Session Thirty-Three
Darren and Z showed up at the Nordstrom store at five-thirty in the afternoon. Their job was supposed to last from six to nine-thirty. The manager and the event promoter emphasized that they were there to sell clothes. They were very single-minded about the goal: sell those clothes, move the merchandise.
“Push the sale. Ignore questions that aren't related to price and delivery. The idea is that we'll use two models showing each ensemble. You model it briefly and then you sell all you can, while the another pair shows the next item. The two pairs alternate and keep it moving. You twins – we'll pair you and you two other guys will be the alternating pair. The items are laid out. Change fast and keep it moving. Put the merchandise into the customers hands and then the sales kiosks will ring up and wrap. Smile, but don't engage the customers. Got it? Simple, huh? Just keep it moving and sell the merchandise.”
Z and Darren went out first, showing a trousers and sport jacket combination. The crowd was small but growing and sales were slow but decent. Eventually they nearly sold out quota,except a few items in extreme sizes. Their next ensemble was a four piece ski outfit consisting of tight ski pants, shirt, sweater, and outer jacket. The store had never tried to sell the whole combination as a set before and for Z and Darren, the problem was the heat; they were sweating wearing all the layers. The ensemble proved popular and the stock was quickly depleted. The manager's constant “Push the sale” mantra was getting annoying. Darren tried to find a set and the size he needed was gone. The manager impatiently yelled, “Sell them something!”
“I'm sorry. We don't have it in your size,” he told the customer, “but I'm wearing that size if you want this.” A couple of guys jokingly chanted “Take it off! Take it off!” so Darren did. He gave the clothes to the customer and ending up wearing ski boots and black boxer briefs. His body was glistening from sweat as he panted, “Ok?” The guy said back to him, “Double the price if you throw in the boxers.” The crowd went wild, cheering and yelling “More! More!” Darren did an embarrassed victory lap around the runway acknowledging the applause; he got a few pats on the butt and some cash tucked into his boxers.
The next outfit was jeans, a long-sleeved jersey and an outer shirt. Darren got a sale and asked for the size. The customer said, “The ones you're wearing! I don't care what size they are!” Darren stripped again and sold the rest of the items in his underwear, delighting the mostly gay crowd of buyers.
At first the manager was astonished and appalled; then he noticed how fast the merchandise was moving when Darren was in his underwear handing out the boxes. He told the other models to do the same thing. Z, looking just like Darren, was a hit; but the other two guys were super thin classic models and their bodies, clad in droopy briefs, didn't offer the same appeal. “Put it on! Put it on!” the crowd cruelly demanded when the models weren't Z and Darren.
The merchandise sold out before the allotted three and a half hours elapsed. The manager improvised and announced the end of the show with a joke that Z and Darren would be selling kisses at the main doors. A line formed instantly. He quickly moved a candy rack to the door and had them sell candy kisses for ten dollars a bag. “This time be flirty and drag out the sale. Maybe they'll buy something else while they wait,” he told them. The candy sold well even though the salesmen were fully clothed. Darren endured a few actual kisses on the cheek before he became adept at avoiding them.
Of course the whole proceeding was on Twitter before the store even closed and on YouTube with musical accompaniment a half-hour later. The details of the sales were a little fuzzy but the main and more interesting action was portrayed accurately.
On the Bart ride home Z asked Darren how much money he collected in his underwear. “Five hundred twenty-three dollars and seventeen telephone numbers, including the store manager's.” Z chuckled and pulled out his phone.
“Andrew, we're done at Nordstrom's and you're not going to believe this,” Z said before he provided the unbelievable details.
Darren was pumped and relived the night, telling first Eric, then Seth, and then Larry the details. “Man, I had no idea what the support of an appreciative audience can do,” he said.
“That's what Logan said. Live applause is a real battery charger,” Larry commented.
“Even that food fight thing I got into was a hoot. I know exactly what you mean,” Eric said.
“Oh, for fuck's sake. I'll have a house full of divas after this,” Z groaned and got himself a beer.
The next day Andrew found out just how successful the night had been. The Nordstrom headquarters guys were initially horrified until the San Francisco store reported sales associated with the event. No promotion had ever been as successful; the men's department reported triple the sales expected and the customers were men, not the usual female demographic that Nordstrom expects. Andrew got Z and Darren new bookings for another night at the Market Street store and two more events in Walnut Creek and Palo Alto. Andrew supplied all the models for these shows, getting warm bodies off his Backflip Productions casting list; he booked his first honest commissions since leaving Stein and Stein.
