Santiago and Vincent, arm-in-arm, went sauntering through the front door laughing loudly.
McIntyre was to pick them up at the rooming house in an hour. When they had returned to the tailor and he had brought out the suite for a final fit, Santiago had been almost too embarrassed to put it on as it looked like something a woman would wear. The vest and pants were of a light blue silk brocade that fit him like a second skin, clinging to his buttocks and thighs so that every muscle, curve, and bulge were conspicuously on display. The coat was cut with wide lapels and tapered waist, and was to be worn with a fancy blouse. Santiago had to admit that when he put on the clothing and looked in the mirror, what he saw made him short of breath, surprised at his own beauty. It was as though he had become someone else. Vincent had said that he would not look so differently than others who would be at the event, and had shown him his own suite that McIntyre had given him. It was not as flashy as Santiago’s; its cloth was fawn-colored cotton. But the cut of the pants was as suggestive.
McIntyre’s carriage rolled along Columbus Avenue towards Belle’s Nugget and the boys sat and listened as McIntyre instructed them.
“I know you have heard all this before, Vincent, but it won’t hurt to listen. There is only one reason each of you are with me tonight. Remember that! Many people will be there to spend money and much of it will come to me. These are important people! Some could close me down, but they know I could do the same to them. We have an uneasy truce. You will see men and women. Vincent is able to be with men and women. In fact I am told that he is very good with women and that is why many come back for more. Are you as versatile, Santiago?”
Santiago knew what McIntyre was suggesting and he did not like the thought of being sold to women. Once again he wondered if he had made a mistake.
“Well, do you?” McIntyre snapped.
“It would not be the first time.”
Santiago said shortly, thinking of Rosa and hoping the women he would be asked to service would be as pleasant although he knew they would not be as young!
“Aha..., so we have a Romeo, do we? And what did you do with all these women?”
“There were not a lot. There was just one, and I did what men do to women.”
“And do you like them as much as you like men?”
“I prefer men. I am a maricon. That does not prevent me from enjoying sex with women if it is done properly and done my way.”
“Well, lad, you may have problems with that. Remember, the customer is the one who pays the bill and whatever is done, is to be done their way! But enough of that, we will talk about it late. All you need to remember tonight is to smile, circulate, let people touch you, give no offense, do not eat too much, for no one likes a boy who eats like a pig! Always be aware of how you are standing so that you offer as much of yourself to the people as you can without actually acting like a tramp. Do you understand?”
The boys nodded.
“Good. Now for my little surprise. Belle asked that I provide some entertainment. We are going to do something that has never been done before. You, my lads, are going to perform an act of love on stage.”
McIntyre let the shock set in. He watched the two boys as each looked at the other, wondering if he was being serious.
“You mean in front of everybody?” Vincent asked, incredulous.
“Of course!”
“Fuck you, I am!”
Although Vincent had spit the insult at McIntyre, the look on his face showed he knew he was at the man’s mercy.
“No, you little prick..., not me..., you’ll be fucking him!
Santiago had trouble following the discussion, but he understood enough to know what he was being told to do.
“But Señor, I can not do this thing while people are looking on. I will be useless. How can you ask for us to do this!”
“I’m not asking..., I am telling you! As far as having anyone watching you fucking, I thought of that and assumed it would be a problem. The solution will be that while you are on stage there will be just enough light for the audience to see you. But you will not be able to see anyone because the hall will be in darkness. When you will be on stage it will seem as though you are alone.”
“But we won’t be! We’ll know there are people looking on.”
“Use your imagination. Just concentrate on each other’s cocks. You’ll see that you will soon forget about your audience.”
Vincent resented being used. This was just another way of McIntyre stealing another little part of him, having few limits to his demands.
“McIntyre, how can you do this!”
“And you...,” McIntyre looked at Santiago. “You have nothing to say?”
“Would it do any good to say it?”
“That’s right lad, it wouldn’t. Santiago I think you and I are going to get along well. We understand each other. Are you looking forward to tonight?”
It was as though McIntyre had read his mind, for Santiago had felt a sense of excitement at the prospect of having sex with Vincent. The blood had already begun to surge into his penis at the thought of what they would do and it was difficult to hide his reaction. He wondered what was happening to him, that suddenly things that would have never occurred to him months ago seemed now acceptable. Had he changed that much?
When Santiago looked out the window he saw that they had arrived at Belle’s Nugget. They drove behind the building and parked in the alley. McIntyre reached into his pocket and brought out a tin, dipping the long nail of his small finger to scoop a brown powder. He brought it to one nostril and sniffed, then repeated the procedure for Vincent. When he did the same for Santiago, the boy shied away.
“What is that,” Santiago asked.
“Something to make you happy,” McIntyre cooed.
“Take it.” Vincent urged. “You’ll like it. It makes things seem funny.”
Santiago felt a burning sensation as he snorted the powder into each nostril.
“Remember,” McIntyre said as he alighted from the carriage. “Do only what I tell you. If anyone makes a proposition, and they will..., tell them they must speak to me. Do well on stage and there will be something special for each of you afterwards.”
