One of my New Year's Resolutions was to finally finish this sequel to Fallen Down that I started 2 years ago. It is going to get dark and possible character death. I say possible because I have not finished it yet but I think I know how it needs to end. Please review if you like.
The clock read 8:37am. He knew he would be coming home any minute now. He wondered how he would feel hearing the news that once again he still hadn't found a job. He knew he couldn't feel as horrible as he did. He didn't know where to go anymore. He knew he would be miserable if took some menial job like working a fast food joint.
He picked up his head from the kitchen table as he heard a key in the door. He tried to put on a somewhat happy looking expression on his face. He hoped it would work so he could avoid the questions.
Nick walked in the door after a long shift. He had been working with his partner, Jack Spires, on a new drug ring in town and trying to bring them down. It had not been going well. He walked in and saw the love of his life at the table looking up at him. He smiled when he saw him. He was so grateful that Greg had cleaned his life up and been off of drugs for seven months now.
He went over to him and gave him a kiss. He grabbed a chair and sat down. "I didn't expect to see you up when I got home."
Greg shrugged. "I couldn't sleep so I just decided to wait up for you."
Nick could see it now as he sat closer to him. His boyfriend was putting on a good face but he could see it in his eyes that he was depressed. "Still no luck on finding a job?" He asked even as he knew it to be true.
Greg shook his head and then immediately got up and walked away from the table, unable to face Nick. He hated that he was dependent on Nick and after seven months it was really getting to him.
He walked up to the patio door and looked outside at the back yard. "Will Larson made sure to smear my name and reputation in the mud as he was sent to jail. I don't think there is a person in Vegas that doesn't know I was a drug addict and that I was a male escort. He made sure I would never have a life again in this city." Even as he said it he felt a familiar want rise up in him and he knew he had to quash it down.
He didn't even hear Nick get up but felt his arms wrap around him. "Someday someone will give you a chance again but I know that doesn't help you now. Just remember I love you no matter what," he heard Nick tell him. Greg turned around in his arms and looked at him. "It's getting harder, Nick."
Nick was not sure he liked what he was saying. "What do you mean exactly?"
"It's getting harder to stay positive. And yes I am still taking my meds but when it has been almost six months looking for a job and people look at me and I can see when they recognize me. Then they suddenly say they have no openings. I don't know how much longer I can keep looking. I am ready to completely give up," he said to him honestly.
Nick didn't really realize how much this was getting to him. He guessed he was too wrapped up in his own work to really notice the toll it was taking on Greg. He remembered this was how he lost Greg last time. The situation was too similar and he was beginning to worry he might lose Greg again. "Look, I will ask around and see if anyone needs help, even if it is a temporary job. It would be something to keep you occupied for a little while at least. I don't want what happened last time to happen again; I don't want to lose you." He pulled Greg into a hug.
Greg rested his head on Nick's shoulder. "I don't want it to happen either. I'm just not sure what to do anymore." But even as he hugged Nick he felt like there was something that could help him more. He pulled away and gave Nick a weak smile.
"You look beat. Why don't you take a shower and get to bed. I'm going to go try looking again for a job during the day." He saw Nick frown. "Look, I know we said we wanted to try to work the same shifts so we could see each other more, but seriously, I can't limit myself to those hours."
Nick didn't like the idea but knew he was right. "I know. I just hope whatever happens we get to see each other once in a while."
"Well that's even if I get a day job. We will just have to see." Greg went back to the kitchen table and looking at the newspaper classifieds. He had been looking at the jobs in there when Nick came home.
"I'll let you to your job search. I have a good feeling something will come soon," Nick told him. He walked by him, stopped to kiss his head and then disappeared into their bedroom.
Greg looked down at the paper and sighed. "I wish I had your outlook," he mumbled to himself.
He looked at the want ads and nothing was anything he could really do. He saw some bartending jobs, which he was trying to avoid. He had bartended some when he was in college and when he first came back to Vegas. It was actually how he met Rocco who drew him into the escort business and the drugs. Plus he knew Nick would probably think the same thing he was; the best of people didn't always hang out in bars.
However that being said, this was Vegas and there was some upper class bars out there that didn't usually attract the scum. He saw an ad for a new place opening in a decent part of the strip. It sounded like it catered to the upper class. He probably had no chance but he had to try at least. He circled a couple other ads to go for before getting up.
He walked into the bedroom and saw that Nick was already in bed. He must have been really tired. He didn't even say goodnight to him. He watched him sleep and didn't feel worthy of such a good man. He turned away and grabbed a pair of black pants and a button down shirt to change into for applying for jobs.
He walked out of the bedroom without a glance again at Nick. He grabbed a Post-it Note and jotted that he was out job searching and would try to be home before he left for work.
A couple hours passed without any luck in even a nibble at a job. He went in to the places, doing the typical filling out the application and getting the typical response that they were receiving a lot of applications and he would be called if they were interested.
