MAYBE THIS TIME

by Duncan More

  “God, I just met the world’s biggest douche,” Jolene said a few minutes later. “Couldn’t get away from him quick enough. Great job, Gia. Everyone is still raving about our number. Call me for the next show. I gotta run. Got a date with that cute blonde sitting at table #6. There’s gonna be a hot time with a lot of dick-diving tonight, soon as I get this gaffe off. I’ll stop by tomorrow for my outfits.” He quickly disappeared to the dressing room.

  Dillon and Eugene didn’t make it out before Dennis approached their table. “Good evening again, Mr. Evans. You surprise me. I thought you’d have two chicks sitting with you and your friend. Instead, I see Gia here. Oh yes, that’s right – he works at the same place as you. Excuse me, Gia. Could I speak to you alone for a few minutes?”

  “No, I don’t think so. Flame already told me your proposition to him. I couldn’t possibly be interested at this time. I like performing here. Like the patrons, like the owners, like the whole set-up. Sorry.”

  “Maybe I wasn’t clear. It wouldn’t be instead of here. It would be in addition to here. Friday here, Saturday for me.”

  “No, once or twice a month is enough. Too much work getting two shows ready back to back. Not enough time. Sorry.”

  “Well, think about it. There’s time. Have a good night, the three of you.” He disappeared out the door. There was a West Coast baseball game probably on ESPN at his regular bar.

  “Doesn’t look like I’m getting lucky tonight,” Larry announced as he stood up. “I’m going to the front bar and pound down a few more and head out. You two have fun. See you for karaoke tomorrow.”

  Eugene and Dillon enjoyed a few dances together before loading the outfits into the car and heading home for some frolicking.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Not until late Saturday morning was there any sign of life on the second floor. Eugene really liked having Sam Waters working as a teller. It gave him many more Saturdays to sleep in and he had a hot man to share his bed with. They unloaded the car, they worked on the yard, and they worked on making the house presentable. Eugene had insisted that if Owen Hughes was driving down from Maine for an interview and he was Dillon’s college friend, he would stay with them – not in an impartial motel room, as long as he didn’t meddle with anything in the Gia closet.

  Larry already had a table for them at Forever Fever when they arrived for the song session. He also had a wild story to relate about the previous night. “I had gone to the front bar and just ordered a beer when a guy named Fred introduced himself. Long story short – he had driven up from Scranton to see the show, had noticed me but presumed we were a couple, until Eugene joined us post-show. He was quite forward in asking if I were interested in going someplace a little more private to relieve my sexual needs. The bottom line was that he followed me home. This guy was a human vacuum who spent an hour getting me close and then easing off. I haven’t shot off like that in years. Anyway, he may be joining us tonight. Then again, he may not. I just extended the invitation.”

  He didn’t show, but Dillon noticed that every time the door open, Larry immediately checked. They drank, they sang, they drank, they sang, and they went home after an enjoyable evening.

  On Monday, Mavis informed Dillon that Leonard Cholewa was unavailable. He had a position, as he had half-suspected, but that Walter Rush would be in at ten. Surprised at being interviewed by someone he felt was still wet behind the years, he adopted an air of superiority which totally rubbed Dillon the wrong way. There was no way he would take direction from someone so young, and he didn’t seem enthused about learning the Intellex system. Even Tillie agreed, post-interview. Keith Gower had been waiting for fifteen minutes in Mavis’s office for his 10:45 interview. That fact alone impressed Dillon, as did his appearance. Not one ounce of fat on a muscular body, covered in a proper suit and tie. Everything about him was immaculate – shaving, fingernails, short styled haircut, shined shoes. Punctuating each question Dillon or Tillie asked him with a ‘Sir “ or ‘Ma’am’, he talked about his service in Afghanistan, his marriage, the arrival of a baby daughter, which necessitated putting his degree on hold for a few years to provide for his family. Dillon was impressed also with his accounting knowledge. Keith’s countenance brightened when Dillon suggested he could finish his degree with night classes, as the bank salary would definitely be sufficient for his family and his education expenses. One final question Dillon asked, “Would you have trouble working alongside someone who is gay?” elicited a surprising response considering the military background. “No, sir. I have an older brother who’s gay, and I love him and his partner very much.”

