The Empty World | The Empty World Sequence [complete | rewriting]

Eight (Draft 3 WIP) "Possessions"

Morpheus shrugged. "A manager at my hotel was wavering a bit on whether they had longer term rooms available, but then I saw some other residents and decided to glam it up a bit."

"So you got the place? Union Square?"

"Gramercy. It was no problem when I went back."

"Your face is your brand. I got another offer to host."

A waiter approached and they ordered coffee to start.

"Things are good with you, though?" Pam picked up his menu.

"Still doing street team for Robert's Pill. Volunteering a bit. It's getting cold, not as much traffic, and those who are out don't want to stand around."

"This time of year you can make it in shopping areas, but there's competition and you have to know the carols. January and February are a bitch. You should start asking around about gigs. Open mike, whatever, to get noticed for paid work."

Morpheus nodded as the waiter returned with their coffee and asked if they wanted anything to eat. They ordered burgers and fries.

"I've seen flyers around, so you're getting some work."

"I'm living with Cary."

It took a moment to process the announcement. "Your artist is Cary Merisi."

"Yeah. I was going to tell you, earlier. I wondered if you'd guessed. But, you can't tell anyone."

"OK?"

"We're cool, me and him," Pam said, his gaze direct, "Really. I told you, he's going through some stuff, and he needs privacy. But I'm getting noticed more, which is good. That's my career. I can be in the public eye. But I can't have my need to keep working risk his need to live in peace."

"Sounds like you care."

Pam grinned. "I always cared. I said I wasn't going to rush, and I didn't, but, it has been a few weeks."

"Time enough to decide."

"I really like him." There was a faint rosiness to Pam's tan skin, like the winter air had returned, but it hadn't. "It's not just my terrible need to take care of someone."

"You know about that?" Morpheus laughed.

Pam's head bobbled ever so slightly.

"It's a beautiful flaw. I trust you won't let too many people use it against you."

"I've learned." Pam straightened a bit, leaning away from the banquette cushion. "I brought you something."

"Like a present?"

Pam lifted the graphic shopping bag — House of Field — above the table. "It's not from Patty's."

"It's the intention that's important." Morpheus took the bag. Then he looked inside.

"I hope it's OK."

"It's scary beautiful," Morpheus whispered as he peeled the edges of the bag down the frame of the sepia-tone portrait. "I'm afraid to look at it."

"That over-the-shoulder glance is very."

Morpheus touched his fingers to his mouth. When he looked at the drawing he could almost see the tattooed orchids and gold torc, but they weren't there. There was a sexy, Human man warm with midtone artists' crayons.

"Cary was glad for you to have it."

"They were together, weren't they?"

"Yeah." Pam nodded. "It must have been several years ago, before Cary dropped out. He mentions it sometimes. Usually as part of a rant."