Brian's Story

He did not want to be here. He had had plans. His father had had plans too. He had come home one evening and said,
"Brian, I don't want you sitting around all summer, so I got you job."
"A job?"
"Yes."

So here it was, a Monday morning in July, and here Brian stood, in jacket and tie at the receptionist's desk. His mother had smiled at him that morning to see him dressed like a man, and had pasted a wet kiss on his forehead.
"Come on," his father had said,"You should be happy that you have something to do this summer. You look like you're going to a funeral."
Brian's dad had dropped him off at the curb outside the building. Left him there. Brian went through the door. So here he stood at the receptionist's desk. The receptionist was young, pretty, with short brown hair and she wore glasses and her name was Joan. She had smiled when she looked up and noticed him. Brian thought that maybe working here might not be so bad. It did not occur to Brian that the receptionist was paid to smile at anyone who showed up at her desk. Brian told her that he was Brian and he was supposed to be working here for the summer. Joan checked her list.
"Oh, right," she said. "You have to go see Mr O. He's the boss..."
"I know, my dad told me. He told me not to be afraid of him, and try not to mumble."
Joan chuckled. Brian liked her chuckle.
"I'll let him know you're here, and you go through that door and straight ahead. If Mr O's door is closed make sure you knock and wait for him to answer."
"I know," Brian replied, "My dad told me that too."

Brian stood at Mr O's door. It was shut. Brian knocked, thinking, hoping, there would be no answer. Maybe Mr O wasn't there, and then Brian could go home, tell his mom that he had tried, but it hadn't worked.
"Come in."
Brian opened the door and saw Mr O. Brian was afraid. Mr O was ancient, Brian thought that maybe he was a hundred years old. He was an ancient red-faced, white-haired Irishman.
"I'm Brian," Brian mumbled.
"What?"
"I'm Brian," Brian repeated, louder this time.
"Yes,yes. Come in,come in."
Brian came in and closed the door behind him.
Mr O stared at Brian. "Did I tell you to close the door?"
Brian moved towards the door.
"Never mind, never mind." Mr O liked to repeat himself.
Mr O didn't offer Brian a seat, so Brian stood.
"Why are you standing there? You look like you're about to bolt. Sit down for Christ's sake."
Brian sat. It did not occur to him that Mr O was playing with him. Mr O smiled, but it did not stop Brian from being afraid. Mr O's teeth were big and yellow like a horse .
Mr O smiled at Brian. "I was expecting someone a little older. How old are you, fifteen?"
"Eighteen," Brian mumbled.
"What?"
"Eighteen, I'm eighteen."
"How is your father?"
"Fine."
"Good,decent man your father. He really wants the best for you."
"Must be someone else's father your talking about," Brian mumbled.
"What?"
"Nothing"
"Look I am giving you this job as a favor to your father. Don't really need you. Are you good with numbers? I'm giving you to Jim Matthews. He's in accounting. Maybe he'll find some use for you."
Mr O picked up the phone. "send Jim Matthews to my office."

There was a knock at the door.
"Come in."
Brian stood up and turned to face the door. The door opened and there stood the Lizard King. He was tall, six foot something, and thin. His shirt collar was too big for his neck, his sleeves too short for his arms. He was pale. His hair was light brown and he had a peculiar cut with bangs. Brian almost laughed at his appearance, except he was afraid.
"Mr O, you wanted to see me?"
"Look, I have this boy here. I took him on for the summer as a favor. Can't think of anything to do with him. Figured you could have him. I'm sure there is something you could do with him. Just keep him busy."
The Lizard King looked at Brian and smiled. Brian felt cold.
"Alright," the Lizard King smiled at Brian. "Come on, I'll show you around."
As the two moved along the corridor towards the elevator, the Lizard King put his hand on Brian's shoulder. Brian felt freezing.
"So, what's your name?"
"Brian"
"You don't want to be here, do you."
"No."
"We can take care of that. So, what are you, in tenth grade?"
"Brian sighed, "I just graduated. I'm eighteen."
The Lizard King smiled and raised one eyebrow, "Eighteen huh? Well, well."

They reached the elevator and the Lizard King punched the button. They waited. The Lizard King tried conversation.
"So why are you here? Shouldn't you be off riding bikes with your little friends, or whatever it is you kids do?"
"I already told you, I do not want to be here. My dad made me do this."
"Your Dad made you? What if you had said no?"
To be honest, Brian had never considered this option. He had no idea what would have happened if he had said no. Well, he knew one thing. His dad would stop talking to him, give him the silent treatment. It could last for weeks. The elevator doors opened and they got on. Brian wedged himself into a back corner, and stared at his feet. The Lizard King pushed a button, and they rose in silence. After a while the elevator stopped, the doors opened, the Lizard King grabbed Brian by the shoulder and urged him out.
"Come on, I'll introduce you to Don. You'll like him. We'll make this summer fun for you."
The Lizard King pushed open a door and nudged Brian into the room ahead of him.
He announced, "This is Brian, we have him for the summer."
A pair of watery eyes peered at Brian over piles of ledgers. The Lizard King walked Brian over to the desk.
"This," he said "Is Donald."
Donald was blond and colorless, and he had no eyebrows. He was round and soft. He checked Brian out up and down, and licked his lips. Brian stepped backwards.
He could not believe he was going to spend his summer in this room.

