Midtown Manhattan, December 7th 2023

Iphone alarm rings. It's 9 a.m.

Roderick and I are still laying on our bed.

I wake up and go take a bath. In my bedstand there's a chanel perfume with a note.

It's "Bleu de Chanel". I pick up the note and read it.

Note:

I don't want to start another fight. But you really are mimicking Marilyn's life and career.

So I thought that you missed something. A "Chanel" perfume.

I know it's not the original, the one she used.

But well you wouldn't want to use a female perfume.

So here's a gift from your big lover, Roderick Schultz. XOXO.

So sweet. I have to admit that I am mimicking Marilyn's life.

But she was the greatest star that lived on Earth.

She has many aspects that make me want to be like her.

I enjoyed this gift. I mean, with all of this jobs I haven't had the time to be with Roderick.

To be cherished by him.

Now I have to buy him something. He deserves it.

He goes days without seeing me, only on television on some talkshow.

Or in a Broadway stage.

We haven't had a day or a week just to ourselves. If that continues maybe our relationship will die.

I grab the perfume and go to shower and then dress myself and make breakfast for two.

I eat mine and then put Roderick's breakfast on a serving wheeled trolley.

I climb the stairs and leave the trolley right beside our bedroom door.

I go to our art room and open Roderick's Macbook and enter the password that is related to our relationship.

Something that should be keep between us.

I go to his documents folder and I see a quick word document named poem draft.

I open it and start to read it.

Poem:

If crossing seas and climbing mountains are love proofs,

Then love requires a lot and it makes us look like goofs,

But the love I get from your is bulletproof,

Because you're made of sweetness and kindness,

Which is why I consider you priceless and your beauty is timeless.

Jordan you're the owner of the crazy muscle that my heart is,

Which will never be taken by anyone,

For how you round it with frontiers.

How lame. But it is so beautiful and heartfelt.

He is really dorky but he truly loves me. And so do I.

I close the document and close Roderick's Macbook.

I get out of the art room and go to our bedroom.

I grab the serving wheeled trolley and wake Roderick up.

Jordan – Good morning sweetheart.

Roderick (sleepy) – Good morning love.

Roderick (sleepy) – What is this smell?!

Jordan – I made you breakfast. Here it is, sit down and eat it.

Roderick – That's really kind of you. Thank you.

Jordan – You're welcome.

Jordan – There's toasted slices and butter, a glass of orange juice and... grapefruit.

Roderick – Oh my favorite.

Jordan – Yes I know.

Jordan – And it is the most beautiful grapefruit I've ever seen.

Roderick – Me too. So nice of you.

Jordan – Enjoy it.

I lean my neck to Roderick's face.

Jordan – Do I smell good?

Roderick (smiling) – You do as usual.

Roderick – But you're using a new fragrance. Fan gift?!

Jordan (smiling) - Thank you.

Roderick – You're welcome my love.

Jordan – Thank you a lot.

Jordan – Actually I've been wanting this one for a lot.

Roderick – You deserve it.

Jordan – Thank you.

Jordan – But don't think I won't buy you anything.

Roderick – You don't have to.

Jordan – But I want to.

Jordan – So you will get your ass up of that bed, take a shower and we're going shopping.

Roderick – Don't you have rehearsals today?!

Jordan - I'm skipping it. I spoke to Jimmy and asked him for a day off.

Jordan – You know how I can be quite manipulative.

Jordan – So he gave me a day off.

Roderick – You're crazy.

Jordan – Only for you.

Roderick – You know what?

Roderick – I'll finish this breakfast and I'll take a shower and then we'll go to Manhattan Mall.

Jordan – Amazing. But don't hurry yourself we have the entire day.

Roderick – Sure thing.

I wait for Roderick at our living room in the first story. Where the press conference took place.

Then Roderick comes down the stairs looking hot.

He is dressing a dark blue parka with a grey sweater and denim jeans.

He doesn't dress so formal like me, he's more of a casual man.

But he still looks great.

Jordan – "Hello gorgeous".

