Episode 311
This week kicks off with Brian and Justin walking through a trailer park together. As in a semi-trailer, 18-wheeler type trailer park. (Felt the need to clarify because the "redneck" in me automatically thinks of house trailers when I hear "trailer park".) Anyhow, B&J are in search of a semi that has been converted into a sex club. Justin asks where they are and Brian jokes that they're in Altoona. Justin asks how Brian heard about this place and Brian teases that he read about it in "O" magazine. He'll get Justin a subscription for his birthday. (Hey, it sounds better than what you got him last year!) Brian knocks and a man opens the door, Brian declaring that they're there for the bar mitzvah which Justin thinks is funny. They're let in. The place is filled with men going at it. There's no heat and it's so cold you can see the guy's breath. It's crummy. B&J share a kiss and Justin says that Brian's cock is hard. Brian says more like frozen. Naughty Justin wonders if his tongue will stick to it and Brian doesn't think so. Justin starts to pull Brian's pants down but he exclaims when he leans back against the metal wall, declaring that it's freezing. Justin says that it sucks. "And not in a positive, life affirming way" Brian agrees. Justin asks if there's somewhere else they can go instead.
Cut to the loft where B&J are having sex in the bed, under the orange lights. They're on hands and knees, Brian riding Justin. Moans of enjoyment. Brian grabs a handful of Justin's hair, pulling his head back and assaulting his neck with kisses. They cum and collapse on the bed, spooning together. Brian brushes Justin's hair aside so he can kiss his neck and lightly strokes his back before pulling out. Justin flips over on his back and declares that that was great. "Aaamazing," a well satisfied Brian agrees, giving Justin a kiss. Not to mention the benefit of climate control, Justin adds. Brian lights a cigarette and says that Stockwell has forced them to stay home and have sex in their bed. (Oh, the horror!) Justin reminds that Brian was the one who helped Stockwell turn them into straight, law-abiding citizens. Brian says to just call him Dr. Spin. Justin suggest Dr. Evil instead. Justin goes to the refrigerator and Brian is left with his thoughts.
Michael and Ben come into the diner early in the morning. They talk to Debbie, filling her in on the Hunter situation and why they need to find the kid. Apparently they were looking for him all night but with no success. Debbie suggests they check out the warehouse district. From what she's heard, that's where the hustlers are doing business now, having been run away from other streets by Stockwell.
Breakfast with Mel and Lindsay. They've invited TEMMETT over. Sad Sack Ted is just being sad and miserable and pathetic, barely acknowledging anything going on around him. Emmett is trying to pretend that everything is great, going on about his business. He's been doing two parties a week and has given his notice at Torso. Ted has been doing nothing which prompts Mel and Lindz to bring up a little something. They're going to start a college fund for Gus and they want Ted's help. They want him to invest the money for them. Ted agrees to.
At Vanguard, Brian meets with Stockwell and his advisors to discuss up-coming strategies. This close to the end of the election, Brian wants Stockwell to mingle with all the citizens, including those of different races and cultures. Stockwell's advisors agree. (And that should've been his first clue. They've disagreed with every other idea that was actually good. So them saying something is good should've clued old Stocky in that it was going to be bad.) Brian wants the cameras following Stockwell at all times now. At the Asian Cultural Society, the Hispanic Institute, and the Gay And Lesbian Center. Stockwell's not to keen on that idea, feeling that he's not too popular in "that neck of the woods". Brian reminds that the GLC did endorse Stockwell afterall and the votes of gay citizens could make a difference. Stockwell's asshole aid agrees--What a laugh it would be if "the gays" could put Stocky in office. Brian looks like he's ready to puke on them. Stockwell agrees to speak at the GLC. Brian tells him to go "kiss some hands and shake some babies". Ha. ha.
On Liberty Avenue, Ted and Emmett are out for a stroll. Ted tells Emmett that he knows that Em, Mel, and Lindz conspired the idea of the trust fund to give him "something to do". Emmett admits that he knew the ladies were going to ask Ted. They'd talked about it. But they're asking him because he's a friend they trust and setting up a college fund for Gus is important. TEMMETT bump into sleazy doctor Mark from last week who recognizes Ted and speaks to him. Ted introduces Emmett as his partner, although Emmett prefers "lover". Mark introduces his two new friends and says it sucks that the backroom was closed down so they're just going to his place to fuck. Does TEMMETT want to come along? Ted declines and they walks off. Em comments on how tweaked out they were and asks how Ted knows Mark. Ted lies, claiming that he used Mark's services as a doctor once.
