Young and Hungry - For Life - 20. Divas Reborn

With lockdown over Edward took some time off writing to get some bookings for Divas and get past his writer’s block.

Because large gatherings were prevented during lockdown, many couples planning weddings put off their plans. It was no surprise then that bookings flooded in for weddings at Divas. Also popular were birthday parties celebrating significant age related milestones.

These mostly filled the diary for Fridays and weekends. To recover lost revenue, what Edward really needed were some mid-week bookings. He then looked to the business sector for conference and business related expo bookings.

However, with business only just winding up slowly, there was little appetite for spending on conferences. He needed the mid-week bookings to recoup lost revenue from the previous three months. When discussing it over drinks at Dean’s, Juanito suggested they either put on their own show or talk to Tristan about a dance program.

“That’s it, brilliant” he exclaimed.

“Which bit?” asked Juanito.

“All of it, but the dance idea is great”

“Do you think Tristan will have a new program?”

“No, I’m not thinking that sort of dance. I’m thinking dance lessons, specifically ballroom dancing”

“But he’s not a ballroom dancer”

“Maybe not, but surely he can throw together the appropriate steps. He does have experience at teaching dance, albeit theatre dance. That could be one night per week, and we can put on a cabaret style show one night per week, with different acts”

“The trick will be getting people to come out mid-week”

“I think the community is so starved for entertainment after three months lockdown, they can be enticed to come out mid-week”

Craig then said “How about a package offer of dinner, show and after show drinks. Would you be onboard Dean?”

“Sure, anything to get customers in”

“How can we get involved?” asked Brett

“Any ideas Jeremy?” asked Edward.

“Hard to see how we could do anything...unless we give away a prize at the show”

“What about some sort of discount voucher given to each customer” suggested Raj.

Brett then added “Yeah, how about the package you offer includes a voucher offering a two for one deal?”

“That could work and adds value to the package” agreed Jeremy.

“OK guys, looks like we have ourselves a plan. Let’s all put together some ideas for our next meeting, and who wants to volunteer to speak to Tristan?”

“I can do that” offered Justin.

“Good, now bartender, how about a fresh round of drinks to congratulate ourselves” asked Edward.

Raj then noticed his sister and Daniel arrive, and went to greet and invite them to join his party at the bar.

Daniel said “So good to see you again Raj, but you look so different”

“Yes” agreed Rani “Did your barber die during the pandemic?”

“No, that is, I don’t know, I just like my hair longer, like you”

“I’ll bet Mum and Dad are not impressed”

“Dad just said I look like a girl”

“Observant man our Pita, I have to agree with him”

“Well, I’m keeping it” concluded Raj

In an effort to change the direction of the conversation, Daniel said “My shout, usual for you Rani, and you Raj?”

“I’ll have a Strawberry Daiquiri, thanks”

“That’s a girl’s drink” accused Rani

“Leave him be” suggested Daniel and went to the orders section of the bar.

<>

Slowly the friends drifted into the bar. There were hugs all round between the old friends who had been separated by lockdown and a few introductions. Lachlan was only known to a few and Dante was a complete newcomer to the group.

When Brett spotted a new face, he made a beeline through the crowd, straight to Thomas and asked “Who’s your friend?”

“Hi Brett, this is Lachlan, Jonathan’s partner”

“No I want to know about the other one”

“Dante, this is Brett, our resident waxer”

“He is absolutely gorgeous, where have you been keeping him?”

“I haven’t been keeping him anywhere, he’s our new gardener and my new boyfriend”

“Well hello, new boyfriend”

Before Dante could reply, Thomas said “Brett, role your tongue back in”

“Eh..oh just showing my appreciation of such beauty” replied Brett, as he placed a hand on Dante’s chest.

Then from behind Brett “Keep your hands to yourself” scolded Jeremy.

“Oh do you have to spoil my fun”

In an effort to put Brett in his place, Dante stepped past him, put out his hand and said “I’m Dante”

“Pleased to meet you Dante, I’m Jeremy, Brett’s keeper”

“He seems to be off his leash tonight”

“Indeed, now stop panting boy” demanded Jeremy.

<>

When Snowy finished in the kitchen, he joined the party and was approached by Justin.

“Hi mate, do you know if Tristan’s coming tonight?”

“He said he hopes to make it, if the auditions finish early enough”

“Auditions?”

