Lois and Carolyn, thanks for the beta...you’re the greatest!
Chapter 39 – A Few Random Talks, Part 2 Thursday Morning…(Day 46) Michael, Emmett and Ted were having breakfast at the Diner. “Has anyone heard from Brian and Justin?” Michael asked. “I talked to Brian yesterday. He’s been really busy,” Ted suggested. “He’s been gone for over a week. I don’t understand how he can be so busy that he doesn’t have time to call me. After all, I’m his best friend,” Michael complained. Emmett decided immediately that the best course of action, as this point, would be to change the subject. “Are you all ready for Mel and Linds and Jenny Rebecca to visit?” “I am,” Michael replied gleefully, “It will be good to have my little honey bunch around.” “What do you have planned for her visit?” Emmett asked. “Planned?. JR is just a baby. You don’t plan things. You just spend time with a baby. I’m sure that she misses me. After all, I’m her father, and she’s crazy about Ben.” “I heard you talking on Sunday about possibly moving to Canada. Have you given it any more thought?” Emmett asked, always wanting to keep abreast of the latest information. “Ben and I are just starting to talk about it. It would be a big step. Ben would have to make arrangements with the university and get a job there. It’s just something I’m thinking about so I can spend more time with my daughter.” “That would be a big step for Ben. After all, he has tenure and everything here. He would have to give up a lot to make that kind of a move,” Ted added as a word of caution. “Remember Lindsay and Melanie made their move and things didn’t turn out quite the way they expected. We don’t want the same thing to happen to you and Ben. Besides you can’t move there, how would you manage with out US?” Emmett teased. “I wish that Mel and Linds would come to their senses and move back here. Then everything could be the way it was,” Michael added. “Things can never be the way they were. That’s why it’s important that you talk to Mel and Linds and tell them what you’re thinking. Things may be really hard for them in Toronto. You don’t want to make plans to move to Toronto only to find out they are planning on moving back here or thinking of moving somewhere else,” Emmett added. “Why can’t we all have it easy like Justin, having Brian take care of everything in his life?” Michael continued to complain. “Where did you get an idea like that?” Ted finally knew that he had to join the conversation. “Justin has been working and paying his own way for a long time now, especially since he moved to New York. Hello? Do you remember the painting of Superheroes…did you remember how much that painting hanging in your shop is worth?” “I know. I know...” Michael finally acknowledged. “It’s not like you to rant like this. What’s the matter, is Justin making it impossible to get out the next issue of Rage?” Ted asked. “No, it’s just that Brian has been gone so long.” “Well, you know that he went to Cincinnati for Nicky’s birthday. You saw the pictures that Em had on Sunday.” “Yeah.” “And then he had business in New York. So he and Justin flew there directly from Cincinnati.” “But he’s been gone so long.” Michael complained. “How can his business here run without him being here? After all, the Justice League doesn’t work without Superman at the helm?” Ted and Emmett both rolled their eyes at the comic book reference. “Fortunately Kinnetik isn’t a comic. It’s a real business, and that’s what he has Cynthia and me and full staff of people for.” Ted patiently explained. “We make sure that Kinnetik still runs, whether Brian is here or not. And right now he has us all working overtime. So don’t be surprised when he gets back here if he still doesn’t have any time to spend with you. There’s a lot going on with the company right now.” “But I bet he has time for Justin,” Michael whined. “I wouldn’t bet on it. Justin is probably in his studio painting. You know he has all those shows to get ready for. So I suspect that both Brian and Justin are working their little asses off while they’re in New York,” Ted persisted to try to make his point. “Maybe…” Michael finally acknowledged. “But the weekend is coming up. I’m sure Brian and Justin will be back for the weekend. And if they’re back, you know they’ll come to dinner on Sunday. Give him a break, Michael.” “Give who a break?” Debbie asked, as she passed their booth and couldn’t resist eavesdropping on their conversation. “Michael is missing Brian. It seems he’s been gone for over a week,” Emmett explained to Debbie, “Michael thinks it’s the end of the world.” “When are you going to stop clinging to Brian?” Debbie finally asked, placing her hands on her hips for emphasis. “I’m not clinging to Brian. He’s my best friend.” “I know all about how he’s your best friend. You still want to cling to Brian like you did when you were kids. You went on with your life…but you still won’t let Brian have his,” Debbie persisted. “What your mother is suggesting is that you might want