I’m sorry for everything, Babe. I know I should have told you, we both should have, but let’s just start afresh from this point on, yes?”

Michael flings himself into Ben’s arms sobbing and proceeds to tell him how much of a bad best friend to him Brian has been while Debs nods and glares.

“Well?” She demands. “What do you have to say for yourself? You had us thrown out of Kinnetic like garbage and...”

“We need to go to speak to Mel and Lindsay.” Ben cuts her off.

“Why?” Michael demands, tears all gone now!

“Well because we’re starting afresh, like you just agreed. I think it’s best that the support agreement is finally put in writing, don’t you?”

“Uh yeah, that’s a great idea. But I’ve got some important inventory to get through. So maybe not just yet, okay?”

“Whenever you’re ready, Babe. Whenever you’re ready.”

MEL AND LINDSAY HOUSE, TORONTO - TWO DAYS LATER

BATHROOM

LINDSAY

Still fucking nothing from Brian, only from Ted, demanding, fucking demanding either a receipt after payment or the name of the supplier so they can pay for it directly. But I am Gus’ mother for a reason and when I need to speak to Brian in person, speaking to him in person, I will!

I step out onto the landing and look through the window. Mel is still taking her frustrations about Michael out on the garden. Sighing in relief, I check the time. He will still be asleep after being the Stud-slut I sometimes love him to be. But right now, he needs to be Gus’s dad and provide for us...I, mean, him! I dial Brian’s number and smile as it goes to voicemail as I predicted. “Brian, it’s Lindz! It’s about Gus. He’s really sick and wants his daddy! It’s a fever, he’s running a fever, and I don’t know what’s wrong. But we’re on the way to the hospital now, can you get here as soon as you can please?!”

KINNETIC - THREE HOURS LATER

BRIAN’S OFFICE

CYNTHIA

Of all the days for his phone to die! And there they are, looking smugly disappointed!

“Hurry up, Brian! Cynthia, you don’t look like you are booking tickets to me!” Debs yells and I bite my tongue. “Once again because you were out sucking and fucking all night, you missed an important phone call about my grandson!”

“For the last time, I was not doing that!” Brian snaps, grabbing his papers as well as trying to keep control of his temper.

“Then what were you doing that you couldn’t take Lindsay’s call?” Michael sneers.

“Amazingly enough, I was working on…”

“A prick or an ass.” Debs snarks before turning to me. “Tickets? You are supposed to be booking them and hotels. All of us can’t stay with them! Brian, you and I will have to stay in the hotel, obviously, so I can keep an eye on you! As you have proven, once again, you are useless!!”

“Kinnetic, this is Cynthia. Yes of course, one second. Brian, it’s Lindsay on line 1.”

“I’ll take it!” Debs strides towards his office.

“She asked for Brian and she will speak to…”

“All of us! Put her on speaker!” She orders and I look at Brian and he just nods. “Lindsay, it’s Debs. What’s happened?”

“He had a fever.” She sniffs. “But it’s fine now. Where’s Brian?”

“I’m here. Trying to get flights arranged. Look, can you free up the line so that Cynthia can book…”

“I called you three times, Brian! I ended up having to call Michael! Why didn’t you call me back? This is your son. Don’t you care?!”

“Of course, I care! I was…”

“Being the Stud instead of the father, I see. Well, when are you getting here?”

“Lindsay, honey…” Debs interrupts before Brian can answer. “...don’t worry. We’re going to be there by this evening. When does Gus get discharged?”

“We? I thought it was just Brian coming…”

“No, me and Michael are coming too.”

“Oh…”

“Me as well.” We all turn to the voice at the door. “It will give us a chance to see JR and to get the support agreement sorted out. Won’t it, Babe?”

“Is that you, Ben?” Lindsay asks.

“Yes. I was with Michael when you called him. I’ve managed to book something for us. We’ll go on ahead. We need to pack anyway, so we will meet you at the airport, Brian. We leave at 1230. Now Lindsay, you need to hang up so that Cynthia can book Brian’s tickets. You two go to the car, and I will give Brian the information.”

“Um okay, I’ll see you when I see you.” Lindsay says and Ben cuts the call before she can.

“Okay Brian, here’s the information.” He hands him a piece of paper. “We’ll see you soon. Come on you two, let’s go!” He shepherds them firmly out of the office.

“Cyn, can you check if Ted is in yet?”

“Sure.” I run down to his office. Normally, I would be amused by our no calls before coffee rule, but not today. I burst into his office just as he is about to pour a cup. “Brian needs you! Now!” He puts down his cup and we run back to Brian.

“What’s up, Bri?” Ted demands worriedly.

“Gus is sick and I have to go to Canada. Debs, Michael and Ben are coming with me, but you needed to be here for this.” He hands him the note.

“Why does Ben want you to call Mel?”

“Let’s find out, shall we?” He sighs and dials the number.

“Brian? Did you misdial?” Mel drawls sarcastically. “I’m on my way to work so make it quick!”

“No, I didn’t misdial. Ben told me to call you. Before I come to that, how’s Gus? What did the doctors say?”

“Gus? Doctors? What are you on about? Gus is fine. I’ve just dropped him off at the nursery.”

I watch him shakily sit down. “He’s not sick or in hospital?”

“No. We would’ve told you immediately if...wait, let me call you straight back. I’m five minutes away from my office!”

MEL’S OFFICE

MEL

I run in and tell Sarah, my PA, not to put any calls through, not even from Lindsay.

I quickly dial his number and put him on speaker and then press ‘record’ on my phone, as I have a bad feeling about this! “Okay Brian, I’m here! Who’s with you?”

“Cynthia and Ted. So there’s nothing wrong with Gus?”

“No, nothing at all. Why?”

“Lindsay rang Michael to tell him to tell me that he was sick. She left a message on my voicemail on my cell, but my cell is playing up.”

“When did she call?”

“They said she said last night…and I wasn’t fucking and sucking either. I was working on…”

“Brian, I wasn’t going to say that.” I surprise myself by speaking gently. “I was out last night. So she deliberately called when I wasn’t there. What the fuck is she up to?”

“I don’t know.” Ted’s annoyed tones come over. “But could you provide the receipt or the name of the store for the furniture? I’ve asked her time and time again and…”

“What furniture?”

“The new furniture for Gus’s room.”

I sigh heavily. “He’s not getting new furniture. When did she ask you for this, Brian?”

“She didn’t. When it comes to support money, Ted handles it all.” I stare at the phone for a few long seconds. “Mel, are you there?”

“Yes. How long has that agreement been in place?” I demand angrily. “You agreed to support us where Gus is concerned, has that now changed?”

“No, of course not! But why should I believe that you want the money for what you said you wanted it for? Case in point, just now you didn’t know…”

“I know, I know, I’m sorry. It’s a reflex thing. So when did it start?”

“Right after I got my rights back. It was a condition of the agreement.”

“I know doofus; I drew it up. I mean when did Ted start being the middleman?”

“Doofus? I think that’s the kindest d-word you’ve ever said about me or to me.” Brian laughs.

“Don’t get used to it. So when?”

“After the June mortgage payment. Ted was there when she was on the phone to me, asking for help with it. Ted said to pay it direct and that’s what he did. I thought she was fine with it because she never said anything…”

“Hang on a second, let me just check something.” I quickly log onto the banking website and then check the mortgage account. “The reason she didn’t say anything about the June payment was because she withdrew it. The account should be more in credit than it is.” I rub my eyes tiredly. “How much is she asking for?”

“$1,000.”

“And that is precisely the same amount she wanted to take from the joint account and I said no. She wanted it to pay her credit card bill. I said you ran it up, you pay it.”

“And that’s exactly what I would’ve said to her so she used Gus as the reason. That…”

“Hold on, Brian. I said I wasn’t to be disturbed.” I tell Sarah.

“I know, but it’s the nursery, Gus is sick, he’s got a temperature. They’ve tried Lindsay, but she’s not answering.”

“Fuck my life, I have told her! Told her time and time again! Never tell a lie on sickness because it always comes back to bite you in the ass! Look, I’ve got to go and pick him up. You get here as soon as you can. We will discuss…”

“Okay, oh wait Mel. Debs and the Novotny-Bruckners are coming too.”

“I look forward to that! Bye, Brian. Safe flight!”

I quickly hang up and try Lindsay, she picks up. “Where have you been?!”

“In the shower, what’s wrong?”

“Gus is sick. He’s got a temperature. I’m going to collect him.”

“Wh...what, okay, I’ll stay here until you get…”

“Lindsay, I need to go and get him. You do what you need to do and tell me what you’ve done afterwards!”

KINNETIC - 20 MINUTES LATER

CYNTHIA

“Okay, I have you on the 1340. There is a car waiting for you and Daphne is going with you as well, as you are in no fit state to drive!” I tell him as he quickly gets his papers. “Fuck, the phone... where is it?!” I look around frantically. “Look, take mine. If there are any sexts from someone called Frank, do not answer them!”

“Bri, here’s your phone. It’s working now!” Ted rushes in with it.

“Working? But how?” I demand. “There was nothing that could be done when I called!”

“Never mind that just give it to me!” Brian snatches it from him and then stops and turns it over. “Well fuck me...look!” He shows us the back of his phone and there's a label on the back. “I don’t believe it; it just took a full restore, everything is there. Hope your son gets better soon.” We all look incredulously at each other. “Find out who was in from the time we got here and let me know!”

I nod and he runs out of the door. Ted and I immediately scour the offices, meeting rooms and bathrooms. There is nobody here!

CAR TO PITTSBURGH AIRPORT

BRIAN

“Okay Ben, thanks. Bye.” I hang up and pinch the bridge of my nose.

“I take it they managed to get on the same flights as you?” Daphne asks.

“No, thank fuck. He was telling me about the hotel, I have enough to deal with without them carping on.” I twist my neck and then notice a rolled up piece of paper. “What’s this?”

“It was on the car when I got here. Says it’s for Mr Kinney Jnr.”

I open it carefully and gasp.

“Mr Kinney, is everything okay? Shall I pull over? Mr Kinney, sir! Do you want me to pull over?!” Daph exclaims.

“No. No Daph, everything is fine. Honest, let’s just get to the airport.” As I roll it up again, I place a call to Cyn. “Hey any luck? Can you look through the surveillance footage? There must be something! I know, but this is driving me nuts and I could do without it right now! Someone left something on my car. No, not a bad thing but a thing and I want to know who it is! Okay, let me know what you find and Cyn...thanks.”

KINNETIC

CYNTHIA’S OFFICE

CYN

“Oh, Mr Slim!” I murmur to myself as I watch Justin look around before placing the scroll securely on the hood ornament and rush back out of the grounds. He then casually strolls in and waves to Daph as he passes, but she’s too busy trying to undo the scroll. “What are you up to?”

OUTSIDE TORONTO AIRPORT - THREE HOURS LATER

MICHAEL

“There! There he is! Bri...what the hell is she doing here?!” I turn to Ma and Ben. While he shrugs, she looks as pissed off as I do. “Where have you been?!” I demand of Brian as they finally reach us.

“On a plane waiting for it to....” He begins to reply when Ben interrupts.

“You know where he was, Michael. He was in a holding pattern. Now can we go to the hotel?”

“Why are you here? Shouldn’t you have gone either straight to the hotel or to see Gus and Jenny?” He snaps as he walks ahead of us. The branding bitch doesn’t say a word to any of us, just walks beside him, carrying his case.

“I did suggest that but they wanted to wait.” Ben grumbles.

“Why is she here?!” Ma demands.

“Because she’s my driver and Cyn insisted. Thank goodness she did, because I am in no fit state to drive after that flight from hell.”

“This is us, Mr Kinney.” She stops by a two seater.

“Why have you booked that?! How are all of us going to fit in there?!” Ma exclaims, glaring at him.

“I did not book this. Cynthia did. Now excuse me, I have to be useful and go and see my son!”

“But what about us?! Actually, what about them three? Ben, Ma and whatever she’s called can go in another car. Give me the keys and I’ll drive, Brian.”

She doesn’t say anything, just puts his case in the trunk as he gets in. Then she gets into the driver’s side, before she turns to look at me. “I am the named driver as is Mr Kinney. You are not, therefore, you are not driving. Mr Kinney sir, please do up your seatbelt. Where are we going?”

Brian pulls out a phone and Ma and I exchange incredulous looks. “I thought yours was broken?!”

“It is. That’s my phone.” She retorts.

“Come on you two let’s go and book a car, like I said we should have done two hours ago!”

“But…!” I protest.

“Babe! Let’s go, please? We can argue with Brian later.”

I am about to say something to Brian, but she guns the engine and is gone. “Where the hell are we supposed to go?!” I yell as they disappear into the distance. “For fuck sake!” I snatch my phone out of my pocket and then stop in annoyance. “Can’t even call him! So annoying!”

“Come on, honey. Like Ben says, we can deal with the useless asshole later. Let’s just get to where we need to be!”

INSIDE THE MINI ROADSTER

DAPHNE

Mr Kinney and I exchange smiles. He had caught me up on the plane so I gave him my phone when we landed. He looked so relieved. “What did she say?” I ask as he grimaces at his screen.

“Temp was 100.9, but it’s coming down. They are going to discharge him this evening. So we might as well go to the hotel first. Where did she book?”

“Festival Suites. We should be there in an hour.”

“Okay.” He’s quiet for a bit before he clears his throat. “What’s your background? I mean, the Taser and the…”

“Army brat who followed in her dad’s footsteps. As for the Taser, I’ve always had one, two very overprotective brothers.” I smile at him. “Discharged on medical grounds. Injured my back and can’t carry the full kit around. Have secretarial skills. Have known Shelley for years and here I am.”

“I see.” He settles back down a bit. “First, things first. I respect anyone that does military service, so please call me Brian. And secondly, what did you think of Ben?”

“Brian, it is; I prefer Daph. Like you said, it takes a big man to admit to being that and say it out loud.” I answer cautiously and he frowns. “I would need to know more of the background to make an informed decision.”

“What do you need to know?”

“What was he like to fuck?” I grin at him and for the first time in hours, he smiles.

NOVOTNY-BRUCKNER’S CAR - SAME TIME

BEN

Jesus, was I like this? They have not stopped bitching about Brian since we left Kinnetic!

“What do you think, Ben?” Michael demands.

“What about, Babe? Sorry was concentrating on the driving.” And trying not to use a ball gag on you both.

“Brian’s tone to us earlier...”

“He’s most probably worried about Gus and…”

“Brian doesn’t worry. He’s most probably trying to wonder where to get his ass sewn up by the time we’ve finished with him!” Debs bridles.

“Why should you rip him a new one? It’s not his fault that his phone is broken, is it?”

“That’s if that’s what happened.” Michael retorts.

“Why shouldn’t it be? Brian doesn’t lie, remember? It was you who told me that. In fact, it is you that always tells me that.”

“Since when do…” He begins.

“And his reaction was blind panic when he heard about Gus, not the reaction of a man that doesn’t care.”