“Yes, the dance company has a new project that’s been on the shelf for months, so they are having auditions and Tristan is hoping to get a lead role”

“Oh, that’s too bad”

“What?”

“Oh sorry, of course that’s good news for Tristan. It’s just that I was going to ask him if he would be interested in doing a show or dance lessons at Divas, But I guess he’ll be too busy now”

“You can still ask him, if he comes”

“While I’ve got you, how are the dance lessons going?”

“Not too bad, but I don’t get a lot of spare time with attending catering school and working here”

“Remember, when we first met, you told me the dance lessons were to help you get into stripping”

“That’s how I was thinking at the time, but my life’s changed a lot since then”

“Just the same, would you be interested in doing a one off or occasionally? Edward is thinking of starting cabaret here, so we’re all on the lookout for acts”

“Like we did last year?”

“Probably not as daring as the cock sounding, I think he plans to make it more mainstream”

“Maybe we could reprise our double act, if you want stripping”

“Yeah, but what we did was more strutting than dancing. Anyway, we’ll put some ideas to Edward. So are you in if we can put together an act?”

“Sure, sounds like fun”

<>

Edward approached Jonathan to thank him for purchasing the property.
“Ah no need to thank me, just pay your rent on time and keep the place in good order, that will be my reward”

“Of course and I hope it proves to be a good investment for you”

“Thomas is handling all that for me now, it’s good to have a reliable man looking after my business interests”

“And I also heard that you floated your jewellery company, are you still involved in that?”

“I’m on the board, but only as a shareholder member”

“Oh that’s surprising, I thought you would be chairman”

“So did I, but they elected someone else, a good man though, I am impressed by his chairmanship and his style. Perhaps it’s for the best that way. I still have an active role, but not responsible for all decisions. In fact I’m beginning to enjoy stepping back and letting a new generation sharpen their management skills”

“Would it be rude of me to say I’m sorry how your attempt to enter politics ended so badly?”

“No, I’m well and truly over that. You know Edward, I’m somewhat relived, in a strange sort of way. While I was at first quite pissed off, to be frank, I’m now free to live my life as I choose. I have a new partner. Have you met Lachlan?”

“Not formally”

Jonathan then beckoned Lachlan to join them and introduced him to Edward.

“Pleased to meet you Edward, I’ve heard lots about you tonight”

“Let me tell you something...none of it is true. Don’t believe a word of what this motley crew tell you”

“Not even the part about being a famous drag queen?”

“Oh, that bit is true. I hope they told you how good I am”

Lachlan laughed and added “Rest assured they do sing your praises highly”

“Good people, perhaps I misguided you earlier”

“Will I be able to see you perform sometime?”

“You may very well. I’m planning to stage a cabaret in Divas, if all goes according to plans being put together as we speak”

“Cabaret? That sound novel. I don’t think this city has had good cabaret for years, except occasionally during Mardi Gras”

“That’s encouraging to hear, I hope you spread the word”

“Be my pleasure to help. After all, if you’re successful, then Jonathan’s investment will be successful as well”

“A good way of looking at it”

“Someone also said you are a writer”

“Oh I just dabble on and off and I have joined AA because of that”

“If it’s that stressful, why do you continue to write?”

“It’s not stressful, in fact it is relaxing”

“Then why has it caused you to drink so much?”

“I don’t drink anymore than usual, although I must admit a glass of red by the computer is my writing style”

“So have you always had a drinking problem?”

“The only drinking problem I have is my local liquor store sometimes runs out of my favourite Merlot. Why all the interest in my drinking?”

“You said you joined AA”

Edward laughed so much he almost spilled his drink. “Oops, you’ll think I can’t handle my drink. But to put your mind at rest, the AA I joined is Amateur Authors. It’s an online publishing site for new authors”

It was then Lachlan’s turn to laugh.

<>

Brett was impressed with Andy’s jewellery display by the bar, but as usual wanted to know how he could get involved.

“I don’t see how” suggested Andy

“Well, I’m thinking, when I have a client in an intimate position and have just cleared their forest, then I could suggest some adornment to embellish their new look”

“Mmm, maybe. So you would refer your clients to me and expect a referral fee?”

“That’s one way, but not all that practical. We operate basically nine to five, and you are not open all those hours. Your main trading times are evenings”

“So what are you suggesting?” asked Andy

Just then, Brett saw Dante walk away, on his own. He excused himself from his conversation with Andy and followed Dante. As he thought and hoped, Dante went to the toilet. Brett sidled up to Dante at the urinal and had a good look.

