Open Sesame

By: Hank Horne
(© 2018 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

HHorne@tickiestories.us

Chapter 24

A few days later, we got a courier envelope from the State Department.  It was from Jim Guthrie in Bagdad, letting us know that Majid, Hassan and Dildar’s authorizations to apply for United States citizenship had been approved and both the Senate and House had passed the bill to wave the five-year waiting period for their becoming citizens, reducing the waiting time to one year.

{Interruption here}

Shouts and jumping up and down and hollering must have been loud enough for Greta to hear because she came in to see what was going on.  Okay, maybe she felt the vibration of this old house with all the jumping.  She joined us in a toast to our new-citizen candidates.

There was a second page from Jim personally.  He had applied for his retirement from the Federal government effective 30 June, the end of the fiscal year.  He plans to come home and needs a job, so he asks if we have a position suited for him.  Hmmm – he asked for a ‘position’ rather than a ‘job.’  Maybe he doesn’t really want to work.  So, I emailed him that the only job available was Custodial Supervisor here at the house, but to send his resumé and we would see what he’s qualified for.  We could use Jim as Corporate Counsel because he has a law degree but may not need to be admitted to the Georgia State Bar.  It would be perfect for him.  He would also interact with Marc Goldberg and Evan Tyner as needed and talk their language – in and out of the office.

He sent his resumé in the next courier.  He’s actually forty-five years old and has twenty-five years in Federal employment, having started as a clerk for an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court while in Law School at American University in Washington.  He has been admitted to the Bars of Maryland, the District of Columbia, and the Supreme Court.  He moved to the State Department when the Justice for whom he clerked passed away and has been with that department ever since.  ‘He’s a damn good looking and a well preserved forty-five-year-old.  Hope I look half that good at that age!’ I thought.  ‘Jim could be a real asset if I can keep him and Howie apart.  Howie, Washington – Jim, Atlanta.  Works for me.’

I sent him an email thanking him for the resumé and told him we had looked over his qualifications and did not feel he would be suited for the job we have now. However, he should get in touch when he was settled at home and maybe something would be available then.  I thought Maji would bust-a-gut laughing when I hit ‘Send’ on the computer. 

A couple of days later, I got a message from Howie, “Lunch tomorrow at Flanagan’s 12:30.”  Wow!  Command appearance!  Must be something very important.  When I walked into the Pub, I saw him seated in the private dining room.  He stood, and we shook hands and hugged.  When I was seated, he reached in his pocket and said, “I caught it!”  He held up the engagement ring. I took a deep breath and let him continue when he wanted to. 

“I’m not willing to be dictated to in my own home or denied access to my lifelong friends.  She’s a spoiled brat and her parents condone it.  As Winston Churchill supposedly said, it is something up with which I will not put.  She even tried to get the ring back after she threw it at me.  She said she was keeping the wedding presents that had already been sent, but I told her she would be keeping them under false pretenses and could be sued.  I told her parents that I hoped they would see she returned everything with a note of explanation.  And I plan to let Mom and Dad’s friends know the situation and to expect the return, and that they have my deep appreciation.  Have I missed anything that I should do?

“Howie, you have done everything you should and more.  I’m truly sorry in one respect, but I’m glad you realized the situation before it got any worse.  I didn’t want to be standing next to you when the minister asked if anyone knows any reason the two of you shouldn’t get married.  I might have needed to duck when I said, ‘I do!’”

That lightened the mood, and Howie mouthed the words, “Thank you” and signed it at the same time.

“You invited me for lunch, cuz, not just to cry on my broad shoulders.  I want the corned beef plate with my Guinness.”

Howie raised his hand to get the waitress’ attention.  When she came over, he ordered the same for both of us.  Then he asked, “What’s going on with you these days?”

I proceeded to tell him about the land we had bought and the construction that was beginning.  I indicated that I probably would be moving to Georgia before the end of the year to run the all-gay project.  I told him about hiring Scotty and considering adding Jim Guthrie to the mix.  He just sat across from me shaking his head. 

“Howie, I fully realize how you feel, but I feel very comfortable with this.  You will be more than welcome to visit anytime you want to, but I will be back at home occasionally to see Greta and Robbie — and you.  I would have asked you to be our Corporate Counsel but thought you would feel awkward about it.  You will be invited to the grand opening weekend, but I doubt you will want to be there.  In other words, I’d love it if you were there, but I won’t be hurt if you don’t show.”

“I’ll think about it – even if Guthrie is there.”

“Speaking of …. Would you do me a ‘flavor?’  He says he’s retiring from the State Department with twenty-five years of federal service, including clerking at the Supreme Court.  Could you do some background checks to see if this is a real, honest-to-god retirement, or a cover to infiltrate my organization?  He’s asked me for a job — well, not a ‘job,’ a ‘position’ with my company.  He’s very much qualified for the Corporate Counsel ‘position,’ and he’s gay, but I’d like to know more about his sudden ‘retirement.’  What ‘cha think?”

“Oh, I’d love to investigate the sonofabitch!  Even if it only gives me the names of everybody he’s screwed.  We’ll have lunch again when I get a full dossier on him.  I might even provide an oversized dildo to ram up his ass — oh, but he might enjoy that.”

“Howie!” I commented, while bent double laughing.  “I’ll cover any costs you have on this ….”

“Oh, no!  This is my pleasure and will take my mind off other things.”

“Here’s a copy of his resumé to start with.  Let’s see where it leads us.  Thanks, cuz!” 