“True, I suppose.” He concedes before smiling at me. “I’m so glad we’re back to where we were. I am still a bit cross about you and Brian but that is in the past, and it is right?”

“It had better be!” Debs snaps.

“Brian doesn’t do repeats. And even if he did, he definitely wouldn’t come after me.”

“Yeah, true, not now that you are the way you are.” Michael says smugly and I roll my eyes, trying not to flinch as he puts his hand on my thigh.

But if he did, I most definitely wouldn’t say no.

MEL AND LINDSAY’S HOUSE - EARLY EVENING

LINDSAY

“What a day!” I whisper to Mel as Gus has finally settled down to sleep.

“Yeah, not good. Come on, let’s go downstairs. I need a drink.” I nod and follow her to the lounge and sink into the sofa. “Red, white or stronger?”

“Stronger, definitely stronger. Do you have any idea of what time Brian is getting here? Did he say?”

“He was going to come tonight, but I told him to come tomorrow. At least, Gus will be awake then.” I frown at her. “He needs to rest. So do we. But first, we need to eat.”

“That’s not what I am frowning for. I’m frowning because Brian’s phone is broken. How have you been speaking to him?”

“He used Daphne’s phone. Cynthia texted the number to me so I would recognise it.”

“Who’s Daphne and why is Cynthia texting you? I’m Gus’s mother. I should have that information!”

“We’re both his mothers. As for Daphne, she’s his driver and you would have to ask Cynthia about her reasoning.”

“He has a driver now?” I sigh at his extravagance. “He does spend his money on the most frivolous of things!”

“It’s his money to spend.”

“What’s that supposed mean?”

“Exactly what I said. It’s his money and he gets to decide how he spends it. And if he wants to get himself a driver, then that’s his prerogative.”

“It’s very unusual for you to be championing Brian.”

“It’s been an unusual day! Now I’m going to order take-out so why don’t you jump in the shower?”

I drain my glass and head upstairs.

MEL

I hang up on the Thai place and roll my neck. I cannot wait to see how she talks her way out of this. How they both do.

DINER - GRAVEYARD SHIFT

DELORES

“Have you heard from Brian?” I ask Carl as I clean up around him.

“Yeah. He’s been discharged and he’s going to see him tomorrow.” He drains his cup and rather sweetly rinses it out. “Come on, I’ll give you a lift.”

“No, it’s fine. I can take the cab that...okay, let me get my coat. Jeez, you spend way too many Mondays with Brian. You’ve got that glare down pat!”

As I collect my things, I try not to smile too much!

OUTSIDE FESTIVAL SUITES HOTEL - NEXT DAY

BEN

“Very fancy schmancy!” Debs declares as we wait in our car for them to come out.

Michael looks at his watch again. “Where are they?” He gripes.

“You said he told you they would be down in 10 minutes.” I sigh. “Which was five minutes ago.”

“Are you okay? You seem to be in a very contrary mood today.” Debs asks and Michael almost gets a slap when he nods in agreement!

“I’m fine. Just anxious about Gus, that’s all.”

“Why? He’s been discharged and they wouldn’t have done that if they didn’t think he was alright.”

“Yes, but we don’t know what we’re dealing with. It could be something that spreads and…”

“Oh for fuck sake! Stay in the car then if you are so worried about your oh so precious immune system!” Michael spits and then gets out of the car. With a nasty look from Debs, she follows him. Less than five minutes later, they are coming out of the hotel and looking pleased with themselves. I am relieved when they both get in the back.

“They’re just checking out. I placed a call to his room and reamed him out. As per usual, he hears me and he comes running!” Debs cackles.

“And me, Ma. We both can call him to heel.” Michael asserts.

“Well, aren’t you two all powerful?” I retort and glare at them in the mirror. “And as for your comment before Michael, I am more worried about him giving it to Jenny. You do remember Jenny, don’t you?”

They exchange looks, but I cut off what he was going to say by switching on the radio as Daphne and Brian come out and head to their car.

MEL AND LINDSAY’S HOUSE - AN HOUR LATER

LINDSAY

Mercifully, Gus’s temperature dropped right down overnight, but he does have a bad cold. I head to the door when I see Brian and Daphne get out of the car. I am relieved when it is just them. It makes the conversation we are going to have so much more easier.

“You’re finally here!” I state coldly before turning to Daphne. “Hi, I’m Lindsay, the mother of Gus and you’re Daphne, I understand.” She nods and shakes my proffered hand. “Well down there, if you head that way, this road takes you to the theatre district. If you…”

“She’s coming in.” Brian interjects. “I’m using her phone. I can’t contact her when I’m ready to leave.”

“Brian…” I sigh.

“Hey, Lindsay!” Ben calls out and I wave at him.

“Well come on in, then.” I say gracelessly and lead them back inside.

“Mel! They’re…”

“I’m going to see Gus.” Brian heads to the stairs, taking them two at a time and I quickly follow.

I spot Mel in Jenny’s room, step in and close the door. “He’s brought Michael, Ben and Debs with him. Are you going to use this opportunity to speak to Michael about the support he owes?”

“Yes, the one thing we will be discussing is his money.” She replies tersely. “Now come on little one, let’s go see your daddy, your papa and grandma.”

“I don’t think Michael or Debs would like it if you called Ben papa in front of them.”

“Since when do I care what they like?” She retorts. “Is Brian in with Gus?” I nod. “Okay, let me get this little one to say hi to him first. Once she’s with those three, he won’t get a look in! Why not make some coffee for our guests?”

I dig my nails into my palms in frustration. I wanted to speak to Brian now, but pasting a smile on my face, I follow her out and go to make some coffee.

GUS’S ROOM

MEL

I smile as I come in and see Brian and Gus, looking at something in Gus’s lap. “What you got there, Gus?”

“A picature, Momma. Daddy said someone drawded it for me to make me feel better.” He croaks.

“Picture. It’s pronounced picture, Sonny Boy. Would you like to show it to Momma while I say hello to Jenny?” He nods and I sit down next to him. Jenny immediately clambers into Brian’s lap.

“Oh, that is so sweet! We have to have that framed! Who drawded, I mean drew it?”

“I’m not sure.” Brian looks rueful. “But I will find out.”

“Speaking of finding out, does her phone have a record feature?” He nods. “Use it if you are alone with Lindsay. Okay?”

He sighs. “Welcome to the dark side.”

“Pardon?”

“That’s what Cyn told me to do as well.”

I hear the stairs creak and Lindsay pokes her head round the door. “Have coffee for Brian and I am just about holding back her grandma and father. Perhaps you should take them both down before they explode.”

“Come on you two, let’s go downstairs and let Mommy and Daddy talk for a bit. Don’t be long though.”

LINDSAY

I place the mug on the table and wait for the door to close. “Care to explain yourself?”

“What’s there to explain?” He replies stiffly. “My phone broke, so I didn’t get your messages. Care to explain yourself?”

“What are you talking about?” I glower at him.

“When did Gus get sick?”

“When I called you. Now before you say anything else, we need to talk about this arrangement we have, whereby I go through Ted now for anything support related. I am not happy about that and would rather deal with you directly. As you know, the expenses are so high and we wouldn't want to have a reason for us to say no about Gus's next visit to Pittsburgh, now would we?”

“Why would you say no? You wouldn’t be paying for it, and you certainly wouldn’t be bringing him. I would be.”

“You? Why would you do that?” I demand.

“Because I can and I want to.”

I decide to try another tack. “Brian, you are just upset at the moment and…”

“Are you guys coming down, now?!” Mel calls up and he strides passed me.

“Yeah!” He calls out before returning to collect his mug. “Shall we?”

“We will talk about this later!” I insist.

“Yeah, I look forward to that!” He snipes as he stalks out.

LOUNGE

DAPHNE

I have the cool box on my lap and twice Gus has looked at it and then me. He has his father’s eyes.

“What have you two been doing up there for so long? Revisiting the past?” The Gimp laughs, but he’s the only one.

“Not cool, Michael.” Mel retorts. “And speaking of not cool, where’s the support money you’ve been promising me?”

“I don’t have my bank card on me.” He replies. “Brian, can you pay and then I pay you back?”

All eyes turn to him and he takes the cool box off me with a small smile.

“Brian, did you hear me?” The Gimp demands.

“Yes, and the answer is no.” He replies bluntly. “And no to you too, Lindsay.”

“No to me? What are you saying no to me for? I’ve not asked you for anything.” She grits out.

“Then you don’t mind not getting your way? Good.”

“Perhaps you didn't hear Michael correctly.” Ben begins and I slowly turn to look at him, wishing I had carried my larger Taser. Seems that he has played Brian for a fool! “He said he would pay you back and you will, won’t you Babe?”

“Yes, I just said that.” The Gimp snipes. “So Mel, if you can speak to Brian and…”

“No. The money has to come from you, not Brian. He’s not Jenny’s dad. You are, though only when it suits you.”

There is an astonished silence.

“Mel, may I have a bowl please?”

“A bowl? What do you want a bowl for ass...as a matter of interest?” Drag Queen quickly amends.

“So that I can give Gus, and maybe Jenny, if Mel’s okay with that, some ice cream.”

“Ice cream?!” Lindsay exclaims. “Brian, he’s got a heavy cold. He doesn't need ice cream; he needs warmth and nourishment...something like oatmeal.”

“Nourishment comes in many guises.” I point out. “It is a proven medical fact that the coolness of ice cream on a sore throat is very soothing. As it is on the gums of teething toddlers and I do believe I see a little tooth in there.”

Mel smiles at me. “I’ll just get the bowls then.”

We sit in silence as Mel goes to collect them. DQ and The Gimp are both glowering at Brian, who is concentrating on Gus. I look across at Ben and he has an interesting expression on his face.

“Okay, here’s the bowls.” Mel comes back in and helps Brian to spoon some into the bowls. Immediately, Jenny squirms off of Michael’s lap and toddles over to her. “Okay little one, hold your horses!”

“Daddy.” Gus croaks. “Can I have all of that?”

“No, Gus, you can only have some…” Lindsay interrupts.

“Lindsay, his Daddy brought him a treat. Eat as much as you can Gus but stop when Daddy says, okay?” Mel orders gently and Gus nods.

“Can I do it Daddy?” He asks, reaching for the spoon. Whatever Lindsay was going to say, Brian stops with a glare and she literally sits on her hands.

Half an hour later, Gus and Jenny are being cleaned up by Brian and I smile as he totes them both upstairs at the same time. When he comes back in, he sits next to Mel while Lindsay frowns.

“Can you leave please?” The Gimp orders me and I look at Brian.

“She stays.” He retorts.

“This is family business, Brian and…”

“She stays or we both go.” He clips out.

“Fine, if you want your staff to find out what an asshole you are, so be it!” DQ barks.

“Of all the things he is, an asshole he is not. Kindly moderate your tone when talking to him and about him in my presence, or I shall do that for you...again.”

“Are you threatening me?!”

“No.”

“Are you going to let her treat me...treat us like this?!” She growls at Brian.

“Yes. She has my permission to treat anyone anyway she sees fit. And you are a very lucky man, Michael. There’s no surveillance cameras in my office, so I can’t prove that you pushed Justin in front of you. But back to the support dilemma you have... It is your dilemma to solve, so solve it.” The Gimp just glares at him before going to speak, but Brian puts up his hand to stop him. “And Lindsay, I am not giving you the money to pay off the credit card bill you ran up.” Brian glares at her. “You lied to me about Gus, and I hate being lied to. From now on, Mel can you liaise with Ted with regards to anything to do with support for Gus?”

“Yes, of course. In fact, I was going to suggest that.” Mel looks at Lindsay coldly. “How many times have I told you to never lie on sickness? There was nothing wrong with Gus the night you left the message for Brian. You want to test the karma god, lie about yourself!”

“I didn’t lie! He did have a temperature!” She asserts testily.

“But you didn’t know that when you called. You didn’t know that until the next day when I told you!” Mel blasts her. “But back to the matter in hand, Lindsay, Michael neither of you are getting money directly from Brian from this point onwards.”

Again, an astonished silence. Then Ben clears his throat. “How about I pay Mel and then Michael can pay the mortgage on the house and the store for the next month instead?”

“But I can’t afford to do both of those payments, Ben.” Gimp whines.

“But you can afford to help your mother out with her non-existent mortgage, can’t you?” His mouth drops open in shock. “For three months. And speaking months, why didn’t you tell me that you had an STD when we first started sleeping together?” His mouth opens wider. “I could’ve compromised my oh so precious immune system. That was such a lovely thing to hear from my husband, by the way. Oh and speaking of husbands, since we are here, you no longer will be in the eyes of any law in the land.”

“What? What’s going on?!” DQ demands.

“These are the dissolution papers for our farce of a marriage. You wanted to know what I was doing for two weeks. Well, it was this. And also putting the house on the market because I am leaving you, Michael. As well as leaving you, I am leaving Pittsburgh. It has too many bad memories for me “

“But...but I thought we were fine; that we were back on track!”

“You thought wrong! I will be moving here. There is a teacher exchange with Carnegie and Toronto University. This gives me an opportunity of a fresh start and to see Jenny when I want, not when you choose to mooch off of Brian to do so.”

“You ungrateful fucking bastard!” The Gimp snarls, standing up and I stand up too...he sits down. “I loved you when…”

“No, you didn’t! Neither of you did! What you do is not love... well, not without conditions. It’s the kind of love I can do without.”

“I never wanted you to…”

“Debs, you’re not telling me something I didn’t already know, so kindly shut the fuck up! And Michael before you chime in, you are not all that and a bucket of fried chicken. It may have been years ago, but the times I had to think back to that night to get off while you were pawing at me...well let’s just say it was a lot more than once...a lot more!” He stands up, taking what seems to be a cleansing breath before he reaches for his coat and drops some keys into The Gimp’s lap. “Mel, may I prevail upon you to give me a number for a cab? They will need the car to get back to the hotel.”

“Um...yeah, not a problem.” She stammers before making her way to the hallway.

“Did you know?!” DQ demands of Brian.

“Nope.” Brian retorts, picking up his coat and nodding at me. “And again, this is his dilemma to solve. Nothing to do with me. Well not outside of Ben’s imagination anyway.”

“Back to the hotel, Brian?” I ask.

“No, to the airport. I have my own dilemma to work on.”

“What’s that?”

“I’ll tell you in the car.” He grins. “Too much nosiness here right now.”

OUTSIDE MEL AND LINDSAY’S HOUSE

BRIAN

I look in actual awe at Ben. “So you’ve been planning this since when?”

“After Carl ripped into me. When I got home that night, I was drained. Reality had hit and hit hard. I came through the door to find them both facing me, like an accusing council…”

Start of flashback

BEN AND MICHAEL’S HOUSE - ALMOST THREE WEEKS PRIOR

BEN

“Where the hell have you been?!! We have things to discuss!” As Michael yells, his spittle lands on my hand and I almost dry-heave from knowing what he’s done. His yelling is exacerbating my already sore head.

“I went for a walk as I…”

“A walk? You went for a walk?! We’re in the middle of a crisis and you decide to go for a fucking walk!”