to shift more of your attention in Ben’s direction,” Emmett gently warned. “And remember to keep your priorities straight.” “My priorities are straight. I just wish that Brian would hurry back,” Michael quietly said. Debbie realized that this discussion was getting her nowhere, so she decided to change the subject. “Em honey, you’re up and out pretty early,” Debbie said, turning her attention away from Michael for a moment. “I have a busy day. I need to prepare dinner party for a client. It was a last minute thing. It’s one of my special clients so I don’t really mind. The day is going to be busy…busy…busy,” Emmett said with a laugh. “In fact, I should probably get going,” he added, scooting out of the booth to leave. “I’ll see everyone later.” “Michael,” Ted said quietly once Emmett had left, “What’s with you? It’s been a long time since you’ve complained about Justin and Brian being together.” “Brian has been living in that house for almost a month. I’m his best friend, you would have thought that he would have invited me out to the house by now,” Michael complained. “Brian bought the house for Justin. So technically, you may have to wait for an invitation from Justin…not from Brian. They’re only staying there temporarily for a few months. You know that Justin is getting ready for his shows. I’m sure he’s not thinking about socializing yet. They haven’t even bought furniture yet. They still have that rented stuff. Give them some time, Michael.” “I know that you’re right. I’ll be okay by the weekend when JR is here.” “Sure,” Ted said, not believing it for a second “Let me go and open the store,” Michael said, scooting out of the booth. “I should get to the office too,” Ted announced, also standing up to leave. Michael and Ted said their goodbyes. *** Back in New York, Brian and Justin had just finished breakfast at the coffee shop. They had managed to get their usual table, even though the illusive Spyder wasn’t there. “Are you looking forward to your meeting with Mitchell Evans?” Justin casually asked. “I’ve done my homework, but technically this is supposed to be a courtesy call,” Brian explained, “So I’m just playing this meeting by ear.” “You’ll be magnificent as always,” Justin reminded him. “You realize that no matter what happens with Barrister, Wilkins & Evans, I really need to come back here to New York next week.” “Me too. I really have to finish my submission for Milan by the end of the week. I have to allow time for shipping it there. I just hope that my application is accepted.” “Just do your best, and everything will be fine. But, whatever happens, we’re going to Milan this summer,” Brian reminded him. “I’m so looking forward to our trip.” “Me too.” They both shared a momentary daydream about their forthcoming trip to Milan. Then just as quickly, they both returned more or less to the present. “It’s hard to believe that we’ll be back at Bri-tin in a few hours,” Brian said with a smile. “We’re probably going to be as busy there as we have been here. Are you ready?” “Gregory emailed me last night. He’s going to take care of everything at the house for us,” Justin relayed with a smile. “That’s good. We’re having dinner with Jennifer and Molly tonight. Unfortunately, Molly thinks that she and I are having some sort of date,” Brian sheepishly explained. Justin couldn’t resist a laugh, “So you have a date with my sister? Mom must have loved hearing that,” he teased. “Please, I’ve already taken shit from your mother about this,” Brian recounted, “Hopefully Emmett will fix a feast that will get me off the hook with Jennifer,” he continued with a laugh. “Not having take out pizza will go a long way with my mother,” Justin reassured him. “Somehow I knew that. Look, I had better get going to my meeting. Let me drop you at your studio,” Brian said, standing up to leave. Justin followed him. When the limo arrived at the studio, Brian made sure that Justin’s cell phone was turned on before he was allowed to go inside. Just before he finally left, Justin gently kissed Brian and flashed him a full-wattage Sunshine smile for luck. And Brian knew in that instant that there was nothing he couldn’t accomplish. *** A few minutes later, Brian entered Barrister, Wilkins & Evans and talked with the receptionist. “Mr. Kinney, someone will be right with you. Can I get you anything?” Adrienne asked. “No thanks, I’m fine,” Brian said, taking a seat and making himself comfortable. A few moments later, Toni Andrews came out and introduced herself to Brian. She then led him to Mitchell Evans’ office. As Brian was following her, his thoughts momentarily turned to Cynthia. Brian wondered if Toni was as good at her job as Cynthia was. Beginning of Flashback. “Since the move is going to happen sooner than I originally expected, I need to know what you want to do. Do you want to make the move with me or do you want to stay in Pittsburgh and run the office? Think it over and let me know,” Brian asked. “I don’t have to think it over. I’m going