‘Welcome to our live broadcast; where topics that interest you and the Nation are brought up for debate. Showboys! Vince Keppel and Mitch Ephraim. In. Your. Face!’
Vince waited for their intro to finish and then looked into the center camera. “As you can see we survived cannabis sativa.”
“I did sleep well.” Mitch glanced at him.
“I ate like a pig.”
“Was that any different from what you usually eat?”
“No.” Vince adored him. “I’m supposed to let you know.” He pointed at the camera. “You. Out there. On the couch. Monday this guy and I are going to be live from Bagdad.”
“Bagdad, California,” Mitch added.
“Route six-six. Dead on arrival.”
Mitch raised his eyebrows. “Did you just make that up?”
“I did.”
“Not bad.”
“It’s a ghost town.”
Mitch spoke to the camera, “We’re not hunting ghosts.”
“Not actively. You never know.”
“So!” Mitch rubbed his palms together. “Today?”
“Yes. Today.”
~
Mitch watched Vince signal Neil.
“Roll the clip.” Vince elbowed Mitch to watch their large screen monitor, the one they had video chats on.
He recognized the footage from many social media sites that had shared it. A smile formed on his face.
Vince narrated it as it was aired, all of thirty seconds worth. “And…there it is!”
Mitch cracked up. “Yes. Straight men kissing. Who knew?” He heard an odd silence and looked at Vince. “What?”
Vince held his head and planted an impromptu kiss on his lips.
The cast behind the cameras whooped it up and whistled.
Mitch was stunned. He stared into Vince’s green eyes, grabbed his head and went back for more.
Every crew member in their small studio was going crazy.
Yes, this was right up Charlotte Deavers’ alley. She was a vocal advocate for the LGBT community, and, directed several gay-friendly cable shows.
Mitch backed up and caught his breath, staring at Vince who appeared a little stunned. Mitch focused on his work and said, “I had no idea I’d enjoy that so much.”
“You’re a great kisser.” Vince touched his lips.
“I know.” Mitch chuckled. “Are we discussing straight men who kiss other straight men?”
“Yes.” Vince pointed to the video screen. “Allen? Montage time!”
Mitch tried not to roar with laughter as a short five minute sequence of whatever Allen could find on a moment’s notice, was played for them.
“That’s hot.” Vince shifted in his chair.
“I’m not arguing.”
“If you kiss a guy, are you gay?”
Mitch gestured to the screen. “Obviously not.”
“Gay for you?”
Mitch hadn’t heard that one. “Gay for me?”
“No. It’s…never mind.”
“Tell me. You’ve got my interest.” Mitch faced him, swiveling his chair.
“It’s a genre in gay romance. Gay-for-you. Straight dudes kiss and fall in love.”
“Do they? And you read these novels?”
“Um…” Vince started laughing. “Only when high.”
“So, never?”
“I need to kiss you again.”
Mitch figure the first time was click-bait. “You’re young and hungry.”
“Young and hung.”
“Hung? You drew your penis for me.” Mitch used his fingers to show the size.
Charlotte started the chant, “Kiss! Kiss!”
Mitch raised his eyebrow at her, knowing this meant news exposure, ratings, and a boost to the viewership.
The chanting grew loud enough to stop their conversation. He gave his producer an exasperated look.
“Use your tongue this time.” Vince spider-walked his finger up Mitch’s thigh.
Mitch was stunned and looked down at it. “Seriously?”
Vince cupped the back of his head and drew him to his mouth.
The first thing that came to Mitch’s mind, was what his mother was going to think.
Then, a man’s tongue entered his mouth.
