Gay

Keywords: Ch., Day, The, 20, Three, Pass,

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"We are both trapped by our loyalties and feelings as well as realities."

"I know, but it is just wonderful that we got it all out into the open. I have been carrying this around for a long time now and I'm glad I got it out. I promise to think about meeting Fazzi and I think the 'Block Party' would be a good place to do it." Rich said returning Joseph's kiss. "Now fuck the shit out of me and let's screw the world."

And they did just that --- they stayed in their room and made love the rest of the day. They just enjoyed the luxury of spending time together, holding each other and at times never saying anything to each other. In the late afternoon they returned to the city where they went out to eat and then to the theater. After the play while waiting for Rich to get into his street clothes Joseph had time to go over a copy of the play Rich was planning to do next. His reading was interrupted by a knock on the door. Getting up and opening the door he spotted a gentleman in very expensive clothes standing there with a bewildered expression on his face who said, "I'm sorry I was told this was Mr. Worthington's dressing room."

"Your information was correct. I'm a friend of his. My name is Sgt. Joseph Benson. He is getting dressed right now and should be right out. Is there anything I can do for you?" Joseph said extending his hand.

"Benson, Oh yes, His Army friend. He has mentioned you. My name is Carl Donetz. I'm the chief producer of that play that you have in your hands. My friends and I are looking to engage Rich to play in it. You wouldn't be an actor also?"

"No I'm just a friend. I'm in the army and stationed in Jersey. I had some leave time and thought I would spend it in the big city. I was just reading the play because Rich asked me to see how I liked it."

"What do you do in the army? Rich did not tell me much about you. Are you in special services?" Carl asked. "You are certainly good looking enough to be with the army special services unit as an actor."

"Well, that's a new one. I was a farmer before entering service. Now, I'm an instructor at the Army Language School. I teach Arabic and related subjects." Joseph laughed as he moved toward the bathroom door and knocked on it. "Rich there's a Mr. Donetz out here to see you."

"Oh! Tell him I'll be right out. Hello Carl, this is a pleasant surprise. Please wait, I will be out soon." He said and then asked through the door. "Is everything OK?"

"Everything is fine. You gave a very brilliant performance tonight. I think you just get better and better. I happened to be in the theater tonight with a few of the money boys. They wanted to get another look at you in action. I hope you don't mind but I mentioned that your full name was Richard Worthington, Jr." Carl said. "Being Wall Street types, they were curious to meet the son of Worthington Investments. They would like to take you out for a few drinks and some conversation."

"Well you know that I have almost nothing to do with the brokerage business of my father and besides I have a guest this evening."

"I know you are on your own, but please do me this little favor and please bring the sergeant along with you." He said turning to Joseph he asked, "You do drink, I mean, as a Mohammedan are you permitted to drink or visit a bar?"

Joseph laughed and said, "I teach Arabic and Muslim customs, I'm not a Muslim. By the way the correct term is Muslim not Mohammedan. Mohammed was the founder of Islam and his followers are Muslim or Moslems. However I do drink and if Rich feels like it I would love to come along, if you are sure you want me."

"Yes we would like to have you come with us." He said as Rich came out of the washroom. "What do you say Rich, are you in the mood to do a little Public Relations work?"

"Hell! Why not?" He asked as he finished drying his wet hair with a towel and then sat at his make-up mirror and combed it into place. "As long as you guys don't plan on sticking a poor actor with the bar bill. You want to go along, Joseph?"

"Why not? Heck on a sergeant's pay any free drinks are always welcome."

They left the dressing room and Carl guided them to a place where the two other men were waiting for them. Carl introduced them to the men and asked Rich if he knew of any suitable bars in the area. A place with a quite, private room or booth would be nice, one of them stated. We have some private business to discuss with you.

"That sounds rather ominous, but yes I just happen to know of one." Rich said. "It is not too far from here. We could walk it. It is an Irish Pub and they have good drinks and service as well as privacy." Then turning to Joseph he said, "Frank Gordon took us there once. Do you remember?"

"Yes, I remember. It was nice."