Roderick (smiling) – Always quoting broadway. But... hello.

Jordan – You know me.

Jordan – You're looking hot today.

Roderick – Just today?!

Jordan – Don't flatter yourself.

Roderick – Hey another quote.

Jordan – "Kinky Boots" the movie version. But I meant it.

Jordan – Let's go on.

Roderick – Let's go.

Roderick – Call your driver.

Jordan - No. No celebrity perks.

Jordan – Today we're taking a cab.

Jordan – Just like the other people do. Okay?!

Roderick – How I missed that!

We get out of the loft and Roderick goes to the Uber app and ask for a driver.

In five minutes he will be here. They're fast. But cautious.

We wait for the driver, five minutes go by. Ten minutes go by and he hasn't appeared yet.

Twenty minutes go by and he arrives at last.

We enter the cab.

Uber driver – I'm so sorry for being late. Please don't give me a bad rate.

Roderick – We won't. It's okay.

Jordan – Right.

Uber driver - Aren't you Jordan Wright?

Jordan – No, you're confusing me with him.

Uber driver – You are. You are Jordan Wright. I know you.

Uber driver . You can't lie I've seen the press conference in your loft so I know it's you.

Jordan – Yes I am. But today I'm not him.

Jordan – I'm just an ordinary man. So treat me as so.

Uber driver – Alright. So you're going to the Manhattan Mall?

Roderick – Yes we are.

Uber driver – Okay I'll drive you there.

Uber driver – I'm a fast driver. So buckle up.

Jordan – Oh dear.

The driver speeds up the cab and almost hits a dog that was in the road. But we arrived to the mall safe.

Uber driver – It's going to be 30$.

Roderick – Here it is.

Jordan – Here's more 10$. You're a great guy.

Uber driver – Thank you Mr. Wright.

We get out of the cab and go to the mall.

Roderick wants to cut his hair, when his hair grows it creates waves.

So he cuts his hair very short. Not bald but close to it.

I don't know what to buy him. He's really picky.

I don't which type of sci-fi books he likes.

Maybe I'll buy him a videogame. But he's going with me.

Roderick – Hey Jordan let's go upstairs.

Jordan – Sure.

Roderick – I heard there's a great barber shop there.

Jordan – Let's go then.

We take the escalator and go upstairs.

People that are on the escalator that is going downstairs look at me and start to speak between themselves.

One of them shouts Mr. Wright. I wave at her and smile.

Although I appreciate having my admirers showing their interest in me. This is not the right time.

I don't want to sign autographs or take photos.

We arrive at the second floor and we go to a barber shop.

We enter and everybody stands with great posture as just like some kind of royalty had enter their shop.

Roderick - Good morning I would like to cut my hair.

Barber – Alright, sit on that chair please.

Barber – Aren't you Mr. Wright?!

Jordan – Yes I am.

Roderick sits on chair that is in front of a big beautiful mirror.

Barber – It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Wright.

Jordan – It's a pleasure to meet you too.

Barber – My wife and I are great fans of yours.

Jordan – Oh thank you so much.

Jordan (pointing at Roderick) – Would you mind to cut his hair?!

Barber – He'll wait.

Jordan – No he won't.

Jordan – We have somewhere else to go and I need you to cut his hair please sir.

Barber – Oh you two are together?!

Jordan – Yes.

Barber – Oh I didn't know you were into guys.

Jordan – Please spare me those comments.

Barber – I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you Mr. Wright.

Barber – I'll cut his hair right now.

Barber – But would you please sign this flyer for my wife?!

Jordan – I sure will. But I don't have a pen!

All of the barber assistants grab pens for me to borrow.

Jordan (joking) – Oh wow. I just need one.

I accept the pen of a middle aged woman. And she seems so pleased with it.

Jordan – Thank you ma'am.

Barber's assistant – It's my pleasure Mr. Wright. You are really a gem.

Jordan – Oh so kind of you. You are the gem.

The barber's assistant blushes.

Then the barber starts to cut Roderick's hair.

Roderick – I want my hair short. Almost bald.

