ILLICIT OBSESSIONS.

(I apologize, if there are any spelling mistakes, and grammar errors.)

By Dwight Barrett

Antonio stood in front of his blank canvas that laid there on his easel. He couldn't think. He had a lot on his mind that day. Antonio worked for an art gallery downtown for five years. He was a 24 year old artist who had a lot of going for him. One of his paintings were sold for almost $100 000. He lived in a luxurious studio apartment in the heart of the city. With all the work he was doing, of course he was single.

He felt frustrated. It was raining outside. The sound of the rain bouncing of his window was driving him crazy. He then dropped his paint palate an brush on the table next to him and plopped on the couch. He reached over for the remote control that was on the coffee table and turned on the television.

As he began flipping through the channels, the phone began to ring.

"God, who is it now?" he groaned.

As he was about to reach for the phone, he stopped. He then turned back and laid on the couch.

"Let the machine take care of it." he uttered as he continued flipping channels.

After the occasional "beep", someone began to call his name impatiently.

"Yo Tony! Tony! Pick up the phone! I know you're there Antonio. Pick it up the phone!"

Unenthusiastically, Antonio reached over for the phone and picked up the receiver.

"What do you want Greg?"

"Tony, you know that last painting you did with the silhouette of the woman?"

"Yeah," Antonio said scratching his head on the thought. "Why?"

"There's a client who wants to buy your painting for $6000." Greg said.

"Wow, that's great." Antonio said sarcastically as he continued flipping through the channels. He landed on channel 64, the adult channel. It was after eleven clock in the night and as usual, they were showing an adult film. Antonio watched as a young blonde continued to stimulate the two men that stood in front of her.

"What do you mean wow that's great? What your problem?" Greg asked. He then heard the moaning and groaning of the blonded hair women as she shouted, "Give it to me!" on Antonio's extension.

"For crying out loud, Antonio, would you stop watching the porno channel and pay attention to what I am saying!"

Antonio, realizing what Greg was hearing quickly flipped the channel.

"Listen I'm not in the mood right now, okay?" Antonio said, "I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"What do you mean, you're not in the mood?" Greg asked.

"Listen Greg, I am not in the mood for talking. Comprendeh? Antonio moaned.

Greg let out a sigh on the other end of the line. "Okay. Fine then. Tomorrow, but do you don't sound so right."

"I'm just exhausted." Antonio said.

"Okay then, later." Greg said as he hung up.

"Yeah later." Antonio said as he did the same. He then turned off the T.V. and dropped the remote beside him. He then got up and stood in front of the window. He watched as the rain drops smashed themselves onto the parked cars on the street below like pebbles. The moon began illuminating his dark, smooth face. Antonio turned away form the window and headed for his bed as he began switching off all the lights on his away. As he climbed up the stairs towards his bed, he turned off some more lights. He then turned on the lamps that was beside his bed and began to take off his shirt. He threw his shirt on the floor and sat on the bed to take off his socks and pants. He pulled himself under the covers and reached to turn to turn off the lamp. He laid there with his hands behind his head staring at the ceiling.

He began to talk to himself.

"Antonio, I think, it is time for you to find a girl. Don't know when, who, where, or how, but you need someone."

He sighed again went off to sleep.

" You know, you've been acting really weird lately." Greg told Antonio as he was lifting barbells.

"I'm just tired," Antonio said while going down on his last push up. "There's so much work to be done and all."

Greg looked at him skeptically. "Yeah, right."

"What do you mean yeah right?" Antonio asked as he walked over to the bench press machine.

"Please Antonio. Work's not the problem, it's something else." Greg speculated. "Dated any girls lately?"

"Why do you want to know?" Antonio asked defensively.

"Heh! Chill on the attitude okay, " Greg defended himself. "I was just asking one simple question."

Antonio began to stare at a woman who using the stair master. She was wearing a blue flourescent spandex and a black cut off top. She had medium length black hair and had a nice voluptuous body. He watched as her sweat percolated out through her chocolate smooth skin, Her sweat glisten under a flourescent light that was suspended on the ceiling above her. She looked great.

Greg noticed Antonio staring at the woman.

