Boy of the Westend

by Zack

  He showered and struggled to get ready for the day, his mind overflowing with Gil’s face as he’d seen him waiting for the lif— elevator, and later at dinner. It had been infuriating. Jeff and three of the other American camera and lighting crew had come in for dinner with the Graham kid and sat about as far away as it was possible in the cavernous dining room. Gil’s shining face and that gloriously blond hair were all he could see. Not even Kevin had had that effect. Fixated on the other end of the room, anxiously hoping for a look, a glance, any form of recognition that he existed for the American boy, Mike only toyed with his Piccata Milanese.

  “Anyone would think you were moping, young Mike,” Alan said.

  “Don’t even think it,” Johnny-Ray threw in helpfully. “You’ll never get to play bury the porker with Miss Lai, in spite of her name.”

  “Har-bloody-har,” Mike snapped back at the old joke, almost sick at the thought of doing anything with the film star he once thought so highly of in her French art-house movie.

  Now, as he stood in the foyer—no, lobby (the night-fantasies still bounced off the walls of his mind), rising and falling nervously on his heels, he tried to put last night’s stupid-stupid dreams out of mind. But it wasn’t easy. His empty stomach grumbled. Not only had dinner gone for a burton, appetite for breakfast had fled too. He tried to drag his attention to what the others were saying. Like himself, Alan, Billy, and Johnny-Ray were packed into their shorts for another steaming ride to Cinecittà. Mike was terribly aware that he had taken more than usual care in dressing this morning and there was no point in hiding from himself why: the silky mop of fair hair showing up above a heart-shaped face of clear skin and those striking pale gray eyes were reasons enough. Mr. Gil ( what kind of name is Gil? ) Graham sat on one of the lobby’s long sofas, dressed in a tight-fitting white tee-shirt and equally well fitted cut-off denim shorts. Mike draw in a sharp breath of half-sensed recognition at seeing how the American boy was dressed. How could he know Gil would be wearing exactly those slightly faded denims, sawn off so high the ragged hem clung to his thighs virtually in line with the packed bulge in the middle? How could he possibly know? Fervid imagination, of course; like how he’d seen the American’s neatly cut dick, and fondled his balls, and—

  Alan said something. The others laughed, and Mike joined in, all pally and not at all bothered that the boy across the way was giving him a nervous smile. The expression zinged down to Mike’s groin with a surely audible boing.

  He smiled. He did.

  Mike shuffled his sneakered feet apart to create what he hoped was a sexier pose. That’s why he wore the khaki safari shorts with cuffs on them. So tight and short, they hid nothing, showed off the hollowed flank of side buttock and the curve of his bottom; and he knew from checking in the mirror a hundred times this morning that they pulled into well worn, crisp folds at the front, smoothing out to a seductively compressed bulge. Christ, Will would have a field day if he saw me mirror-staring.

  Jeff exited one of the elevators, took a quick look around the noisy reception area, saw the Graham kid, and went over to him. Mike could have cheerfully murdered the focus-puller for the easy, familiar way he stroked the nape of Gil’s neck. The boy looked up and smiled. Oh my God, is he gay after all, then? Is that what the easy smile means? Jeff’s already had him. Oh…

  The two exchanged some words which Mike couldn’t hear above Billy telling another of his blue jokes in which the punchline relied on the difference between the British word “lift” and the American “elevator.” Mike dared turn his head slightly to look back at Jeff and— He’s staring at me! And blushing…

  Jeff turned and called out loudly, “Hey, Mike!”

  Who, me? Mike glanced around and waved at Jeff with as much nonchalance as he could manage.

  “C’mon over and meet your new colleague.”

  He nodded and said something utterly meaningless to Alan as he patted the rimming recordist’s shoulder, all pally-pally, totally unflustered, calm, collected, urbane, a total mess, and then crossed the lobby. Gil stood and Mike saw he was a bit shorter in stature and not quite as wide of shoulder. Just more cuddly. Stop it! But so fantastically naturally well toned. No doubt about it, the figure of a beach-boy surfer. Well he comes from California, doesn’t he? Mike knew his tongue wouldn’t unstick from his palate’s parched desert. He crafted a friendly smile, utterly thunderstruck by those extraordinarily beautiful eyes. He saw them rove a little to Gil’s right and widen fractionally. The stud, of course. Kevin’s stud. Gil’s dimples curved out as his lips stretched into a shy smile. The sight made Mike weak at the knees, but he fought manfully to remain cool and detached.

