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Chapter 11- RECOGNITION, Tantrums and Trouble with a Capital ‘T’


Cynthia arrived back at the office just in time to see the B twins- Bob and Brad- being ushered out by security. True, the takeover of Vanguard was supposed to start by week’s end, but she didn’t think it was supposed to happen immediately. She made her way over to Marcie, Ryder’s former assistant, to confirm her suspicions.

 

“Hey Marcie, this is all kind of sudden, isn’t it? I mean I just saw Bob and Brad with their personal effects, leaving the building. Is there some reason for the rush?”

 

Marcie took a surreptitious look around her to see who was observing. From her many years as Marty’s assistant, she knew that everyone who looked busy often had wide open ears, which always heard what they shouldn’t. “Give me five minutes, then meet me in the janitor’s closet on the first floor. I’ll fill you in.”

 

Before Cynthia had a chance to respond, Gardner’s grating voice came through the office door. As soon as he noticed whom Marcie was speaking to, he directed his attention to her. “Where is your soon-to-be-ex-boss?”

 

Gardner’s harsh tone aggravated her, but his gaze as it traveled the length of her body, angered Cynthia. Already she could see that he and Marty Rider were cut from the same cloth. But whereas Marty was too chicken-shit because of his overbearing third wife, she wasn’t so sure about the bald asshole currently standing there undressing her with his beady eyes. “Since Brian Kinney is my boss and I don’t foresee that changing, I think we can lower the intimidation tactics, Mr. Vance. You will find that Brian doesn’t scare easily, and neither do I.

"As for where Brian is, he is at a client meeting, which was postponed due to a personal issue and had been rescheduled before Marty decided to turn tail and run, while bringing your behind in here, Sir.” She added the last remembering that her uncle used to tell her that in the military, it didn’t matter what you said as long as you added Ma’am or Sir at the end. If she was bold enough to tell him to kiss her ass, she would put ‘sir’ on the end of it to not make it sound entirely insubordinate. As he narrowed his eyes at her, she realized that he was going to test her theory sooner rather than later.

 

“Well that’s where he’d better be, instead of playing nursemaid to that little blond pansy he’s playing house with. This is a business! And until Brian owns his own, he’ll do things my way or he’s fired. You may tell him that!” He turned his back to return to his office, but she wasn’t about to let him get away with that shit.

 

“And you would do well to remember that Brian brought in more that three-quarters of the accounts under Ryder. Plus there really isn’t much you can do to fire him for taking care of his domestic partner, unless you are prepared to get sued into bankruptcy and pay several fines issued by the government.”

 

“I don’t know what the hell you think you know but…”

 

“Mr. Vance,” Cynthia sneered, “Again, you would do well to remember whom you took Ryder over from, and the man you think that you are intent on putting in his place. Currently Brian and Justin have several civil suits going on against some people, who also thought they were untouchable. Fuck with Brian, and I’m sure he will be all too HAPPY to add your name to the list, especially knowing why Marty decided to sell the company to you after years of turning you down. Oh and by the way, Brian’s job is protected under the Family Medical Leave Act or FMLA for short, which is a government funded program. Although very few states are allowing the civil union of marriage at this time, Domestic Partnerships work very much like your own fourth marriage, or is it about to be the fifth one now? A word of advice Vance, leave Brian Kinney alone. As long as he’s working, his personal life is NONE of your business. Ryder and his bitch should have understood that, but instead they get you to do their dirty work. However, it's more than apparently they didn’t give you all the information- more fool YOU.”

 

“You know I could fire you, too?” Vance threatened.

 

“Do and watch your company sink to the ground. Marcie here can tell you, that Brian Kinney will not stick around to break in a new assistant; he’d just leave with me. Hell, he went through fifteen assistants before he found me, and that was ten years ago. So no Mr. Vance, if I’m kicked out Brian walks. And if he is, I go with him since I refuse to be held to your tender mercies alone.” She could tell by the flaring of his nostrils that she knew exactly what he had been thinking would happen once Brian wasn’t there to protect her. Vance was an amateur compared to the creeps she’d had to deal with over the years. He wasn’t even in their leagues. “Well if that’s all, I’ll return to my office now. See you in a bit, Marcie, for our usual afternoon coffee break.”

