"Coup de Foudre" 136
Kinnetik.
By Gaedhal
Pittsburgh, September 2016
Cynthia didn’t want to admit how nervous she was.
“Are you nervous?” asked John in his most imperious British tone.
“Of course not. What’s there to be nervous about?” Cynthia replied.
“Well then, please desist from rocking back and forth on your shoes,” said John. “Because that ceaseless movement is making ME fucking nervous!”
“They’re new,” said Cynthia. “I’m trying to break them in.”
“They are last year’s Manolos and you’ve worn them at least five times this summer,” John returned. “I may be a man, my dear, but I am also a gay man and I know one pair of shoes from another. So stop fidgeting. Everything will be fine.”
“But what if…”
“Stop!” John ordered. “If anything goes awry, we will deal with it. Justin will deal with it. And Ted will deal with it. But you cannot anticipate catastrophe before it happens, otherwise you invite it in.” John straightened Cynthia’s blue jacket, smoothing down the lapels. “You were trained by Brian Kinney. You were promoted by Brian Kinney. And you have answered to Brian Kinney all these years. You know him as well as anyone. Or have you lost faith in him?”
Cynthia flinched. “No. I have faith in him. But the clients…”
“They also know him. And although they don’t know the full extent of his injury, they also have faith in him. And, even more importantly, they have faith in Kinnetik. Therefore, we must also have faith in it, otherwise we might as well close up shop and slink into the shadows. Are you ready to do that?” John gave her his firmest stare.
“No, I’m not ready for that,” Cynthia admitted.
“And hasn’t Brian spoken to all of his major clients via Skype and reassured them that everything is full-speed-ahead?”
“Yes, but that’s a far cry from Brian speaking to them in the flesh,” Cynthia reminded him.
“Nonsense,” John sniffed. He glanced at his watch. “It’s almost time. Is the large conference room ready?”
Cynthia nodded. “Ted’s checking on the details now.”
John was pleased. “He’s a good man. Shall we proceed then?
Cynthia said a short prayer. “Ready when you are.”
“Then onward!”
***
“Cynthia is going to call us when everyone’s here,” said Justin.
“Okay,” said Brian. They were in Justin’s office, Brian at the computer, while Justin paced back and forth in front of the desk.
“Don’t you want to put your jacket on?” Justin asked.
“Why? It’ll just get wrinkled. I’ll put it on before we go.” Brian’s eyes narrowed at the screen and he gave a short, loud laugh. “Hey! Look at this!”
“What?” Justin was startled for a moment. “What are you looking at?”
“Look at the size of that kangaroo? How’d you like him hopping around your front yard? Jesus! Squirrels are bad enough!”
“Brian!” Justin snapped. “Will you stop looking at stupid animal videos? This meeting with the clients is important!”
“I know, Sunshine,” Brian said serenely. “It’s important. I got it. I’ve been meeting with clients for over twenty years. I know the drill. And, for the record, you were the one who sent me this clip of the kangaroo, so you must have wanted me to see it. I think I’m going to forward it to Gus. He’ll get a kick out of it.”
Justin gulped. Brian didn’t seem the least bit fazed at the prospect of meeting his major clients in the flesh for the first time since his accident. In fact, he seemed… almost like he was looking forward to it. He’d gotten up early that morning and Justin woke up listening to him humming in the shower. Humming, in fact, to ‘Sugar, Sugar,’ by the Archies. It had taken Justin almost ten minutes to identify what song it was, but when he did, his heart sank. Brian had obviously been listening to the Oldies Station on the radio again. That was usually a bad sign.
“Remember not to hum,” Justin said.
Brian looked up from the computer screen. “Why would I hum?”
“Sometimes you do it without thinking.”
“So?” Brian shrugged. “Would you rather that I whistle?”
“Don’t do anything!” Justin said. His head hurt. “John is going to give the presentation, then Cynthia will introduce you and a couple of the clients might ask you questions. But remember what we went over with John? Let him do most of the talking, okay?
