Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2006 16:26:36 -0500 From: carl_mason@comcast.net Subject: STREETS OF NEW YORK - 6 STREETS OF NEW YORK - 6 Copyright 2006 by Carl Mason All rights reserved. Other than downloading one copy for strictly personal enjoyment, no part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, except for reviews, without the written permission of the author. However based on real events and places, "Streets of New York" is strictly fictional. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. As in real life, however, the sexual themes unfold gradually. Comments on the story are appreciated and may be addressed to the author at carl_mason@comcast.net This story is indebted for both its inspiration and many of its ideas to several books, especially Tyler Anbinder's FIVE POINTS, Jacob Riis's HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES, and Luc Sante's LOW LIFE. This story contains descriptions of sexual contact between males, both adults and teenagers. As such, it is homoerotic fiction designed for the personal enjoyment of legal, hopefully mature, adults. If you are not of legal age to read such material, if those in power and/or those whom you trust treat it as illegal, or if it would create unresolvable moral dilemmas in your life, please leave. Finally, remember that maturity generally demands safe sex. CHAPTER 6 (Revisiting Chapter 5) After Tony had been checked by the medical staff and it appeared that the fire was indeed being brought under control, the two boys half-carried, half-dragged him back to Mulberry Street. Arriving at Tom's flat, they threw off their smoke-fouled clothing and lay their friend between them on the bed. All Tom remembered was a heavy arm flung across his back and the mumbled, wondering words, "Oh, man... I've never had friends like you guys." (Continuing Our Story - Escape) As was only proper, the next couple of days were devoted to supporting Tony. Other than when he indicated a need for private grieving, he was never alone. The responsibilities incumbent on a surviving son were shared by his friends - from searching for possessions in the ruins of the tenement, to arranging for a Memorial Mass, to greeting friends of the family who came to pay their respects. In everything, Tony's gratitude for being bound into a new family was apparent in his eyes and on his lips. On the third morning, Tom and Tony were in the process of choking down rolls and coffee when Dross burst into the footballer's grimy quarters. Have you guys heard that the bodies of twenty-three children were found this morning, some still lying in alleyways, some concealing a murder or terrible beating, some floating along the shore of the East River? Dad says while forty percent of City deaths involve children, this is an all-time record, a record that is the shame of all New York! Tom's face blanched and he murmured that he needed to see the "Subway Gang" (the group of youngsters discovered in the remnants of a subway tunnel whom the boys had befriended). "Those kids are in real danger," Tony growled as they walked towards the area in which they lived beneath a broken and deserted tenement. "The oldest are thirteen; they've got a slew of really little ones and no leverage to protect them. Rag-picking and salvaging garbage may put a little food on the table, but they're not going to pay enough to be left alone. Any way to get them out of New York?" "Dunno," Tom mumbled in reply. "There's at least thirty of them and that could add up to money. My folks said they'd help - like they did when we took those kids up to Morningside Heights for a day out in the fresh air - but there are limits." As they neared the tenement entrance, they came across a little kid who couldn't have been older than six...maybe seven. Dragging a large sack, he would struggle for a few feet, rest, and drag the damned thing a few feet further. The tears were streaming down his filthy face. Seems that he had drawn the job of going down to the docks, picking up pieces of coal that had fallen off wagons and the like, and getting it "home." Recognizing the boys, his tears turned into a delighted laugh when Tony picked up the sack with one hand and began pumping it in an exercise routine. It was also clear that he remembered the favorite game from their outing when Tom lifted him up onto his shoulders. "Yay, hossie, giddyup," he shrieked, and off they went! The three young men spent a couple of hours down in the hole with those of the Gang who were around. Tony showed himself to be something of an expert in helping a few of them to reinforce their "nests" around the edge of the central excavation. Dross took some "makin's" his mother had sent along (and Tom had supplemented) and got a good-looking stew started on a cooking fire. Tom gathered some of the little ones, sat them down, and proceeded to tell them some stories of the Wild West. Thoroughly