 

Cynthia exited the office, hearing the massive oak door to Ryder’s former office slam shut behind her. She couldn’t believe how she’d just stood up to him. Her heart was still racing so fast that she felt it would burst from the exertion. But while she was in shock, Cynthia was also damned proud of herself. She was fucking tired of the Ryders and Vances of the world forgetting that there were people with families and lives outside of the damn slave ship, which made the two bastards rich. And none had worked harder for Ryder… and ultimately himself, than Brian Kinney. She wouldn’t let these snakes railroad Brian if she could help it.

 

Locking down Brian’s office first, she hurried to her desk to do the same. Opening the drawer to grab her keys, she noticed the set of two flash drives she’d been holding since Gus was born. At first they just housed an idea, but after the Kip Thomas bullshit, Cynthia had begun compiling the files and all of Brian’s newly acquired accounts as well. If Gardner even thought to hack their computers while either of them were out of the office, he wouldn’t find anything other than the mediocre work of the art department. However the flash drives contained all of Brian’s work with Justin, including the final markup of the Liberty Air campaign, whose contract was the one Kip had almost screwed. That campaign was already being considered for a CLIO Award for next year, and it only began being aired five months prior to the bashing.

 

Yes, it was time to talk to Brian in earnest now about getting them both the hell out of there…Marcy and Murph too. The only problem was going to be Brian. Honestly, she couldn’t blame him right now. Justin was in bad shape and needed the support. But there was more at stake here than just Justin. Cynthia noticed the avaricious gleam in Gardner’s eyes and it didn’t just extend to her work as Brian’s assistant. He wanted her physically and mentally; she would even hazard a guess that he wanted to crush her spirit both professionally and personally. NO, it was time to get them all out of there before they all just became shells of themselves at the hands of Gardner Vance. Whatever it took, she wouldn’t let that happen.


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


Ted stepped out of line after deciding to have an up close and personal chat with Howard Bellweather. While waiting, Ted decided to thumb through the book, looking for the exact section of the book called ‘To Boldly Go Where No Gay Man Has Gone Before.’ It begins:

‘I met my source who asked to remain anonymous when speaking about his life as a gay man in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When asked what name he would rather be known as within the context of his tale, he told me to call him ‘Galaxy Lad.’ At first, I thought that was rather strange but as I began to listen to him speak, more and more I then understood. The young man was rather flighty and his tales- reminiscent at times- were that of a teenager looking to captivate his adult audience. I would ask that you keep an open mind when reading this section because even though he seemed kind of spacy, he was extremely well informed about a certain topic within this book, and about the men within the gay community who consistently give the heterosexuals fodder for their spite and innuendos aimed at their homosexual counterparts.’


Ted settled even deeper into one of the comfortable chairs as the line ahead of him continued to move forward. He looked briefly back at the Table of Contents to predetermine how much time he had before he was officially ready to go and confront ‘The Gay Conscience of Pittsburgh.’ As Ted began again to read the interview with that fucking Galaxy Lad, known to all of the Liberty section of Gay P.A. as Michael Novotny, the more pissed off he became at what he read. Not only had Michael detailed Ted’s short-lived relationship with Blake, but waxed poetic about how Ted- also known as Rocket Man- was a nice guy who went for twinks with drug problems and ended up in a coma because of his own.


‘I mean, don’t get me wrong. Rocket is a really nice guy and very smart. But being smart will only take him so far if he doesn’t leave the twink population to their drugs and partying. I’ve often told him that maybe he should look for men at the opera, or at church or a library- you know, find someone with common interests. But no….Rocket Man doesn’t want to date another accountant or someone equally as boring- I mean professional- as he is. He would rather have a meth addict put him in the hospital than stay safely with the other men his age. In fact Howard, you and my friend Rocket should hook up. You guys would have a whole lot in common: you’re both educated professionals and could talk about your younger days at college. I know you don’t frequent Babylon, so perhaps you could talk him out of going there too. It’s not a place for old men. I fear that the next time he goes for another Twink, he may not be so fortunate to have a friend like me around who will tell him that he should be with men his own age. He can’t trust twinks. They will just drug him and take his money while he’s high and too stupid to realize it. He’s a smart guy but he’s deaf, dumb, and blind when it comes to blond hair, crystal blue eyes, and a tight behind. If he doesn’t stop going after them, then he deserves whatever he gets.’


He could just imagine Michael’s shrug, as if he had a right to say that to anyone, let alone about Ted. And if that wasn’t bad enough, what the little loud-mouthed imp said about Emmett just took the fucking cake.


