VANCE STREET by Mike Austin
nasstop@yahoo.com
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V.
The bus ride was restful and Ivan felt he'd paced himself time-wise and didn't want to vary his routine, since missing that particular bus would make him over 30 minutes late for work. This bus got him at work about 15 minutes early and unless there was reason to arrive earlier, he'd not change his habit. He realized that weather or traffic could impact his routine but, hoped his company would understand those problems. He chatted with David and wasn't quite sure which name he felt better using but his neighbor had not indicated a real preference so he'd not worry with that minutia any further. His mind drifted to the other bus riders; some of whom spoke animatedly with their co-rider while others sat silently staring out the window at scenes well-etched in their minds or still others looking about to try and engage another rider in some morning conversation. A few students took the bus to the college and they were gazing at their cell phones, focused on "something", though presumably not their studies. Dave interrupted Ivan's bus survey, asking about having met any other neighbors on the 3rd floor? "Not a peep or a clue about them and can't figure out how they can arrive and depart so stealthily, since I've heard other footsteps that continued upstairs but nothing else on 3" Ivan replied. Dave went on to announce, "well Gordon Jackson is your immediate neighbor in K. He is an art supply salesman and travels a few times each month and this may be one of his week to 10 day road trips. He's a little younger than me, divorced and seems content to keep his living costs down here at #14. When it's Spring or Summer, and he's not on a road trip, Gordon usually sits on the sidewalk and greets folks coming home from work. He seems to be a focus for Katia when she needs a sounding board. Unsure if they fuck as part of her need, but he's an easy going sort. Listen to me as I sound like movie tone news for our gathering of miscreants." He continued, "#I and J on the front side of the building on your floor are a brother and sister, who can't seem to live together but can't live apart either. Apt J is Margaret Sams, a librarian at our college, mid 40s about my age, will never retire, withdrawn and can become testy for no apparent reason. Her husband was killed suspiciously overseas. Her brother Jack Kitchens is in Apt I. There's an odd duck for sure. He's ex-military or covert ops sort, very suspicious of everyone, late 40s and a HARD workout addict, never married- well here in the USA that we know of, though suspect he may have an overseas wife or family." He added, "guess you'll have to get the next info another day we're here at our stop. Hope you have another good day and take care." With that both rose, exited the bus and went their separate ways. Ivan headed to his entry and wondered about these neighbors and what an assortment they seem to be, all collected under one roof?
He swiped his card, greeted Shelly, wished her a great day and asked directions to John Morrow's office. Walking the long hall to the opposite end of the building and block, he heard various performers, singing, playing instruments he recognized, an oboe or English horn, a trombone, French horn, perhaps an alto sax, something a viola maybe, more singing, piano duet.....His mind raced at the abundance of creative talent. A bright pink and blue-haired 20-something greeted him "you must be Ivan Markilev, I'm Grace, John's assistant and sorry we were not back yesterday but hear you got the 25 cent tour and met everyone, except those you really need to know." Her grin was infectious, his dick edged a bit as she led him to a waiting area outside John Morrow's office. She offered coffee or water but Ivan declined both. John came out in about 5 minutes, animated and shook Ivan's hand aggressively. The lumberjack sort of appearance belied his talents and Ivan pondered his sexual identity. John led his new staffer and dancer into the 1st floor corner office, arrayed with trophies, plaques, commendations, sundry awards and congratulatory letters, all anchored by a broad light oak planning table/desk with seating for 8 including John's own desk chair. A gauzy metallic fabric, not stage scrim, draped the windows and rendered the traffic passing outside a shimmering blur. John began, "so you've met Grace, she's a gift for sure, rely on her to help get things going for you and she's eager to tackle any item regardless of scope- I