Roderick – But not bald. Just really short.

Barber – Sure.

The barber cuts Roderick's hair and suddenly I start to see a crowd surrounding the barber shop entrance.

Admirers, lots of them.

A man runs through them and starts to take pictures of me.

Jordan – Would you please stop that?!

New York Times reporter – I have to do my job Mr. Wright.

Jordan – But I don't want to.

Jordan – Can't I have privacy? Is that too much to ask for?

New York Times reporter – I feel you but I have to make some articles about you.

New York Times reporter – Is it true that you are quite demanding when you're in a production?

Jordan – No, it is not.

Jordan – Please could you stop this. This is out of order.

Jordan – I don't allow you to write anything about me or put any pictures of me.

Jordan – If you publish any article that has my name or my photos in it, I will sue you.

Jordan – Trust my words.

New York Times reporter – I'll go then. Moron.

The reporter goes away. Everybody in the barber shop applauds.

Outside of it the admirers are calling my name but I have to be with Roderick.

Barber's assistant - That was magnificent.

Jordan – Thank you.

Barber's assistant – You have to put those scums in their places.

Roderick – Jordan you might want to go talk to your admirers.

Jordan – No, this is our day.

Jordan – I have been with them for a long time. Now I have to have a time with you.

Roderick – I meant, you need to tell them that.

Roderick – Tell them that you're not in the mood for photos and autographs.

Jordan – Will they be disappointed at me?

Roderick – No, if they really are your fans they will understand.

Jordan – Admirers.

Roderick – Sure.

Jordan – Okay I'll go.

I get out of the barber shop and I look every of my admirers in the eyes.

Jordan – Good morning my beautiful admirers.

Jordan – I know you want to take a photo of me or have an autograph.

Jordan – But unfortunately today I can't do that. I do really love you and this hurts me.

Jordan – But I have to spare some time with my boyfriend.

Jordan – I have shared bits of my life with you but just for today I have to share my life with Roderick.

Jordan – I hope you all understand.

Admirer nº 1 – We all understand Mr. Wright. Go on and have a great day with your bae.

Admire nº 1 – We don't mind. But just keep on slaying us with your performances.

Jordan (laughing) – Thank you. I'll make sure I'll keep on doing that.

Jordan – Farewell, go live your lives. Be happy.

Some admirers are a bit sad but they did understand my point.

Most of them agreed and left to their daily routines. And I get back to the barber shop.

As I enter, I was shook. Roderick looks stunning with short hair.

It really brings the shine of his green eyes.

Roderick – Why are you standing so overwhelmed?

Jordan – You look stunning.

Roderick (joking) – Thank you. It's just a haircut, the beauty was already there.

Jordan – Oh go on. Flatter yourself.

Jordan – You really are beautiful. Flaunt as much as you want.

Roderick (to the barber) – How much it is?

Barber – Nothing. It's a pleasure to cut the hair of Mr. Wright's lover.

Jordan – No, please you don't have to do that.

Barber (to Roderick) – You won't be paying today.

Roderick – Thank you sir. You did a great job.

Jordan – Bye everyone.

Roderick – Bye.

Barber – Bye Mr. Wright. Bye Roderick.

We leave the barber shop but we listen someone shouting Roderick's name.

We look back and it's the barber. He waves at us and tells us to come in again.

We get in the barber shop.

Barber – You're Roderick right?!

Roderick - Yes?!

Barber – When I was cutting your hair I was wondering where I heard your name.

Barber – Aren't you the screenwriter of Dreaming Nights?

Roderick – Yes I am.

Barber – I'm so sorry to not acknowledged that earlier.

Roderick – It's okay.

Barber – The movie was terrific. The story was well written.

Roderick – Thank you so much.

Barber – You know Mr. Wright is really a magnetic person so you can't take your eyes off of him.

Barber – But you are really a great screenwriter.

Roderick – Tell me about it. He is really a keeper.

Barber – Would you sign this flyer for my wife?

Roderick – Sure why not?!

