[Jack Scribe] SHIFTING SANDS

[Tiger]

As HappyReader pointed out, Tiger made some very astute comments.

 

I just pointed out what others were afraid to say.

[Jack Scribe]

Spence sounds nice...I hope we see a LOT more of him.

 

He'll be 'popping up' throughout the story. But Spence does have redeeming qualities.

[MikeL]

Urinals? Only in Vegas, I suppose. Chapter 5 of Shifting Sands is pretty neat. A lot is going on with Spence and Spike getting new jobs. Spike's sounds like quite a challenge and a great opportunity. I mean, who wants to be an accountant all his life?

 

Thanks for another great chapter, Jack. Things are shaping up for living in the new economy.

Spike and Cray's single status is still an open issue.

 

[HappyReader]

Urinals? Only in Vegas, I suppose. Chapter 5 of Shifting Sands is pretty neat. A lot is going on with Spence and Spike getting new jobs. Spike's sounds like quite a challenge and a great opportunity. I mean, who wants to be an accountant all his life?

 

Thanks for another great chapter, Jack. Things are shaping up for living in the new economy.

I remember going to a (not at all fancy) restaurant in Vegas called ... Pinky's, or some such. The restrooms were the big attraction, mainly because they had pictures from nudie mags all over the walls. However, they only had photos of women in the men's room. Boo.

[Tiger]

That was a good chapter. I liked how what more we learned about Spence. He's raising his little brother. What happened to the parents? I think there's more to this relocation than he's mentioned. I also thought I'd share a song about something the characters do all the time. This story reminds me of it.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS_jIHFz7Sk

[theschnauzers]

I believe there was mention in Chapter 3(?) that Spencer's parents were killed, and that Spencer ended up with custody as his brother's guardian as he was of legal majority at that point. I don't think there's much mystery about it.

 

And Drew is being very clever with that job that Spike can fill. Making a "hot" spot in competition with "the Twins" ought to be interesting. I'm expecting more interaction between Spike and Cray....as my feeling is that they'll be the connectors of this story before its over with.

[Jack Scribe]

Urinals? Only in Vegas, I suppose.

Maybe not "only" but close to it. Steve Wynn's ENCORE has the interior of Strike Steakhouse constantly changing. Here's a brief comment from a reviewer:

 

Hey, the walls are moving! I exclaim, putting down my glass of A.H. Hirsch Reserve bourbon. Ive only had one sip, yet apparently it was a large one, because looking up, the ceiling is opening, too!

 

Relax, says the waiter, with an indulgent, seen-it-before smile. This is why the restaurant is called Switch. The scene changes every twenty minutes.

 

I'll pass up on Pinky's, HappyReader. However, I do recall making a pitstop in a LA Gay bar and they had individual flatscreen TVs at each stall running tasteful homoerotica.

 

Here's my inspiration for the urinal idea:

 

http://funlok.com/index.php/creativity/creative-urinals-4112008.html

 

Yes, Tiger, Spence has been his brother's guardian for the past couple of years. And theschnauzers feeling about Cray and Spike is a possibility. However, with Spence entering the picture...

[Conner]

Spence's thoughts as he was googling Mario were......uhm...interesting.

 

I'm definitely wanting to see more of Spence....mind you, we did see all of him in that chapter.

 

I really liked the way Cray lit into Spike, even though Spike was joking. Signs of a friend who really cares.

 

Cray showed a lot of maturity in his comments about Spike's brother. We'll see if words and actions meet.

 

So the big question is who will Spence end up spending romantic time with. Mario? Spike? Cray? Two of the above? All of the above?

[Tiger]

What a chapter! So Spence had his first client, an actor. That must be a difficult existence for the actor, but that's life. Michael... just when I thought he couldn't get anymore annoying in this story he did. Poor Cray had to come to the rescue, when clearly that is not something he should have had to do.

[MikeL]

Chapter 6 of Shifting Sands marks the beginning of Spence's new career and the end of Cray's relationship with Michael. And that is the best part of the chapter...that Cray has gotten over his disappointment and the way is clear for him to get on with his life.

[HappyReader]

Spence performs admirably, good for him.

 

Cray gets the ideal public encounter with an ex: you look hot, your ex looks like a big ol' mess. But then he has to be the responsible one and put the bad boy to bed. At least he got some closure on the relationship.

 

Fun stuff, as always, Jack. I look forward to more!

[Conner]

I'm ever so curious as to why Michael showed up drunk. Wasn't he going to bring Randy to the party? :wacko:

 

I'm thinking of course that maybe Randy broke it off already or Michael found him cheating. It would also explain Michael's play for Cray when they were alone in his room.

 

What goes around, comes around.

 

Great chapter, Jack!

[Jack Scribe]

I'm ever so curious as to why Michael showed up drunk. Wasn't he going to bring Randy to the party?

They had agreed that Randy wouldn't be at the party. Any anyway, Randy had an affair at his school. I think Michael was feeling guilty about the split up which led to getting into his dad's beer stash.

 

Male actors still have to tread carefully about being out. NPH is an exception.

 

A case in point is the star of the hot series on USA Network, White Collar. The star, Matt Bomer (one of the most handsome Hollywood actors with whom I have a tiny crush - check him out on Google and Hulu), is currently living a life that suggests he's gay. However, his PR people are having kittens with his new status as the lead of a hit show and the homo speculation. Attached is a promo picture of Matt.