Brian nodded. “Because I’m too damaged to say anything in my own office, in my own business, right?”
“No,” said Justin. “That’s not what I mean!”
“Of course it is.” Brian pushed his chair back and stood up. “Because there’s still something wrong with my brain. Because I’m still not ‘right.’ That’s the problem, isn’t it? John and Cynthia don’t trust me. They think I’m going to do or say something that will… will… what’s the fucking word? Spook them? Scare them off? Whatever the fuck! Make Kinnetik’s clients go running for the hills.”
“That’s not what they think!” Justin hung his head, miserably.
“It is what they think,” said Brian, his face somber. “And they’re probably correct. This is all for show. I know I can’t come back to work yet. I have no idea when I will be able to go back to work - if I ever can.”
“You will!” Justin insisted. “But it might take more time. Just a little more time.”
“Don’t bullshit a bullshitter, Sunshine,” Brian said. “I may get better - a lot better. Or… I may not. I know I’m not the same as I was. I can’t concentrate the way I used to. I forget things. I have to stop and think before doing what used to come so easily. You might think I’m not aware of it, but I am. I’m all too aware.”
“Oh, Brian!” Justin put his arms around him. “Things will get better. Look at me!”
“Yeah,” said Brian. “Look at you.” And he looked at Justin, his eyes piercing.
Justin flinched. “I know. I fucked up. I made a lot of bad decisions.”
“And so did I,” Brian admitted. “And I didn’t have a fucking hole in my skull. But what I’m trying to say is that… that things are never going to be the same for me - or for both of us. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. After Ron died… I…I…” He stopped.
“Brian, you don’t have to…”
“No, let me go on. After Ron died, I tried to pretend that nothing had changed. But everything had changed. My life… ended. At least as I knew it. That’s why I had to leave L.A. I couldn’t stay out there and pretend I could go on without him. They were his friends out there. His house. His career. But that was over. That’s why I came back to the Pitts. I wanted my friends. My business. My… my home. And I knew you were here. I won’t lie when I say that I thought… maybe… I might see you. That we could get to be friends, at least.”
Justin smiled. “More than friends. When I heard you were back in town that’s all I could think about.”
Brian snorted. “We really are ridiculous, aren’t we? It always comes back to that fucking lamppost!”
Justin touched Brian’s face. “You told me that first night that no matter who I was with, every time I made love with someone, you’d be there. So why accept a substitute? I’d rather have the real thing.”
“Even a shadow of his former self?” Brian asked.
“Not a shadow at all,” Justin replied. “Besides, I didn’t notice any damage to your dick. Be sure it stays that way.”
There was a knock on the door and Ted poked his head inside. “Ready?”
Brian straightened himself. “Of course, Theodore. As you well know, I’m always ready.”
***
In the large conference room all of Kinnetik’s major clients were waiting, speculating on what would be said, speculating on Brian Kinney and his mysterious ‘illness.’ They’d all spoken to him on the phone and on Skype, but it was difficult to know what really was going on.
Dan DeCarlo turned to his son, Doug. “Maybe he’s got… you know…” His voice dropped to a whisper.
“I doubt that, Dad. But if he did, it wouldn't affect the business. Customers have no idea who Dandy Lube’s ad agency is and they wouldn’t care even if they did know.”
“It was an accident,” said Kellie McQuaid. “That’s what Cynthia said. And when I talked to him on Skype, he looked fine. He was even wearing a pair of our new Eye-conics Casual Frames for Men.”
“I had my fellas send some steaks over to his place,” said Fred Frawley. “If you’re not doing well, a good Open Fire New York Strip will put you right!”
“I just want to see for myself that Brian is okay,” said Buzz Brown. “Our new ad campaign is almost ready to launch and I want to know that he’s making it a priority. And I want to know that this new guy who is replacing Drew Boyd is the right choice.”