  “Mike, this is Gil, the new production runner. Gil, Mike Smith.”

  His hand, a firm short grip.

  Mike gulped down a swallow. “Hello and welcome to the mad house,” he croaked.

  Gil gave a surprised reaction. “You’re British!”

  “Er…actually, English to be precise.” Oh, Christ, is that the best you can do, sounding so bloody prim and apologetic.

  “I thought this was an American crew.”

  “The sound crew’s from England, and I came with them. Anyway the stagehands, props, and sparks are all Italian, so it’s a mixed bunch.” He bobbed up and down on his toes as the rapid-fire words poured out. The arrival of their transports saved him from further nervous blurting and bouncing. A general exodus began.

  “Have a good first day, Gil. Anything you get stuck with, just come ask me,” Jeff said. He patted Gil on the shoulder and strolled off to collect Harry and the others of the camera crew.

  “Do we get to see anything of Rome itself?” Gil asked quietly.

  To Mike’s delight he seemed happy to sit with him. He shook his head. “Not on this run.” They grabbed seats opposite Alan and Billy. “We’re billeted well to the south of the city, although the over-grandly named Hotel Vittorio Emmanuele isn’t too bad, considering the area. No, this is just a shortish drive to the studios. Hey, these are two of my mates on the sound crew, Alan and Billy, and Johnny-Ray is back there. This is Gil, the new production runner—er, sorry, gofer,” he added, turning back to Gil, who sat pressed up against the window.

  Alan waved a little greeting at Gil and fired off a lascivious wink, which Mike hoped desperately Gil hadn’t seen. To cover up his embarrassment, he started a line of general banter, deeply aware of every sideways look he received, until Gil seemed swept up with the passing suburban cityscape.

  Outside, in a blur, passed the streets and alleyways of Vice City. As the bus went under an overpass, the sudden darkness showed up Gil’s face in the window. Mike stopped breathing. Gil’s eyes were fixed on his own in the reflection. A slow smile suffused the ghostly image.

  Oh, varda the bona dish! The absurd Polari burst from his subconscious, an unbidden warning to temper his obsession with this guy; it could so easily be an investment with no return. Is it possible to fall so head over heels in love with a stranger you saw briefly yesterday and only just met this morning? Yes! Optimism bred certainty, and he was convinced he had actually known Gil Graham all his life. Certainty begat determination. But the Polari warning mainly reminded him that even if it were possible Gil could feel anything for him, Rosen would never allow it. Never.

  “Fuck you, James”

  Mike wasn’t aware he’d spoken aloud until Gil turned to him.

  “Sorry?”

  He recovered quickly and laughed brightly. “You were miles away. I said I suppose you don’t know anyone on this unit?”

  In the close confines of the coach seats, they were pressed close, shoulders, hips, and thighs touching. Gil didn’t seem very far off. Their heads were but inches apart. Mike’s breathing became shallow for fear of blowing Gil away. He realized they were still looking at each other, Gil calmly, but with that delectably shy expression and a beckoning spark in his eyes. A light smile played a melody on his upper lip, and Mike wanted to lean in and lick it.

  Fuc
k you, James! He said it louder, but in his mind. And the words Jules spoke to him from Gone With the Wind resounded in his head. I don’t care, James. I swear I’m going to do everything to make Gil mine, and I’ll do everything in my power to keep him, and no one, no person will ever come between us. James H. Rosen is not going to lick me, this I swear, as God is my witness.

  Gil turned again to look out the window, but Mike could still see his serene smile and knew absolutely what it portended. And he was sure Gil could see in the reflection the rejoicing in his eyes, for Mike could not hide it.

  I am yours, and you are mine, Gil Graham. As God is my witness.

  For Eternity.

  Gil and Mike return in Boys of Twin Tracks.