couldn't do this without her" and he continued, "you got a place across town I hear, and know our salary won't make you a Rockefeller but hope in time you may be able to get closer than Alto Heights", the name of the Vance Street neighborhood, "let me introduce you to Alex, Alex Peters- our lead choreographer with whom you'll be developing our next performance" and both rose with Ivan following John around the corner to a huge staging zone, where Alex was working with a handsome male dancer. Before John could introduce Ivan, Ivan interrupted John by announcing to Alex his name and that he was a neighbor of Alex's brother David. John felt at ease seeing his existing star choreographer get on with this new hire and the instantaneous camaraderie that appeared to be formed. John begged off to attend a meeting and let the new dance heads get to know each other and talk shop. Ivan noted Alex's grace as he walked but with a real masculine undercurrent and self-confidence. Where David was timid appearing, but friendly, Alex was an in your face sort, daring and edgy. Ivan flashed to an image of Alex in lycra tights as he led a dance squad in a new scene. They disappeared to an end door in the staging area, that is Alex's office and sat, talking and getting Alex onboard with Ivan's own background and training and understanding that he would likely be taking some courses at New Town for his B.A. next year. Alex's quick retort came, "Time my friend is our enemy and we're always on a just- in- time schedule. Your B.A. may get pushed out, but don't let that discourage you. Don't be surprised if we seem to suck the creativity from your bone marrow either" then laughed at his own wit. An intercom call from Grace warned the pair that the cafeteria would be closing in 15 minutes if they were eating in. Ivan was amazed that they'd been engaged in talks and getting to know each for almost 6 hours. Both rose and made their way to the cafeteria. The end of day menu items were sparse and both settled on sandwiches, chips and bottled water. They returned to Alex's office and resumed their conversations, interspersed with sandwich and chip bites, washed down with swigs of iced water. Alex had a huge electronic white board that he used for staging purposes, that was linked to a laptop. Ivan was very impressed and wondered how this setup would work, if he'd have an office or if the two would be co-housed in here? Suddenly it was quitting time and Alex again welcomed Ivan to the Company and reiterated his excitement about working together, but had a fund raiser to get to in an hour. He walked Ivan out to Grace's desk, with "get him all set up if you will Gracie and we'll continue this Wednesday Ivan" before heading out the long hallway and Shelley's exit. Grace led Ivan through a corridor off John Morrow's waiting area and into a small office with a full view of the street and traffic outside. The room was amplified with 12' ceilings, was totally white, the same gauzy silver metallic fabric draped across the windows, a white desk, credenza and files, and 4 classic Bauhaus-inspired Brno chairs as seating. "Your new desk chair hadn't arrived, but is due Wednesday" Grace admitted, showed him the login for his desktop computer, would get the IT staff to link his own laptop to the network on Wednesday, lastly showed him the telephone ops and features, then left Ivan to embrace his new office. Ivan's head was reeling with enthusiasm as he took pics of his new office and prepared to send them to his mom. He hadn't expected this sort of space, perhaps sharing an office as a newbie or a windowless one at best, but this was overwhelming. Checking his bus schedule, he saw that the bus he and David took yesterday had long since run and the next one was another 40 minutes out. He decided to spend time taking in the building's interior and found Shelley as she was packing up for the day and asked if there are areas he can't get to with his badge and she beamed back, "the world's your oyster", well except for the IT and Finance depts. Then she waved good night and made her quick exit for her own bus. He watched as after about only 5 minutes, the bus edged to a halt, she clamored up the steps and then sped away. He noticed throngs of workers exit the New Town Company building and was reluctant to go explore. He took a tentative tour of the performance hall, sound stage, orchestra pit, "Green Room" space, the backstage areas and it was in the very end of a backstage area he heard a series of soft muffles and rustles.
