MIllennium

[PrivateTim]

I never got the impression that Tiffany got that far into figure skating. She was just giving lessons at a rink. I'm assuming that Tiffany is just a regular coach for a kiddie company, which is why Tiffany passed JJ on to El Segundo because she realized he was too good to just bum around the LA Galaxy skating rink. It would explain why Tiffany's trying to get pregnant now- she either retired by her early 20's or she was just never good enough for a serious career. It would actually be an interesting running plot if Tiffany was trying to vicariously live through JJ, hence pumping him full of the Olympic Dream that ain't going to come true until at least '06.

 

It'd be cool to see JJ at the '02 Olympics, watching and learning from the masters. I'm glad he wouldn't get into the Village though- from what I understand, it's one big orgy, and JJ would be newly 16...and...no. Now, if we're talking about when he's 20 at Torino, that'd be an entirely different ballgame.

 

And thank you for your thoughts, Daisy! Mark always welcomes technical input from people whenever he dips into a field that he's not particularly an expert with, and I'm glad we have you here to make sure Mark depicts the figure skating culture in a believable manner. You've already helped- like pointing out that JJ can't already be a Junior, that coaches wouldn't really be bandying about the "O" word for a 13-year old year old for an Olympics over six years away or pointing out the impossibility of JJ making the 2002 Olympics. It's pretty valuable info, and we're glad to have you here!

 

Well I wasn't thinking of the SLC games because it would be way too fast for any judge to climb the ladder but with Stefan's money, Robbie's production company doing a documentary of the games, Wade's father being being a close personal friend of SLOC President Mitt Romney....... Access to the OV wouldn't be hard and it would be a blast.....

[methodwriter85]

Why would we have to choose here, Tim? You're talking about an author that included a scene where Aaron Eckhart learns to be a little more tolerant around gays, Joaquin Phoenix jokingly flirts Brad, and Hilary Swank gets into an orgy. (No wonder she forgot to thank her husband at the Oscars!)

 

Speaking of the Oscars, since we're going to get into March, I'm assuming Mark will put some passing scene about them, as the Cramptons/Schluters ALWAYS note the Oscars if the story covers March. I'm imagining that Robbie will absolutely be kicking himself when American Beauty sweeps the Oscars.

 

Of course, the fact that Gladiator and Erin Brokovich will win big next year is going to comfort him, but he won't know that just yet. LOL.

[PrivateTim]

Why would we have to choose here, Tim? You're talking about an author that included a scene where Aaron Eckhart learns to be a little more tolerant around gays, Joaquin Phoenix jokingly flirts Brad, and Hilary Swank gets into an orgy. (No wonder she forgot to thank her husband at the Oscars!)

 

Speaking of the Oscars, since we're going to get into March, I'm assuming Mark will put some passing scene about them, as the Cramptons/Schluters ALWAYS note the Oscars if the story covers March. I'm imagining that Robbie will absolutely be kicking himself when American Beauty sweeps the Oscars.

 

Of course, the fact that Gladiator and Erin Brokovich will win big next year is going to comfort him, but he won't know that just yet. LOL.

 

Ah yes the Oscars. If I remember correctly the 2000 Vanity Fair Party was at Morton's on Robertson in West Hollywood just down from The Abbey, Studio One and the rest of Boys Town.

[mmike1969]

well it took a few years but I am glad Lark redeemed himself... Sort of....

 

Still a dishonest dirtbag but one that Brad can work with. I hope Brad can sleep at night when this is over. Maybe he forgot he almost raped Max or it was no big deal.

[DragonFire]

I wondered when Lark would finally show himself, and true to form he shows up wanting to help… but with a catch. We shouldn’t be surprised, but I would hardly call it redeeming. I feel he has a long way to go before he crosses that bridge.

 

Still, the information, if authentic, is like gold. Be interesting to see how Brad & Steph use it to their advantage.

 

I can’t help but think this playing around with Cody & Kevin will be toxic, not for Brad more for Robbie. He hasn’t got the best track record & it’s still plausible he’ll get some kinda emotional attachment to one of them. Time will tell I guess.

[centexhairysub]

Well well well....

