Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2002 13:57:11 -0500
From: paul paris <shaksbeer@ureach.com>
Subject: The Amusment Arcade.  Part 1

This story comes from my imagination. It is fiction. The characters are
different as are the places to protect the people who may think that they
are involved in this story someway.  The mission of this is to bring as
close as possible to you part of the life that could have happened.

I have the copyright to this and all other stories written by me so if you
wish to use this then please ask. This will include all fee-paying sites.

The story of a relationship between a man and a boy is in most countries
against the law so do please check to protect yourself.

Does love really exist? This story I hope will go some way into answering
that question.



			   The Amusement Arcade.


				  Part 1.


			       The Meeting.



My name is Nathan Daniels, Jack, to my friends. I was an owner of several
Amusement Arcades that contained almost 50 machines just so the public
would gamble their spare cash in them, just for the fun of it. There were
others, but I had the biggest that were on the sea front. There was one
main rule we all had to follow and that was a simple one. No children were
allowed to play on the gaming machines. It was against the law. They did
but you could loose your licences if caught. I was strict, Camera's watched
while the staff in the cubicles looked on. Any young boy or girl caught
would be banned from all the Arcades. That during the summer time was awful
being that the fun fair was included in the ban also. Their picture would
be in every cubical and at every entrance. It was a sorry time for the
kids.

I made a section just for the children. Lets get this out in the open. I
was not a paedophile but loved boys. I had to accept the girls who came,
being that I did not want to show favour to one or the other sex.

I had adults happily loosing their money while their children played on the
games and various computer attractions, keeping them off the streets and
happy. The authorities also knew where they were if anything happened so
rather than build a good reputation I got a bad one with that. Some
children were very good so I set out the machines to give out tokens for a
good score. The children had the chance to win a prize. No money but choice
of a Gift. It took some time for it to get going but sooner rather than
later we had leagues set that played each other for cups and a set of
cinema tickets.

One day I saw a boy watching the best bowler getting top scores almost
every time. Call me silly but I asked the boy looking to do some sweeping
for free goes upon the bowling machines. He cleaned well and never
grumbled. He got better and better every day. I made a prize of a trip to
the funfair or a prize of his or her choice. Most lost heart when the
normal winner started to brag about how easy this was going to be.

The sweeper started to polish my machines and he became very good. When the
tournament day arrived this big lad who had beaten everyone was first in
line. Not one other boy signed up. At the end of the day I noticed a few
people on holiday coz there were 4 name written up.

The clever one I would say arshole but let's be fair, he was against a girl
on holiday. She was destroyed. The girl did not mind and I praised her for
her attitude. Her brother was against the boy who did the sweeping. It was
close but the sweeper won by 2 points. No rest for the wicked the older boy
wanted to finish the sweeper off.

You had to throw a ball to hoops. Each had a different number. The oldest
could get 75 every time. The 100 hoop was almost never got. This hoop was
the same size as the ball.

The action started. Both boys were neck and neck. I almost fell off my
stool when the sweeper's ball almost missed. After 30 minutes the older boy
skinned the ball and it landed in 75 the sweepers landed in 50. The older
took his last ball and bounced it into 10 leaving the sweeper to get the
maximum 100 to win. He patted the younger boy wishing him luck with the
rest of the crowd wanting to see what prize he would choose. I did not know
if I should award them both a prize. I never had before but time would
tell. The young boy took the ball and polished it till it was like the sun,
turning away he rolled it backwards and we all watched that ball rebound
from side to side, jump, then land smack bang in the middle of the 100
hole. It was as if the local team of part time footballers had won the game
against a visiting top continental sides.

The older boy did the strangest thing; he congratulated the young boy
holding his hand way up in the air. I offered the older boy a gift, which
he declined saying he was beaten fair and square. I then got to know
Brian. I asked him what he wanted and all he asked for was a job to earn
some cash over the summer. Of course I said his mum would have to agree so
told him to get her to call me.

Later that evening she called and agreed. I invited her for a meal thinking
that a good meal would enable me to know her and the boy better.

"Well there is a place called Cuddles not far will that do?" Time sorted so
I tried to find it in the book. I wanted to find out if the wine they kept
was good enough for this occasion. I smiled when I got out the car. It was
a restaurant that served Fish and chips.

I saw a woman outside wearing a dress that was made from material that most
of us would keep for cleaning. She was not what I expected.

"Hello you must be Mr Daniels? I am Brian's mother. I hope this is not to
much out of your way?" She entered the room filled with the smell of fish
cooking. At a wooden table she sat so I joined her. "Forgive me, my name is
Mary." A fat woman full of laughter served us. I ordered Skate. She
shouted, "Millionaire tonight Bert Skate he wants. Better make it a good
piece looks like he needs filling up."

There was no backing down from the conversation. "I might just say what's
on my mind Sir. I am a one-parent family. My son means the world to me but
I have made my own enquiries so I respect truthfulness. I have a friend who
works calling numbers at the bingo a few places away. She told me that you
are Gay. I hear what people of your kind are like so I ask straight away,
are you here to help my son or are you here to get your hands on him?"

