SULTRY LOVE: EPISODE 6

Some women will make a man look and feel his best; steam practically emits from his stride and there’s a rhythm to his step when the right lady is in his corner. As a couple, it’s her and him against the world as life presents itself in the form of a twelve round match of resilience and fortitude. The worldly opponent delivers a brutal beat down, causing the man to stumble backward into his corner; ding, ding, ding, the bell rings with him barely being able to see through his eyes; his woman reaches from behind and extends the spit bucket below his mouth. She fiercely climbs over the ropes, wipes his face down with a towel, and rubs out the bruises.

“Now I want you to get back in there, forever STRONG and forever fierce! Prove to the world that we are here to STAY! This is our time to shine! Look at him across from you, with that smug look! He thinks that he has won but he is mistaken! Dish out all the pain you’re feeling now! Make him wish that he never stepped into the ring with you! NOW get back in there!”

The man abruptly stands and says “Yeah, yeah, YEAH!” When a woman is pushing a man forward with the intent of him accepting the challenge, he can do anything. A king can stand on his own two feet, but he is so much stronger with a queen beside him; helping him show compassion and guile to keep going even when things appear to look gloomy or lost. The queen offers the king wisdom to get over that extra hump. In the end, he can lead with confidence with the queen by his side. From the shiny dress shoes, clean masculine freshly scented cologne, Windsor necktie, and tailored grey suit, Randy stands confidently. He studies his reflection through a mirror at a department store. Yvonne approaches Randy from behind carrying business attire on her arm. “It suits you.”

“Not bad,” Randy said.

“Not bad at all,” Yvonne retorted as they both smile.

Randy measures the quality of suits that Yvonne picked out for him. “You know my size?”

“I measured you, the second we met.”

“An apathetic sap, am I right?” Randy asked.

“I don’t know, you tell me.”

“Aren’t I? If I recall, the word you simply put was….loser.”

“Guys with no plan, no future, and take note Mr., this is the big one…no self-respect, usually are. But with your fearless act to get what you want, you may have some potential; a small measure of confidence,” Yvonne replied.

“Can I ask you a question?” Randy asked.

“I bet, it’s rhetorical.”

“What do you have against people that don’t have social status, aren’t good looking, or lavishly rich?”

“Most people want pity for what they don’t have and want me to feel sorry for whatever problems they’re facing; expecting me to give them free handouts or something. However, you were willing to completely embarrass yourself; putting it all on the table to get what you believe you need,” Yvonne said.

“Are you conceited?”

“Sophisticated, confident,” Yvonne replied.

“Not everyone is looking for pity. Who knows, a person could’ve just had bad luck. You can’t expect to truly understand someone else’s background unless you’ve lived it yourself.” Randy said.

“I see why she liked you.”

“What’s your angle?”

“Somewhere deep down inside, that confidence I spoke of is swelling inside of you. Call it a project or giving charity. I’m intrigued to see where this goes; if I can have every woman just clawing to devour you, then I’m truly a Goddess!”

Regarding the topic of fashion, Yvonne’s sister and Tina are passing through a shopping plaza. Forced to adhere to the pact Tina swore, she attempts to bend the rules and browse clothing through department store windows. Yvette takes a deep breath while taking in the sights. “There’s nothing like the intake of fresh air.”

“It would be so much sweeter if we could just see how much that outfit is,” Tina suggested.

“Nope!” Yvette declined.

“Come on! Please?”

“Nope, not going to happen!” Yvette said.

“Aw, you’re no fun.”

Within that instance, Tina’s phone rings. “Hello?”

On the other line lies Meeko, he’s a weird looking fellow who’s observing a photoshoot at his newly constructed studio. “Hey gurl, this is yo-boy Meeko. We expect everybody to be at the showcasing tonight. If you’ve got friends, bring em.”

“Really?” Tina asked.

“Yeah, so I need you over as soon as possible to prepare.”

“Okay, I’m on my way.” She hangs up the phone and of course, Yvette needs details. “Who was that? Your photographer?”

“Yeah, there’s a showcasing that I have to get ready for.”

“Tonight?”

“Yep, so can you give Yvonne the news?” Tina asked.

“Sure,” Yvette replied.

New developments have grown on both sides. Tina’s big fashion show is coming up and Randy’s appearance has changed because of a woman’s time and influence. For the first time in a long time, they’re both happy with their new lives; briefly forgetting about the anxious feeling of being brought back into each other’s lives.

Randy enters his apartment with bags and while leaving the door cracked, he pauses in stride. Lee is sitting in the living room with his mouth covered with duck tape.

Randy takes a pause. “What the hell?” Kevin exits the kitchen eating a bag of potato chips. “Randy, Randy, Randy-” Kevin sits on the couch, beside Lee. “Good evening, so have you returned a man?” They’re both watching television.

Randy massages the space in-between his eyes. “What….the hell, is that?”

“What?” Kevin shrugged his shoulders to the answer.

“His mouth, why is it taped?” Randy asked.

“Oh that, he’s wearing it for a month.”

“Why?”

“If he wears it, I’ll pay his rent for two months. Silence is a virtue,” Kevin said.

“Nooo patience is a virtue; I don’t know what the hell this is,” Randy replied.

Lee mumbles while he snatches the bag of chips from Kevin. Then Lee leans back while pouring chips onto his face. “What? Man, take that off.”

Lee looks at Randy as he orders him to quit the shenanigans. “Take it off.” Lee looks at Kevin with a stupefied expression. Randy repeats himself. “Take it off! I don’t want her to get the wrong ide-” Suddenly two knocks sound at the door. Yvonne peeks through the door. “Hey, I’ve got the rest-” She enters the apartment, “Of, yo-” Yvonne pauses while in stride. “Stuff.” Lee looks dumbfounded and Yvonne points toward Lee’s direction. “Um, what is that?” Randy waves his right hand forward as he nods with disbelief. “Don’t, just don’t even try. You’ll end up with a brain hemorrhage.”

“Why is he bathing in all that saturated fat?” Yvonne asked.

“Again don’t ask, please don’t ask,” Randy replied.

“Okay, talk to you later.” Yvonne frowns toward Lee and Kevin while she exits. Then Kevin coughs up potato chips. “Talk to you later?” Randy closes the door. “Yeah, and?”

Lee jumps up and celebrates while mumbling around Randy.

“She’s a girl,” Kevin said.

“And?” Randy asked.

“You don’t talk to girls.”

Lee continues to parade around Lee, and Randy shoves him to the side. Then as time passes, he makes an abrupt gagging sound. Lee grabs his throat and starts to convulse. Kevin runs to Lee’s aid. “Hey!”

“He’s choking!” Randy said.

“On what? He’s duck-taped!”

Kevin gives Lee one good slap on his back and he shrieks out in pain. Then with the tape still on his mouth, he begins to chuckle.

“Oh, you son-of-a-” Kevin begins to beat Lee with the pillow cushions.

EPISODE 7 NOW AVAILABLE