Mister Yummy

[raggedyman79]

Just finished "Mister Yummy" in BAZAAR OF BAD DREAMS. As a gay man, I'm always happy to see SK include positive LGBT representation in his works, rather than simply as objects of scorn or ridicule or victimization from other characters. How Ollie represents himself and is observed by the other characters is such a far cry from the casual homophobia of the cops interrogating Don Hagarty in IT, or even the asexual nature of Bill McGovern in INSOMNIA. I love watching how SK's fiction reflects the changing trends in the real world and his own personal growth as a writer and a storyteller.

 

[doowopgirl]

As a hetro woman with gay friends, I totally agree with you. Also a story with great heart.

 

[kingricefan]

This is a very powerful, and yet quiet story. I lived thru the 'gay plague' times when AIDS was killing off thousands of gay men. Nice to see that King got it right by saying that lately the scholars and/or researchers are now seeing what a blind eye the Reagan administration turned on the gay community when the epidemic was wiping us out. I will never forgive Reagan (and his administration) for this. The gay community was begging for the government to step in and help when this epidemic began, was identified and it was understood by healthcare professionals how it was transmitted to others, and it took years for the government to finally 'see' that there was a problem and that 'they' needed to do something about it before it got into the heterosexual community. By then thousands and thousands of gay men had died horrible and painful deaths. I had friends who were there one day and then disappeared the next, shuttled away to a hospital to slowly die after weeks of horror. I'm sure King did lots of research before he wrote this tale, and I am happy that he didn't make out his gay character to be angry and spiteful. He gave Ollie and sense of dignity and I thank Steve for this. I really enjoyed this story. I was very pleased to see that Steve 'dedicated' this one to Michael McDowell, a very fine writer who was also a victim of AIDS. Read one of his books, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Dana Jean]

This is a very powerful, and yet quiet story. I lived thru the 'gay plague' times when AIDS was killing off thousands of gay men. Nice to see that King got it right by saying that lately the scholars and/or researchers are now seeing what a blind eye the Reagan administration turned on the gay community when the epidemic was wiping us out. I will never forgive Reagan (and his administration) for this. The gay community was begging for the government to step in and help when this epidemic began, was identified and it was understood by healthcare professionals how it was transmitted to others, and it took years for the government to finally 'see' that there was a problem and that 'they' needed to do something about it before it got into the heterosexual community. By then thousands and thousands of gay men had died horrible and painful deaths. I had friends who were there one day and then disappeared the next, shuttled away to a hospital to slowly die after weeks of horror. I'm sure King did lots of research before he wrote this tale, and I am happy that he didn't make out his gay character to be angry and spiteful. He gave Ollie and sense of dignity and I thank Steve for this. I really enjoyed this story. I was very pleased to see that Steve 'dedicated' this one to Michael McDowell, a very fine writer who was also a victim of AIDS. Read one of his books, you won't be disappointed.

The movie, The Band Played On (a reference to the Titanic. As the ship was sinking, it was said the "band played on.") is a informative look at the Aids epidemic and the arrogant fight between the Americans and French to claim the t cell findings. And Reagan refused to speak a word about it. A very rich FEMALE woman got AIDS from a blood transfusion and they had to start talking about it. Because it wasn't just a gay disease. A terrible waste of lives.

 

[kingricefan]

The movie, The Band Played On (a reference to the Titanic. As the ship was sinking, it was said the "band played on.") is a informative look at the Aids epidemic and the arrogant fight between the Americans and French to claim the t cell findings. And Reagan refused to speak a word about it. A very rich FEMALE woman got AIDS from a blood transfusion and they had to start talking about it. Because it wasn't just a gay disease. A terrible waste of lives.

And let's not forget that Nancy Reagan was very good friends with Rock Hudson (the first big 'star' to die from it) and when it was found out that he had AIDS she refused to associate with him again. So, it's not like the Reagans didn't know someone with the disease, they just turned their back on him (and us).

 

[Dana Jean]

And let's not forget that Nancy Reagan was very good friends with Rock Hudson (the first big 'star' to die from it) and when it was found out that he had AIDS she refused to associate with him again. So, it's not like the Reagans didn't know someone with the disease, they just turned their back on him (and us).

ABsolutely.

 

[Pucker]

Okay ... I'll be the straight guy in this discussion. (or do we say "heterosexual"?)

I was in my 20s through most of the '80s and remember what we thought of -- not as any epidemic that should concern "us" -- but as the AIDs "scare." Easy to see the foolhardiness of that through the prism of experience, but I was a kid then, and less concerned with larger societal issues than I am now. I can't speak for all heterosexuals, but it seemed to me then, as it does now, that it was a very specific thing that could easily be avoided through the simple expedient of not being stupid in a few very specific ways.