 

Hope that Lark doesn't prove to be as untrustworthy as he has been in the past... I could see him going to Dan saying I want out, but if you pay enough, I will pass whatever you want onto Brad; Dan get the fake financials together and then an even worse fake set to make it look like the first set is legitemate. Maybe I am just giving them to much credit for being devious but given Lark's past escapades I would not put it past him. What is the saying about laying down with dogs???

 

I actually like the interplay and yes, even the sex, between Brad/Robbie and Cody/Kevin. While I do worry some that Robbie could end up with more feelings toward Cody than Brad would be comfortable with; I don't see that happening. I have always felt that Brad and Robbie were meant to be together, even since high school. I just truly believe that in the end they will do whatever it takes to stay together. I know a lot of people don't seem to like Cody or Kevin much, I admit that I do on both counts; but I think their relationship is more at risk. They are just starting to get together and that is such a fragile stage for any relationship.

 

If the information that Lark provided is real, then let the real battle begin... The information should give them good ideas on where the pressure points and who the other key players are in the corporation.

 

Keep up the great work...:2hands: :2hands: :2hands:

[Matthew k]

I can’t help but think this playing around with Cody & Kevin will be toxic, not for Brad more for Robbie. He hasn’t got the best track record & it’s still plausible he’ll get some kinda emotional attachment to one of them. Time will tell I guess.

 

I hope Mr. Arbour leaves Robbie & Brad alone...... they've head enough damn drama

[Ivy]

personally I think Lark's info is legit, at least this time. He's only worried about himself in the long run. He realizes the gig with Dan is up. He also realizes that Brad's always pretty much comes out on top in any situation. So he knows that if he double crosses Brad in this situation, he's pretty much done for. Plus he just agreed to live in Brad's villa in Hawaii. If he's not on the level and tries to disappear with the money, Brad knows instantly it was a bum deal. Also Brad, Steph and the crew are about to research every single number, contract and person in all that paperwork. I give them enough credit to do their due diligence before they act on anything that came from nefarious sources. I just wonder if Hawaii is far enough away if the Amphion/Omega people find out about Lark's betrayal. He might need to invest in some plastic surgery and a name change, lol.

[PrivateTim]

personally I think Lark's info is legit, at least this time. He's only worried about himself in the long run. He realizes the gig with Dan is up. He also realizes that Brad's always pretty much comes out on top in any situation. So he knows that if he double crosses Brad in this situation, he's pretty much done for. Plus he just agreed to live in Brad's villa in Hawaii. If he's not on the level and tries to disappear with the money, Brad knows instantly it was a bum deal. Also Brad, Steph and the crew are about to research every single number, contract and person in all that paperwork. I give them enough credit to do their due diligence before they act on anything that came from nefarious sources. I just wonder if Hawaii is far enough away if the Amphion/Omega people find out about Lark's betrayal. He might need to invest in some plastic surgery and a name change, lol.

 

The only reason I think Lark is legit is that he has too much love for Brad still. Not romantic love, but that love of a special high school, middle school buddy.

[methodwriter85]

Yeah, that bond goes deep.There's something about your high school friends that never really goes away. I'm glad Lark got brought back- maybe not to redeem him totally- but at least so that we see a glimmer of the nice surfer guy he was in 1980, not the crazed trader he was in 1991.

Edited December 9, 2010 by methodwriter85

[Mark Arbour]

personally I think Lark's info is legit, at least this time. He's only worried about himself in the long run. He realizes the gig with Dan is up. He also realizes that Brad's always pretty much comes out on top in any situation. So he knows that if he double crosses Brad in this situation, he's pretty much done for. Plus he just agreed to live in Brad's villa in Hawaii. If he's not on the level and tries to disappear with the money, Brad knows instantly it was a bum deal. Also Brad, Steph and the crew are about to research every single number, contract and person in all that paperwork. I give them enough credit to do their due diligence before they act on anything that came from nefarious sources. I just wonder if Hawaii is far enough away if the Amphion/Omega people find out about Lark's betrayal. He might need to invest in some plastic surgery and a name change, lol.