enchanted, they kept switching who could sit on his lap and calling out for "one more story"! Actually, it was during one of these stories that he remembered something that had been going on in the city for a good forty years. Thanks to an old minister and some dedicated young women, destitute children were being collected and sent out west to begin new lives. What had their project been called...the "orphan train"? Maybe that represented a positive escape route for these kids. He'd have to check into it. (Dinner at Eight) "You young men really did a job," Serge Morstein said, pointing a finger emphatically at Tom Arnold. "I've received an order for a second Abercrombie shoot from Peter Morton, I'm told that three other city firms have contacted Morton's agency about advertising shoots, and I have a private offer that will knock your socks off. Nothing to do with Morton - the money will come to us directly without any fees! Interested?" "You bet, Serge," Tom answered, "though I'm still somewhat nervous about the 'private' shoots. Fill me in?" "For starters," Morstein continued, "the assignment would pay you approximately FIVE TIMES what you realized from the Agency shoot. That's the largest modeling fee I have ever heard of in the city - and, if it goes well, I suspect that there will be more...more offers and more money." "Wow..." Tom breathed. "What's your fee, Serge?" "No cash as such," Morstein answered, "but full rights to the photographs I take." Continuing, he said, "As I warned you, it's a little weird (see Chapter 4). The rich have a lot of money they can use to satisfy themselves - and they can get pretty kinky. You either do what they want and take the money, or you refuse and go home. Everyone has to agree not to say anything no matter how it works out." "What do they want, Serge?" Tom pressed. "So..." Morstein paused and took the leap. "The host and hostess - immensely rich and powerful - want you and your models to join them for dinner. Afterwards, they would have you present a series of 'tableaux vivant' or living pictures. You would work in the nude, but your bodies would be made up to resemble Greek sculptures carved of marble. (Author's Note: For those afficionados of entertainment that captured the popular consciousness immediately before the rise of moving pictures, both the tableau and the pantomime were common. The "pantomime" allowed movement and music, whereas the "tableau" or "living picture" allowed neither. Historically, both were important art forms.) Following the presentation and after you had removed the cosmetics from your body, you would join them over drinks - still in the nude - for discussion of the experience. If they wished anything further, even to touch you, more money and your agreement freely given would be necessary. So...?" The somewhat shocked football star sat silently for several minutes. "Did you have some ideas for the living pictures?" he finally blurted out. Morstein motioned him over to a table where he spread out roughly pencilled diagrams of six tableaux - five that involved single models, one that involved everyone. "Note," he said, "that everything would be in black and white. Furthermore, the end of the host's music room can be curtained off and lined in black for a stage. The visual impact should be powerful; the sexual impact, overpowering." "Thank you, Serge," the lad quietly said. "I'll go over these with my models directly and get back to you. Thanks for your good work." Tom lay on his back that evening, one arm around his sleeping white-haired lover. In speaking to Dross earlier (see Chapter 1), he had said that while he didn't want to save the world in his time on the Lower East Side, he did want to leave it a little better off than had he not been there. He had no problems with the clothing shoots, but he was not completely comfortable with the porn work. Did his sufferance, let alone his leadership in this work really improve their world? The photos created enough questions, but how about this new proposal? Did he really want to have anything to do with a proposal that brought the boys into contact with adults who were primarily interested in their bodies? Wasn't his naivete showing? Further, at their ages didn't they have the right to answer such questions for themselves - and wouldn't it be naive to ignore their sexual experience? Sure, he would clearly have a role if they were members of the Subway Gang, but they weren't! After a relatively sleepless night, Tom finally decided - for good and/or bad - to share Morstein's information with his models. The day was viciously hot and humid. As heat lightning flickered in the sky, they met that very night on the roof to share a little beer and talk quietly about possibilities. It goes without saying that they were dumbfounded by the suggested fees. None save Tom had ever seen that kind of cash. Even Dross, who had his reservations, commented that the money might help