  Tillie ended the interview as she ended all of them. “I’d like to thank you for coming in. We will make our decision and let you know our decision by the end of the week.”

  “Ma’am, the pleasure was mine. Thank you for your time with me. I can find my way out.” He gave each of them a sincere smile and a firm handshake.

  “That certainly is one fine young man,” Tillie said. “John Smoltz will be in at 1:00. The others are scheduled for tomorrow.”

  Mavis caught Dillon’s attention and he motioned her to come in. “I did the background and credit check on Mr. Michaels like you asked. His credit rating is nearly flawless at 783, but things don’t add up. Something is weird.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He has a college degree in biology but never had a job in the field in nine years. He has had twelve jobs, most of which lasted at most four-to-six months. The longest job was in the Poconos at Farleigh Lodge for the last two years. Now either bartenders are making much more than we are or something is way off. He bought a 2014 BMW convertible two years ago for $35,000 and has already paid off $21,000; he’s taken three week-long vacations in Puerto Rico, and I’m sure you’ve noticed the size of the diamond in his ring and his Rolex. I don’t think you come by that much money legally. It’s just my opinion but he’s either selling drugs or ripping off Farleigh Lodge something fierce. I just don’t think we want to work with him.”

  “I don’t either. I saw him in action on Friday night when I went to Eugene’s show at the Wild West. I think he meets people and tries to figure out how he can use them strictly for his own purposes. Unfortunately, this has to be a business decision and not a moral one. We just present the case to the board of directors. They have to decide if the loan is in the best interests of the bank.”

  “So, how’d the interviews go this morning?” Eugene asked when he came for lunch.

  “Walter’s a no-go. Gave the attitude that he knows more than me and would resent working for someone so young. Keith Gower was just the opposite. Meticulous in appearance, educationally qualified, well-mannered, punctual, dresses right and hung half-way to his knee.”

  “What!”

  “Just kidding, babe. Really couldn’t tell you. Loose fitting but tailored suit. Married with child which was why he had to take a job and not finish college at the moment. I was impressed with him, as was Tillie. Oh yes, he has a gay older brother.”

  “And how did that come about?”

  “I just asked him if he would have a problem working with someone who was gay. Didn’t say it was me, but after Boyd it would be foolish to hire someone who did. Plus, any derogatory references would also be insensitive to Greg, being the father of a gay son.”

  “You’re right.”

  Fifteen minutes late, Tillie ushered John Smoltz into Dillon’s office. He had a shirt and tie on, but apologized, saying when he tried on his sports jacket he discovered it was missing a button. Tillie sat back to allow Dillon to do the questioning. He explained what the position entailed and asked numerous questions, but John could not adequately answer them without much training. When asked if he would have difficulty working with someone of a different race, religion, sex, or sexual preference, he hesitated briefly before admitting the sexual preference might be a little hard for him, but he felt he could do it. Dillon asked a few more questions and then thanked him for coming
in, and used Tillie’s exit speech about notification and shook his hand. John left under the impression that he had a chance at the job. Two out – one possibility at the end of the day. Dillon finished the day back at Boyd’s desk inputting more data.

  On Tuesday, Nicholas Hughes, Peter Bonner, and Owen would have their interviews and then it would be decision time.

  The interview the following morning with Nicholas Hughes went smoothly. He was prompt, he was energetic, personable, outgoing, open-minded, eager to learn, and definitely people-oriented. He was not someone to be cooped up in a cubicle for hours at a time working with computers and numbers. That was quickly evident to Tillie as well as to Dillon. Tillie was impressed with the young man, and the next time a teller position opened up, he would be at the top of her list. She wouldn’t even have to invite anyone else in to interview. She told him so immediately after the formal interview had ended. Although she was dashing his hopes of immediate employment, she did offer him the encouragement he needed.

