Lois, thank you for the beta...you are the greatest!
Chapter 33 – Here We Are Again The Next Morning…(Day 44) As Brian and Justin entered the coffee shop the next day, Spyder was once again sequestered at his favorite table, pretending the read the morning paper. “I see Brian obviously won again about the limo?” Spyder teased, without looking up. “Well, don’t just stand there, take a seat.” Brian and Justin seated themselves and began to review their menus. “Well Brian, you’ve had all night to plot your strategy. What do you have in mind for me to do today?” Spyder finally asked. “Can you and Justin pull something together that will allow my client here and my client in Milan to work with each other…maybe across the web if necessary. And then have those two clients work with Kinnetik in Pittsburgh, with Justin and I having access to whatever they’re all doing from where ever we happen to be? The good news is Justin’s computer already has the ability to talk to Kinnetik,” Brian described. “I’ll probably have it working by the end of the day, barring any problems with your two clients,” Spyder suggested. “Good. And, I also need you to be Justin’s assistant on this project,” Brian added nonchalantly. “What?” Spyder objected. “Do I look like an artist to you?” “Spyder, these clients won’t need you do anything artistic. What they’re going to need is a referee. They need someone to keep them on track, and they need someone to keep them out of Justin’s hair unless it’s absolutely necessary. That way he’ll be able to get some painting done. He still has that submission for the Milan gallery, and the deadline is coming up. I won’t take any more chances with his art,” Brian explained. “Brian…” Justin raised his voice to complain. The waitress appeared, delivering mocha lattes for everyone. Brian and Justin looked surprised. Spyder just smiled. “I took the liberty of ordering before them before you got here,” he confessed. Everyone took a sip of their latte and then paused a moment to give the waitress their breakfast orders, with Brian and Spyder waiting patiently while Justin appeared to be ordering the entire menu. “You wouldn’t think someone as slim as he is would eat so much, would you?” Spyder commented with a laugh. “Where does he put it all? Where does he get that metabolism?” Even the waitress had to smile at these comment, before she left with their orders. “I wish I knew,” Brian said with a touch of longing. Then he remembered that he was in the process of making a point so he resumed his original train of thought. “Now where was I? Oh yes…this isn’t open for discussion, Sunshine.” “Sunshine…isn’t that sweet,” Spyder couldn’t resist commenting on the nickname he had never heard used before. “Don’t you start,” Justin warned him no uncertain terms. Spyder decided to heed the warning, and quickly changed the subject. “So you just want me to coordinate things. I guess I can probably do that. I’m sure I can work around any problems. However, I do have to make a trip to the west coast at some point to see my attorneys,” Spyder continued, “It seems that someone wants to option one of my novels, but we live in the technology age, so I’ll make it work.” “Option one of your novels? That should end your reign of obscurity,” Brian quipped. “I know. That’s why I’m hesitating. I like my anonymity,” Spyder acknowledged. “I remember what happened when Hollywood came calling because they wanted to turn the comic book that Michael and I created into a movie,” Justin said, shaking his head, “What a disaster that was. They pulled the plug on production in the middle of things. I’m not sure I would rush to deal with the movies again. When did you write your novel?” “I wrote this novel a long time ago. It sold quite well in Europe. I can’t believe that someone has found it after all this time,” Spyder said with a shrug, “And now someone wants to option it. I’m only going out to talk with my attorneys…nothing more.” “Ok I assure you that this project will be far more interesting than any deal you’re about to transact about your novel,” Brian assured him with a laugh. “So go on tell me about it,” Spyder insisted, “I’ll admit you have me intrigued.” “Justin, you and I have to create a showcase for Collezione Fiero…from scratch… during this meeting. Are you up for it?” Brian hesitantly asked. “Really?” Justin asked with a smile. “We had originally planned to do that for the campaign itself, but in the end that wasn’t necessary,” he said with a slight laugh. “Thanks to you. You know I really hate to suggest this because I know that it’ll require a lot of effort on your part. But, you know I couldn’t do this on the spot with anyone else. At least this time, we have the added advantage that we know what their ad campaign looks like, so we’re really ahead of the game. We just have to select the right elements from the campaign to make them shine at the showcase.” “And what do you want me do while all this creativity is in progress?” Spyder asked, using his hands for added emphasis. “Like I said, Spyder, you’re going to be Justin’s assistant. You’re fluent in both French and Italian. I was planning on you eventually putting together the commercial to run on the video screens during the showcase. We have artwork and copy to help you. I know that this will be just another day at the office for you,” Brian smirked. “I can probably do that. It’s the ‘be Taylor’s assistant’ part that I don’t understand,” Spyder stated, still showing his confusion. “Anything that Justin and I don’t finish by the time we leave today…anything that either Belluss Occhiali or Eyeconics needs to finish, I want them to route their stuff through you. You can decide when Justin or I need to get involved. That way Justin can get some painting done, and yet still work on this project. You and Justin can also use the resources of Kinnetik…if that becomes necessary. I guess I’m just concerned because I know that Justin has an