‘I have this one friend. We’ll just call him Flash for now. Anyway he really embodies what everyone thinks gay men really are: effeminate, flamboyant, and sissified. He also changes men like most people should change their underwear. When I met Dr. Dreamboat- which is what he calls my partner- I tried to give him advice on how to attract men like mine. He scoffed and laughed, but while I have a solid and steady relationship, he’s still flitting from man-to-man; from bed-to-bed. I’m really shocked that he hasn’t contracted an STD...although I would probably never know if he did. But then again, I remember when he was trying to go straight by joining a group called ‘See the Light.’ I have to admit, it was refreshing not to see him as a walking disco ball coming down the street, but wearing regular clothes. After that whole episode was done, I couldn’t help but wish that he kept to that wardrobe instead of the shiny, sparkling sequins he’s taken to wearing again. I fear that Flash will always be alone because of his penchant to dress like the women that not one gay man wants. I mean, perhaps the only man who would want him would be a future drag queen, since they could share clothes, makeup, nail polish, and such. But to my mind, if we wanted men who acted like women then we would all be into pussy. Now my friend Captain Astro….well he’s different. Everyone wants him and everyone wants to be him. He can fuck anyone he wants, but instead he’s dealing with that gold-digging, golden-haired Boy Wonder right now.”


Ted read on as he sat there silently fuming. Michael had some fucking nerve to put all of their lives and life choices up for public scrutiny while making himself look squeaky clean. No, he didn’t agree with all of Brian’s past choices, but they were his choices, and regardless of any thoughts Ted might have had, he admired Brian for staying true to himself in spite of what others thought. Michael had no right to sit in judgement of their lives like that. It made him furious, not only for himself but for Brian, Emmett, and most of all, for Justin! And then for that half-bald candidate for the Hair Club for Men franchise, with the smug smile and know-it-all attitude, signing books for men like himself, but he’s really the biggest hypocrite of all. To literally egg Michael on into disclosing personal facts about his friends’- well in Ted’s case, his former friend- lives was just…. It was just....

 

Ted could feel the fire within himself as he stood behind the five guys still waiting in line to get their book signed by the braying jackass Bellweather. Ted literally felt consumed by the flames of both injustice and hate as he heard the man’s condescending tone to the man in line before him, saying that he should really read the ‘Galaxy Lad interview,’ advising that although the names were changed to protect his good name and reputation from being sued, it would be obvious who the main character Captain Astro is. And that is what did it for Ted… So pushing the remaining four men out of the way in an effort to get to the grinning gorilla sitting behind the table surreptitiously checking out the departing man’s ass, Ted finally arrived at the head of the line.

 

He took another look at the hypocrite seated before him, trying to find any redeeming quality in the man at all. From his less than appealing countenance, including: a set of cold calculating ice blue eyes, to the thin lips which seemed overly-fond of botox which no longer helped, to the blue veins running to close to the surface of Bellweather’s nose, which told Ted that he wasn’t the only one who was an addict- to the unattractive physique of the man which donned a paunch belly situated behind a plaid shirt that even Ted would never have bought, it was clear what Howard Bellweather’s real problem with the men of Liberty Avenue- specifically Brian Kinney and Justin Taylor- really was.

 

Clearing his throat of the bile which had risen up during is perusal of the vermin still seated smugly before him, Ted said, “You need to print a retraction to that bullshit you printed.”

 

“What bullshit would that be? I only print the truth. It’s why the Gay Gauntlet is such an important guide for gay men; a standard by which we all should live our lives.”

 

“It’s fucking bullshit and you and I both know that! I can admit that I used to think that perhaps you had a point, but now I see you for what you really are.”

 

“And what exactly is it that you think you see Mr…”

 

Ted stood taller, his own tone growing even colder at the condescending voice of the idiot. “Ted Schmidt, Mr. Bitch! But I believe you and ‘Galaxy Liar’ know me as Rocket Man.”

 

“Oh… so you’re the one he thinks I would have lots in common with? Tell you what, I’m having a little soiree at my house this evening with some prominent people in the gay community to celebrate the release of my book, and the final public fall of Brian Kinney and Justin Taylor. You should come. From everything Michael has told me about you, you and I should become better acquainted."