"She looks nice eh?" he asked Antonio.

"Yeah she's alright." Antonio said while wiping face with his towel.

"Go over and ask her name," Greg insisted.

"I can't." Antonio said as he sat up on the bench.

"What the hell's wrong with you! Look at her!" Greg said grabbing Antonio shirt and pulling him off the bench. "She's got it going on. Talk to her!"

"Okay, okay, you freak of nature I will." Antonio said as he began to walk towards to the woman. The woman noticed him coming her way and smiled at him.

Antonio approached her.

"Hi."

"Hi yourself." The woman said as she gave a warm smile to Antonio.

Antonio began to get nervous. "So what's your name?"

She replied warmly. "Natasha, and yours?"

"Antonio."

"That's a nice name, " she said as she got off the Stair master. "You work out here a lot?"

"Ah, yeah. Three times a week." Antonio replied trying to hide his ego.

"I can see ," Natasha said as she stared at Antonio's arms.

Greg meanwhile, began to walk towards one of the weight machines so he could ease drop on Antonio and Natasha's conversation. After his 20th rep, Greg notice that they wee still talking.

"At a boy." Greg said as he stood there watching.

Ten minutes had passed, and Antonio decided to sit on a bench next to Natasha.

"So are doing anything tonight?"

Natasha glared at him with a grin. "No, why?"

"I don't know may be we can go to the movies are something, that's if you would like to go with me." Antonio said has he began staring at the floor.

"That'll be really nice but I'm not so sure if I can go." Natasha replied.

"Oh no pressure." Antonio said lifting his face from the ground and staring into Natasha's face.

"It's not that, but I don't know if my...."

Antonio immediately cut in. "Oh, your boyfriend. I'm sorry ............."

"No it's not my boyfriend. I don't have a boyfriend." Natasha began explaining.

Antonio's eyes widen at the response of her having no boyfriend.

He interjected again. "Oh it's your parents? I'm sorry. I know how parents can be overprotective with their daughters and everything and...wait a minute how old are you anyway?"

"Twenty five, and it's not my parents." Natasha replied getting a bit frustrated.

Antonio began to scratch his temple with a puzzled look on his face. "Then who?"

Natasha pointed her finger at someone who was on the floor doing stretch exercises. It was a tall skinny woman, who was at least twice Natasha's age. She was wearing a white head band around her head.

Antonio was confused. He still didn't understand.

"It's a woman." Antonio said half confused. "What is she, your girlfriend or something?"

"Yeah, she is," Natasha said. She then approached Antonio. "I'm a lesbian."

There was then a sudden burst of laughter. Antonio recognized that hysterical and laugh and turned around. Greg was on the bench holding his stomach laughing. Everybody in the gym turned and looked at Greg. Antonio's face soon turned a quick pale. He felt as if someone turned his body thermostat on 100 degrees Celsius.

He quickly turned to Natasha.

"Well it was really nice knowing you Natasha," Antonio said shaking her hand. He saluted to her like a soldier and walked quickly over to the notorious laughter that was coming from Greg's mouth.

"Bye," Natasha said smirking. "By the way, tell your friend, that he should control himself. He might wet himself." She then walked towards her girlfriend.

"I wish he did." Antonio said between his teeth. He then approached Greg. "Shut the hell up Greg!" Antonio grabbed his gym bag and headed for the locker room.

Greg picked up his towel and followed him. "Oh come on Antonio, at least lesbians find you attractive." Greg continued laughing more hysterical than before.

Antonio tried to ignore him, but who could? Greg had one of those laughs that turned everybody's head. If Greg's laughing was used for laughing voice in comedy shows, he would definitely make a lot of money. Obviously, Greg decided to make his money another way.

* * * * * *

Antonio and Greg entered the lobby of the art gallery museum.

Antonio walked up to the secretary. "Any messages for me?"

"Just Larry asking you when would you will be able to complete the next painting." the secretary replied handing Antonio a piece of paper with the message on it.

Antonio thanked the secretary and headed towards the elevator doors.

Greg stopped him by the doors. "Tony, I totally forgot. We have another client that will be coming here for one of your paintings."