“Yes Michael, a walk!” I yell back, silencing him. “We are only in a crisis because you, yet again, are over reacting to something that has fuck all to do with you!”

“How can you say that?! You and his best friend, damn near his brother, fucked!” Deb screeches, her wig almost wobbling off in fury.

“I can say that Debs because it’s true! You agreed in the diner so how come you’ve suddenly changed your mind?!”

“Because I’ve listened to Michael’s reasons and they are valid!”

“Which are? Do tell me how something that happened 8 years ago, before you were even a twitch in my cock, matters now? Irrespective of who it is, Brian would’ve fucked someone that night. He chose me. So fucking what?! You were not a virgin when we met so this amount of hysterical hypocrisy is galling to say the least! Valid...my ass! What we have here is the plain old fashioned green eyed monster! Get the fuck over it! I don’t carp unduly about your past so why the hell are you carping about mine?!”

“Your past got you infected!” Michael snarls. “You got careless!”

“That is so unfair! Do you even hear what you say? You know all too well that I did not get fucking careless; Paul did!” I can feel the tears burning my eyes and see the triumphant gleam in theirs. “You know what... we are not going to discuss this anymore. It is done, dusted and over with! Brian is, despite his many, and I mean many, peccadillos as clean as a whistle! Now I have to go and pack!”

“Pack?!” Michael shrieks panicked. “Wait a minute! Where are you…”

“Not only do you not listen when you speak, you don’t listen when I speak. The Teachers Training Conference in Whistler, remember?!”

Some colour returns to his face. “Oh yeah. Yes I remember but in all of this, I forgot!”

“Of course, you did. It was about me, not about you, Debbie or Brian!” I retort and storm upstairs. When I am in the sanctuary of the bathroom, I sob at the cruelty of his words and the glee in his eyes. After a couple of minutes, the tears finally stop. I take some deep, cleansing breaths and decide, that I will have to do some serious thinking about my future and if it will still involve the monkey on my back and his mother!

End of flashback

“So you just came here and did everything you needed?” I look at him with a new respect.

“Well almost. There is one more thing that I would like to do...if you would be amenable…”

“What’s that?” I frown.

“Lean in and take the keys in my hand.” He whispers with a shark like smile. “And then when you lean back, lick your lips. I can feel the eyes drilling into the back of my neck. Get home safely, Brian and these…” He hands me the keys. “...are something you need to give to Carl. These are the papers you both need to sign when you get back.”

“Ben is everything okay with you?”

“Everything is absolutely great, I promise you. Now lean back, lick your lips and get in the car!”

I do as I am bid and thank the gods for Daph’s military training because although she is perfectly still, she is killing herself laughing. I watch him go back up the path and the front door is almost ripped off its hinges by an incandescent Michael, who is being shoved out of the way by Lindsay, who is shouting my name and trying to advance down the path, but Ben easily blocks her attempts.

“Floor it, Daph!” I order and finally, we give into our laughter and head home.

LOUNGE - 10 MINUTES LATER

LINDSAY

“Why did you do that, Ben?!” I demand. “I wanted to speak to Brian! Mel, give me Daphne’s number!”

“What for?” She replies as if I had just asked her if she wanted a cup of tea.

“I want to speak to Brian about what just happened!”

“You do not need to speak to Brian about what happened. I will speak to Ted about what happened, and will be happening in future. Although I suspect he will have already been apprised of the situation and will most likely send you to voicemail, if you try to speak to him.”

She then turns to Michael, who is pale and his eyes are bulging out his head as he struggles to control his temper. Debs is no better. “You owe three months support, which is payable now. If you can’t pay it, then you can’t see her. Simple as that.”

“Mel!” He explodes. “I am dealing with the disintegration of my marriage!”

“Civil union, we weren’t married in the eyes of law or, it seems, in yours.” Ben interrupts as he leans against the door jamb. “And I would caution against saying another word either of you.”

“Now just a minute, you…” Debs roars.

“And you can shut up as well, Mrs Novotny! You hold no power here and no power on Liberty Avenue. You think that you are Doyenne of the Avenue, the Matriarch, the Grande Dame, the Materfamilias? Well you’re not! You’ve been replaced a long time ago by Kiki and then Delores, who, if what I hear is true is going to be replacing you in more ways than what she already has!” He stares her down with equal malevolence. “And to think, I thought you, a PFLAG Chairwoman, was a great champion of gay rights. You’re just a champion of your rights and that of your idiotic son! Your vituperative hectoring and lecturing has alienated so many people and you are so arrogant in your misplaced sense of authority, that you can’t see that over the years the chapter has decreased in numbers. People are running away from you...much like I have and much like Brian will...and believe me...he will! Mel, I’ll call you in a couple of days once I’m settled. I would say the same to you, Lindsay, but quite frankly, I don’t like you. I never have and always thought Mel’s settled for you, but each to their own!”

“How dare you come into my house and…”

MEL

“Like I said, I don’t like you and now, I no longer have to listen to you.” Then nonchalantly Ben puts his earphones in. “Taxi will text when it arrives.” He explains and smirks at an apoplectic Michael, who is so angry, he can’t formulate a thing to say...Bliss!

“Our house, Lindsay. The house is ours. Well technically, the house belongs to Gus, so we have the most adorable little landlord.”

She whirls around to look at me. “What do you mean it belongs to Gus?”

“Well it was one of the conditions of getting his rights back. Not too sure if it was Ted or Cynthia’s idea, but the deed is in Gus’s name. And it remains in his name until he is 18. The deed is held in trust by someone he trusts implicitly.”

She turns to Michael. “How could you not tell me this?!”

“The key words there are trusts implicitly…” I interrupt coldly. “Carl has it. Carl is the executor of Brian’s estate, therefore, he has it.”

“But, I... I mean, one of us should be executor of his will!” Lindsay declares heatedly.

“What on earth for?” I ask. “Wait, who are you talking about?”

“Brian, of course!” She shrieks, pacing.

“Of course, it should be one of us three!” Mute Michael unfortunately has regained the power of speech. “Me, Ma and Lindsay have known him the longest; we practically raised him!”

“Raised him?! Raised him?! That’s what you three call what you did and continue to do to Brian?!” I explode. “I’ve seen feral and rabid wolves raise their young with more care! You constantly berate, badger, degrade and denigrate the man, but run to him to solve each and every fucking problem your stupidity, selfishness, callousness and plain old fuckery and cuntish behaviour gets you into. You say that he owes you. No! You owe him! You owe him an apology for every fucking thing you’ve done to the guy! Before you say one single fucking word about me championing Brian, I swear to God I will rip you an asshole so big you won’t be able to sit down without the chair being sucked up to your throat! I am showing him the things I should always have shown him. Decency! Kindness! And com...compassion…” I find myself brushing away tears. “I am so fucking ashamed of myself that I allowed you to use my own insecurities against him.”

“Now just a minute, missie! I have…”

“Done nothing but raise a whiny bitch cub, which the only thing you don’t for is wipe his ass for him. No, you metaphorically get Brian to do that!  Now you listen and you listen good, Mr Daddy of the Fucking Universe in Your Own Mind, you will either pay now or leave!”

“Come on Michael, let’s see how long they last without us!”

“As long as we’ve lasted with you!” I shout.

“What the fuck are you still doing here, Ben?!” Lindsay snarls, her face bright red with humiliation and anger.

“Recording this for posterity and sending it to Brian. He’ll enjoy it!” He laughs. “The expressions on your faces...reminds me of that really godawful porn movie you did for our anniversary, Michael. You know the one with you wearing a French maid outfit.”

“BEN, SHUT UP!” Michael screams.

“Nah don’t wanna...oh how many times I’ve heard that!” He turns to me. “So how’d it feel?”

“Pretty damn good!” I grin tearfully.

“Liberating, isn’t it?” He asks and I nod. “And Michael, you are going to have to be extra super dooper Captain Astro-esque nice to Carl from now on.”

“Oh and why’s that? You forget that Carl...”

“Now owns our old house. And if you’re very lucky, he will let you pack properly instead of throwing you out on your ass like I would’ve done!”

There is a stunned silence as we all absorb what Ben’s said and done.

“Michael, are you going to pay now or are you going to leave never to come back until I say?” Then I turn to Lindsay and stare her dead in the eye. “Take note, Lindsay. Ben’s very Zen and he did this. I’m a grade A bulldyke bitch lesbian. What do you think I could accomplish? Change your behaviour or else!”

TORONTO AIRPORT - TWO HOURS LATER

DAPHNE

“I see. So you have an admirer.” I surmise after he finishes telling me about what’s been happening and he looks surprised. “And this had not occurred to you? You just saw it as someone messing with you in an annoying way, not the positive way they mean? You look completely banjaxed.” He frowns. “By pointing out the obvious, I have ruined and destroyed your conception of what was happening.”

“But why? I don’t get why?”

“What do you mean Mr...I mean, Brian?”

“Well yeah, I can fuck like a machine, but nobody wants me for anything other than that.”

“Someone does, so I suggest you do the one thing that they are doing.”

“What?” He demands, his face twisted in confusion and frustration.

“Have fun. Get your ego stroked; hell, get your needs met! Just enjoy it!”

MEL AND LINDSAY’S HOUSE - THREE DAYS LATER

STUDY

LINDSAY

I thought she would never fucking leave! I have been playing the good Step-lesbian Wife and Mel has totally bought into it! I watch her drive to work and immediately, grab my phone to place a call to my lawyer, whom she knows nothing about. I am a WASP from a family of WASPs and while this little grandstanding of Brian’s is sweet in its own way, it is ultimately futile. I shall simply ensure by claiming he is mentally unstable, that every decision which Brian has made is reversed and that I am made the sole executor of his estate. Naturally, having been spoken to like that by the lumbering lummox, I have advised Michael and Debbie to do the same.

“Andrew Gailsford please. This is Lindsay Peterson calling. Yes, I’ll hold.”

DEB’S HOUSE - SAME TIME

MICHAEL

We’ve been back for three days and neither Brian nor Carl are in Pittsburgh, which explains why they haven’t contacted us. I have been trying Ben ever since he walked out of Mel and Lindsay’s house. She was as furious as we were. I mean and after everything we’ve done for Brian and Ben...!

I decide to try Ben again and wave at Ma when she comes in. “Are you fucking kidding me?!” I roar and hang up. “You are not going to believe this!”

“Which ungrateful asshole has done what now?” She demands.

“Ben’s number is no longer in service!”

“So call Mel and get it from her.” She puts the shopping down. “Remember he said he would call her in a few days so she must have heard from him by now.”

“Yeah. So what took you so long?”

“Took for fucking ever to get served.” She grumbles. “The new people on the Avenue don’t know who I am or what I have done for their forebears. So some of them treat me with such disrespect! Have you called the lawyers?”

“Yes. They reckon the papers will be served by the end of the week. So whatever they have planned,  isn’t going to happen. Are you going into work today?”

“Yeah. Miss Manager gave Kiki the rest of the week off despite me explaining that we had a family crisis!”

“She’s just a bitch, isn’t she? And a jealous one at that!” I tell her and she nods. “I’m going to go to the store. I shall see you later in the diner?”

“Yeah, see you later sweetie.”

BELLRUSH DISTILLERY - CONNECTICUT

CYNTHIA

I have been watching Mr Slim walk quietly with us. He’s been making lots and lots of notes as we’ve walked along. During the pitch, he was also making notes and even on the plane, he kept on writing notes. But any time someone tried to see what he was writing, he politely but firmly rebuffed their attempts. By their, I mean me. I do not like being denied access to gossip!

Speaking of gossip, Ted is still in Pittsburgh, dealing with the virulent virago and her two pet vipers. I have dealt with Lindsay ever since she was inseminated and I know what she was like then, constantly visiting or calling. There was even one time, literally two weeks after she was inseminated when she came into the office, claiming she could feel fluttering!  

When Brian came back and told Ted and I what had happened in Toronto, we were unsurprised and yet, appalled. However, between the, now, three of us, we had a plan in place to thwart them. And this, they won’t see coming.

“Now Mr Kinney…” William Bellrush smiles at us. “...would you and your colleagues like to taste the rare and vintage reserves of our whisky?”

“Yes please, but please don’t open it especially on our behalf.” Brian demurs.

“Brian, your advertising has increased our sales by 25%, so the least we can do is open a couple of bottles of whisky.” He waves to some waiters. “And because we couldn’t be irresponsible and have you drink on an empty stomach, we have also prepared some rare rib-eye steaks with sweet potato....”

I watch Justin wince slightly and then bite his lip, so I make my way over to him. “What’s wrong?” I whisper.

“I can’t stand sweet potato. If I have to eat it, I will be sick.” He replies quietly, but with a slightly panicked edge to his voice.

“Then don’t eat it.” I tell him frowning at this unnecessary hand-wringing response.

“It’s mixed together.” He replies and then I look across and see his problem.

“Mr Taylor, is everything okay?” William asks gently.

“Um the um sweet potato, I don’t like it but I really want to try the whisky and I haven’t eaten since breakfast and…” He trails off in the face of the incredulous and unimpressed expression on Brian’s face. “...sorry, but he did ask.” He points out, staring back at Brian with equal vigor.

The stand off is stopped by the bark of laughter from William. “He’s right, I did. Please, can you get the young man some rib-eye with maybe a salad or in a sandwich?”

“Oh, thank you!” He replies effusively. “Bread would be great, thank you.”

“Do you require any accoutrements? You know to save the waiter from returning.” Brian asks tightly.

“Some mustard please on the side, if that’s possible.” Justin replies not looking at Brian, but I can see he is pissed off.

“Of course sir, not a problem.”

“You’ve got a top class firecracker there, Kinney!” William laughs. “The look he just gave you could’ve frozen a fireball!”

While Brian smiles, I know him and Justin is in for a bollocking when it’s just us. And I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

CAR TO THE AIRPORT - AN HOUR LATER

“Care to explain that prima donna behaviour?” He turns coldly to Justin.

“You first.” Justin retorts and Brian’s jaw drops.

“Me first?  Me…”

“Yes, you! The situation was resolved amicably so the comment made by you was unnecessary and borderline bullying. Don’t ever do it again.” Justin retorts and then picks up his iPhone, plugs in his music and then reaches for his pad. As far as he is concerned, this conversation is over.

I catch Daph’s eye in the mirror and I can see the laughter in there.

“Mr Slim.” Brian growls, but Justin ignores him and I can see that Brian is about to get a little bit cross. “Mr Taylor, I am talking to you.”

With a sigh, he unplugs his earphones. “No, you are talking at me; not the same thing. I am not some meek chattel for you to speak to howsoever you see fit. I have free will and I will defend myself when I feel I am being unnecessarily attacked. As I’ve said, the conversation, which by the way had nothing to do with you, was finished. If I had been made to eat that I would’ve been sick as I explained to Cynthia. Which would you rather I did? Have a beef sandwich or I boaked on your shoes?”