The blinds were drawn against the sunlight. The walls were drab and bare. The lights were glaring fluorescent. Right now Brian decided he hated his father. He would talk to his mother this evening. Tell her he couldn't come back here. She would take his side.
"Here's a problem," The Lizard King said. "Where are we going to put you."
Brian looked around the room. There were two men and two desks.
Don looked at Brian and licked his lips. "He can share with me."

The phone on the Lizard King's desk rang. The Lizard King picked it up, said "Yes'", replaced the receiver.
"Brian, you have to go down to Personnel to fill out some forms."
"Personnel?"
"Yes, go see Mrs Schwarz in Personnel. Its on the first floor. You know where that is don't you?" The Lizard King smiled.
As Brian waited for the elevator, he was joined by Joan, the receptionist.
Joan smiled, and Brian smiled back.
"Hi," she said. "I'm Joan."
"Yeah, I know. It says so on your desk."
"Oh, yeah right. And you are..."
"I'm Brian, and before you ask, I'm eighteen."
"Huh?"
"Oh, everyone here thinks I'm twelve or something."
"Really?" Joan chuckled. "I would have guessed at least fifteen."
Brian scowled.
"I'm teasing," she laughed.
"Oh."

The elevator arrived and they got on. The elevator was empty.
"So you're here for the summer. Are you going to college?"
"Yes, er maybe. Haven't decided yet."
"So, who are you working for?"
"Mr Matthews in accounting."
"You mean the Lizard? That figures"
"The Lizard? That's funny." Brian laughed. "But what did you mean, that figures."
"Did I say that?"
"Yes, what did you mean?"
"Nothing,honestly." Joan replied.
The elevator stopped. Brian looked up. It was the tenth floor. The door opened, and three people got on.
"I'm supposed to go see Mrs Schwarz in Personnel."
"You'll like her. She thinks she's everyone's mother."
"Oh. Um what do you do for lunch around here?"
"The places around here aren't great. I usually bring a sandwich."
"You could try the coffee shop on the corner." One of the people said without turning round."It's cheap anyway."
"Um, thanks." said Brian.
The elevator stopped. It was the first floor.
As they got off, Brian said to Joan, "Did you bring your lunch today? Maybe we could try that coffee shop. What time's your break?"
"I'd love to do that," she replied, "but the Lizard has other plans for you."
"What? What do you mean?"
"Oh, its his thing," Joan sighed. "He insists on taking his new kids to lunch. You can't say no."
"I can't?"
"No."
"Mrs Schwarz's office is that way," Joan pointed. "It's nice meeting you, Brian. Good luck."
"Thanks."
Brian walked into Mrs Schwarz's office. Mrs Schwarz got up from her desk.
"Hi, I'm Brian. Mr Matthews sent me down to sign some forms or something."
Mrs Schwarz was an older woman, thin with a scrawny neck, and a sharp beak of a nose. Brian thought she looked kind of like a chicken.
Mrs Schwarz smiled."That's right, dear, we'll get you all set up so you can get paid. You'd like that wouldn't you?"
Brian smiled. As she gathered up the forms, Mrs Schwarz looked at Brian and frowned.
"So they put you in accounting did they? That figures."
"What does that mean 'that figures'? Your the second person to say that."
"Oh, nothing dear. It doesn't really mean anything."
"Your the second person to tell me that too."

Brian took the elevator back to the fourteenth floor. It was only like ten o'clock and it had already been a strange, confusing morning. As Brian walked back to the office he noticed that he was following another kid.
“Wait up.” Brian called.
The boy stopped and turned around. He looked to be about Brian's age with dark wavy hair and blue eyes.
“Hi, I'm Brian. I'm here for the summer. You a summer kid too?”
“Yeah, my name's Alastor. Yeah its a weird name. My parents were into weird names.”
“They've got me working for th Liz...er Mr Matthews. I'm not sure I like him. He and his friend kind of scare me.”
“Matthews huh? I worked for him.” Alastor replied. “Gotta go.”
Alastor turned into an office and closed the door behind him. Brian peered through the door.
“That's strange,” Brian thought. “he never turned the light on.”
He arrived at the Lizard's office,opened the door and walked in. The fat guy, Donald, stared at Brian and licked his lips. The Lizard looked up from his desk , and turned in his chair
"So, are you all set up?"
"Yeah. I met Joan on the elevator..."
"Who?"
"Joan, you know, the receptionist. She's really nice, and kinda pretty." Brian blushed when he realized what he'd said.
"I hadn't noticed."
"Anyway," Brian continued,"I asked her if we could have lunch together, and she said that I was supposed to have lunch with you today, like its some kind of tradition, or something."
"She's right," the Lizard replied, "It is some kind of tradition."
"Well, she said something else too. She asked me who I was working for, and I told her Mr Matthews..."
"You can call me Jim."
"So when I told her that, she said 'that figures.' I asked her what she meant, and she wouldn't tell me. So then I went to Mrs Schwarz, and she said the same thing, that it figured I'd be working for you. What did they mean?"
"I can't imagine." the Lizard smiled. Donald snickered. Brian blushed. It was obviously a joke of some kind. And it was not fair that no one would let him in on it.
"I've found you somewhere to sit." the Lizard said."We took a vote and decided you can share with Donald."
Donald smiled at Brian. Brian froze. The accountant snickered.
"I'm kidding." the Lizard said. "You're sitting over here."
He pointed to a small table that had been placed alongside his desk. The table was bare.
"What am I supposed to be doing? Do I get an adding machine or something."
"I suppose." The Lizard grabbed the adding machine from Donald's desk and put it on the table. "Is that better?"
"But what am I supposed to be doing? What's my job?"
"You're already doing your job."
"What?" Brian was getting frustrated and mad. He was being made fun of, and it wasn't fair.
The Lizard sighed. "What do you say we go to lunch, and then we'll figure out what to do with you."
Brian looked at the clock on the wall. It was ten-thirty.
"Lunch, now? But its only ten-thirty."
"OK, we'll call it brunch then. I need a drink."
"A drink? At ten-thirty? Where are we going?"
"Oh, you'll see. It's a surprise. And for God's sake get rid of that jacket."
"And your pants too," Donald smirked.
Brian looked at the Lizard open mouthed.
The Lizard glared at the fat man. "Don, you apologize right now"
"Sorry, I don't know what came over me."
"Come on, let's go." The Lizard pushed Brian through the door.