to make the move to New York with you.” “Cynthia, you realize that you have the education and surely the experience to run the Pittsburgh Office. You’ve worked with me long enough to…” “This isn’t about my capabilities. I know I can do the job. I know that I could have moved up years ago. But I also know that I don’t want to miss my front row seat of seeing the action in New York. Besides you’ll need me there more than here, trust me.” “Thank you.” “Don’t thank me yet. It’s going to cost you?” “Cost me? I knew that. How much?” “I want to run the New York Office when Kinnetik goes international.” Brian burst out laughing. “And what makes you think that Kinnetik is going to go international.” “Justin,” she said confidently, as if the mention of the name should explain everything. “Justin?” At the sound of the name, Brian immediately stopped laughing. “What does Justin have to do with this?” he simply asked, not knowing if he wanted to hear the answer to this. “Justin predicted that you were going to need international offices eventually. Don’t you remember? Plus after his show in Milan, he’s going to be internationally famous. So, I’m holding out for the New York Office. You always said, ‘Dream big or don’t dream at all’...” “I never said that. I’ve thought it…but I’ve never said it,” Brian teased. “I guess I must have read your mind…scary huh?” Cynthia said with a laugh. End of Flashback. Brian couldn’t help smiling to himself at the memory. He was brought back to the present as Toni Andrews finally led him into Mitchell’s office, and then, she quietly slipped away, leaving the two men to talk. “Mr. Kinney, it’s good to finally meet you. Of course, you know that you’re the talk of the town?” “I hadn’t heard that, but it’s always good to know. Mr. Evans, it was good of you to fit me in on such short notice. I’m pleased to finally meet you.” The two men shook hands. “I understand this is a courtesy call,” Mitchell began. “Yes, I wasn’t sure whether you had heard that Kinnetik is in the process of opening a New York office to better serve our clients.” “I imagine that having to deal with Belluss Occhiali, The Pentland Group, and Liberty Air might warrant a New York presence.” “I must say that you are particularly well-versed with my client-list.” “Did you think that just because you’re in Pittsburgh that I don’t know who you were? You’re a National Award Winner. And when I hear your praises from Rudolpho Silvestri, I have to take notice…we both know that Rudolpho is a hard man to please,” Mitchell said with a smile. “The worldwide landscape is littered with the remains of ad agencies that have tried and failed.” Even Brian had to smile at that remark. For once again he was unexpectedly the beneficiary of his unusual relationship with Rudolpho Silvestri. “I’m truly flattered that you and Signor Silvestri found time to discuss me.” “Don’t be flattered, your praise seems well-deserved. Now, you asked to see me, what can I do for you?” “I just wanted to stop in to meet with you. I know that BBD is your ad agency. I have seen some of the ads that they’ve created, they seem to have served you well over the years.” “That’s true. But in view of the fact that we’re acquiring three international agencies, we wanted to change our image. Spyder said that you gave him a lesson in what an ad campaign should do. He was very impressed. After talking with you, Spyder came to talk to me with a new understanding of things. I figured if you could crystallize things so well for Spyder, then I can imagine what you could do with our target audience. I was impressed that you understood that we’re not soap or toothpaste or cereal…I like that,” Mitchell said with a slight laugh. “Handling the ads for a company such as yours the objective is to keep your name before your buying public…so that your company becomes the industry standard…and then you become the only name someone thinks about when your type of project needs to be undertaken. This is done through slow and methodical advertising.” “I like what I’m hearing. May I call you Brian? Everyone else that I’ve talked to simply wants to continually showcase our projects. You’re the first agency I’ve talked with that understands that we have longer-range vision and a broader perspective. We’re architects…that by it’s very nature means that this company still has dreams.” “Of course, Mr. Evans… ” “Please call me, Mitchell.” “Of course, Mitchell, just because you’re an established company and tops in your field, doesn’t mean that you’ll be content to simply rest on your laurels in the future. Without dreams, your firm would be left in the dust by your competitors. The pursuit of those dreams are what has kept this firm on the cutting edge of its industry.” “You do understand us, Brian. That’s wonderful…because I would like Kinnetik to make a presentation to us to become our new ad agency. I will be honest -- you will be competing against some of the top ad agencies, both here and abroad. But somehow, I