Darren went to the Museum the next morning and encountered a small crowd in his office. Christopher and Sean, who attended the event, had been spreading the word; and there were a couple of YouTube videos looping on their computers. Attendance at the Museum was way up that day with many of the visitors asking if they could meet Darren. Some people were polite and congratulatory; others were outrageous and graphic in their comments. Some online comments were plainly intended to insult. “Nordstrom was just advertising; I bought his ass on Polk Street,” was a tweet comment that hurt. What did I ever do to you, Darren wondered. In one morning Darren learned a lot about either fame or notoriety, he wasn't sure which.
“It's all good, Darren, my man,” Andrew cheerily announced when he told him about the additional bookings. “Don't worry about the assholes. They're just little parasites who feed off the great and fabulous. They show up everywhere. You're too good for Polk Street.”
“I'm not a whore on any street, Andrew!”
“Of course not. Certainly not. I understand. Sweetie, these next bookings will be much better managed and staged. Just a little of the Abercrombie flavor. A lot classier. Don't worry about it. Did I tell you I got triple your fee? That'll be a nice Christmas present.” Andrew was persuasive and he was never a complete liar, although his promises sometimes wore thin in their execution.
“Oh, alright, just don't call me sweetie, ok? You sound like my mother. Oh, shit, she's gonna know about this, isn't she?”
“No, no. Why would she?” Andrew told Darren. She'll never know a thing, Andrew thought, provided she's dead by sundown. Andrew took pride in his smooth success in talking Darren into the additional events. It occurred to Andrew that 'persuasive' was just a nicer way of saying manipulative bitch, a title he was proud of.
Darren played a fierce game of lacrosse that afternoon. He was playing to win every point and did score three. Z warned people, “Don't piss him off today ... Irish temper.”
“You're not Irish!” Eric, who was, half anyway, said.
“No, but I always wanted to be. The Catholic schools got more holidays.”
The exercise helped and Darren's usual good mood returned. After the game was over he fucked the hell out of Tom, who was surprised by this new, more demanding version of Darren. “Four goals today. Nice,” Tom said.
“I only scored three,” Darren said.
“Four. Three times you pounded the hell out of the ball, and then you pounded the hell out of me.”
“Oh. Did I hurt you? I'm sorry. Tom? Really … “
“I'm going to tell you that every day if it makes you kiss me like … “ Darren shut him up with more kisses followed by the most intense blowjob Tom had ever received.
“Wow! That was a spectacular way to end the evening,” he said.
“What makes you think we're done, Engine? Show me how you got that name.”
“Vroom, vroom!” Tom's only disappointment was Darren's decision to go back to his room at Carolyn's that night. All night would have been so perfect, he thought to himself as he tried to get to sleep alone.
While the game was playing out Andrew visited Seth. “You have business to discuss? I'll go for a walk with Carolyn,” Amanda offered.
“Stay. We could use your advice,” Andrew said, pleasing Amanda enormously. He told Seth about the Nordstrom success and future bookings.
“Maybe we could approach manufacturers and offer to stage events like that for them. What about doing a fashion night at Istanbulla's bar in North Beach?” Seth suggested.
“Z might not go for that, he's really touchy about anything approaching porn,” Andrew said.
“Z and Darren are great, but it wouldn't have to be them. They don't own the concept, do they?” Seth prodded.
Amanda and Andrew high-fived each other. “He has the instincts.” Andrew allowed.
“I may have put it there, but you developed it,” Amanda said. “I believe I can go home feeling good now,” Amanda rhapsodized; and then the crusher, ”Ha ha, what am I saying? Not now, of course.” Seth's hopes fell. “Tomorrow, actually.”
Amanda teared up sentimentally and turned to the window. While she was composing herself Andrew mouthed the silent words, “Do you want a blowjob?” He moved a coiled hand back and forth in front of his open mouth and then pointed at Seth's dick.
Seth burst out laughing as much at the pantomime as at the proposition. Amanda turned back to the two of them and said, “You have to allow a mother a moment without making fun.”
Rory went to Tim's for dinner and afterward the four of them played hearts, sipping the Brandy and Benedictine Rory had brought. The discussion stayed on safe topics. “We're bridge players, really, but hearts can be fun,” his dad said and took another sip of the B and B. “This is good stuff! I always thought it was fruit juice, like Boone's Farm or something.”
When the game was ending Tim's mother asked, “Rory, would you like shirred eggs with ham in the morning? They're my specialty.”