The grip tightens on Brian’s pencil. “Interesting juxtaposition. You use howsoever, which isn’t a word and boaked, which, albeit old-fashioned, is. Did they teach you nothing in school?”

“Mr Kinney, you are not stupid, nor do you employ, well the Grantham aberration aside, stupid people…” The car pulls up to a stop. “I want to keep working for Kinnetic because it’s a great company to work for. But I think it will be for the best that I sit somewhere other than with you because I will keep defending myself.”  And with that he gets out, takes his case out of the trunk, slams it very hard and is gone before we could stop him.

I look at Brian and he’s laughing. Tears running down his face, laughing. “I have never been so politely bitch slapped in my entire life!” He gets out of the car and starts to scan the crowds. “Got him! Meet you in the lounge!” He shouts and takes off running.

JUSTIN

Fucking arrogant bastard! He didn’t have to do that! Damn my inner devil! I decide to head to the bar instead of sitting in the lounge. At least, I can drink myself into oblivion. I check my ticket and hope that the plane is not full or that flouncing off is going to be for naught. Unless I change the ticket entirely...yes, that’s what I’ll do.

“I’ll get this.” Mr Kinney tells the barman, who nods. I am about to say something but he holds up his hand. “I don’t do this often, so take it for what it is. Sorry.” He says and then walks away.

Oh for fuck sake, what did he have to do that for?!

KINNETIC - TWO DAYS LATER

SHELLEY

I lead the smug threesome and their lawyers into the conference room. The smugness evaporates when they are faced, not with Brian Kinney like they expected, but with Cynthia and Ted. “What’s going on?” The Gimp demands as if he has the power.

“Have a seat. We’re waiting for the rest of the attendees.” Ted answers. “May I get you some refreshments? Coffee, tea, water, hemlock?”

“Where’s Brian?” A chilly blonde demands. “This is between us and him. You two…” The door opening stops her talking and her face falls. “Mel? What are you doing here?!”

“I could ask you and your lawyer, or should I say fuck buddy, the same question?” Mel replies and sits down next to Ted. “Who are we waiting for?”

“Executor and complainants.” Ted replies and she nods.

“Fuck buddy?” Ice cold woman repeats. “I don’t…”

“Yes, every now and then you get the urge and you go to him. Which is good for you, but not so much for our marriage. But let’s come back to that later since we have lots to discuss already.”

The door opens again, and this time, the DQ folds her arms and glowers. “What are they doing here?!”

“Like I said, Executor as in Carl Horvath and one of complainants, Ben Bruckner and…” The door opens again and brings in Mr Kinney, He sits down next to Ben Bruckner.

“Okay. Shelley, can you start the recording and take the minutes, please?” Cynthia asks and I sit down and then reach across to press the button. “So the attendees are Lindsay Peterson, Michael Novotny, Debbie Novotny, Shelley Warner, myself Cynthia Moore, Ted Schmidt, Ben Bruckner, Carl Horvath, Melanie Marcus, Brian Kinney and legal representatives of Lindsay Peterson, Michael Novotny and Debbie Novotny and legal representatives for Brian Kinney, Ben Bruckner and Carl Horvath. Please state your names for the recording and who you are representing?”

“Andrew Gailsford, representing Lindsay Peterson-Marcus.”

“Peterson. Her surname is just Peterson.” Mel corrects him tartly and Lindsay goes pale.

“Ira Lomquist, representing Michael and Debbie Novotny.”

“Fred, sorry Frederica Storm representing Brian Kinney, Carl Horvath and Ben Bruckner.”

“Fred Storm?” Lindsay repeats after swallowing hard. “I thought you were a man.”

“Nope. All woman. As my husband knows full well.” She laughs.

“So let us begin. According to these papers, you three have banded together to try and reverse the decisions made in Brian’s will on the grounds of mental incapacity, even though he is very much alive.” Mel reads from the folder. “And the two of you want to have the dissolution of the civil union contested and also the sale of the property by Ben Bruckner to Carl Horvath. Again, on the grounds of mental incapacity. So how are they mentally deficient?”

“Brian has clearly had some kind of emotional breakdown.” Lindsay explains. “He must have,  to have made these rash decisions, including…”

“He is not mentally deficient. And there is not a court in the land that will hear this case, so that ends that!” Fred interrupts. “It made perfect sense in order to protect Gus and this was the way to do it. We went to a judge and everything just to make sure, which was a step you didn't take. Instead, you just came in here, trying to make him back down. Not going to happen, not while I represent him!” She stands up and hands over some papers to their lawyers, who quickly open them and show them to their clients.

“Now Mr Kinney, please can you carry out the wishes of Mr Bruckner with regards to Carl Horvath?” He nods and hands over a set of keys and an envelope, which Carl opens and quickly reads and then smiles. “Mr Horvath, I take it you are happy to sign the document contained therein? For those here present, this document transfers ownership of the former marital, sorry civil union home, of Benjamin Bruckner and Michael Novotny to Carl Horvath and also the shared ownership in the store known as Red Cape Comics, previously the property of Ben Bruckner...”

“You can’t give your part of my store to Carl!” The Gimp screams at Ben.

“I’m not,” he states calmly. “I’m giving it to Mel, who, unlike me, will exercise her right to a share of the profits, which I believe solves the support payment problem perfectly. Fred, if you could give her paperwork for that, please?”

“Of course, it will be my pleasure! Sorry Mel, but client-attorney privilege prevented me from saying anything. Here’s the paperwork and if you could read it and sign it, but only if you are happy...”

I see the tremble in Melanie’s hand as she takes the papers and starts to read before she gasps, looking across at Ben, who gives a small nod and smile in return. “Wow, just wow, Ben... I can’t believe you’ve given this up!”

“I don’t want anything to do with them anymore. This is my final tie to Pittsburgh, severed. You and Michael now jointly own the store 50/50, like we were supposed to. Except it was only me paying the mortgage on the store, while he reaped the rewards; such a fool that I was!”

“YOU’VE DONE WHAT?!” He stands up and stalks towards the other end of the table.

“Sit down, Mr Novotny.” Daphne’s cool and crisp tones stop him in his tracks as she comes through the door. “Should I remain, Mr Kinney?”

“Please.” Mr Kinney replies and Daphne goes to stand equidistance between them. Then she oh-so-casually puts her Taser on the table causing the Gimp to walk faster back to his seat!

“So Lindsay, we will come back to the matter of your infidelity in a moment.” Fred smirks as she again, swallows hard. “But, I can’t understand why you are doing this. You signed your agreement to everything when the support agreement was renewed so why have you changed your mind?”

“I have concerns, especially given Ted’s past as a…”

“Whereas your past and current present as a cheating wife makes you a paragon of virtue, does it? Mr Schmidt has redeemed himself in the eyes of the people who matter, of which of them don’t include you. You are aware that it was the idea of Mr Schmidt and Ms Moore to have the house put in the name of Gus Marcus Pet…”

“Gus Marcus Kinney.” Mel interrupts sharply.

“What the hell is that…”

“You have been cheating on me with him, amongst others for a while now. And fear, yes it was fear, kept me tied to you but no longer. Brian, I have made up my mind. We’re moving back.”

“What do you mean we are moving back?” Lindsay demands.

“Yes, we’re moving back. What you do is up to you, but you won’t be doing it with me or the children. And unless he’s prepared to leave his wife, I suspect you won’t be doing it with him either!” She sneers, pointing at Gailsford.

“Moving back?” Mr Kinney repeats. “You’re bringing Gus…”

“Home. Yes.” She smiles at him and he blinks rapidly. “May I do this bit, Fred?”

“Are you sure?” She looks warily at Lindsay, who looks like she’s going to explode.

“Yes, I’m sure.” She looks down the table at her soon to be ex wife and shakes her head. “I loved you but that wasn’t enough, was it? You agreed, you agreed, that you wouldn’t cheat again. And sadly, I believed that. But hey, you live, you get lied to and then you move on and that is what I am going to do.” She gets up and walks down towards her. “These are our divorce papers and the revocation of your rights as the mother to Gus Marcus Kinney and Jenny Rebecca Marcus.”

“ARE YOU FUCKING CRAZY?!” Lindsay bellows, snatching the papers from her and tearing them in half. “I will never give up my rights to the children!”

“The first time you fucked away from our marital bed, you gave up your rights and I ignored it, but no more.”  

“YOU FUCKING BITCH! I SHALL MAKE YOU PAY!” She screams and leaps towards Mel as she starts to head back to her seat.

“PRIMING!” Daphne yells then there is a buzz, a flash and then a heavy thud as Lindsay lands face first on the table. The room at large is stunned silent. I look across at Mel, who is in Ted’s arms. “Ms Marcus, are you okay?” She demands over her shoulder, watching Lindsay continue to twitch. “Ms Marcus, please answer the question?!”

“I’m fine, I’m fine.” She replies shakily. “Is, um, there a way to stop that?” She points at Lindsay and Daphne pulls out the pins.

“I think it is safe to say that our business is now con...where’s Mr Novotny?” Fred asks and we all look to where he was sitting. DQ is standing by the wall. When she got there is anybody’s guess. “When did he leave the room?” She demands.

“He didn’t.” His lawyer is struggling to keep a straight face. “It seems that he tried to stop her from attacking Ms Marcus and grabbed her ankle at the same time as the pins hit. He’s under the table.”

As one, we all look under the table and there is the prone figure of Michael Novotny.

“Someone call him a fucking ambulance!” DQ screams.

Ben gets up and strides down to where he is lying, but slowly starting to come around. “Can you hear me?”

“Uh, yeah…” He mumbles.

“Come on, let me help you there.” We all watch incredulous as Ben helps a very unsteady Gimp to stand up. He turns towards the DQ smouldering like some sulphurous volcano. “He’s a fucking ambulance!” Ben snaps and lets him go, which was a touch unfortunate because he hits his chin on the table as he tries to sit down but misses the chair. So he is knocked out again.

“That’s not what I meant!” DQ screams. “Carl, do something!” She yells, scrambling under the table to help the Gimp.

“Shelley, is it?” I nod. “Can you call an ambulance for the injured parties and Melanie, do you wish to press charges for attempted assault?”

“Yes, yes I do.”

BRIAN’S CAR OUTSIDE KINNETIC - THREE DAYS LATER

BRIAN

“AAAACHOOOOOO!” I sniff and sigh, then catch the raised eyebrow look I am getting from Daph. “I am not sick! This is just a reaction to dust.” I assert firmly even though it hurts to blink.

“Of course it is, Brian.” She says with a bucketload of sarcasm as she gets out of the car to open my door. “I shall hoover this impeccably clean car to make sure that you don’t have this reaction to non-existent dust again. Oh and that shiver you just did, it is rather chilly for July.”

I say nothing and stalk inside and glare at Shelley, who has put a packet of cold and flu sachets on the side of her desk. I ignore them.

BRIAN’S OFFICE - 10 MINUTES LATER

“Brian! Bri, come on sit up and take this!” I hear someone ordering me.

What do they mean sit up? I am sitting up! I open my eyes and find myself looking in the concerned ones of Ted. “What is that?” I demand.

“Cold and flu remedy. You will take it now, either willingly or intravenously!”

I glare at him but this is not having its usual effect. “You are rheumy eyed, red nosed, have a rib rattling cough and I could hear you sneezing before you even pulled into the car park. You. Have. A. Cold. Go. Home!”

“I have…” I try to suppress the cough but fail. “...too much to do and…”

“That is why you have staff. You remember them, don’t you? They’re the people you shout at on a regular basis.” He retorts and holds the cup in front of me. Grudgingly, I sit up and then close my eyes as my head swims. “Bri, please go home; you’re exhausted.”

“I got through cancer without quitting. I can…”  I am interrupted by a cup dropping to the floor and look to the door. Cynthia is staring at me wide eyed and I sigh, then I look at Ted, who is just opening and closing his mouth. “...it was four years ago and they got it all. I’m cancer free. Not a word leaves this room, understand?”

“Who knows?” Cynthia comes into the office and shuts the door. “Brian, who else knows?”

“Apart from you two?” They nod. “Nobody.”

“You asshole!” Ted snaps. “I knew you were fucking sick! I knew it!”

“When’s your next appointment?” Cyn demands, picking up the pieces of cup. “I take it you have to go on a regular basis.”

“I went already, hence the cancer free announcement. Next one is next year.”

“That’s a lot of days. I need the date, time, location and the name of your oncologist.”

I look at my two friends and even though they are majorly pissed, there is concern and relief. I head slowly to my desk and log onto my computer.

“Tell me which file. Ted, you want a copy too?” Cyn asks and he nods. “And where was it? I would rather you told me than I read it.”

“The Ibiza one. And left testicle.”

“Ouch!” Ted winces and then squeezes my arm.

“Indeed. Now do what you need to do so I can get on with some fucking work!” I move out of the way while Cyn takes a copy of it and takes the cup from Ted.

JUSTIN

Cancer? He had cancer?! I back out of Cyn’s office and rush to the bathroom. Once I am in the safety of the stall, I try to calm down. He’s fine; he’s better...I repeat to myself. Ten minutes later, I am back at my desk but still feeling out of sorts.

“Anybody, apart from the legendary but thus far unknown coffee genius, know how to work the machines?” Karen asks. “I’m desperate for a cup!”

Fuck the coffee! I am about to make my way to the kitchen when an IM comes through.

CG sit down and send instructions. Your secret is safe with me. D.

I frown and look around. There isn’t a full name on the message just D.

Send the instructions before folks start to get feral! Pings through and that makes me smile and I quickly forward the instructions.

TWO DAYS LATER

JUSTIN

Everyone is on tenterhooks as he storms around the building, coughing and spluttering. Thankfully, he can barely speak, but he’s been sending out emails in block capitals and bold font to convey how unhappy he is with things. He even had IT take the profanity filter off so he could be as succinct as possible.

“Lord have mercy.” Karen sighs as she returns to her desk and my eyes widen. “It wasn’t too bad but his voice sounds terrible. Why doesn’t he just give up the ghost and go home?”

“Because that’s not what I want to do.” Brian growls from behind her.

“Well that explains the expression on your face, Justin.” She shakes her head and turns around. “I am sorry, Mr Kinney, but you really don’t look or sound well.”

“Thank you for your concern but if you could concentrate on your work and not my health that would be great. Mr Slim, with me and bring your pads.”

I trot after him and then almost run into him when he stops by Cyn’s desk. “Okay, a tomato soup, a small one and hold the bread.” She nods and goes to place the order.

“Mr Kinney, could you excuse me a minute? I need to go to the bathroom before we start.” I smile, in a hopefully, winning fashion and he waves me away. I virtually run to the bathroom frantically, texting Emmett along the way.

BRIAN’S OFFICE - TEN MINUTES LATER

BRIAN

“These boards were originally done by Grantham, but they need neatening up or redoing. I think you are the best…” I wince as my throat is so sore. “...person to fix the fuck up. So sit there and show me what you can do.” I wave at the sofa and he quickly sits down then starts to work.

“Come!” I flinch at the soreness of my throat again.

Cynthia comes in with a box and a smirk on her face. “Food’s here.”

