My apologies up front if this recap is a bit short and sweet, but it's a hectic week. Anyhow, long, slow, meaningless dance scene at Babylon. Confetti falling from the sky. Guys bumping and grinding. Someone please tell the extras not to stare directly into the camera. Shot of Justin from behind before he turns and we see what he's looking at. The backroom has been closed off again. Justin turns back the bar where Brian is standing and says they have to reopen it again. "Wrong, Blond Boy", Brian replies. He's decided that he's done enough of the fags in this 'burgh. Let someone else lead the way. Justin is not happy with that and walks to Brian, asking doesn't Brian want to get revenge. Brian caresses the back of Justin's hair and says no, he just wants to get laid.
Michael is cleaning up after Hunter in the apartment and complaining about the kid being messy. Ben says he's just a kid, can't Michael cut him some slack? Michael complains that they're having to quiet down their sex life so that Hunter won't over-hear then. It's not like he hasn't seen or probably done worse himself. Michael goes into Hunter's room and wakes him up. Hunter says he wishes he could just sleep since Michael and Ben kept him up all night having sex. Ben suggests to Michael that they give Hunter a key but Michael is against the idea. They discuss what they should do with Hunter during the day and Ben says Michael should take him to the comic book store. Hunter would probably find that more interesting than going to hear Ben lecture his class.
Emmett is cleaning his windows when Mel and Lindz drop by. Em is a nervous wreck. Mel and Lindsay say that the money that went missing from Gus' trust fund--the money Ted was supposed to have been investing for them--has just as magically reappeared. Hmmm . . . imagine that. Emmett tries to play it off, pretending he knows nothing. The ladies ask where Ted is and Emmett lies, saying he's out. The phone rings and Em races to answer it, saying, "Ted?" into the receiver. But it's not. It's Vic. Em tells another lie about Ted's whereabouts. Mel and Lindz question him on it when he hangs up and he tries to tell more fibs, but then breaks down and starts to cry, admitting that he doesn't know where Ted is. Ted disappeared and Emmett hasn't seen him for days.
At the comic book store, Michael wants Hunter to help out but Hunter says he is reading. Reading the second edition of "Rage", that is. Michael asks what Hunter thinks of it and Hunter doesn't like it. A gay superhero? All fags care about is getting their dicks sucked, he insists. Michael says that he wrote that comic. Hunter's still not impressed. No way is there such a gay crusader as "Rage" . . . and we get a shot of Rage's face in the comic book as the door to the store opens and in strolls Brian. Hunter is smitten instantly. Brian greets Michael with a kiss and Michael asks shouldn't Brian be out looking for a job. Brian says he is, he's looking for blow jobs. Anyhow, since all the good places has shut down, Brian is having a little party of his own and wants to show Michael the "guest list" in case he and Ben care to drop by. Hunter declares that Michael and Ben go to bed at nine, but he stays up late. He comes on to Brian, asking if Brian wants to fuck. Brian is amused but hardly interested. Michael shoos Hunter off and Brian asks if this is the kid him and Ben have taken in. It's such a noble and thoughtful thing they're doing. In other words, Michael translates, they need their heads examined. Exactly.
Emmett is pretending to be asleep on the couch when a hungover Ted comes home finally. He tries to sneak past Em but Em asks if he's at least going to say hello. Emmett lets Ted know that he knows where Ted went and what he was doing and he just wants to know why. Ted says because he's never been to a circuit party and wanted to go to one. Em asked how he could afford it and don't lie. He knows Ted used the trust fund money. He can't believe that Ted would steal from a baby and the parents of that baby who trust him. Ted says it isn't like Gus needed the money right now anyway and he was going to pay it back, with interest. Em says he already replaced the money with what he was saving to buy a new oven for his business. Ted asks if Emmett really did that for him. Em said it wasn't just for Ted. It was also so that Mel and Lindz wouldn't have to look at Ted and realize he's became a liar and a thief.
At the diner, Hunter asks if Brian ever fucked Michael and Michael says no. Hunter knew it, Michael is not Brian's type. Michael says that Hunter isn't either, but Hunter disagrees. Ben asks what they're talking about and isn't pleased to learn that Hunter has a crush on Brian. Deb comes over then with a sundae for Hunter who is rude to her. She doesn't take his shit. Hunter starts to leave but sees the "In Memory" photos of the gay victims of hate crimes mentioned at Stockwell's conference in 311. He recognizes Jason Kempt, a.k.a. Dumpster Boy. Deb gets the truth out of him--Jason had just started turning tricks but hadn't learned the ropes yet. The night he was killed, he left a hustler bar with a guy that Hunter had tried to warn him about. But Jason needed the money so he went with the guy. They ask why Hunter never told the cops any of this and he says because they'd never arrest this guy. When asked why, he tells them to figure it out.
