Although he was appreciative of the modicum of success he had attained through his cable TV show "Queer as Folk", he was uncomfortable with the instant recognition that came along with it.   The audience was diverse and worldly, and surprisingly, women far outnumbered the gay men.   His admirers were constantly trying to engage him in conversation, touch him, or do even more.  Gale's saving grace was that he was relatively unknown in mainstream media, which gave him a certain amount of anonymity. 
 
He shook his head in disbelief.  Gale couldn't understand the fascination.  It wasn't just the giggly college girls that were stalking him, it was the middle aged mothers and wives as well. Moving quickly, he expertly made his escape down the subway station steps.  Phew!  Looks like they lost his trail.  
 
Gale breathed a sigh of relief.  Another close call.  That was definitely one thing he liked about New York.  It took little effort to get lost in the crowd.  With his pea coat, cap, and messenger bag slung over his shoulder, it was easy to blend in.
 
Gale was perplexed at the lengths to which his so called "fans" went to, to get information on him and his family.  At times it amused him, but most of the time it just plain pissed him off.  The intrusion of his most private moments was a steep price to pay for success, one that he wasn't sure was worth it in the end.  
 
Pacing back and forth on the platform, he hoped that no one would bother him.  He was tired, and in a hurry to get to his destination.  The M train finally came, and he embarked, sitting across from a harmless elderly gent.  
 
Gale was finally beginning to relax a little, when he felt eyes boring into him.  Turning his head, two young women tried to avert his gaze, and make it appear that they weren't staring.   But Gale was certainly adept at spotting a fan girl by now.  He had long ago grown accustomed to the knowing looks, and rude stares.  One of the women brazenly raised her head, and made eye contact with him.  She smiled a little, and blushed.  'Not bad', Gale thought.  But he had no time to waste on pretty young girls who worshipped the ground he walked on.  He had an important rendezvous to keep.
 
Gale smiled briefly in acknowledgement, and then returned his attention to the man sitting in front of him.  Thinking back on his past mistakes, he knew better now.  He was already developing a reputation of being a prima donna, especially since he stopped posing for pictures.  He was well aware that he couldn't afford more negative publicity, so he endured the small pleasantries, since he knew it would go a long way.  
 
It's not that he didn't <i>want</i> to accommodate his fans, it was that they overstepped the boundaries.  He had been groped and nearly strangled by enthusiastic fans more times than he cared to remember.  Although he didn't think of himself as a sex symbol (having just been another unknown struggling actor years before), there were a faithful legion of fans who thought otherwise.  
 
The train halted at his stop.  He could sense the fan girls whispering, and conspiring their next move.  Gale rose, and was almost tempted to turn around to make sure no one followed him.  But he decided against it, and just proceeded to power walk down the steps, and out the door of the train station.  He knew that when he got into this mode, no one would be able to keep up with him, particularly those young women in high heels.  
 
He dashed up one block, and down another.  Within minutes, he stood outside the familiar brownstone.  He rang the bell, and was greeted with an enthusiastic,  "Hey".  
 
"Hey yourself, Randy."
 
He was looming in the doorway, and when Randy stood there in silence, he jovially asked for permission to enter his best friend's home. "Well, may I come in, or should I just stand here all day?"
 
"Oh...sure Gale.  I'm really glad you made it.  Did you run into any trouble getting here?"
 
"The usual fan girl shenanigans.  Of course, I managed to dodge their attempts to follow me both times",  he said with a smirk.  
 
Randy grinned.  Gale certainly seemed pleased with himself.  "What on earth do they think they're going to see?  You and I in a passionate embrace, kissing?"  
 
"Wishful thinking on their part."  Gale remarked.  They both chuckled, as Gale took off his coat and hat, and threw it over a chair.  
 
"After all these years, you'd think they'd have something better to fantasize about,"  Randy announced.
 
"Besides", Gale offered, "It's ridiculous to think that anything went on between the two of us."  He walked towards Randy until they were face to face. 
 
"Yeah, especially since I'm with Simon, and you're with that sweet young blonde...what's her name?"
 
"Ashley" Gale reminded him.
 
"Oh yeah."  Randy said as he reached out to brush his thumb over Gale's cheek.  
 
"Why ever would they think that we were involved."  Randy teased as his fingers traveled lower to hastily unbutton Gale's shirt.  
 
"It's utterly unbelievable", Gale agreed playing along.  He impatiently pulled Randy into a tight hug.  
 
Randy cupped Gale's erection through his pants, rubbing up and down.  "I missed you", he confessed in a breathy whisper.  
 
"Me too, Randy.  More than you'll ever know."
 
"Show me" Randy challenged.  Gale claimed his mouth with his, bestowing a kiss.
 
"I'm still not convinced."  Randy smiled coyly.
 
Gale groaned, but pulled his lover against him, and threading his fingers through his blond hair, planted a long sensual kiss on his lips.
 
As the sun set, and Randy and Gale were naked and panting, Randy thought to himself, "Sometimes life really <i>does</i> imitate art."