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Finding Tulsa 3

1. I trip before I board

While my next career move hinges on this meeting, I’m distracted by a
looming statue about to take flight, winged at its ankles and helmet. I
imagine shooting a scene here, starting with its butt. Mercury’s Rim.
We’re in the middle of The Abbey’s courtyard. Barry is only half-
way through his latté, but he’s already waxing poetic about the screening
of some friend-of-a-friend’s latest epic, after which both of us had lied
through our teeth: “Wonderful, excellent.”
“Stan, you are a pip,” Barry smirks. “With the thing about his ‘use of
negative space.’” Our giggles almost shatter wide-brim cups and the ears
of queens nearby, who glance at us for daring to encroach on their per-
sonal audio space. We’re café-ing; neutral territory.
While Barry talks about his script, I’m drawing a sketch of the statue’s
butt on the paper tablecloth. We try not to notice each other glance as
men pass on the Robertson sidewalk. I’m comfortable under the shade
of the awning, doodling nonstop, but he knows I’m paying attention.
The project, the first feature film about a gay superhero, has been handed
down from Singer to Barker to about six other directors. Once upon a
time I was the only director he’d consider, and now I’m ready, if not a last
resort choice. Actually, Hollywood’s finally acknowledged gay films, even
though some of us have been making them for years.
“So when’s your plane tomorrow?” Barry asks.
“One’ o’clock. Actually, twelve-fifty-five.”
Five years ago he would have been helping me pack for this trip. Now
he needs to be reminded why I’m going. “Brookside, Ohio, for a tribute
to the retiring theatre director of my youth.”
“Oh, god.”
“Not quite. I’m the only thing close to a celebrity that came out of
that town, not counting the adulterous dean. And…”
“Hmm?”
“Nothing.” I almost mention Lance, but he’ll be flying out later.
Besides, just bringing up his name will take everything off-track for Barry.
“Do you watch the clouds or the movie?” Barry asks.
“Both. But once I watched a thunderstorm from above while listening
to Aida.”