Chapter Text
|-Friday morning. Home Life Building, 256 Broadway, Manhattan, New York-|
Just breathe.
Deep and easy now. In, then out.
Do that agin. Breathe.
Deep and easy. In, then out.
Do that agin. Breathe.
Deep and easy. In, then out.
Do that agin.
In-person, huh? Couldn't have just shot me a email or called? Reckon that's what I get for shoppin' way up north in Yankee land. Don't matter none no more. Just head on in yonder. Chat with the fella, and get them papers filed. Ain't no thang. So why's it feelin' like a whole bother? I've dealt with stuff like this afore without no fuss. Reckon it's just a piece that's still holdin' a grudge. Can't rightly fault it...
"Oh, you must be Mr. Jenkins. Mr. Caldwell is waiting for you. 11th floor." The receptionist says, pointin' me towards the 'levator. I 'preciate the thought, but it's plain as day where they at.
"Thank you." That's about all I got in me. Wanna git on outta here right quick. Just need to git this here paper signed, then I'm headin' back to Gold City and Kati. Don't wanna dawdle 'round no more than I gotta. I mosey on over to the 'levator and call 'er down. I wait just a spell while it comes on down, then the doors slide open and I hop on in, mashin' the button for the 'leventh floor as I do. Doors slam shut right quick, and I feel 'er start climbin', takin' me on up where I gotta go.
Breathe.
Deep and easy. In, then out.
Do that agin. Breathe.
Deep and easy. In, then out.
Do that agin.
Don't take but a minute for the elevator to get on up to the 'leventh floor. That's where I'm gonna find the LPC at in this here building. And the office I'm lookin' for oughta be a right down yonder from the elevator. I hauled off down the hall, headin' towards the office I needed to be at. Directly, I moseyed on up to the office and rapped on the door.
"Come in." I hear back from the other side, givin' me the go-ahead to open up the door, which I do. There's this fella sittin' at his desk with hardly no hair and a tan suit on. Reckon it's time to get this done. I walked on in the office and eased myself down right there across from the fella, took a good, deep breath 'fore I said nothin'.
"I assume you're Mr. Caldwell?" I reckon it's him I'm lookin' for, and I ain't even gotta ask. "Yes. Mr. Jenkins, I presume?" He answers, pointin' at hisself and me.
"I am he, yes. Let's get to business." I swan, I'm ready to get this over with. I'd druther not waste my time with all this here red tape. Too much paper shufflin'. Too much fancy-pantsin' around. I'm fixin' to cut straight to the chase. No chaser. Honest as the day is long. Caldwell ain't loafin', he's grabbin' them papers. I'm watchin' 'em come up on the screen, one right after the other.
"This is everything pertaining to the light itself: Date of commission. Date of construction. Date of opening and closing. Over here is everything pertaining to it's status as a city landmark. You mentioned you want access to the balcony? We haven't allowed anyone who isn't a maintenance worker up there since the lighthouse was decommissioned." He's explainin', but I can tell he ain't quite caught on to why I'm sittin' here. Reckon it's time to spill the beans, then.
"You're aware I work with models, right?" I'm askin', watchin' his face all twist up and change. He goes from lookin' dumbfounded to right aggravated, then back to lost as he's tryin' to figure out what I just told him. Then Caldwell, he sucks in a whole heap of air 'fore he speaks up again.
"So... you're a modeling manager?" He’s askin', his voice all shaky, still tryin' to wrap his head 'round it. Got that look like a dog watchin' cars. Can't fault the feller. He ain't likely seen nothin' like this 'fore. Most folks in Caldwell's spot wouldn't have a clue, bless their hearts. Dealing with somebody that works with them models. But then he's gotta deal with a modelin' manager that looks just like me. "Yes. Foreign and domestic. Male, female and everything in between. Human and uma. Is that going to be a problem?" I poke around, feelin' he's got some kinda hestitation 'bout what I'm fixin' to tell him. Wanna make sure ain't no trouble. Nothin' shady. Nothin' that'll git in the way.
"Uh... No. It shouldn't be, at least. We just want to make sure the structure is respected." He says, his voice still kinda shaky. These here suit-and-tie fellers never do get the picture, bless their hearts. Nor do they reckon someone like me could give a hoot 'bout somethin' with history to it. Then again, I ain't expectin' that kinda fancy thinkin' from no damn Yankee.
"Anything that gets knocked out of place will be returned. Anything damaged fixed to the best of our abilities, if that is what you're concerned with." I answer, even though I know good and well he ain't gonna believe a word I say 'til he sees it with his own two eyes. Shoot, even then he probably won't buy it. Just one more reason not to put no stock in them fancy-pants fellers.
Breathe.
Deep and easy. In, then out.
Do that agin. Breathe.
Deep and easy. In, then out.
Do that agin.