His last stop was the new place called Golden Ram. As he walked in he felt underdressed. All the men had on suits and neckties. He felt eyes following him as he walked up to the bar. "Um, I heard you were looking for bartenders," he asked a tall, skinny blonde good looking guy who was wiping down the bar. The guy looked him up and down. "Have you bartended before?"
"Yes but I will admit it has been a couple years. But I don't forget that kind of stuff. I used to be a chemistry major." He almost wanted to kick himself for saying the last part as the guy smirked at him. "Yeah well here is an application. You can grab a table and fill it out." The younger guy handed him the application.
Greg took it and looked for a table in a corner that was empty where he could fill it out in privacy. He still felt eyes on him as he filled out the application and it was weird. It was like everyone there was sizing him up. He glanced up and saw the bartender talking to an older man. He gestured in Greg's direction and Greg quickly put his head back down and kept filling out the application.
He was just signing the bottom of the application when the older man came up to his table. Greg looked up at him. He was probably in his fifties but was good looking. He had salt and pepper hair and sharp blue eyes. He held out his hand to Greg. "Hello, my name is Chad Athens. I am the owner of the Golden Ram. Can I see your application?"
Greg stood up quickly to shake his hand. "Hi, I am Greg Sanders." He noticed the man's eyes narrow ever so quickly at his name mention. Greg handed him the application but having seen that reaction before he was expecting Mr. Athens to give him the pleasant shove off any moment. But instead he surprised Greg by taking a seat at the table and gesturing Greg to do so also.
Mr. Athens studied the resume and frowned. "You worked for the LVPD in the Crime Lab for eight years? Why are you resorting to bartending with that kind of experience?" he asked Greg as he stared at him with his intense blue eyes.
Greg cleared his throat as he always seemed to do when he got this question. He hated his life when he had to answer this. "I was removed from my job after being found guilty of killing a man in self-defense on the job. It's more complicated but that's the gist of it. I've basically been blacklisted from the LVPD or any job in law enforcement."
"I see." The man looked down at his resume again. "And your last job bartending was over two years ago here in Vegas at Rocco's, I see." Mr. Athens picked up his head and seemed to be studying him.
"Uh, yes." Mr. Athens moved in closer to him. "I know who you are Mr. Sanders. I know all about you and what you did at Rocco's. I also know you were addicted to drugs." Greg's insides turned into a mess. He was pulling his leg the whole time, making him think he had a chance when he knew who he was all along.
Greg started to stand up. "Okay I know what is coming next; you would never hire someone like me. I've gotten it before. Nice meeting you," Greg said as he started to turn. He felt his arm grabbed suddenly.
"Sit down Mr. Sanders. I am not shutting you down yet." Greg looked at him and saw that he honestly wanted him to stay. He sat back down and sighed. "So what is it?"
Mr. Athens sat back in his chair. He looked around at his bar full of men, drinking and seemingly just enjoying each other's company. "You don't know what kind of bar this is, do you Mr. Sanders?"
Greg looked around and suddenly realized it was only men at this bar. Granted they were all professional looking but he still noticed many stealing glances his way. Greg turned back to Mr. Athens. "This is a men's only bar?"
Mr. Athens chuckled a little. "Something like that. It's quite similar to Rocco's except we do not allow scum here. It is only high class and professionals looking for a good time. You see I noticed the moment you walked in how many of the men were looking at you. There seems to be something about you that attracts other men. Now of course I know you have been in that business before."
But Greg started shaking his head right away. "No, I can't go back to that lifestyle. I have a serious relationship now and I can't jeopardize that."
"I never said you have to. I am still looking for just a bartender at this time and it helps having attractive bartenders that my clients enjoy looking at, even if it is only looking. You don't have to do anything more, if you don't want to. All what you see here is on the level. Now for those interested in something more, there is a secret sublevel to this bar that they can visit and find something more. Everyone is always welcome to go to that level and try what specialties are there. Basically, if you can still make me a Manhattan that I approve of, you have a job. Right now Brian is my day time Bartender, you met him. I have a couple part-timers for the evening but I am looking for a couple full-timers. If you can pass making the drinks I ask of you in a quick manner, you got the job."
Greg shook his head, not believing he was just offered a job. "Wait, wait. You mean all I will be doing is bartending. There won't be any funny stuff on the side."
Mr. Athens smiled, "Not unless you want the funny stuff on the side. Otherwise if anyone asks you, you can politely tell them you are JUST a bartender and nothing more. Now I do have to tell you, you might see some old clients in here, some have found our place since Rocco's had the police around and enjoy the classiness of the Golden Ram."
"I don't know. I feel like I might find myself getting into old habits," Greg said quietly, knowing he still had to fight his want to shoot up.
"If you are worried about drugs, we don't have any here on the premises. I do not allow it. And if you are caught on drugs, you would lose your job," Mr. Athens said adamantly.
"Okay that sounds good. I guess I should ask what the pay is like." Greg knew you should never ask about money but he was curious since was technically offered the job.
"Well it depends on how good your bartending skills are first," Mr. Athens smiled.
"I'm ready to show you, Mr. Athens." Greg smiled genuinely for the first time in ages.
"Please call me Chad."