doubt that this is the least bit intimidating to you,” Mitchell said with a laugh. “This would be most interesting, how could I possibly refuse?” Brian said with a smile. “Perfect. Toni has a preliminary packet of information for you. We will have additional information as we actually figure out how we’re merging with the new firms. Once that is settled, we would like you to make a comprehensive proposal to us covering the new firm, as it then exists. We have some time remaining on our BBD contract, and BBD will also be given a chance to present for the new entity too. But we’re open to new ideas. You understand that the board will make the final decision. I’m merely just the point of contact.” “I understand fully.” “It has been good to meet with you Brian. And we’ll definitely stay in touch. Please keep me posted on your move to the city. I’m most interested. I know we don’t have any bath houses for you to turn into your local offices, but I’m sure you’ll be equally as inventive with your offices here as you were with the one in Pittsburgh.” “I’m somewhat surprised that you know about my Pittsburgh office.” “I know a lot about you, Brian. You’re a man of vision. You’re fascinating. Your thinking is definitely out of the box. I’ve wanted to meet you for some time. And whether you handle our ad campaigns or not, I’m always going to keep my eye on whatever you’re involved with. I have a feeling you will always be fascinating to watch,” Mitchell added with a laugh. “Something tells me you’re about to give your competition in this town a run for its money. I wouldn’t want to miss that. Not at all.” “Well, I’ve taken up enough of your time. I want to thank you for seeing me on such short notice. I will stay in touch with you, and I’ll see that my assistant Cynthia Sykes stays in touch with Ms. Andrews.” “This has been a good meeting; let me walk you out,” Mitchell said, standing up and shaking Brian’s hand. They were met enroute to the reception area, by Toni Andrews, who handed Brian a packet of materials. Mitchell and Brian proceeded to the reception area where they said they’re goodbyes. Brian left Barrister, Wilkins & Evans and entered his waiting limo. He leaned back in the limo for the ride to the loft. Brian was pleased with the meeting and looking forward to eventually making a presentation to the firm. Brian replayed the meeting with Mitchell over in his mind. Brian couldn’t believe that once again he had Rudolpho to thank for another introduction. Brian smiled as he thought about his random discussion with Spyder about what an ad agency could do for an architectural firm. Little did he know that those random comments would have such a powerful impact. Brian began to feel that all the forces of the universe were working in his favor. And as he once again leaned back in his seat, Brian thought of Justin and he remembered the letter. Beginning of flashback. Brian, Legends have told us that the Ancients would craft a Talisman, a sacred object forged at the astrologically auspicious time when all the forces of the universe converged, to consecrate the energy of the spirit within the object. For the Talisman could only be created at this one moment in time and space. It was said that with the proper Talisman, time could be eluded. Some have said that with the proper talisman, time would have no meaning…one could travel at will…back in time to the past… or forward in time into the future. Still others have said that the talisman can be used only once…one time to change a moment of the past or one time to change an instant of future. How often have we wished to go back in time to change the outcome of a moment? How often have we asked “what if”? And how often have we desperately clung to some single moment hoping it would never end? We have had our moments, you and I…moments when all the forces of the universe converge. We have known both moments of extreme joy and moments of utter despair. And through it all…through all the ups and downs…we come here to this moment in time…here in the present…when We are still US…when we are still together. The shadow of the lovers’ embrace is the ultimate Talisman of Time, for the love that is shared is transcendent. We choose what we’ll do with the time that has been given to us. Can’t we simply choose to find some way to share a love without sacrificing a life? Can’t we find some compromise? Can’t we find some way to be together? ‘It’s only time’ isn’t good enough, Brian. This is the moment for which our Talisman of Time was forged. Now is the time! Justin End of Flashback. There it all was again…Talisman Of Time…the painting…the letter. Everything came back to Justin. Everything always came back to Justin. Justin changed everything. Not just six years ago when they first met outside of Babylon…Justin changed everything…everyday. And with absolute clarity of mind, with no hesitation or reservations, Brian made a decision. He then reached for his cell phone and made a most important call.