Cut to the police station where Hovarth can't believe what Debbie is telling him -- Jason Kemp was murdered by a cop. Hovarth doesn't buy it and he doesn't believe Hunter is a reliable source. He could just be a hustler with an ax to grind against any cop who arrested him or chased him off a street corner, etc. Debbie insists that Hovarth follow this lead but he says he can't. Jason's murder has been declared a "Cold Case" and taken off his desk by the higher ups. "Stockwell," Deb assumes correctly. She wants Hovarth to get the higher ups to reopen it but he says he doesn't take his orders from her.
At Woody's, Emmett is drinking and telling Michael about Ted and his drug weekend. Michael is stunned. Ted shows up and Michael offers to be there if he ever needs to talk. Michael leaves and Ted sits down with Emmett. He promises Emmett that it's over. He's going to get his life back together and he's going to tell Mel and Lindz the truth and find a way to make it up to them. And to Emmett, too, he vows.
Debbie comes to the loft and lets herself in to find an orgy going on. Guys are everywhere and she speaks to a few as she steps over and around them, going to the bedroom in search of Brian. He's there with a trick and not happy to see Deb show up. He's pretty high himself. Deb tries to tell him about the cop killing Dumpster Boy and Brian is like the rest of us--Why are you telling him this? Debbie says it's because this could really hurt Stockwell's chances of getting elected if it gets out that one of his cops is a killer. Doesn't Brian want to nail the guy? Brian says no, he only wants to nail his latest trick. Deb leaves, sounds of the "party goers" moaning.
Which cuts to a scene of Michael moaning and wanting Ben to fuck him. Ben's mind is elsewhere. He's worried about Hunter. It's not enough that the kid is out hustling still, probably not using protection, now he's got to worry that Hunter will pick up the wrong guy and end up in a dumpster, too. Michael can't believe that Hunter is still messing up their sex life even when he's not there! A knock on the door sounds and Ben goes to let Hunter in.
A depressed and sad Debbie is eating Cheese Doodles on the couch, watching the Home Shopping Network, when Vic and Rodney come home from their date. Vic can tell she's trouble. Rodney goes upstairs to "warm up the sheets" and Vic asks what is wrong. Debbie admits that it's Hovarth. She can't believe the way he treated her. He even called her "Mrs. Novotny". She declares that he is like a Cheese Doodle, holding one up. Vic jokes that he though Hovarth was well-endowed. (Another mental image I could have lived without.) Deb says that's not what she meant. She meant that, like a Cheese Doodle, you always want more. Once is never enough. It would've been best to have never had Hovarth at all than to be without him now.
Hunter is getting ready to leave the next morning when Michael gives him a key to the apartment, saying this way he can come and go as he pleases. Not just when they're around to let him in. Hunter is surprised. He didn't think Michael trusted him that much. Hunter leaves and Ben is pleased that Michael did it, too. Michael says they can always change the locks when Hunter moves out.
At the loft, Justin is surveying the damage from the party, teasing that it must have been an "elegant affair". Brian, who is still drinking, says they partied all night. Justin should've been there. Justin says he was helping Daphne study for mid-terms. Brian tries to kiss Justin but he's not interested in that morning breath. Brian goes to pour them some coffee and tells Justin that his party consisted of 20 hot guys and Debbie. Justin is amused, "I know she wants to be a gay man, but is it wise to encourage her?". (Bawhahaha! Sunshine made alot of funnies in this episode.) Brian laughs and says that Debbie wanted to share the news that "The Littlest Hustler" knew Dumpster Boy and said he was killed by a cop. Justin is interested in the news. Isn't Brian, too? Brian tries to say no, he's not. He told Justin he just wanted to--Justin interrupts, he knows, Brian just wants to "have fun, fun, fun until his daddy takes his freedom away". Well, in case Brian hasn't noticed, Stockwell already has! Brian holds his aching head, knowing Justin is right. Justin looks around the trashed loft and goes on to say that if Brian is content turning his place into the next backroom then that's fine. Just how does he plan on keeping a cleaning lady?
Ted apologizes to Lindsay and Mel and tells them the truth about the money. Mel is NOT very forgiving. Mel and Emmett get into an argument. Em wanting Mel to be more supportive and Mel wanting them to face up to the fact that Ted has became a drug abuser. Em is so in denial. Mel tells him to stop being a "silly faggot" and Em calls her a "cunt" before storming out.
Michael and Ben are coming home, Michael in a horny mood and wanting to blow Ben right there in the hallway. Ben thinks the neighbors would prefer it if they took it inside. They go in to find Hunter and a tick on the couch. Michael is pissed and Ben chases the trick out. Michael says how dare Hunter bring his clients into their apartment! Hunter says they didn't say he couldn't. Ben thinks that Hunter is testing them to see how far they will let him go. Hunter says he needs the money for when they get tired of playing do-gooders and kick him out. Ben tries to say it won't happen but Hunter doesn't believe it and leaves, giving Michael back his key.
