Are You Bi or Straight?

Our landlord is gay, a retired New York City cop who divorced his wife after leaving the force and went at his new life with the fervor of a teenager fresh off the bus.
-Christopher Bram
"Mapping The Territory"


Twenty-five years ago today:

October 31, 1985
Thursday,
HALLOWEEN

I wrote in my journal at my local San Francisco parking lot on this morning like I do any other business day. As I got out of my car I decided to fill my craving for a bagel and juice. There was a guy dressed as a ‘fried egg’ in front of me at the local breakfast place. There were many other funny costumes I noticed roaming the streets of San Francisco on this morning. I didn’t dress up in costume. I wasn’t in the mood.

As the day progressed I received a surprise phone call from George Jones, my ex-flame! I couldn’t believe it.
George said, “Ah, I finally tracked you down!”
I suddenly recalled seeing his friend, Kevin, at the WHAM Concert but I couldn’t believe that George had actually called me at work. I learned from George that he is working at some Collection Agency now that happens to handle Pac Bell delinquent accounts. It was a nice surprise to get his phone call (to tell you the truth).
“We should have dinner some time,” George blurted excitedly.
“Yeah,” I said hesitantly, feeling still somewhat in shock.
“I’ll call you tomorrow.”
And so, I guess we’ll see how it goes.
PHOTO: George Jones, August 1983

 
I went straight home. It was Halloween night and I suddenly felt like going out. I chose to call Chris Cordellos. He returned my call but his car is defunct. We just talked a while. Then I called Suzy Miller.
“Hi Sue, so how did the horse races go last Saturday?”
“I’ll let you know tomorrow.”
I gave her my new telephone number.
Finally, I called Danny Garcia and Frank Vasconcellos, giving them both my new telephone number also.
 





PHOTO: Cedric Green lookalike
actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor

 Cedric Green called me, trying to verify an outing for Saturday night.
“I’m going to have to cancel out on that, Cedric,” I said firmly (without explaining about my hopeful plans to spend time together with Leonard).
Cedric sort of freaked me out when I cancelled out. He went wild with questions.
“Look Mike, are you bi or straight?”
“What?”
“Look, we’ve known each other a while and it’s no big deal.”
“I don’t see what difference it makes.”
“It doesn’t.”
“Well, if I have to say it I’ll just say I’m straight.”
“I get the impression that you’re worried that I am coming on to you,” Cedric whispered.
I thought silently, “Give me a break!”
I gulped momentarily and said, “Well, I’d heard some rumors from Helen and its all hogwash as far as I’m concerned.  It doesn't matter to me if you are bi-sexual or not.”
I left it at that but Cedric went on by flirting with me.
Cedric continued by saying, “It’s just that special people are hard to find out here and you’re one of them, Michael.”
Still, his sweet talk will never override that initial question he asked of me (Are you bi or straight?). Ugh. I just hate labels.
The subject changed as I mentioned my dream for ‘Michael J Clothiers’. He expressed envy over my aspirations. Yet, while I am still leery of Cedric I do enjoy talking to him.
“Michael, I like that you’re a motivated person.”
“Thank You,” I said, thinking only that I wish I were even more motivated.

I did my aerobics after watching a videotaped version of The Tonight Show. Then I went to bed right after that actual aired show of tonight’s Tonight Show. Pee Wee Herman was on the show tonight and I like watching his comedic ways. 


Men who were "like that" recommended 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' to each other--and even some critics understood what Oscar Wilde's novel was really about, one reviewer claiming the tale would interest only outlawed lords and depraved telegraph boys.
-Christopher Bram
"Mapping The Territory"