Mounting Fears

61

NELSON PICKETT WAS SNUGGLED UP TO HIS NEWEST BOYFRIEND IN BED, WATCHING an interesting video that featured two other boyfriends, when his bedside phone rang. Busy as he was, he ignored it, until he heard the voice on the answering machine.

"Goddammit, Nelson, pick up the phone!" Willie Gaynes shouted.

Pickett immediately stopped what he was doing and grabbed for the phone. "Yes, Willie?" he panted.

"Have you seen the website of The Washington Post?"

"No, Willie, it's not part of my regular reading."

"Well, if you'll get off your ass and get onto your computer, you can read tomorrow's big fucking front-page story. Your story!"

"I don't understand," Pickett said.

"The Post has scooped you! Do you know how much I hate being scooped by a straight newspaper?"

"That doesn't seem possible, Willie."

"Not only is it possible, it's a fucking fact! I'm at the office, ripping out our front page and trying to find something to replace your story!"

Pickett's heart sank. "Do you want me to come down there, Willie?"

"No, don't you come down here, not ever again. You're fired!"

The noise of the phone slamming down caused Pickett's ear to ring.

"What's the matter, sweetie?" his friend asked.

"I've just been fired," Pickett said in a hollow voice.

"Really?"

"Really."

His friend looked at the bedside clock. "Oh my God, I've got to get out of here!" he said, leaping out of bed and grabbing his clothes.

"I could use a little consoling," Pickett said.

"Sorry, baby, I forgot about another appointment."

Then he was gone, and Nelson Pickett was left alone to contemplate his job prospects.