Open Sesame

By: Hank Horne
(© 2018-2019 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 33

Saturday morning, everyone at the palace was down for breakfast about eight o’clock.  They were enthusiastic about the show last night.  Jennine was bubbling about her performance, and Jeff looked very happy too.  Must have had their own ‘after show’ party.  That’s great, the rooms are sound-proofed.  Mom and Dad’s close friends were equally complimentary of everything we have going here. 

“When does the money run out?” Cal asked, with his usual tact.  The wives chastised him for that.

“Oh, in about fifty years,” I answered, flippantly.  “Then I guess we’ll live on Social Security and Medicare.”

“If they still exist,” Jeff injected.

“If what still exists?” Howie asked, just walking into the dining room.

“If Social Security and Medicare still exist in fifty years,” Millie answered.

“They wondered what we’d live on if the money runs out from this place in fifty years,” I added.

“Not a chance of the money running out that soon,” Howie commented.  “Grant’s got some sharp men running the operation, including himself.  They’ll make money hand over fist if everything continues like it’s set up to.  I’m just sorry now that I didn’t take you up on the offer that Jim has.  But he’s better qualified than I am.”

“What do you mean by that?” Dan Hopkins asked.

“I lack a very important qualification to be involved with the running of this company.”  Everyone looked at him for an explanation.  “I’m not gay!”

That got laughs all around, and a “Thank God!” comment from his mother.  It also got her glares from Beverly and Ginger.

Millie made an observation about her son.  “You seem more relaxed this weekend than I’ve seen you in years.”  Several of her friends agreed.

“I am,” Howie agreed also. 

“Howie.  How about spending the next week with us here?  You don’t have to be in Washington until the first of next year, so you could stay with us.  Even go into Atlanta or spend a day at Six Flags over Georgia.  Just be carefree for a week.”

Maji interjected, “That’s a great idea, Grant.  We could hire a professional escort to show Howie around.”  That shocked everyone, then laughter, applause, and a few “Yeah!” 

Howie actually blushed – then recovered.  “Majid’s escort service has women available?”   More laughter.

“You’d be surprised what we offer!” Maji shot back.  “You’ve seen our ‘girls.’  I’m sure one or two of them would be glad to show you a good time.”

“They’re not just cross-dressers?”

“No.  They’ve got all the qualifications you could want in a woman – and more,” Maji teased.

“It’s that ‘and more’ that concerns me.  But I’ve got to admit, they all are gorgeous,” Howie replied.

“I’ve got pictures of all of them in the personnel site, so you can take a look and choose one or two you’d like to get to know,” I suggested.

Howie got his breakfast, sat with us and the conversations went in other directions.

After breakfast, I went up to my office and made some phone-calls.  First, was to one of the girls’ condo, asked Ceri, who answered, to round up the others and meet Howie at The Lodge for lunch with him there.  I warned her that no mention of sex was to be discussed, or if he brought up the subject, let him sample the most prominent area at the top but anything below would not be for sampling.  He did not know about their over-abundance below, but if they wanted to service him, it was their choice entirely.  I wanted each of them to spend a day with him, showing him the attractions of Atlanta – the Aquarium, the Zoo, Six Flags, Underground Atlanta, the World of Coca-Cola, and the Jimmy Carter Library/ Museum.  She agreed that they would be at The Lodge restaurant at 12:30 for lunch.

“Ceri, you and Juana worked last night, didn’t you?

“Yes, we did.  Was there a problem?” she asked.

“That’s what I want to ask you and Juana.  If you two would meet me in the Administration Conference Room in fifteen, I’ll only keep you a few minutes.  And please do not mention to Juana why I want to talk with you.  I’ll fully explain when I see you.  And, no, nobody is in any trouble.  I promise!  I’m crossing my heart.”  {Chuckle}

“Yes, Mr. Richards.”

“It’s not even a “Mr. Richards” thing.  Just a Ceri and Grant conversation.  And a Juana and Grant conversation.  Promise.”

“Okay, see you in fifteen – boss!”  {Giggles}

Next, I called the kitchen and dining staff to learn about their experiences with Smitherman.  I said I’d meet them in the Administration conference room in thirty minutes.  As I was leaving for this meeting, I saw Howie and told him to meet the girls for lunch.  They were going to show him the sights of Atlanta over the next week.  He seemed happy as a lark.