I could honestly believe that everyone was listening for my answer. I had
never known a woman like her. I ran through the different answers while the
plates were placed in front of us.

"Now then Mary. I invite you to a restaurant for a meal but I cannot see
your sons name on the menu at all. Yes I am gay but I make no rules to hide
that. Your son has been working in the Arcade for me and I hope he has told
you that. He won a tournament today gaining a prize. He asked for a job. I
have to ask you, sorry, excuse my disrupting the conversation. This Skate
is wonderful. Sorry food does this to me. The question is did you expect me
to come here and ask you to give me your son? I could be confused.

"Mr Daniels I may have jumped the gun a bit. You become me! Your son says
that he can have a full time job with a man who you know is gay. Would you
not be concerned?"

"Brian is a very nice boy. I think that if something were to happen in any
way then the first person to know would be you. The question is, do you
wish your son to work with a gay man? Most people know so if you can be
that frank with me talk to Brian."

"Hello can I have another piece of that skate? It just to good to go
without a second piece."

The room erupted.

"Well, Mr Daniels,..."

"Look if we are getting to know one another then Nathan please. We have
spoken about my life. Yes you know I am gay. Is there anything else you are
worried about or shall I just order you some more Haddock?"

Mary belched loudly.

"Well shows the foods good." Said the man cooking the fish behind the
counter.

"Mary did you honestly believe that I was after your son?"

"You have done so much for him that these things make you wonder."

We sat in silence. Listening to the noises made by the knives and forks
hitting and cutting, upon the plates. Mary took every flake of fish eating
carefully. She opened her purse. For one dreadful moment I thought she was
going to pay for the meal then leave.

"This is Brian, he is with his sister Pam. I think I trust you Nathan but I
will talk to Brian. There is something I need to do. One thing do not let
him down. His father found a young girl just out of her pram then left us
all. His reasons were, well that's for another day."  I congratulated the
owner and told him to make up some flyers. "I will put them in the Arcade.
People sure get hungry when they play."

We shook hands and I took Mary to the car. She said she would walk but I
insisted that I would need to find the house when I brought Brian home.

Through the window I shouted to her. "Brian and Pam what fish do they
like?" I got the answer. Wrapped up tight we drove not that far. I walked
her home. The building was dilapidated. The place they put you when you
have nothing but kids. I saw the children watching television. Mum laid out
the food. I saw them eager to eat, embarrass their mother. (" I made the
big mistake.") "Mary to get out of a place like this you could sell your
son for 1 night then live like royalty."

I saw her look to me. "I will have a uniform for Brian tomorrow so do not
worry. You ask all you wish Mary."

I got back to my house unable to get the sight of their home from my mind.
I sat with a blank sheet of paper just hoping the thought's to help that
family would come to mind. It remained blank after the third can of beer.

I got to work early trying to sort out a uniform for Brian. He was on time
and Mum was with him She was off shopping but wanted to apologise for last
night. "Nothing to be sorry for Mary." She left and Brian took the
uniform. I showed him the changing rooms. I gave him his own locked room.

"Sorry about Mum. She is so over protective some times. I was angry when
she told me what happened. I did not think you would want me to do the work
any more. I was told all about you just after I started here." I sat at the
desk listening to Brian recant the stories he was told. I told him that he
no need to worry." I was going to talk further but he was already half
undressed. I walked out the room understanding just how easily this all
could be misunderstood.

Brian came out with the polish and cloths ready to start what today was a
normal day. "You did not have to go Nathan. My mum does that so easily to a
lot of people. She frightens them."

I watched him work hard till the main doors opened. I took Brian into the
cubicle with me allowing him to give out tokens in exchange for money. The
money went in a locked box and the tokens came out.

"I can see this will be hard for you. If it is easier I will go and polish.
Being close to me will cause you a lot of upset. Did you really tell my mum
that if I had been on the menu, you would have brought me?"

I ruffled his hair stopping quickly because it was something I had to be
careful of. After 2 hours I checked his box and it was spot on. I took the
taking to the bank quickly speaking to the manager. I watched as I left
Mary coming out of a charity shop. She saw me straight away. Embarrassed
she went to the grocers. One brown bag. Fruit I assumed, but not for her.

I quickly spoke to her saying how well Brian was doing. She smiled. "Would
you ask Brian about section 2?" I was lost but she made her way off quicker
than I could respond. I took some lunch and added some things for Brian.

I got back filling in the books. It was almost 1pm so Brian was finished
for the day. I sat him down with a pie, cakes then some salad in a box. His
faced said Yuk to the salad but because I ate it so did he. "Brian I saw
mum in town. She was shopping. Something strange happened? She asked me to
ask you to tell me about section 2?"