As they waited for the elevator, the Lizard pushed the call button over and over. Brian was going to tell him that that didn't make the elevator come faster, but the look on the Lizard's face told him it was not a good idea. The elevator arrived and as the doors opened the Lizard grabbed Brian by the arm and pulled him in. The elevator descended. The Lizard kept pushing the first floor button over and over. Brian kept his mouth shut. The elevator landed and as the doors opened the Lizard grabbed Brian again and pulled him out.
"Er Jim that hurt."
"Sorry, I'm in a hurry."
"I can see that. What IS the hurry?"
"I told you I need a drink."
The Lizard started down a corridor towards an unmarked door.
"Where are we going?" Brian asked
"I know a shortcut. Come on let's go."
The Lizard pushed through the door. They were in some kind of a storage room. At the back was another door with a panic bar. The Lizard headed towards it, Brian ran behind. Brian was afraid of the Lizard. He seemed so angry. But Brian was also excited. This was an adventure. The Lizard flung the door open. He kicked a wedge into the jamb, leaving the door slightly open. Brian was confused. This was the back of the building.
"How is this a shortcut?"
"I lied. Come on."
They raced down the alley alongside the building, out into the sunlight of the street. Luckily the lights were with them because the Lizard never stopped, just charged headlong across the street towards a red door. He flung the door open and pulled Brian inside. The door shut behind them. The room was dark. So dark that Brian, squinting, could hardly make out the back wall. It was a bar. It was also cool and deserted. There was a drink sitting on the bar waiting. The Lizard and Brian sat on stools. The Lizard grabbed the drink, swallowed half of it and closed his eyes. The bartender appeared out of the darkness.
"I see You have a new one", the bartender nodded towards Brian.
"Yes, a new one." The Lizard replied.
The bartender was a middle-aged man with a bald head and a mustache and tattoos running up both arms. He seemed friendly.
"Bring me another one of these and one for my friend."
"Jeez, Jim, I don't know. Maybe he should just stick to Coke or something. I mean, how old is he anyway?"
Brian was about to say "Im..."
"He's old enough," the Lizard snapped.
The bartender shrugged and started mixing the drinks.
"What did the bartender mean that I was a new one?" Brian asked.
"Well, have you been here before?"
Brian shook his head.
"So that's what he means."
"Oh. So what is that you're drinking?"
"Martini"
"Martini? You mean like James Bond?"
"Yes, just like James Bond."
The bartender brought the drinks. He asked Brian,"Did you ever have one of these before."
Brian shook his head.
"Then take it easy, OK."
Brian took a sip and screwed up his nose. It was not what he was expecting. It was icy cold though and that felt good at least.
"Try another sip," The Lizard said. "It gets better."
He was right. By the third sip it was not bad.
The Lizard laid a hundred bucks on the bar. "Just keep them coming, OK?"
The bartender brought two more.
"Maybe you should eat something," He suggested to Brian.
Brian turned to the Lizard. "Are you going to eat anything?"
"You go ahead and order. I'm not hungry."
Brian ordered a sandwich and finished his second drink. The bartender brought two more.
Brian wasn't sure about the third drink. He was already feeling a little light-headed.
"Drink up," the Lizard said,"One more round and we'll get going."
The Lizard called to the bartender, "And could you make us a couple to go."
The bartender poured martinis into paper coffee cups. The Lizard gave them to Brian.
"Here's something to get you through the afternoon."
Brian stood up and his head swam. The Lizard put another twenty on the bar, put his arm around Brian's shoulder and led him towards the door. They stepped outside and Brian almost fell. He was having a little trouble putting one foot in front of the other, and in the bright sunshine, he was having a hard time focusing his eyes. The Lizard led Brian across the street, slower this time, and down the alley to the back of the building. He helped Brian inside. The door closed behind them. The Lizard turned Brian to face him and holding him by the shoulders he kissed Brian full on the mouth. Brian stood rocking slightly back and forth.
"Why did you do that? You're not supposed to do that."
"Sorry. I couldn't help myself"