  About the authors

  Born in Switzerland, Oliver Frey a.k.a. Zack ended up in London and, after attending film school, plunged into gay art and publishing. Innumerable illustrations poured from his pen and brush for British magazines HIM International, Vulcan, Teenage Dreams, the HIM Gay Library series, and Mister magazine. For HIM he created the mold-breaking Rogue comic strip and later The Street, which was part of the inspiration behind cult TV series Queer As Folk. The Internet has spread his reputation to an enormous global fan base through many sites and blogs. Some of his comic-strip work has been published recently by Bruno Gmünder— Bike Boy, Hot For Boys: the Sexy Adventures of Rogue, and Bike Boy Rides Again. As Zack, Frey has taken gay erotic art and comics to new dimensions. He lives with life-long partner Roger Kean in a medieval town on the edge of Wales.

  British-born author Roger Kean, who met Oliver at film school, has had careers as a movie cameraman, film editor, journalist, and magazine and book editor. As an author he has written books on historical subjects both factual and fictional, and gay fiction, including: Felixitations ; Thunderbolt–Torn Enemy of Rome ; A Life Apart ; Gregory’s Story ; What’s A Boy Supposed to Do ; and for Bruno Gmünder Boys of Vice City, Boys of Disco City, Boys of Two Cities, Boys of the Fast Lane and Blood and Lust.

  About the book

  1980, Rome’s famous Cinecittà film studios, and wet-behind-the-ears “gofer” Gil Graham from Los Angeles meets British “gofer” Mike Smith. They’re the Boys of Vice City and their tempestuous love affair rocks them to London— Disco City —splits them between Two Cities, and reunites them in the Fast Lane of London again. But Gil knows Mike has a past, that their nemesis, the movie mogul James Rosen, “picked Mike out of the gutter.” So how does a privately educated Latin scholar fall so low? Boy of the West End takes Mike back in time and follows his trail of discovery, perdition, and eventual redemption.

  Impressum

  Copyright © 2014 Bruno Gmünder Verlag GmbH

  Kleiststraße 23-26, 10787 Berlin, Germany

  Phone: +49 30 61 50 03-0

  Fax: +49 30 61 50 03-20

  info@brunogmuender.com

  All text and artwork © 2014 Reckless Books-Zack/Oliver Frey & Roger Kean

  www.zack-art.com

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher.

  “The Old Main Drag” MacGowan, recorded by The Pogues, 1985

  “Stand By Your Man” Tammy Wynette & Billy Sherrill, recorded by Tammy Wynette, 1968 (U.S.) and 1975 (U.K.)

  “New York City” Lovett & Winfred, recorded by T. Rex, 1975

  “I Love To Love (But My Baby Loves To Dance)” Jack Robinson & James Bolden, recorded by Tina Charles, 1976

  “God Save The Queen” Sex Pistols, 1977

  “Suicide Is Painless” (Theme From M*A*S*H ) Johnny Mandel & Mike Altman, 1970

  Gone with the Wind Selznick International Pictures, 1939

  At the point of the story, all characters depicted are 18 years of age or older.

  This novel is entirely a work of fiction. Apart from the artists listed above, and the disk jockeys who appear as themselves, the names, characters, and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination and not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities (other than the Catacombs club), is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN e-book: 978-3-86787-740-4

  ISBN print: 978-3-86787-687-2

  More information about Bruno Gmünder books and authors:

  www.brunogmuender.com

  Zack

  Boys of Vice City

  ISBN e-book: 978-3-86787-459-5

  ISBN print: 978-3-86787-120-4

  Gil Graham wanted a job in the movies but when he enters the offices of James Rosen, one of Hollywood’s toughest new-style movie producers, he gets more than he had bargained for. Gil soon discovers that he has a lot of what the hunky young men working on the film want and before long he’s giving it to them every way they want it.

  The glamorous—and sometimes not so glamorous—movie business forms the backdrop to this carnal tale acted out in Rome’s sultry streets—Vice City where everything is for sale. But by the end Gil finds something more valuable than a career: true love.

  Zack

  Boys of Disco City

  ISBN ebook: 978-3-86787-471-7

  ISBN print: 978-3-86787-382-6

  Escaped from movie mogul James Rosen’s depraved clutches in Rome, American Gil Graham and his boyfriend Mike Smith head for London to set up home together. Mike introduces Gil to the hectic joys of giant disco Paradise. Hot backroom action, cruising Hampstead Heath, gladiatorial combat, and a porn-movie shoot are all part of Gil and Mike’s adventures. But can the idyll last once Rosen turns up, bent on revenge?