The five of them, with Rich leading the way, walked the two blocks to the bar. Carl, slipping the doorman a $50 bill asked for a private booth where they could have some privacy and they were shown to the rear of the bar where they all sat down and ordered drinks. The three producers made small talk with Rich, almost completely ignoring Joseph. They were asking him about his schooling and his father. The waiter came with the drinks and Carl asked if anyone would like something to eat and getting no response he ordered some chips, pretzels and peanuts anyway. Around the second round of drinks, one of the producers turned to Rich and said, "now for the real purpose for our wanting to talk to you Rich. As of yesterday, the word on the 'Street' is that your father is about to become the financial advisor, if not to the entire Arab world, at least to that section of it that has all of the money. It is also said that Worthington's may soon become one of the biggest bankers in the world. We would like to meet with him and discuss the possibilities of our getting in on the ground floor, so to speak. Do you think you could arrange for us to meet with the man that has convinced the Arabs to invest all that money?"

"Gentlemen, while I am on very good terms with my family, I doubt that my father would take anything I might say about investments and investors seriously. I have not had anything to do with the business since the time my father took me into his office on one of those 'Father/Son Days' and I accidentally pushed the wrong computer key and caused him to loose a hundred thousand dollars."

"But surely you could at least ask you father to meet with the three of us." Carl said taking out one of his business cards and passing it over to Rich. The other men did the same thing. "We would just like the opportunity to meet the man responsible for this fantastic business coup."

"But, gentlemen, you already have met him. He is sitting right here with us." Rich said. "Sgt. Joseph Benson is the one that was able to get this thing rolling."

All eyes turned to Joseph as he smiled back at them... "Just a case of being the right guy in the right place and at the right time." Joseph said, blushing.

"Don't be so modest." Rich said beaming proudly. "Gentlemen I give you the future partner of Worthington & Benson, when he gets out of the army and finishes his education."

"Well do tell us how did you accomplish this?" Asked all of the men talking at once.

"It's a rather long story, but I will give you the shortened version." Joseph said. "The army discovered my unusual ability to pick up languages rather quickly. They placed me in a new program, and were training me to speak Arabic. One day, while we were on leave a friend of mine and myself wandered into the Paterson Mosque. While there I met and became involved with the head of the Arab community... He asked me to his home and for some reason he took a liking to me and offered his daughter to me in marriage..." Seeing that he had the three of them sitting on the edges of their chairs, he told them that the rest of the story was unimportant. "Once the Sheikh found out that I was friendly with Rich and his father, he insisted that a meeting be arranged and the two of them plus myself developed this present operation."

The three producers sat there dumbfounded. Carl finally able to talk said, "My God what a movie or stage play that would make. If I didn't hear it from you directly, I would \not believe it. I'm not sure I believe it even now."

"Well whether you believe it or not, it is the truth. Like I said before, I just happened to be, the right guy, in the right place at the right time. That's the way The Arab/American Investment Club came about." Joseph said. "Now what is it that I can do for you?"

"Joseph, you could let us in on the ground floor. Let us in on the action!"

"I don't know if there is any 'ground floor' to be let in on, yet. In any event, for now at least, two things would prevent that. Number one; as it is set up now all the investors have to be from the Arab community. Each new member must be voted into the club. I don't know if it will remain this way or not, however if you will give me your cards and if something does come up I will be more than happy to see that your names are put forth. After all," Joseph said with a broad smile on his face, "I'm sure that Mr. Worthington and myself would be more than happy to let some business fall into the laps of the producers of Rich's next hit play. However for now the incorporation plans and by-laws of the club limits membership."

"That's rather unfair. Isn't it?" the men asked.

"Perhaps so," the soldier continued. "But by limiting membership to Muslims, it prevents the profits from going to non-Muslim causes. And that brings us to reason #2. You see gentlemen this is basically a religious corporation whose only reason for being is to raise money for Arab Charities. The money collected will be used to purchase income-producing capitol, the profits of which will either be reinvested to produce more capitol, or will be dolled out to charities. It will operate just like all the other educational and religious endowments.

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Keywords: Ch., Day, The, 20, Three, Pass,