Brian and Justin are strolling down an alley together, Justin declaring that "man can't live off the backroom of Babylon alone". He wants them to fool around in other places, too. Like the baths. Only . . . the baths have been shut down thanks to Stockwell. Justin wants to know when that happened and Brian asks how he's supposed to know? B&J head over to the Gravel Pit only to find it closed too. As is the Adonis. B&J are standing infront of the locked door when a cop pulls in, gets out of his car and asks what they're doing. Brian replies honestly--Looking for a place to fuck! Cop asks how old Justin is and Justin say he's 19. Cop wants to see some ID. Justin's not pleased but goes to the officer and shows his ID, asking if the officer was hoping for someone younger. Cop fires back asking if Justin wants to get arrested. Brian tries to play peace maker, saying that Justin is just a bit rambunctious. Aren't all boys his age? Cop carelessly tosses Justin's ID back, letting it fall to the ground and tells B&J that the party is over. Go home. Justin retrieves his ID from the ground and as he and Brian walk off Justin comments that it's becoming a police state here on "Loss-Of-Liberty-Avenue". Justin says that something has got to be done. "Yeah, me," Brian replies.
Camera pans over a line of Stockwell's campaign posters hanging on an alley wall before stopping on Brian whose reclined against the wall, enjoying the blowjob that Justin is giving him. After a bit of moaning and stroking Sunshine's blonde hair, Brian cums. Justin stands, leans into Brian, and then turns and spits Brian's cum in "Jim Stockwell's" face on the campaign poster. Justin says that is for the boys down at the stationhouse. Brian thinks it's hysterical. He kisses Justin and they walk off.
At the gym, Brian is in an extremely good mood. (He seems to be in that state all the time since getting back with Justin.) He bids the guys a good morning and sits down on a weight bench to sip his cup of coffee. Michael says they missed him at Babylon the night before and Brian replies that it was such a lovely evening so he and Justin decided to go for a stroll. Emmett says he heard the disco was jam-packed and Ben says it was. There's no where else to go since Stockwell has closed down everything else on Liberty Avenue. Emmett adds that Brian has given Stockwell the power to do it. Brian answers that Stockwell is probably doing them a favor. The Gravel Pit was a skank hole anyhow. The only thing Brian ever picked up there was a case of crabs. (Ew!) The baths were usually full of trolls and the Adonis hadn't cleaned the cum off their floor since opening night. Ben says that isn't the point. The point is their world is being taken from them. Which, Em adds, includes fucking where ever they want. Something that would normally have personal significance to Brian. Michael tells them to save their breath. The only thing that has personal significance to Brian is succeeding in this campaign, signing on all of Stockwell's wealthy backers, and moving to New York. Brian clicks his tongue and points at Michael like "You got it".
A commotion with Ted and the gym's receptionist interrupt the guys' harping on Brian and Em excuses himself to go over and see what the problem is. Ted demands to see the manager. Em asks what is going on and learns that Ted isn't being allowed in because the bank says he has insufficient funds to cover his membership fees. Em tries to smooth things over, saying that it's probably just a mix-up. They'll get him a guest membership until they can clear up the misunderstanding. Ted says fuck that. He's been coming to this gym for nine years and this is the way they treat him? He storms out in anger and Em goes back over to the guys. He tells them that Ted takes every little thing to heart lately. Ben thinks Ted could use a vacation. Brian says a valium.
"Valium?" Melanie asks from her hospital bed, gown pulled up enough for the doctor to perform an ultrasound. Mel has been experiencing pain, apparently, which the doctor says is normal considering her past medical problems. Michael is there, demanding to know what pain and what medical problems?! No one is paying him any attention. Lindz is more concerned that Mel should be taking it easy. She's working too hard, which worries Michael all the more. Mel thinks she can do everything and Mel declares that she can! The doctor advices her to slow down. Too much stress is bad on her and the baby. Mel assures that she is fine.
Ben, Michael, and Brian are eating at the diner together and Michael is talking about the ultrasound and that he's worried about the baby. Ben asks if Michael saw the baby on the monitor and he did. Brian asks if it looked like Michael? Have his nose and eyes and penis? Ben doesn't appreciate the penis comment until Michael declares, "It's the size of a peanut!". Heh, heh, heh. He means the baby, he corrects. Ben's cell phone rings and he leaves the booth to answer it. He speaks to the person on the other end, saying he has to teach until three but will be by that afternoon. Michael asks if everything is ok and Ben says it is, kissing Michael good-bye and telling him to stop worrying. Debbie has walked up and over-hears the final part and claims Ben's seat, asking who is worrying and about what. Worrying is her job. Brian drawls that Michael is worrying about the life of his child because Mel is working too hard. Michael glares at him like "Will you shut up?". Deb reminds Michael that she worked up until the day he was born and went back three days later. Michael says that was different. She was younger than Mel is now and didn't have the same medical problems. And Brian adds not to forget that Mel's also a "cwazy wesbian". Deb says that maybe someone should keep an eye on Mel then. And that makes Michael worry all the more. He needs the valium now.
