Array
(
[text] =>

Chapter 2 - Everyone Works

When we become adults we soon discover that we have to care for ourselves. It isn't as simple as our parents make it look. We have to cook our own dinner. We have to go to the store to buy the food. We have to grow up and get a job to buy the food we are going to cook. It is a repetitive process that can get and does get annoying. To fend for oneself makes it difficult to understand just how people can live. It almost explains why, in the medieval days, everyone grew their own food.

***

Colby sat down in one of three fold out chairs which surrounded a fold out table of the same brand. The table once sat in her small rented room; in a Texas house where an obese family presided. It was her prime location for photography. Now the table, like her, took a trip overseas and lived in a new apartment. As the brunette stared around her new living space she couldn't help but imagine the possibilities. She spotted things that would come to be in the future and dreamt of luxury. The small living room was also an entryway into the apartment. To one side some counters and cabinets formed a kitchen complete with a ratty old fridge and stove. The green linoleum tile made a hideous pattern and that was the only thing Colby refused to like about the apartment. It was probably built in the 80's Colby came to think.

"Have you found a job yet?" Gwen barked her eyes squinted as she shuffled into the living room from her room. They each had their own small room but shared a bathroom. The living room/kitchen/entranceway was the common gathering place. Everything was scattered about and still messy from the move.

"Well, I made hot cross buns for breakfast." Colby smiled in a cheerful sing-song voice. "I love England; it is such a cute country, with hot cross buns, like the song." Colby laughed as she rocked back in her chair. She was still in her pajamas and held her bun with delight.

"I take that as a no, no job…no money…crap we are going to have to go back to that hell hole." Gwen shrugged and slumped down in one of the plastic chairs which squeaked angrily. The shortest of the three, Gwen, was the person who liked to move the fastest. She was the farthest along in unpacking her stuff and wanted to get full on into this new life.

"Well, we should all go on a job hunt today," Colby advised standing straighter than before. She gave off a radiant smile and nodded vigorously agreeing with her own statement. "No more sightseeing, it is time to crack down."

"Smelt food," Ben wandered out from his room in pajama bottoms and a t-shirt. He walked over to the table and picked up a bun taking a bite. The wooden floor was cold on his feet and he wanted to crawl back into bed. The lure of food and growl from his stomach was too powerful.

"Sleeping Beauty has woken from her slumber." Gwen joked. "Shame the prince wasn't there."

Ben looked at Gwen from the corner of his eyes. He chewed his bun silently trying to recall his dream. It was a sensual dream and he knew from the fact that he awoke with a hard on that there was definitely a prince in it.

***

Ben needed a new jacket. His was old and felt like it was going to fall apart any moment. There were sentimental memories linked to this old jacket and he wasn't sure if he was ready to part with them. Ben's mother called him a pack rat but he didn't see items and just junk, he saw each one as a special memory. As Ben grew, he was able to give stuff away, but it was still difficult. He had this jacket when he was in college and although it faired him well, it was time to say goodbye. A man was selling cheep scarves by the street. All the different colors caught his eye and he stopped to glance at them for a few moments. Ben questioned the quality and continued on.

He came to the BBC television headquarters in White City, West London and decided to take a peak. To Ben's surprise they were hiring and he thought why not put that Communications degree to some use. It would only make sense for Ben to go into television. He opened the door and stepped inside. At once he spotted the receptionist desk. His feet hurried over to the polished wooden counter and his blood pulsed faster in anticipation.

The secretary was the kind of woman who wouldn't care about anyone but herself. A superficial smile certified Ben's suspicions of her falsity. He approached her without a smile of his own and asked for an application. The woman handed him one but not before she told him about all the problems in her life. Ben shrugged and gave the 'I-don't care' kind of nod. He filled out the application and handed it in with his resume.

***

The sun set and night was cast like a mist over London. An ominous London fog drifted in off the Thames River. The fog gave the lights a fuzzy glow and reflected them more making the city seem like a circus in the dark. Ben, Colby, and Gwen all found themselves seated around the table enjoying a take-out meal of sausage and chips. Colby had found a nice little place down the street.

"Why did we come here if none of us like fish?" Ben complained as he poked his sausage. He didn't like sausage much either but was going to eat it out of courtesy. The man felt like he was at someone's house trying to be polite.