I have mentioned in previous stories that when a shock happens things go so
quiet that you could hear a pin drop. The look on the boys face combined
with his colour, well, you could hear a feather hit the ground louder than
a cow falling to the earth.

"Mum had to collect some money that dad was to send for us. He has not done
this for three weeks. Today was the last. Mum had just enough money to buy
food for today." I understood what he was saying. "Brian what is section
2?"

"Do not get angry but how much would people pay my mum to go with me?"

I remember the last thing I said to Mary last night. "I heard what you said
to mum and I asked her. She cried. I know we have no money so I thought I
would ask her. We spoke for an hour until I understood that some people
would like me to go with them and give mum money. Mum hated the thought of
being someone who was selling her children; I like the part about getting
mum some money but its what they would do to me. Mum said that you might
know someone who would do this? I would have to get 5 though. I thought
dad would pay today but its clear he does not want us any more."

I talked to my assistant manager. I told him that I was going shopping.
Brian finished his food and we went to the supermarket. I said we had to
get my cupboard filled up but did not do this often so Brian would help

We spent over 2 hours filling up 4 boxes then I drove Brian home. We each
carried a box each to there room. Mary opened the door and we walked
in. "Brian put the things in your cupboards. He looked strange. I gave Mary
50.

"Never ask me to help in that way again. Take this money to keep you going.
There is enough food to last a few weeks."

Mary looked at me, "You know someone who will pay this much to spend time
with Brian?"

I sat telling her that just because who I was did not mean I would help in
becoming a pimp for her son. I broke the honesty I had, I mean the truth
came out and I wish it had not.

"Mary, Brian is so special. You asked me last night and I lied. He means a
great deal to me but I will not see another do to him what you believed I
would, I lied when I said I am not attracted to him. Up to that moment that
was true but after what he told me what section 2 was I felt so angry? I
bring these things to you for no other reason than I will not see you go
without. Who decided on section 2?"

"Well I have to get the money from my husband through the court under
section 2 of the Child Welfare policy. So section 2 was simple. He asked me
what would happen? I told him. I was surprised that he never cried when I
told him. It was I who was almost sick at the thought of my son naked with
a man. I know children are taken into care if they are not looked after but
I did not know what to do."

I told Mary to think again. I drove Brian back to the Arcade to get
changed. I was angry with myself because I watched out of the corner of my
eye when he undressed. I could feel the anger at the thought of a man doing
things with this boy. The anger was even more pronounced when I saw my face
in the mirror. The part that I never saw was Brian looking at me while I
watched him. I closed up for the early day and decided to drive Brian home.

"One day will you show me where you live Nathan?"

So, was I mad? I took a detour. I had a house built just out of town. "Hit
that red button Brian." The iron gates opened. I did not mean to show off
but Brian had been my first visitor. I parked in the Garage then took him
into the house. The small fountain trickled water. It was just like a
waterfall. I made us both a drink and we sat to admire the house.

"Its best you not tell anyone that you have been back to my home. You know
what people say so if they new you had been here then they would think only
one thing."

"Nathan can I ask you a question please? I saw you looking at me while I
changed."

"Oh I am sorry"

"Would you like to be with me? Now I know what will happen I would not mind
if you did. No one has made my mum smile like you did today. You have done
so much. You said its best that no one knows well if we did anything then
who is ever going to know. I heard you tell mum how much you cared for me;
well maybe I care the same."

I watched this boys actions. He was almost at the stage when I could not
say anything. Brian I wondered if he knew how he made me feel. I walked
towards him saying that it was best we made a move before something
happened that we both would regret. I went to get the keys to the car.
Brian was still sitting on the floor. He had slipped his sandals off.
"Don't lets go just yet? I have never been in a house like this. I want to
remember and admire it."

I looked out of the window. I turned back to find Brian was missing. I
called his name. I heard him respond. He did need the bathroom after all.

"Nathan I am here upstairs. I am saying for the final time, I want you. Do
you need me? I thought that I would be scared of this but it's different. I
do want you to be the one. Can we just talk?"

I agreed to talking so Brian came down to join me. Mary had done such a
good job bringing him up. For the first time we held hands. The hug stopped
the talking.

"If it that wrong for a man to want a boy then when he is told that the boy
wants him? What happens? I would love to stay with you. Mum told me what
would happen. I am not scared thinking about it, what's strange is that I
want this? I would stay with you for a while and no one will ever know. I
promise you that I wont even tell my mum. Shall I undress while you watch,
or would you rather do it yourself? I will change into what I have to wear
at work. I think its funny because I like you a lot. I like you that much,
it's enough for you to be the man who shows me what this is all like."

I decided to leave. "I better call mum then to let her know I am on my way"

"Hello Mrs Moore, Brian here, can I talk to my mum please? Hi mum I have an
early start tomorrow shall I come home or I can stay at Nathan's he has a
spare room but he said I should ask you?"

I went to grab the phone but before I could the words goodbye mum, I love
you." The phone was replaced



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Part 2 the long night will follow

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