Ted's on his computer reading his SPAM mail. The poor guy has reached an all new low! Who reads all their junk e-mail? Anyhow, one is an invite to a sex party at the Paradise Motel that weekend. Emmett arrives and we learn that he has planned a vacation for him and Ted that weekend. They're going to the country for a little R&R. Em covering all the expenses. Ted isn't happy with that or the vacation in general. The phone rings and Emmett answers. It's a new client--apparently a very wealthy and influential one--who wants to hire him to do her party. But the problem is she has to meet with him tomorrow. So Em suggests that Ted go on their vacation without him. That might be best anyhow. It will give Ted time to himself.
Ben strolls into a hospital room where we see Hunter stretched out in the bed. Ben says to imagine his surprise when he got a call saying his nephew was in the hospital since he doesn't have a nephew. "You do now," Hunter declares. Ben asks what happened and Hunter says he collapsed on the street in pain and someone finally called him an ambulance after a few hours. He has a kidney infection. Hunter needs Ben to pretend to be his uncle so the hospital doesn't call social services on him and send him to a foster home. Ben says no. He's not lying for Hunter. Hunter reminds that Ben was the one who told Hunter to call if he ever needed anything. But this wasn't what Ben had in mind. Hunter lashes out, saying that he's told Ben what foster homes were like for him. Does Ben really want to send him back to that? Ben says they can find him a good home or another place for him to stay. Hunter is furious at Ben, asking why Ben even came if that's all he's got to say? Ben is just another wannabe do-gooder who says he'll help because it makes himself feel better but doesn't mean to follow through. Enter a nurse with papers for Hunter's next of kin to sign. "Uncle Ben" signs them.
At Babylon! "Some Loving" from the season three soundtrack and the music video is playing. It's cop night, apparently. The go-go boys dressed up as officers with nightsticks and handcuffs to go around. Brian and Justin are dancing together. Similar to last week's dance they're all lovely and cuddly and happy to be together. A shirtless wanna be trick dances over to join them, wanting a three way. Brian's all for it, pulling Justin closer and offering him a bump. Justin declines the drugs and the threesome, saying he has "something to do". Brian says he does too. Justin says bye to Brian and leaves. Brian watches him go before taking a bump for himself. Shirtless Trick starts to tell Brian he's under arrest for possession of illegal drugs. Brian twists his arm behind his back and pushes him towards the backroom, suggesting they go play "good cock, bad cock" instead.
Mel is doing some late night shopping at the grocery store. She's carrying her bags out into the parking lot at night when she hears something. She demands to know who is there, dropping her bags as she tries to fish out her mace. But hold up! It's just Michael. He's apparently been following her all around town and spying on her. Mel is pissed to realize that. Michael goes back to Lindz and Mel's with Mel and a furious Mel tells Lindsay that Michael has been stalking her. She wants it to stop. Lindz sees Michael's point about Mel working too hard, but Mel is no nonsense about it. It stops now.
Justin is sneaking through alleys and down streets, being careful that no one sees him. He uses a paintbrush to smear glue over Stockwell's campaign posters and cover the official posters with his own version. The altered poster has Stockwell with a Hitler mustache and reads "Hail To The Chief".
Camera shot of the altered posters covering the official Stockwell posters on Liberty Avenue. Debbie, Lindz, Ted, Emmett, and Brian are checking them out. Deb, Lindz, Ted and Em love them, thinking they're fabulous while Brian drawls that there's a fine for defacing public property. The gang wonders who did it and no one knows. Em thinks it's exciting, like having their very own "Secret Avenger". Deb thinks it's about time someone spoke out. "Besides you?" Brian asks Deb. Up walks an exhausted Justin and Deb comments on how tired he looks. Justin says he was up late working on a project. Brian drawls that if Justin is finished with him then pass him on. Justin smiles that it wasn't that type of project. Emmett asks for Justin's opinion of the posters and Justin says the message is heavy-handed and the graphics crude. Lindz says she loves it. It's bold and in the tradition of agit-pop art. Deb asks what that is and Justin says propaganda posters used to agitate the masses. And from the looks Brian is giving Justin, he's suspicious as hell! Brian has his suspect. Deb laughs that this will "agitate" Stockwell. Ted says he has to leave and he and Emmett walk over to his car. Em gives him some money for the trip. Ted isn't happy about that but takes it and leaves.