Antonio sighed with grief. This kicked in his sarcastic persona. "Great! Who? How much for? And what time?"

"This client is a woman who'll be here at one o'clock. I'm not quite sure how much she wanted to buy your painting, but I heard she's quite wealthy." Greg said.

"Great, " Antonio moaned. "Another rich person buying my work."

"What's wrong with you? You're so god damn sarcastic and depressing." Greg protested as he began walking down the corridors. " It's making me sick!"

"Just leave me alone okay?" Antonio said.

"It's the lesbian, isn't it?" Greg asked.

"No, I'm okay. I just need a vacation." Antonio said as the elevator doors opened.

Greg looked at him oddly. "Yeah, you and everybody else in this institute of a place. Remember one o'clock in the gallery."

"Yeah, I'll remember." Antonio said as walked into the empty elevator. The doors closed. The elevator stopped at on the fourth floor and Antonio got off. He walked with his briefcase in his hand to his office. As he opened the door he began unloosening his tie. The door propped open and Antonio flung his briefcase on his desk. He sat behind his desk in front of his computer screen.

He sighed once more, and went off to work.

One o'clock had arrived. Antonio had missed lunch, and was trying to accomplish a lot of work.

Antonio looked at his watch.

"Shit, the appointment!" Antonio said. It was five after one, and Antonio wasn't finished on the work he was presently doing. He quickly gathered some files and papers and fled out his office ignoring to close his door. As he fled, he heard the elevators opening. Antonio, shifting into first gear, raced towards the doors. Just made it! As he was in the elevator, he had realized he forgot one paper, but simply ignored it. Antonio quickly pushed 1. The elevator doors opened in to the a giant, spacious illuminated room of the art gallery. The art gallery was filled with exhibits, both paintings and sculptures. The art gallery was of a beige colour as spotlights suspended over each exhibit illustrating every detail of it. Antonio hurried into the front entrance. When he realized that his appointment had not arrived yet, he stopped and quickly gasped for air.

He looked at his watch.

1:09 p.m.

Antonio began to fix himself. He adjusted his tie, and fixed his jacket in front of a mirror wall that was beside the elevator.

Suddenly, the elevator bell rang, and the doors slowly opened. In there, stood a woman with two large men at each side. The two men were all dressed in black with long leather jackets that reached to their knees. One was a Latino man, who was clean shaven. His shoulders were broad, and his arms were thick and muscular. His was hair slicked back ( obviously, he used too much moose) and his torso was perfectly shaped. It was obvious he had worked a lot. The other man was black who had a goatee and was bald. He was of the same shape like the Latino man, but he had a small stub ring in his right side of his nose. Both wore sunglasses and stood there stiffly as if there were statues.

The woman walked out of the elevator first, with her "guard dogs" following right behind her.

She approached Antonio.

"Hello, my name is Simone Jackson, I'm here for an Anthony..or Antonio Madison.."

"Antonio Madison, that's me. " Antonio said metamorphosizing into a professional business person. "You're here for the painting?"

"Yes I am. " She replied. "I'm awful sorry that I am late. I had some other stuff to take care of, and I lost the track of time, and ....."

"Don't apologize," Antonio said comforting her. Antonio continued staring at her. Simone had long black hair that reached her shoulders, ( something Antonio rarely saw in black women.) She was wearing a brown fur coat that enveloped her voluptuous leaned body. Her dark fashionable sunglasses rested perfectly on the contours of her face. Her nose was of a perfect shape. Not too broad, and not too narrow. Her eyes were a light chestnut brown which contrasted her smooth dark chocolate skin. This had Antonio wandering if she was wearing colour contacts, but he couldn't care less. Everything looked good on her. Simone was wearing fire red pumps, that made her seem 6'3. One dominating element of Simone was her age. Simone was 42 years old, but her body still shouted, "25!" Like the lesbian in the gym, (which Antonio tried hard to forget about,) Simone had possessed a voluptuous figure and was very toned. Her dominating, not to forget powerful, exploding features that she possessed on her well toned body also mixed with her femininity, which her made almost like a one in a million (well, according to Antonio.) And Greg was right, Anthony thought, she was rich. Simone, had rich stamped all of her body. Her jewellery and other accessories that she wore made her look financially stabilized, well stabilized!