“What’s with the smile?” I sigh.

“You’ll see.” She stands in front of me and nods at the food bag. “You’ll see better if you open it, for example.”

Sighing, I pull out the box and stop to stare. “Not again.” I grouse as I see the familiar script on the napkin. “Have you read this?”

“Nope. Just saw the writing and the green.” She is grinning now. “So figured your admirer is back.”

“Lucky me.” I grumble.

“So what does it say?!” She demands.

“You have a frog in your throat. You need to eat this and hop home...I am the first of many and will keep hopping to you until you do.”

“Let’s see it then!”

I hand over the piece of paper with a huff of annoyance.

“Aww, it’s kinda cute. But he’s right about the frog; you sound like Kermit with a cold.”

“It’s not easy being green!” I drawl sarcastically and pull out the box, before opening it carefully. “Cynthia, what is that? This does not look like a small tomato soup to me and...wait you said he. Why would it be a he?” Both she and Justin just look at me. “I take that back.”

“Yeah your brain is not firing on all cylinders, what with you being sick and all!” Justin mutters from the sofa.

“Your tetchy concern is duly noted, Mr Slim. But back to the food matter in hand, it’s...what is it?”

Justin comes over and looks at it. “Biscuits with tomato gravy, egg and bacon.” He replies.

“And just how do you know that?” I sit back in my chair.

“Because that’s what it says on the napkin...you didn’t turn it over like they said.” He hands it to me and sure enough, there is a PTO with the description of the food on the other side. “You need to eat that before it gets cold. You need to starve a fever and feed a cold. Or is it the other way around? Anyway, you need to eat, Mr Kinney. Let me go and get you a fork.”

Ten minutes later, as loathe as I am to admit it, I do feel better. He’s been up and down, adjusting the boards with limited instruction and they are looking great. I am startled when my printer suddenly springs into life. “Are you printing something?” I ask him and he shakes his head before going back to the boards. I take off the piece of paper and groan. “Go home and relax.” He looks up at me in confusion and I wave the piece of paper at him. “This!”

“Oh. Um, well at least they…” He begins but the printer starts up again.

This time there is no frog but there a missive. “This is where you go and get your coat and things…” We’re both staring at the printer when Cyn comes in.

“What are you two doing?” She queries.

“Here.” I hand over the pieces of paper and then inwardly sigh as the printer starts up again.

“Go and sit in a dark room, if necessary.” Justin snickers and hands me the paper.

“No, I want to get it!” Cyn dashes to the printer, giggling. “Or tuck yourself up in bed.”

“My printer! I’ll get it!” I croak as imperiously as I can. “Don’t come in tomorrow. Just sit and watch the world go by, take in the pretty things.”

“You need to rest and once you do, you can come back and you will be dancing...yeah!”

“Great, now I have a Bee Gees fucking earworm!” I grumble and then start to pack up my desk.

“Brian, are...are you going home?” Cyn looks incredulous.

“Yeah, I have had it with the army of frogs. See you guys on Monday!” I sniff and call Daph on my way out.

CYNTHIA

I wait for him to clear the building and turn to Justin, who is chuckling to himself as he clears up.

“So what are you going to do next?”

“Go back to my desk and…”

“No, Mr Slim. I meant, what are you going to do next to Brian? If you are going to continue to mess with his food, you need a list of likes and dislikes.” He gapes at me before he goes pale then red. “Shut the door and let’s talk.” He reluctantly returns to the sofa. “Do you realise what you’ve done?” He shakes his head, sadly. “Made him smile. If he was as furious as you think he is, the building would be levelled trying to find out who is doing this. Daph told me about the get well picture. It’s framed in Gus’s room and they were so pleased with it.” I sit back and watch him slowly start to relax. “So want to tell me why or should I guess?”

“It’s so clichéd.” He mutters, going pink. “Boy sees boss, boy falls in love with boss on sight, boss doesn’t notice boy…”

I have to laugh. “Well as ways of getting his attention go, it’s pretty ingenious and funny. Look, go back to your desk and text me your private email address.”

“How did you know it was me, by the way?” He asks, pausing at the door.

“Saw you on tape putting the picture on the car and just put two and two together. How’d you get them to print when they did?”

“There’s a delayed printing function.” He looks proud of himself. “Thanks Cyn for not…”

“I’m having fun! Why would I want that to stop?” I grin as he closes the door softly. “Oh Mr Slim, you are so right. He didn’t notice the boy. He noticed the man!”

INSIDE BRIAN’S CAR

DAPH

“Brian, now that you have finally conceded that you are in fact ill, why not just have a nap until you get home? I will wake you when we get there.

“Hmm. With this traffic, it will be about 30 minutes. So yeah please.” He mumbles, his eyes already drifting shut.

I turn up the heating; he refused to have it on before his concession, and pull out into traffic. As I am turning down towards home, I spot two horribly familiar figures in a cab, heading towards Kinnetic. Quickly I dial Cyn. “Cyn, it’s D. The creatures are coming, and I suspect they will try his loft if they can’t get him here. I don’t know where else to take him. Oh, okay, no problem. Yeah, I’ll go there. Thanks, Cyn.”

Twenty minutes later, I pull up behind Fabulicious and before I can even get out, Emmett opens the back door. “Hello darl...oh my goodness! He does look tired and poorly. Those reptiles! Here’s Teddy’s keys. Blake will be there in 20 minutes. He has to stop by here first.”

“Okay. Thanks, Emmett.”

“Don’t thank me, it’s the least I can do for the poor man. How they have harmed him so! Shameful, so shameful!”

OUTSIDE KINNETIC - 15 MINUTES LATER

DEBS

“Why the hell didn’t the driver wait like you told him to?!” I demand of Michael after we had been denied access to Kinnetic.

“I didn’t tell him to.” Michael mutters, grumpily. I do feel sorry for my boy. Once again, the actions of Brian have caused him grievous injury! He is sporting a very bruised chin and a swollen bottom lip, where he bit the inside of his mouth when Ben dropped him.

I look around the car park and notice that his car isn’t at its usual spot. So at least, they were telling the truth. Of course, it doesn't excuse their behaviour towards us, and they can be sure that I am not done with them! Nobody...and I mean nobody treats a Novotny this way and gets away with it! Time to make sure that Brian gets back in line, where he belongs. The asshole really thinks he can treat my poor Michael and me like this. But you wait! When I am finished with him, he will never dare to even think about behaving like this ever again! I didn't patch him up time and time again, feed him and allow him to be Michael's friend and a...somewhat...part of our family, for him to deny us the things we deserve for our magnanimousness.

“Michael, let’s head to the loft. The asshole truly deserves some serious ass-kicking, so kicking his ass it will be!”

SHELLEY

I watch them flounce to the street and chuckle. The only reason that they weren’t allowed in the building has nothing to do with Brian not being here. It’s because Daph wasn’t here! She wields that Taser like a Samurai master!

“Can you call Daph for me, Shelley?” Ted comes scurrying up. “Tell her Blake’s been held up at the clinic, so I’m coming home. I’ll work from there.”

“Okay, Ted. Whisper it quietly, but we send our love.” I smile as I head back to my desk.

“I will and very quietly.” He smiles and starts to hurry out before pausing. “Hmmm, maybe go out the back way instead.”

“Yeah much better idea.” I concur as I pick up the phone. “Hey, Daph. It’s Shell…”

DINER - AN HOUR LATER

DELORES

I watch Carl’s face fall and shoulders slump. Immediately, I head to him and sit opposite in the booth.

“Okay Cyn, thanks for letting me know. I’ll get someone round to both places, just in case they use that brain cell between them and come up with a cohesive thought...doubtful, but the Empress of Entitlement and her Equerry of Egregiousness might surprise us. Bye.”

I sit back and fold my arms. That woman and her offspring are working my last nerves these days! “Now what?”

“They turned up at Kinnetic but Brian wasn’t there. So chances are they are going to turn up at the loft and raise havoc and hellfire. I’m sending cars to the loft and where Brian is…”

“Which is where?” I pull out my phone and look at him expectantly. “Carl? Where is he?”

He smiles and shakes his head. “Why the hell didn’t he meet you and ReIlly instead of those two first? He’s at Ted’s. Thank God, he’s at least in a gated community so that gives us some level of protection.”

“Speaking of Reilly, he’s who I am calling. Now, I’m going to make something for his throat. He has that horrible strain of flu going around, I’ll bet.” I sigh, getting up. “You know, I bet you they think they’re in the will, when in reality we should be reading theirs!”

“You’re a good woman, Delores. A very good woman.” He smiles and then gets up before pausing, then changing his mind and walking out.

KIKI

Oh for the love of heaven, just ask her already!

THE LOFT - AN HOUR LATER

DEBS

“The car is here, so he’s in!” I smile as Michael strides up to the street door and manages to catch it before it shuts. “Always said you were good with your hands!” I cackle.

“Can I help you?” A man approaches.

“No, we’re going to see Brian Kinney. We’re family.” Michael tells him coolly.

“Of course, you are.” He replies tartly.

“And what is that supposed to mean?!” I put my hands on my hips and glower.

“I just recognise you for who you are, and am confirming your place in his familial circle.”

“Right. Just making sure.” I retort. “Come on, Michael. Let’s go talk some sense into the asshole.”

“And then we have to get Ben’s details from Mel. There is no way that muncher is sharing my store!”

“Exactly! Everything we have is ours; we don’t share. We get given credit and rewards where they are due...and they are due now! Let’s go.” We stride to the elevator and press the button and it slowly creaks into life. “They should really do something about this thing. It is so slow.”

“So what are you going to say to him?”

“Oh, you know me, sweetheart. I will always get my point across.” As we step out of the elevator, I notice the new flooring. “HEY ASSHOLE, MOMMY’S HERE!” I bellow as I stride up to the door. “Open the door, Brian!” I start hammering and Michael joins me. Five minutes later, our hands are sore and we are still on the wrong side!

“Call him.” I order Michael and he pulls out his phone. I press my ear to the door and can’t hear anything. “Are you dialing?” I demand.

“It’s...it’s…” His stammering makes me turn around.

“What?”

“Blocked. He’s blocked me!”

“No, he hasn’t. He wouldn’t dare do that!” I insist.

“Listen.” He whispers and redials.

An automated voice comes over the line. “The number you are calling is no longer accepting your calls. No further information is available. Goodbye.”

“You didn’t dial Ben’s by mistake?”

“No, I deleted that asshole immediately when I could no longer get to him. This is Brian’s number! Or it was! You try!”

I roll my eyes at his histrionics, but then my face falls when I get the same message. “YOU UNGRATEFUL FUCKING BASTARD OF AN ASSHOLE! OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT NOW OR I WILL MAKE WHAT YOUR DAD DID SEEM LIKE A WALK IN THE FUCKING PARK!”

“Well, isn’t that sweet?” A voice drawls behind us. “Threatening him like that. Such a motherly thing to do.”

I turn around slowly, cringing as the enormity of my words hit me. “Who the hell are you and what the fuck are you doing here?!” I demand as a large muscled man comes down the corridor. “It’s just banter. He knows I don’t mean it. You his trick du…” My words trail off as he takes out a set of keys and opens the door. I glare Michael into silence and we follow him in. We look around. It’s its usual fuck-paddy self! I turn to the intruder, in all but name, and hold my hand out. He frowns. “The keys. You no longer need them. We will wait for him and you can go.”

“And what grasping delusion are you under now?” He drawls as he leans against the counter. “You two need to leave. You do not have permission to be here and you’ve been causing a disturbance.”

“We have not been causing a fucking disturbance! Do you know who the fuck I...we are?!

“You are the Empress of Entitlement, also known as Debbie Novotny, and he is your Equerry of Egregiousness, also known as Michael Novotny. And the one thing you two are not, is his family. Now, once more for apparently deaf, you need to leave…”

“Listen, Brian’s not so little fuckbuddy, we aren’t going anywhere!” Michael snarls. “Now why don’t you swish your stick out of here and…”

“Is there a problem in here?” The doorman from downstairs is in the doorway.

“Yes, he needs to leave and…” I begin to remonstrate.

“It’s him, I’m talking to. So…”

“Asked twice, not moved.”

“Come in, officer.”

“Ma’am. Sir. Please vacate the premises.” A uniformed cop tells us.

“No. We’re allowed to be here; he’s not!” Michael growls.

“Again, Ma’am. Sir. I am ordering you to leave the premises. If you do not, I shall arrest you.”

“Arr…” I snort. “Don’t be stupid, son. Go back to your beat, and let the adults deal with this.”

“Come on in, boys.” He calls over his shoulder. “Well you were warned. This is how this adult does his job!”

I am mortified and humiliated as I am carried, kicking and screaming, down to a meat wagon and Michael is, yet again, on his way to the hospital after he slipped on the rug, trying to run away!

OUTSIDE MEL AND LINDSAY’S HOUSE - SAME TIME

LINDSAY

The problem with Mel is that she confuses bravery with stupidity. And she was very stupid to say the things she did. So what if I cheated? Why is it okay for Brian to get his needs met but not me? She was not paying me enough attention when I wanted it, so I went to people...that orgy was indeed wonderful...that could!

When I was discharged from the hospital, she had already left for Canada. So I followed and stayed in a hotel, but not till after another angry-sympathy fuck from Andrew.

I march up to the door and put down my case. But before I can use my key, the door is opened and I am faced with Ben.

“What are you doing in my house?!” I demand, trying to step in.

“Not your house. It’s Gus’s and he has agreed to rent it to his Uncle Ben.”

I freeze and then blink. “He’s…”

“I live here. They have moved to another location. She has put your stuff in storage, and this is the address. Now excuse me, I have to redecorate.”

My head is spinning. Oh no, she has not fucking done this to me. She hasn’t! She can’t have?!

“Where is Mel? Where are my children?!” I shout.

“She thought you might say this. First, none of your fucking business, and second, also none of your fucking business, as you no longer have them as a condition of the non-cheating clause in the pre-nup.”

“That tawdry piece of gumpf. I will…”

“Fuck anyone until it is revoked? Well you’re going to have to spread your legs wide enough to cover Canada and the USA, which is where it was drawn up. By a Supreme Court Judge...I believe they call her Iris the Ironclad. She never, ever rescinds a prenup, especially when there is substantial evidence to support the case. Mel had you tailed, photographed...there’s even a video or five and everything is filed. In other words, you worn out bitch, you are bus...ted!”

I stare at him gimlet eyed. “Now listen to me, you…” But he stops me when he shakes his head.

“Again, worn out bitch, shut the fuck up and listen. God, your IUD must have about as much use Michael by now, at least it’s bigger. Anyway, Mel is my friend and you treated her appallingly. Brian, I am working on. But if you don't leave in the next two minutes, I will call the police and have them remove you. And then you can share arrest stories with your other soul sucking vampires!”

“What are you…”

“Oh come now. You surely didn’t think after that meeting the Avenue wouldn’t protect their King, did you?” He throws his head back and roars with laughter in the face of my incredulity. “Well they have and then some!”