 

Brad's not always on top.

 

The only reason I think Lark is legit is that he has too much love for Brad still. Not romantic love, but that love of a special high school, middle school buddy.

 

Yep...that's a tight bond, but not one that can't be severed.

[KYE]

I can’t help but think this playing around with Cody & Kevin will be toxic, not for Brad more for Robbie. He hasn’t got the best track record & it’s still plausible he’ll get some kinda emotional attachment to one of them. Time will tell I guess.

 

I agree. Plus look at Cody's track record since entering the CAP Series. Always playing emotional mind games from Chicago, to Brian, Matt, Alejandro (after he turned 18), Max and I think even with Brad to a certain extent (couldn't wait to be the first in line when Brad and Robbie had a crack in their relationship and is always bringing emotion into their sexual encounters). Now with Kevin? Cody is toxic but maybe a leopard can change it's spots?

[methodwriter85]

I don't know- I just hope Cody runs off with Kevin...never to be heard of again.

[DragonFire]

I hope Mr. Arbour leaves Robbie & Brad alone...... they've head enough damn drama

 

Couldn't agree more, would be nice to see those 2 settled once & for all. Let's put it this way, Robbie we all agree was a total ass, but there's no doubt he loves Brad. For him to make the same mistake again would be unthinkable, for sure that would be the end their relationship permanently.

[centexhairysub]

Couldn't agree more, would be nice to see those 2 settled once & for all. Let's put it this way, Robbie we all agree was a total ass, but there's no doubt he loves Brad. For him to make the same mistake again would be unthinkable, for sure that would be the end their relationship permanently.

 

 

 

Oh, I don't know about that... I never thought that Robbie was all to blame in this... I do think Robbie acted immaturely and brought some of this on himself but in my opinion, Brad's behaviour in this story and the several leading up to it was more to blame than Robbie's. Brad has always had a my way or the highway attitude about himself and in several of the recent stories has been on the verge of being emotionally and verbally abusive toward Robbie. So while Robbie asked for the seperation and may have gotten more than he bargained for... it was not all his fault....

 

Now, having said that; I hope that they do end up together... I have always believed that Brad and Robbie were destined to be together but they both need to be more aware of the feelings of each other....

[PrivateTim]

Oh, I don't know about that... I never thought that Robbie was all to blame in this... I do think Robbie acted immaturely and brought some of this on himself but in my opinion, Brad's behaviour in this story and the several leading up to it was more to blame than Robbie's. Brad has always had a my way or the highway attitude about himself and in several of the recent stories has been on the verge of being emotionally and verbally abusive toward Robbie. So while Robbie asked for the seperation and may have gotten more than he bargained for... it was not all his fault....

 

Now, having said that; I hope that they do end up together... I have always believed that Brad and Robbie were destined to be together but they both need to be more aware of the feelings of each other....

 

I am right there with you, I placed more blame on Brad for the problems than Robbie and if there is a problem down the road, I see Brad as the proximate cause. (spoiled little brat that he is)

[DragonFire]

I am right there with you, I placed more blame on Brad for the problems than Robbie and if there is a problem down the road, I see Brad as the proximate cause. (spoiled little brat that he is)

 

 

Are you guys serious?? lol

 

As far as I was aware it was Robbie that wanted to ‘see’ other people, when in fact he had a whole new relationship lined up. That was the catalyst for opening up this whole can of worms

 

Brad I admit is no saint, but there is such a thing as communication & Robbie never voiced these issues with him beforehand. This is no fantasy novel, so mind reading can be instantly discounted! If Robbie was having issues then he should have told Brad, not put his whole relationship on the wire for a cheap piece of ass.

 

Brad is Brad, warts and all. Overbearing, obnoxious & single-minded at times, but even so he has always listened to those he loves. Robbie fell in love with him for who he is, why should Brad think he has to change when no-one has told him any different. Communication is key, and Robbie failed miserably at it.

[methodwriter85]

There is also ZERO chance of a surf rat like Will heading back east for school. He is more likely to go to USCB with it's surf break on campus and Rincon, UCSD above Black's Beach, UCI so he can surf Newport Beach and be near Drew, Cal Poly to surf Cayucos or at the outside UC Santa Cruz so he can surf Soquel, Capitola and Mavericks when it gets big.

