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As you can tell, I am in the writing mood again. I think it is because I have done something about the boredom that comes with being retired at 42. I have started a home based cruise travel agency. I have gone back to my real love and I love talking with people about cruise vacations. If you are thinking about a cruise or know someone who is, check out my website www.cruisense.com. I'd be happy to help you get out on the ocean and experience some of things you have read about in Sojourn.
Thanks for all the emails. They really keep me motivated. Feel free to drop me a note at pnskid61@cox.net. Happy reading, Dan
Sojourn Chapter 46
Ethan was excited after his call with Geoff. A-1 would be back with him again. Of course he moaned about the runway situation at Pensacola again and the drive to Mobile, but it was worth it. The 777 was his baby. He practically tackled Rick when he arrived back home from his secret mission with Adam. He told Rick about the calls and the plans and that A-1 was coming back to the family.
"Babe, I am so excited for you and the plans you are making for Resolve," Rick said with as much enthusiasm as he could muster. There was no way he could match the exuberant Ethan. "I was wondering if I could be involved in the plans for Resolve. I know I don't have much experience but I am a quick learner and I want to contribute."
Ethan hugged Rick and told him he could do anything he would like. They discussed the various options and it was decided what Rick would do. Rick's mood soared since he now had something to do besides sit around the house all day. He would also have the chance to learn from a man that he admired and loved. Ethan was not only his lover and soulmate, but also his mentor - on so many levels.
Brent Connor arrived for dinner at the condo with a bottle of wine and some flowers. He hugged Ethan and greeted Rick warmly. Adam of course had Brent wrapped around his finger in a matter of minutes.
Brent's wife had died of breast cancer 5 years before and he had not remarried. Truth be told, he was lonely and had immersed himself in his job. He had very few friends in Washington, well not real friends. He had "Washington friends" which were people that befriended him because they wanted something. Being with Ethan, Rick, and Adam was one of the most enjoyable evenings he had had in years. Even the simple food, meatloaf, au gratin potatoes, green beans, and rolls, was wonderful since it was home cooked. The causal and laidback atmosphere was a pleasant surprise. People with staggering wealth like Ethan's were usually a bit uptight. This was certainly not the case here. Ethan was a regular guy with a loving family. Brent thought to himself that the religious right should see the love that was so obvious between Ethan, Rick and Adam. How could anyone say it was wrong?
Ethan shared his plans with Brent and outlined where he thought there would be some obstacles. Most of the obstacles would be with Pensacola and the old guard that ran things. Ethan had already spoken with the Governor and had his full support. With Brent onboard he would just push ahead - with or without the support of the local politicos. The meeting with the mayor had been cordial but Ethan didn't feel he had full support. It wasn't because his plan wasn't good for Pensacola. It was precisely because it WAS good for Pensacola. Change was something that scared people to death in local government. Ethan's plan would change Pensacola dramatically. With Brent's agreement, it was decided to have a press conference on the 20th of December to announce the plans. Brent would attend the press conference. If the mayor wanted to be present, great. If not, great. The public would love the plans and Pensacola needed a good kick in the butt.
The evening came to an end far too quickly. Ethan asked Brent what his plans were for Christmas. He said he would be at home in Pensacola and would have a quiet dinner and an early night. Ethan wouldn't hear of it. Before Brent could protest, he had an invitation to join Ethan and the gang for Christmas dinner. Rick added his pleas but then the secret weapon was used. Adam went up and gave Brent a hug and said he was glad he would be there for Christmas. Case closed.
Sean came by the next day and was fully briefed on the plans. Ethan also talked with Sean about the security needs and Sean agreed fully. He would go to Las Vegas and meet with Aztec Turner Security the next week and get the ball rolling. R-1 would be back from Ft Lauderdale and Kevin and Sheila were ready to fly again so they would make a day trip out and back. Ethan said that Rick would probably go along as well if he could get a meeting set up with Turner Construction for the same time.
Sean then went over some additional business including the latest with Ruth and the bowling alley over in Destin. The update shocked Ethan and without further discussion they got in the BMW and drove over to Destin to talk with Ruth.
They arrived at the bowling alley in a little over an hour. The work on the exterior had been completed and signage had been erected. The new carpet and lighting had also been installed. The automatic scoring system and screens were in on about half the lanes. It was mid-afternoon so it was fairly quiet. Ruth was working the front desk when Ethan and Sean arrived. She visibly stiffened at the site of the two guys.
"Hi Ruth. Was wondering if you could take a few minutes to meet with Sean and me. I reviewed the financial reports and have a few questions," Ethan asked.
