Page 24 of Don't Point at the Moon

“Adele,” said Mitchell.

“Adele?” said Tommy, stumbling on the path. “Seriously? Out of all the fabulous new millennial divas, you pick Adele?”

“Yours?”

“Beyoncé.”

“You do know she’s older than Adele, don’t you?”

“Mitchell, she is a goddess. That girl not only sings and dances, but has acted. Did you not seeDream Girls? She’s the whole package. More than. Untouchable. Preferred cocktail?”

“I don’t drink much, and then only wine. But if I had to choose I’d go with gin and tonic.”

Tommy mimed a yawn.

“Mine’s Moscow Mule,” said Tommy. “The local convenience store used to stock small bottles and cans of ready cocktails, most of them sugary sweet and disgusting, all except Moscow Mule in a blue and silver can, which was sublime. But they seem to have phased them out. Sorry. Off topic. Favourite animated movie of all time?”

“Toy Story.”

“Mine too. Which one?”

“All of them.”

“You have to pick one, Mitchell.”

“Why?”

“Because the question is which movie, not which movie franchise.”

“All right then. Three.”

“Wrong. Four transcends them all.” Mitchell huffed aloud, but Tommy noticed him smiling fully this time, clearly enjoying the repartee. “Okay. Last question. What’s your preference. Top, bottom, verse or side?”

Mitchell quietened then, and Tommy thought he might have overstepped. Before he could ask a different question, Mitchell answered.

“No preference, really. Versatile, I suppose.”

“I see.”

“What about you?”

“Whatever gets me laid.”

“Heavens. Such high principles.”

“We did agree to honesty. But that’s my last question. So today’s your lucky day. You get to ask five burning questions of yours truly. No holds barred.”

Scents of salt and seaweed mixed with a faint undercurrent of diesel wafted off the sea. Neither pleasant nor unpleasant. Mitchell cleared his throat before beginning his own mini-interrogation.

“Favourite Asian movie with a gay theme?”

“Easy.The Iron Ladies. Thai movie. Matchless.” Devon had put him onto the classic, which had become a firm favourite.

“Oh. I haven’t seen that one.”

“Really? About a Thai men’s volleyball team that includes gay and transgender athletes? Based on a true story? Fabulous.”

“Never seen it, but it’s now on my watchlist. Mine’sHappy Together.”

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