his family keep their heads above water as his father's medical bills mounted. All of the boys asked detailed questions about what would go on when they returned to the guests after cleaning up from the performance. On that question Tom had a clear answer. Serge had assured him that NOTHING would happen that 1) they didn't allow to happen, and 2) for which they weren't paid a mutually agreeable sum. On the other hand, they might expect the guests to want to touch them and, probably, to answer questions on private (possibly embarrassing) matters. Who knew what else - but they could always say "No thanks." Finally, the boys were quite pleased with the photographer's suggestions for six tableaux. (Not that anyone could come up with something better!) After further discussion, they decided to accept the proposal. At a meeting with Serge, they made arrangements to help him paint several props, large and small. He and Tom would make the final arrangements; rehearsals would be set. The rehearsals went smoothly; all was in readiness. On the appointed evening, six handsome young men dressed simply but cleanly and their photographer appeared at the door of one of the most impressive mansions on Manhattan shortly before seven thirty. They were shown to the library by the butler with the greatest courtesy imaginable where they were greeted kindly by the host and hostess, Colonel and Mrs. Albert Marsden, who introduced them to approximately a dozen guests. The boys did surprisingly well with the small talk and thoroughly enjoyed the hors d'oeuvres, even remembering not to "grab and gobble". By prior agreement, they had decided not to accept a drink before their presentation on the grounds that they were "at work." Frankly, both groups of guests were impressed and began to feel quite positively about the other. By the time dinner was served, many seemed to be chatting animatedly. Tom began to realize that the proposal had been genuine, offering courtesy and promising benefits to all concerned. The boys' eyes did bug out a bit as they entered the sparkling dining room. At first, they couldn't drag their eyes from EITHER the immense table set with linens, flowers, the most exquisite Meissen china, silver, and crystal OR the large serving staff in uniforms. Fortunately, the Marsden' s guests treated them much like their own sons (perhaps better, for they seemed to care about their enjoyment) and the eight-course affair was soon underway. Strange as it may seem, there were no horrible accidents or faux pas - in part because the boys accepted the interest and assistance of the adults as genuine and responded in kind. (One must believe, however, that the host and hostess were as relieved as they were delighted.) The models were finally excused from the table to begin their preparation. In inspecting the end of the music room that lay behind a heavy black curtain, they found a door that led to the small room where they could ready themselves. After vigorous massages, a professional cosmetologist aided by Morstein and boys who were free transformed the models' skin and hair into the color of the whitest, purest Carrara marble. Indeed, when she was finished, they appeared to BE marble statues. The effect was unbelievable! (Before arriving at the mansion, the models had thoroughly prepared their bodies.) Once the props were organized and laid out, they were ready. It had only taken forty minutes, and the guests were only then entering the music room, making themselves comfortable at small tables, and enjoying their dessert and coffee. As the hour struck, their host stood and quietly reminded his guests of the history of the tableau vivant. In brief, the curtain would be opened in the darkened room. With black velvet as a backdrop, a spotlight would shine on the picture before them and, after a brief stay, the curtain would be closed. Without further ado, he announced that the first tableau was titled, "Liberty." After the lights had been extinguished for one minute, he curtain was opened and the spotlight illuminated the boy Liberty. The marble statue that had been Bernie stood facing the audience, long legs wide apart, every muscle tensed as he held a heavy rectangular lantern with both hands above his head. A single candle flickered within the lantern. Everything, save the candle's flame, was in white. The audience burst into spontaneous applause. All too soon, the light was extinguished and the curtain drawn. The host-announcer then commented that our liberty had always had to be defended by the young men of our Armed Forces. In tribute to them, the second tableau was simply titled, "Sailor." The light that illuminated the next tableau simply brought the house down. More than polite, the applause and cheers (from fewer than two dozen people) were more like one would hear at a sporting event! Before them, leaning sensually against a white lamppost, a white sailor's hat cocked rakishly on his