At the GLC, Stockwell is answering questions after his speech. TweedleDee and TweedleDum are there and just thrilled with him. One gentleman is saying he appreciates that Stockwell is "cleaning up" Liberty Avenue, but he has a concern. When his place was broken into, he called the cops and it took them two hours to respond. Stockwell says that is because the current mayor cut the police's budget but when he's in office, he promises a stronger police presence will be felt on Liberty Avenue. TweedleDum asks if there is any final questions. Justin stands up and says "Margarita Lopez". Stockwell is like "Huh?". Daphne stands up with a poster of Margarita and says Margarita was a transsexual who was murdered five years ago and her killers have still not been found. Stockwell starts to say that the Pittsburgh PD does its best to solve all crimes but sometimes . . . Justin interrupts him with another name: Jefferson Proctor. Lindsay stands up then with a photo of Jefferson and tells about him, a gay African American man shot to death half a block from Woody's. Murder unsolved. Justin adds another name "Natasha Ginsberg". Melanie stands then with a photo and tells about how the 61 year-old lesbian was out walking her dog when she was stabbed to death. Killer still at large. Another name from Sunshine who's kicking ass in this scene: "Justin Taylor". The look that passes Brian's face is heart-stopping. Jennifer Taylor stands then and tells about how her beautiful gay son was bashed at his senior prom and left for dead. The police charged his attacker with simple assault instead of the hate crime it was and Hobbs got off with a slap on the wrist. The crowd starts to murmur and look to Stockwell for answers. Stockwell begins to thank these "concerned citizens" for reminding him of the violence that threatens the community, but they need to know that the majority of crimes are solved. Debbie stands then with a photo of Dumpster Boy and asks what about him. Did the cops do their best for him, too? Stockwell says he remembers that boy. His murder was tragic because he was so young. Deb asks if Stockwell remembers his name and Stocky doesn't. He's totally put on the spot and humiliated. "Jason Kemp", Justin provides. Deb says she's not surprised that Stockwell doesn't know the boy's name since none of his officers ever bothered to find out. She--the waitress who found the body--had to identify the boy on her own. Jason Kemp, A.K.A. "Dumpster Boy", murder unsolved. Stockwell's crew as well as TweedleDee and TweedleDum start trying to put an end to things, ushering Stockwell out and saying he's such a busy man that he must be going. On his way out, Stockwell passes Justin and they have a little stare down. Stockwell leaves and Justin is pleased, a smile on his face at how well things went.
In the warehouse district, Michael and Ben are freezing as they search for Hunter. They finally find him talking to a potential trick and Ben calling out for Hunter scares the trick off. Hunter shouts that Ben isn't a cop as the car zooms away before turning his wrath on Ben. Ben tells Hunter that they ran an HIV test on him at the hospital and he's positive. Hunter tries to act like it's not big deal. Alot of guys are. Ben tries to talk to him about his health but he's not interested in hearing it. Michael tells him if he's not concerned about himself then at least be about his johns. He could infect them. Hunter says they pay their money and take their chances. He walks away and only then do we see how upset he really is.
At TEMMETT's, Vic and Em are cooking for a new party while Ted is working on investing Gus' college fund. He gets IM'ed by Dr. Mark inviting him over to party. Ted declines and then tries to get Vic and Emmett to make some plans with him. Vic already has a date with his boyfriend Rodney and Em encourages Ted to call up one of their friends. Go out and have some fun.
At Woody's, the gang from the GLC is there and congratulating Justin on his great plan. Brian is off to the side shooting pool by himself. Jennifer toasts to Justin and Lindz says his plan was brilliant. What inspired him to research all those unsolved crimes? Justin will only reply that he has his own "Deep Throat". (Politician reference to the Watergate scandal for those of you outside the U.S. and aren't familiar with the history. In other words, Justin's way of saying he had a source on the inside--Brian--who gave him the info he needed that helped him organize the confrontation.) Debbie knows what he means and goes over to Brian, saying that he doesn't look too upset that Stockwell's shortcomings have just been exposed for all of Pittsburgh to see. Brian tries to act nonchalant as he goes about shooting pool, saying that every politician has to deal with the lunatic fringe. Deb says that, before Brian sold his soul for money, he would've once set up a trap like that for Stockwell. It had the "hand of the master" written all over it. Michael shows up and Deb scolds him for not being at the GLC. He and Brian shoot pool and talk about Hunter. Michael can't believe the kid wasn't more grateful for what he and Ben were trying to do. Brian scoffs that Hunter's a hustler, what does Michael expect. A thank you card? Michael says that he and Brian are lucky. Sure, Deb embarrasses him and Brian hated his parents, but at least they never tried to throw them away. Brian says for Michael to speak for himself there. Poor Brian. He did have one shitty childhood. (And rant time for a moment -- As much time as Michael spent with him during those days you'd think Michael would eventually clue in. Brian never hated his parents, his parents hated him! Big difference!! However cold and unfeeling Brian became towards them as an adult was a result of the way they treated him when he was a child! I hear fans say that "no one knows Brian better than Michael". Well, I'm about convinced that no one knows Brian LESS than Michael. Season three just keeps proving that more and more! Ok, rant over.)