Antonio began his appointment.

"Yes come this way." he said leading her to his work. He showed Simone all of his work very slowly. Occasionally, they began to have a casual conversation, while still doing business. They finally came to Antonio's painting that he was to sell to her. The painting was that of a man and a woman, who were madly in love. Accents of red, pink, and white dashed over the canvas as the image of the two making love presented in the centre. Birds were flocked across the canvas as the two naked bodies intertwined in what seemed to be a web of lust.

Simone's mouth hung wide open in astonishment. "That's so beautiful! It has so much zeal. I've got to have it. How much?"

Antonio obviously took note of Simone's sudden impulse. "This painting is being sold for 800."

"No, " Simone said firmly. "I'm not buying this picture for $800."

A look of disappointment struck Antonio's face.

"How about I give you 2000 for it?" Simone asked.

Antonio eyes widen. "You wanna run that by me one more time?"

"$2000." Simone said firmly.

"Uh, Mrs. Jackson, that's a very generous offer, but I don't think......"

"What about $3000?"

Antonio gasped for air. "Mamm, please. You don't have to....."

"$4000?"

Antonio began to sweat like a leaking hose.

"You know, what about I raise it to $5000? That'll make you happy wouldn't?"

Antonio looked at the two bodyguards. They stared at him through their sunglasses beckoning him to take the offer.

"Mrs. Jackson, you don't have to this. Please?" Antonio begged.

"$6000?" Simone insisted.

Antonio stood their confused, and dazed.

"$7000?"

Antonio began gasping for air.

"$8000?"

Antonio's mouth became paralyzed as he mouth hung open wide.

"$9000?"

"You don't stop do' you?" Antonio said adjusting his colar. Antonio obviously was uncomfortable. His thermostat was instantly switch from hot to "call the fire department, we have an inferno here!"

"Okay, $10 000? That's my last offer." Mrs. Jackson said as she took out her cheque book from her handbag.

Antonio face was pale. He didn't know if he should take the money or decline the offer. He knew that Simone was filthy rich and she would always have money regardless. However, Antonio then felt guilty because it would be like he'd be using Simone Jackson just because of her financial status. Antonio turned to the two men. They stood there staring Antonio as if he had insulted their mothers or something. They didn't say a thing. They just stood there.

Antonio began to swallow to what felt like a big lump of confusion and took a deep breath. He then uttered the words that his conscious felt what was right. "Sold."

Simone smiled, as she began to write the cheque.

The two men began to smile, but sinisterly.

"Mrs. Jackson, you don't have to this?" Antonio said.

"Please. I like you, and you deserves this. By the way, don't call me Mrs. Jackson. Call me Simone, alright?" Mrs. Jackson said as she rubbed Antonio's arm. Simone began to deeply stare at Antonio. They're eyes locked. Antonio felt mesmerized by Simone's stare.

I like you? Antonio thought. Simone?

"You know you are really handsome man, you know that?" she said, as she quickly looked down and continued to finish writing the cheque.

Antonio began to blush.

Simone smiled at him warmly. As she finished writing her cheque, she ripped it out of her book and handed it to him, with a card.

"Nice doing business with you." she said.

"You too, Mrs. Jackson....uh... I mean Simone," Antonio said staring at the cheque. He then lifted his face towards her. "When are you going to pick up the painting?"

Simone paused for a moment. Her pause made Antonio think about her. He was still bewildered over the cheque.

"Why don't you deliver it to my house?" Simone insisted. She began to go into her purse in search of a rumple piece of paper. She pulled out a pink crumpled piece of paper and took her pen and began to write on it. She then handed it to Antonio. The touch of his hand sent a strange feeling up her spine that her smile at Antonio once more.

"Here," She said. "That's my address. Deliver the painting at my house next Friday. My phone number is on that card. If you have any problems, call me."

