Neighbors, Part 2: John and Jhett

December 1999 - Baltimore, MD

John's Story

"Come on, John! Don't be so damn stiff! It's your birthday for crying out loud! "

John Anders sighed. He knew there was no getting out of this. He'd have to go into the "Edge" with his friends. "The Edge" was Baltimore's premier night spot for gay men 21 and over. John had always been curious, but had never had the courage to set foot in there. Of course, with Rob, Dean, and Curtis forcing him in through the front doors, he had no choice - he was inside "The Edge" whether he liked it or not! 

John was twenty-two and painfully single. He was a very dedicated law student and that may have had something to do with his lack of dates as of lately. The guys had called him on it several times, telling him he needed to "lighten up". Which was why they had brought him here. They all knew he was bisexual, but hadn't yet discovered his "gay" side. So, Curtis, having been in a similar situation, convinced the very gay Dean and the straight Rob that this excursion was exactly what John needed. Now, here he was, in a gay strip club and he was being put on the spot. 

Once inside, he took a look around. It was extremely crowded. John figured he could use that to his advantage.

"Wow! This place is packed! We'll never be able to find a table. Maybe we should go for coffee or something instead," he ventured, wanting very much to get out of there.

"Nonsense! I reserved a table in honor of you, John, the birthday boy!" exclaimed Curtis cheerfully. "There it is!" 

John wanted to sink into the floor when he saw the huge placard with his name splashed across it in bright, bold letters: "JOHN ANDERS". 

A waiter approached them. "Are one of you guys John Anders?"

"Yes! This is John right here!" said Dean, slapping John on the back.

The waiter smiled at John, obviously eyeing him up and down. "Happy Birthday! I'll be right back with your free drinks."

"Mm-hm...and maybe his number, too, eh John?" Curtis said, elbowing John in the ribs. As they settled into their seats, the lights dimmed even further and a voice announced the next dancer to take the stage. No one at their table was really paying attention, especially John who was trying not to look.

"Please, Curt, stop. It's enough you guys brought me here in the first place!" griped a crabby John.

The guys had reserved a table right in front of the stage so John could have ample access to the dancers g-strings. If they expect me to stuff twenties down these guys drawers, they're all crazier than I thought, mused John to himself.

Rob looked around, wincing beneath the admiring stares from some of the "The Edge"'s horny clientele. He shook his head disbelievingly, as, unbeknownst to them, a slim red-haired young man came on stage in a beaded, harem-style get-up. Well, unbeknownst to all but John, who had looked up just as the young man had stepped out onto the stage.

"I can't believe I let you talk me into this, Curt," complained Rob good-naturedly. "Good thing Tammy has such a good sense of humor, because if she didn't, I'd be out on my ass!" Tammy was his girlfriend of two years.

Laughing, Dean joked back, "And you'd have plenty of guys wanting to pick that ass back up!" 

When John didn't laugh with them, Dean looked concerned. "Hey, John, you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost." John remained motionless, staring at the slim figure gyrating sensuously onstage. All three guys followed his gaze to the stage and saw for themselves what had John so transfixed.

The music then seemed to envelop them all as they watched the very nimble and flexible young man danced before them. The song was slow, sexy, and sung huskily in French. Intermittenly, the young dancer would remove a scarf-like piece of his costume, revealing even more of his bare, toned flesh. His abs were well-defined and his body appeared smooth and hairless. Only his eyes were visible, as the lower half of his face was covered with a thin red scarf. He had the prowess of a belly-dancer, swiveling his hips just so that it looked they had a mind of their own.

John couldn't take his eyes off him. He didn't know the first thing about that young man on stage, but he knew one thing for sure - he had to have him!

The evening was officially over as the four men stepped out of the club and into the cold night. Dean, Rob, and Curtis were chatting up a storm, the volume of their conversation intensified by the alcohol they had consumed that night. John was the designated driver, but he couldn't have touched a drink that night anyway. Ever since he'd seen that first dancer, all he could think about was how he had moved, how he must feel...

After he had dropped his friends off, he was alone with his thoughts. He couldn't get that dancer out of his mind! John wasn't a spontaneous person by any means, but at that very moment, he had the strongest feeling of urgency - he had to get back to the club and he had to find that dancer NOW! 

Completely out of character, John lurched forward as the light turned green and executed an illegal U-turn. He was going to get that dancer all to himself, if it was the last thing he did!

Jhett's Story

Inside his dressing room at "The Edge", Jhett Ulrich sat at his vanity table, staring into the mirror, but not really seeing his reflection. He should have been gone already, but he actually had no where to go. He been renting a room a few blocks down in one of the slummiest areas of the city, but his landlord had been arrested and the entire building had been repossessed by the city this morning. He had no where to go now. 

With his innocent, angelic face, and wavy red hair, Jehtt didn't look the part of a male stripper - he looked like he belonged in high school. But, at eighteen, Jhett, a former foster kid, had aged out of the system this past summer and was now on his own. He had found a job here at "The Edge" but had a hell of a time convincing Gino, the owner, that he was a legal adult. Of course, now that Gino was convinced, he had been trying non-stop to get Jhett into his bed! He hadn't slept with Gino, but at this moment, if it would guarantee him room and board, he just might have! However, Gino was out of town for the month and had left the care of the club to Lorenzo, his nephew who was also a dancer. Lorenzo did not like Jhett at all and Jhett knew that he could not confide his problem to Lorenzo. 

So, here he was, all alone and at a complete loss as to what to do. 
He sighed heavily. It was time for him to go before Lorenzo kicked him out. Maybe he could afford a hotel room for the week. He began to gather up what little possessions he had when he heard a knock at the door.

Without waiting for a response, Lorenzo opened the door, and eyed Jhett disdainfully, arms folded across his chest.

Jhett sighed (he did that a lot lately, he noticed). "I'm leaving, I'm leaving. No need to get pushy, Lorenzo."

A smirk crossed Lorenzo's darkly handsome face. He'd been waiting all night for the opportunity to rub this in Jhett's cute little face. "Where are you going to go? You're building was repossesed by the city this morning and your landlord is incarcerated. You have no where to go."

Lorenzo's cavalier attitude got the best of Jhett, who retorted, "You know, you don't have to sound so happy about it, Lorenzo. You ever heard of Karma?"

The smirk left Lorenzo's face and he responded menacingly, "Are you threatening me, Jhett? If my uncle found out-"

Jhett could feel his emotions boiling over and he no longer cared what came out of his mouth. "Oh, to hell with you and your damned uncle! I fucking quit!"

As soon as he said it, Jhett wished so badly he could take those words back. But he couldn't and now he was officially screwed. 

Lorenzo narrowed his eyes at the weary boy and smiled cruelly. "Fine, Jhett, have it your way." He tossed an envelope onto the ground at Jhett's feet. "There's the last of your pay. Now get the hell out!"

He watched Lorenzo walk out and fought back the urge to cry. He sank to the floor to recover his week's pay, and probably the last bit of money he'd have to his name in a long time. He couldn't fight the tears back any longer and they came rushing out of him in a torrent.