Summerabbacat

"His investigation had brought him into the heart of the fashion industry, where intrigue and rivalry were as commonplace as designer gowns." Brilliant analogy @E K Stokes. "The glamorous facade of the fashion world was beginning to crack, revealing a world of secrets, lies, and deadly ambition." Not to mention cocaine, orgies and egomania. It certainly appears Beverley has used Carlos and has no intention of providing any information to Commissaire Herrera which may contradict the conclusions he appears to be drawing regarding Carlos, but is he really? Perhaps he is trying to lull Beverley and Arnold into a false sense of security. Another intriguing chapter @E K Stokes. Purely coincidentally I have found myself listening tonight to a number of albums from one of the greatest models of all time, a favourite of mine, the incomparable Miss Jones, Miss Grace Jones.

I seem to recall Gordy had been invited to Ludo's home before @Bft when there was the kerfuffle early on in the story after Damian saw Gordy naked when he stayed longer after school with Gordy at his workplace because it was "inconvenient" for Jackie to collect him, even though it was her turn to do so.

I had forgotten about him @drsawzall. He was brilliantly portrayed by Peter Falk. I did not see the show often as in rural Australia where I grew up we only had one commercial channel. I am not sure it was shown regularly or it may have been on at 11.00pm or later and I had to be in bed earlier than that as I was still a young teen as late as 1978 who had not found or exerted his rebellious streak yet.

A highly imaginative little romp with a quirky sense of humour prevalent throughout. Not to be taken too seriously (which I am often "guilty" of), the pomposity of the pro-Thanksgiving Americans' was a little aggravating at first, however, the absurdity of the situation in which the crew find themselves made me a little more forgiving than I thought myself capable of (except for the treatment of the turkeys). @Paladin once again displays his extraordinary imagination, whilst keeping everything rooted in a certain degree of reality and universal themes. A most enjoyable read.

Straight to the gutter. After years of volunteer rescue work with abandoned cats and having worked for a large Commonwealth Government department, I have no illusions about our species and what some are capable of without showing an iota of guilt, regret or remorse. If I think the worst of many as I invariably do, then I am not disappointed when they deliver in spades. As for the punishments I have read enough stories where similar things may have been suggested; I am rarely capable of original thought.

A very positive one.

I would likely starve to death on Planet Denny’s® @Paladin. "Breakfast arrives. I look at the plate loaded with a stack of Maple pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage and hashbrowns. I make a mental note to spend more time in the gym. “This is breakfast?” Rowan looks up from his plate. “If it’s not enough we can order more.” What makes Rowan's question even funnier is that it is perfectly believable. I have seen for myself American's eating this and more for breakfast. If Huey, Dewey and Louie aka Daniel, Samuel and Ezekiel continue to eat like this all the time they will quickly become Obesity, Diabetes and Hypertension. I loved the reversal of the stereotypical bigoted heterosexual parent's response to the revelation their child is LGBTQI @Paladin. I recall watching a TV show on SBS once where this happened; I have a vague recollection it may have been Strangers With Candy. In this particular episode a straight son revealed his orientation to his Dads. He was frightened he would receive the same response and treatment as Trajan. If I remember correctly the Dads' expressed they were a little disappointed he was straight but nevertheless gave him their support. I think they may have also been concerned they were unable to provide him with any advice regarding straight sex as they had only ever had same sex relationships. All in all a most amusing story @Paladin which illustrates well your quirky sense of humour and highly developed imagination. Given this, perhaps you might be able to write a similar story from a turkey's POV. I saw @Lee Wilson has written a story recently from a microwave oven's POV, although I have not read the story (yet).

@Robert Hugill's stories have revealed many a word e.g. anyroad, lawks ,worriting and bandbox tidy which I have never come across before @Bft. Not only does he entertain, and entertain very well, he educates too, especially philistines like me from the Antipodes.