head, stood the marble statue that had been Lars. As the temperature seemed sharply to rise in the room, Tom grinned to himself, thinking that "innocence" surely had no place in that boy's name! Dross's tableau had obviously been conceived as the "humor" of the evening. With this audience, nothing could not have been more effective. (Author's Note: As monied Republicans who were constantly warring against the Democratic Tammany Hall machine in New York City, a representation of the fallen Tammany leader, Boss Tweed, was bound to please. The figure was based on one of Thomas Nast's most telling political cartoons of Tweed titled, "The Brains.") Everyone in the audience was chuckling as the spotlight focused on Dross whose torso had been expanded into the shape of a mammoth pear and whose head had been replaced by a money bag with a great dollar sign. The fact that "Tweed" was otherwise naked seemed to tickle the audience even more! Sergei's tableau took the guests back into the highly romanticized days of the Gold Rush. Again based on a famous image, Sergei's prospector crouched on his haunches at the edge of a roaring mountain stream. In his hands he held a (white) prospector's pan in which a few flecks of gold gleamed. His (white) hat capped a handsome, open face as he searched for the key to his dreams. As two of the oldest and best developed boys, Tom (20) and Tony (18) were chosen to recreate a vision of the classical statue, "The Wrestlers." The shadows played on the muscular back of the bottom lad as he struggled to free himself from a hold that appeared to be fatal. Youth: competitive, lithe, and achingly beautiful... Never had it been expressed more effectively or with greater sensitivity. The curtain closed to tremendous applause. Suspense had risen during a slightly longer than usual break between the fifth and final tableaux. When the curtain opened and the spotlight illuminated the "stage," there was dead silence. Finally, there was an audible sob - and the audience caught its collective breath. On a rise in the center of the stage, a great Indian chief stood, facing the audience, his lance with its feather held horizontally high above his head. His magnificent body was framed by the headdress of a great warrior that flowed onto the ground. Everything - Tony, lances, arrow shafts, feathers - was in sparkling white. Flowing outwards and downwards from the triumphant chief were the marble bodies of Custer's troopers, pierced by arrows and lances, naked and cold, fallen where they died. It was a scene of desolation - and glory - upon which one is rarely privileged to gaze. For long minutes there was complete silence in the room - and then only the rustling of the guests as they retired from the room without a word, their ultimate tribute to the art. The relative silence of the boys, even as they scrubbed the white cosmetics from their bodies, suggested that they, too, had been caught up in the final tableau. Fortunately, the makeup came off very easily. In any case, they did not seem to be brooding over that which was to come. With everyone pitching into help, it wasn't long before they were clean and their bodies dry. When Colonel Marsden entered the room and offered his fervent congratulations - and handed an enormous check to Tom with a hand- shake - they began to grin, chatter away, and somewhat shyly thank him. "Before you return to the library," he said in a normal conversational tone of voice, "know how much we enjoyed your presence at dinner and the unbelievably powerful tableaux that you shared with us. Know that we also look forward to your joining us for a short while in the library. In that regard, I bring the first request from my guests. If you are willing for them to touch you - gently and reasonably - I am empowered to add (and he mentioned a large and generous sum) to your salary tonight. Is this agreeable?" It was, and the boys joined their host on the short trek to the library. As they entered the beautiful room with its banks of books, chairs, tables, and lamps set off by polished wood and the finest Persian carpets, they were greeted by a wave of warm applause and welcoming chatter. At first, it seemed strange...even obscene...to be naked in the midst of well dressed men and women. As they were surrounded by appreciative people who pressed delicacies on them, however, that sensation passed quickly. For all, save Tom, it was also their first experience with Champagne. (The warning was quickly given that it was more dangerous that it tasted!) Quickly, the room was filled with small groups of people who chatted with the models about their lives and the night's tableaux. Three of the young women, for instance, had surrounded Lars and were querying him about his love life. Whether blushing from questions that were exceedingly "frank" for the Victorian era - even among the small bands of "liberated" men and women - or simply flushed from the