Zulfikar knew who the man behind him was; he knew he was the guy running for governor, knew he was the guy who lived in the nice house up the road from the Village, on the cotton plantation. Handsome as any of the other men looked, Zulfi didn't try to invite their touch, but this one aroused his interest. It was harder to keep the crowd clear of the stage while distracted.

Orchid might have sensed Zulfi's trouble-- there was gossip his telepathy was only so-so --or might just have gone mad from some performance high. The Vampyre hopped from the stage and ran out into the crowd, still singing "Rooster". The fans collectively stripped him of his leggings, so when Orchid jumped back up onto the stage he was wearing only a pair of shorts.

The song ended with the performers giddy and smiling on stage and the audience cheering. Morpheus whispered into his headset, "A hush fell over the crowd," and it did. Zulfikar felt the press of the crowd lessen until there was only the presence of the one with his hands on Zulfi's hips.

There was only one more scheduled song, a spoken word piece with the act's customary colorful, trippy lyrics. Morpheus put down his guitar; the slow backbeat and synthesized music was  pre-recorded. And on the floor the crowd began to separate. The bar was crowded suddenly.

Zulfikar glanced to David. He stood with his side to the stage, as Zulfikar did, watching Orchid and Morpheus out the corners of his eyes. David's green eyes flicked to Zulfi and he heard the telepathic message: Go ahead. Zulfikar slipped away, removing himself from his new acquaintance. But when he got to the backstage door, Zulfikar turned back to see that he followed.

They met again in the cramped hallway, between the doors to the dressing room and back bathroom. "What should I call you?" Zulfikar asked. He got silence. "You can call me Zulfi."

"Ali," he said. Zulfikar studied the man's face. Ali? Common enough name, but it reminded him of the man's real name: Ahmed Ali Jinnah.

Zulfikar maneuvered Ali against the wall. The older man leaned in for a kiss. "Not on the mouth. OK?" Zulfi craned his neck to offer it instead. They made out for a little while, groping at clothes. "Hey, can I get this on you?" Zulfi held a square packet between his fingers.

There was slight hesitation. "Yes. Please."

They were about to get it on, when the others came from the stage. Orchid, Morpheus, David, and one of Orchid's associates named Zalman.

Ali cried out and pushed Zulfikar away from him.

Zulfi stood up. "What is it? Those guys don't care."

Ali said nothing. He tried to fix his clothes as he rushed awkwardly down the hall.  

"Hey! Might as well pay me if you're going to be like that!" Zulfi shouted, but that politician left him alone.

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Secret: I think PG-13 means you can make the Jackson Pollock joke; you just can't explain the Jackson Pollock joke.