application to submit to Pinacoteca Ambrosiana before the end of the month. It has a deadline that Justin really can’t afford miss.” Brian revealed “So Taylor is going to be my boss? Brian, you don’t know what torture that’s going to be?” Spyder was already complaining. “I think I have some idea, but you’re strong, Spyder, I’m sure you’re up to the challenge,” Brian said with a smirk. “This is just your way of getting back at me because I thought that you should have left for Pittsburgh already,” Spyder quipped. “I hadn’t thought about that. But now that you mention it, you HAVE been trying to get rid of me,” Brian reminded him. “Unsuccessfully, I might add… And what is this about a submission the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana? You mean the art gallery in Milan where Leonardo’s painting of the Last Supper is housed,” Spyder asked with renewed curiosity. “That’s the one…Justin has been asked to apply for this summer’s emerging artist exhibit at the gallery. He only has a few weeks to create his submission for the application process,” Brian explained with some pride. “Why Taylor, I had no idea,” Spyder remarked. “I knew about your show here in New York at the Thornton Gallery, and I knew about the show in Cincinnati, but this… You have to tell me these things so I can be suitably impressed. You’ve been holding out on me.” “I have not been holding out on you. You’ve been working out of town, and I guess I’ve been rather busy too. Now will you two stop talking about me like I’m not here,” Justin protested. Brian continued to speak with Spyder as if Justin had not interrupted. “Now you see why I’m trying to protect his studio time? And I know if we let them, the Silvestri women will try to think of some excuse to take him back to Milan. I think Signora Silvestri is still trying to figure out some way to get him for a son in law,” Brian grumbled. “Brian, surely these women know that Taylor is gay and that you two are together?” “You know Spyder, those two facts only seem to be slowing down their plans. It’s as if they think that these are two minor glitches that they can work around with the proper planning and enough time,” Brian quipped. Spyder burst out laughing. “You have to be kidding?” “I only wish I were. Just you wait. I’m sure you’ll see for yourself. But most of all, I just want Justin to be able to spend some time in his studio and maybe get some painting done.” “Ok Brian, I’m in with you on this,” Spyder announced. “We’ll work on this together.” “You know, I’m not a child,” Justin reminded them. “If I was desperate to paint, I would just leave both of you and go to my studio and paint like I did yesterday.” “But you won’t do that because every time I get in a bind at the office you bail me out. You don’t stop and think about the cost to you. So for the moment, Spyder and I are in overprotective mode. You’re just going to have to get used to it,” Brian insisted. “Did you hear that Taylor? Overprotective Mode…my most personal favorite way to operate!” Spyder declared. “But what about all the work that YOU have to do, and the modification to the website for Barrister, Wilkins & Evans? They really want that quickly. You don’t have time to keep an eye on me,” Justin tried to reminded Spyder. “It’s a minor change. I don’t have that much work to do, and I only need a limited set of graphics from you. Don’t worry, we can work remotely. I can give Mitchell half of what he wants…he’ll be happy to wait for the last piece. So you need to focus on being in your studio. You’re running out of excuses,” Spyder demanded. “Are you seriously thinking of going back to work at the firm?” Justin asked, still trying to stall for time. “Not with a novel about to be optioned. I’m going to be rich. I’ll never have to work again.” “Spyder, didn’t you just hear me tell you what happened to Rage, the movie?” Justin asked with a laugh. “Seriously, I believe we can provide the technical stuff that the firm needs without either of us going back to work for them. They just have to put me on retainer.” “Mitchell isn’t going to be happy about that,” Justin warned. “Yes he will. I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.” “Speaking of Mitchell, you two seemed awfully close. You were on a first name basis with the senior partner of a major firm. You’ve got to admit that unusual for a lowly programmer.” “Mitchell and I go way back. He’s like family.” “I see.” “So Brian, are you only buying me a latte or will you spring for my Danish too.” “Now since you’re Justin’s assistant, I think Kinnetik can spring for your entire breakfast. That way I won’t have to feel guilty about how hard you’re going to work today. And I’ll still give you that limo ride I promised you,” Brian added with twinkle in his eye. “Oh Brian, you didn’t bribe him with a limo ride too?” Justin protested with a laugh. “He already doesn’t want to ride the subway. He even made us take a cab yesterday.” “Give me a break, Taylor, there are some things about my old life that I do miss.” “You know that you could have it all back if you would just visit your family while you’re on the west coast,” Justin suggested. “I’ve been thinking about it. As soon as I finish being in overprotective mode with you, maybe I’ll give it some serious thought,” Spyder said, still thinking over the prospect and desperately wanting to change the subject. “This really isn’t necessary…I’m not a child…I’ve really been able to manage my own life for some time now,” Justin complained aloud, “I think you two should just leave me alone…” Neither Brian nor Spyder said anything; they just smiled at Justin’s ramblings. They both knew that there wasn’t a chance that either of them was going to miss the chance to be overprotective where Justin was concerned. They both had plans to savor the moment. However, neither of them said anything. They both secretly decided to just let Justin have his drama queen moment…uninterrupted.