“That basketball player? Tyron Weathers? He’s hot!” Kellie exclaimed. “I’d buy underwear from him! I mean, for my husband.”
“Well, we’ll see,” Brown grunted. “Drew Boyd was a big breakthrough for us. I hope this new guy works just as well.”
“If Brian signed off on him, I’m sure he will,” said Doug DeCarlo. “And he IS hot! Really, really hot!”
“If Brian needs to recover, I can offer him a First Class cabin on one of our gay cruises,” said Morley Campbell. “That should put him right.” He eyed Doug. “I have a brochure if anyone is interested.”
Doug gave Campbell a look that said, “Talk to me later.”
“No matter what happens, I’m staying with Kinnetik,” Larry Ramson said firmly. “I owe the real success of Ramson Pharmaceuticals to Brian and Kinnetik. Both the Endovir and Bonevil campaigns were game-changers for us. And I consider Brian to be a personal friend. I, for one, am glad he’s back in Pittsburgh. If he’s having some health issues, I’m willing to work with that. John and Cynthia have always done a great job, but just seeing Brian here will put my mind at ease.”
“Mine, too,” said Kellie.
“I’ll drink to that,” said Buzz Brown. “And I could use a drink about now.”
“In a moment, Mr. Brown,” said John, stepping into the conference room, with Cynthia and Ted right behind him.
“Is Brian here?” asked Fred Frawley.
“Yes. I’m here,” said Brian. He swept into the room, looking tall and handsome as usual - and healthy as a horse. “And before John gives you our latest update, I want to reassure you all that I’m here and intend to remain here. I will be available to talk to you and meet with you in person whenever you need me. All you have to do is call Cynthia and make an appointment. And I owe each of you a dinner engagement as soon as possible. I want to catch up with all of you - and we can discuss any issues you might have. Any issues.”
Justin slipped into the room and stood in the corner, smiling to himself.
“In other words, ladies and gentlemen,” Brian said confidently as the clients applauded. “I’m back!”
Yes, thought Justin. Brian is back. He’s really back. Thank God!
By Gaedhal
Pittsburgh, September 2016
Cynthia didn’t want to admit how nervous she was.
“Are you nervous?” asked John in his most imperious British tone.
“Of course not. What’s there to be nervous about?” Cynthia replied.
“Well then, please desist from rocking back and forth on your shoes,” said John. “Because that ceaseless movement is making ME fucking nervous!”
“They’re new,” said Cynthia. “I’m trying to break them in.”
“They are last year’s Manolos and you’ve worn them at least five times this summer,” John returned. “I may be a man, my dear, but I am also a gay man and I know one pair of shoes from another. So stop fidgeting. Everything will be fine.”
“But what if…”
“Stop!” John ordered. “If anything goes awry, we will deal with it. Justin will deal with it. And Ted will deal with it. But you cannot anticipate catastrophe before it happens, otherwise you invite it in.” John straightened Cynthia’s blue jacket, smoothing down the lapels. “You were trained by Brian Kinney. You were promoted by Brian Kinney. And you have answered to Brian Kinney all these years. You know him as well as anyone. Or have you lost faith in him?”
Cynthia flinched. “No. I have faith in him. But the clients…”
“They also know him. And although they don’t know the full extent of his injury, they also have faith in him. And, even more importantly, they have faith in Kinnetik. Therefore, we must also have faith in it, otherwise we might as well close up shop and slink into the shadows. Are you ready to do that?” John gave her his firmest stare.
“No, I’m not ready for that,” Cynthia admitted.
“And hasn’t Brian spoken to all of his major clients via Skype and reassured them that everything is full-speed-ahead?”
“Yes, but that’s a far cry from Brian speaking to them in the flesh,” Cynthia reminded him.
“Nonsense,” John sniffed. He glanced at his watch. “It’s almost time. Is the large conference room ready?”
Cynthia nodded. “Ted’s checking on the details now.”
John was pleased. “He’s a good man. Shall we proceed then?