There were horror stories, to be sure; urban legends to some. This one got it from a blood transfusion. That one contracted it at the dentist. But I seem to recall not really worrying about it very much. Which I guess can be portrayed as an indifferent attitude toward "those people." Shoot me, I was a child.

On a lighter note -- if one belongs in this thread -- I did find that line about going from the love that dare not speak its name to the one that won't shut up pretty funny.

The truth is, as far as the story goes, I barely noticed the orientation within the larger imagery of beauty (and memory). It was there, but it wasn't holding a parade (so to speak). Ultimately what I took from this story centered mostly around that idea of people having remarkably sturdy illusions. I was reading a commentary in a popular New York tabloid the other day which remarked, among other things, on the irony of a culture which reviles -- for example -- Charlie Sheen for ignoring one of those simple things he could have done to avoid the predicament he finds himself (and may have placed others) in; while at the same time holding up a guy like Magic Johnson as a "survivor." Not sure what it says, but it says something.

In short (as if I am ever short), I think even now we have a long way to go as regards open discourse on what is still a troubling subject. Else why would a reasonably intelligent guy like me still think a "parade" reference would be the least bit amusing in a discussion like this?

I'll tell you why: Because I am a product of my age, after all, and have remarkably sturdy illusions.

Fire away!

 

[kingricefan]

Okay ... I'll be the straight guy in this discussion. (or do we say "heterosexual"?)

I was in my 20s through most of the '80s and remember what we thought of -- not as any epidemic that should concern "us" -- but as the AIDs "scare." Easy to see the foolhardiness of that through the prism of experience, but I was a kid then, and less concerned with larger societal issues than I am now. I can't speak for all heterosexuals, but it seemed to me then, as it does now, that it was a very specific thing that could easily be avoided through the simple expedient of not being stupid in a few very specific ways.

There were horror stories, to be sure; urban legends to some. This one got it from a blood transfusion. That one contracted it at the dentist. But I seem to recall not really worrying about it very much. Which I guess can be portrayed as an indifferent attitude toward "those people." Shoot me, I was a child.

On a lighter note -- if one belongs in this thread -- I did find that line about going from the love that dare not speak its name to the one that won't shut up pretty funny.

The truth is, as far as the story goes, I barely noticed the orientation within the larger imagery of beauty (and memory). It was there, but it wasn't holding a parade (so to speak). Ultimately what I took from this story centered mostly around that idea of people having remarkably sturdy illusions. I was reading a commentary in a popular New York tabloid the other day which remarked, among other things, on the irony of a culture which reviles -- for example -- Charlie Sheen for ignoring one of those simple things he could have done to avoid the predicament he finds himself (and may have placed others) in; while at the same time holding up a guy like Magic Johnson as a "survivor." Not sure what it says, but it says something.

In short (as if I am ever short), I think even now we have a long way to go as regards open discourse on what is still a troubling subject. Else why would a reasonably intelligent guy like me still think a "parade" reference would be the least bit amusing in a discussion like this?

I'll tell you why: Because I am a product of my age, after all, and have remarkably sturdy illusions.

Fire away!

Thank you for your POV. I get it. But, being a heterosexual during this time period, you didn't see what was happening to the gay community. How devastating it was, wiping out thousands of men who (at the time) had no idea how they got this disease. I watched a healthy 22 year old man waste away to nothing in a matter of weeks and die. His parents never came to see him when they found out he had AIDS and was dying. Even before the health care professionals understood how it was transmitted, hospitals had to beg nurses, doctors, etc. to come and work in the AIDS wards. Not many wanted to. There was such a prevailing fear back then, when it was known how the disease was spread. Anyway, I didn't want this thread to be hijacked and turned into a huge discussion on the politics of how the AIDS crises was handled. I apologize to the OP for this.

 

[OldDarth]

Loved the story. It should have been the one to close out the collection.

 

[GNTLGNT]

...this was a beautifully drawn story, and his featuring of a gay man as "'just another character" if you will, spoke volumes to his growth as a scribbler....I also grew up in the ignorance and fatal homophobia of the Gipper Era, and have confessed elsewhere on this Board that I was ignorant and intolerant for a time-until I got to know a number of the LGBT community, which has enriched and changed my life for the better....it's like I told a very dear friend friend of mine, when he "came out" to me-"as long as you're not trying to kiss me on the mouth, it's all good!"...."I just want you to be happy, and I'm tickled you finally have accepted what I knew for a very long time."....