  At 11:15 she was introducing Peter Bonner to Dillon. In his mid-thirties, he had the qualifications for the position. Dillon found him to be quiet and reserved, and frustrated that he wasn’t working. He was chagrined to be collecting unemployment when he was able-bodied and wanted to work. After fourteen years working in payroll, he was a victim of job relocation and had not even been offered the opportunity of shifting to the Alabama site. Although he did not know about the Intellex program, he understood data entry and manipulation of numbers. Dillon took him out on the floor, showed him the work area and introduced him to Mavis, Victor, and Greg to gauge his reactions, and was satisfied he was a viable employee. Tillie asked the final question about working with minorities and was satisfied with his response. She then informed him that the decision about employment would be made and he would be notified within a few days as she escorted him to the front lobby.

  Eugene had just come down for lunch when Dillon’s phone rang. It was Owen saying he was running late. Traffic around Boston and Hartford had really slowed down his trip – that he was just now just outside of Danbury, and Google Maps was telling him it would be a little more than two more hours before he would be there – that he hoped it wouldn’t be a problem. Assured that it wasn’t, he said he would do his best to get there as quickly as possible. Dillon urged him not to speed. While they waited for the microwave oven to heat their lunches, Dillon talked about his interviews of the morning – how personable Nicholas was and he was glad that Eugene had urged him to consider the young man. And how qualified Peter Bonner was. That currently it was between Peter and Keith Gower, the vet, for the position in his mind, but if things went as expected, Owen would be added to the mix. Following lunch, Dillon grabbed the latest loan data and entered it from the computer on his desk.

  Not knowing Owen, Mavis greeted him as he walked into the department and immediately sized him up, as she was accustomed to doing with any loan applicant, and he passed muster. When she learned who he was and why he was here, she immediately escorted him to Dillon’s office. Dillon immediately invited Tillie down for the interview. As Owen was Dillon’s acquaintance, Tillie was going to take the lead. She knew the questions Dillon had asked all the other applicants and she had no problem with the role reversal. She looked at his transcript and asked pertinent questions about various financial courses he had taken.

  “Who is this Dr. Cyril Fezziwig that you have listed as a reference in your résumé?”

  “He was a professor I had for Corporate Tax Accounting. Probably one of the toughest teachers I had. I really respected him. Put up with no shoddy work from anyone and wouldn’t temporize to call out a laggard immediately. He was pleased with my work. Told me not to hesitate to use him as a reference.”

  “I also noticed that you have taken the Uniform CPA Exam. I am unfamiliar with it. What does it mean?”

  “That I can be hired as a fully certified public accountant immediately anywhere in the U.S. I’ve already been offered a job back in my hometown. I’m just not sure I want to go back there. I always joke that my hometown is the only cemetery in America with one stoplight. Seven streets all laid out like graves in a small country churchyard. Right now I want someplace bigger to set my roots into.”

  “I see. One last question – would you have difficulty working with someone of a different race, religion, sex, or sexual preference?”

  “No, ma’am. I went to a very diverse college. Made friends with all sorts of people.”

  “Well, I want to thank you for making the trip down. I wish you the best in all your future endeavors, whether it’s here or elsewhere. Mr. Evans and I will make a decision and let you know sometime before the end of the week. Now, I’m sure you two have a lot of catching up to do, so I’ll bid you goodbye and say it was a pleasure meeting a fine young man as yourself. Dillon, shall we meet tomorrow morning around ten?”

  “Ten will be fine.” He looked at Owen. “I don’t know exactly how hungry you are, but I heard your stomach growling.”

  “Oh, I am. Only had a breakfast sandwich at MacDonald’s right before I left home.”

  “Well, it’s closing time. I know the perfect spot to eat, especially if you like a hot Italian sausage sandwich and a cold beer, and we can catch up on old times. Glad you wanted to make the trip.”