 

Ted shook his head, incredulous at the gall of the man. Michael had nerve, but this fucker was a new brand of fool if he thought that Ted would be caught anywhere near him after what he was trying to do to his friends. As far as he was concerned, Howard Bellweather could shove Michael's recommendation up his ass and spin slowly and painfully on it as if it were a twenty inch dildo. But there was just something that had him a bit curious about his willingness to slander Brian and Justin on behalf of an obviously vindictive, attention-seeker like Michael Novotny.

 

“Why are you so hellbent on destroying Brian and Justin? As far as I know, neither of them have done anything to you. Hell, they don’t even know you!”

 

“Kinney definitely does know me, and as for that little blond, he doesn’t know me but he knows my nephew.”

 

“What does that have to do with anything?”

 

“Kinney rejected me several times, but fucked my nephew twice. When my nephew had him over a barrel with a false lawsuit, it was that little blond snipe who put a stop to it. So the fact that little Justin was bashed, well it gave me the perfect opportunity to avenge myself and Kip. Michael Novotny’s thirst for vengeance just provided the tool.”

 

The gasps emitting from Ted and the men behind him, reminded Howard that the two men weren’t alone. In fact, a whole line of potential buyers, which had increased from four to well over thirty people- both men and women- heard Howard Bellweather’s admission loud and clear, but that was the least of Ted’s concern. He was more focused on Howard’s admission about his nephew.

 

“Kip Thomas is your nephew?”

 

“Yes. And his job was to ruin Brian’s reputation within Ryder Advertising, which would have worked had that fucking kid stayed out of it! Instead, he threatened Kip with exposure and jail time if he didn’t drop the sexual harassment suit and leave town before the close of business the next day. Personally, I’m glad that Hobbs almost took Justin’s life. That blond little fuck is a danger to anyone who has a gripe against Brian Kinney. Well, now we’ll see how well he fares as Brian's ever-present boy toy since he will never be so perfect again!”

 

Before Ted had a chance to register what he was doing, he picked up two of the hard-covered books and began flailing his arms in the direction of the offensive man. Several people tried to pull Ted off of the author but using the books, Ted kept attacking, breaking Bellweather’s nose and blackening his eyes; hitting the man about the head and anywhere else the books were able to reach. By the time Ted was stopped, all he could see was the destruction he’d left in his wake, and the asshole of all his anger laid out semi-conscious, but unmoving. Although several of the eyewitnesses protested the police’s handling of Ted, even going so far as to tell them what Bellweather had spouted, they arrested Ted and took him into the precinct on Liberty Avenue. Which is where Emmett, Debbie, and Mel found Ted after he was read his Miranda rights and made his phone call to Mel.

 

Ordinarily, there would have been a hold on getting Ted released except that one of the patrons within the bookstore was none other than Judge Lisa Lano, who was very interested in what Bellweather had to say regarding Justin Taylor. Although technically she could not approach either man, she could make sure that Ted Schmidt, aka Rocket Man, would not have to languish away in jail at the hands of a truly vindictive, hypocritical piece of shit such as Bellweather and his high-powered cronies were continually proving themselves to be. Once Ted was released into Mel’s custody after the fine was paid to the police and for the damages to the bookstore, Ted, Deb, Mel, and Em left the precinct.

 

“Teddy, what was that all about? It’s not like you to incite a riot or lose your temper without reason.” Emmett asked him.

 

“Oh there was a reason, Em. In fact, Debbie, I’m surprised to see you here. I thought you would have been home coddling your boy because of his revelations this afternoon at the diner.”

 

“Now you listen to me, Theodore Schmidt, I don’t deserve that tone from you! Now I will deal with my boy as you call him, later. But right now, dealing with you is more important. Now have you eaten since this morning?” Debbie folded her arms across her ample bosom as she twisted in the front seat to eye the man behind her.

 

Ted dropped his eyes under her intense glare. “No Mom, I haven’t. I was too damned angry to eat.”

 

“Well then, first thing is that we get you fed and then you can tell me and Vic all about the Adventure of the Blood-thirsty Bookworm, starring our favorite accountant Ted Schmidt. I think it will be a fun tale, don’t you?” She cackled at his look of surprise. “Hey I’m fucking a cop, remember?”

 

“DEBBIE!!! UGH!! T-M-I!!!” The shouting and cringing of all the other occupants in the car caused her to laugh even harder. It was definitely going to be an interesting evening.         

 

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