Ben goes back to the warehouse district looking for Hunter again. The kid is huddled on a streetcurb, shivering he's so cold. Ben has brought an old coat with him to give to Hunter as well as some condoms. Another would-be trick passes Hunter by because of Ben and Hunter yells at Ben to leave him alone. Ben gives him the coat and starts to do just that. Hunter calls out and asks why Ben cares so much. Ben says it's because he, too, is positive. Hunter is surprised by that.
Ted goes to the slimeball doctor's party. Ted smokes crack and joins in on another orgy and Mark talks about going to the the White Party. He goes on and on about it. All Ted has to do is say the word and he'll set it up.
Ben takes Hunter back to the apartment and fixes him a hot meal. They talk about being positive and major continuity error here. Ben tells Hunter he tested positive three years ago when last season it was five years! Hunter's not too keen on talking about being positive but Ben tells him they'll have to at some point. Michael shows up and isn't too happy to see Hunter there, but at least has the decency to be nice, even when learning that Ben has offered Hunter a place to stay for the night. Later in their room, Michael can't believe that Ben is doing this, going out on a line for this kid. Why? It's not like they even know Hunter that well. Ben says he and Hunter are related. "By blood." A great line and Gant's delivery of it was perfect.
At the loft, Brian is checking out Justin's latest anti-Stockwell poster. It has Stockwell and "Dumpster Boy's" pictures on it with the message of "Dump Stockwell". Brian likes it and asks where "we" are going to stick this one. ("We". Did Brian Kinney just use such a coupley word as "we"?) Justin suggests City Hall. Police headquarters. Up Stockwell's ass! Justin thinks they will annihilate him. Brian suggests he slow down with that thinking. It's just a poster. Justin reminds Brian of the attention the last one got, from Stockwell and the papers. This one should do the same. Brian smiles and kisses Justin, asking with pride and adoration when Justin got to be such a clever devil. Justin says he learned that from the best. They start to kiss. And this sequence is great because it cuts back and forth between B&J and Stockwell/Vance so I'll try to keep up!
At loft:
B&J are kissing, Brian unzipping Justin's sweater and kissing down his neck.
At Vanguard:
Stockwell thanks Vance for agreeing to meet him so late at night, but he's just became aware that someone in his campaign, someone who he has trusted and worked very closely with, has betrayed him. Vance is sorry to hear that but doesn't understand why Stockwell is telling him. Stockwell says because it's Brian. Vance doesn't believe it but Stockwell says he's a cop. He knows when he's been set up. Brian sent him to the GLC knowing exactly what would happen. Vance asks what makes him so sure and Stockwell replies because of Justin Taylor. He thought the kid looked familiar and then he remembered that he'd seen Justin at Vanguard.
Loft:
B&J kissing. Lots of smiling and kissing and foreplay. There's a tenderness to it that is impossible to miss. B&J end their kiss just long enough to get Justin's shirt off. Brian is practically devouring Justin as they work to get Brian's shirt off. Lots of smiling and kisses and just pure enjoyment of each other.
Vanguard:
Vance says that Justin is an intern at the agency and Stockwell adds that both B&J were at the GLC. Vance can't wrap his mind around the idea that Brian would do such a thing. Why would be do it? (Heh. For a "piece of blonde boy ass" maybe?) Stockwell says it's because Brian is a fag. Asshole!
Loft:
More kissing and touching and fooling around. Brian drops to his knees and kisses Justin's stomach, Justin running his hands through Brian's hair, more kisses. A futon type mattress is on the floor and they fall backwards on it, laughing and smiling, never breaking physical contact. Brian pulls off Justin's sock which is just cute and intimate to me. Justin runs his leg down Brian's chest and Brian moves back on top of Justin, lots more kissing.
