When I was a little kid, I loved soap operas, especially the ones that are now termed "nightime dramas" (which in recent years have grown very scarce). They were sweeping sagas filled with bigger than life characters, all of whom lived in a way that was both decadent and devious at the same time. Lance Channing, J.R. Ewing, Sable Colby, and Alexis Carrington are all firm fixtures in my memory, as is Alexis’ son Stephen, the homosexual/bisexual of ColbyCo. Did you ever wonder what might have happened had Stephen Carrington gotten his own spin off show? I have.
Being a film/video maker, I am drawn to soaps. Your mind and imagination are allowed to roam freely to whatever outrageous destination you choose. They are places where anything can happen, and often does. But one of the rare things that happen is a deeply enveloped homosexual storyline. We are often nothing more than just a token or blip on the screen. Granted we are coming more to the forefront now with shows such as Will & Grace and Dawson’s Creek, but even within these two we are still portrayed as somewhat sexless characters. Believe me, the gay world has it’s Amanda’s (Melrose Place) as well as it’s Crystal’s (Dynasty).
So what follows is a homage/coming out of mine. A homage to those great characters who continue to inspire me in my stories, and a coming out for soap opera characters. Because just like we often say to people "We’re everywhere.", even in Pine Valley.
Jansen Hucket looked at his watch, 6:38pm, he had passed the sign for Capitol Star Ranch about a half hour ago, and still nothing in sight but open space, cattle, horses and long dirt road.
He pulled out his gray bandana from his right pocket and wiped his brown and the back of his neck. The sweat created from the hot Texas sun matted his white cotton T-shirt to his chest and back. Beads of sweat trickled off his brow and stung his eyes. He looked down the road. ‘How much longer to go till I find this place?’ he thought.
Returning the bandana to his pocket, he stood up pulled his duffel bag back over his shoulder. Starting again down the long dusty road that lead to his new beginning, something in the distance caught his eye. It was moving toward him at a rapid speed, kicking up a trail of dust behind it. It was a truck. ‘Thank God’ Jansen thought.
He began to run in the direction the speeding Chevy S-10, but stopped after a few steps. No sense in running. The vehicle would come to him, and hopefully stop.
Rocks, gravel and dust kicked up as the Chevy came to a screeching halt up beside Jansen. The driver, an older man, perhaps in his late forties or early fifties looked out the window. "You must be Jansen." He said.
"Yes sir."
"Get in." The man said an popped open the passenger side door.
The Pickup
"Though that maybe you changed your mind." The man said as they sped back toward the ranch house.
"No sir. My Truck broke down about ½ mile before the driveway—"
"Toyota."
"No, Nissan"
The man just laughed to himself while shaking his head. "This baby here. She’s been with me for about 10 years now. Hardly have any trouble with her at all. I love her; names Reba," the man stuck out his hand. "and I’m Chase."
Jansen shook the Chase’s hand with a bit of surprise. You’d think that the owner of the ranch would send someone else looking for his new hired hand.
"Nice Buckle" Chase said. "You rodeo?"
"Yes sir."
"What events?"
"Team, Calfs and Chutes. Team’s my favorite and my best."
"Ah, you like to rope?" Chase said with a rye smile.
Jansen looked down and started to blush. The frankness of the conversation was a bit embarrassing.
Chase put a hand on Jansen’s leg. "Chutes are my favorite. Nothing like the adrenaline rush you get from wrestling a horny animal to the ground."
Jansen looked up at new boss. Chase gave a wink at him; slapped his leg twice and turned his focus back to the road.
Jansen kept his gaze toward Chase for a moment. He wondered what would kind of "duties" might be entailed with his new job. From the ad he already knew that Chase was gay. That was one of the specifics in the ad. "Gay Male Rancher seeking hardworking, dependable hands…must be tough but open minded."
Chase wasn’t a bad looking man. His face was tan and a little worn from years on the ranch. His black hair, and mustache were peppered with gray, as well as the hair on his chest. It was obvious from Chase’s body that he still worked hard on the ranch. His skin was tan and his the muscles in his arms and legs bulged against the denim material that he was wearing.
"Here were are." Chase broke into Jansen's thoughts.
Before them Capitol Star Ranch spread out. A Sprawling two story home of stone and wood, with warp around porch. Behind the ranch were a barn, horse stables, and the bunkhouse, all surrounded by acres and acres of land.
Jansen hopped out of the cab.
Chase put his arm around Jansen’s shoulders. "Beautiful." he said.
"Huh?" Jansen responded.
"The ranch. I fell in love with her first time I saw her, and I fall in love with her all over again every time I come home." Chase looked at his watch. "Almost seven. Let me show your quarters. You’ll want to shower and change. Cin has been holding off on dinner for almost and hour now and she’ll be hoppin’ mad if you come looking like that."
Chase and Jansen walked toward bunkhouse, unaware that they were being watched from a pair of eyes by the side of the barn.
The room was small, and didn’t have much furniture; a desk, bed, and dresser, and stool. Chase set his bag on his bed and looked out the window. Chase remained in the doorway.
"The showers at the end of the hall here. You’ll be sharing it with the three other guys on this floor. Be quick about freshening up. Cin doesn’t have much patients, especially with new ones." Chase started to leave, then walked up to Jansen, put a firm hand on his ass, and pulled out his bandana. "Leave this hear. Don’t give the boys any ideas just yet." Chase winked again and left.
As Chase walked through the door he was immediately accosted by Cin, a short woman with shoulder length brown hair, but a powerful frame, and spirit to match.
"Where is he?" She demanded.
"Getting" changed."
"Fine time to be getting pretty. All you boys are out to impress, when you should be here to eat. Where’s he been—lost?"
"Nope, his truck broke down."
"Tell him buy American."
Chase laughed. He had know Cin for seven years. Hired her on as a favor to a friend. At first her attitude irritated him, but he had now grown fond of it and of her.
"What do you find funny? Don’t be laughing. I don’t set supper out at six o’clock every night so it can sit around for an hour getting cold."
Chase headed up the stairs.
"Where are you going? The kitchen’s this way."
"To change."
"Another queen who’s gotta beautify himself. The others are in there now you know. They were about ready to each the table and place settings, so I went ahead and fed them. Don’t come yelling at me if there’s nothing left."
Chase closed the door to his room shutting out Cin’s voice. He walked to his own bathroom and turned on the hot water. Sitting on be he removed his boots and socks, then stood up and removed his shirt.
Suddenly, he saw movement out of the corner of his eye, in the next moment a body was on top of him, knocking him to the floor.
"I know how you operate, Chase. That's how you got me remember?"
YankeeCowboy
Size Me Up!
The 5 w's
Bi American
Climbing into The General Lee, and out of the closet
Slide and Ride
In the flesh, or at least a glossy simulation
Cowboy Poetry
Blood, Sweat and Steers
Love, Lust and Cowboy desire
LST - Episode 2
LST - Episode 3
LST - Episode 4
LST - Episode 5
LST - Episode 6
