TheStoryReader

Thank You Mark, for the early Christmas present. Very glad that we get the early chapter. Fingers crossed for one for New Year's day too! Of course, I am assuming that you will be continuing your long-running and deeply entrenched Anglo/Franco-phile Colonial Romanticism and skip Sant Patrick's day, per usual (I kid, I kid). All the Very Best for you and Yours, S.R.

I have not posted in quite a long while, but this one looks like extra juicy fun. While it remains true that I consider you one of the great (serious) chroniclers of modern gay life, it is also fun to take a walk on the wild side, from time to time. This one looks to be a spice one indeed! As always, all the very best, S.R.

Per our previous conversation, Mark, good that we are still posting chapters on the important holidays, in this case thank you for the chapter celebrating: 404 Day Bonza Bottler Day Easter Sunday - April 4, 2021 Geologists Day - April 4, 2021 (First Sunday in April) Hug a Newsperson Day International Carrot Cake International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action Jeep 4x4 Day Last Day of Passover - April 4, 2021 National Baked Ham with Pineapple Day - April 4, 2021 National Cordon Bleu Day Plum Pudding Day - April 4, 2021 Tell a Lie Day Victims of Violence Holy Day Vitamin C Day Walk Around Things Day World Rat Day Not sure if the last one is to celebrate rodents or informants, either way, glad that they come ahead of the Irish people in your mind. All joking aside, love Steph's comment on Julian. Thank you as always for sharing. All the very best, -Jason

Oh, I know it was not a deliberate snub of the Irish. This is something I have been ribbing Mark about for several years (He never posts on St. Patty days). Sometimes if I am feeling extra childish, I will look up the dates of chapters to see if they fall on really obscure holidays, and then give mark a hard time about posting a chapter on that day, but not honoring St. Patty's day.

Mark, As always thank you for a new chapter. Can't wait to see how the family reacts when they hear about he snake. Sadly, another year passes and you again break my heart by proving that you remain an unreconstructed anglophile by deliberately snubbing the Irish by skipping St. Patrick's day for a holiday chapter. For Shame Sir, for Shame! Erin go Bragh! -Jason

Mark, two things- First, thank you for sharing your work with us all, and thank you for the New Year's post. I hope that this finds you and yours well, and that 2021 is a better year for you, and for all of us, than 2020 was. Second, I often tear through the chapters to see what is going to happen next. So I don't always take the time to appreciate what a fine writer you are. And I don't mean just the plots, the way your fiction records history, particularly the emotional history of our (LGBTQ+) people, or the amazing characters that seem like people I know. Beyond all of that, there is some truly exceptional writing in this story as well. I did not leave a comment for the last chapter, but the the scene where Will was drugged was absolutely fantastic, first rate writing. I have no way to describe it other than as just flat out excellent literary technique. Prose writing in it's truest expression as fine art. As always all the very best, -Jason

Happy Thanksgiving Mark, and many thanks for the early post. Also, I give you my heartfelt thanks for getting the worst out of the way first, so we can enjoy the rest of the Australia trip without too much stress, as readers. I am referring, of course, to the long established tradition in this series that the worst fate that can befall a main character (short of their or another character's death) is disappointing sex. Things can only go up from here! All the very best, and I trust that this finds you and yours well, -Jason

