Free The Breath of Night by Michael Arditti

– I will be cutting off his dick – if he has one – and feed it to my dog.’
    ‘If you had one,’ Max muttered.
    ‘He shows me box and says “Here is written:
Do not go out in sun for one week.
Have you done this?” I tell him I do not go out to beach, right? I do not lie by swimming pool with sexy girls. But is February; is sun. Will I walk in street with bag on top of my head? And he tells me “yes”. Just like this. “Yes.” And I spit. I spit on floor and inside heart.’
    ‘Don’t panic,’ Max said. ‘It’s not permanent. A couple of weeks and you’ll be right as rain.’
    ‘How am I to do work? How am I to do show? How am I to pay for bed?’
    ‘Well, as to that, I told you about Philip.’
    ‘This afternoon I give massage to rich
kano
. He is telling me I have sickness. Me, Dennis! Feel!’ He flexed his biceps, at which Ray shot out his hand. ‘No, you!’ He turned to Philip, who tentatively patted the muscle. ‘Are you wishing for boy?’
    ‘No!’ Philip replied, taken aback. ‘Strictly a ladies’ man.’
    ‘I am best masseur in Manila. I have testaments from many world-famous persons. Ask them,’ Dennis said, pointing to Ray.
    ‘But I thought you were a dancer.’
    ‘Of course I am dancer. First am I dancing and then I am giving massage.’
    ‘Dennis is a big star at the Mr Universe club,’ Ray said.
    ‘You’re a go-go dancer?’ Philip asked incredulously.
    ‘I am macho dancer,’ Dennis said, as though refuting a slur.
    ‘Dennis is also running messages sometimes for my sons,’ Ray said, giving his arm an approving squeeze, which Dennis shrugged off, albeit mildly enough to keep his options open.
    ‘Grub’s up!’ Max said, wheeling in a trolley. ‘Sausage and mash, to remind Philip of home.’
    The school-dinner menu made the meal even more incongruous . In-between mouthfuls, Philip recounted his mission to Ray and Dennis, the former reflecting on the contrast betweenthe multitude of Christian saints and the handful of Immortals in his own tradition of Taoism, while the latter reserved his interest for Julian’s murder charge.
    Conversation was interrupted by a robotic announcement: ‘Will the owner of the black BMW please proceed to the lobby.’ Philip started as Dennis pulled out his mobile phone.
    ‘You see, I am best driver in Manila.’ He glanced at the number. ‘Business!’ He turned to Max. ‘I take this in bedroom.’
    His familiarity with the flat confirmed Philip’s suspicions about his relationship with its owner. Ray’s account of their first encounter now sounded all too precise.
    ‘So what do you think of him?’ Max asked, as Dennis went out.
    ‘You didn’t mention that he was a gay go-go dancer.’
    ‘He’s not.’
    ‘All right, a dancer who go-goes with gays.’
    ‘Of course, if you feel threatened.’
    ‘I don’t! As long as he’s up to the job, the rest of his life’s no concern of mine.’
    ‘You won’t regret it, and the moment you do, he’s out on his ear.’
    Dennis returned, greeting the news of his engagement with a shrug, as if the slightest expression of gratitude might be seen as weakness.
    ‘Now I am leaving,’ he said. ‘I have business.’
    ‘What business?’ Max asked.
    ‘Just business. You will text me soon, yes?’ he asked Philip.
    ‘I’ll get your number from Max.’
    ‘I will show you to my sister.’
    ‘I’m sorry? Why?’
    ‘You are saying you do not like boys.’
    ‘I know but –’
    ‘Then you will be liking her. She is much like me, but more good and not so smart.’
    ‘I’m here to work,’ Philip said, scenting danger.
    ‘Of course you have work. All people who come to Manila have work, but I also bring them to have good time. I am best guide in Manila; I am best driver; I am best bodyguard. All famous persons, they come to Manila and ask for Dennis.’
    ‘Really?’
    ‘I can see you are famous person too.’
    ‘Thank you.’
    ‘And how am I seeing this? Because you ask for