Nicky had finished his Chinese food; the movie was over, and Val was asleep. He couldn’t just sit there. He wanted to tell Steve about the Première but didn’t want to call from the apartment. Marco had said his place was only a couple of blocks away. He found his card, quietly pulled on some threads, took a couple of minutes to write a note, and he was out of there. He used the pay phone on the corner to call Marco, who told him to come right over.
A very hot blonde with a Vidal Sassoon haircut opened the door. She wore the shortest miniskirt he had ever seen with a see-through blouse and no bra. She took his arm and led him into a step-down living room. Marco looked like the king sitting in the middle of a curved, white leather sectional with another knockout chick beside him.
“Welcome, brother. Pull up a blonde and have a toke.”
Nicky put his arm around the blonde’s waist, took the lit J from her, and inhaled deeply.
“Man, I needed that.”
He took another hit. The music was just right—“Stoned Soul Picnic” by The Fifth Dimension. The lighting was just right—new recessed lighting on a dimmer. The blonde was just right—she got him a glass of red wine and snuggled up to him.
“So the cat let the mouse out to play.”
“Not to play exactly. Just for a quick visit with my old pizano.”
“Well then, let’s make it worth your while.”
Marco jumped up, dragging the girl with him.
“My little friends here are noted for their speed as well as their dexterity. I happen to have a stopwatch right here. Girls, let’s see how long it takes you to make my old friend feel very very good.”
The two girls squealed with delight. Before Nicky knew what happened, his blonde fell to her knees. She unzipped his pants and began playing with his joint.
“Hey, wait a minute.”
She ignored him.
“I just stopped by to say hello.”
No one paid any attention to him. He laughed and said, “what the fuck,” and started to enjoy himself. Without a second thought the two girls whipped off their clothes. What a pair of crazies. Then they completely undressed him. He was lying on the floor in glorious Technicolor being nibbled from head to toe. He felt a hand or mouth just about everywhere. Marco had undressed and stood close to the threesome, jerking off. The blonde had Nicky down her throat. He was in another world. Marco grabbed the other girl and shoved everything he had into her mouth, as she sat across Nicky. Marco looked at his stopwatch.
“Tell me when, buddy boy. Come on girls, you can do better than that. This was supposed to be a quickie.”
Nicky yelled.
“You got it baby.” Marco’s thumb came down on the stopwatch and he came at the same time. He fell back on the couch with a smile on his face.
“We didn’t break any records, but I have to admit it felt pretty good.”
The two girls helped Nicky to the couch. He collapsed.
“That’s what I call a welcome.”
“Nothing’s too good for you, my brother.”
Marco looked very proud of himself.
“Girls, we have to practice more.”
Nicky couldn’t believe he was into another scene. Still he had to admit he’d enjoyed it. That little girl really gave great head. Shit, nobody would believe all he had come there to do was make a phone call.
“I thought you had a party to go to.”
“Later, my man, later. Let’s have another J first. Whadya say?”
Marco was lighting a joint that looked more like a cigar.
“Why not.”
Nicky took the joint and they got thoroughly stoned. They danced a little and laughed a lot. At around two a.m. Marco announced it was time to party. Nicky got out of going. Finally alone, he lit another J and called L.A. As soon as Steve heard Nicky’s voice he started to shout.
“It’s about time. Where the fuck have you been?”
“Cool it, baby. Fuck! Let’s not start out fighting. Okay? I’ve got a lot to tell you.”
“It had better be good.”
“It’s better than good.”
Nicky took another hit.
“First of all, the scene here is working, and I found out today we’re having a big Première for my movie, and it’s going to be in L.A. Once I get nominated, and I’m pretty sure that’s gonna happen, I don’t see why this bullshit needs to go on. How does that grab you?”
“Just what I wanted to hear. I was beginning to think it would never happen.”
“Hang in there, baby. Not long now.”
“I miss you. I went to the bars last night I was so down. I didn’t even have a good time.”
This made Nicky smile. He looked down at his body. Just talking to Steve excited him.
“Where are you, Steve?”
“I’m in the bedroom, why?”
“Because I want to talk to you and I want to know where you are. Now lie down.”
“I am.”
Steve started to get the picture.
“Are you wearing anything?”
“I won’t be in a minute.”