I
I stared at the computer screen. The answers just weren't coming. Normally, number crunching and pattern recognition was my specialty, but right now, I felt like the computer was fighting back against me on purpose.
The first phase of the project had gone so well. Scientific journals were reporting the progress with much anticipation. And now, this wall. I was worried, damn worried. And so I sat in my apartment and started at a computer screen at 10:30 p.m. on a Friday night.
There was a knock on the door and in walked Carl, who seemed tired too, but still looked good. His eyes seemed alive with energy. He was excited, and grinning wildly. He walked up and presented a stack of burned CDs, each meticulously labelled in code.
"Here you go, man. 14 complete sequences, and 500 sequence fragments, all linked to complete case studies, demographic info, the works. It's all here."
He dropped the stack on the table with a resounding thud and turned to look at me.
"They liked your work so much they gave us more than we asked for. Eight whole months of data! And more to come. We're going to be given primary access to the data, right as it comes in."
"Wow, that's great!" I tried to say enthusiastically, but my heart wasn't in it.
He frowned at me slightly, but I could tell he was still pumped. "Aw, c'mon, this is great news! It's what we've been waiting for! I thought you would be excited."
He pouted and gave me a poke. I swiped at his hand with a half hearted grin and sighed. "I know, I'm sorry. It's just that this code has been driving me crazy. I feel like I'm right on the edge of a breakthrough, but I just can't see it."
Carl shook his head and smiled. "You work too hard. I think you need to relax.. come on, I know what will cheer you up!"
He gave me a wink. He had that look in his eye and I had to smile back. I was tempted, but.. "I can't. You know.. I've got too much to do."
"So you say, but I know you can't resist..." he said, moving his hands down towards his belt, "...this!" He pulled out a small pipe from his pocket, packed and ready to go.
I laughed at his antics. "Oh, I thought you meant..."
He stood up and walked toward me calmly. I was a little thrown off, and I was longing to give in, but still I deferred. "Look," I said, "you know how much I'd love to smoke that with you, but if I do I won't be able to work for hours."
He grinned widely, his handsome face lighting up even more. "That's what I had in mind..."
God damn I was tempted. "This is important. You said it yourself, Carl, they're impressed with what we've done so far, but now I've hit a wall. There's going to be even more pressure to perform. This stuff won't decode itself, I need to be sharp. I need to be on this thing like a motherfucker."
"That's exactly what I'm thinking," he said, "which is why I'm ordering you to take some time off and relax. You're no good to anyone in this state."
He started walking towards me and took my hand. "But..." I said lamely, but he shushed me before I could continue. "Come on," he said, pulling me gently to my feet and leading me out the door.
II
We went out to the balcony and smoked the bowl, looking out over the palm trees and breathing in the night air. Damn, it was good to have rich parents and government grants, and me and Carl had both. After the bowl was done, Carl went back into the kitchen and grabbed us a couple of beers. I accepted mine gratefully.
He took one swig, then set his beer down and came around behind me. He started rubbing my shoulders and I felt the tension finally slipping away. "Damn, that feels good," I said, luxuriating in his touch, the beer, the weed, and the evening breeze.
He didn't say anything, but gave me a gentle squeeze to show he heard, then continued working the tension out of me. I almost let myself fall asleep, but I didn't want to miss the moment. After just a couple of minutes I already felt like a new man. Carl slide his right hand around my cheek, then turned my face up to meet his in a slow, soft kiss. My cock, which was already semi-hard, surged to attention as he nibbled my lip gently then disengaged. "I've worked out a lot of tension already," he said, smiling, "but your whole back is all wound up. I need to get you inside and get that shirt off to finish the job."
"Deal," I said, rising smoothly and polishing off my beer. "But anything I take off, you've gotta take off too," I added, running a finger idly down his chest and looking into his eyes. He stared back, breathing heavily, and I could tell he wanted to just rip my clothes off then and there. Truth be told, I was tempted.. but I wanted my massage.
III