McIntyre entered the building and they passed through several corridors that wound and changed direction like a maze. They climbed stairs until they stood before a heavily bolted door.
“Is that it?” Vincent asked McIntyre.
“That’s it,” he answered.
“What was that?” Santiago whispered to Vincent.
“A peg-house.”
“What is that?” He had never heard the term before.
“Belle has a peg-house, a place where men can have boys.”
“Why that name?”
“Shhh...,” Vincent silenced Santiago. “I will tell you later.”
McIntyre had heard them. “That’s part of the reason we’re here. I’m going into that business too.” He looked at Vincent, and winked. “But we need to get younger trade. Both you and him could buy the boys I need. None of the others have what it takes. What do you say?”
They had climbed to the upper-most level. McIntyre stood, waiting for an answer.
“Are you serious?”
Vincent never knew when to believe McIntyre because he never told the truth.
‘I am. That’s why we are here tonight. Belle’s boys are all about as old as you two, and some are older. The kind of place I want to open will have younger boys, not much older than thirteen. There is a big demand for them and those who want them will pay almost anything to satisfy their desires.
“Belle came across a couple of kids that she doesn’t want to use because they’re too young. But I might find work for them. She wants to look at my two top boys to see if we can make a deal. But before she decides, she wants to see which of you her customers would want the most.
“For Christ-sake, McIntyre, you’re talking about selling us as though we were just things! What if I don’t want to?”
“Shut up!” McIntyre slapped Vincent across the mouth. “Just because you’re my top piece of ass doesn’t give you the right to start telling me what to do. Remember who holds the cards and where you would be if it were not for me.”
Vincent wiped his mouth, looking to Santiago, and then away. He did wonder where he would be if it had not been for McIntyre, who forced him to take on almost any client and gave him little in monetary compensation. The thought of working for Belle was one that did not displease him. He could be no worst off than being with McIntyre. The only good thing about working for McIntyre was that there was always a plentiful supply of drugs, and Vincent liked that.
McIntyre pushed through two heavily padded doors that opened into a lavish parlor lit by chandeliers, each throwing off a blaze of light that was reflected in numerous mirrors that lined the red-velvet walls. Two roulette wheels and a blackjack table were the attraction of all who were present. Comfortable stuffed chairs and divans lined the walls and there were several large palms, whose leaves fanned out to give the room an appearance of a small garden.
As they crossed the room, Santiago saw his reflection in one of the mirrors. Looking back at him was a boy of dark complexion, dressed in elaborate clothing that, an hour ago, had seemed too outrageous. He saw how his thighs and buttocks were caressed by the silk fabric, how the room’s light produced luster and shadows as he walked. A white blouse, ruffled at the throat and cuffs set off his dark skin so that he looked sensual. Santiago was amazed at his own image and understood that McIntyre had intended him to be the showpiece of the evening. As soon as the boys had entered the room all eyes had been upon him and Santiago sensed Vincent’s resentment, having always been McIntyre’s favorite. But now it seemed his status was being challenged.
“For now, stick with me.” McIntyre motioned for them to follow as he circulated around the room. Santiago saw a woman so colorfully dressed that he could not take his eyes from her.
“That’s Belle,” Vincent pointed. “She owns this place. She’s known all over San Francisco.”
McIntyre extended his hand to her and drew the two boys in.
“Belle, I believe you’ve heard me talk of Vincent. I want you to meet one of my new boys..., Santiago.” He pushed Santiago forward, almost into Belle’s bosom. “Show yourself to the lady, boy! Turn around and let her have a good look.”
“I know how he looks,” Belle winked at him as she spun him around to stare at his ass. “My..., my..., you will certainly be noticed!
“Are these the two who will perform tonight?” She looked at McIntyre hopefully.
“It should be quite a show, Belle. You’re going to have a hard time deciding which of the two you want.”
Belle let her hand glide over Santiago’s silk-covered buttocks, marveling at the wonderful shape.
“Let the guests decide! Why don’t you boys go and have something to eat and drink while Mr. McIntyre and I discuss business. I think there might be something you boys can smoke to put you in the mood.”
McIntyre waved them off as he took Belle’s arm and led her away.
“Don’t be too far away,” he called. “And don’t eat too much..., nobody wants to watch pigs fuck!”
Vincent cursed McIntyre. The boys walked about the room, eyeing the tables laden with food. They chose fruits and nuts and began to stuff their pockets until they realized that the tight fitting clothing allowed little room for this sort of thing. They took plates of food and cider and sat by a window as they ate, looking down to the street below. Santiago saw the very corner where he and his father had stood on that first day, watching the women who hung from the windows as they called to men customers below. He recalled his father’s words of warning about such women and wondered what Don Emilio would say now, seeing him in the establishment of such a woman. Did his father know?
“Tell me..,” he said as he chewed his devilled egg. “What was that door we passed where you said Belle had a pig house. I do not understand why they call it a pig house?”
Vincent began to laugh. “Not pig-house, it is a peg-house..., PEG-HOUSE! There are others of this kind in San Francisco but they are kept very secret. McIntyre has only mentioned it to me once, and he swore he would not speak of it again. It is because of what goes on there that they can be subject to much harassment if it is known.”