 

 

You know, I've gotten pretty heated in this debate and then the other day I was just thinking..."Huh? Why are we even debating this yet? JJ and Will are in SEVENTH grade." Meaning we don't know what these boys will be like in five years when it's time for college so we can't even really judge yet. Darius, yes- we can debate on that, but considering that these boys are still in middle school and likely haven't figured out what academic subject they're into yet, it's really hard to make that call since we're basing our projection on singular interests. JJ may drop figure skating if he realizes he can't be as good as he wants to be. Will may pick his academic interests over his surfing interests, and thus won't go to a party school like USCB. We can't know that yet because they're still far from that point in their lives. My guess would be Will going to a school on a coast with a great marine biology program(I think that'd be a great mix of a scientific mind like Will's with his love of the ocean), but yeah...Will's only 13, JJ's only fourteen. We can't really say what he'll be like at 17, or what JJ will be like at 18.

 

For Darius, I'd say he goes to UC Irvine or some easy-to-get-into Cal school, and then goes on to law school at UCLA or something like that. Tulane could be cool- I could see Darius enjoying life in the land of Mardi Gras.

 

Kinda funny though- in Delaware, we have a school choice system, and extensive private/magnet/charter school options. So it's like in 8th grade, you're getting a preview of what the college application process is like, because of the way you apply to get into different high schools. I remember when I was in 8th grade the absolute joy I felt when I got into my first-choice high school..

 

Anyway, back to Lark...I'm hoping it will turn out that Lark had a raging coke addiction, and that's why he was such a dick in A Summer Love.

Edited December 10, 2010 by methodwriter85

[Mark Arbour]

Are you guys serious?? lol

 

As far as I was aware it was Robbie that wanted to ‘see’ other people, when in fact he had a whole new relationship lined up. That was the catalyst for opening up this whole can of worms

 

Brad I admit is no saint, but there is such a thing as communication & Robbie never voiced these issues with him beforehand. This is no fantasy novel, so mind reading can be instantly discounted! If Robbie was having issues then he should have told Brad, not put his whole relationship on the wire for a cheap piece of ass.

 

Brad is Brad, warts and all. Overbearing, obnoxious & single-minded at times, but even so he has always listened to those he loves. Robbie fell in love with him for who he is, why should Brad think he has to change when no-one has told him any different. Communication is key, and Robbie failed miserably at it.

 

I have to agree with you here. If you're with someone, you're with them, to use the cliche, for better or worse. I'm not referring to financial/heath issues, I'm referring to personality. People are a package. Brad's the way he is, and he hasn't really changed all that much over the years. Robbie's with him, in this relationship, knowing full well what Brad's strengths and weaknesses are. That doesn't mean he can't demand to be treated better, and to be included in the decisions more, etc., but to expect Brad to become a whole different person is pretty unrealistic. I doubt Robbie would even want that, because that would take away the man he's attracted to.

 

I think they both failed miserably at communicating with each other, but they seemed to have found their way back to a good place, where they're more open and comfortable with each other again. I think that as they moved through their busy lives, Brad developed a tendency to just jump in and make decisions or fix problems, probably because it was fast and easy. He didn't take into account that by doing that, he was sidelining Robbie (and Jeanine). Robbie should have said something and given Brad the chance to correct the behavior, but he didn't. Even when he hit Brad with the Mack truck by saying he wanted to see other people, he wasn't honest and open with Brad about why he was doing it. It's easy to see why that would send Brad reeling: he was basically dumped by his partner for a younger, hot guy. I suspect the older guys in the group here could shed some light on how unpleasant that would be. I haven't had that happen, but I know if I did, I'd be hella pissed. I think Robbie should have anticipated what that would have been like for Brad, especially since he was dealing with his own mid-life crisis. If Brad had done to Robbie what Robbie had done to Brad, I'd bet Robbie would be so f**ked up he'd turn into a puddle of goo.