"Can't handle it," Gwen jabbed the frank and held it up the long meat stick curved and she bit off the tip. "I understand, it's big," Gwen tilted her head in that mocking sympathetic way.

"You seem awfully proud tonight?" Colby returned as she lifted up a single chip and eyed it cautiously. Her eyes shifted from the chip to Gwen. Colby felt some inner triumph hidden in her female friend's voice.

"That is because, my dear, I have found a job, a wonderful mediocre salary paying job. I am now an employee of a four star hotel, they have the nerve to call themselves a five star though, named the Garden Court Hotel. It is a beautiful new place where we treat guests to pleasure beyond pleasure, whatever that means." Gwen placed her fork down not hungry for anymore sausage. "I start tomorrow; you lazy bums better find a job and fast." Gwen threatened her eyes shifting from Ben to Colby who both gulped.

Colby decided to eat the chip and turned to Gwen with a smile on her face. "Don't worry, I will find one. My dear Gwendolyn, if it weren't for you what would Ben and I do." Colby spoke poetically joking with Ben as she moved a strand of unruly brown hair away from her eyes.

"Live a life of squalor," Gwen replied to the sarcastic statement and lifted up her plate. She was going to wrap up the food and save it for the following day. Gwen walked to the kitchen and was followed by the two others. Each one of them had at least half a sausage on their plates.

***

Ben was the first up that day and to his surprise around 9:00 his phone rang. He didn't pick it up and waited until the blue light flashed and indicated that he had a message. He stared at the phone his mind wandering off to other places and past experiences that he needed to let go.

Colby had left the house to find a job and Gwen went off to her first day of work. They were both busy little bees becoming part of the world that Ben had yet to assimilate to. The blinking light on the phone became his golden beacon in the distance. As Ben placed the phone to his ear he listened intently to his mother's voice on a message. To his pleasure she had already sent off a box of American necessities which should arrive within the next week. He loved his mother dearly but knew that her staunch Catholicism would get in the way of any romances.

His happiness didn't stop there, the BBC wanted an interview. The next message on his phone spoke of a job interview. Ben held his breath in anticipation as he felt warmth spread from his feet upward. His happy life was only a phone call away. The BBC wanted to talk to him.

"Hello?" A British accented male answered.

"Hi, this is Ben, calling about the interview." Ben said he tried hard to make sure his voice didn't shake. The young man felt so unstable like he was in the middle of an earthquake.

"Ben?" The man on the other end sounded confused.

"Ben Howe," He replied, hoping the last name would provide a clearer picture. He now regretted not saying his full name in the first place.

"Oh yes," The voice answered, with a tone as if to say he was still confused. After a few moments and some paper shuffling the voice repeated. "Oh yes, what an interesting application. Is it possible for you to come down here for a face to face interview?"

"Yes, I can, what time?" Ben said practically shouting in the phone. He couldn't believe he was being considered for this position. The young man bounced around the kitchen in glee and was so happy that no one could see his happy dance.

"Today, about 11:30 then?" The mysterious accented voice replied with a firm authority. The authority only felt firm to Ben, but in actuality it wasn't at all.

"Yes, I will be there, what is your name though? So I can ask the receptionist where to go when I get to the building?" Ben couldn't help but smile like an idiot. His feet shuffled across the floor and his smile widened immensely.

"Barkley Fields," The man replied his voice softer at the sound of his name. Ben wondered if Barkley liked the sound of his name.

"Okay, thank you so much for this opportunity." Ben said, trying to play the suck-up note that he was good at in high school. He was the teachers pet and found it quite easy to slide by so many different things in class by acting as such.

"Goodbye then, see you at 11:30." Barkley spoke fast and hung up. It was obvious he didn't want a long dragged out conversation. By that time he probably noticed that Ben was an American by his accent.

"Goodbye," Ben whispered to the buzz of the phone. He thought that maybe the suck-up factor didn't translate to Britain. He wondered if Barkley was in a rush or just didn't want to associate with Americans.

The day continued on, with a warm shower and a nice business suit which Ben recalled from wearing to his first job. The matter of a fact was that the business suit wasn't from a high class designer. He hoped that it was from a manufacture that the English haven't heard of, so he could play it off like it was expensive. The young man stood in front of a mirror staring at him from top to bottom to find any imperfections.

Ben tried to remember the way to the BBC building. He was glad that he left early because he took an obscenely long detour. He took the Tube, the English subway system, to the wrong station and turning down a street which wasn't so friendly he found it.

