Page 109 of Rhymes with Metaphor
Joel read “The Taming of the Faun,” sounding as though he were its author, not just its inspiration.Joel had a lovely, deep, and resonant voice, but inhabiting Reg’s words, he sounded ethereal and mesmerizing.He was an absolute natural, inserting pauses of the perfect length, emphasizing words gently when needed and forcefully when the situation called.The background muttering of the crowd died to silence, sustained while Joel followed with “Elements.”
Good fucking grief.
Reg had never felt so proud of him.
Joel finished, and the room filled with applause.Joel and Reg exchanged a private smile.
“Sounded like you enjoyed that just as much the second time around,” said Reg.
“I did,” said Joel.
They made their way back to their table and took their seats, Joel moving his chair closer to Reg’s.
Martin mouthedCorruptedat Reg.
Reg caressed Joel’s back.Martin stared at Reg’s hand, but Reg didn’t stop.
Over the course of the next twenty minutes, students from Reg’s program came over to congratulate him and ask him where he’d been hiding himself all semester and to tell Joel how much they’d enjoyed his performance.One, a slight man in a shabby chic suit, came to their table, nodded at Martin, then addressed Joel, “Vic Finnegan.Hi.”
“Hello,” said Joel.
“I need a narrator for my audiobook, and you’ve got the perfect voice for it.Are you available?I’ll pay you.”
“What would I have to do?”said Joel.
“You read the book in a recording studio,” said Vic.
“We’ll have to discuss this in more detail and get back to you,” said Reg.“Do you have a card?”
“What are you?”said Vic.“His manager?”
“Yes.Card?”
Vic gave Reg his card, and Reg glanced at it and put it in his pocket.The man left.
“You manage me, do you?”said Joel with a mischievous smile.
“I do now,” said Reg.“I don’t want my babe in the woods at the mercy of wolves.”
“It’s not a scam,” said Martin.“Vic was the golden boy of my program.He landed an agent last semester.I’ve read his book.It’s brilliant.That’s a huge opportunity, Joel.”
“That sounds interesting, Joel,” said Juliet.“But you don’t want it to interfere with your studies.School starts next week, remember.”
Joel looked uncomfortable.
“We should make our way,” said Reg.
“But, Joel, I’ve hardly seen you,” said Juliet.
“You’re seeing me now,” said Joel.
“We haven’t had a chance to catch up,” said Juliet.“Let’s have lunch.”
Afterwards, as Reg and Joel were walking in the dark to Reg’s car, Reg said, “You didn’t tell her you’ve dropped out.”
“It’s not the right time.”
“I’m not surprised you were scouted for that audiobook.You could bottle your voice and sell it at a premium.It’s liquid caviar.You read my poems so beautifully.”