Mark, Once again we are reminded that one of the great things your work illustrates is how radically things have changed between the generations over the last few years. While not as wealthy as the CAP clan, I grew up white in the center of west coast privilege. But I am also a gay man pushing 50, and I still think of weed as something best kept on the down-low to avoid unnecessary trouble, that being open about my sexuality is something that I need to be careful about because of the huge potential problems it could cause, and I most certainly don't trust the police or feel better when there are lots of them around. Now the truth is that, in large part because of where I live and who I am, I don't need to worry about weed, I don't need to worry about telling people I am gay, and I don't have any reason to fear the police. When I interact with younger gay people, the differences are dramatic. And I love the way you capture the different generational reactions to things, based on the times that the characters lived through. On a personal note, another thing you nailed perfectly from a character perspective, as this is an obnoxious habit I find in myself and still have to work against, is a serious double-standard between gay and straight sexuality. While I definitely have always felt that any gay person should get as freaky as they are comfortable with, I too have always had a double-standard for the sexual practices of straight people. While I would never look at a hot guy and think, why are you dressed that way, or hear about somebody's gay relationship drama, and ask, "why would you do that", I do find myself seeing straight people, and asking, "why are you dressed that way", or hearing about somebodies relationship drama, and thinking, "why would you do that". And I feel silly (as well as just a little bit old, and not in a good way, if there is such a thing), but I can't help it. Anyway, still loving the project, All the Best to You and Yours, -Jason

Still loving the story, and very much looking forward to your chronicling of our recent history (both so very good and so very bad). All the Very Best, -Jason

As always, glad for more CAP. Hope this finds you and your well. All the Very Best, -Jason

Mark, so glad to see you back in the saddle! Stay Healthy, As always, I hope this finds you and yours well, R.B.

Wondering two things: 1) How long before what seems to be Will's steadily increasing drug use will continue before it becomes a problem? 2) There was a dangler with Zach and the hyper-dominant coach, wondering where that is going? Regardless, you clearly have a new generation set to discover all of good, bad, and ugly that life has to offer. So very glad to be back with the family, Thank you for sharing, All the Very Best -Jason *******Update******* Given the direction that this thread had taken, I would like to clarify my comments. First, I have had many friends who, starting in their late teens, and continuing through their early thirties, would be best described as enthusiastic explorers of all that modern pharmacology has to offer, and none of them ever became addicts, or had their various adventures impact their academic or professional life. Which is not to say that there are not many people who have suffered as a result of wondering down that road, just that their are many different outcomes. Second, by a problem, I was not thinking that we were going down the circuit boy path to ruin. Rather, given the history of this story, I was thinking of the time or two when a character has found the pursuit of all the pleasures life has to offer has put them into situations that they would rather not find themselves. Third, Mark, while I most definitely want you to write the story you want to wright, please rest assured that you can add all the sex, drugs, and rock and roll to the story that you cram onto a page, and you will have at least one devoted reader -Jason

Wondering two things: 1) How long before what seems to be Will's steadily increasing drug use will continue before it becomes a problem? 2) There was a dangler with Zach and the hyper-dominant coach, wondering where that is going? Regardless, you clearly have a new generation set to discover all of good, bad, and ugly that life has to offer. So very glad to be back with the family, Thank you for sharing, All the Very Best -Jason

Ah, how I have missed this. And how very glad I am to have you back. All the Very Best! -Jason

Very Well Done Dr. Arbour! All the very best, and glad to see you back in the saddle! -Jason

So very glad to see you back writing. Looking forward to seeing the new work. All the Best, S.R.

Marry Christmas and a Happy New Year Mark! I hope the new year finds you and yours well. All the Best, -Jason

Mark, welcome back! So glad to see your return, and in fine form as well. As always, all the best! -Jason