I find this very difficult to believe @Ticklishboy30. She could easily consult These Old Bones surely. I suspect it is just a case of Dolly being her usual modest self. Many of us will have heard of six degrees of separation (especially if you saw the marvellous film featuring outstanding performances from Stockard Channing, Donald Sutherland and surprisingly Will Smith). This story seems to halve the six degrees at least @Ticklishboy30, such that it is three degrees of separation. Speaking of three degrees, they were a fabulous group (way before your time @Ticklishboy30) who sang a lot about love, including guest vocals on the instrumental anthem Love Is The Message (the message of many of your stories @Ticklishboy30) by MFSB. It is not the original version of the song, but an outstanding mix by Tom Moulton which added the vocals by The Three Degrees. They were hugely popular in the UK and much loved by Prince Charles (as he was then) and possibly by @chris191070 and most definitely by me.

To quote the irascible Victor Meldrew "I don't believe it". You wouldn't, you shouldn't, you couldn't @chris191070. Say it isn't so.

Michael and Doug can add Barry and partner and Paul and partner(?) to their growing family. Those wonderful Sledge sisters would have a field day at the family gathering, with one of Nile and Bernard's greatest songs, one of disco's finest moments and Kathy's titanic vocals (especially on the album version).

And so the Odyssey begins for our Native New Yorker's. Let us hope bountiful happiness awaits.

It seems Michael's popularity in the bedroom and the "boardroom" has returned with a vengeance. Let's hope the latter comes with a promotion and/or pay rise and an acknowledgment that James McCauley's departure was perhaps not as it appeared.

“You heard me. If you sleep in my arms tonight, I’ll be able to soothe your tortured soul, but no hanky panky.” “Don’t be so dramatic. What are you talking about?” “Let’s get some sleep. I’ll tell you in the morning." What is Michael going to reveal in the morning? He had sex with a buddy when at NYU but decided to date women to ensure a junior partnership in the investment firm he works for? Having sex with Nancy was like fucking a partially frozen/partially thawed tuna and he would like to have sex with Doug as he finds him very attractive? I sensed Doug had either been in a gay bar or a bar where he and his friends had been harassed on the suspicion of being gay by the drunken sloth. On the assumption he was truthful in his explanation of the death of the drunken sloth, then he was rightfully acquitted of any wrongdoing. Looking forward to Michael's revelation @chris191070 which I assume will see the two fucking bunnies in the not too distant future.

Unless Destiny is an as yet to be seen female acquaintance of either Doug's or Emanuel's, then it appears either Doug or Emanuel or both are Michael's "destiny", and unless his life gets worse instead of better, he is likely to have a same-sex encounter or relationship. Anything will be an improvement on Nancy, she with the warmth and personality of a fridge/freezer. My bet is on Doug, the gregarious and generous fellow New Yorker.

It is testament to Michael's character that he did not respond to Nancy's unnecessarily cruel comment with something equally cruel. What a thoroughly unpleasant woman, he is better off without her. It appears Michael's father's lot in life may be improving; apparently neither Michael nor Ted is fond of his mother and wife respectively. I hope Michael at least informs his father he is Wyoming bound. It is sparsely populated and possibly inhospitable in parts. @chris191070 a truly awful day for Michael, although at least two of the events are likely to be a blessing in disguise, the end of his parents marriage and the end of his relationship with nasty Nancy.

The "reunion" has occurred and very quickly courtesy of Russ Kahn. The get together was a little awkward at first, but within a short time Ralph and "that boy" were enjoying each other's company and speaking quite freely of their lives since their last encounter. What a surprise Gordon felt guilty too, guilty for not having spoken to Ralph again, to have "forced" him to at least acknowledge their time together. Crying over spilt milk though is unproductive, and both Ralph and Gordon readily agreed this to be so. I am so pleased Gordon suggested the "seven of us" get together at Drew and Evie's home. Even if the respective couples don't "gel" I suspect Toby and the twins will enjoy each other's company immensely. Ralph's post-mortem comments worth the angst he was feeling regarding meeting up with "his Gordon" after such a long time. “It feels a hell of a lot better.” “Having met him and talked about it?” “Yeah. At last.” What a truly joyous and moving chapter @Robert Hugill. Spectacular. Tears of joy, which I am blaming entirely on hay fever, arrived aplenty. I suspect Ralph and Gordon may have shed some tears too, but were they able to blame their arrival on hay fever or allergies?