Keeping his arm around Brian's shoulder, the Lizard was able to get him back to his office. Donald started laughing as the Lizard helped Brian through the door.
"What happened to him? As if I didn't know." he chuckled
"His lunch didn't agree with him." The Lizard replied.
The Lizard sat him down, and Brian dropped his head to the table. He looked very pale, and he wondered if the room would ever stop spinning.
"I need the bathroom." Brian whispered.
The Lizard leaned towards him."What was that?"
"I need the bathroom." Brian said louder and a little more desperately.
"I'll take him," said Fat Don licking his lips.
"I'm sure he's quite capable of finding the bathroom himself. Off you go then and try not to puke on yourself.” the Lizard smiled.
As Brian walked unsteadily towards the bathroom, he met Alastor in the corridor.
“You look terrible,” Alastor said, “let me help you”
Alastor got Brian into a stall just in time. He held Brian's head and rubbed his back as Brian vomited violently into the bowl.
"How many martinis did you drink?"
"You know about the martinis?"
"Yes." said Alastor. "Jim thinks its funny. I don't."
"I think I'm going to puke again."
"That's OK."
When Brian had finished Alastor led him over to the sink so he could wash his face. Brian looked in the mirror. He looked terrible.
"Jim kissed me."
"Yes, I know."
"You know?"
"It's what he does."
"He kissed you too when you worked for him? But it's not right."
"Yes," Alastor said, "but how did it feel?"
"How did the kiss feel?"
"Yes."
Brian was silent. He felt sick again and the room was still spinning.
"It felt good, right?" Alastor asked. "You liked it didn't you."
Brian nodded. "But that means I'm queer, doesn't it?"
Alastor chuckled. "No, I don't think so. Kissing feels good. It doesn't really matter who's doing the kissing."

As they walked back to the office, Brian asked Alastor,"How come you work here, you seem so, er, different from those other guys."
“Let's just say I owe Jim.”
"And what do those guys actually do? I mean I see books and stuff, but nobody seems to be doing anything. It doesn't look like any office I've ever seen."
"How many offices have you seen?"
"Well my dad's office. There's phones and typewriters and a Xerox machine and stuff. And people are doing stuff."
"They just work a little differently."
Alastor left Brian at the door. The Lizard smiled. "Welcome back Brian, You don't look so good."
"Hah, funny." Brian replied. “I met this kid Alastor. He came to the bathroom with me. He was really nice. He said he worked for you.”
The Lizard looked at Don. Don licked his lips nervously.
“Alastor you say his name is. You sure he said he worked for me?”
“Yes,” Brian said puzzled.
"So, what time is your dad coming for you?" the Lizard asked.
"Around four. Er how did you know my dad was coming?"
"He dropped you off didn't he?"
"Yeah."
The Lizard checked his watch. "Two hours. Hm. Well be a good boy and sit at your table..."
"And do what?"
The Lizard huffed, "Do you want me to get you a coloring book and some crayons?"
"No"
Brian rested his head on the table and fell asleep. Donald started to stand up.
"Damn," he said. "They look so innocent when they're sleeping."
"Leave him alone, Don." The Lizard said. "You'll have your chance."
Don sighed and sat down.

The Lizard was shaking Brian awake. "Wake up, it's almost four. Your dad's going to be here."
Brian raised his head. It hurt. He had drooled on the desk. "Was I sleeping?"
"Yes," the Lizard said handing Brian a tissue."Here wipe your face."
Brian looked around. "Where is Don?"
There was no one in the room except Brian and the Lizard.
"He leaves at three-thirty."
"He does?"
"That's because he starts early."
Brian stood up unsteadily. His head hurt really badly, and he had trouble focusing his eyes.
The Lizard reached out as if to steady Brian, but instead pulled him towards him, and kissed him on the mouth.
"Don't do that. Please don't do that." said Brian becoming tearful.
The Lizard handed Brian another tissue. "It was just a kiss goodnight. Now run along, you don't want to keep daddy waiting."
Brian walked to the elevator staying close to the wall. He had never felt this bad in his entire life. He wiped his eyes with the tissue. He was not a cry-baby and he hoped no one would see him.
The elevator arrived. "Please, please God don't let anyone be on this elevator," he said. The doors opened. The elevator was empty. Brian got on, squatted in a back corner and dabbed at his eyes.
The elevator stopped. Brian looked up. It was the tenth floor. The doors opened and Joan stepped in.
"Holy shit Brian, what happened to you?"
"The Lizard took me to lunch and something didn't agree with me."
"Wow, that's too bad. On your first day too."
"You mean my last day." Brian sniffled. "I'm not coming back here. I don't care if my dad never speaks to me again."
"That's too bad. I was hoping we could have lunch tomorrow. It's just a stomach upset. You'll feel better tomorrow."
"Yeah, I guess." Brian said.
The elevator stopped. It was the first floor. They stepped off. Joan hugged Brian and gave him a peck on the cheek.
"Think about it." she said.