“Oh for the love of...” I turn on my heels and start walking away. I need to find Debbie. Time to join forces!

MICHAEL’S FORMER HOME - A DAY LATER

CARL

I am going to enjoy this. Never has something happened to someone so deserving. When Ben told me what he wanted to do, I cashed in part of my 401K and snapped that up. It’s a lovely little house. I am definitely going to rent it out. Ah, and here comes the Equerry. The Empress is not with him as Delores made sure she was working a double shift!

I have taken the liberty of getting him a removal truck and putting his stuff in it. He just needs to pay them. He gets out of the car and SHIPS...I still chuckle when Ben explained that SHIPS means shit his pants stomp...towards me.

“Good morning, Mr Novotny.” I say amiably.

“Good...do you know what time it is?!”

“Time for you to move. I have taken everything out. I think Ben already took what was his so this detritus is yours.”

“Det...what the hell are you talking about? This is my house! I am not moving!”

“Not your house. Moving. Not all your own store. Sharing. Come join us in the real world Michael, not the one your Mommy carefully crafted for you.” I nod to the removal men and they get in the van. “Choices. Tell them where you want this taken or follow them to the dump. Oh and settle the bill when you get wherever you end up!”

He goes to say something, but the truck starting gets his attention. “You will be dealt with later! Hey! Stop! Don’t leave!” He hollers and rushes towards them. I take that opportunity to head back into my house.

KINNETIC - TWO HOURS LATER

SHELLEY

“HE HAS GOT TO BE KIDDING?!” I hear Cyn bellow and then the swift sounds of her feet as she thunders down the corridor. “Keys!” She yells as she runs by, I toss them and she catches them and locks the front door. “Get the back door!” She shouts and I take off running, disbelieving the stupidity and pridefulness that is Brian Kinney. I stop running when I see Ted is already there, sitting and tapping on his laptop.

“He snuck out at three. Took him two hours to get home, fell asleep for an hour and is on his way in. And the only reason Daph is driving him is because he said he would come in with or without her.”

And right on cue, an exhausted and sickly looking Brian is dragging himself up to the back door. Ted stands up, shaking his head and Brian pulls at the door. But he gives up after one tug when a coughing jag rattles his body.

“BRIAN!” Cyn bellows, making him jump. “GET YOUR ASS BACK IN THE CAR AND GO HOME! YOU LOOK FUCKING AWFUL!”

Whatever he was going to say is stopped by his eyes rolling back and luckily Phil, the security guard, who followed Cyn catches him before he hits the floor.

DR THOMASINA CROWN’S PRACTICE - FOUR HOURS LATER

PRIVATE ROOM

BRIAN

I am so tired but I have so much to do. I peel my eyes open and sigh, then I close them again.

“Open up, dumbass!” Reilly orders. “Or I open them for you.” I turn my head and try the pitiful looking through my lashes thing. “Not gay. Not sympathetic. Not gonna work.” He clips out.

“How long have I been here?” I croak, slowly sitting up and he helps me drink some water.

“Four hours. And before you say anything, beyond fucked off! And that’s just me!”

“Ah, well at least she will only mother me to death.” I reply, tiredly. “Who else is here?”

“Carl and Cyn.” He replies, his tone softening. “Do I need to borrow his cuffs?”

“No. I give up.” I sigh and try to keep the fear out of my voice as my mind races.

“You’re awake. That’s good because I want you to be to hear this!” Thomasina stalks in, looking furious. “The next fucking time you are sick, you come to see me. It is my fucking job to get you better! You need rest and I am happy to sedate you to make sure you get it!” She slams the folder on my legs and then shakes her head. “You have the flu and need rest, Brian. Stop being all things to all people and be someone for you.”

“Okay. So, it’s just…”

“Yes, just flu. A bad and nasty dose, but that is all.”

“Can we take him home now?” Carl’s gruff tones for some reason soothes my frazzled nerves.

“Yes. And is there someone who can stay with him for the rest of the day to make sure he gets at least a full day’s rest?”

“Oh yes!” Cyn comes in, smirking. “I know just the person. Knows how to use a Taser.”

“Oh fuck.” I grouse and slump back against the pillows.

“If that's what it takes for you to behave and let yourself get better...Taser away!” Reilly says. But after looking at my surely horrified face, he quickly adds, “Just kidding, of course! But you better not tempt anybody for the next couple of days.”

“Yes, sir!” I tiredly salute.

DINER - EARLY EVENING

DEBS

I am absolutely shattered! Every fag and his dog has been in here today! I sink down into the back booth and rest my head against the wall. “Thank goodness that is over and I can go home and rest my feet!”

“Ma, you are not going to believe what’s happened!” Michael shouts from the doorway and then rushes up to the booth. “Carl had everything I own thrown out of my house!”

“Not your house!” Kiki shouts out from the back.

“Keep your nose out of my business!” Michael retorts.

“Fine one to talk! You’re always snuffling in everyone else’s, especially Brian’s!” She yells back before striding passed us. “Now, I’m going to go home and...oh hi Carl. Congratulations on your new home!”

He has, not only, the audacity to laugh as he settles down on the stool, but then raises his glass to us!

“Poor Brian. Being so ill like that. Room 67 you said right, Carl?”

“Uh…” His face falls and this time it is me, who is wreathed in smiles. “...yeah.”

“Come on, Michael. We’ve got a sick friend to visit.”

“Huh?” Michael looks up from his hands. “Who’s sick?”

“Who’d you think?! Come on!” I order and my smile widens as Carl glowers at me. “Thanks for the information! See you guys tomorrow!”

As the door closes, I hear everyone rounding on Kiki and her pathetic apologies.

CARL

As they get into the cab, Michael flicks me the bird with a nasty smile. But I don’t react until they are well on their way.

“A masterstroke! Simplest is the best!” Kiki beams at me. “They will be up there most of the night, thinking that he’s being kept away from them and he’ll be getting the rest he needs. Whose shift is it next?”

“Mine.” Delores replies, coming out carrying a large pot of something that smells very good. “I made some chicken bone broth soup. The bones will give him the strength he needs. Lots of chillies and ginger.”

“Right, come on I’ll give you a lift.” I tell her and this time, there is no need to glare at her.

OUTSIDE THE LOFT

“You okay, Delores?” I ask as I bat away her hands reaching for the crock pot.

“Oh fine, just fine. Just thinking about doing something or not.”

“Oh, okay. Well if you need some advice, happy to talk.”

“Thanks. He lives here!” She gasps. “Which floor is it?”

“Let’s get inside first. You never know; they might still have a friend on the Avenue!”

“The invisible very small one hiding under that miniscule rock, you mean?”

“Yes, that’s the one!” I chuckle and wave at Graham, the doorman, as he comes to let us in. He is not looking very happy at all. “What’s wrong?”

“Reilly sent me something and I think you should hear it, but he shouldn’t.”

“Let’s go to the office, then. He said he heard something, but wouldn’t tell me what.” Delores’s voice brooks no argument. Five minutes later, we’re shell-shocked and furious. “If I had a dollar for every one of those words, I would stuff it down her throat so she chokes!” She spits.

“He did say that she did seem surprised that she said it…”

“No! She was only surprised that someone other than Michael or Brian heard her, not for what she said!” Delores cuts him off. “This stays between the three of us. Nobody, but nobody, tells him this, understand?”

“Yes, ma’am.” I aim for levity, but she is unamused. “Sorry.” I mutter, blushing and she gives me a small smile.

“Sorry. This is not your fault. Come on, let’s get this upstairs and give Daph a break. I’m sure her Lady Blitzkrieg has been bitching about not being able to use it as he’s been a good boy and stayed in bed. Maybe we should send her to Alleghany. At least they won’t have too far to go, then.”

“After you, milady.” I sweep my arm ahead and she glides passed with a smile. Once we’re in the elevator, I push the button for the 2nd floor and she frowns. “He owns the building and never told them.”

“Just like the diner?”

“Yeah, but I suspect he’s going to be breaking that little secret out sooner rather than later!”

I knock on the door and a very bored looking Daph answers. “Nauseatingly, well behaved!”

“Has he woken up at all?” Delores asks, peering to the room where a wheezing can clearly be heard and Daph shakes her head. “Well, you have to wake him. He needs to eat and then sleep.”

“Okay, give me a sec…”

“I’m awake!” A gravelled voice calls out. “How is a sick man supposed to get his doctor ordered rest when people keep caterwauling at top volume?!”

“If you can yell, you can get out of bed! Come on and eat this!” Daph bellows.

We try not to laugh at his quiet, gravelly voiced grumbling and watch him shuffle out of the room with his hair all over and a duvet wrapped around him. “What is it that is assailing my nostrils?”

“Chicken bone broth with ginger and chillies. You must finish the bowl.” Delores orders sternly and starts to hunt in cupboards. “Do you have such a thing as Tupperware, so I can portion this up?”

“I can go and get some for you, Del.” Daph volunteers quickly.

“So keen to remain in my company, I see.” Brian sniffs.

“You are no fun when you’re sick and compliant.” She hits back. “How many boxes do you need? And should I actually do a shop? I had to order in because someone insists on living on air and dew from the plants.”

“I don’t have plants.” He frowns.

“Exactly!” She gripes and between the two of them, they start to build a substantial shopping list. He tries valiantly, but ultimately fails, to stop them from doing what they are doing. Anytime he goes to speak, he finds his mouth full of soup spoon!

ALLEGHANY HOSPITAL - SAME TIME

WAITING ROOM

DEBS

We have been waiting hours and still no way in! Michael has been griping about being hungry, but I pointed out that getting Brian back in line is more important than his stomach! With him to finally coming back to heel, we can feast like royalty. Brian’s been listening to the wrong people and trying to actually use those considerable cojones of his for thinking, instead of fucking!

I stalk up to reception again. “Is he out now?” I demand and she looks blandly at me, before turning slowly to her screen. I itch to run around and look myself, but the security guard has already warned me about my volume once...fucking nerve!

“Oh, who was it you wanted to see again?”

“Brian Kinney.” I clip out.

“Ah yes, he’s out of the appointment with his doctor….”

“Great, thank you so much. We will be going to his room now. Can you…”

“Visiting time is over as of 25 minutes ago, I’m afraid.”

“But we’ve been waiting to see him for the last…” I take a calming breath. “Someone could’ve told us that.” I growl.

“Visiting hours are clearly displayed on website and the walls.” She smiles coldly. “If you wish to come tomorrow, please do. But as of now, all our patients require their rest. Do have a pleasant evening.”

“A pleasant…” Michael begins, having joined me at the desk. “...I’m starving and…”

“We will be back tomorrow right on time!” I exclaim.

“I shall make sure to put your name down as a visitor so you don’t miss out on seeing Mr Kimble.”

“Kinney. The man’s name is Kinney!” I retort.

“Yes and you are?”

“Debbie Novotny and Michael Novotny.” I reply, hotly.

“Lobotomy? What an unfortunate surname. I have put you down as his first visitors.”

“Not Lobot…” Michael begins.

“Just come on, Michael. We’ve wasted enough time here.”

“Seeing a sick friend is never a waste of time.” She snarks. “Good evening, Mrs Lobotomy, Mr Monotony.”

I have to drag Michael out before we are put under citizen’s arrest.

Oh, he will so pay for this!

THE LOFT - NEXT DAY, EARLY MORNING

BRIAN

“I am feeling much better!” I gripe down the phone at Cyn. “I’m conceding and staying at home, but you can’t seriously expect me not to work?!” I can actually hear her eyes rolling with frustration. “Cynthia...I need to do something; I am going mad here!” I stare morosely at the black screen. I can’t believe she ordered IT to lock me out of the system, the nerve! “How about I don’t work on the system and I work on the boards instead. That’s not too taxing, is it? Hell, I don’t even have to work on the boards. I can instruct via VC...fuck it all to hell, Cyn! Bored! Bored! Bored! If you don’t want me to keep pestering you...I will call every two minutes...no seconds, until...thank you the boards for Collective, Railstorm, Finch and Fennick, White Bros, Merrygold and...oh come on, one more...okay, you pick then. No, not that one, nor that one. Well, you should pick better...alright, that one. Okay, you’ll send someone within an hour? Great! Thanks, Cyn!” I wince as she kisses her teeth down the phone and cuts me off. “Rude!” I bitch and then blench. “Man, I need a shower!”

An hour later, I feel much better. I check the time and make myself some coffee. As I sip my favourite Blue, I suddenly think about who she is sending. I really hope it’s not Jenkins. The last time he was here, he spent more time ogling my furnishings than doing the boards! Murph was getting very annoyed indeed, and for once, I was pleased of the interruption by the cravenous Novotnys!

The bell ringing signals the arrival of my mystery helper and I wait for Graham to call up with who it is. It doesn’t take long. “Uh Mr Kinney, a Justin Taylor is here to see you. He’s got a lot of stuff so he’s going to park in your spot, okay?”

“Sure. Thanks, Graham. I’ll…”

“You will stay right where you are and I’ll help him. Cyn has already called!” I can hear him laughing as he hangs up. Damn Cyn’s efficiency!

Ten minutes later, there is a knocking at the door and I let them both in. A wonderful smell follows Mr Slim as he comes in but I can’t see where it is coming from. “Won’t be a second; I just need to get the easels.”

“No need, we can just use the windows.” I tell him. “Thanks, Graham. Right so Mr Slim, get yourself comfortable. It’s going to be a long day!”

“As opposed to what, Mr Kinney?” He replies impishly and divests himself of his outerwear. “Before we get to that, I need to eat. You do not want me hangry. You won’t like me when I’m hangry.”

“Hangry? What the fuck is that?” I scoff.

“Angry and hungry melded together gets you hangry.” He looks at me as if to say obviously.

“Well get on with staving off the Incredible Sulk and then we can start.” I order and then watch astonished as he takes out a cool bag. “What’s in there?”

“My breakfast. Rye bread, nut butter, blueberries and pomegranates. Do you have a toaster?”

“Yes. That would be the toaster shaped thing on the counter.”

“Where did you get that from?! NASA?” He gawps at it. “Very uh...yeah very.”

“Well, that lets you out of the running.” I decide.

“Running of what?”

“Who the coffee genius is. There’s a pool and that reaction lets you out.”

“I didn’t say I couldn’t work it! I was admiring the design.” He bridles and I have to concentrate on setting up the first set of boards before he strops off back to work and Cyn doesn’t send anyone else. Two minutes later, he is looking round the lounge with a plate in his hand.

“Problem?” I sigh.

“Placemat. Don’t want to mark the table.” He explains before looking expectantly at me. “I can always use the island but then I can’t…” I cut off his explanation by striding to the kitchen and wrenching open a drawer to bring him a placemat and, to be on the safe side, a coaster. “Thank you.” He sits down on the floor and proceeds to cut up his toast into soldiers, making sure there is a good mix of fruit on each. I fold my arms and clear my throat and he looks up. “Sorry, Mr Kinney. Shall we start?”

“Please.” I sigh and get up to look at the first set of boards. “I am not sure about that shading but don’t know what’s off with it. Your thoughts?”