Champagne, Lars was clearly giving as good as he was receiving. Nor did he seem embarrassed by the dainty hand whose fingers were stroking his biceps. In fact, Tom noticed that he was actually flirting with the cutest of the trio. "Takes something special to do that in the nude when you're in a crowd," he laughed to himself. Tom's observations were interrupted by his host's coming over to him and inviting to sit with him on one of the couches in front of the fire. Admittedly, Tom was tired, and it was a welcome break. He even accepted another glass of Champagne when a waiter came over. "Do you realize that both my wife and I think that you are one of the most handsome young men whom we have ever seen?" the Colonel began. "Thank you, sir," Tom replied with unmistakable pleasure. "I should like to see more of you, young Thomas. Would you possibly consider a private photo shoot where the pictures would be for me alone?" "It's certainly possible, sir," Thomas replied with a smile. "And are you 'flexible' in terms of the poses you would allow?" pressed the Colonel. "I think so, sir," Tom replied. "I would surely tell you if I couldn't handle something - though I don't anticipate that happening." Smiling, the Colonel's hand fell, seemingly accidently, on Tom's naked thigh. "Come into my office, son. I want to give you a contract form for the personal photo shoot, and I'd like to give you a little extra for tonight. You and your models earned it!" Although he already was a little woozy from the stress of the evening and the alcohol, Tom took another Champagne from a waiter as he approached his host's office. Entering the office behind Tom, Colonel Marsden closed the door firmly with a sigh of relief. "Thank God," he said. "Now we can hear each other think. Take that comfortable chair over by the fire, Tom, while I get some paper from my desk." As Tom sank down into the wondrously comfortable chair, he swallowed the last of the Champagne and shook his head to banish the cobwebs. Within a couple of minutes, the Colonel came over with a form and an envelope. "This form covers the personal photo shoot, Thomas. If you will allow me to enjoy your beauty in one more way, you may fill in any reasonable fee, sign it, and return it to me. The envelope contains a check which is my personal thanks, rather than my business thanks, for the evening that you made possible." Seeing the young man shake his head, he continued, "I know...I know, Tom. The other models were involved. The simple truth, however, is that without you, little would have worked. Morstein told me; I saw it for myself." Tom opened the envelope enough to see that the check was for $300.00, a princely sum. He felt his eyes beginning to tear up. "Now, it is the custom among business men to have a drink in order to seal an agreement. May I offer you one more Champagne?" "Yes-s-s, sir," the boy said haltingly. "I am so grateful...so very grateful." The distinguished gentleman pulled a cord behind his desk and a waiter appeared, almost magically, with fresh drinks. "Let me at least introduce one additional possibility, Tom," his host murmured when they had gotten comfortable again before the fire. "I don't suppose you know my business?" "No, sir," Tom answered, feeling increasingly light-headed. "Mr. Morstein wouldn't even give us your name until this evening." "And quite properly so," the Colonel rumbled. "Well, my boy, I am in transportation, particularly railroads. If ever I may be of service to you, I trust that you will turn to me as a friend. Yes?" "Yes, sir," the young athlete said with some hesitation. "But what can I do for you? True friendships are not one-sided." The Colonel thought for a moment and then whispered, "Well, I was somewhat hesitant to touch you out there in the library. You should be in control every minute, free to say 'yea' or 'nay'. If you would allow me to do so now, however, it would give me the greatest pleasure." "Please do, sir...please do," the twenty year-old responded, not wanting his host to know how very much he desired his touch. "Capital!" the Colonel exclaimed. "Come over and sit beside me on the carpet near the fire." The youth grunted softly as he sat down on the carpet rather abruptly. "Ok?" the Colonel asked. "Yes," Tom answered with a shy smile...somewhat fuddled, but still in control of his faculties. "Very well, Thomas, lie out in front of the fire on your stomach and let me explore the most beautiful physique I have ever seen. And explore he did. Eventually, he kissed the lad softly on the back of the neck and directed him to turn over. Blushing, Tom confessed that there was a "problem." "Never you mind, Thomas," his host insisted soothingly. "We are both men; it matters not. Over with you now!" As the Colonel's fingers slid over Tom's body, pausing only to rub lightly across his lips or to toy with a nipple, the young man felt the most exquisite of pleasures. While he had gloried in the