Tenement Funster

I'm Gonna Wait Til The Midnight Hour...

"Dinner is served gentlemen!"  Duffy announced as the chef gestured to him from the dining room doorway.   "Get your drinks and lets get to know each other better over some good food.."  he proposed.  The men gathered their cocktails and followed Duffy into the large dining room.  It held a massive mahogany dining table and matching chairs and the room had silk wallpaper and expensive drapes covering the tall windows.  

"We've got this end for our birthday boy and I thought John could sit right here..."  Duffy advised as he pointed at the seat next to the one for Freddie.  John slipped into the cushioned chair next to Freddie as Brian and Roger took the seats next to him.  Across from them sat Hugo, Griffin and Teddy and Duffy.  They left the other end of the table empty so the dinner had a more intimate feel.

The cook sat out bowls of leek and cheese soup and the men all got situated to start the first course.  Finding fresh wine glasses filled at their place settings.  Everyone tasted and commented on the soup.  Duffy laid down his spoon as he spoke.

"So let's go round the table and say something about ourselves since we've got some new faces here this weekend..."  Duffy requested.  Trying to warm up the group.  He gestured at Freddie.  "I think you're in the clear as you're the common denominator here..."  he remarked as Freddie smiled at him.  "Hugo...how about you start?"  he proposed.  Hugo finished his taste of soup and swallowed.  

"Sure..."  Hugo responded as he wiped his mouth and laid his napkin back in his lap.  "I'm Hugo Blanc and I've known Freddie since we met in our first year at boarding school..."  he stated.  "I live in Paris and I'm mainly a painter..."  Hugo advised as Freddie smirked at his occupation.  

"And what exactly do you paint?"  Freddie questioned as he set his friend up.  Hugo grinned as Roger did too.  Both knowing how amusing Freddie finds his current subject matter.

"Currently my work is primarily the female nude..."  Hugo stated proudly.  

"Why not the male?"  Teddy questioned.  "Or do you find it hard to keep your cock in your trousers when they're posing for you?"  he quipped.  Hugo wasn't surprised.  

"I believe you're the only one here that has trouble keeping his cock in check..."  Hugo retorted as everyone snickered.  Teddy picked up his wine glass and held it up.

"Touche!"  Teddy responded and took a sip. 

"I guess I'm next..."  Griffin announced.  "I'm Griffin Donnelly and I know Freddie from boarding school as well...but I met him in the last few years..."  he clarified.   "We formed a fast friendship over music and men!"  he said with affection as he smiled at Freddie.  The birthday boy smiled back.   "I'm trying to carve out a career as a musical playwright but I spend my working days in the family business...finance!"  he added.

"I'm Theodore Ashton-Adams...but everyone calls me Teddy..."  Teddy advised.  "And I know our dear Freddie from his friendship with Griff..."  he explained.    "I went to Oxford for a time to study literature...and as of late I have been trying my hand at acting...the stage and television..."   

"And how is that going?"  Freddie asked despite knowing the answer. Teddy had managed to get laid but had not procured an actual part in anything.

"Time will tell..."  Teddy answered vaguely as he took another drink.

"And I am Donald Sidwell...and I am the proprietor of this house as you already know..."  Duffy advised.  "I guess you could say I was a professional student before I settled down and took over this house from my family..."  Duffy explained.  "I managed to get a few degrees under my belt before I gave up my education to be a hotelier..."  he stated and then smiled at Freddie.  "I met Freddie during my tenure at art school...I've adored him ever since..."  he said with affection.  He then looked over at John.   "Alright John...let's hear about you..."  Duffy requested.  The younger man cleared his throat a little and looked at the group of older men sitting across from him.  All seeming much more experienced and dynamic than he.