The daily serial fictional based on Chicago's Boystown neighborhood: Boystown series by Danny Bernardo

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12. One-Minute Man

Tyler felt like a scratched CD: "Do you have a minute to support gay marriage?" "No," said the stroller mom in yoga pants. "No," said the mousey, secretary girl. "Nein," said the German tourist, wearing socks and sandals. It was a world of "no" and Tyler was getting sick of it. He didn't kn

12. One-Minute Man
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Tyler felt like a scratched CD: "Do you have a minute to support gay marriage?"

"No," said the stroller mom in yoga pants.

"No," said the mousey, secretary girl.

"Nein," said the German tourist, wearing socks and sandals. It was a world of "no" and Tyler was getting sick of it. He didn't know what was worse, the people who actually said "no" or the ones who walked past him with their sunglass-earbud blinders on. He'd been stationed at Chicago and State today and lunch couldn't come quick enough. As he explored his options in this foreign part of town, he saw a shining beacon that he hadn't seen since he left Ohio: Chick-Fil-A. As he feasted on the buttery chicken goodness that reminded him of home, he couldn't understand why people were staring at him. As patrons and employees whispered about him, pointing at his HRC t-shirt, he quickly gulped down his waffle fries and left the restaurant, confused.

"Do you have a minute to support gay marriage?"

"No," said the tight-jawed, mature woman, with eighty Bloomingdales bags.

"No," said the androgynous chain-smoking art student with purple hair.

"No," said the Nordstrom's Rack employee on a smoke break. Usually Tyler couldn't wait to get home from work, but there was some weird tension going on for the past couple of days. It seemed like Charlie and Hunter were avoiding each other and whenever they were all together nobody said anything to anyone. Tyler began to wonder if it was something he had done or if everyone was going to move out and he'd be left homeless. He hated the weirdness and he hoped there was a way he could turn it around.

"Do you have a minute to support gay marriage?"

"No," said the busy businessman on his way to a lunch meeting.

"No," said the Mormon missionaries as they scurried past.

"Sure," said the hot hipster boy with inked forearms, ear gauges, and a Huck Finn smile. "As long as you support it."

Tyler was actually blushing. "I do. Of course I do."

"Good," said hot hipster. "Then your minute starts now. Pitch it."

"Well the Human Rights Campaign has worked tirelessly to ensure that marriage equality is at the forefront... "

"That's great, but I want to hear why you support gay marriage. Sell me on it. And that's forty seconds now."

"Well... um... " God, what was Tyler supposed to say? "It's a basic human right. There's a separation of church and state in this country and a religion or a moral code shouldn't keep one group disenfranchised. The gay rights movement has mirrored the civil rights moment since its inception, and just as interracial marriage was illegal not even forty years ago... "

"Boring. Dude. Why is gay marriage important? To you?"

"Well... honestly... because I want it. I do. Call me old fashioned or traditional but one day, I want a husband. And a family. I know it's not very sexy, I know I should probably be going out every night, getting completely trashed, and hooking up with random guys. And maybe I will, who knows. But what I really want... is a guy to come home to. A guy I call home. And whether I find it or not, I should at least have the basic human right to commit to him if I do."

Hot hipster smiled. "Sold." He grabbed Tyler's clipboard and started filling it out. Tyler noticed that the ink extended into his hands, the word "queer" spelled out on his right knuckles. After a few moments, hot hipster handed the clipboard back and started rolling a cigarette.

"Thanks, Andy," smiled Tyler, checking the clipboard for hot hipster's name.

"Anytime... "

"Tyler."

Andy smiled right back. "Tyler."

As Andy lit his cigarette, Tyler double-checked the clipboard. "Oh wait. You only filled out your contact information. You forgot payment options and credit card info."

"Oh, I plan on supporting gay marriage by trying to find it. Are you man enough to help a guy look?"

This time, Tyler knew he was blushing. "Um, yeah. Yeah I am."

"Good. So you know how to get a hold of me. I look forward to it." Before he turned to go, he snatched the Chick-Fil-A napkin that was peeking out of Tyler's pocket "Oh and Tyler, you probably shouldn't be eating at Chick-Fil-A if you're pushing marriage equality."

"Why? It's my favorite place and I'm so glad there's one in the city!"

Andy shook his head, chuckling, as he started off. "Gay marriage. Chick-Fil-A. Google them together. Then tell me what you think on our first date." And he was gone.

"Do you have a minute to support gay marriage?"

"No," said the over-hairsprayed mulleted woman from the suburbs. But Tyler didn't give a fuck. Someone had and now, he had his first date.

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