 

[kingricefan]

...this was a beautifully drawn story, and his featuring of a gay man as "'just another character" if you will, spoke volumes to his growth as a scribbler....I also grew up in the ignorance and fatal homophobia of the Gipper Era, and have confessed elsewhere on this Board that I was ignorant and intolerant for a time-until I got to know a number of the LGBT community, which has enriched and changed my life for the better....it's like I told a very dear friend friend of mine, when he "came out" to me-"as long as you're not trying to kiss me on the mouth, it's all good!"...."I just want you to be happy, and I'm tickled you finally have accepted what I knew for a very long time."....

Scott, will you marry me? Purely platonic. I just want the legal and tax benefits of marriage and I know of no other straight man I would love to spend the rest of my life with....(apologies to your missus)

 

[GNTLGNT]

Scott, will you marry me? Purely platonic. I just want the legal and tax benefits of marriage and I know of no other straight man I would love to spend the rest of my life with....(apologies to your missus)

...sure old friend, but you'll have to pitch in for a new bed....even though "Queen" size seems appropriate-a California King would probably be in order-we Rollers like our stretching and snuggling space.....

 

[kingricefan]

...sure old friend, but you'll have to pitch in for a new bed....even though "Queen" size seems appropriate-a California King would probably be in order-we Rollers like our stretching and snuggling space.....

Oh, luv, we won't need a bed......we can just push the furniture up against the walls and use the floor....

 

[king family fan]

...sure old friend, but you'll have to pitch in for a new bed....even though "Queen" size seems appropriate-a California King would probably be in order-we Rollers like our stretching and snuggling space.....

Oh, luv, we won't need a bed......we can just push the furniture up against the walls and use the floor....

you two hit my funny bone. I couldn't stop laughing.

 

[carrie's younger brother]

Oh, luv, we won't need a bed......we can just push the furniture up against the walls and use the floor....

Get a room you two!

Spoiler

 

[Christine62]

I loved this beautiful story. I kept waiting for a shoe to drop and it didn't. No violence, not even fear. It was a lovely story--may be my favorite.

 

[Rrty]

I read this story just last week. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Great writing. As Christine62 says, not a big plot, but it was exciting nevertheless. A quiet ghost story that examined the psychological effect of impending death. Which makes it quite scary, in a sense; however, there is no denying its mellow approach, as well.

 

[raggedyman79]

Thank you for your POV. I get it. But, being a heterosexual during this time period, you didn't see what was happening to the gay community. How devastating it was, wiping out thousands of men who (at the time) had no idea how they got this disease. I watched a healthy 22 year old man waste away to nothing in a matter of weeks and die. His parents never came to see him when they found out he had AIDS and was dying. Even before the health care professionals understood how it was transmitted, hospitals had to beg nurses, doctors, etc. to come and work in the AIDS wards. Not many wanted to. There was such a prevailing fear back then, when it was known how the disease was spread. Anyway, I didn't want this thread to be hijacked and turned into a huge discussion on the politics of how the AIDS crises was handled. I apologize to the OP for this.

No need to apologize. I like that my post invited you and others to share their stories. That's the point of a message board, right?

 

[skimom2]

Thank you for your POV. I get it. But, being a heterosexual during this time period, you didn't see what was happening to the gay community. How devastating it was, wiping out thousands of men who (at the time) had no idea how they got this disease. I watched a healthy 22 year old man waste away to nothing in a matter of weeks and die. His parents never came to see him when they found out he had AIDS and was dying. Even before the health care professionals understood how it was transmitted, hospitals had to beg nurses, doctors, etc. to come and work in the AIDS wards. Not many wanted to. There was such a prevailing fear back then, when it was known how the disease was spread. Anyway, I didn't want this thread to be hijacked and turned into a huge discussion on the politics of how the AIDS crises was handled. I apologize to the OP for this.

Even a few years later, a diagnosis was terrifying. A very good friend was diagnosed with HIV in the early 90s, and I remember even then being shocked and going into pre mature mourning. We'd just lost so many friends less than a decade before. For very long, he put his life on hold, waiting for the other shoe to drop, but treatment has advanced so much. Russ is still going strong nearly two decades later. It's a blessing.

 

[kingricefan]

Even a few years later, a diagnosis was terrifying. A very good friend was diagnosed with HIV in the early 90s, and I remember even then being shocked and going into pre mature mourning. We'd just lost so many friends less than a decade before. For very long, he put his life on hold, waiting for the other shoe to drop, but treatment has advanced so much. Russ is still going strong nearly two decades later. It's a blessing.

It's definitely not the death sentence that it was when it first started, but it is still a huge problem. People need to be aware and use protection while having sex. It is a very bad problem among black gay men, something like 1 in 3 have been diagnosed as having HIV.