Brian walked through the doors and squinted in the sunlight. His dad was waiting for him outside.
His father looked at him shocked. "Jeez Bri, what happened to you. You look awful."
"Thanks dad. I had something at lunch that didn't agree with me."
"Christ kid you should have called me. I would have come and got you. Wait here, I'll go get the car. You don't feel sick do you?"
"No dad I puked up everything. There's nothing left."
Brian sat on the curb while he waited for his dad. His dad pulled up and Brian got in.
On the drive home Brian slid down in the seat and kept his eyes closed.
“Dad, I can't go back there.”
“To work? Why not? So you got sick your first day. You shouldn't be embarrassed or anything. These things happen.”
“No Dad, that's not it. I was supposed to be working in accounting, but they put me in this room full of freaks. They call themselves accountants but they don't do anything. They just sit around. I had nothing to do. And the guy in charge, well Joan who's the receptionist calls him the Lizard, he's this scary freaky guy. I don't want to go back there.”
“I can call Mr O. Maybe they can put you in a different department.”
“No Dad, I'm not going back.”
“Well, I'm sure your mother will want you to stay home tomorrow, and then we'll discuss it,OK?”
“There's nothing to discuss. I'm not going back.”
They spent the rest of the drive in silence. Brian kept his eyes closed. His dad stared straight ahead.

Brian spent the next day lying on the sofa with the television on. He was still there when his mother got home from work that afternoon.
“That's where I left you this morning. Did you eat anything today.”
“Nah, I wasn't hungry.”
“Join me in the kitchen. I'll put the kettle on.”
Brian sat at the kitchen table with his head in his hands.
“I'm not going back to that place.”
“Your dad will be disappointed.”
“Yeah whatever.”
The phone rang. Brian's mother picked it up.
“Yes, he's here. Hold on. Bri there's a girl on the phone for you.”
“A girl?”
“Yes,” his mother smiled.
Brian took the receiver. “Hello?”
“Hi Brian.”
“Hi?”
“It's me Joan. I was wondering if you were OK.”
“Yeah I'm OK. I'm not coming back to work.”
“Really? Wow, that's too bad. Not your thing huh.”
“Something like that.”
“OK here goes. Brian would you like to come with me to the City tonight. I figured we could use some fun.”
“You mean like on a date?”
“If you like.”
“Sure.”
“Phew, I was afraid you'd say no. It feels kind of weird asking a guy out. OK I'll drive if that's OK. I'll pick you up around eight. We can get something to eat, and hit a few clubs.”
Brian turned to his mother. “I won't be having dinner with you tonight. I'm going out with Joan. We're having dinner in the city.”
“Boy,” his mother smiled, “you sure got better in a hurry. And where did you meet Joan?”
“She's the receptionist at work. And she's really cool. She's picking me up at eight.”
“She's picking you up? OK. Here let me give you some money. You can't go on a date with empty pockets.”
“Thanks Mom, I'll pay you back.” Brian ran upstairs to shower and change.
Brian's dad came home. “Hi Maggie.”
“Hi John,” she said giving him a kiss. “How was your day?”
“Same old same old. Where's the boy?”
“He's upstairs in the shower. He has a date tonight.”
“A date? With a girl?”
“Knock that off John. Yes with a girl. She's picking him up at eight.”
“She's picking him up? That's a new one.”

A little after eight a horn blew outside.
“Gotta go guys. I've got a key. Don't wait up.”
“Give your mom a kiss before you go. Have fun, and I'll talk to your father.”
“Thanks mom. Bye.”
Joan watched as Brian walked down the driveway.
“Shit,” she thought, “the little faggot actually looks hot.”

They had dinner at P.J. O'Hara. Joan made sure that Brian had two drinks to her one. Joan paid for dinner. It was kind of early for a club, so Joan suggested they stop for drinks at Country Cousin. Brian felt a little weird being in a gay bar. But as long as he was with Joan he was OK. They sat at the bar.
“I'll have a vodka and tonic, and bring this boy a JD on the rocks.”
Joan laid a hundred on the bar. “Keep 'em coming OK?”
Joan spaced her drinks, made sure Brian had at least two to her one. She checked her watch. “Come on Brian, time to go.”
Brian needed a little help getting off his stool. “Where are we going?”
“Cheetah.”
“You mean the club Cheetah?”
“Yeah.”
“I hear its real hard to get into.”
“Don't worry,” said Joan.
They got a cab to the club. Joan paid. The line to get in was huge. Joan grabbed Brian's arm and dragged him to the door. The bouncer smiled.
“Hi, Joanie. Howya doing this evening. I see you've got a new one again. How do you do it?”
“My charisma, I guess.”
The bouncer opened the door and let them in. Brian stood at the entrance. This was awesome. The club was huge and packed and smoky. The music was deafening, he could feel it in his chest. Joan grabbed his hand and dragged him in. A drink appeared in his hand. Joan drank Perrier.
“Do you want to dance?” Brian shouted.
“No,” Joan shouted back. “I think I'd like to watch for a while.”
The bartender managed to find them two seats.
“Hi Joan. Who's your new friend?”
“This is Brian. Bring him a JD on the rocks and I'll have my usual.”
The bartender brought the JD and a Perrier with lemon for Joan. The drinks kept coming and around one o'clock Brian's brain shut down.
“Brian,” Joan said. “Brian,” she shouted.
Brian turned and stared at her blankly.
“It's time to go, Brian.”
Brian stood up and grabbed the bar with both hands.
“Is he OK?” the bartender asked.
“Yeah, yeah, he just stood up too fast.”
With her arm around Brian, Joan led him to the door. The bouncer flagged down a cab.
The driver looked at Brian. “Is he alright? He's not gonna throw up in my cab is he?”
“No,” said Joan, “He's fine.”
They rode the cab to where they had left the car. Joan paid the cabbie and put Brian in her car. They headed homeward, but they didn't go home. Joan pulled up in front of a high rise apartment building. She told Brian to wait. Not that he was about to go anywhere. From the look of him Joan had done an excellent job. Joan pushed a buzzer.
“Hello?”
“I've brought you the kid, but I'm gonna need some help.”
“Be right down.”
The Lizard crossed the lobby. “Where is he?”
“In the car. It's gonna take two of us to get him upstairs.”
“He's passed out?”
“Kinda. His eyes are open though.”
The Lizard and Joan each took an arm and walked Brian into the building and on to the elevator. The Lizard felt for his key.
“Just help me get him inside and we'll take it from there.”
They got him into the apartment. Fat Donald was sprawled in an armchair.
“Ah,” he said. “The boy has arrived.”
“He's all yours now,” Joan said. “I kinda liked the little shit, by the way I spent all the money. I'll be on my way. Have fun guys."


