As Ms. Perkins prepared to take dictation from the Congressman, back out in the office, Ernie and Jeffrey had gotten to the desk they shared but there was a nervous energy filling them that they couldn't really place a source from. It couldn't be concern about their boss, right? Neither noticed that they'd sat down in chairs across from one another now, even as the shared desk split in two almost in a perfect reflection of the gulf that was about to come between their relationship.
"Look, Ernie. I need to get some coffee."
If he'd noticed the lack of any affection in Jeffery's voice, Ernes didn't mention as he nodded at his departing partner. He merely turned his attention back to the papers on his desk, his mind already focused on the names of the donor's listed on them.
"Chang...Riches...Miyamoto...Stanwyck...Miller..."
======
Elsewhere, after hitting the theater to see the latest Jack Burton flick to get away from those annoying lovebirds Niguel and Kamila, Jose and his homies decided to away from the mall for the rest of the afternoon. There had been a few looks from the security guards as they left, but none of them actually messed with the gang.
Heading outside, the group wandered back towards the beach. They had some fun, making fun of the gringos who'd been leaving one of those Stanwyck rallies. But soon, the day began to fade and the group started to break up. A few went back to meet up with Niguel and his mamacita, others just went home. In the end, Jose was left alone to walk towards where he'd left his sweet ride. But as he move back towards the mall's parking garage, the Mexican homie began to transform back into the white heterophobe he really was. With a rustle of fabrice, the well-stiched jeans and soccer jersey reverted back to scrounged up surfer gear. His swole muscles shrank away, as the intricate tattoos faded away into nothing. Brown skin gave way to white, and soon enough, James was almost back where he started.
Although initially confused about where he was, the reality of his situation came rushing back quickly. The curse had gotten him again. James wondered where Nick had gone, for his memories as Jose were fading fast. He hoped that his fellow cursee was alright, but he then realized where he was at the beach, where he'd lost the Chronivac! Even if it couldn't helphim, there was still a chance that the device could help out the other victim of the Curse.
But he discovered that there was no sign of the device anywhere. Had it been stolen? Or worse even, destroyed? He panicked a little at that last thought, but realized he still needed to get away from here as quickly as possible. There was too much risk of triggering the change again, and he had no way of knowing whom he'd end up as, all of which would complicate any other effort to get the Chronivac back.
Getting away from the beach was easy enough, but avoiding any other potential instances of arousal meant avoiding most people. James kept his head down and thought about where to go next. Going to seeany of his male queer friends was out right away, as he simply could not risk changing and spreading the curse to them. That really only left his lesbian pals as he'd pointed cut almost all of non-homosexuals (men and women alike) out of his life. Still, could he chance spreading this damned 'were-breeder' affliction to them?
It was possibly worth the risk if it meant a chance to contain this threat to himself. And best of all, the first person who leapt to his mind already lived in his building! So, James headed for home and towards the apartment of his acquaintance, Sarah...
But unknown to the main carrier of the curse, the harder he tried to avoid the trigger for it, the more likely it was to happen...
=====
Back in the breakroom, Jeffery walked in. Mandy was there, her gaze glued to the TV screen that hung in a corner of the room. There was an older Asian woman being interviewed on it.
"Can you believe this woman and what's she's saying about my alma mater?"
Jeffery raised an eyebrow, his gaze firmly on the slowly rounding out rear of the intern, whose straining skinny jeans were beginning to fray at her ankles.
"Oh what did she say?"