Tenement Funster

There's A New Kid In Town...

"What do you think of the new boy?"  Darren asked Brian as he stood at his desk.  The new hire had finished for the day and left.  Brian shrugged.  He wasn't overly impressed with him.  

"To be honest...he's not overly bright..."  Brian responded.  Darren formed a regretful expression hearing this.  It was what he had feared and counted on Brian for the hard truth.

"I told Bill we shouldn't hire family and now I've proven myself right!"  Darren complained out loud.  He looked at Brian intently.    "Between us...will he be of any use?"  he asked plainly.  Wanting Brian's opinion.  Brian respected Darren and wanted to be honest.

"He might be handy at sharpening pencils..."  he suggested.  Darren nodded understanding.

"Alright!  He goes!"  Darren decided.  "I'll make a phone call and have someone else in the morning hopefully..."  Darren advised as he went to leave Brian's office.  "Thank you for your honest impression..."  he stated as he slipped out the door.  Ellis and Brian shared a look of relief that he was gone.  

"I'm with him...hiring family members of the staff always lands us in a pickle!"  Ellis remarked as he picked up the phone to call a client.  Brian nodded agreement as he steeled himself to go through the training process all over again tomorrow.  He noticed it was after 5 so he began to pack up his things.

"I'm off!"  Brian told Ellis as he dialed a phone number.  Ellis nodded as he focused on the numbers.  Brian grabbed his umbrella and his messenger bag and headed out.  

The early evening air was cooler and he welcomed the break from the summer heat.  He crammed onto the bus along with the other office workers and headed to Earl's Court.  Wondering what to do for dinner and what Roger might be up to.

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"You finished school though?"  Freddie questioned as he interrogated his new acquaintance.  Keen to know everything about the enigmatic blond. 

"Yes...I got my A levels and everything...I just never went to Uni..." Roger confirmed.  "I would have loved to...but I had to leave home abruptly and fend for myself...it just wasn't in the cards for me to go..."  he explained.  Freddie gave him a sympathetic look.   Wondering if his being gay was one of the reasons he left home so young.

"What would you have studied?"  Freddie asked with interest.  Roger looked a bit pensive for a moment.

"Probably something to do with literature or something else...I don't know..."  Roger said honestly.  

"I managed to finish my degree in graphic design and I have a diploma in fashion as well..."  Freddie advised.  Roger was impressed.  Freddie opening a boutique that sold fashion designs and artwork was a good fit for him.  

"You seem to know your stuff with art and I love your personal style!"  Roger commented as Freddie smiled demurely and sipped his martini.  Roger had ordered a vodka tonic as a reprieve from all the lager he drank at the pub with his work mates.  Monty was enjoying a sloe gin fizz.

"Yes...well...it has served me in getting experience working in other people's shops and now I'm ready to run my own establishment..."  Freddie said proudly.  

"I told Roger you were looking for someone to work in your new shop..."  Monty chimed in on the conversation.  Surprised at how quickly both Freddie and Roger had dominated the chat.  Freddie was intrigued as he eyed the attractive young man.  

"Do you have any experience selling goods?"  Freddie inquired.  Roger shook his head and felt like this might be a waste of time.  He was enjoying getting to know Freddie but figured he needed someone more qualified.