“I think the grey taken down a darker…” He pauses and picks up a soldier. “...and maybe a bit more of a shimmer.”

“Shimmer?” I stare at him for a few seconds. “Okay, draw it out.” I order and pull out some papers that Cyn sent with him. After 30 minutes of working in relative silence, I look up when he sighs heavily. “Problem, Mr Slim?”

“Yes. I am still hungry but not quite hangry.”

“How are you hungry? You’ve…” I look down at the table and am surprised to find his empty plate in front of me. “Did I finish that?”

“Yes. I’m going to make my own breakfast again. Can you check this board for me, please?”

“Uh yeah, of course.”

KITCHEN

JUSTIN

Now that he’s focused on the board, I pull out my phone and check the next thing on my list from Cyn called Get Him to Eat For Fuck Sake!

CARL’S NEW HOUSE - TWO HOURS LATER

DELORES

“And who decorated this place again?” I look at the wallpaper and gasp. “Are...they skulls with floral headbands?”

“Yes.”

“But...but this is the bedroom.” I stammer, still morbidly fascinated by the full horror of the paper. “The master bedroom, right?”

“Yes.”

“And where was the bed?”

“Right in front of you.” He shudders.

“We need to leave this room or I will never have a dirty thought again! But I must take a picture of it for Reilly. He will not believe that!”

“Oh, by the way...” He begins as we head to the bathroom. “Did you solve your problem?”

“Yes. I am just going to do it and hope that we still remain friends afterwards.”

“Inquiring minds want to know what’s the problem?”

“There’s a guy I like and I’m not sure whether or not to ask him to a dance hall evening later this week.”

“Oh, I see. Well, I think you should ask him if you like him and…”

“Carl, will you come to a dance hall evening with me on Friday?”

“Yes! Yes, I would love to!” He exclaims. “I-I mean…”

“You were taking too damn long!” I tell him with a smile. “So do you have a tuxedo?”

“Yes. I do and...taking too long?”

“Just a bit. Now let us focus on the matter at hand. What are you going to do with the house? You should rent this out. With a bit of TLC, this would be wonderful.” I sigh.

“So you agree to help me smarten this up, then? I have no idea about frippery stuff…”

“Are you serious?” I look after my shoulder at him as I check out the tub. “If you are then the first thing we do is get rid of the fuckawful paper!”

OUTSIDE CAPTAIN ASTRO’S SUPASTORE - FORTY MINUTES LATER

MICHAEL

As I pull up outside, I see a familiar figure and my heart sinks. What fucking fresh fucking hell is this?! I get out of the car but take my time going up to her. She doesn't say a word until I am right next to her. “You are in the way, Mel. I can’t open the door without…”

“I have called in an auditor.” She states before turning to look inside the store through the window. “And an appraiser for the stock.”

I freeze. “A what?”

“An appraiser for the stock. This is where you open the door and let your partner in the business in.”

“Where’s Jenny?” I try to stall and then glare at her retreating back as she pushes passed me. “I said, where’s Jenny?”

“With her Papa on a playdate while I deal with her father on a non-play date!” She calls over her shoulder.

“With Ben?! You left her with...with that…”

“Careful, Michael. If he could fuck you, though Lord alone knows how or why, then he can look after his daughter.”

“She is not his daughter!” I hiss at her.

“Of course, she’s not. Now that he’s no longer your beck and call boy, he’s cast out like garbage. Well let me tell you something about Ben and Jenny. She’s thriving, she loves her Papa, and she always has. But she’s never had this much one on one time with him. So you don’t have to worry about her.” She runs her finger over the surfaces as she passes and tisks in dismay. “I am not prepared to have this business this dirty. You need to hire a cleaner….”

“This is the character of the…”

“Scratch that. I will hire a cleaner. In fact, from what Ben has said, I already took the liberty. Gentlemen!” She yells and about five guys come in. “Introduce yourselves!”

“Good morning, Mr Novotny. Charles Stiles, the appraiser.”

“Good morning, Mr Novotny. Rupert Looms, the auditor.”

“Good morning, Mr Novotny. Peter, Paul and Patrick, the cleaning crew.”

THE LOFT - THREE HOURS LATER

JUSTIN

Emmett was right. He needed little and often. So far as well as the toast this morning, he has been eating the chopped fruit salad, a bowl of the chicken bone broth, the noodle salad and now I face my next challenge...ice cream sandwiches. I am hoping that I did the recipe right. Well here goes.

“Well the next one is...Mr Slim, are you listening? In fact, what exactly are you doing?” He demands, munching on the strategically placed clementine segments.

“Listening to you, Mr Kinney. Just getting some ice. For my drink.”

“Okay. We’re working on White Bros, remember?”

“Yes, I remember.” I reply sourly. He is so lucky I am in love with him or I would kick him in the nuts! Plastering on a smile, I head back to the lounge with two ice cream sandwiches.

“What is that abomination?”

I, like I have been all day when it comes to food, ignore the question and head back to the boards. I don’t say anything when he goes quiet, but can hear crunching and the sounds of sucking and lip smacking. Turning around is not an option right now! I look over my shoulder and really try hard not to rail against the injustice of it all...he’s eaten both of them!

“So which is the next one we’re working on?”

Silence.

“Mr Kinney?” I turn around and find him leafing through my pad and I look quickly at my pack and it’s not that one.

“Where did you study? These are incredible...that fucking asshole!” He suddenly exclaims.

“What’s wrong?”

“This! This is what’s wrong!” He snarls, turning the pad to me. “When did you draw this?!”

“About two or three months ago, during the interview pro…” I stop as he is flicking through his tablet. “Mr Kinney?”

“He stole it. He only went and fucking stole it and said he did it!” He turns his pad to me and there is my drawing, used as part of an advertising campaign!

“Who...not Grantham?”

“Yeah, him. $5 million. It’s worth that now but over the time period about $15 million. Fucking dick! Hang on...” He reaches for his phone and puts it on speaker. “Cyn, how much do you want to ruin Grantham’s life?”

“Badly, boss. What do you need me to do?” Her tone drips malice.

“Elegant Swan... has that money been paid yet?”

“No, it’s going out this week, Bri.” Ted’s voice interrupts.

“Ah, just the man I needed to hear. Stop the payment to Grantham and pay Mr Slim.”

“Me?! Why?!” I gasp as I quickly try and work that amount out in my head.

“Oh, you are fucking with me?! I knew there was no way he drew that! No fucking way!”

“Ted, how much does he get?”

“Quarter of a million as a bonus but right now $15K.”

I sit down very quickly and blink just as rapidly. “Mr Slim, are you alright? You look like you’re going to faint. Do not faint. I do not like dribble on my floors.”

“Fifteen thousand dollars?” I repeat and start working out the bills I can clear...and it’s all of them and still leave me with plenty of change! But then I have a thought. “Are you hazing me?!” I demand and he looks like I have kicked him in the nuts.

“I operate a very stringent anti-bullying policy, Mr Taylor and don’t appreciate that accusation!”

Mr Taylor...oh shit!

“I didn’t...I mean I…”

“Bri, calm down. Justin didn’t mean it like that and you know it. It’s just a shock, I should imagine. Although the s-word right now would calm some…”

“You are right, Ted. And Mr Kinney, I am sincerely sorry for that comment. I promise I will never doubt your intentions again.”

“Good. Now make sure that hits his account by the end of the day, Ted. And Mr Taylor, what is next on the list?”

“List?”

“Yes, the Get Him to Eat For Fuck Sake List. I think from memory, it is fruit salad. A little less grapefruit in it, if you please.” I am on fire, burning with embarrassment at having been caught. “Your phone rang while you were in the bathroom and the alert was on screen. May I have some extra mango?”

“Bri…” Ted begins.

“Thank you, you constantly interfering bastards. Now you two, fuck off. Mr Taylor needs to feed me and then get back to work.”

I’m not sure if I am supposed to speak right now after he cuts the call and just sit there waiting for him to say something. “Let’s go make the salad and then get back to work, Mr Slim.” I let out the breath I was holding and follow him to the kitchen.

FABULICIOUS - AN HOUR LATER

EMMETT

Okay, I am stymied! I am still staring at my phone because Brian has called me from his bathroom, asking for a non-romantic but special meal for two! What the hell is that supposed to mean?! I don’t do special with half-assed details, so I call him back. “Mr K, with whom are you eating?” I frown. “Sorry, can you say that again? Okay, got it. A working dinner.” I hang up and start to prepare dinner for Mr K and his, even though he doesn’t know it yet, Secret Admirer!

ALLEGHANY HOSPITAL

RECEPTION

DEBS

“What do you mean he’s been discharged?!” I bark out.

“His doctor thought he was well enough to go home. So he’s gone home.” The male nurse replies calmly.

“I have his POA!” Michael waves it at him. “This means that I can keep him here!”

“May I see that?” He asks and Michael hands it to him, then almost screams the place down when the nurse tears it in half.

“What the fuck are you doing?!”

“This is the last copy of the old POA and it has to be destroyed.” He responds. “Now as I’ve said, Mr Kinney has been discharged. So Mrs Lobotomy and Mr Monotony, you have no reason to remain here, do you?”

“THOSE ARE NOT OUR FUCKING NAMES, YOU RETARD!” Michael screams.

“That’s what is written down here. Maybe they are prompts for what should happen and how you talk, respectively. Now I have people who actually need help to help.”

THE LOFT - 90 MINUTES LATER

JUSTIN

“EXPLAIN YOUR FUCKING SELF, ASSHOLE!” I freeze as that reverberates around the loft and I am in the bathroom.

“I BROUGHT YOU UP WITH KINDNESS AND SECURITY WHEN NOBODY ELSE FUCKING WOULD!”

“AND THEN YOU HAVE THE FUCKING NERVE TO BLOCK ME, YOUR BEST FRIEND!”

“I SWEAR TO GOD, ASSHOLE, YOU BETTER STOP WITH THIS NONSENSE RIGHT THE FUCK NOW AND START TREATING US AGAIN LIKE WE DESERVE TO BE! AFTER EVERYTHING WE HAVE DONE FOR YOU WHEN EVEN YOUR OWN PARENTS WERE NOTHING BUT ANNOYED AND ASHAMED BY YOU, YOU FUCKING SON OF A BITCH OR..”

“ENOUGH! WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?! BARGING IN HERE LIKE YOU OWN THIS PLACE, SCREAMING LIKE A FUCKING BANSHEE AND HER DERANGED GIBBON!”

“What the hell is he doing here, Brian?” Gimp demands. “Your last trick du jour done and dusted, is he?!”

“I am not his trick du jour, you moronic fuckturd! I work for him but that’s a concept that is alien to you, isn't it? Now let me explain a couple of things to you! He did not, I repeat, DID NOT, block you on his phone…”

“And you would know that how, little boy?!” Drag Queen sneers.

“Because big woman, I did! So if you want to hash it out, here I am but he wouldn’t want your blood on his floors. So why don’t you and I meet outside and clear it up like men..oh wait, one man, ME and the wannabe dickless bitch, that is you…” It takes a few seconds for me to realise that I am between her and Brian and have been jabbing her in the chest with each and every word…but I’m good and really fucking fucked off! “Is it a date? Then I can see you…” I glare at the Gibbon. “...you, the moronic limp dicked imbecile two minutes later and eviscerate you in seconds!”

“Evisc…”

“SHUT UP AND FUCK OFF!” I scream, shoving them both in the chest as hard as I can. Two minutes later I have pushed, shoved and dragged them out and slammed the door shut. I turn to face the love of my life. He looks completely stunned. “And as for you!” I shout at him.

“Mr Slim! Calm down!”

“No I won’t fucking calm down!” I shout as I stalk towards him. “And it’s not Mr Slim, it’s Justin!” And with that being said I shove him into the sofa, sit on him and smash my mouth down onto his. For a few seconds, nothing happens but slowly his tongue meets mine and his hands come around my waist...yes, our first kiss! Okay, so it may be our last, but at least I got to kiss him!

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiB0q7bkO7YAhVMD8AKHZr2DwUQFggpMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Frealfood.tesco.com%2Frecipes%2Ffruity-banana-ice-cream-sandwiches.html&usg=AOvVaw27Ujov0Pcb7qeLmvGPgJBC

BRIAN

Tentatively, I touch his waist. He moves a little bit forward, while I push my tongue in a little deeper. He groans and I have to bite mine back...yeah, bad idea! And it is as if we have the same thought and pull away from each other. He slowly gets off my lap. “Sit down, Mr Slim.” Quietly, he does so. “You realise you most likely will get a cold? Actually, no, flu. You will get flu. I think I am still contagious.”

“I have had my vaccines so I should be fine.”

“Good. Now here’s what’s going to happen. That didn’t happen. We both got caught up in a very heated moment. Although, you do need to clarify how…”

“It was unlocked on the desk and after he did what he did, and he did do what he did, I did what I did.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you?” He looks confused.

“Mmmm. I have never had anyone defend me as rapaciously as that.”

“You’re welcome. I should…”

“Stop making a bigger deal out if it than there needs to be. It was heat of moment kiss…” He nods. “A delicious one, but we must not do that again. Now let’s get back to the boards.”

“We both agree that it was heat of the moment never to be repeated.” He looks across at me.

“Absolutely.”

“Then you might want to stop stroking my thigh.” He points out with a smile.

I snatch my hand away as if scalded “Sorry.” I mutter and my hand is as warm as my face.

“Do you think they’ve gone?”

“They are definitely out of the building. Graham would’ve seen to that.” I go to the window and I can see their car. “Looks like they are waiting for you to come out.”

“Well, they’re going to be waiting a long time. We have boards to finish going over.”

“True.” I sigh and rub my eyes, tiredly.

“Why did you let them in?”

“They would’ve noticed when nobody came to tell them to shut up.”

“Huh?”

“I own the building. There’s only me living here. They don’t know that. I use this loft for my workspace and the 2nd and 3rd floors are my living areas.”

“Ah, I see. You’re not coming into work tomorrow, are you?”

“No, I’ve been locked out of my own system, hence you being here.”

“Good. Now next on the list is…”

“I’ve ordered dinner from Fabulicious already. To say thanks for you know…”

“What did you order? Although, I can eat virtually anything.”

“No sweet potato.” I reply tartly. “Not only do I not do blood or dribble, I don’t do boak.”

“Harrumph! So what did you order? And why? You have lots of the soup left.”

“I only have two tubs left. Am freezing the rest. And besides, I believe someone requested that they be allowed to take a tub home. So that leaves me one and that’s for lunch.” I reply and watch his eyes widen in surprise.

“Thanks!” The smile he gives me could melt the polar ice caps. “Can I take it now, while I remember?”

“Sure.” He almost runs to the fridge and that gives me the chance to look at his butt properly. It felt good, nice and plump. Fuck me! I should not have done that! Under that hideous jumper he was wearing before he laid down the beatdown is a rather fetching cock twitching ass! I have to distract myself. “Do you want a glass of wine?”

“Please. Red, if you have it. Which boards shall I take back?”