I smile, happily for Roderick. He hasn't get much credit. P

eople always focus on me. And I'm happy that he is know given the laurels and the recognition of his work.

Roderick signs the flyer and we once again say goodbye to the staff and leave.

We go downstairs and we walk towards the exit door.

Roderick stops and looks, like a child looking at candy, to a wrist watch store.

Jordan – Do you want to get in?

Roderick – Well yes, let's just give a look at the watches.

Jordan – Sure.

We enter the store and there's a lady who welcomes us.

Watch store lady – Do you need any help?

Roderick – No, we're just watching, thank you.

Jordan – Actually we do need help.

Roderick looks at me confused.

Watch store lady – How can I help you?

Jordan – Well I want to buy a wrist watch to this man.

Roderick – Really?!

The watch store lady smiles.

Watch store lady (to Roderick) – What is your type of watch?

Roderick – I like watches with black leather straps.

Watch store lady (to Roderick) – Oh we have a new one from "Breguet".

Watcher store lady (to Roderick) – It has black leather straps. Do you want to look at it?!

Roderick – Yes I do.

The watch store lady grabs a "Breguet" wrist watch and shows it to me and to Roderick.

It is beautiful. Shiny, ethereal, kind of like a galaxy in it.

Roderick – It is really beautiful.

Jordan – It is.

Roderick – How much does it costs?

Watch store lady – 115,000$

Roderick – Gosh that's too much.

Jordan – I'll pay it.

Roderick – Do you have the money?

Jordan – Honey I'm ridiculously rich.

Jordan – And since you bought me a gift I have to give one to you.

Watch store lady – Cash or credit?

Jordan – Really? Is that a question?!

Watch store lady – Okay I see it's cash.

Jordan – Looks like we think alike.

Jordan – Here it is 115,000 dolars in cash, ma'am.

Watch store lady – Thank you.

Jordan – Bye.

Watch store lady – Come back always.

Roderick – We will.

We get out of the store and out of the mall.

Roderick is really happy. I spoiled him. He deserves it.

After getting out of the mall I ask Roderick if he would go home but he doesn't want to go home yet.

Roderick decides for us to go to Sutton Place Park.

We take a cab that drive us there.

When we arrive we sit in a bench looking at the Queensboro bridge.

Roderick – You're an amazing person Jordan.

Jordan – So are you.

Roderick – You know that come what may we always be together right?!

Jordan – I hope so. You're the only one I can really trust and give myself completely to.

Roderick – At this point I would ask you to marry me.

Roderick – But I know that you're not into marriage.

Jordan – Yeah it's not my thing. I'm not afraid of commitment.

Jordan – I just don't get marriages.

Jordan – Wedding ceremonies. It's all so artificial, all so fake.

It officializes a relationship but why do a relationship need to be officialized by the government?! Why a ceremony?!

Roderick – Alright, alright. I didn't propose to you.

Roderick – I was just stating that that is the point that our relationship got to.

Jordan – We have each other and as long as we keep that in mind, there's no need to marry each other.

Jordan – Okay?!

Roderick – Okay.

Jordan – I love that bridge. It's so beautiful.

Jordan (thoughtful) – I think I saw that bridge in some picture.

Roderick - That bridge appears in many photos but I guess you probably recall this bridge.

Roderick – Because it was the background of a photo of Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller.

Jordan – That's it. You read my mind.

Roderick – I just happen to know you really well.

Roderick – Well I brought my Nikon camera. We should take a photo.

Jordan – Yes we should.

We get up of the bench and Roderick asks a passerby to take a photo of us with the bridge behind us.

We replicate the photography taken of Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller in 1957.

The passerby returns the camera to Roderick, I smile and thank him.

We then take a walk in the Sutton Place Park and then go home.

This was a good day. I needed this. We needed this.

I guess all artists need a day or two to stay with their loved ones. There's so much love from them.

True love. Real feelings.

Admirers or fans as you may call it, can love you but in the end they aren't the people who sleep with you or eat with you.

It's your family, your loved ones.

Everybody matters. But Roderick to me, matters more that all my admirers together.