Cynthia said a short prayer. “Ready when you are.”
“Then onward!”
***
“Cynthia is going to call us when everyone’s here,” said Justin.
“Okay,” said Brian. They were in Justin’s office, Brian at the computer, while Justin paced back and forth in front of the desk.
“Don’t you want to put your jacket on?” Justin asked.
“Why? It’ll just get wrinkled. I’ll put it on before we go.” Brian’s eyes narrowed at the screen and he gave a short, loud laugh. “Hey! Look at this!”
“What?” Justin was startled for a moment. “What are you looking at?”
“Look at the size of that kangaroo? How’d you like him hopping around your front yard? Jesus! Squirrels are bad enough!”
“Brian!” Justin snapped. “Will you stop looking at stupid animal videos? This meeting with the clients is important!”
“I know, Sunshine,” Brian said serenely. “It’s important. I got it. I’ve been meeting with clients for over twenty years. I know the drill. And, for the record, you were the one who sent me this clip of the kangaroo, so you must have wanted me to see it. I think I’m going to forward it to Gus. He’ll get a kick out of it.”
Justin gulped. Brian didn’t seem the least bit fazed at the prospect of meeting his major clients in the flesh for the first time since his accident. In fact, he seemed… almost like he was looking forward to it. He’d gotten up early that morning and Justin woke up listening to him humming in the shower. Humming, in fact, to ‘Sugar, Sugar,’ by the Archies. It had taken Justin almost ten minutes to identify what song it was, but when he did, his heart sank. Brian had obviously been listening to the Oldies Station on the radio again. That was usually a bad sign.
“Remember not to hum,” Justin said.
Brian looked up from the computer screen. “Why would I hum?”
“Sometimes you do it without thinking.”
“So?” Brian shrugged. “Would you rather that I whistle?”
“Don’t do anything!” Justin said. His head hurt. “John is going to give the presentation, then Cynthia will introduce you and a couple of the clients might ask you questions. But remember what we went over with John? Let him do most of the talking, okay?
Brian nodded. “Because I’m too damaged to say anything in my own office, in my own business, right?”
“No,” said Justin. “That’s not what I mean!”
“Of course it is.” Brian pushed his chair back and stood up. “Because there’s still something wrong with my brain. Because I’m still not ‘right.’ That’s the problem, isn’t it? John and Cynthia don’t trust me. They think I’m going to do or say something that will… will… what’s the fucking word? Spook them? Scare them off? Whatever the fuck! Make Kinnetik’s clients go running for the hills.”
“That’s not what they think!” Justin hung his head, miserably.
“It is what they think,” said Brian, his face somber. “And they’re probably correct. This is all for show. I know I can’t come back to work yet. I have no idea when I will be able to go back to work - if I ever can.”
“You will!” Justin insisted. “But it might take more time. Just a little more time.”
“Don’t bullshit a bullshitter, Sunshine,” Brian said. “I may get better - a lot better. Or… I may not. I know I’m not the same as I was. I can’t concentrate the way I used to. I forget things. I have to stop and think before doing what used to come so easily. You might think I’m not aware of it, but I am. I’m all too aware.”
“Oh, Brian!” Justin put his arms around him. “Things will get better. Look at me!”
“Yeah,” said Brian. “Look at you.” And he looked at Justin, his eyes piercing.
Justin flinched. “I know. I fucked up. I made a lot of bad decisions.”
“And so did I,” Brian admitted. “And I didn’t have a fucking hole in my skull. But what I’m trying to say is that… that things are never going to be the same for me - or for both of us. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. After Ron died… I…I…” He stopped.
“Brian, you don’t have to…”
“No, let me go on. After Ron died, I tried to pretend that nothing had changed. But everything had changed. My life… ended. At least as I knew it. That’s why I had to leave L.A. I couldn’t stay out there and pretend I could go on without him. They were his friends out there. His house. His career. But that was over. That’s why I came back to the Pitts. I wanted my friends. My business. My… my home. And I knew you were here. I won’t lie when I say that I thought… maybe… I might see you. That we could get to be friends, at least.”
