Mark Allan Gunnells is thirty-one years old and lives in his hometown of Gaffney, South Carolina, with his lover of four years. He has a degree in English and Psychology, and has held an eclectic variety of jobs including janitor, college administrator, retail clerk, social worker, and security guard. Writing remains his true passion and ambition.

Morgan Gayfriend pushed through the swinging double doors into the lounge. It was small and cramped, filled nearly to capacity. There was a soda machine, a snack machine, a payphone, and a magazine rack. There was no television or windows. There were three couches and four chairs set about the room. Most of the seats were taken. Morgan stood by the soda machine then spotted a single empty seat, on one of the couches between an overweight woman with glasses and a tall gangly man in a suit and tie.

Morgan crossed the room and squeezed into the empty space.

"Hi," the overweight woman said, looking up from her magazine and smiling pleasantly. "I'm Gloria Fatfriend."

"Morgan Gayfriend. Nice to meet you."

"Hey, I'm a Gayfriend, too," the gangly guy said, perking up. "Ralph Gayfriend."

"Yeah, there are a lot of us Gayfriends around," Morgan said with a laugh.

"We are a very popular breed," Ralph said, a playful grin blossoming on his face. His eyes were a light blue, his hair dark and wavy. Morgan felt a strange tingling down below, which alarmed and confused him.

Flustered, Morgan turned to Gloria and asked, "What are you reading?"

"Accounting magazine," Gloria said, holding the periodical up for Morgan to see. "Part of my back story is that I'm a CPA. What about you?"

Morgan just shrugged and said, "I have a lot of cats."

"That's it?"

"Yeah, that's all they gave me."

"I know what you mean," Ralph chimed in. "I work in an office. A vague, unspecified office. I know I wear a suit and have casual Fridays, but what I actually do at that office is anyone's guess."

"Well, my Alpha is trying to start her own business," Gloria said, "so my being an accountant is sort of crucial to her storyline. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have as detailed a back story as I do."

"What kind of Alpha do you have?" Morgan asked.

"Meg Ryan type, brainy, cute, sweet to the point of causing nausea. "You?"

"Big-hearted, model looks, bit ditsy. Think Jessica Simpson with a tad more brain power. How about you, Ralph? Tell us about your Alpha."

Ralph grimaced and said, "A Janeane Garofalo."

Morgan and Gloria both groaned and offered looks of sympathy.

"Tell me about it," Ralph said. "It's all bitter rantings and political grandstanding. Sometimes I just want to slap the girl and tell her to lighten up."

"Well, you can't pick your Alpha," Morgan said.

"Luck of the draw," Gloria added.

The chatter in the room died down when the intercom cut on with a loud click. A disembodied voice announced, "Ralph Gayfriend, please meet your Alpha at the Corner Deli. She has just been passed over for a promotion and needs a supportive ear."

"Damn," Ralph said, reluctantly getting to his feet. "I smell a sexism-in-the-workplace tirade coming on."

"Good luck," Gloria said, turning her attention back to the accounting magazine in her lap.

"It was nice to meet you, Morgan," Ralph said, holding out his hand.

Avoiding eye contact, Morgan shook the other man's hand, his skin electrified by the brief physical contact. His heart was pounding and sweat beaded on his forehead. He wasn"t sure what was happening to him.

"See you again soon, I hope," Ralph said, taking back his hand with reluctance and crossing the room. Morgan watched him go, enjoying the way his body moved under the suit, until Ralph pushed through the doors.

"Need a bucket for that drool?" Gloria asked with a giggle.

"What, no, I wasn't, huh," Morgan stammered, a blush creeping into his cheeks.

Gloria looked as if she were going to tease Morgan some more, but then she just said, "So, how many cats you got?"

Morgan flopped down into one of the lounge's chairs, exhausted. His Alpha had been expecting her boyfriend to propose, but instead he'd just asked her to live with him. Morgan had been on the phone with her for three hours trying to calm her down.

The lounge wasn't very crowded at the moment. It was lunchtime, a very busy time for sidekicks. Looking around at the generic faces in the room, Morgan was surprised when he spotted Ralph Gayfriend sitting in the corner, magazine lying forgotten across his lap. Ralph was staring directly at Morgan.

Morgan raised his hand in a wave. Ralph smiled and motioned him over.

"So we meet again," Ralph said as Morgan took the chair next to him.

"Small world," Morgan said with a lame laugh. "Seen Gloria Fatfriend lately?"

"She was in here earlier. She's having lunch with her Alpha to look over some business papers."

"Cool," Morgan said, wishing he had Gloria here to act as a buffer.

"Gotten any more of a back story?" Ralph asked, tossing the magazine onto a nearby table.

"No, not really. Still got the cats, you know. I met my Alpha in college, so apparently I have a degree."

"In what?"

"Don't know. Not relevant to her storyline."

"Too bad," Ralph said. "You seem interesting enough to support your own storyline."

Morgan smiled, thanked him, and looked away.

"Do I make you uncomfortable?" Ralph asked.

"No, not at all," Morgan said too quickly, then said, "Well, yes. A little. It's just that, I mean, I'm not supposed to feel. . .the way you make me feel."

"You're attracted to me?" Ralph said.

Morgan hesitated before nodding.

"Nothing to be ashamed of. I'm attracted to you, too."

"You are?" Morgan asked, astonished.

"Of course. Those dimpled cheeks, that shy smile, that perfect ass. What's not to like?"

Morgan's face was burning, and he was sure he must have turned as red as a fire engine. "It's just, well, I've never had these types of feelings before."

"I understand," Ralph said. "Sidekicks are usually asexual beings, without libido."

"Speak for yourself," said a young woman sitting on a nearby couch. She had bottle-blonde hair teased into a helmet, short skirt, and a low-cut blouse that showcased her impressive cleavage. "I have quite a healthy libido."

"Forgive me, Mona," Ralph said. "I said usually. Most sidekicks are asexual, but not all."

"Damn straight," Mona said, taking lipstick from her purse and reapplying. "I'm no eunuch."

"Who's that?" Morgan asked in a hushed voice.

"That's Mona Sluttyfriend," Ralph said. "She's got a point, though. While sidekicks are usually asexual, we are not sexless. We're not neutered. We do have the potential for attraction, for romance, for love."

"Really?" Morgan said, meeting Ralph's gaze, allowing the wall that kept his emotions at bay to crumble.

Ralph smiled and placed a hand on Morgan's knee. "Absolutely."

It was Valentine's Day, which meant most of the sidekicks had the day off. The lounge was packed, and Gloria was unable to find a seat. She stood with her back against the side of the payphone, scanning the crowd for Morgan or Ralph.

"Excuse me," she said to a large man with dark skin and a bald head. "I'm sorry, I know we've met but I forgot your name."

"Lamar Blackfriend."

"Yes, Lamar, hi. Have you seen those two guys I"m usually hanging out with in here, Morgan and Ralph?"

"Oh, you didn't hear?"

"Hear what?"

"Those two guys, they got their own storyline."

Gloria was stunned silent for a moment. This was not unprecedented, but it was rare. "Their own storyline, wow. When did this happen?"

"Yesterday, I think. They applied for a storyline, and they were approved. Got last names and everything."

"Good for them," Gloria said with a smile, warmth spreading throughout her body. Things like this gave a sidekick hope.

The intercom cut on, bringing the room to a hush. "Gloria Fatfriend, please report to the Reassignment Office. A gay couple has an opening for a new Faghagfriend, and you have been personally requested."

With a smile, Gloria pushed through the swinging doors.