The phone is ringing off the hook at Michael and Ben's apartment but Ben is ignoring it, lost in his work and distracted thoughts. Michael answers and it's the hospital wanting to talk to Ben to confirm his billing address. Ben gets on the phone and speaks with the other person, saying he will cover the medical bills even if they are steep. He hangs up and a concerned Michael asks what is going on. Is Ben sick? Ben assures that he is fine and admits that it's Hunter. He agreed to pose as Hunter's uncle and the hospital expects him to cover the medical bills which are a couple thousand dollars. Michael is furious and says no way. Hunter is using Ben and hustling him out of money. Mrs. Bruckner has spoken! Do you hear him, Ben?! Michael demands that Ben go to the hospital and tell them the truth and let social services handle it from there. And that is Mrs. Bruckner's final words! (I'll never, ever advocate domestic violence, but I swear if Ben had popped the "little wife" one for speaking to him that way, I don't know of many people who would fault him for it!)
En route to his vacation in the country, a deeply depressed Ted passes Paradise Motel and remembers his invite to the sex party there. He's changed his mind about that weekend in the country and pulls off the main street.
Justin is setting up the table in the conference room of Vanguard. Brian says there is this restaurant he's heard about and wants to try. The food got only one star but the waiters got four. Would Justin like to go with him? (Uh . . . did Brian just ask Justin out on a date here? A real date?! Well, wonders never do cease!) Justin says he'd love to, but not tonight. He has something to do. "Another project?" Brian inquires. Cynthia interrupts them to let a furious Stockwell in. Brian wants to go to his office but Stockwell will hash it out there. Has Brian seen the papers? He's being called a Nazi and it's all because of these posters all over town! Justin is still in the conference room and Stockwell glares evilly at him until Brian suggests he finish what he's doing later. Justin leaves. Brian tells him that the posters are a prank and Stockwell argues otherwise. They're all over town for everyone to see. He wants Brian to get him a spot on TV to refute them. Brian says no. They're just a joke and Stockwell needs to treat them that way. At his next speaking event in a few days, he needs to laugh about them because they're funny. If he takes the posters seriously then so will everyone else. Joke it off. After all, this is America, not Nazi Germany. Stockwell should show that he respects freedom of speech and will support other people's right to voice their opinion even if they are disagreeing with him.
Ted at the sleazy motel, moping around. He goes down the hall to get some ice. Orgies are going on all throughout the place with doors open for anyone to see or join in. Ted meets a sleaze at the soda machine named Mark who invites Ted to join the party if he'd like.
Hunter is piled up in his bed watching Judge Judy when Ben drops by. He and Ben argue about Hunter's future and him going back to hustling on the streets. Hunter is bratty and an angry Ben tells him that he's going to save himself some cash and just tell the hospital the truth. The next time Hunter is looking for a sucker then call someone else. Ben leaves and goes to the nurse's desk requesting to speak to a social worker about Hunter. Hunter's doctor walks up then and tells Uncle Ben that he intends to send Hunter home tomorrow, but there's something more serious that he has to tell Hunter first.
Mel is leaving work when she drops her papers on the floor. She kneels down to gather them and experiences some pain. Michael pops up to help! Mel says she thought they agreed that Michael would stop stalking her. Mike says he lied about that. Mel starts to leave, but the pain intensifies.
Late night at Vanguard, Justin is making copies of his latest poster that has Stockwell with a red clown's nose on his face and reads "Laughing Stock". Enter Brian, who asks what Justin is still doing there. Or let him guess! The "Mad Avenger" is too cheap to do his copying at Kinko's so Justin offered to do it for him. Justin tries to hide the posters, claiming they're an art project. Brian takes the last poster out of the copier, laughing at it and saying he's sure Justin will get an "A" even if it is "crude and heavy-handed". Justin declares that Brian has busted him and now knows his "secret identity". Brian tells "Super-Boy" that his fun is over. He made his statement once and now it's time to cut it out. Justin says he's not going to stop. He's doing what he believes in. Brian fires back that he's telling Justin to stop and Justin replies that Brian also once told him to be the "best homosexual that he can be", which includes not listening to anything someone tells him, to think for himself. Stockwell is a fascist and a homophobe and he's threatening their way of life even if Brian doesn't think so. Brian interrupts that Justin doesn't know what he's thinking. He doesn't give a shit about Stockwell, he admits. But this is business. Fucking with Stockwell's campaign is fucking with business which is fucking with Brian. Brian tells Justin to leave, which he does, and Brian is left with his own conflicted thoughts and feelings.