When I got to the Admin. Building, everyone was seated around the conference table.  A place at the end was saved for ‘yours truly,’ so I just stood there.

“Thanks to all of you for being here on such short notice.  I want to emphasize that there is nothing wrong.  I just want some individual feedback on everything that you noticed while the TV reporter and her toady had dinner and what they ordered.  {Laughter} I’ll ask each of you, one at a time to tell me in private what you saw and heard while she was in your area.  Now, I’m going to ask you to please not discuss that information among yourselves until after you leave this building.  So, think about the events, and be ready to give me a scenario from your perspective.  Okay?  {Affirmative responses} As I told Ceri, this is not a ‘Yes, Mr. Richards’ event, just a chat with Grant to let him know what he wasn’t there to see.  {Chuckles} Ceri, you ready?”

“Yeah, boss!”  {More laughter}

Over the next hour, I got basically the same story from everyone.  Smitherman was picky about everything, changed her {alleged} mind about what she wanted.  Her steak wasn’t pink enough – her salad had too many ribs on the Romaine and the tomatoes and cucumber were diced too small – her cake was not moist enough – the coffee tasted like it was left over from yesterday.  Chef Henri was about ready to give her a raw steak to take home in a ‘doggy-bag,’ or as Henri called it, ‘a bitch bag,’ – but he didn’t.  Her escort seemed to enjoy everything he was served.  She glared at him anytime he seemed to enjoy his food.  Everyone agreed that Jason and Bret, her waiter and busboy, were perfect in their service.  So much for the ‘dyke bitch.’  I saved the most important confirmation of what went on the night before. 

“Everyone is accurate in their assessment of what actually occurred in the diner last night,” Jamal corroborated.  “The only thing they left out was that the female would kick the male in his nuts every time he looked or sounded like he was enjoying his meal.  I think he enjoyed getting kicked as much as the food.”

After lunch, it was almost time for the politicians to show up for their tour.  I made sure Cal and Howie were on this tour because they would know several of the people in this group.  I asked Howie how he enjoyed his lunch with the ‘girls,’ and after learning he had a great time, told him I wanted to hear all about it later. 

The ‘politicos’ assembled in the lobby at The Lodge.  Jim, Scotty, and Hassan were there to greet them as they arrived.  Senator Chamblee, Senator Irwinton and Governor Pardee all knew Cal and the two senators knew Howie.  Mayor Frankum of Atlanta, and several of the officials from the nearby towns and counties joined the group.  We gave them the opportunity to walk through the rooms, around the pool and through The Lodge’s restaurant.  From there, everyone could see down to the beach leading to the Chattahoochee River.  The bankers and architects were housed on the upper floors, so all the suites on the first level were open for inspection.  Marc, Evan and Myron came down from Myron’s room to join the tour; Marc and Evan to mingle with the politicians and Myron to get a feel of outside reaction to the entire layout.  The lawyers might even spend the night….

I had arranged for limos, including one stretch limo, to take the guests to each facility.  The musicians and dancers were performing when we arrived at the studios.  Maji greeted them in the Control Room and told them a bit about the operation we had planned.  The first series of videos from Crystal Rainbow Productions would be inspired by the MGM musicals from the mid-1950s.  As we had done the day before, cameras were live, and everyone could walk through the control room to see all the equipment and production crew.

The ensemble from the Symphony Orchestra started playing “On the Beautiful Blue Danube” by Johann Strauss Jr.  The dancers gathered on the dance floor and began their performance.  It was magnificently choregraphed for our needs.  When that was over, a quartet from the Atlanta Gay Men’s chorus performed two of the songs from one of their recordings, “Gloucestershire Wassail” and “Irish Blessing.”    The orchestra and dancers then beautifully performed “The Count of Luxembourg Waltz” by Franz Lehar.  Our guests thoroughly enjoyed it.

Then we got back in the cars to drive through the garden area and a ride-around of the apartment complex.  We then stopped at the club and everyone went in.