“Oh my god, you’re already bigger than most men and not even erect”

“Thank you, but don’t let your imagination run away, I don’t get a lot bigger. I’m what they call a shower, not a grower”

“What does that mean?”

Dante looked over at Brett’s and said “Looking at you, I assume you’re a grower, which means you get a lot bigger when erect, than when flaccid”

“You bet I do”

“Good to know, but me, I don’t get much bigger, just harder”

“Very hard?”

“I can hold my own”

“I’ll bet you can, but I’d rather hold it for you”

“That’s not what I meant, it was just a figure of speech”

As they shook simultaneously and Dante put his away, Brett left his hanging. This prompted Dante to ask “Do you need help putting it away?”

“That would be nice, if you want to oblige”

“It was a rhetorical question Brett. Are you always this slow, at catching on?”

“Well I don’t need to stand her and be insulted by the likes of you”

“Why, are there others who are willing to insult you?”

Brett then pocketed his penis, turned away from the urinal, and in an attempt to zip up quickly, didn’t notice that the tip had just sneaked out again as he began to harden.

“Fucking hell!’ he yelled, as his hands began to tremble from the pain, and he lost his grip on the zipper tab.

Dante saw what happened and immediately went to help, by unzipping Brett’s jeans.

They then heard laughter from the entry passage to the toilet, but this stopped as the two arrivals turned the corner and were stunned by what they saw.

<>

After some hurried explanations and more than a few profanities, Jeremy helped Brett to a cubicle and sat him down to recover. Thomas gripped Dante by the upper arm and marched him out of the toilet.

As they headed back to the bar, Dante asked “Are you always this possessive and jealous?”

“Me possessive?”

“Yes, what did you think was going on in there?”

“That you and Brett were...”

“And if we were, would that be any of your business? You don’t own me”

“Excuse me for caring, but I introduce you to me friends as my boyfriend, and you make no objection to that, so yes it is my business if you’re fooling around with someone else”

“But we’ve been in group sex at Crystalline”

“By mutual consent and together, but behind my back is different”

“Hey, we’re having our first argument, and it seems to be about something that really didn’t happen” suggested Dante.

Thomas laughed and said “You’re right, but I’m still not happy about your, would it be any of my business, crack”

“Yeah, sorry about that, I have to get used to being in a relationship and what it entails”

“Speaking of which, isn’t it about time we moved in together” suggested Thomas

“We already live on the same property and share a bed”

“But I have a room in the big house and you have a flat over the garage”

“So will it be your place or mine?” asked Dante.

***

Tristan showed up later. Snowy greeted him and asked “How did it go?”

“They didn’t make any decisions. Got the usual, we’ll call you”

“Is that their polite way of saying no?”

“Not necessarily, they haven’t offered anybody a part yet”

“Well, if that doesn’t happen for you, there may be something coming up here”

“Like what?”

“Justin said something about giving dance lessons and Edward wants to do cabaret”

“Justin give dance lessons?”

“No, god I can’t imagine old bumble foot giving dance lessons”

“So what are you on about?”

“Edward thinks it might be a goer to have ballroom dancing lessons at Divas. He’s trying to find ways of making the venue pay mid-week”

“It might work, but not for me. I’m no Todd McKenney, but I know someone, that is two guys who are that good. Remember Isa and Duncan, the twins. Before they came to SDC they were ballroom dancers. In fact they challenged the Australian Dancing Board to let them dance as a couple. They were not welcome at first, but when they read the rules, apparently there was no mention of gender in who could participate. There were references to male partner and female partner in regard to dress code and certain steps, but that did not preclude a same sex couple from participating, provided one danced forward and one danced backwards, so to speak. I don’t think they’ve got a gig at present, so I’ll give them a call”

“So would you be interested in doing something at their cabaret?”

“Could be, depending on SDC commitments”

“It’s only going to be one night per week and they want different acts all the time, so it wouldn’t be a regular commitment”

“Sounds good” concluded Tristan.

“You know, Justin’s asked me about doing a strip act. Could you choreograph something for me?”

“You don’t need me to show you how to take your clothes off in a seductive way. You could just stand still to remove your clothes and it would make any woman moist, or gay man rise to the occasion”

“Yeah, but I need steps to give it some flow and pizzazz”

“OK”

*****