“I'd love 'em,” Rory said without knowing what sort of eggs he had agreed to. The unspoken agreement that he would spend the night was the best part of the bargain.
Tim's disbelief showed in his expression and his dad said, “Of course he's staying, unless you're an idiot.”
“I try not to be,” Tim said.
“Your Uncle Alan was gay. No harm in that,” Tim's dad announced.
“Uncle Alan? You mean Uncle Freddie was his … Why didn't you tell me?” Tim asked.
“You didn't need to know,” his father said.
“Was there anything else I didn't need to know?”
“Lots,” his mother said with a chuckle.
Tim and Rory did the dishes while Tim's parents watched television. “They're nice, Tim. Really. I'm glad I came.”
“I'm glad you gave them the B and B; it probably helped mellow things. Why didn't I ever think of that?” Tim smiled and wanted to do something more but he wasn't sure what. Do I just grab him and hug him, he wondered. He settled for saying, “I'm glad you're staying.” They stood close enough that their arms touched as they worked. “Now I have to figure out how to tell them at work.”
“I never told anybody anything where I work. I let them figure it out for themselves. If it works, fine; if it doesn't … well, if anybody's unhappy with me, they keep their mouths shut,” Rory said.
“The police force is different,” Tim said. “I know some guys couldn't care less, but others will treat me differently. There will be talk. Winks, when I'm not looking. Remarks. That kind of stuff.”
“Well, you don't have to tell them tomorrow, do you?”
“No, but it's got to happen eventually. Maybe I can ...”
Before Tim had a chance to finish his thought his parents interrupted and said good night.
Tim's room still had the marks of his earlier life. Rory looked around the room filled with keepsakes that marked a milestone in Tim's life. Photos gave him hints of Tim's youth as he grew, gangly teenager, confident college student, very handsome police cadet.
Tim watched Rory explore his room, picking up a baseball, looking at a book. “See anything you like?”
“I like everything about you,” Rory said. He hugged Tim and put his head against Tim's shoulder. Tim hugged him back uncertainly.
“I never know what to do,” he said. “Should I hug you? Should I kiss you? Should I tell you what I'm thinking?”
“Yes, yes, and yes,” Rory said. “The more the better.”
“Well … right now, I'm thinking I couldn't know a better guy.” Tim was reluctant to take the lead so Rory did, unbuttoning his shirt and exploring his chest.
“Do I smell ok? The kitchen was hot.”
“You smell like Ivory liquid soap,” Rory told him.
“Oh! I could take a shower.”
“I love the smell of Ivory soap,” Rory said, kissing Tim's neck and undoing Tim's belt. “From now on it will remind me of you.” He ran his fingers over one of Tim's nipples, drawing a sigh and an urgent kiss from Tim.
“Wait,”Tim said. He turned off the lights and opened the curtains. He kissed Rory once more and then undressed in the light from the street lamps. Tim stood naked and held his arms out. “All yours,” he said offering his body for inspection. He moved toward Rory, lean and sinewy, and, yes, hairy.
Rory quickly took off his clothes and waited while Tim pulled the spread off the bed. He walked around the bed and picked Rory up in his arms. “What are you doing?” Rory asked because although he was slightly shorter than Tim he weighed more.
“I'm putting you in my bed.” Tim gently and effortlessly lowered him onto the mattress and then lay alongside him. He felt Rory's half-hard cock. “Your cock is bigger than mine.” It was a statement, not really a comparison. Tim moved lower; he sucked the tip of Rory's cock and then the shaft as it grew and hardened. “I loved it when you fucked me that first night,” Tim whispered. “I didn't even know what I was doing but I knew you belonged in me.” Then he lost confidence. “Am I doing this alright?”
“Do you really have to ask? I'm hard as a rock. I hold my breath every time you touch me. You're doing fine.”
Tim stretch for something on the night stand. He greased Rory's cock, stroking him firmly until Rory pulled his hand away. “I'm getting close,” he said.
They took it easy for a while, kissing and exploring each other's bodies. Tim's cock was dripping when he finally said, “Fuck me. And don't hold back. I want to feel you in me all night.”