  “No problem. As I said, I really don’t want to put down roots in my hometown. But I think I’ll have to pass on the beer. It’s still a six-seven hour drive back home.”

  “That’s not happening. You’re spending the night here. Even truckers aren’t supposed to drive fourteen hours in so short a time period. And there are way too many deer who would love to jump out in front of you on I-84. Trust me. Wait here a second; then I’ll let you haul my ass to the Way Station.” Dillon disappeared to give the car keys to Eugene, saying to meet him for cocktails at Wayne’s when he was finished with work. He introduced Owen to Victor, Mavis and Greg, and showed him around the department before they left the building.

  Darcy was on duty behind the bar and greeted Dillon when he walked in. He ordered two cold ones and asked for a menu. She quickly produced a menu, set down two cold drafts in front of them and took Owen’s food order, before hurrying to serve other new arrivals.

  “So tell me, how did a down-east boy end up here in Pennsylvania?”

  “Let’s grab a booth where we can sit and talk.” They shifted location. “Now back to your question. The simple answer is I got hungry. I had a job interview in Baltimore, and like you, the drive was taking longer than my computer said. I changed my plans to just grabbing a quick bite to eat and then crashing for a few hours at a rest area just south of here and then continuing on. I made the mistake of doing the food challenge for a free meal and a tee-shirt. Made a lot of quick friends, got drunk, and one of them offered me a place to stay – Pennsylvania hospitality. You’ll meet him shortly. He also works at the bank. I left early in the morning for Baltimore, hated it, and stopped back here to thank him, and we became friends.

  “That’s so rad.”

  “Rad?”

  “Oh, that’s an expression of my father’s. Cool. Neat.”

  “Now your interview is over, but can I ask you a question? Are you all right? I mean, you sort of went to pieces last spring. You know, Darcy and the baby thing.”

  “That tore me up. You see, I’m sure that was my only chance to ever be a father. I loved Darcy and she destroyed a life – a life that was half mine. I would have given up everything for her, and I mean everything. I loved her – just didn’t like making love to her.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’m gay. Always knew it. I’ve been doing it with guys since I was a sophomore in high school. But with Darcy, it was my chance to be normal like most men. Sex, however, with her was a chore – a purely mechanical thing I had to do to please her. With guys it’s a total pleasure thing for me. Feeling his strong body pressing mine, becoming part of mine for a few minutes, hearing him moan and grunt as we work
toward a climax.”

  “I know what you mean.”

  “What do you mean by ‘you know what I mean’?”

  “Exactly that. With guys, it’s totally pleasure. Let me tell you the quick story of my life. I was still a virgin when I stopped here. Never had sex with anyone other than my hand. I wasn’t a virgin when I headed to Baltimore. Eugene gave me my first really satisfying blowjob and I liked it. Couldn’t stop thinking about it while I was in Baltimore. I kept throwing a hard-on every time it crossed my mind. Must have thrown three erections on the drive back north. That’s why I stopped back here on my way back to Maine. I got my second blowjob and returned the pleasure. That was back in early June. I went home but I missed him, called him and asked if he wanted company, and drove back with all my suitcases. Since then we’ve started building a life together.”

  “I see. Is that why the other interviewer asked that final question about discrimination?”

  “Yes, the guy we’re replacing said he just couldn’t work for a fag and quit. Don’t want that problem again.”

  Darcy delivered an Italian sausage sandwich in front of Owen. “Eugene should be here shortly. Better bring us a whole pitcher and another glass,” Dillon told her.

  “Sure thing, honey. A pitcher for you and the cute guy.” She looked at Owen. “Haven’t seen you here before. New in town?”

  “Yes, went to college with Dillon.”

  “I get off at nine. If you want, I could show you some real Pennsylvania hospitality if you’re interested.”

  “Afraid he’s not.”

  “Oh, damn. Why is it all the cute guys…” She headed back to the bar.