“What goes on?” Santiago could not imagine what could be so secretive.
“McIntyre tells me that in these places, boys..., sometimes they are children who are trained to become proficient in pleasing men who have desires for this kind of boy. They are called peg-boys. A boy is prepared to service men by having his anus enlarged with wooden pegs. Each peg of a specific size is inserted for a length of time until the asshole adapts to it. Then a new one of larger dimension is introduced. This makes it possible for the peg-house to have boys who can service any man! Cock-size is fitted to the boy who can take it.”
Santiago looked at Vincent in disbelief. “You mean they put...,” Vincent interrupted him when he pointed out a man who had just entered.
“Look there..., the one wearing the dark suite with a red flower in his lapel. That is Mr. Bolen.”
Santiago saw a man of middle age, tall and lean, who wore a short, well-trimmed beard. Although Bolen was speaking to someone, Santiago noticed the man’s eyes on them. The diamond buttons of his shirt sparkled as he moved and laughed. Bolen nodded slightly and raised his hand in greeting.
“He will not come to us immediately. He does not want McIntyre to see him paying particular attention to me. Watch how he moves..., the man is a cat!”
Vincent had said the words almost wistfully. Santiago understood that there was more emotion involved in the relationship than Vincent was willing to admit.
Bolen headed for the bar. Santiago saw what Vincent meant. Bolen had a way of walking that reminded him of the mountain cats he had seen prowling in the hills. Each foot moved forward, barely lifted of the floor, and his body glided in an almost fluid motion. Bolen’s arms were long and the hands, large. When at the bar, he turned and faced the boys, holding his drink out as though toasting them. The look on Vincent’s face proved Santiago’s suspicion of Vincent’s depth of feeling for the man as he stared at him, completely enraptured. Santiago was surprised at the tenderness reflected in Vincent’s eyes.
“You like him very much, don’t you!”
“He is a good man, but he is just a customer!” Vincent shrugged.
You do not lie convincingly, Santiago thought.
“If he sees you regularly and he is married, why does he come here?”
“Bolen has known Belle for a long time. They are good friends. Sometimes I think he may even use some of the boys downstairs, although he has always denied it. He told me he helped her buy the property and set up this place. I think Bolen even had an affair with her..., something he once said made me think that might have happened.”
“If he is married and has had an affair with Belle, how can he like boys?”
Santiago found all of it too difficult to understand and he could not comprehend how someone could have emotions channeled in so many directions.
“How the fuck should I know! All I know is that he pays to fuck me, and that’s all I care about!”
Vincent’s anger took Santiago by surprise as he turned to look out the window, ignoring Santiago as he stared at the street. Santiago said nothing, deciding it best to leave the matter be. It was all too confusing and he knew he was treading on dangerous ground. Santiago sat quietly, waiting for the storm on Vincent’s face to subside.
Belle led McIntyre into her office, pausing at the door to look back at the two boys. Then she locked the door and asked McIntyre to sit. She sat on her divan, legs exposed through the long slit in her dress. McIntyre looked at her.
“You’re using the wrong bait if you’re trying to be fetching, Belle. I'm not one of your genteel admires, half crazed to do your bidding just to have a chance to look at those wo
nderful legs.”
“You’re no gentleman at all, Sam.” Belle laughed as she rearranged herself. “You could at least make a lady think she’s alluring! I suppose it would be different if a twelve year old boy were sitting here with something other than his legs, exposed?”
“You’ve always been an expert at getting to the meat of the matter, Belle. But let’s get serious..., little boys is what I came here to talk about.”
“And I want to talk about that boy you brought..., Santiago, I want him!”
“What, you’ve made your mind up so soon?”
“Yes. I want him and I don’t want those two to go on, tonight.”
“You can’t have Santiago. And why don’t you want them to give a show?”
“There’s something special about that boy, and it isn’t often I see what I saw in him, tonight. You want my two young ones, and I want him! He has great potential as a wonderful money-maker. McIntyre, the way you treat your boys that one won’t be any good at all in a year. You’ll have him used up! I want him. You owe me a favor! Remember the Aliende affair?”
McIntyre felt trapped. He did owe Belle a favor. She had interceded when the father of the Aliende boy had asked the Alcalde to have McIntyre arrested. The Alcalde, the acting governor, instead had the father sent back to Mexico. But this time Belle was asking too much. He did not want to let Santiago go. His purpose had been to give her Vincent, and he hoped through her observation of his performance that she would have recognized his versatility and expertise. Now Belle had flipped the tables on him.
“Belle, on this I stand firm. You can’t have the boy yet. I need him for the business. As you said, he’s a money-maker. I’ll give you the other one. He’s more the kind of boy you’re looking for. He’s almost seventeen. In fact, I’ll throw in Richard..., the one with the big, angled cock.”
“Sam, the only thing Richard can do with that thing is avoid stepping on it! He has no brains!”
“So who sucks brain? With a cock like that..., who needs brains?”
McIntyre lit his cigar.
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