"Over the Ottoman"
"Over the Ottoman"
By Culburn
New York City
5 April 1963
There'd been thoughts, visions before. He'd been able to keep them secret, suppress them, dismiss them, discount them and they'd even lessened, but, yet always had loitered. And now keenly so. After Tracy had left their office for Brady's executive floor he'd put his wife on the elevator going down then quickly ensconced himself in the men's restroom. Mercifully he'd found it unoccupied. Visions of his wife and another man, this, this Englishman coupling together was filling his conscience to bursting. He washed his hands, then found the courage to lift his gaze into the reflection above the sink. 'Jesus, what in the Hell is wrong with you, boy? She's your wife, the mother of your son.' He'd admonished himself afore like this. This was not the first time. He dropped his eyes to the running water, then cupped his hands. The cold water clearing his mind, then the visions launched again. She'd undressed them both, first Rattigan, then herself. He watched from the kitchen thru the open shutters. She was gleaming, white and perfect. She came into his arms as they stood in front of the davenport. Tracy's fingertips immediately falling to his wife's bottom cheeks, resting there close to the crevice as their lips met then parted. She guided Tracy's head to her breasts as her eyes met her husbands then closed as Rattigan fed at her breasts. He gripped the kitchen sink tightly, the stainless steel wet and cold, then realized he was gripping the white porcelain of the sink in front of him.
Chapter 1.
"Rob, Rob, hey, Rob."
"Buddy!"
"You okay, Rob?"
"I'm fine, Buddy."
"You look like you've seen a ghost." Buddy moved to the urinals. "Can you believe that Rattigan guy, Rob? What a character." Rob watched in the mirror's reflection as Buddy relieved himself.
"Rob, a Jew and a Gentile are pissing. The Jew says,,,,"
"Buddy, not now. I have to get back."
"Wait up I'll walk back with you."
He had no choice but to wait. To do otherwise would be unwise. Buddy was already aware of what had transpired back in their office. Mel Cooley had sprung Tracy Rattigan on Rob and his co-writers out of the blue. Laura had made a special trip into the city for Friday luncheon with Rob. They'd dined at Sardi's, Laura's favorite and were looking forward to a weekend alone together. Their son Ritchie was departing later in the day for a Boy Scout Jamboree up state and would not be back until Sunday night. Upon returning to the office afterward they'd opened the door to find Rattigan holding court. He'd at once pounced upon Laura, introducing himself to her and Rob. Mel had already introduced him to Sally and Buddy. Rattigan's reputation was legendary. 'Racy' was his nickname and well deserved. He enjoyed flirting, to him it was sport. He was one of the UK's most eligible bachelors and had dated the world's most beautiful women, some of whom were married.
Laura had retreated at Tracy's advances to Rob's side. She grasped Rob's hand. Rob found it warm and moist.
"What a beautiful child you are, my dear." Rattigan's accent was not the least bit muddled, but, with a marked clarity that matched his blue eyes and sharp features.
"Uh, uh, uh..." Laura's voice was stifled and thick.
"What do you think of Alan's surprise, Rob? Tracy will be our special guest host on next week's show." Mel was beaming. Rob had forgotten about Alan taking a short vacation in Bermuda.
"Uh, uh, uh..." Now it was Rob's turn to bluster out a response.
"Oh, we'll have a fabulous time, Rob. You, Buddy, Sally and me. Though I'll miss this charming creature. You'll have me out to the house while I'm stateside, hey? New Rochelle, is it?" He knew.
"Of course." Laura was decisive.
"You have a standing invitation to my place, Tracy. It's just me and my pussy...well my cat, but, you're most welcome." Sally had moved across and was now at Tracy's side.
"I shall keep that invite close at hand, Sally dear, hey?" He was speaking to Sally, but, his eyes had not moved from Laura's since the Petries had entered the office.
"Tracy, Alan is expecting us back upstairs, we should go." Mel had grabbed onto Rattigan's suit coat and was making a move toward the open doorway.
"Mel, why don't you go and let Tracy stay. You could go over and spar with Cassius Clay. I hear he's looking for a punching bag." Buddy was in fine form.
"Rob!" Mel beseeched him.
"Buddy!" Rob was not in the mood. The gaze twixt Laura and Tracy had not broken.