“Oh, this will be fun!”

* * * * *

It was July 4^th, Independence Day, with lots of celebrations going on around the country.  The Chevy Chase Club had its own party, and the Deaf Club had their party.  The guys and I made it to both.  Dinner and a few drinks next door with some old family friends, then over to the Deaf Club to be with Greta, Robbie and their friends for a while. 

The next day, we were hanging around the house, dressed very casually in shorts and tanks, when Jim called from his family’s home in Hyattsville.  He wanted to come over, which was fine with me.  He arrived about an hour later.  When he came in, everybody greeted him.

“Jim, I’d like to introduce our newest family member, Scott Jonas.  He’s come on board with us in a financial capacity, since his career has been in banking.”

Scotty shook his hand, saying, “Jim, it’s an honor to meet you.”

Jim took Scotty’s hand in both of his, saying, “Oh, my god, I’m in lust!  It’s a real pleasure meeting you, Scott!”  {I was sure I saw Jim use his ‘social finger’ to scratch Scotty’s palm; I thought that was passé.}

“Jim, come on in the living room.  What brought on this retirement crap at your age?  You’re supposed to work until you’re at least sixty.”

“I’m tired of travelling the world.  I’m tired of bureaucracy.  I’m tired of dealing with all the shit that goes on in government.  I just wanted out.  But most of all, I just want to be myself.  Having to play it straight with all those hot Marines around exuding testosterones and pheromones and not being able to do anything about it, had gotten to me.  Then I met you guys and realized there’s more to life than a fancy top rank government job.  When I learned you two had quit at GNN, I realized I needed to find another route to take.  So, here I am, wanting to join you in your venture, whatever it is.”

“Well, Jim, I hate to tell you, all the top positions are already taken with our organization.  But we do have some availabilities for bottom positions.”

Everybody looked at me, then realized the double entendre, and even Jim burst into laughter.  I thought Scotty was going to roll on the floor. 

“You S.O.B.  I’ll have you on the bottom in no-time.”

“You’ll have to get through Scotty first.  He’s the new guy who will be auditioning all the wannabees.  But we’ll get to that later.  Right now, I want to discuss what we have available in the company and where you could best be used,” I told him.

“Sounds good,” Jim replied.   

“At the corporate level, we need Counsel, namely someone with knowledge of law, procedures, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.  At the daily operations, we need a General Manager for Operations.  Hassan will be handling Personnel matters — or HR, as they now call it — and managing the resort.  Dildar will oversee all security issues.  Scotty will be responsible for all finances.  Majid, of course, will run the video production aspects.  And I will lie around and give all the employees cock-sucking lessons.  What would you say to coming on board as our Corporate Counsel and General Manager for Operations, Jim?”

“I noticed you skipped the club and restaurant operations.  Who will be responsible for that?” Jim asked.

“That’s where the cock-sucking lessons will be held,” I replied. “So that will be my responsibility.  Hassan and I will work together on scheduling the bartenders, dancers, DJs, chefs, waiters, barbacks and busboys.  Hassan will deal with the staff at the resort, including front desk, bellhops, cleaning, dining, and lifeguards.  He’ll also assign all housekeeping duties for the entire facility.  Majid will be responsible for all jobs at the production and recording studios.  The General Manager will control all maintenance issues for the entire facility, landscapers, gardeners, and the apartment complex.  Any questions so far?”

“Not yet,” Jim replied.  “But there may be some later.”

“At the entrance to the apartment complex, on the right side, will be the main offices for everyone.  Behind it, on the first side street, will be the clubhouse, dance studio, fitness center and swimming pool.  This will be for staff use only, and there will be a supervisor on duty twenty-four, seven.  Across the road from the offices and down that side street, will be luxury apartments designed for senior staff members – if you want to have ultimate privacy.  Scotty, and you, Jim, if you decide to join us, will have the option of a room in the castle with Maji and me.  I emphasize it’s an ‘option,’ totally your choices. 

“If you do choose the castle, we’ll have an indoor-outdoor pool with hot-tub, fitness center, and orgy room where you can see underwater of the indoor pool.  There will be a staff of a dozen guys specifically for castle services.  A chef, a maintenance man, a housekeeper, an auto mechanical engineer, a groundskeeper, and a security specialist.  Each of these supervisors, mature men of thirty plus, will have a young assistant, in their twenties, to help in their area. 

“There will be a sous chef, a general handyman, a housekeeping assistant, an auto assistant, a floral decorating specialist, and a computer whiz to help their supervisor.  If necessary, the younger men will be enlisted to help in other areas around the castle.  Most will have chauffer’s driving licenses, so any could be enlisted to pick up guests at the airport or drive anyone anywhere needed.  This group will live in an adjacent dorm over the garages.  They will be available to us 24-hours a day – for whatever we need – or maybe ‘want.’  All castle facilities will be available to all castle residents and senior staff at any time.

“However, if you choose to have one of the luxury apartments, as Dildar and Hassan have, the clubhouse facilities will be available 24-7 across the street.  Resort housekeeping staff will be available for weekly cleaning, but you will take care of your own cooking and kitchen chores, grocery shopping, and personal laundry.”

“Holy shit!  You hadn’t told me about that!” Scotty remarked.

“WOW!  Are you tempting me to come onboard?” Jim asked.

The four of us shook our heads. “They’re the facts. Just the facts, man,” I replied in my best Jack Webb monotone. “It’s your decision sometime in the next month.”

To be continued... 

Posted: 12/14/18