Arriving precisely on time the receptionist at the front desk looked up as if she saw a completely different man from the one yesterday. Her eyes batted romantically at him. Ben could tell she was a loose woman and didn't want to get to know her any better than he already did.

"Oh hello, may I help you sir?" The receptionist blinked. Ben spotted some hideous looking earrings dangling from her lobe. He knew it was rude to stare but couldn't take his eyes off the bulbous things.

"Yes, I am here for a meeting with Mr. Fields." Ben spoke but his voice quivered as if he were speaking to god himself, or herself. He knew the woman was nothing more than a pawn in this whole chess set of a corporation but she felt important.

"Oh, well, Mr. Fields is located on the third floor. The third floor receptionist will help you from there. I don't have the jurisdiction to do that." The receptionist spoke with prior spite in her voice. Ben noted the fact that she didn't seem to like the third floor.

Ben tilted his head, taking once last glance at the earrings and went up the elevator to the third floor where a much nicer, and probably more qualified, receptionist assisted him. She led him to a polished wooden door with a name plaque that said 'Barkley Fields' in obnoxious golden letters.

The moment he stepped through the doors he felt importance bathed upon him. The interview went off without a hitch. Barkley Fields liked the boy and hired him on the spot. It was an interesting feeling to be well liked by a boss. Barkley didn't seem superficial at all.

"Basically you are being hired as a gofer, but you will be assisting some of the film crew and there are promotions available depending on your performance." Barkley admitted getting to the point. "Glad you are part of the staff. Show this paper to the woman up front and she will give you your ID and papers and such." Barkley nodded then turned to busy himself at his computer. The abrupt shift in interest was more than enough to push Ben out of the room.

"Great, thanks," Ben shook Barkley's hand and left the room with a smile on his face. He was working for BBC television. It was going to be fantastic. As he rounded the corner and approached the secretary she looked up with a smile which could go either way, sympathetic or congratulatory.

A man leaning on the desk caught Ben's eye. He had slightly curly blond hair and the pasty completion that Englanders were known for. His eyes were a deep brown and the frown on his lips showed displeasure. A pale blue t-shirt hung off a medium build frame. Ben couldn't help but feel a draw to this English guy. Ben looked at him with more than eager eyes. In a flash Ben was back in high school craving the guy across the class from him. It hurt to not be noticed or recognized but he still loved him. At least, Ben thought it was love.

"Did you make it?" The secretary asked. She tilted her head giving off one of her infamous smiles. Ben knew that he was gawking and turned to the woman. He gave off a pleasant smile to counter hers.

"Yes, I did," Ben replied handing her the paper. "I did make it." He repeated trying harder to believe the words. He was finally part of something big as opposed to a small insignificant business in San Francisco. "I guess we will be seeing more of each other." He said to the secretary trying to make friends.

"And you will be seeing more of Peter Cosgrave," The woman pointed to the man, who looked about Ben's age, to the front of her. He turned and put on a warm grin which emitted itself from the man's heart.

Ben melted. He gripped onto the counter to steady his balance and he couldn't believe that a man such at Peter would smile at him. "Nice to meet you Peter," Ben looked into the coffee brown eyes and couldn't help but feel slightly attracted to him. He was drawn to Peter and knew that there would be many fantasies which would ensue this meeting.

"Nice to meet you too..." He leaned to the side to look at the paper. "Ben," Peter caught the guy's name. "Nice to meet you," Peter nodded his blond curls bounced up and down in his nod. He held his hand out for a shake which was taken with glee.

Ben couldn't help but enjoy the feel of Peter's soft hand against his and he held on a bit longer than he should have. Ben felt Peter's warmth meld with his and it was amazing. When Peter pulled away Ben eyed him as the woman finished all the paperwork and handed Ben an ID and a schedule of when he would be working. Ben gave a slight smile to her, but his eyes remained on Peter. Ben was a love struck puppy.

"I shall see you tomorrow then," Peter laughed and nodded, almost shooing Ben away. Peter's laugh was like a soft cream sweet to the eardrums. Ben tried to focus on the laugh and decided he liked it.

"Yes, tomorrow," Ben said breathlessly feeling more like a parrot than a person. Ben gave Peter one last look and walked to the elevator. As the metallic doors slid shut on the American and a drag pulled him down he couldn't help but wonder about his new co-worker Peter. He could picture late nights together, early mornings, and even some long afternoons. He wondered if his dreams would come true and tried to breathe.