year thus far, he was weary. No one - parents, instructors, coach - was telling him what to do. No, the decisions were his - and on his decisions rested the welfare of other lives - but the responsibilities had proved to be exhausting. As his passions began to rise, he so wanted to place his trust - and even his will - in the hands of the good man who was giving him such pleasure...who was taking care of him. No, it didn't matter that they were both men, for they were friends. "I congratulate you, Tom, on the condition of your body," the powerful magnate sighed. As he ran one pre-cum- laden finger up the bottom of the boy's thick cock, he murmured, "Morstein has guided your correctly in suggesting the proper shaving and trimming for one of your size and beauty. You must be close to eleven inches, yes?" Tom's gleaming cock pulsed and he swallowed convulsively before answering with some pride, "Yes, sir, about 10 and 5/8-inches." "Are you strong enough to pull your thighs apart and backwards... almost to your chest...holding them securely under the knees?" Tom met the challenge with the quiet confidence of a trained athlete, thereby exposing the most private parts of his glorious body. The boy let out a little cry and then a moan as he felt something warm and wet move slowly over his smoothly shaved perineum. Then, without pause, warm flesh locked onto the lips of his anus, lubricating, sucking, consuming. The boy didn't know how long this continued, for he had no interest in its stopping. It did finally stop, but what happened was even more exciting. Soft, warm flesh gradually pushed through the open portal and continued its excruciating exploration of his insides. Eventually, that, too, stopped, and the soft flesh was replaced by something straighter, something harder that explored his canal even more deeply, circling, hooking, gently stretching the muscles. The boy gasped as a second lubricated finger joined the first, touching a hard nut within him that fair drove him mad. Panting, beginning to move his head from side to side, his breathing increasingly controlled by the probes, he almost exploded when a third finger joined its fellows. His passions rising rapidly now, he tried to anticipate the movement of the fingers, fighting, as it were, to impale his body on them. Then the movement ceased, and he momentarily felt the man's lips on his long scrotum and the heavy egg-shaped balls that lay within. To his horror, however, the fullness within him departed...and he was left empty. He wanted to shout out, telling the Colonel not to leave him like this! As that thought flickered across his brain, he felt the man's hands on the sides of his head. He appeared to be speaking to him, but from such a distance. The fog within his brain finally parted and he understood the man to be asking him if he could continue...if he could give him a great gift. Tom tried to form the word "Yes" with his mouth, but all that came out was a wet gurgle. Thankfully, the Colonel seemed to understand. The boy felt every thick millimeter of the man's entry into him and gloried in every sensation. His head thrown backwards, his mouth open, his eyes screwed shut, his thick chest expanded until it resembled that of a blacksmith, he struggled for air and sanity as the man lifted him up towards the summit, paused for a second at the very top to allow him to see the utter magnificence of the heights, and then exploded into a thousand blazing stars that were extinguished one by one until all that was left was darkness. He came to in the Colonel's arms, the man's lips laving a stiff nipple until it seemed ready to pop off his chest. With a groan, the boy threw his heavy arms around him and drew him close. "I cannot lose you, Thomas; I cannot lose you," the proud capitalist sobbed. "This cannot be all there is. You will come to me again?" "Yes," murmured the boy, raising his torso and passionately kissing the man. As they returned to the library and surrounding rooms, it was obvious that everything was under control. Oh, yes, a few liberties had been taken - but not nearly as many, or as heavy, as those in the Colonel's office. Essentially, the boys had enjoyed a "happening" with a small group of bohemians...good people who were quite atypical of the time in which they lived. Further, they had been treated honestly, kindly, and gently by the very rich - and, surely, that is not how the richest among us are reputed to act! Fortunately, they do exist...in every age. Morstein allowed the carriage with the boys to stop near their homes. Inasmuch as Tony had decided to spend the night with Sergei, Tom and Dross found themselves gloriously alone. "Oh, you've got a night ahead of you, you jock!" Dross exclaimed. "The evening made me hornier than hell - and you better be ready to roll until we see light again!" With that, he turned to his love, unsheathed his rather long canines, and growled fiercely. To Be Continued