Vanguard:
Vance still doesn't believe it. Brian has too much invested in Stockwell's campaign. The whole agency does. It doesn't make sense to Vance that he'd risk it. Stockwell says all he knows is that he wants Brian gone. Vance says that could be difficult considering that Stockwell has labeled Brian the "gay member" of his team and a "close friend and advisor". Stockwell says it was Brian's idea to do that.
Loft:
B&J going at it on the futon. Justin is lying on his back, legs wrapped around Brian. A knock at the door and B&J can't believe someone is interrupting them! Now why the hell Brian goes to answer it is beyond me! But he does, taking his underwear with him. He doesn't put it on but holds it in front of him as he jerks the loft door open to reveal Stockwell and Vance. Stockwell rudely walks in, seeing the posters against him on display and naked Justin wrapped up in the futon. B&J are busted and Brian is beyond pissed, snarling at Stockwell as he asks if Stockwell has never seen two men fuck before? Stockwell crumples one of Justin's posters in his hand and pushes it into Brian's chest. He and Vance leave. Brian closes the door and turns back to Justin, asking if he wants to finish. Heh. I say, "Yeah"!
Breakfast with Hunter. Michael asks if Hunter is going to school and gets a snarky reply. Ben wants to know if Hunter is in school and Hunter asks what is he, a social worker? Michael states in amusement that Ben's even worse than that--he's a teacher! Anyhow, Ben and Michael have to go to work so Hunter can't stay, but he's welcome to come back that night. By twelve. That's his curfew if he's coming back. Hunter scoffs over the idea and starts to leave, but Michael follows him out into the hall. Michael says he needs to know if Hunter is coming back. He needs to know for Ben. Michael doesn't think Hunter will and his concern is that Ben will be hurt and he wants to prepare Ben for that. Hunter snaps that all he asked was that Ben pretend to be his uncle. He didn't ask for any of this other stuff. Not the coat or the place to stay or the concern and he certainly didn't ask to be told he was positive! So Ben can keep his help. Hunter storms off.
At Vanguard, Vance confronts Brian over what he did to Stockwell and the position he's put Vance and the agency in. Brian points out that Vance put him in a difficult position when he showed up at the loft. Vance says that even though Brian is a partner in the agency, he is still the CEO and major share holder and there is only so much he will take from Brian. Brian says if Stockwell has a problem then Stocky can come to him with it. "After what he saw last night?" Vance counters. "To say you were caught with your pants down would be an understatement." Brian says so what if they caught him "fucking the intern". Vance reminds that it's the same intern who made the libelous posters to embarrass Stockwell. The same intern that Stockwell recognized from the fiasco at the GLC and Stockwell suspects that Brian knew what that intern would do when Brian sent Stockwell over there. A furious Brian doesn't deny it and asks what Vance wants from him. Vance says he wants to know why. He basically asks "Why are you sacrificing your career and future?". (For a "piece of blonde boy ass"!) Brian says that Vance wouldn't understand. He's straight. Vance tells Brian that whatever his reasons where, he's just fucked himself out of a job.
At the diner, Em is on the phone with Michael. He's worried because Ted lied about going to Woody's the night before and never came home. Mel and Lindz show up then, asking about Ted, and Emmett tries to cover. He says Ted is out for a walk. To the gym. He's walking to the gym. The ladies say they just wanted to ask Ted if he's invested the five thousand for Gus' college fund since the money was withdrawn from the bank. Em is stunned to hear that and makes more excuses, saying he'll have Ted call them, and rushes out of the diner.