Ted is getting ready to leave the hotel when Emmett calls him. It seems that even though his intentions are good, Em just makes things worse for Ted lately. Ted lies that he's in the country and having a great time. Ted ends up in sleaze bag Mark's hotel room where Mark is sniffing cocaine and telling Ted that everything is beautiful in his world. He asks if Ted wants to be beautiful, too? Ted accepts the coke Mark offers and joins in an orgy.
Mel is taken to the hospital where the doctor tells her that the baby is ok, but it's good her stalker got her to the hospital as quickly as he did. Michael wanders through the waiting room and is surprised to see Ben there. Mrs. Bruckner starts to harp at Ben for not clearing up the Hunter situation yet until Ben interrupts and says that Hunter has tested HIV positive. The doctors were going to tell Hunter but he asked if he could do it instead. Only he hasn't been able to find the words yet. Michael changes his tune and becomes supportive then. He and Ben leave together.
Majorly hungover Ted comes home to the apartment, surprising Emmett who is happy to see him. Ted lies to Emmett about his trip. Em notices how bad Ted looks. But I think Emmett is heavily in denial here about Ted.
A nice scene of Michael and Ben cuddling in bed together, talking about Hunter. Ben doesn't know what he will say to Hunter. He's never had to tell anyone this before, least of all a kid. Michael says that it's not a death sentence. Ben of all people knows that. Ben does, but he also knows how terrifying it is to hear those words and the struggle to deal with it after being told. And he was twice Hunter's age when he tested positive. Not to mention how can Hunter survive? He doesn't even have a home. What about being treated and doctor visits? Michael suggests a foster home but Ben asks who will take Hunter in, especially now. But his biggest concern is how he even tells the kid. Michael says Ben will find a way. Ben says no matter what words he uses, it won't replace what this will take away from Hunter. What every kid thinks they have -- invincibility.
A happy Stockwell is in Brian's office, telling Brian what a genius he is. He took Brian's advice at his recent appearance and laughed the posters off as a joke and it worked brilliantly. The situation has been defused. And, even better, he's now being endorsed by the Gay And Lesbian Center. He got a letter from the GLC's TwiddleDee and TwiddleDum (Tannis and whatever the other one's name is, from season two and early season three.) Brian looks like he could puke at the mention of them. Stockwell goes on that they're so happy that he is cleaning up Liberty Avenue, closing down the sexual establishments that were a bad for the community's image. Stockwell says that no one can call him a homophobe now! With Brian's help as well as TwiddleDee and TwiddleDum and several other gay organizations, they will make this city a better and more moral place to live for all its citizens. Brian can't believe he's just been lumped in with those two. He's not happy with himself or what is happening anymore.
Debbie is keeping Gus as Lindz and Mel come home. Deb asks how her future grandchild is and the baby is ok thanks to Michael. Deb tells her to take care of herself and leaves. Mel promises Lindz that she will slow down at work and on the case she's been handling. Looking out for the world and fighting for what is right is important, but not at the expense of her family.
Michael and Ben go to the hospital to talk to Hunter only to find that he skipped out the night before.
Brian strolls through Babylon, searching the crowd for someone. Justin, I will presume. He looks but never sees him. Brian turns in the direction of the backroom and is stopped in his tracks. The backroom has been closed and locks put on the door. Brian is furious. This is the last straw.
Justin back in the alley, painting glue over his first poster and putting the second on top of it. He's smearing glue on another to do the same when a hand grabs his wrist and jerks him around. Justin comes face to face with a pissed off Brian, who softens as he leans in to give Justin a very sweet and slow "You Were Right" kiss. The kiss ends and Brian takes the new altered poster from Justin, unrolls it, admires it for a second before sticking it on the wall. End of episode.
I have to say that I love how Justin handled everything this episode. He didn't harp on Brian or judge him like the others, but he refused to back down from what he believed in. He didn't try to force Brian to do it or see it his way. He stood for what was important to him and let Brian come to his own terms with it in his own time. In the end, that made more of an impact on Brian and got through to him more than the others ever did.
Next week, Ben tells Hunter that he has tested positive. Emmett is on the phone, worried because Ted hasn't came home all night. Sleazy Mark is back, giving Ted more drugs and orgies. Stockwell believes he has a traitor in his camp, someone he's worked with who is double-crossing him. Brian telling someone that if Stockwell has a problem with him then Stockwell can come to him with it. Nekkid Brian opening the loft door to reveal Stockwell and Vance as Nekkid Justin is there as well. Stockwell crumpling one of Justin's posters that is in the loft and Vance saying that they've caught Brian "with his pants down". Literally!