“All of them. I am having the day off.”

“Really?!” He looks astonished as I feel.

“Yeah. Being locked out of the system wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.”

EMMETT

Right, that is dinner done. I am going to deliver this myself. I want to plate it up nicely. Darren is very sweet but ultimately, not me.

“Fabulicious, Emmett Honeycutt speaking!” I trill down the phone when it rings. “Oh hi Mr K, just finished putting it in the box. Are you okay? You sound a little strained...I take it the nasty ghastlies are hovering like wraiths, are they? Not in the building anymore? I smell gossip! See you in a bit!”

INSIDE MICHAEL’S CAR, OUTSIDE THE LOFT - 30 MINUTES LATER

MICHAEL

“When did Emmett get here?” I demand, looking up from my comic.

“Huh, what?!” Ma mumbles, sitting up. “I don’t know. I only closed my eyes for a minute!”

“Still say that is a fucking awful truck!”

“Michael, it may be a fucking awful truck but it is his fucking awful truck that he owns outright.”

“What are you getting snippy with me for?!”

“I’m sorry sweetheart. I can’t believe that he just stood there and let us be treated like that. Wait, isn’t that Lindsay? What’s she doing here?”

“Mel’s been an uptight bitch. Still can’t believe she left Jenny with Ben!”

“What?! When did that happen?! When did you see her?!”

“When Carl stole my house! She came in with an appraiser, an auditor and fucking cleaners. She’s completely destroyed the character of the place! As for Ben, that’s what I tried to point out, but she said that I have to pay support to have a say. This is why Brian needs to be brought the fuck to heel!”

“Though I have to say, he really didn’t look well.”

Oh poor poorly ickle Brian!

LINDSAY

I decided on a change of plan and try for a word with Peter. I wait for the doorman to open the door with tears at the ready. “Yes, can I help you, ma’am?”

Ma’am?! I do not look that old!

“Yes.” I sniff. “I need to be let into Brian Kinney’s…”

“He’s got flu and is not receiving visitors, I’m afraid.” He stops me from going any further than the doorway.

“He’ll see me.” I insist, sniffing hard but he doesn’t budge. “I’m one of his dearest friends.”

“I have been instructed by Mr Kinney that he is not to be disturbed by anyone, except specially approved people. May I take your name, ma’am?”

“Lindsay Peterson, but…”

“You’re not on the list.”

“I called him this morning and let him know I was coming. Maybe he forgot to…”

“Mr Kinney never ever fails to update his visitors’ list.” He interrupts.

“Graham, can you let me up, sweetie?” Emmett sing songs as he comes through the street door.

“Ems!” I beam at him. He just stares at me.

“Ah, Lindsay. Graham, do not let her up. He needs rest and recovery, and he’ll never be allowed to get that if she's there. I am here to stock his fridge. Is there a reason that they are sitting in his car outside?”

“Yes and Mr Kinney can tell you all about it.” The doorman winks at him.

“Emmett, I need to see Brian. Mel has…”

“Kicked your cheating ass out. Yes, I know. Good news travels very fast where you are concerned. Now why don’t you go and conspire towards failure with the two ghastlies out there?”

“Mr Honeycutt has asked you to leave, ma’am. As an official representative of Mr Kinney, I will take his word over yours. Please vacate this building.”

The doorman holds open the door for me and firmly guides me out! I stalk over to their car and tap sharply on the window. He winds it down. “Let’s go to yours, Michael. We need to talk.”

“I don’t have a mine! Ben sold it to that fucker Carl, remember?!” He bitches at that unnecessary volume he always uses. “So why are you here?”

“Mel is being difficult. Do you know she’s…”

“Left Jenny with Ben? Yes, we know.” He interrupts.

“Has left the marital home and is letting Ben stay there.” I snipe.

“With Jenny?!” Debs demands.

“I don’t know, but what I do know is that I am cold, tired, fucked off and we need each other. So let me in and let’s just go somewhere!”

FOURTH FLOOR LOFT

EMMETT

I watch the ghastlies finally depart and turn back to Brian and, now that we have been introduced, Justin. I had to bite the inside of my cheek when Brian insisted that I join them. He forgets how long I have known, but never judged, him. And judging by the drifting looks, he likes what he is seeing.

“They’ve gone. Shall we go downstairs?”

“Yeah. I’m starving.” Brian replies.

I am gobsmacked and I guess it must show on my face. “Yes, this is me, Brian Kinney, saying I am hungry. Seems that little and often is the way to go isn’t it, Mr Slim?”

“They just want you to get better.” He blushes.

“And tomorrow will ensure that. Are you busy tomorrow, Ems?”

“I will make time for you, Mr. K.” I tell him as we follow him downstairs. “What do you need?”

Silence.

“I can’t help if you don’t tell.” I tap him on the shoulder.

“You would need to ask Mr Slim, since it was his ice cream sandwiches that I ate.”

Ice cream sandwiches? Plural?

“So, Mr...I mean Justin. What was it? The ice cream, I mean.”

“Banana.”

“Of course it was.” I snicker as we enter.

“Make sure you email him the recipe tomorrow, Mr Slim, as I would like to eat them in the evening.”

“Yes, boss.” Justin replies.

“You are our guest, so you relax for a minute. Did you bring your wine down?”

“Yes. And very carefully, I might add.” He teases and Brian Kinney, the Stud of Liberty Avenue, rolls his eyes! Justin plonks down on the sofa with a sigh.

Brian and I work in silence, getting the dinner plated up. Both of us occasionally look across to see what he’s doing. He’s pulled out a pad and is drawing something, deeply absorbed in what he is doing. Giving me the universal silent signal, we approach. But why we are creeping is anyone’s guess, as a nuclear bomb wouldn’t have gotten his attention! I watch a soft smile go across Brian’s face as he looks at what he is doing.

“What’s that?”

“Oh, for the love of all things fucking holy!” Justin screams and his pencil flies across the room.

“Sorry to startle you, but we’ve been reading over your shoulder for the last five minutes. So what’s that?”

“Uh, nothing.” He replies, pulling the pad to his chest and trying to reach for his pack at the same time. With a nod, I move it out of reach and sit next to him. “I need my pack, please.”

“You need to answer his question, sweetie.” I tell him gently. “He’s asking because it’s a good thing. So what is it?”

“A...a cartoon kind of thing.”

“A...bout.” Brian demands impatiently, but holds up his hand when I cut my eye at him.

“Well, it’s just a comic for me. About a...tigerwhofindsitsroar.” He rushes out.

“A Tiger Who Finds Its Roar. I doubt that you would need to find that judging by that earlier display.” Brian smiles before slowly reaching forward and gently, but firmly, pulling the pad from his chest. “May I?” He asks and we wait for Justin to nod. Quietly, he flicks through and occasionally chuckles and smiles. “So this looks like months in. The characters are settled and defined. There is a definite plot, although I would make the bear a little less intimidating.”

“He is not intimidating!”

“Look at the tiger cub. What’s his name by the way? Do not say Tigger.”

“Tyson.”

“Was his name Tigger?”

“Yes.” He blushes.

“Tyson is better. Now look at the bear. I understand what you are saying, Tig...Tyson has been separated from his folks and accidentally wakes the bear up but...look what happens when I cover the panel. And then after, what’s your immediate reaction on seeing the bear?”

Even he flinches. “You don’t see it when you’re drawing it.”

“And no offence, but do you have a kid?” He shakes his head. “I do. And I know that Gus would not like that. I need to speak to Mel, but before I do that, what are you going to do with this?”

“Do with it?”

“Think about what Grantham did. Get this copyrighted and I mean immediately. Even if you do nothing, make it yours.”

“Speaking of yours... I did not cook this delicious food for it to go to waste. We are eating now!”

OUTSIDE CARL’S HOUSE - AN HOUR LATER

CARL

Judging by the hammering, one of the Novotnys is outside my door. I head to open it, pulling out my phone at the same time.

“Yes?” I ask, finding an enraged Debs just about to knock again.

“You stole my son’s home! Give it back!” She demands and tries to step inside but I put my hand up to stop her.

“Did not steal, I bought it fair, square, legal and above board. Now go away, Debs. I have warned you about your behaviour. I will have you arrested.”

“What is it today with people who claim that they love or loved me behaving like ungrateful fuckers?!”

“Reciprocating?” I query. “Now before you say another word, get back in your car and take your son and guest away from here.” I say loud enough for him to hear. I shake my head as he gets out of the car and storms down the path, almost foaming at the mouth. “Michael, go back to the car. You are not welcome here.”

“No! I want my fucking house back, right now! Get Ben on the phone and tell him to take it back off of you!”

“No. Now I am warning you two one last time. Go home!” Two pairs of arms are folded over chests and two pairs of eyes glare at me. “Have it your way.” I pull out my phone and call the precinct. “Hi yes, this is Carl, can you send a couple of cars round to my house please? There are some people creating a disturbance. Thanks.”

“I don’t believe you’ve done this!” Debs hisses at me. “After all…”

I shut the door in her face and lock it. “I would start making a move if I were you!”

LINDSAY

What are those two idiots doing?! I know I said let’s go somewhere. Naturally, I assumed they would take us to Debs’s house, but this is ridiculous! I’ve had a long fucking day and I just want to get some rest. “Come on you two, let’s just go!” I call out to them as I come down the path.

“No! I want the keys back to MY FUCKING HOUSE!” Michael screams at the top of his lungs. Unfortunately, this is not loud enough to drown out the sound of the siren of the squad cars. “Are you fucking kidding us, Carl?!”

“Excuse me Mr Novotny, Ms Novotny. You are under arrest for trespass, disturbing the peace and…”

“We’re going!” Debs says hurriedly, trying to get passed the officers but they block her path. “I said we’re going! What are you doing?!”

“Arresting you. Please try to resist.”

“And your name ma’am?” The officer asks me.

“Lindsay Peterson. Why…”

“Lindsay Peterson, you are under arrest for…”

“Wait a minute! I was trying to get them to get back in the car!” I protest as my hands are put behind my back and my rights are read to me. “Stop this! I haven’t done anything!”

“Detective Horvath!” The officer shouts and Carl opens the door. “Are these the people who have been causing you problems?”

“Yes, that’s them. Can you remove them please? I will be pressing charges.”

“Of course. See you in the morning, Detective. I think an overnight stay will cool their tempers.”

“Yeah, that should work wonders.” He retorts and with a final look of disgust at us, once again shuts the door.

“Officer, listen to me!” I argue. “I was trying to stop the argument and…”

“Let go of me!” Debs shouts as she is dragged to the squad car and Michael looks like he wants to cry.

“We’re more than happy to add resisting arrest to your charges.” He snaps.

“But my things. I…”

“We need a tow truck.” He calls out to another officer. “The car will be dropped off at the pound...mind your head, ma’am.”

“The pound! Ma, do something?!” Michael wails.

“You can't do this! Don’t you know who I am? I am the Queen of fucking Liberty Avenue! You better start job hunting because I will have your badges for this; you mark my words!”

“Of all the things you are the Queen of, Liberty Avenue is no longer it. You have long since been dethroned! Now mind your head!”

“Dethroned?! Me?! Never! Who the fuck would they replace me with anyway?!” She snaps as she finally gets in the car.

“Jennifer Taylor, a wonderful woman, who’s already made great strides in the community. Why do you think your PFLAG meetings are always so poorly attended? She’s replaced you as president!” He retorts and slams the door, almost hitting her on the head. As he gets in the front seat, he turns back to us. “The difference between your brand of caring and Jennifer’s is that she cares for the people of the Avenue, not about what future debt she can make them pay to her or for the benefit of her dastardly djinn, who really should’ve been ingested as a bad blowjob!”

We are both stunned into silence, her because of what he just said and me because of the image of her giving anyone a blowjob!

FABULICIOUS - EARLY MORNING

EMMETT

I hum to myself as I wonder how their morning will go. Both with the vituperative vultures and a certain Stud and his admirer. I wince slightly as the Advil has yet to kick in but it was, oh so worth it. Once I poured in the right direction and kept chatting about that little Tiger, I knew, I just knew that he would bite…

57TH PRECINCT - SAME TIME

DEBS

After I throw the pen across the desk and snatch the bag with my personal effects in it, I stomp to a seat and wait for Michael and Lindsay to come out. She’s out first and is clearly still fucked off with me. It is not my fucking fault that she got out of the damn car! She sits down beside me in silence. There is no ‘good morning,’ or ass kissing queries as to my welfare...even if she doesn’t care she should damn well ask! Just as I’m about to say something to the uppity witch about her decided lack of manners, I hear Michael long before I see him.

“My car and contents had better not be damaged or I shall sue! In fact, we should sue for harassment and unlawful arrest!”

“You are lucky that Detective Horvath was feeling generous and got this smacked down to a misdemeanour. Not what I would’ve done, but hopefully you will use your sudden free time to repair the damage you have caused on the Avenue. But somehow I doubt it. So pay the fine and be on your way to the pound.”

“And how do you propose we get there?!” I demand and glare at Lindsay when she sighs in exasperation. “And what is wrong with that question, Lindsay?”

“We can take a taxi. The most important thing is to get out of here without further contention, okay?” I have to concede both points and just nod. Then frown when she gets up and approaches the desk. “Officer, could you tell me how far the pound is from here?”

“Yes.” He replies and goes back to his paperwork.

“So how far is it?” She asks and I smirk as she clenches her fists.

“Let me see. Oh, there doesn’t seem to be a note on here. Let me call down to the lock-up to see if they know. Take a seat as they might take awhile to answer. Seems they are celebrating the departure of a noxious whiner.”

“Of course, officer. Come along, Michael.” She orders firmly and to ensure his compliance, she all but drags him to the seat.

“You don’t need to fight with everybody.” She hisses. “Let’s keep the chat to a minimum until we get to the car please.”

2ND FLOOR LOFT - AN HOUR LATER

LOUNGE

JUSTIN

I swallow and wish I hadn’t. Grim does not even come close describing to that taste. I risk opening my eyes and find myself looking at a glass of water and two familiar headache pills. On a slightly familiar table, in a slightly familiar loft...oh my goodness! I carefully lift the quilt and while part of me is relieved, the other part is somewhat disappointed.

“Mr Slim, good morning. You remain unmolested.” The flu filled voice of Brian Kinney floats down from his bedroom. “There is a spare toothbrush in the bathroom, which is through here.” I cringe slightly on the sofa and try to do something about my sofa-head. “Now is not the time for preening. Just get up and go and use the bathroom.”

I get up and keep my eyes glued to my feet as I rush to the bathroom. Five minutes later, two things are better with my world. One, my mouth feels clean and two, I can smell Blue Mountain coffee. “Don’t suppose I will get a cup.” I sigh to myself and after doing what I can with my hair, head back out to go to work.

“Do you want one and are you serious?”

“One what?” I ask pausing in mid stride. “And about what?”

“Writing the Tiger that Found Its Roar with me? And coffee?”

“I didn’t dream that, then?” I sit down and stare at him before inhaling the Advil.