Great, excellent scene here between Debbie and Brian, filled with tenderness and humor. Anyhow, a dejected Brian is sitting on the floor of the loft, drinking and rolling a joint when Debbie drops by with tuna and macaroni, Brian's favorite. Brian disagrees, it was never his favorite. Brian looks emotionally beaten down. I don't think he really considered that he'd be fired. Deb argues that he loved tuna and macaroni as a kid and sits down behind him on the couch, saying she heard he lost his job. Brian tells her that Vance had security escort him out of the building. Ouch! Debbie says she would've like to have seen that and Brian asks why, so she could tell him he had it coming? Deb says damn right he did! What he and Justin did was treacherous and deceitful . . . and she's never been so proud of him in her life. Brian thanks "mom" for that. Debbie checks out Brian's joint and asks if you can still buy a "lid"? Brian replies only if you have a time machine. Deb says she hadn't smoked since James Taylor had hair. Ha, ha! Brian offers her a puff off the joint and Deb tries to decline, saying she has to go home and do the laundry. One whiff of Brian's joint and she'll be back at Woodstock getting laid by three guys named Julio. (A mental image that I could have done without!) Deb reconsiders, though, and joins Brian in getting high, threatening that if he tells anyone then he's dead. Brian vows that her secret is safe with him and gives her the joint. Debbie takes a puff and coughs, saying that it's strong. Brian says for what he paid for it, it'd better be! Brian looks sad and lost in his thoughts. Debbie starts to tell him that he really had her scared. She really thought he had sold his soul this time for money and power. It's not that she doesn't understand why those things are important to him. She does because she knows where he came from and what it means to him to succeed. (Thankfully at least someone understands where Brian is coming from!) Deb says that each time Brian is about to do it, though, each time he's about to step headlong into oblivion, he always manages to pull himself back. Why is that? Brian drawls, "Winter sale at Prada?". "I believe it's your innate goodness," Debbie replies. Brian laughs in mockery and Debbie shouts at him not to laugh at her when she's being profound! She says it's like some philosopher--she can't remember which one--once wrote about everyone being born with a sense of right and wrong and looks like Brian is no different. Deb realizes the joint has gone out. Brian thinks it's just as well. Anymore and she'll be taking her bra off and singing "White Rabbit". Debbie says she loved the Airplane and lived for Grace Slick. But now they have Brittany Spears. The world is going to shit. Brian agrees, it is. Debbie tells him to lay off the bay boy routine then because he's getting to old for it. And it's not true to him. "Anything else?" Brian asks of her. Deb asks for a bag of chips then and they both laugh and touch foreheads. And, just in case I didn't point this out enough earlier, it's a great scene.
Over dinner, Ben tells Michael that he knows Hunter isn't coming back. He'd thought a time or two that he was getting through to the kid. Michael says that Ben is a good guy. He's very supportive of Ben here.
Justin and Brian walking down the street together and Justin says that Brian could always consider unemployment. Or he could write his memoirs. There's always an interest in how the mighty have fallen. Brian thanks him for the career tips but he thinks he'd rather just go to Babylon and fuck his brains out instead. Justin says thinks again, the backroom of Babylon is closed. Brian says the hell if they're going to freeze their ass off in 12 degree weather in the back of an eighteen wheeler. Justin teases his "honey" that they could go home and he could cook his mom's meatloaf and they could look at pictures of the time they took the kids to Disney World. Brian says he has a better idea.
Emmett and Michael at Babylon in search of Ted. Emmett is worried that Ted ran off with Gus' college fund money and Michael says that isn't like Ted. Em replies that he's not even sure who Ted is anymore. Em sees one of Mark's buddies from on the street and snaps the guy out of his drug induced state long enough to ask about Ted. The guy rambles that Ted was tweaking with them last night and then went off to the White Party in Palm Springs. Dude wishes he could afford to do that. Emmett wonders since when could Ted afford to do it. Michael doesn't believe the guy, saying he's strung out and doesn't know what he's talking about. No way Ted would do that. Michael suggests they keep looking and Em says no they should go home instead.
At the apartment, Michael is dozing in bed while Ben appears to be grading papers when someone knocks on the door. Ben goes to answer and it's Hunter, who has shown up just before twelve. Ben is happy to see him and lets him in.
At Babylon, Brian and Justin walk through the crowd with a purpose in mind and head to the locked door of the backroom. Brian has a sledgehammer in hand and busts the padlocks off the door. He opens up the backroom and declares it back in business. The crowd is pleased and cheers him on. Brian goes to Justin and kisses him before motioning that they go in. Justin leads the way in and Brian follows, a line of guys behind them. Fade to back for a few seconds and then a shot of Brian and Justin locked in one intense kiss. Open mouth, sloppy, wet tongue kiss. The best kind. We get just a glimpse into their world before it fades to back again.
In two weeks, Emmett confronts Ted about his actions. Ted is spiraling out of control. Hunter has a crush on Brian. Hunter recognizes Jason Kemp, Dumpster Boy, from the pictures used at the GLC event. Cut to a scene of Deb telling Hovarth that Dumpster Boy was killed by a cop.