Business Strip by Jeff Erno

Author:Jeff Erno
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: GLBT, Contemporary, Gay, erotic Romance
ISBN: 9781771119788
Publisher: eXtasy Books
Published: 2014-07-01T05:00:00+00:00

As they made their way down Orleans Street, Richard pointed out various businesses he found interesting. Chad considered the small shops to be nothing more than tourist traps, peddling worthless collectibles, but Richard stopped and pointed out interesting displays and artwork, laughing at the cleverness of some of the tee shirt designs, coffee mugs, and various trinkets presented in the storefront windows. They stopped in Pirate’s Alley to look through artwork that had been propped up against the cement wall, and Richard chatted with the vendor. When they got to Jackson Square, Richard stopped them so they could watch a street performer. At first, Chad thought he was a statue, but soon discovered him to be a mime sitting perfectly still, every inch of his body painted silver, his breathing undetectable. When Richard reached into his pocket and removed a ten-dollar bill to drop into the silver bucket beside him, Chad nearly guffawed. He almost reached out himself to grab hold of Richard’s wrist in order to stop him, but then Richard turned and smiled.

“Think of how much preparation went into that costume,” he said.

As they walked away, sauntering toward Café Du Monde, Chad had to ask, “Exactly why did you give that guy money?”

“Oh, he’s a street performer—an entertainer.”

“But he wasn’t entertaining. He was just sitting there.”

Richard laughed. “Well, I found him very entertaining. I couldn’t sit there like that, perfectly immobile. We almost walked right past him because he looked like a statue.”

“I just don’t get it, why you’d give money away like that.”

Richard turned to him and smiled. “I saw you give money away, last night at the bar. When you came in, you tipped Gene, the doorman.”

“That’s different. Tipping someone who provides a service is not the same as just giving away money.”

“I think the street performer provided us with more of a service than Gene did. All he did was take your cover charge and let you in the bar.”

Chad nodded. “Fair enough, but he did have a nice body.”

Richard laughed. “You’re not fooling me. I saw the size of the tip you left back at the restaurant. You’re not as stingy with your money as you pretend. If anything, you enjoy throwing it around a bit.”

Chad stopped in his tracks, grabbing hold of Richard’s arm. “Is that your impression of me?”

Richard stepped closer to him, placing his fingertips against Chad’s chest. “Don’t be offended by the truth, okay? It wasn’t a criticism, merely an observation.”

“What good does it do a person to have money, if they aren’t willing to use it?” Chad countered.

“What good does it do him if money’s the only thing he has?” Richard answered his question with a question. “And for the record, I don’t think you just throw money around to impress people. I just think that maybe sometimes your attitude is that because you have money, you’re entitled to respect that you wouldn’t necessarily give others.”

Of course, Richard spoke the truth. Chad felt exactly that way. That was why he always flew first class, bought the finest clothes, and ate at the fanciest restaurants.

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