Stepping out, that muggy summer air just clobbers you. Now, I'm used to damp weather, but this? How can a city full of steel, concrete, and glass be so damn wet? Hot too, I reckon. Just don't get it. Don't think I ever will. I'm headed over to my car, that fine black and silver Camaro. The dream right there. I slide on into the driver's side and get on down the road. But I ain't headin' towards the Flatiron. Ain't lookin' to go home jes' yet. Now that we got the go-ahead to use that ol' lighthouse balcony, I reckon I can start sniffin' 'round for some other shoot ideas. And I got me a few: First off's the Washin'ton Square Arch. Seein' as how NYU's mostly still on summer break, we oughta have free reign to use that arch as a backdrop without no trouble. Leastways, that's the idea. Another spot I was thinkin' 'bout is the fountain over yonder in Lincoln Park, but that's over in Jersey City. Might make things kinda hairy, but it's still worth a shot.
I drove a bit 'til I got up near the north side of NYU's grounds. Parked right on the street and started moseyin' towards Washington Park. 'Fore you know it, I could see that there arch. Good deal. This'll do just fine. I took a look-see at what all was around it: Stone pavers. Trees lined up on the sides of the walkways. That fountain right smack-dab in the middle of the park. Looks good to me. We can make use of this, alright. I'm scratchin' down my notes on this lil' pad I toted 'fore I stash it, then I pull out my cell. I scroll through my contacts and see Gold City sittin' right there. Might as well let 'er know we're lookin' good. 'Fore you know it, the message is done and sent. Now, I'm just waitin' on her to holler back.
'We're in the clear. You and Kati can use the light's balcony. But a representative from the LPC is going to be there to make sure that nothing gets damaged. As if you would be capable of damaging anything. I trust you enough to know otherwise.' I'm sittin' here a spell, watchin' that lil' ol' bubble pop up, then go away, then come back as she's tryin' to figure out what to say. Takes her a hot minute, but Gold finally texts me back.
'We can work with that. When were you wanting me and Kati to head back out there?' I start typin' out my answer soon as I'm done readin'.
'Tuesday afternoon. That was the best availability. So you'll have a few days to prepare. I'll see you when we develop the photos and send them to T Magazine. You should already have some of the pieces they provided.' That's what I shot her, waitin' on her to say somethin' back. Which she did here directly.
'They're a bit... much but I can work with them. I'll get Kati's opinions on what will work.' I reckon we ain't gotta beat this thing to death no more. I know Gold's smart enough to sort things out herself. I trust her judgment on that, I surely do. So, I'm gonna leave it at that, just turn tail and head on back to my car. But I'll take one last gander at that arch. Yeah, this'll do. This here'll work just fine.
Breathe.
Deep and easy.
In, then out. Do that agin. Breathe.
Deep and easy. In, then out.
Do that agin.
Reckon it's about time to be headin' on back home.
|-Friday afternoon. Tavern on the Green, West 67th Street, Central Park-|
"One platter of meatball sliders. We'll have the rest out soon." The waitress says as she walks off. I'd say it's another ten minutes before we get our food, but these sliders should do in the meantime. They smell amazing. But not as amazing as Gold's perfume... What is it? Must be something she brought with her from Japan. It smells... floral. I wouldn't be surprised if it's scented like a cherry blossom. But... Do I ask? Would that be appropriate? I decide against it, knowing where my mind would go if I did ask. I don't want to take that chance. Not when I've been able to keep things under wraps so far. I do turn to face her, wanting to get some clarity on earlier events from the day.
"So... Tuesday afternoon? That's when we're heading back to Roosevelt Island?" I ask, still not understanding the situation.
"That's what Randy said. Only time available for the LCP representative." Gold responds. LCP representative? Micsoda? (What?)
"R...Representative? Why?" I ask again.
"They want to make sure the lighthouse isn't 'damaged'. As if we had the capabilities to do something like that." Is her next response. Great. Fantasztikus. (Fantastic.) This will just complicate things. But at least we still have access to that balcony. So silver-linings, I guess. As I ruminate on these thoughts, I reach over to take one of the sliders, and apparently Gold had a similar idea as our hands brush against each other for a second. She probably didn't think anything of it, but me... Oh nem... (Oh no...)
She's so soft...
No.
I want to hold it...
Stop.
But City's so-
Purge it.
I manage to stop those thoughts before they can start, but now I'm scared that the slightest thing will send my mind off. And since Gold is sitting right next to me, she probably saw this entire thing play out in my head. I wouldn't be surprised if she gets weirded out by this whenever it happens. But she doesn't seem to pay it any attention, grabbing a slider and taking a bite out of it, seemingly savoring the flavor.
"Hmm... That's not bad, actually." She murmurs, forgetting manners and speaking with a mouth that is mostly full. She tries not to spit marinara everywhere, and honestly, she's succeeding. Because of course she's succeeding. Miért ne tenné? (Why wouldn't she?) I decide to follow suit and grab a slider for myself, taking a bite not too long after I have it in my hand. Hmm... Yeah, these are pretty good. I grab a few more, but not too many because I don't want to be too full when our actual meals arrive. While we wait, I ask another thing.