Commissaire Herrera, Inspector Morse or Inspector Clouseau? Thus far he appears to resemble the former rather than the latter. His interest piqued in all those interviewed to date, each one if not blatantly lying at least withholding the truth. Beverley appears the most uncomfortable thus far, certainly understating Carlos' role within the business, and possibly lying as to not knowing his current whereabouts. One thing those interviewed thus far have in common, they did not speak highly of Roland. The intrigue continues @E K Stokes. It is perhaps too early to predict the murderer, but I am inclined to think it was Carlos at the behest of Beverley.

OMG tickled and rimmed at the same time. 🔥🔥🔥🧯🧯🧯🚒🚒🚒 Who needs Santa Claus under such circumstances. The festive break in Australia results in more road deaths than at any other time of the year. I assume it is likely similar in the USA. Brett and Vincent had a lucky escape it seems from becoming a road fatality statistic themselves.

"Two, three, or four-inch mouse statues dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus decorated the corners of the brick hearth, lighted garland outlined the doorways, ran across the fireplace mantle, and wrapped around the wooden banister and rails and a Christmas village set up on the glass rectangle table that faced the front door". As I read this description of festive decor I had a "vision" of my youngest cat, Missy, whom I often address as 'Mischief', hiding, throwing and "torturing" the mouse statues, and demolishing the Christmas village when leaping atop it. Suffice to say I do not tempt fate and have any festive decorations in my apartment, wary of destruction and possible electrocution (I think it was she who chewed through my Apple Mac power cord). The gifts exchanged by Brett and Vincent were appealing, although I must say the unicorn appealed more. I of course would have to be wary of openly displaying such a figurine as it would likely tempt 'Mischief' to investigate further which may result in its damage. "I'll be with Trev and his thirteen-year-old son, Corbin, at their house in Rhode Island. I wish Mom and Dad would come to their senses and accept us. ............ I think your brother's a pretty special man. Not everyone would adopt an eleven-year-old boy he met through the orphanage's Big Brother program". I look forward to the introduction of Trevor and Corbin as soon as possible @Ticklishboy30 (hint hint).

A process of self discovery which has benefited not only yourself but also we readers.

Was it triggered by anaesthesia like AJ?

Your vivid imagination is on full display yet again @Lee Wilson. This is your "gift" and one just as precious as those possessed by Avery Sr and AJ, although perhaps not as "flashy". My fellow readers have made some very meaningful and thought provoking comments, such that there is little I can add. Just this once I shall refrain from repetition and say no more, other than that I am enjoying this story immensely thus far.

No, no, no. Please not KFC @drsawzall. A man of your character. Do not disillusion me.

A friendship between the two "strays" is likely to benefit both. Will this friendship lead to something more, only time will tell. If it does then both Tony and Aaron have the support of the older couples whom they can rely upon for information, guidance and friendship. I find many of the stories on GA present a learning opportunity from time to time, often from the pen of the author, but sometimes from the comment or a reader. On this occasion, the opportunity presented itself with the comments made by @centexhairysub. Dutch Uncle, I knew immediately what it meant given the context in which it was used, but have never that I can recall heard this term ever before. I think Scott's advice to Luke was spot-on. I suspect Tom may embarrassed when he next meets Luke. I will be very surprised and very disappointed if it emerges he is a serial sexual harasser. The universal truths in this story are as entertaining as always @Mark Ponyboy Peters, but for me the story remains quintessentially Australian, and for that I am very thankful. Although set in a different era, this chapter like its predecessors had me recalling Skyhooks, Sherbet, Australian Crawl, Mental As Anything, Icehouse, The Dugites, Renee Geyer, Marcia Hines and Sharon O'Neill in particular. Throughout the chapter Summer Breeze (The Isley Brothers superb version mostly, with a little interpolation from both Seals & Crofts and Stylus) was on loop, a most befitting song for this most wonderful of stories.