The Lizard turned to Donald. “Help me get him into the bedroom.”
They walked him into the bedroom and laid him on the bed. The Lizard started to undress him. Brian did not resist. Donald stared down at him and licked his lips.
“Damn, he's a cute little fuck. You sure he's eighteen?”
The Lizard unhooked his belt buckle and smiled.
“OK,” he said. “Who's first.”
The Lizard and Don naked climbed on the bed with Brian between them. Brian lay motionless staring at the ceiling. Jim started kissing Brian on the face and mouth. Brian didn't resist. As The Lizard moved down to Brian's chest and belly, Fat Don grabbed Brian by the hair and ground his mouth into Brian's mouth with a brutal kiss. He bit Brian's lower lip. Brian winced.
“Why do you always have to hurt them?” the Lizard demanded.
“Because I hate them.” Fat Don hissed. “Lying there mocking me with their perfect little faces and their perfect little bodies and their perfect little cocks.”
Moving to the foot of the bed, Fat Don pushed The Lizard out of the way.
“Enough foreplay. It's time to fuck.”
Don grabbed Brian's knees and forced them to his shoulders. As Don shoved into Brian, Brian fainted.

Brian became aware of things. The first thing he became aware of was daylight coming through a window. And then he became aware of pink sheets. His bed didn't have pinks sheets. He was naked in a bed not his own.
“Holy crap, did I sleep with Joan?” He tried to remember. He'd remember that wouldn't he? He remembered being at the club. Why didn't he remember leaving it?And pink sheets. Would Joan have pink sheets? She didn't seem like she would. And where was she?
The next thing he became aware of was that someone had pounded a spike through his head, and every bone in his body ached. The next thing he became aware of made no sense to him. His asshole was sore, his asshole burned like hell, and his ass and inner thighs were sore and sticky. The last thing he became aware of was that he was being watched. Brian rolled over with difficulty. The Lizard was perched on the side of the bed in a bathrobe. Brian stared at him confused.
“What are you doing here? Where's Joan?”
“I'm here because you're in my apartment. Joan dropped you off last night.”
“She dropped me off?”
“Yes.”
And then it became clear.
Brian felt faint. He felt like he was dying. Like wanted to die.
“Oh Christ, Oh Christ, you fucked me. I was passed out and you fucking raped me.”
The Lizard reached for him, and Brian moved back on the bed. There was blood on the sheet.
“I'm not sure about rape. You seemed pretty willing, you were quite the little performer.”
“Fuck you,” Brian sobbed. “I was unconscious and you fucking raped me.”
“If you like.” the Lizard smiled.
Fat Don wandered in. “Well, well, well Brian, I must say you were really great.”
Brian threw up. He wiped his mouth on the sheet, and pulled himself out of bed. His knees buckled. Fat Don reached out to steady him and Brian swung at him. He got Fat Don on the side of his head.
“You little shit,” Don snarled, as he lunged at Brian. The Lizard held him back.
“Oh, for God's sake leave the kid alone.”
Brian found his clothes on the floor, and began to get dressed. Don and the Lizard watched. Putting on his underwear and pants was excruciating. He could not manage his socks. He slipped into his loafers and headed towards the front door.
“Where are you going?” Fat Don asked.
“The fuck away from here. I'm going home.”
“How do you plan on getting home?”
“I dunno. I'll walk. I dunno.”
“I could drive you,” Fat Don offered.
“Fuck you. Stay the fuck away from me.”
“Hold on.” the Lizard said. “I'm calling you a cab. I guess we owe you that.”
Brian stood by the front door shivering. The cab came. The Lizard followed Brian to the street, and opened the cab door. He gave the driver forty dollars and the address.
“This should cover it. Keep the change.
“Thanks,” the cabbie said. “Is the kid OK?”
“Yeah,” the Lizard replied. “his cat just died.”
As the cab pulled away, the driver said over his shoulder, “Sorry about the cat kid.”
As the cab drove Brian stared out of the window.
The driver said, “Too bad about your cat. Was he old?”
He got no answer. He drove the rest of the way in silence. The cab stopped. Brian stared out the window.
“Son, we're here.”
Brian turned to look at the driver.
“You're home.”
“Oh, thanks.” Brian said. He carefully pulled himself out of the cab. The cabdriver waited as Brian walked carefully down the driveway. Brian remembered Joan waiting for him in her car. It seemed so long ago, so long. He found his key and let himself into the house. It was still dark in the house. His parents were not up yet. He slowly climbed the stairs. Everything hurt so bad. As he reached the top, his mother called out.
“Bri? You OK?”
“Yeah, just needed to use the bathroom.”
“Glad you're home.”
“Yeah, Mom, me too.”
Brian crept into his room, closed the door, fell on his bed and cried. He stayed in his room until he was sure his parents had left for work. He pulled himself off his bed and made his way slowly down the stairs. He went into the living room and curled up on the sofa. The phone rang and Brian let the answering machine take it.
“Er, Brian its Alastor. I heard and I'm coming over. Be there in about twenty minutes. Don't move.”
Brian managed a smile at that.