Rory entered him slowly; he continued thrusting deeply and slowly until he heard Tim begin sighing with each move; then he picked up speed, fucking just as deeply and bumping hard against Tim's ass at the end of each inward thrust. Looking for more, they switched to doggie style. Then Tim put his head on the pillow and just stuck his ass up for the taking. He began moaning louder, pushing back with every thrust, and finally muffling his groans with the pillow as he came. Rory was surprised and unprepared for Tim's climax and rode him like he was a bronco as Tim bucked and spasmed; the motion and the passion fed his own need. Tim rolled over onto his back and demanded Rory continue fucking him. There was a need, a hunger they both had to satisfy. It seemed like Tim couldn't get enough; he clung to Rory, asking for more.
“Fuck me, fuck me deep. Slower, ok? Yeah, just like that.” Tim directed and Rory complied. Tim pulled him into a needy, clinging kiss. “Come for me?” he suggested and it was like an order. Rory all but exploded, pounding his partner as he thrust and pumped his cock in and out and then in again harder as he emptied his sperm into Tim. His partner melted in his hands, loving it, sighing, kissing, murmuring “Fuck me, Rory; fuck me, baby,” over and over. Rory kept pumping, slower, until his cock went limp and slipped out.
Still Tim couldn't let go until Rory finally collapsed beside him, panting and sweating. Tim lay at his side, an arm across his chest and with a leg thrown over Rory's thighs. Rory almost spoke but then decided a few more kisses had to come first.
“I've never done anything better than that,” he told Tim.
“I've never been 'done' like that. In fact, that wasn't like any kind sex I've ever known. Totally new experience. Like the difference between a backyard kiddie pool and the ocean.”
“I like being compared to the ocean,” Rory said. “Like I can just sweep you up,” Rory said as he grabbed Tim and pulled him on top. “And toss you around.” Rory kissed him deeply and then rolled him off onto his other side. The bed was small and Tim almost ended up on the floor. “Oops, I better sweep you up again.”
“What are we going to do about this?” Tim asked.
“Keep doing it, I hope,” Rory said. “I don't want to stop. Do you?”
Tim snuggled against him, happy at that idea. I'm crazy about him, he thought. How can I tell him that? he wondered. After a few more kisses he fell asleep.
Half way to the other end of the island, on Webster Street, Dorrance got into a pickup driven by an older man. “I want two hundred,” he told the man without specifying the services to be provided.
The man squeezed his thigh and said, “Sit closer, rent boy. You're on the clock.” Dorrance sat closer and massaged the bulge in the guy's jeans as they pulled into traffic. They drove for twenty minutes and parked in a garage in San Leandro. The guy shut the garage door and told Dorrance, “Bend over and pull 'em down.” Dorrance tried to make it a little cozy, but the guy shoved him down onto the tailgate, “This ain't love, dickhead; this is a fuck.”
Both the fuck and the guy's dick were disappointments and he only gave Dorrance half the two hundred, with the comment it was only a half-assed fuck. Dorrance didn't even complain; one hundred was enough for the candy man. Later, after the transaction with the candy man, Dorrance stood in the sea grass on the beach, barely aware and barely clad, and let a guy blow him while he stood shivering in the cold breeze off the bay. The ungrateful cocksucker spit the come out with rotten aim. It felt cold running down Dorrance's calves.
Dorrance didn't notice the come stains on his jeans as he walked south. It was a lousy fuck and a worse suck, he thought. At least the crystal was working, and Ted wondered where he could find something better. He felt wired and wouldn't need a place to sleep tonight. The morning would be ugly, though. His parents might let him crash if he played it right or he could sleep in their garage on an old patio lounge.
He saw a hot-looking guy leave Devon's apartment building. Poor Devon, he thought briefly; unlucky Devon, dead Devon. It was depressing. Maybe Engine would be home. Engine was cool and not too fussy about who he fucked, Dorrance thought. At least I won't have to walk against this fucking wind. I'll see what Engine is ready for. He knocked. He knocked again. Then he pounded on the door.
Tom heard the knock and thought maybe Darren had forgotten something. The pounding came as he was about to open the door. “Jeez, Louise!” Tom wondered what was so urgent with Darren.
“Who the fuck is Louise?” Dorrance snarled and collapsed. As he fell he grabbed at Tom and ripped off his boxers. He looked up from the floor getting a rare bottom view of Tom's cock and balls. “Smaller than I hoped but bigger than I remembered. You can fuck me, Engine Man.”
For a second Tom stood in shock and then dragged Dorrance in. He closed the door before any of his neighbors came out to see what the noise was.
Dorrance was on the floor struggling to remove his clothes. Tom pulled the shreds of his underwear about himself and said, “I'm all fucked out for the night, Dorrance. You can crash if you want.”
“I'm not ready to crash. I'm just getting started, Engine Man.”