[PrivateTim]

You know, I've gotten pretty heated in this debate and then the other day I was just thinking..."Huh? Why are we even debating this yet? JJ and Will are in SEVENTH grade." Meaning we don't know what these boys will be like in five years when it's time for college so we can't even really judge yet. Darius, yes- we can debate on that, but considering that these boys are still in middle school and likely haven't figured out what academic subject they're into yet, it's really hard to make that call since we're basing our projection on singular interests. JJ may drop figure skating if he realizes he can't be as good as he wants to be. Will may pick his academic interests over his surfing interests, and thus won't go to a party school like USCB. We can't know that yet because they're still far from that point in their lives. My guess would be Will going to a school on a coast with a great marine biology program(I think that'd be a great mix of a scientific mind like Will's with his love of the ocean), but yeah...Will's only 13, JJ's only fourteen. We can't really say what he'll be like at 17, or what JJ will be like at 18.

 

For Darius, I'd say he goes to UC Irvine or some easy-to-get-into Cal school, and then goes on to law school at UCLA or something like that. Tulane could be cool- I could see Darius enjoying life in the land of Mardi Gras.

 

Kinda funny though- in Delaware, we have a school choice system, and extensive private/magnet/charter school options. So it's like in 8th grade, you're getting a preview of what the college application process is like, because of the way you apply to get into different high schools. I remember when I was in 8th grade the absolute joy I felt when I got into my first-choice high school..

 

Anyway, back to Lark...I'm hoping it will turn out that Lark had a raging coke addiction, and that's why he was such a dick in A Summer Love.

 

It is important to understand the four tierd California university system. The top tier is the University of California system and it is the top tier and most of the campuses are very hard to get into. For the class of 2014, the HS GPA's are as follows by campus; Berkeley 4.19, UCLA 4.18, UCSD 4.10, Davis 4.02, UCI 4.01, UCSB 4.01, Santa Cruz 3.77, Riverside 3.63, Merced 3.57. UC Merced is the newest campus just opening in 2005 and UC Riverside somewhat languished because of location for a long time, but as the Inland Empire has expanded UCR has picked up. So if you are not at least a 3.5 ANY UC campus is hard to get into and unless you ar3 3.8 or higher, it is even harder to get into Cal, UCLA, San Diego, Irvine and Santa Barbara. UCI is especially well known for pre-med, San Diego for oceanography since it started as part of Scripps and Santa Barbara for engineering. Just because kids at UCSB party more than Cal or UCI students probably doesn't mean the school is easy or kids coast through. Especially since all the UC schools except for Cal are quarter schools, it is that much harder.

 

Class of 2014 Profile

 

The next tier is the California State Polytechnic University system with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo or "slow" as it is called and Cal Poly Pomona. SLO is the best known and another hot bed for surfers, but smart surfers who want to be top notch engineers and the class of 2014 at SLO has a GPA of 3.78.

 

The next tier is the 21 school California State University system, schools like Long Beach State, San Francisco State, San Diego State, Humboldt State, etc. Depending on the campus GPA can be anything from a 2.0 if you have good SATS or higher. Pretty much any high school graduate in California with a 2.0 can get into some state University, it just might not be the one they want. They could want San Jose State and wind up at Cal State San Marcos.

 

The last tier is the community college and that is pretty much "are you over 18" or a high school graduate. There are some community colleges that are better or more popular than others like Santa Barbara City College since they can get housing and Orange Coast Community College is another popular one.

 

And while they might be young and even though Mark has never included college visits in the stories, it isn't unreasonable to infer that the boys have grown up going to college events at Stanford, Princeton, Northwestern, etc. whether they were football games for Homecoming or other events like that, they would grow up like I did, always knowing you were going to college, it was just a question of where. We also don't see much of the boys friends, but it wouldn't be unusual living in Malibu to go to USC football games with friends families, especially as USC gets hot in the 2000's and wins national championships and with USC's involvement in the movie industry. Ditto for UCLA sporting events and Pepperdine events as well.