Justin smiled. “More than friends. When I heard you were back in town that’s all I could think about.”
Brian snorted. “We really are ridiculous, aren’t we? It always comes back to that fucking lamppost!”
Justin touched Brian’s face. “You told me that first night that no matter who I was with, every time I made love with someone, you’d be there. So why accept a substitute? I’d rather have the real thing.”
“Even a shadow of his former self?” Brian asked.
“Not a shadow at all,” Justin replied. “Besides, I didn’t notice any damage to your dick. Be sure it stays that way.”
There was a knock on the door and Ted poked his head inside. “Ready?”
Brian straightened himself. “Of course, Theodore. As you well know, I’m always ready.”
***
In the large conference room all of Kinnetik’s major clients were waiting, speculating on what would be said, speculating on Brian Kinney and his mysterious ‘illness.’ They’d all spoken to him on the phone and on Skype, but it was difficult to know what really was going on.
Dan DeCarlo turned to his son, Doug. “Maybe he’s got… you know…” His voice dropped to a whisper.
“I doubt that, Dad. But if he did, it wouldn't affect the business. Customers have no idea who Dandy Lube’s ad agency is and they wouldn’t care even if they did know.”
“It was an accident,” said Kellie McQuaid. “That’s what Cynthia said. And when I talked to him on Skype, he looked fine. He was even wearing a pair of our new Eye-conics Casual Frames for Men.”
“I had my fellas send some steaks over to his place,” said Fred Frawley. “If you’re not doing well, a good Open Fire New York Strip will put you right!”
“I just want to see for myself that Brian is okay,” said Buzz Brown. “Our new ad campaign is almost ready to launch and I want to know that he’s making it a priority. And I want to know that this new guy who is replacing Drew Boyd is the right choice.”
“That basketball player? Tyron Weathers? He’s hot!” Kellie exclaimed. “I’d buy underwear from him! I mean, for my husband.”
“Well, we’ll see,” Brown grunted. “Drew Boyd was a big breakthrough for us. I hope this new guy works just as well.”
“If Brian signed off on him, I’m sure he will,” said Doug DeCarlo. “And he IS hot! Really, really hot!”
“If Brian needs to recover, I can offer him a First Class cabin on one of our gay cruises,” said Morley Campbell. “That should put him right.” He eyed Doug. “I have a brochure if anyone is interested.”
Doug gave Campbell a look that said, “Talk to me later.”
“No matter what happens, I’m staying with Kinnetik,” Larry Ramson said firmly. “I owe the real success of Ramson Pharmaceuticals to Brian and Kinnetik. Both the Endovir and Bonevil campaigns were game-changers for us. And I consider Brian to be a personal friend. I, for one, am glad he’s back in Pittsburgh. If he’s having some health issues, I’m willing to work with that. John and Cynthia have always done a great job, but just seeing Brian here will put my mind at ease.”
“Mine, too,” said Kellie.
“I’ll drink to that,” said Buzz Brown. “And I could use a drink about now.”
“In a moment, Mr. Brown,” said John, stepping into the conference room, with Cynthia and Ted right behind him.
“Is Brian here?” asked Fred Frawley.
“Yes. I’m here,” said Brian. He swept into the room, looking tall and handsome as usual - and healthy as a horse. “And before John gives you our latest update, I want to reassure you all that I’m here and intend to remain here. I will be available to talk to you and meet with you in person whenever you need me. All you have to do is call Cynthia and make an appointment. And I owe each of you a dinner engagement as soon as possible. I want to catch up with all of you - and we can discuss any issues you might have. Any issues.”
Justin slipped into the room and stood in the corner, smiling to himself.
“In other words, ladies and gentlemen,” Brian said confidently as the clients applauded. “I’m back!”
Yes, thought Justin. Brian is back. He’s really back. Thank God!