Flip and Michael Ch 13
Michael's experiences in LA continues
Flip....
Michael called just as I entered the apartment. Fridays at the theatre are always difficult. For some reason, the audience seems more raucous and alive. We had three curtain calls, and the audience seemed really disturbed that BonTemps and Tammy did not come out to do another number—as they always do at their concerts. Then, as I left, the streets around the theatre were mobbed. That wasn't so unusual—except that now they were also following me. So, I had given up taxis, ubers and cars. It was about 15 uptown blocks north to the Montana from the Winter Garden and it was a balmy early summer night. An earlier rain had cleaned the streets and everything actually smelled good.
I propped the phone on the dresser as we talked and I stripped. Michael explained that he had just returned from dinner at the producer's place. His co-star Ross Harper and a friend of Paul Armstrong's had been there. Then he tried to outline what he knew about the schedule. It didn't seem that there would be a typical screen test, although there would be a short taping of him reading some lyrics—after the producer, the star and Ross had pronounced him fit for the part. The producer had already mentally signed him. He was going to meet Marylyn Sleep at lunch tomorrow—Saturday. And he had a one-on-one scheduled with Ross before the weekend was over. All three had vetoes on casting. So the screen test was just to please the director and to insure that Michael didn't have three heads, a speech impediment or some other disqualifying feature.
Michael was upbeat and ebullient. He was already sure he had the part. I told him that my agent was scheduling some tests for me as well. One of the biggest music producers was inquiring about a world tour—for me. They said they'd need almost a year to get me ready, to design and build a set and schedule in the big arenas. "Fuck, Michael. I didn't even think I could sing!"
"That's terrific." (He seemed to be distracted and was feigning interest. I could tell he was totally wrapped up in what he was experiencing. He always underrated my talents. Maybe I didn't go to acting school, but in terms of practical experience, my own easily equaled his.)
By this time I had stripped and moved the phone so it caught all of me stretched out on the bed. I could tell that Michael was still dressed—in clothes I didn't recognize. His hotel room looked more like a small house. But he quickly explained. "The hotel has a dozen cottages which are available to movie stars—and my producer secured one for my stay."
"Your producer? Are you that sure—he's already 'your' producer?"
"Armie assured me I had the part this afternoon."
"Who the fuck is Armie?"
"Paul Armstrong, the producer. He's fifty-something, married, uber-rich and uber-powerful." He was about to launch into more, but suddenly stopped. "Before I say anymore, Flip, I need to confess. He fucked me this afternoon. I'm sure you can imagine the circumstances. I had no choice."
"Michael, you've only been in LA for ten hours! Did he jump you? Or did you jump him?"
"You know better than that. Or you should. It wasn't like that at all. I was invited, really summoned, to his home for an early dinner—early because of my expected jet lag. Two other guys were there. The producer and his opponent were just off the court, hot and sweaty. So they headed for the pool. In less than an hour, all four of us were in the pool—naked. He propositioned me there and made it clear that I could go to the pool house with him or get on the next plane home. He's 50's for chrissakes! Dyed hair. Hell his head hair doesn't even match his pubes or his chest. He's got saddlebags. He's not a threat, Flip. It's just part of the program. We talked about this. I had to. So I owe you. And you get to punish me when I return."
"I presume that the others had left by then? Or was it an orgy?"
"Well, it seems that Ross and Jameson, Paul's friend, were otherwise engaged in the main house when he fucked me."
"So two guys left and you stayed in the pool with a naked 50-year old producer?"
"Yeah. And he fucked me, not the other way around."
"So Ross is gay too?"
"I think so. That's certainly a logical conclusion from what I saw. I'm beginning to think everyone here is bi—or at least acts like it. But, apparently he's got a rich wife—currently in France."
"And you see Marylyn tomorrow?"
"Yeah. And from what Paul said, I'm going to have to do her too to get the part."
"Well at least that dreamboat Ross is taken. I've seen his films. I wouldn't mind a run around the track with him anytime."
"I'm not so sure. He's kind of hairy and unkempt. They must clean him up for the films. I think he wants a piece of me too before he signs off his consent."
"Michael, are you making another porn film? I thought we had both decided we weren't going to be doing that anymore?"
"I think the major distinction between a porn flic and Hollywood movie is that in the case of the Hollywood movie, the fucking takes place off-screen before the filming begins."
"But, like we agreed, I made Paul wrap."
"Shit, you make it sound like I gave permission so long as he was wrapped."
"I think you did, Flip. I think you did."
"Fuck, Michael. You're going to owe me something colossal when you return to New York. I'll have to think about it. But, right now I want you naked. I need some eye-candy, boy. Right now. I need some reassurance. And I'm really not very sure at all about where this is all going."
"What about BonTemps? Is he someone you might like to play with while I'm away? I've always been a sucker for a slow Southern fuck, myself. And he's damn sexy."
"I'm pretty sure he's involved with someone, and maybe he's got Tammy on the side. Their dressing rooms are next door to each other—and there is an inter-connecting door. Either that, or he takes longer to do make-up than most guys. Besides, we're not going to play that game, Michael. You get to fuck if you need to; that doesn't give me any right to do so as well. We've got to talk more about this. We are not finished yet. And I'm certainly not going to make a play for BonTemps."
That closed the conversation, but not the connection. Michael stripped and stretched out on the ugly floral bedspread—apparently they were trying to make the "cottage" look "homey." He reached over to move the phone into close-up position.
"Shit, Michael. Is that a hickey on your ass?"
"Remember that we heard that the producer had seen some of my films? Well, he's got the porn flics and the rough cuts of Storm House. He's in love with my ass. So much so that I'm not even sure he could describe my face if I weren't standing in front of him. I've never met an ass-man like him before in my life. And I didn't enjoy it."
"Fuck you, Michael. I can see it in your eyes. He really plugged you didn't he? He must have really turned you on. Is he that much bigger and better than I am?"
"No, he's smaller—and much older." (it seemed like he was about to keep going, but he suddenly stopped. I guess he decided less was more in this case.) "It's only you, Flip. Only you. And I'm getting very nervous about this conversation."