The muted voices told all. SEX. And from the sounds, there was a serious blowjob going on. The sucking, slurping sounds were well-evident. He couldn't or wouldn't interrupt, but his curiosity was raging. The hall he was in was carpeted and Ivan was certain his presence was undetected. He spied a closet at the end of the hall, past the room of sex; made his way there and not 20 seconds into his spying, the closet door ajar, he heard the muffled breaths then AAAHHHS and MOANS. On hearing the sex door open, he spied the pink and blue-haired Gracie emerge and head away down the hall. A few minutes later, Alexi as well, made his exit and slow swagger away with pride, having cum down Gracie's throat. Ivan watched Alexi's muscled glutes and legs and imagined calling him out and slow fucking that ass in the same room he'd been blown by Gracie. Ivan waited a bit before leaving the closet. The combination of fear and excitement had him boned up. He recalled a set of nearby restrooms and headed for one, not even trying to conceal his aching hardon. The roar of fans came on as he entered the room, and he made his way to the last stall. At first he imagined Gracie giving him head, then Alexi, then both as they took turns swallowing his thick meat. In no time his handjob had done the trick and he was firing loads of cum down and into the toilet. With a swoosh of water, he watched his cumload vanish. Composed and relaxed, he made his way back to the main lobby, but checking his watch saw that he'd missed that alternate bus now as well. He looked at Shelley's desk and found a cab company listed, phoned them and in less than 10 minutes saw the checkered cab pull up in front. Giving the 20-something driver the address, they merged into traffic and in no time were at #14 Vance Street. The trip and fee was worth the wind down from the day and his sex excursion. He climbed the stairs and found a note tacked on his door. It was from Katia asking if he had any wine or could he buy and bring her some? Crumpling the note, he fed "birdie" found his lone bottle of Pinot Griggio and headed down to #F. There was no music and she was not singing. She answered the door naked, a little drunk and invited Ivan Markilev into "her din of inequity", then returned to her daybed that clung to the wall beside the front window overlooking the street. Splayed wide, she fingered her pussy, offering it to Ivan "her savior for bringing vino" she mouthed softly in her best Italian accent. Ivan left the bottle on her table and pulled a throw over her naked body, then made a quiet exit, leaving Katia to her sleep. He wasn't sure if that was a regular event or if something had prompted it and he hoped for her sake, there was no tragedy; before returning to the safety of #L. "What a fucking day", Ivan said aloud!!! Ivan wondered, had she come to his apt naked as well with the note, did anyone see her, did they think we had become a couple, OMG if Mr. Scott told his parents what would his mom say OR DO? He was almost too engrossed in replaying the day to think of supper. He dumped a can of soup into a pot and set it on low while he too stripped naked. He ate his soup and unconsciously played with his dick and balls. Ivan recalled Dave's description of Katia and Gordon and wondered if Gordon had dumped her or something? Going back an hour or so later to Katia's to give her a check, she answered the door, clothed in a silky robe at least, thanked him for the wine and asked if she could get back to him later that she was fine and thanked him again before closing the door. Returning upstairs he heard a muffled TV noise coming from #J and playing out Dave's recount, noted tv noise from # J- Margaret Sams. It was the first sign of her presence in 5 days.
Ivan needed to plan for a laundry day and figured he'd ask Dave if there was a defined schedule, if it was a free for all and if there was a better or worse time to get in the queue to nab a washer? He made a note on his list for Wednesday. Also on the list was a pharmacy location, in case he needed something or ever needed a script filled? Mr. Scott would be the source for laundry, if Dave was no help, and Scott could also answer the questions about his storage locker assignment and scheduling any use of the open area in the basement? He went back downstairs to check his mail and found a lean, wiry guy leaning his bicycle inside at the mailboxes, while going through his own. The guy had regulation bike gear, lycra shorts, tight lycra top, lightweight shoes, bike gloves and his helmet was balanced on the bicycle seat and he looked up as Ivan approached. Reaching out, each guy shook hands and did the requisite intro and Ivan learned this guy was Chuck Young and lived in Apt E, up front on the street side. Ivan held the door open as Chuck maneuvered the bike inside and began the climb upstairs. Ivan noticed that absent an obstacle, Chuck lifted the bike with ease and manhandled it up the stairs, muscles taut even concealed by the black and yellow lycra bike gear he wore. He'd add that guy to the list for Dave and the morning ride to work. Getting his own mail, Ivan returned to his apt and sorted through it; a receipt for his security deposit and 1st month's rent with a summary of his lease provisions; an electric bill that belonged to the previous tenant; a nice welcome to your new home card from his folks; a confirmation letter from New Town Ballet and Jazz Company welcoming him as a new employee; a forwarded letter from Cy, via his home address and recognized his mom's writing with the forwarding info. He tore into the letter and read Cy's pointed letter that he had to move on, after college he no longer wanted to remain in a farming community and looked West to California for his new life, thanked Ivan for caring and being there for him during the tough time and indicated a new mailing address if he wanted to write; that his cell and email addy remained the same and with that closed with I Still Love You..... Ivan's dick throbbed then felt his cock stir, pulse and begin to swell. That fucker he thought, what the fuck does that all mean, what had it meant, two fucking years and he wants to go West to fucking find himself...?