Ah, Mark, so good to have you back. I have not been checking, I feel so remiss-three full chapters of CAP, and I had no idea! I was sad to hear about your health issues, but glad that you are once again writing. Until it happens to someone, no one is really ready for a biochemical process that also affects the mind. We are so steeped in the idea of the separation of the body and mind that we think that a person can just overcome anything by the power of the will alone. Which is complete bullshit. Until you find yourself in a position where the will is undermined by the body, it is impossible to truly understand it. No matter how much you know, a professor and mentor of mine memorably said about it, you are never ready for the smell of the shit until you are in it, or how much work it is going to be to dig yourself out, hand full by handful. It does bring to mind one of my favorite quotes, though, from Vince Lombardi, “Fatigue Makes Cowards of Us All.” Regarding you story, two thoughts. When it comes to drugs, I am very much in the, “Just Say No to Drug Hysteria” camp. I know people who have had great clinical results using Ecstasy in limited controlled studies, and find the restrictions of that for theoretical use to be repulsive. That said, for Will, JJ, and that generation, it is a scary time to be young, gay (or maybe I should say LGBT to be more correct), rich, and have access to the clubs. You touched on that briefly with the bodyguard, I think his name was Pat. I consider one of the great failings of our community that we did not get organized quickly enough to deal with the coming of meth and the party scene. A lot of people might argue that we still are not there. I am lucky that I have not had to deal with it in my personal life, but professionally it has been a nightmare for the mental health community. Regarding the bombing of the airplane, they are deep into it now. Essentially, when it comes to people who kill other people for money, law enforcement divides killing for money into two groups. Killers who work for organized criminal groups, and those who do not. If you do not work for an organized crime group, prosecuting the killer is the higher priority. In that case, usually they will give the person who instigated the killing some kind of deal (usually life, but sometimes a less sever but still length sentence), in order to get the killer on a capital charge (if possible) or life term (if the capital charge is off the table). On the other hand, if the instigator is an organized crime figure, then prosecuting them is the higher priority. As a result, they are very unlikely to testify in court if everyone gets caught, they are just not going to get the kind of deal to make it worthwhile. So most killers who are proficient work exclusively for an organized crime group. Which means you need to know someone in that world if you want access to someone with real skills to do that for you. In this case there is the added aspect that there is an aircraft involved. Bringing down an aircraft is a whole different level of heat from law enforcement. More than any other method of killing a single individual or small group. Enough so that if you get caught, you are fucked, no matter how much influence and power you have. Doubly so after September 11th. The point of all that being, whoever is after the family is dead set on getting their revenge, and they are not worried about the consequences of their in the way a person who is thinking, even a little bit, about what they have to lose in life. They also are either extremely proficient when it comes to building bombs and getting them through security, or have access to people who are. People who are willing to work for them and not worried about being turned on if someone from law enforcement figures out what is going on. It really is glad to have you back, As Always I hope this finds you and yours well, All the Best, -Jason PS: Illness or not, I can't help but noting, that once again, no Saint Patrick's day chapter in 2016!

Ah, Mark, Life imitates art! (Well, not really, but there is just enough of a tangential thread here for me to tell a (kind of) cool story). I have a cousin who is a partner in one of those top tier law firms (the kind that the characters in your story use) where they pay you a crap ton of money in exchange for all of the waking hours of your life. I was visiting him for a few days and he had a party, of which most of the people were other attorneys or people who came with them. They started in talking about some legal thing, and I wondered away. Outside on the deck, there was this older guy (Older to me at the time, I would guess late forties to mid-fifties) having a drink by himself. So I went out to talk to him. He was another attorney, I remembered from the introductions, but not a part of the firm. So I said something pseudo-tipsy clever, like, "Off the clock?" I can't remember what it was. I do remember that he laughed, and said something about it not being his area. So I asked what his area was, and he just laughed at that too. We did get to talking about backgrounds and what not (he wanted to know why I was there). He had a sister who was a psychologist, and we actually (his sister and I) both had some people that we knew in common (professionally). After a while he talked about himself (see, Mark, there is a point!). He had been in the Army as an enlisted man. First as a Signals Intercept-Traffic Analyst/Translator/Intelligence guy, then a couple of rotations in the Special Forces Regiment, first as a communications, and then as an intelligence, sergeant. Then he left the army, got a comp-sci degree, was an FBI agent for a while, then went to Law School. When I asked my cousin about him later, he said that you sometimes encounter people like that working for really rich clients. The big thing that they bring is that their "work product" is covered by attorney client privilege. Amongst other things that they do, for some things that are extremely "sensitive" the way that it will be set up is that there is: A client - An intermediary attorney - The attorneys/firm doing the work. That way, if anything that the attorneys working for the firm that is doing the work has to be signed by the client, it is instead signed by the intermediary attorney. So, if any of those documents are a part of the public record (legally or are leaked to the press), or are subpoenaed, all that is on them is the name of another attorney, who's client's identity is covered by attorney client privilege. As always, Thanks for Writing, and I hope that this finds you and yours well, All the Best, -Jason