[PrivateTim]

I have to agree with you here. If you're with someone, you're with them, to use the cliche, for better or worse. I'm not referring to financial/heath issues, I'm referring to personality. People are a package. Brad's the way he is, and he hasn't really changed all that much over the years. Robbie's with him, in this relationship, knowing full well what Brad's strengths and weaknesses are. That doesn't mean he can't demand to be treated better, and to be included in the decisions more, etc., but to expect Brad to become a whole different person is pretty unrealistic. I doubt Robbie would even want that, because that would take away the man he's attracted to.

 

I think they both failed miserably at communicating with each other, but they seemed to have found their way back to a good place, where they're more open and comfortable with each other again. I think that as they moved through their busy lives, Brad developed a tendency to just jump in and make decisions or fix problems, probably because it was fast and easy. He didn't take into account that by doing that, he was sidelining Robbie (and Jeanine). Robbie should have said something and given Brad the chance to correct the behavior, but he didn't. Even when he hit Brad with the Mack truck by saying he wanted to see other people, he wasn't honest and open with Brad about why he was doing it. It's easy to see why that would send Brad reeling: he was basically dumped by his partner for a younger, hot guy. I suspect the older guys in the group here could shed some light on how unpleasant that would be. I haven't had that happen, but I know if I did, I'd be hella pissed. I think Robbie should have anticipated what that would have been like for Brad, especially since he was dealing with his own mid-life crisis. If Brad had done to Robbie what Robbie had done to Brad, I'd bet Robbie would be so f**ked up he'd turn into a puddle of goo.

 

The reason I think it is more Brad's fault is the explosive nature of Brad's temper and his domineering personality. It doesn't lend itself to open and honest communications. Robbie was too intimidated to talk to Brad honestly and he certainly wasn't going to demand anything because he has seen how Brad is. Brad bullies and intimidates people when he thinks he is right and I can't see where Brad thinks he is wrong very often.

 

It also isn't like Brad is a paunchy old man when Robbie wants to open things up so he hardly needed to feel insecure. He is an in shape 37 year old who barely looks 30. It isn't the age thing that attracted Robbie, it was someone needy and dependent.

 

Then I think what Brad did to Robbie afterwards was ten times worse than what Robbie did initially. It was Brad back to his bullying best.

[B1ue]

The reason I think it is more Brad's fault is the explosive nature of Brad's temper and his domineering personality. It doesn't lend itself to open and honest communications. Robbie was too intimidated to talk to Brad honestly and he certainly wasn't going to demand anything because he has seen how Brad is.

 

I'm never going to be a fan of Brad's, but I prefer to dislike him for the things he actually did. Do you really think that in close to twenty years together that Robbie would have stayed if Brad intimidated him that thoroughly? That Frank, Greg, Stef, Isiodore, and JP would not have been on his side if he wanted out, really out, and Robbie was afraid of Brad's reaction? Actually, I suppose that would depend on the circumstances, i.e., if Robbie had another lover on the side they would not be amused. Jeanine I think would have left with Robbie either way, with the kids of course.

 

You might point to the stereotypical battered housewife as a counter to that point, but the situations are not parallel. Robbie is not totally Dependant on Brad, he's wealthy in his own right, with contacts, friends, and an entire industry where Brad is the outsider and he the insider.

[methodwriter85]

Do you have the class of 2004 profiles, though Tim? Using the 2014 statistics feel a little irrevelent, because going by what Blue has talked about, college standards have changed drastically since the late 90's, when Darius did his college search, to now.

 

My guess would be Darius's GPA is around a 3.2 but he did well on the SAT's....he doesn't seem to have extracurriculars, or volunteer work, so my guess would be he'd have to go to an easier party school, like a Cal State. Do well there, and then go off to law school on a bit of a higher level.

 

I defnitely think Berkeley and UCLA are out of the question for Darius at this point, unless JP pulls some major strings or it turns out that Darius is some world-class athlete. But I haven't gotten that vibe from him- he's a social butterfly who cares more about hooking up than grades, and I'd like to see some realistic consequences from that- him not getting into the schools he wants and having to attend schools that aren't that desirable. Brad's college application process was much easier because it was 1980 and the crest of the baby boom was over, and schools were easier to get into. But starting with about the late '90's, the process gets much harder and cutt-throat.