With that Ruth led the two guys into the small office. "Well, let's get to it. What is the problem," Ruth mumbled looking down at her desk.
"Ruth, I guess congratulations are in order. It looks like your business has really picked up in the last few months. But, I do have some questions regarding the donations you are required to make to the local battered children's charity and the Human Rights Campaign," Ethan said.
"Yeah, so what's the problem," Ruth said now with a firmer tone looking at Ethan directly in the eyes.
"You are required to donate 25% of your gross to these organizations - 15% to battered children and 10% to HRC. I don't know what is going on but you are well exceeding those minimum amounts."
For the first time that Sean could ever remember, he saw Ruth soften. He had known her for many years and she was always belligerent and hard as nails.
"That is right Ethan. As you said business has been good. I first do the calculations that you required in the contract. As you know those are based on gross takings. Well, I realized that my new business is because of the improvements that have been made and because word got out I was making donations. Believe it or not, I now have a gay bowling league here on Wednesday nights. They are such great customers. So I decided that I would add 10% of my net to the minimum required."
Ethan was stunned. He had been sure it was simply because of a mathematical error. He never thought he would be hearing this. Not from this woman that spewed venom from every pore in their last meeting. Awkward silence filled the small office.
"Ethan, I owe you and Sean an apology for my behavior the last time we met. I owe Rick an apology for years of being a bitch. And Adam, well, I don't know how I can ever begin to apologize for what I did to that boy. I realize now that I was very unhappy. I was so busy feeling sorry for myself and lashing out at everyone that I couldn't see that I was the cause of my own misery. Well Butch and me together were the cause I should say. He wasn't any good for me except for giving me all the drama I seemed to crave. I left him. I moved in with my sister until I can get a place of my own. I am trying to make a new start Ethan. You helped me with that. Giving me the opportunity here with the business. I not only want to apologize but say thanks."
Ethan again was speechless. Was this woman for real? He looked directly into her eyes looking for a sign. He observed her body language. All he got was a calm energy. Good karma. She was for real.
"Ruth, I am sure you understand that I am totally shocked. I am sure you will also understand if I am hesitant. Our interactions up this point have been very unpleasant. I want to believe you but it will take a little time. As far as apologies go, the best way to do that is to continue with what you have been doing. As far as apologizing to Rick and Adam, well that isn't for me to say. I will say that it is utterly inexcusable what you did to Adam. He never asked for anything from you but love. He is the most wonderful boy I have ever known. He is smart, funny, incredibly mature and overflowing with love - despite what he has been through. I will tell you this without any hesitation, I would give all my wealth and my own life to protect that boy. Nobody will ever do to him what you did. I won't allow it," Ethan said with a bit more edge than he meant.
Ruth had tears streaming down her cheeks. "Ethan, I have lost a daughter and now a grandson. I would do anything to turn back time and do it all over again, but I can't. I can only move on and hope that someday I can be forgiven."
With that Ethan and Sean got up, thanked Ruth for her time and wished her continued success. The drive back to the condo in Pensacola was filled with conversation and theories on what caused the change in Ruth.
When Ethan got back to the condo he gave a full report to Rick. Rick sat and listened. The anger he felt for Ruth surfaced again. He saw firsthand what life was like for Adam when he was with her. He couldn't so quickly accept that she had changed. Ethan hugged Rick after an outburst of swearing, arm waving, and stomping around.
"Well, that was impressive, feel better now?"
Rick looked at Ethan and with a hard face and thin lips said, "yes, and can I have my academy award now. Best dramatic performance of the year - Rick Stephens." Rick then snapped his fingers and did a brilliant chicken neck.
That broke the tension they hugged and laughed. "Ethan, I need to absorb all of this but I promise I will give it some consideration. Thank you for telling me."
The next few days consisted of constant conference calls, emails, faxes, and fed ex deliveries. The condo was buzzing with activity. Rick did get a meeting with Turner Construction and joined Sean out to Las Vegas. Rick was so excited upon his return. He had a chance to have lunch with Ron Turner and his partner Matt as well as Ron's brother, Tyler. Turner Construction had some drawings already prepared which would be ready for the press conference. Rick sat in on part of the meeting with Aztec Security and while he was not happy with the idea of having security people around he could tell they would be in good hands. Following Ethan's approval, the security team could be in place by mid-January.
The morning of the press conference, Ethan had a last minute conference call with the PR team in Ft Lauderdale. Immediately following the Pensacola press conference, a general release would be issued covering the Pensacola announcements as well as the deployment plans for Liberty and Aspire. Liberty would spend the winter and spring in New Orleans going to the Western Caribbean and the summer and autumn in Philadelphia going to Canada and New England. Aspire would be based in San Diego offering a series of 4,5, and 7 night cruises to Mexico. Somehow they had managed to keep everything under wraps. No leaks. Ethan was on a high as he and Rick left for the press conference.