A smile appeared on Ben's face as he thought of Peter and contentment rose in his heart he was under the spell of this new guy. It would be a lie that Ben's mind didn't linger on what lay beneath the fabric of Peters light blue t-shirt and black dress pants. It questioned what type of body Peter had and how large he was.

***

A light rain began to drizzle over London. It only damped the ground and bothered the people. It was more of a cool mist which seemed to freeze the night until morning. The mist only amplified strong gusts of air off the Thames but the resistant Londoners scoffed at the cold.

Ben opened the door to his flat and peered around the room. More boxes had been unpacked and a laptop was set up upon a dark wood coffee table which didn't fit the atmosphere. Everything felt mixed up and a mess. The empty boxes were thrown by the doorway and the young man had to step over a few.

Gwen and Colby looked on the laptop screen and watched The Little Mermaid.

"You two, having fun?" Ben chuckled and watched standing behind the couch as the Mermaid Sang. He looked at her red hair and how it stayed perfectly on her head. "Why her hair perfect, and mine is is…long and not." Ben tugged a brown strand.

"I hate this movie," Gwen admitted. "Hurry, run, before Colby get's you." Gwen shouted in a dramatic outburst which she did to get a few laughs out of her friends.

"Oh Gwen, don't be silly. Now come sit next to be Benny Dearest." Colby smiled patting the seat next to her. She had a seductive tone in her voice like a mother giving a child medicine.

"Why is her father okay with her wearing shells to cover up her jumblers?" Gwen noted. "I mean with all those shirtless guys wandering around wouldn't he be worried." Gwen rolled her eyes and the Mermaid swam around.

"Gwen, don't you understand, she is a Mermaid." Colby argued and slapped the couch cushion as if that made her point more of a point. "Plus, she is half fish I mean how are they supposed to."

"Oh, so those shells are just there for decoration. No the little slut is very well endowed." Gwen explained. "Why are there no black mermaids?" Gwen scanned the screen for any trace of ethnicity.

"Stop that, this is my favorite movie." Colby crossed her arms and leaned back in the seat. She pouted a little then regained her peaceful composure.

"I like Mulan, she is the only Disney girl that doesn't need a guy to support her. She takes it into her own hands to find a job." Gwen laughed and patted Colby on the shoulder. Gwen watched the rest of the movie in silence.

Ben walked to the window and looked out as a car drove pass on the London street below. He put a hand up to the cold glass and felt the coolness flood his hot palm. "Wish I could be part of your world." Ben felt the coldness seep into his hand and wondered where the warmth he felt earlier went. He turned to his two friends with a smile. "Make room for me, I want to join."

Ben removed his hand and squeezed in between his two girl friends. He took each of their hands in his and watched the movie.

***

Growing up we need to take responsibility. It is our duty to go outside and get a job and make our life work. We get jobs, we buy food, and we cook, these are what adults do. However, when we take these tasks on for ourselves we find out very quickly that even though we act like adults, talk like adults, and look like adults. We are still that seventh grader crushing on the guy next to us.

***

(((AUTHORS ANALYSIS)))

Okay, so I am sure you guys are raving mad that there was absolutely no kiss, no sex, no rape, no whatever it is in this slash story you are looking for. Don't worry, there will be. There will be plenty. In this chapter Ben met Peter and he fell head over heals for him which I hope most of you caught. Let's also notice that in this chapter reaching out and grabbing something becomes quite apparent. Ben reached outside his safe area to grab a job, he reached out and touched Peter's hand, and at the end he held his friends hands. I love the simple act of holding hands because so much emotion can be transferred through it.

You see, when Ben took Peter's hand, or Peter took Ben's? Whatever way it went. They held each other for a moment and had a connection a physical connection; this means the mental is soon to follow.

Okay, again with the Disney rephrases. Clearly the line "part of your world" was taken from that little mermaid song. I picked that song specifically for this chapter because the trio is trying to assimilate into British culture, not become British, but be part of the culture. They are all job hunting in a world that they are unsure of. This also is a reference to the fact that Peter and Ben are from two different worlds, and walks of life. It's as if there is a glass blocking Ben from Peter. The thing is, will it break and who will get hurt in the process.

[text_hash] => f8841962
)