Steven was an odd man, that part was obvious. However, it was the extent of his…let's say uniqueness, that sometimes put his bff, Wallace, on edge.
Steven was really into geology, which needs no explanation. He loved stones. All stones, Hard stones, soft stones, big stones, small stones, shiny stones, dull stones, flat stones, round stones, rare stones, common stones, white stones, black stones, Middle Eastern stones, mixed race stones. They were all precious. Steven treated his stones like people. Every single one of them was special and unique to him. No two were alike. All had different personalities and special quirks. This belief that Steven had was strong. So strong, he wanted to build a utopia for his rocks.
Rock City (not to be confused with Rack City) is what he would call it. All of his rocks would live in peace and harmony, living out their lives to the fullest. The construction of Rock City would be in Steven's basement. The perfect environment for any rock. Steven spent months drawing out blueprints and clearing a space for the construction. He was a very dedicated man. He worked tirelessly building the miniature paradise. Sometimes he wouldn't sleep for 5 days. When all the construction was finally complete, the steel trainer noticed something was amiss. Decorations! His precious rocks couldn't live in a boring city. There needed to be beautiful patterns and landscaping all around them! This was when Steven hatched an idea. Wallace could help him with the decorations! Glorious day!
"No Steven. I will not help you decorate Rock City."
"But how come, sweet Wallace of mine?"
"You are fulfilling false fantasies!"
"I don't understand how wanting my rocks to be happy is a false fantasy."
"Your dream is for the rocks to live among us, in our society, in our cities. You want them to come alive. You want them to be able to walk and talk and cook roast duck! You think that bulding this city is the closest you can come to that fantasy."
"Wallace, it's like you know me. However, that is not a fantasy. It will happen one day. Just you wait." Steven sighed and was about to give up, when he decided to revert to bribery. "I will pay you if you help me decorate. Also, you can pick out everything. I will only help set up the decorations." Wallace started to look deep in thought. Money was good. And so was having total creative control.
"Okay Steven. I'll help you."
The next day, Wallace arrived at Steven's abode with a bag full of decorating shit.
"I've got frills, glitter, lace, more glitter, pink felt, gemstones, and my Bedazzler. Let's get down to business."
The two men spent the whole weekend beautifying the soon to be glorious Rock City. Finally, it was complete. After all the screaming, and hot glue burns, and hair pulling, Rock City stood loud and proud in the middle of Steven's basement. It was like when John Winthrop said that he wanted Plymouth to be "A city upon a hill."
Rock City WAS a city upon a hill.
Steven looked upon his (and Wallace's) masterpiece. Glittery skyscrapers, Bedazzled city streets, humble homes with pink felt roofing. It was all too perfect.
A single tear fell from his left eye.
"It's….it's….
beautiful."
Steven couldn't hold in his emotions much longer. He embraced Wallace in a hug, but ended up practically choking because his fruity friend was wearing too much cologne.