"That'd be great," Antonio replied. He took his right hand out of his pocket and shook her hand. "It was really nice doing business with you. Please come again. Wait a minute!" Antonio dug into his breast pocket for his business card. "Here's my card. My business phone number is on there. If you have any problems, don't hesistate to call me."

"I think I will." Simone said softly as she once again smiled at Antonio. She ordered her two men to follow her out of the gallery. As she exited the gallery she gave Antonio a wink. Antonio looked at her and did the same. The elevator doors open and she and her guards entered. They stood face towards the door. As the elevator doors close, Simone gave Antonio one more wink.

He stood there in the gallery alone staring at the cheque.

"My god," he said shaking his head in astonishment. "What a client!"

That night Antonio got home from the art gallery quite late. When he entered into his apartment, he noticed the time on the microwave oven that was in kitchen.

10:09 p.m.

Antonio yawned loudly and took of his jacket. He threw it carelessly on the floor and walked over to his answering machine. He pushed play and listened to the calls.

The first call: "Antonio, it's Greg. We're having an auction Saturday night at the gallery at 8 o'clock. I would have told you earlier on, but the lesbian seems to be on your mind."

Antonio started to screw his face. "Stupid, jack-ass." he muttered.

"Dress code of course is in strict effect. Remember, that's this Saturday. So if you have any dates which I doubt you do, cancel them. I'll see you there, later."

Antonio shook his head with anger of Greg's comment.

"Wait 'till I rearrange Greg's face." Antonio sneered.

The second call: "Hi, Antonio, it's your mother. Don't forget to come over and help me and your father with painting the guest room on Sunday. Remember to buy some paint brushes. Love you. See you on Sunday."

The third call: "Hi. You should pretty soon remember this voice." said a seductive voice on the machine. Antonio immediately stopped what he was doing and walked over to the machine.

He was uncertain. He wasn't to sure whose voice it was. Antonio had received lot's of different voices on his machines, ranging from his mother, to people from Japan wanted to do business with him. He was bad when it came to names and faces. For an artist, one would think that would be a bad thing, but Antonio couldn't care less. He continued to listen to the strange sexy voice on his machine.

"I just phoned just to say that you are one sexy brotha, " the seductive voice said. "Bye." The phone clicked. Antonio stood their watching the machine. Who the hell was that? Simone? Naa! She doesn't have my phone number, Antonio thought. How did this person get Antonio's phone number? Who was she?

Next Time On Illicit Obsessions,

Antonio reached to his office and listen to his voice mail.

"Hi, do you remember me? Did you get my message last night on your machine? I must admit, when I first lay eyes on you, you were something let me tell you. So young, so innocent. Don't think this is over, there is a lot more to come artist boy."

Antonio screwed up his face more in confusion. Who the hell was this woman? Antonio began to think hard. The first person that came to mind was Simone Jackson. It has to be her, Antonio thought. The way she was eyeing me, it had to be her. But what if it isn't? Wait it can't be her! She doesn't have my number!

"We will begin the bidding at $600," The MC concluded.

One person in the audience raised their hand for 600.

"I see 600," the MC began. "Do I see 650?"

Another hand from the audience sprung up.

"I see 650, do I see 700?"

Another hand sprung up from the audience. Each bid the MC offered, a hand sprung up form the audience. Hands were going up like popping popcorn. The bid continued for 5 minutes straight. Antonio face lighted as he saw how many people wanted his painting. The bidding was at now $5000, and people were still bidding.

$5000, Antonio thought. This could be my night!

The bidder continued. "Do I see $5050?"

A voice all of sudden emerged with in the back of the audience. I bid $10 000."

Every body in the room began to turned their head to the voice and began to gasp.

Antonio at first jumped in excitement of the amount some stranger had bided. But something did not sound right. Antonio began to screw his face. The voice, he thought. That voice. It sounds familiar. No. No. It couldn't be? he thought.

Stay in web next time for,

Illicit Obsession

Executive Producer:

Dwight Barrett

Created by:

Dwight Barrett

Written by:

Dwight Barrett

Directed by:

Gee it's kinda of obvious

This has been an:

A Lonely Boy/Confused/

psychotic/ neurotic/

okay shut up already

production.

Copyright 1997.