  Zack

  Boys of two Cities

  ISBN e-book: 978-3-86787-483-0

  ISBN print: 978-3-86787-445-8

  The steamy sequel to Boys of Vice City and Boys of Disco City.

  Cruelly split to escape a deadly threat from Hollywood tycoon James Rosen, bitter Gil Graham and guilt-ridden Mike Smith are forced to rebuild their lives, continents apart.

  Only work – and plenty of exciting but vicarious sex – stop their loveless lives falling apart. How can either of them possibly cope without their lost friend and soulmate? While in London Mike endures Rosen,s vicious attentions, Gil chases solace in fleeting encounters in Venice Beach and Los Angeles.

  Then fate strikes in a surprising way_and suddenly Mike is free to pursue the dream of reuniting with his wronged buddy. If he can find him...

  Seemingly insurmountable obstacles face him in his desperate quest as he strives to make the boys of two cities lovers in one.

  Zack

  Boys of the fast Lane

  ISBN e-book: 978-3-86787-551-6

  ISBN print: 978-3-86787-523-3

  The Boys Are Back! Reunited with Mike Smith in London, young American Gil Graham attempts to pursue his career in movies through script writing, while Mike’s younger brother Will pursues Gil with all the guile and determination he possesses in abundance. Mike has his own problems when teenage heartthrob movie star Nathan Cliffe turns his off-screen performance into an erotic dance for Mike’s heart… and something below his belt. Against the frantic backdrop of London’s gay scene, Gil and Mike must confront the strains that ambition, work, and outright jealousy place on their hard-won love. Will they be up to the challenge or will the frenzy of temptation thrown in their winding path tear them apart forever.

  Zack

  Desert Studs

  ISBN e-book: 978-3-86787-749-7

  ISBN print: 978-3-86787-690-2

  When Joe and Alan decide on a backpacking expedition in the Arizona Desert, they want the trip to be tough, grueling, and hot. But what they encounter is heat of a different kind—rutting studs! Kidnapped on the desert sands, they are flown to a luxury hideaway and meet Uli, mastermind of sex and drugs, slave master over a stable of young studs trained to please every perversion the rich can pay for … In this searing dream world of wild sex, where anything goes and no animal urge is denied, lust goes berserk in a prison with its own rules—can Joe and A
lan take it?

  Zack

  Blood and Lust

  ISBN e-book: 978-3-86787-604-9

  ISBN print: 978-3-86787-603-2

  Fighting to the Finish

  Clint is a loner with an independent streak a mile wide. He’s just your average happy-go-lucky London rent-boy with few cares on his mind, until he unwisely robs a customer.

  Clint soon discovers that paying society its due for his petty theft carries a lethal price. He’s now become part of a giant shadowy corporation that runs arenas all over the world. Its prisoners are trained to fight to the death under the cold gaze of cameras and for the pleasure of an elite who pay to watch their favorite blood sport.

  Clint is soon fighting for his life, but he also discovers that love is his only redemption.

  Zack

  the Warrior’s Boy

  ISBN e-book: 978-3-86787-606-3

  ISBN print: 978-3-86787-605-6

  Tough, no-nonsense Eric Random, an English mercenary soldier on his way to Venice in 1527, encounters rough-and-tumble sex at every inn along the way.

  The randy roughneck never misses an opportunity for an erotic adventure: stable lads, tavern servers, and page boys all fall to his remorseless assault, only to be tossed aside as Eric moves on. And then something unexpected happens …

  This graphic portrait of degenerate, brawling, and licentious Renaissance Italy unfolds as a history that’s never been taught in the classroom.

  Zack

  Raw Recruits

  ISBN-ebook: 978-3-86787-547-9

  ISBN-print: 978-3-86787-519-6

  Hot Guns for Hire When Luke and Harry, young army veterans turned hustlers, are offered a small fortune to join a band of mercenaries by a stranger in a New York bar, they can’t refuse—and before they know it they are plunged into the adventure of their lives. Raw Recruits catapults you into the scorching, sweaty, rough and tumble world of mercenaries. Men who like their men tough and hard. Men who enjoy sex to the hilt—anytime anywhere, anyhow! Live with them, love with them, see them in Zack’s searing illustrations—if you’re man enough!