 

it isn't unreasonable to infer that the boys have grown up going to college events at Stanford, Princeton, Northwestern, etc. whether they were football games for Homecoming or other events like that, they would grow up like I did, always knowing you were going to college, it was just a question of where. We also don't see much of the boys friends, but it wouldn't be unusual living in Malibu to go to USC football games with friends families, especially as USC gets hot in the 2000's and wins national championships and with USC's involvement in the movie industry. Ditto for UCLA sporting events and Pepperdine events as well.

That's true. Not sure I see someone like JJ and his Louis Vuitton handbags hanging out at the USC football games, though.

Edited December 11, 2010 by methodwriter85

[Mark Arbour]

I'm never going to be a fan of Brad's, but I prefer to dislike him for the things he actually did. Do you really think that in close to twenty years together that Robbie would have stayed if Brad intimidated him that thoroughly? That Frank, Greg, Stef, Isiodore, and JP would not have been on his side if he wanted out, really out, and Robbie was afraid of Brad's reaction? Actually, I suppose that would depend on the circumstances, i.e., if Robbie had another lover on the side they would not be amused. Jeanine I think would have left with Robbie either way, with the kids of course.

 

You might point to the stereotypical battered housewife as a counter to that point, but the situations are not parallel. Robbie is not totally Dependant on Brad, he's wealthy in his own right, with contacts, friends, and an entire industry where Brad is the outsider and he the insider.

 

I'm not seeing Brad's temper as being out of control. I think his reaction to opening up their relationship in Chapter 2 was pretty normal, if you ask me. The only over-the-top thing IMHO was beating up an innocent Ferrari. Even then, the anger was directed at an inanimate object, and not at a person.

 

I think this also speaks to the "Battered Spouse" argument. I'm reading through old stories, and I just don't see the type of emotional or verbal abuse that would form the basis for that kind of relationship. That's a tough dynamic to judge. I think Robbie's reaction in the first few chapters, where he took Brad to the shrink to drop the bombshell on him, showed that wasn't the case. He wasn't worried about Brad's reaction from a fear standpoint, he was worried that he wouldn't be able to express himself clearly, and that he'd end up screwing everything up.

[PrivateTim]

I'm not seeing Brad's temper as being out of control. I think his reaction to opening up their relationship in Chapter 2 was pretty normal, if you ask me. The only over-the-top thing IMHO was beating up an innocent Ferrari. Even then, the anger was directed at an inanimate object, and not at a person.

 

I think this also speaks to the "Battered Spouse" argument. I'm reading through old stories, and I just don't see the type of emotional or verbal abuse that would form the basis for that kind of relationship. That's a tough dynamic to judge. I think Robbie's reaction in the first few chapters, where he took Brad to the shrink to drop the bombshell on him, showed that wasn't the case. He wasn't worried about Brad's reaction from a fear standpoint, he was worried that he wouldn't be able to express himself clearly, and that he'd end up screwing everything up.

 

I think Brad's temper has always been out of control from his attack on Billy to his attack on the Ferrari and then his vicious verbal assault on JP when he was trying to get JP to promise not to help out Brian.

 

I wouldn't say that Brad's domineering goes as far as battered wife syndrome because he doesn't abuse Robbie or Jeannie in that way. He is just dismissive of their feelings, or more to the point, doesn't even consider them, he just runs roughshod over them. You don't need to be a battered wife to feel put down, unnecessary and in the case of Jeannie, like the hired help.

 

And while the reaction to opening things up in Ch. 2 might have been okay, but maybe not since Robbie was willing to drop it . It was Brad in his typical, "my way or the highway" who insisted they do the 30 days. Then it was Brad's over the top reaction when the 30 days was up to insist on more terms and again, his way or the highway. He didn't give Robbie the option of going back to monogamy even though Brad had said at the end of 30 days if either person wants to end the openness, we will.

 

Robbie may have been too passive, but Brad contributed to him being that way and maybe because of Robbie not wanting to face Brad's wine cup full of anger.

 

If you re-read a lot of Millennium you'll see how often you talk about Brad flashing to anger, whether or not he expresses it.