"Do you have any idea what you'll be in for the shoot? Did a fashion mag send anything to try, or..." I trail off, my thoughts escaping me as my gaze meets hers. No... Nem, nem, nem...
Focus.
But she's so pretty...
Do not ruin this.
What if she-
Don't get your hopes up
"I received a few articles from T Magazine yesterday. I was hoping you could help me decide which articles go well with each other. If it isn't too much to ask, of course." The sound Gold's voice snaps me out of the trance. If the slightest thing can send my ind off like that, how can I last an entire year with her? How am I going to survive being at war with my own mind? Totál szét vagyok esve... (I'm such a mess...)
"Uh... When could I come over? What would work best for you?" I ask, voice barely there it's trembling so much. You'd have to be completely deaf. Like, deaf since birth, to somehow not hear it. But Gold City... she doesn't hear it somehow.
"I was thinking Sunday. It's two days from now and two days from the shoot. It should give us enough time to get everything ready and sorted." She says, either unaware or unbothered by the internal war that is threatening to undo my entire being. How can she do that? Just what is she pulling off to not be bothered by it in the slightest.
"Sunday? What time?" I follow up, wanting to solidify our plans.
"Would noon work for you?" She asks in return.
"Yeah, that can work." I say, spotting the waitress walking towards out table, food in hand. Time to set this aside for now. I'm starving. So much that I could eat a- Actually, no. I'm not finishing that thought.
"Thanks for getting me out here. Been a while since I was last there at the Tavern." I say as we pass the Ladies Pavilion. It's so small, yet so cute. I can't help but love it.
"Don't mention it. I just thought it would be a nice idea. I liked it the last time we did that. Just you and me. Not really worrying about this whole year-long contract." Gold responds, those sultry tones making this hot and humid weather worth the outing. I really haven't been to the Tavern in a hot minute. Not since... Oh right, her. She who will not be named. I'm moving on before I decide to put myself through a different kind of mind fuck. The things Gold City makes me think are bad enough, I don't need those memories to be revisited.
"Something wrong?" I hear her ask, once again snapping me out of my own thoughts.
"Uh... no. Nothing's wrong." I respond, maybe a it too quickly, which gives off the impression that something is, in fact, wrong. Something that Gold picks up on.
"Hm-hm... Sure... Nothing's wrong at all." Oh god... Why does she need to be so sarcastic like that? And why is it a turn on for me? Miért... (Why...)
Focus, god dammit.
It's so hard...
We will bring that up.
No...
Then focus.
But Gold...
You forced this.
As if running on autopilot, my mind starts flooding with bad memories. All the times pining over another woman has backfired on me. All the times I've been caught like this. It's so sudden and in my metaphorical face that I visibly wince from the mental onslaught. And I do mean visibly, because the next thing I know, I feel someone's hand on my shoulder.
"Hey, is everything alright?" It snaps me out of it. I turn to face Gold City, who looks atrociously concerned. Oh nem... Észrevette... (Oh no... She noticed...) I need to think, and think quick. What can I say that'll be believable? But before I can get anything out, Gold speaks up again.
"I didn't bring back any bad memories, did I? I'm... sorry. I wasn't trying to." How do I respond to this... Should I just... be honest with her? I mean, it is the best policy.
"I mean, a little bit... But it's nothing to worry about. It just... happens sometimes." I respond, not wanting her to worry. I mean, we barely know each other. That would be a bit much. But the idea...
Próbáld ezt. (Try this.)
That's... a different voice... And with it, different memories. More... pleasant ones. Ones of me and ápa. Me and Met when we were young. Me and... anya. Woah... Didn't know I remembered that. Once again I find myself in a trance, and once again, Gold City brings me out of it.
"Oh... I'm... I'm sorry to hear that." She says, her voice more reserved. More... subdued. And oddly, I don't find myself getting set off by it. Weird...
"Don't be. You didn't know." I respond, wanting this little outburst to be behind us. So we keep walking in a comfortable, if a bit tense, silence.
We keep walking, but eventually stop in front of the Hayden House, and something tells me that this is where we split for today. We're not going in for a tour. I hate that we have to separate, but I know I'll see her again. I kind of have to, but the feeling of disappointment is hard to shake off. Seems Gold might be thinking the same thing.
"Well, I guess we'll have to go our separate ways." She says wish a sigh, a clear sign of how she's feeling.
"Yeah, I guess so. Do you need a ride back to your place or..." I start, before I notice the car she's standing in front of.
"No, I can get there on my own. Thanks for asking though." Gold's response barely registers as I'm still processing what I'm looking at: A blue and red Toyota Celica. '76 model too. Another car my ápa would absolutely lose it over. Where did she get this? Randy. It has to be.
"Where did yo-" Gold interrupts me before I can finish.
"Randy. Who else? I'll see you Sunday." She says as she gets into the driver's seat, eventually driving into the road, heading south towards the World Trade Center while I'm still standing there, completely dumbfounded. I didn't know... that she could drive...