Hunter on the street corner, raging against the world. A Corvette pulls up and it's Brian, telling Hunter to get in. Hunter thinks Brian is there to trick, but Brian has other plans in mind and does a U-turn and speeds off.
Vic, Ted, and Emmett grocery shopping together. Vic asks about getting the new oven and Emmett brushes it off. Ted gets a call on his cell phone and goes off to talk alone. Vic is concerned about Ted but Emmett tries to insist that everything is going to be fine now. Em is in complete denial about Ted's drug problem. He asks if Vic can handle the party alone just this once. He wants the night off.
At a hustler bar, Brian wants Hunter to point out the cop that Dumpster Boy was with. Hunter would rather come on to Brian, even offering to pay Brian for sex. Geez, desperate much, kid? The cop shows up and Hunter says that is him. Brian goes over to the guy and tries to talk him up. The guy's not interested. Stockwell's campaign commercial comes on and Brian starts to berate Stockwell, saying what a crook and moron he is. Stockwell will be a sell-out like every other politician. Cop races to Stockwell's defense, saying he worked with the guy for 15 years. There is no more honest of a man than Jim Stockwell. Brian asks him if he's a cop and the guy replies that Brian asks too many questions. Brian gets the point and goes back to where Hunter is waiting. Hunter asks what happened and Brian replies that he asks too many questions.
Brian is in Hovarth's office telling him about the guy they suspect killed Jason Kemp. Hovarth thinks Brian is just trying to embarrass Stockwell. He says there is nothing he can do unless he gets some hard evidence. Something that will link this cop to Kemp's body. Like DNA to prove he was with Jason that night.
Michael approaches Hunter on the streets and tries to give him back the apartment key. Hunter's not interested. They argue. Hunter says that Michael isn't his father. Michael agrees. but he and Ben are the ones caring for Hunter. Feeding him and giving him a place to stay and getting him off the streets. And while he's with them he will pick up his clothes and be home by curfew and show some respect! And lock the door when he come home that night.
Emmett has planned a night home alone for him and Ted. They start to have sex but Ted stops it and brings out his drugs. Em can't believe it. Ted asks if Emmett ever used before and Em says when he was younger. He didn't care for it. Ted disagrees. It's great. It makes all his troubles go away. He's Brian Kinney when he's using. Do anything, fuck anyone. Guys want him then. Those voices telling him he is nothing are gone now. It makes the sex great, too. Ted wants Emmett to do some with him. Em says no at first, but then does the crystal to please Ted. Ted starts to go down on Emmett.
Brian and Justin strolling into the hustler bar together. (And can I just take a moment to say how fucking hot Justin is looking here! Love him in black leather.) Justin is not impressed with the place and tells Brian to look at all the old guys there. Brian agrees that it's sad. Some of them are even older than Brian, Justin adds. Heh, heh. At their age he supposes they have to pay for it. Brian says that is just another reason to die young. Or, Justin suggests, accept that youth and beauty are fleeting and to age with grace. An old bear winks at Justin and he adds, "Until then, I could really clean up in this place". Brian suggests he just sit and wait at the bar instead. Justin sits down beside Brian and asks what exactly does Brian want him to say to this cop. Brian says he just wants Justin to be his usual charming self. Come on to the guy and while the guy is busy drooling down the back of Justin's neck, swipe his cigarette butt. Justin says that Brian is going to owe him a million blow jobs for this. Hunter shows up then and tries to come on to Brian some more, telling Justin to fuck off. Justin is like, "Excuse me?". "I saw him first," Hunter declares, making Brian laugh. Sorry, kid, but you're about 3 years too late to argue that point with Justin. Brian tells Justin who Hunter is--Ben and Michael's little orphan they've taken in. He tells Hunter to leave though because he and Justin have work to do. Hunter says if they wanted to hustle the cop then they should have asked him. He's a professional. (Yeah, we know, kid, now go invest in some Crest Whitening Strips before you smile again.) Brian says they just need a little DNA and Hunter is leaving. Go home because his aunties are probably worried about him. Brian sends Hunter off and reclaims his seat beside Justin. "Fucking teenagers," Justin states. "I don't know how anyone puts up with them?". Heh, heh, heh. The look Brian gives Justin is priceless.
A worried Michael is waiting for Hunter. It's past mid-night. Michael finally accepts that Hunter is not coming back and locks and bolts the door.
Outside the bar, Killer Cop pulls in and parks, getting out of his car. Hunter is waiting for him and starts coming onto him. Cop asks if Hunter barebacks and Hunter says no, he uses protection. Hunter leaves with the cop. End of episode.
Next week, Brian confronting cop, saying that Hunter swiped his used condom and asks why cop killed Dumpster Boy. Hovarth telling Brian it's not enough hard evidence. More of Ted's decline, having his druggie friends at Emmett's party and telling Em he doesn't want to be his old self again.