 

You're right, MikeL - Cray has put Michael into his past and is now ready to move on. Or, as HappyReader put it: closure.

[Benji]

They had agreed that Randy wouldn't be at the party. Any anyway, Randy had an affair at his school. I think Michael was feeling guilty about the split up which led to getting into his dad's beer stash.

 

Male actors still have to tread carefully about being out. NPH is an exception.

 

A case in point is the star of the hot series on USA Network, White Collar. The star, Matt Bonner (one of the most handsome Hollywood actors with whom I have a tiny crush - check him out on Google and Hulu), is currently living a life that suggests he's gay. However, his PR people are having kittens with his new status as the lead of a hit show and the homo speculation. Attached is a promo picture of Matt.

 

You're right, MikeL - Cray has put Michael into his past and is now ready to move on. Or, as HappyReader put it: closure.

 

.............Great chapter and story Jack!! I finally found time to read the last three chapters. Spence is an interesting character, he fits in very well with the story. Haha, Stone, well the reference to the actor was subtly clear enough, I loved it! Micheal sure handed Clay an explanation point to the ending of that relationship! I look forward to hearing about Spike's innovation with the new club. It will only be a matter of time that Jack will stumble upon his son, the circle grows smaller with the clique of friends.

[Tiger]

.............Great chapter and story Jack!! I finally found time to read the last three chapters. Spence is an interesting character, he fits in very well with the story. Haha, Stone, well the reference to the actor was subtly clear enough, I loved it! Micheal sure handed Clay Cray an explanation point to the ending of that relationship! I look forward to hearing about Spike's innovation with the new club. It will only be a matter of time that Jack will stumble upon his son, the circle grows smaller with the clique of friends.

 

I've been wondering how Jack will fit in and how he'll get reunited with Cray. I wonder who else may be involved in uniting them. I think there'll have to be time for healing. Then again, I think Cray may need his dad eventually.

[Jack Scribe]

I've been wondering how Jack will fit in and how he'll get reunited with Cray. I wonder who else may be involved in uniting them. I think there'll have to be time for healing. Then again, I think Cray may need his dad eventually.

 

We'll continue to follow Jack's life, as well as Cray's, in later chapters. Chapter 13 may be pivotal.

[MikeL]

Jack has released Chapter 7 of Shifting Sands...chapter title is "Options".

[MikeL]

It seems Jack Gamble may be developing a relationship after so many years without one. It's also interesting that he and his son have so much more in common than they could possibly realize.

 

Cray has freed himself up to move on from his relationship with Michael and now he is about to meet someone new. Lot's of possibilities there.

 

Thanks Jack...great chapter.

[Tiger]

It was a good chapter. It seems that Jack and Phil's relationship is reaching a new level. It's great! They belong together. Now if Jack's son can find someone just as special, it'll be wonderful.

[Conner]

I really enjoyed the telephone call between Cray and Michael...both were very open and honest with one another. Still sad, but it is what it is. Life's lessons generally suck.

 

So, yeah, I'm looking forward to dinner at Mario's.

 

Great job, Jack!!

[Puppster]

It seems Jack Gamble may be developing a relationship after so many years without one. It's also interesting that he and his son have so much more in common than they could possibly realize.

 

Cray has freed himself up to move on from his relationship with Michael and now he is about to meet someone new. Lot's of possibilities there.

 

Thanks Jack...great chapter.

 

I don't think we'll see Cray and Spence getting together. He doesn't like that line of work. We've seen in the past that Cray had a crush on Spike, but he wanted him out of the business.

 

I don't know if I can wait till chapter 13 for paths to cross Jack!

Edited December 8, 2009 by Puppster

[Jack Scribe]

So, yeah, I'm looking forward to dinner at Mario's.

 

Mario, with all his flaws, is one of my favorite characters. He's the type of guy who was somewhat of a loner in high school, but would get in a bully's face if he saw someone being picked on.

 

Yes, Tiger, we've definitely got to focus on finding a man for Cray. Something will happen soon to explore that train of thought. And, pupster, be patient.

[Tiger]

Mario, with all his flaws, is one of my favorite characters. He's the type of guy who was somewhat of a loner in high school, but would get in a bully's face if he saw someone being picked on.

If by that you mean his career, I see nothing wrong with it. What he does is legalish in most parts of Nevada except Las Vegas itself. Sure he does some things that are questionable, as in having people roughed up, but that's just how the game guys when it's not exactly legal.

[Jack Scribe]

If by that you mean his career, I see nothing wrong with it. What he does is legalish in most parts of Nevada except Las Vegas itself. Sure he does some things that are questionable, as in having people roughed up, but that's just how the game guys when it's not exactly legal.

 

Maybe I should have said, "deviation from the norm." Although how does one define what 'norm' is? He certainly marches to his own tune.

[Enric]

I predict that Cray ends up to a satisfying partnership with Spike. They were actually hot towards one another already since they got acquainted, but at that stage the age difference was too bad. Because Cray was totally a newbie.

Now obstacles got moved away one after another. Cray has got his long course to gay relationship and sex, being now essentially equal with Spike. Spike has long ago left that career, and got his completing education about living in relationship. They have graduated to sufficient level...