Although it was a literary metaphor (so, really, what could be more appropriate given the context here), as Emmerson supposedly said (as relayed by Oliver Wendell Holmes), "When you strike at a king you must kill him." Interesting days ahead. Another great chapter, can't wait to see where this goes. As Always, All the (Very) Best, Mark -Jason

Ah, Mark, how I have missed this. How the drama builds. I would be remiss if I did not point out that once again Saint Patrick's day has come and gone without a CAP chapter, but I am sufficiently happy to see you back that I will not elevate the outrage to the level that it deserves. I will be most interested to see the course events take with Buzz. If he is just a man who loves ass, he may well have landed in the promised land. If his plans include more subtitle manipulation, he may be in for a rather rude awakening. Schemes like the ones he seems to be trying to put in to play (again, if he is motivated by more than a serious love of ass), require the people being played be strongly motivated to keep their relationships discrete. Will's behavior may have given him the wrong impression in that regard. Of them all, only JJ might go down that road. He is the only one who seems to have a true submissive streak. Although he also has enough raw bitchie arrogance coiled up inside and just looking for release, that it is hard to see anyone controlling him for very long. Still, if you were ever going to write about someone being dominated (e.g. Robbie and the fisting) from the perspective of the sub, it JJ seems like the character most likely to go down that road. Although, as I said, as annoying as his more annoying personality traits are, they would probably come in surprisingly handy in helping him break free from an unhealthy relationship. On the other hand, he also has, sadly, many personality traits that would lead him to get into a potentially unhealthy relationship to begin with. Alex being the perfect example. Once again, thank you for sharing this amazing story. Sorry that I did not reply until now. I hope this finds you and yours well. -Jason

Merry Christmas, Mark! Thank you for the chapter gift. In one of the ways that short term worries can become long term comforts, the fact that Triton is a major defense contractor may prove to be a huge boon in the coming months for Brad. I have a very close friend who is an attorney who worked for a top tier defense contractor. He was never a big fish, but he did support contract negotiations with the Government, so he was in the room when some of the major defense projects between the late 90's and early twenty-teens were put together. The thing that shocked him was how blurry things get when you get to the executive level for the major defense contractors. There would be people representing various executive branch agencies, people representing congressional committees with oversight and funding roles, and people from the company all in a room deciding what needed to be done from a capability stand point. And, he said, who was supposed to represent what party got very muddled. It only confused things that people were moving back and forth between the various groups thorough out their careers. A lot of the time he said that he was not even sure how a lot of the decisions were made, people just talked, a lot of it in other rooms and other places, and multi-billion dollar contracts just sort of materialized out of the ether. Once you get into the realm of compartmentalized programs, one thing that became very clear was that everyone knew everyone, and it was/is a world that begins and ends with mutual back-scratching. Nothing earth-shaking or new there, just thought I would add my own two-cents from personal experience. Shifting gears, as always, as the year ends, it does well to reflect, and to say thank you for this amazing story that has been such a big part of the past year for so many of us. And such a big part of what we are looking forward to in the new year. I hope this finds you and yours well, All the Best, -Jason

Great to have you back, Mr. Arbour! It has been a while since I have seen my friends, and it is good to get in touch again. And that is how I, and I am sure so many other of your readers, see the characters you have created-as friends. I can think of no higher compliment to pay an author, and I hope that you receive it as such! All the Best, Jason

Finally, Mark, we have turned the corner. I have been reading CAP for a long time, and for a long time I have been waiting for the day when everything would be worked out and the drama would come to an end. It's been a great run, and I have had a great time, but I, for one, am looking forward to the smooth seas ahead. Everything is worked out, everyone is in a good place, and we can finally just sit back and enjoy the peace and quiet! As always, All the Best, -Jason