The doorbell rang. Brian went over to the door and peeked out the window. It was Alastor. He opened the door. Alastor took Brian by the hand and led him back to the sofa.
“Christ, Brian,” he said, “What the hell did they do to you? “
Alastor touched Brian's jaw. Brian winced and pulled away. There was a large bruise darkening under his chin.
“Are these the clothes you were wearing last night?”
Brian nodded.
“Come on. I'm gonna get you cleaned up.”
Alastor helped Brian off the sofa, then leading him by the hand, he got him upstairs and into the bathroom. Alastor turned on the shower and made sure it was hot. He gently got Brian undressed. He hid Brian's underwear under the pile of clothes on the floor. He would get rid of them later. Brian didn't need to see that.
“Oh, shit.” Alastor said under his breath. There was another bruise on Brian's thigh and bite marks on his shoulder and chest. He helped Brian into the shower, then taking off his own clothes, he climbed in with him. Alastor shampooed Brian's hair and soaped him down.
“Brian, you're gonna have to wash back there.”
“I can't.” Brian whispered. “It hurts.”
“I know, but you'd better. I can hold you if you'd like.”
Brian felt the hot water hit his anus.
“Shit, it hurts.”
“I know.”
Alastor got Brian out of the shower, wrapped him in a towel and helped him sit. After Alastor had dressed he helped Brian down the hall.
“Which is your bedroom?”
“It's on the left. Sorry, it's kind of a mess.”
Alastor chuckled. “That's OK”
He got Brian into bed, then lay down on the bed next him.
“Brian.”
“Yeah?”
“What they did to you was barbaric.”
“Yeah.”
“They can't get away with it.”
“I'm not going to the police, if that's what you mean.”
“You don't have to. I have an idea. You want them dead don't you?”
Brian thought for a minute. “Yeah, I want them dead.”
They lay in silence for a while, Brian with his eyes closed.
“Alastor, who are you? Really. Why are you in that place with those...psychos? Did they do anything to you? What goes on in that place anyway?”
Brian wondered what kind of favor Mr O owed his father. Did his father know about what went on in that place. Shit, he hoped not.
“Brian.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you have a gun.?”
“A gun? My dad does. He keeps it by his bed.”
“You're going to need it.”
Alastor lay on the bed until Brian fell asleep. He kissed Brian on the forehead and crept out of the house.

Brian awoke to his mother coming home. He got dressed and came downstairs.
“I was taking a nap.” Brian said.
“Come sit with me and tell me all about last night. Did you have a good time?”
She got busy putting away groceries.
“Yeah,” said Brian. He told her all that he could remember, and then he said,
“So she dropped me off, and here I am.”
Brian's mom looked at him. “Bri, what's that?”
“What's what?”
She lifted his his face between her hands.
“That's some bruise you've got there. You didn't get into a fight did you?”
“Oh, that,” Brian said. “Funny story really. We were dancing and this drunk guy was next to me flailing away. He swung and hit me right in the jaw. He was real apologetic anyway.”
“You still look pretty tired.”
“Yeah, it was a long night.”
That night at dinner Brian sat pushing his food around his plate.
“You OK?” his dad asked. “You're not eating.”
“Not really hungry, I guess.”
“That's some bruise you got there kid. What, did she do? Slug you? Had to fight you off huh.”
“Nah,” Brian smiled. “It was an accident.”
“So,” his mother asked, “are you two going to see each other again?”
“Probably, yes. We'll see each other again.”
The phone rang. Brian's mom picked it up.
“OK,” she said. “Brian its a friend for you.”
Brian took the phone.
“Hi,” he handed the phone back to his mother. “I'm going to take this in the other room.”
He called from the living room, “OK, I got it. You can hang up now.”
As Brian's mom cleared the table, his dad went to his study, closed the door and carefully picked up the extension.
“...so if you get here at nine I”ll make sure the back door is wedged open. You know the one into the storage room.”
“Yes,” Brian said. “Wait a minute. Dad get off the phone. I'm on here. I'll let you know when I'm done.”
“Sorry.” click
“Damn. What do you think he heard?”
“Not much I think. I'll try to find out.”
“Brian, this is serious. You're sure you can go through with this, right? You're not going to back out on me? I really need you.”
“No, there's no way I'm not doing this.”
“Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow then.”
Brian came back to the kitchen. His dad was sitting at the table again with a piece of pie.
“Sorry, I thought you were done. Want some of your mother's pie? So you and your buddy have a date planned for tomorrow huh?”
“A date? Dad I do need to catch a ride with you in the morning. I'm going to stop at the office. They owe me a day's pay. I'm going to see if I can get it. I'm meeting my friend. He said he'll drive me home. And yes I'll have some pie.”