As the day before, the cast began ‘rehearsing’ the show with “No Business Like Show Business.”  Fabio did the standard opening, giving it his own personal flair and tailoring it somewhat to the group there.  When the music started, he went into his number, also from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific,” “You’ve Got To Be Taught.”

You've got to be taught

To hate and fear,

You've got to be taught

From year to year,

It's got to be drummed

In your dear little ear

You've got to be carefully taught.

You've got to be taught to be afraid

Of people whose eyes are oddly made,

And people whose skin is a diff'rent shade,

You've got to be carefully taught.

You've got to be taught before it's too late,

Before you are six or seven or eight,

To hate all the people your relatives hate,

You've got to be carefully taught!

You've got to be carefully taught!

The six dancers from the opening number, each obviously from very different ethnic backgrounds, surrounded Fabio to sing the last line pensively and slowly.

The tour burst into applause, so the cast took a bow, throwing kisses to them.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is just a sample of our show,” I told the group.  “If any of you would like to stay and see the entire show tonight, we’ll arrange a room for you to relax in, then have dinner either in our diner upstairs, or the restaurant at The Lodge, and come back over here for drinks and the full show.  Think about it – actually think about driving during peak drive time in Atlanta.”  {Chuckles} “And yes, everything today is ‘on the house.”  {A few more chuckles and applause}

Cal interjected a comment, “I hope you will take Grant up on his offer.  The food is excellent, and the show is as professional as any I’ve ever seen.  I think you will enjoy it.  Millie, Howie and I have seen two versions of the show so far and we’ll be here for tonight’s show.  And we’re having dinner at The Lodge, I understand.”

“Thank you, Senator.  We appreciate those kind words. Our weekend house guests will be having dinner at The Lodge tonight and would enjoy getting to know all of you much better.  The designers of this facility will be there also.  So, let’s trudge on to the last part of the tour, upstairs to the Crystal Rainbow Diner.  The elevator is available for those who do not want to climb the stairs.”

 When we got up to the diner, Kesi and Avra were greeting the guests and offering to show them to tables.  Glasses of cold water and cold Coca-Cola were on the table, and everyone drank something as a refresher.  As they looked down on the stage below, some of the dancers were working on routines, including some of the gymnastic parts, and some were working the pole.  All the guests were amazed at their athleticism.  The music from the DJ booth was being piped softly into the diner, so their rhythm was evident. 

“We have a full menu which changes nightly, and standard sandwiches and salads which are regulars on it.  Of course, Coca-Cola products are also standard here at The Crystal Rainbow.  I won’t go into details about a childhood experience involving a competitor’s product.  Needless to say, I’ve drunk Cokes ever since.”  {Chuckles} “Now it’s Q and A time.  Who’s on first?”

One of the local city officials raised her hand and I acknowledged her.

“Mr. Richards, is this — project, if you will, more closely akin to the Rainbow Coalition or the rainbow flag?” she asked.

“Both — and neither.  The rainbow, as a symbol of Hope, began with Noah in Genesis.  And so it is today, a symbol that people who are outside the mainstream of society have Hope that they will be accepted someday.  Accepted for who they are as human beings, not as some second or third-class individuals or some weirdos who are out to corrupt society.  Anyone is welcome here.  As you have seen, we have people, men and women, who are from almost every country on earth.  Countries like Andorra, Lichtenstein – the Vatican – are not large enough to include, but countries like Mongolia, Tibet, Siberia – we do have a representative from each of those countries.  There is not someone from every country in Africa, but we do have a representative sample.  One of our architects is from South Africa.  One from each China, France, Israel, Japan, Sweden.  We are all humans from everywhere on this planet, living in peace and harmony.  I would dare say that almost everyone is what you might refer to as ‘Bi-sexual,” rather than homosexual or heterosexual.  It's really not about a ‘label.’  Does that give you a better idea of what we are all about?”

“Yes, thank you,” she replied.

I paused and looked around.  “If there are no more questions right now, let’s head across to The Lodge, where you are welcome to check in and spend the rest of the afternoon, or overnight if you desire.  While everyone is together, we at the Crystal Rainbow appreciate your being here today.  You’re welcome to return anytime you want to.  Identify yourself at the gate and your visit will be our treat.”  I led the group back downstairs and out to the limos.

To be continued... 

Posted: 02/15/19