Mark Arbour

Every once in a while, someone will give me shit for all the drug use, so I'm glad you brought this up. I think Will handles drugs responsibly, based on who he is and the crowd he runs with. If anything, I've probably made him too pure in this regard, remembering some of my friends around this era for whom every night was a challenge to see how fucked up they could get.

You guys are hilarious. Thanks for making me laugh.

February 25, 2004 Spago Beverly Hills, CA Will I knew they would direct Darius to our table, but I was so anxious to see him I kept glancing at the door. I looked at my watch and noted that it was 7:00pm, then looked up to see Darius strolling up to the maître d’. “Darius is here,” I said to Stef and Tom. He was wearing nice gray slacks, a black shirt, and a purple blazer, an outfit most guys would have trouble pulling off, but not Darius. He strode confidently

February 25, 2004 Hotel Bel Air Los Angeles, CA Will “I didn’t know you were getting a room here,” I said to Stef, as we walked into a nice suite. It had a large room with a big table that was perfect for meetings, along with a separate bedroom. I’d stayed at this hotel years before, back when I’d left Malibu to avoid Robbie and JJ. The hotel was cool with its pink walls and 1950’s version of Spanish architecture, while the rooms were very sleek and modern. Th

They are fun to write together! In the context of the story, Daventry serves to anchor Granger’s mind on his high social station, as opposed to his status as a naval officer.

May 25, 1801 Visby, Sweden Granger returned to the ship, greeted by the requisite sideboys and bosun’s mates, and found Douglas on deck. He could sense that the man was in crisis and felt sorry for him. “Thank you for the ride home, my lord,” Fitzgerald said playfully. “I was glad to help,” Granger said. “Mr. Douglas, would you join me for a nightcap?” “Of course, my lord,” he said nervously. Granger led the way back to

You ever have that friend who was kind of annoying but also fun or had some other redeeming quality? The person who usually was somewhat tone deaf and sometimes ended up being the butt of the jokes, and was often the subject of 'behind his back' snarkiness? (If you didn't, that person was you 😀) JJ's like a high class version of that person. JJ knows he's a high-maintenance primadonna. He is constantly worried that people (especially his family) don't love him, and that's why he puts them in situations where they are forced to demonstrate that they do (ie...his demand for apologies and groveling, and his expectation that his birthday will be a tour de force rivaling the Met Gala). He seems genuinely surprised that people like him. His family, especially his brothers, put up with his diva routine because they do love him, but they let off steam with their catty comments to each other.

That is so tempting to write😂 Brad just projects power, even when he doesn’t plan to. Not sure I’d consider that bullying.

February 24, 2004 Escorial Palo Alto, CA Will “I hope you don’t mind me staying in bed,” I said to Tony while he sat on a chair tying his shoes. “I know my way out,” he said cheerfully. He leaned in and gave me a nice kiss. “Call me when you get back.” “I’ll do that,” I said, smiling at his handsome form as he walked out of my room. I’d had a blast with him, and I decided that the awesome sex we had was an indicator of how we’d found a good place t

I love this. So spot on!

May 25, 1801 Visby, Sweden Granger sat at his table with his letters arranged in neat piles, but he did not read any further because he was still thinking of Caroline’s letter, and of his dead aunt. His impressions of her before Edgar died were of an imperious, cold woman. He didn’t ever remember seeing her smile, much less laugh, and she seemed quite content when the children, including Edgar, were shuffled off to their governesses. Her stoicism was remarkable, but she se

February 23, 2004 Escorial Palo Alto, CA Will I sat on my bed with the papers from the accordion file spread out in front of me. I knew there were some trusts that I’d have access to when I was 18, some I’d get access to when I was 25, and one that I wouldn’t be able to touch until I was 50. I rolled my eyes when I realized that my father had said he’d signed over the ‘easiest’ ones, when in fact he’d signed over the ones I’d get when I turned 18. He hadn’t mes

For an 80’s person like Claire, grunge would have been the next big thing besides rap.

May 25, 1801 Visby, Sweden Granger disembarked from his gig, followed by Daventry, Fitzgerald and Anson. After them came the eight marines and a sergeant that Captain Pitcairn seemed to think was important for his security. “Welcome to Visby, my lord!” Backstromm said enthusiastically, as if his arrival was a huge surprise. “It is a pleasure to return to this city that I have come to love,” Granger said, then focused his attention on the dock. A large crowd, at leas

Personally, I love thinking of Claire as the Anti-Grunge😀

February 23, 2004 Escorial Palo Alto, CA Will I didn’t really have anything going on today, but even though I was hungry, I took a shower and made myself presentable before I went up to the kitchen to have breakfast. It was a good thing that I had because I found Aunt Claire sitting with Stef and Grand at the table. “Good morning,” I said cheerfully, then went over to greet Carmen and thank her again for put

I worry that I overplay the Escorial dinner scenes, but they are so much fun to write.

February 22, 2004 Escorial Palo Alto, CA Will I stood in front of the mirror, carefully tying my tie. I looked at the finished product, swore a few times, then pulled it apart and started again. I was pretty good at tying a regular tie, but bow ties were way tougher. Marie, John, Ryan, and I had talked about dinner tonight because John was damn near in a panic about there being a total shit show. Having to

Because you know the autho so well😈

May 23, 1801 HMS Calliope The Baltic Sea “My lord, that was a wonderful dinner,” Captain Hamond said as they strode out of Granger’s cabin and onto Calliope’s quarterdeck. “I could not agree more, Captain,” Granger said. St. Helens had quizzed Granger and Daventry over breakfast and decided that he had enough information from them. He had given his blessing for them to leave, but they would only be able to escape from this place after dinner. Granger had deci

Good point.

I don't necessarily think prestige comes from spending money. I'm almost wondering if someone leaked the next 3 chapters to you. 🙂

I haven't written that yet, or even thought it out in my mind, but I'm looking forward to it.

You were right. You can do your happy dance now. 🙂 What he said.

February 21, 2004 Santa Cruz, CA Will “What the fuck is a sham charity?” I demanded, not a little annoyed. Shit, Stef and my father had put a ton of money into the foundation. “Just forget it,” Mike said, put off by my evident anger and the intensity of my response. I thought back to the recent discussions between me, Jake, and my father, and how when Jake slammed my father for being candid and sharing how he felt, Da