Brian woke up early. He felt better. He dressed in a tee shirt and jeans. He put on a long tailed shirt, and left it unbuttoned. He made sure his parents were busy downstairs and sneaked into his parents' room. He opened the drawer to his dad's night stand and removed his dad's Beretta. He checked the clip. It was full. He slipped the gun into the back of his waistband, and checked himself in the mirror. The shirt worked. He knew where his dad kept the ammunition, because he wasn't sure fifteen bullets would be enough.

On their way downtown Brian's dad asked him, “So you like this girl? You going to see her again?”
“Yes,” Brian replied, “I'm going to see her again.”
His dad stopped the car in front of the building, and Brian slipped out.
“So, this is it.” Brian said to himself.
He took a deep breath, and hurried down the alley to the back of the building. The door had been wedged open. Brian slipped in and the door closed behind him. He walked down the corridor to the elevator. A couple of other people were waiting. It did not matter, no one ever went to the fourteenth floor. The people got off on the seventh and eighth. Brian rode the rest of the way alone. When he reached the fourteenth floor he took off his shirt, rolled it up and wedged the elevator doors open. Alastor had warned him to use ear plugs. He said it was going to be loud. Alastor would be waiting for him outside the Lizard's room. They wouldn't be long.

Brian pushed open the office door and closed it with his back. He smiled at Alastor. Alastor smiled back and stood with Brian at the door.
The Lizard smiled at Brian. “Well, what a pleasant surprise.”
“Yeah,” said Brian. “A pleasant surprise.”
He pulled the Beretta from his waistband, pointed it at Fat Don and pulled the trigger.
Bam! Bam! Bam! Over and over until he was sure he would not get back up. Then he turned to the Lizard. Bam! Bam! It was unbelievably loud, and the room was filled with smoke. And the blood. Brian had never seen so much blood. He felt good. Alastor and Brian smiled at each other, Brian reloaded and they left the room closing the door behind them. They reached the elevator, unwedged the door, and pushed the button for the first floor. As the elevator moved Brian grabbed Alastor and they kissed. Alastor pulled away.
“It's not quite over yet,” he said. “We're not finished.”
The elevator stopped on the tenth floor. They could not believe their luck. Joan stepped on looking beautiful.
“Oh, hi Brian. Did you have a good time last night?”
“Oh, yeah,” he said. “It was incredible.”
It only took three shots to kill Joan. She slipped down the wall of the elevator trailing
blood. Brian pushed the button for the second floor. When the elevator stopped, he pushed Joan out. They reached the first floor and headed for the corridor. As they approached the personnel office Brian told Alastor to wait a second. Brian went up to Mrs Schwarz's desk.
“Oh, hello Brian.”
“Mrs Schwarz I believe you have check for me.”
“Yes dear, here you are.”
“Thanks.” Brian said. Then placing his gun against her forehead he pulled the trigger. He felt bad about doing that. She seemed a nice old lady. He joined Alastor in the corridor.
“Come on,” said Brian. “We'd better move.”
They made it into the store room. Brian reached out to Alastor. Alastor held him off.
“Not now,” he said. “We've gotta get out of here.”
They pushed out of the door, Brian tucked the Beretta back in his waist band, and they headed down the alley to the front of the building.

A crowd was already gathering in front of the building. Brian heard sirens approaching.
“Alastor we'd better get out of here.”
“No, just stay here, I want to see what happens. You'll be fine.”
Alastor put his arm around Brian's shoulder. Brian didn't move.
“Alastor, who are you?” Brian said touching Alastor's hand
“Who was I? I was a summer kid like you. They put me in accounting last summer. Jim did the martini thing. He brought me back to the office, and they took turns fucking me on the desk. Fat Don got a little carried away, I guess, and he killed me.”
“He killed you? What do you mean he killed you.”
“He ruptured something inside me. They hid me in an office on the sixteenth floor, and left me there to bleed to death.”
Brian was stunned. “But if they did that to you, you had to know what they were going to do to me, and you let it happen. You didn't warn me.”
Brian pulled away from Alastor.
“Yes, and I'm sorry. I truly am. But I needed them dead, and I needed you angry enough to kill them. Aren't you glad they're dead?”
“Yeah,” Brian admitted. “I enjoyed killing them. But what happens now? The cops are almost here. I'm in trouble aren't I?"
"I'm off.” Alastor said. He kissed Brian on the forehead and disappeared into the crowd.