Charlie Potatoes Part 2
"So, what've you got for us?" Mozzie asked. "It's not one of those artsy, independent flicks, is it? If you're introducing your new roomie to the concept of a motion picture classic, my DVD movies," he waved his hand in the direction of his stack, "is a much better choice than some plot claiming to force the viewer into a deeper level of thinking."
Shaking his head and reaching for more wine, he glanced at Peter who was eyeing him with an impassive expression.
"Don't you agree, Peter? Let's watch an action or adventure movie. It'll give you a much needed break from all that number crunching."
Taking a moment to reply, he returned Mozzie's direct gaze without hesitation. "I'm sure you're familiar with the expression 'a fish out of water'. Since I'm out of my element, gentlemen, I'll leave the decision in your capable hands."
Neal smiled and winked at Peter.
"Tactful but cowardly answer," replied Mozzie. "Okay then. Neal, Mr. Limpet here, doesn't get a vote."
A flash of annoyance crossed Peter's features. Setting his drink on the side table and crossing his arms, Peter sent a long-suffering glance Neal's way. His fever had returned late that afternoon; he wasn't feeling very compliant.
Turning to the table behind him, Mozzie began stacking an even larger, intricate arrangement of blue crab beignets, crudités, bacon-wrapped dates, canapés, and ham and gruyere pastries onto his plate.
"Don't keep us in suspense any longer." The little guy paused for a moment. "By the way, is there dessert for later in the evening?"
"I have dessert in the fridge," Neal chuckled, pouring more wine and taking a sip. "But will you have room left after all the tins of popcorn you're planning to polish off?" Pressing a button on the remote, he started the DVD player.
"Peter, you'd better help yourself to some food before it disappears."
Setting the mood, Neal leaned over the couch, turning off one of the table lamps. "Moz, you'll enjoy this one. The genre is drama, contains action and suspense, certainly a classic and one of my favorites."
Pausing his eating, Mozzie turned attention to his best friend. "Drama. Hmm… plot-driven, portraying realistic characters or situations. But your clue is too vague. Dramatic films are the largest film genre. You need to offer another hint."
"What if I say 'Charlie Potatoes'?"
Immediately smiling with recognition, Mozzie clapped his hands. Maybe the evening wasn't ruined after all.
"Peter," Neal added, "I hope you like the film."
The DVD began to play and the picture, filmed in black and white cinematography, began with opening credits. Peter leaned slowly forward, and for several minutes, his eyes were glued to the screen.
"I've been mad all my natural life," he quietly muttered.
Neal and Mozzie traded looks of surprise before turning to stare at Peter.
"He's seen this movie," the smaller man whispered to Neal. "Peter just quoted Sidney Poitier's line from The Defiant Ones."
Neal agreed. "He continues to amaze me."
"He's supposed to worry you," Mozzie hissed, eying Neal's new asset from his peripheral vision.
Peter half-listened to them talk over him, remembering an evening watching the multiple Academy Award nominated flick with El. Insisting they view it one night, she described the film as one of the best movies ever made about prejudice and the capacity of the human heart to change.
He had found himself captivated by the powerful, raw emotions displayed by two members of a chain gang, one white and one black, shackled together, forced to rely on each other, fleeing across the old south. Opposites in every way, raised without common background, the men had formed a deep brotherly-bond culminating in a surprising ending. What's worth more: freedom or an individual's life?
As the movie continued to run, Mozzie and Neal drank more wine, munched on appetizers, quoted familiar lines from the film and relaxed together in a way Peter envied. Watching the movie became bittersweet, evoking memories of a happier time and his ever present pain of loneliness.
Thoughts of his wife flooded Peter's mind, but he couldn't help begin to relax amid the easy camaraderie Neal and Mozzie displayed. Often wondering how it felt to have a male friend, the closest he came had been the short period of time he had shared with Daniel, another Animula.
Past the film's halfway point, Neal picked up the remote pausing the movie. Mozzie wanted to open his tins of popcorn. Carrying an assortment over to the couch, he stacked them on the floor. Opening two of the containers, Mozzie placed the Chicago Mix on the coffee table and gingerly offered the second tin to Peter.
"I've been known to share," he reluctantly confessed.
Peter turned to him, a puzzled look on his face. Neal's friend wouldn't want to share food with him. Had Neal prodded him while his attention was elsewhere? Sighing inwardly, ready to provide the awkward and polite refusal, Mozzie edged closer to his chair and unceremoniously dropped the container on his lap. Unable to hide an uncontrollable flinch, the Animula grabbed at it, staring down at his hands.
"Which flavor is that, Moz?" asked Neal, taking control of the situation.
"It's the CheeseCorn," answered Mozzie, before turning back to Peter.
"Why don't you try it? You're not lactose-intolerant, are you? I can't eat it," he explained, "but they say the melted cheddar is amazing."
Peter continued to stare at him speechless.
"It's movie night, Golden Boy. Popcorn is eaten during movie night!"
Expressing no overt appreciation, there was a slight relaxation of Peter's shoulders and a flicker of light in his eyes that told his companions he was pleased.
"Thank you," Peter said sincerely, experiencing an unexpected warm feeling rise in him. "I certainly wouldn't want to upset tradition."
As Neal waited for Mozzie to refill the wine glasses and settle back down, he refilled Peter's mug. His blue eyes swept over him taking note of the man's flagging energy. Dr. Taylor had cautioned him about remaining alert to any telltale signs of exhaustion. It was time to finish running the film and allow Peter to retire to bed.
"Are you up to seeing the rest of the movie?" Neal quietly asked Peter, as an aside.
Taking a generous sip of his mocktail, Peter nodded and cracked a smile.
"Wouldn't miss it; stick to the classics and you can't go wrong."
"My feelings exactly." Neal replied, with a hopeful smile. He had anticipated Peter and Moz would understand his choice for movie night. The protagonists' deep misunderstanding of each other, society's separation that kept them apart, did not prevent a bond of friendship that transcended deep prejudice.
"Ahem!" Mozzie tapped the stem of his wineglass. "May we get on with the movie? 'Time's a-wastin'."
"If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be the greatest prodigality," replied Peter.
"By necessity, by proclivity, and by delight, we all quote," countered Mozzie, enjoying the recitations. Cheeks flushed, his Emerson quote sounded just a bit tipsy.
Neal grinned and breathed a small sigh of relief. The conman hit the play button; The Defiant Ones picking up from where they had left off. Getting Peter to join them this evening hadn't been easy. Mozzie and Peter would probably remain at odds with each other, but they had both lowered their guard. He would count the night a success.