The press conference was being held at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Pensacola. The room was filled with local dignitaries as well as press from as far away as Atlanta, New Orleans, Tampa, Miami, and all the major communities within a six hour drive of Pensacola. They didn't know what they were about to hear but assumed it had to be something big. US Representative Brent Connor, the mayor of Pensacola, and the Lt Governor was on the front row. At 2pm, Ethan began the conference with a statement.
"Good afternoon. Thank you all for coming today. I have some announcements to make that I believe will be a great start for Pensacola in this new century. We are blessed with gorgeous beaches, a pleasant climate, a low cost of living, a strong military presence, and a diverse community. But we are always in the shadows. We rarely lead in anything. We usually just sit and wait for things to happen. The downtown restoration is a perfect example. Half done and not even half way successful. Our Bayfront auditorium is decaying and a blight on the waterfront. Our port is under utilized. Our tourism industry is stagnant. We are often called the redneck Riviera because we don't do anything to attract people from afar to visit us here. I'd like to change that.
As you all know, the past few months have been a bit challenging for me and the Compass family. The loss of Quest is an example. She now sits in Mobile awaiting a tow back to Europe for scrapping. But I have always refused to be a victim. I believe that out of every bad thing comes something good. Ladies and gentlemen, Quest isn't going back to Europe, she is coming here. Well, close to here anyway.
For years we have been trying to get one of the retired naval ships to be sunk off our coast to be used as an artificial reef. An artificial reef promotes a healthy marine eco system as well as attract tourists for the fantastic fishing opportunities. I have established a foundation which is charged with establishing such a reef. The foundation has applied for the state and federal permits and I am pleased to say we have the full support of our congressional representative and our Governor to make this happen. I am donating Quest to this effort where she can be a productive participant in the revitalization of Pensacola's tourism. I am also paying for all the clean-up work required to make Quest ready to assume her new final home 23 miles off Pensacola Pass on the floor of the Gulf of Mexico. I estimate we will need 3 to 6 months to get the required approvals and work completed.
I mentioned earlier our port facility. Anybody here who has seen it will surely agree. It is a miserable excuse for a port. We have made half-hearted efforts in the past to get a cruise ship based here. Jacksonville, Tampa, New Orleans, Galveston, Port Canaveral have all become year round homes to cruise ships while we sit around and talk about it. Who they are talking with about it I don't know because I know that Compass has never been approached by any official from Pensacola. And ladies and gentlemen, the recent announcement that Mobile will become a year round home to a cruise ship is an embarrassment. Why are we second fiddle to Mobile? We have the beaches close by. We have great restaurants. We have good nightlife. We have low cost airfares thanks to AirTran serving our great city. But we sit around and wait for things to happen. Lack of guts and leadership and a love of the status quo is why it hasn't happened. Well, I for one am tired of being passed by. I am proud of Pensacola and am willing to do something about it.
Starting in late March, I am pleased to announce that I will be basing one of our new ships here at the port of Pensacola. Compass Cruise Line's Resolve will make 4, 5, and 7 night cruises from the port of Pensacola. The 4 night cruise will call at Cozumel, Mexico, the 5 night cruise at Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, the 7 night cruise will add a day in Key West.
I am willing to invest in Pensacola. But I need Pensacola to step up as well. I am willing to build a new passenger terminal at the port and a hotel on the site of the old Bayfront Auditorium. As you can see in these drawings, the buildings are very attractive and draw on the architectural styles of old Florida. The hotel will also include meeting facilities and a retail and entertainment complex that will draw people into downtown Pensacola. It will serve Pensacolians as well as our visitors. I am not asking for any money from the city or state to fund the building of these facilities. I am going to personally fund the $35 million dollars for both of the facilities. What I am asking for is a lease on the land. The citizens of Pensacola should know that the current revenue generated from this land is less than 10% of what will be generated in tax dollars with the new facilities. Not to mention the benefit to the economy of the 300+ jobs that will be directly linked to the facilities. Furthermore, the economic impact generated from a cruise ship being here is enormous.
Before we send Resolve out on her regular voyages, Compass will be hosting an open house for the citizens of Pensacola. Over 3 days the citizens of Pensacola will be able to take a tour of their new ship. The Compass website will be updated soon with a sign-up mechanism for these tours. Additionally, Compass will host two, one night celebration cruises. The guests of these cruises will be selected from a raffle drawing. A $10 donation will get a ticket for the drawing. These two cruises will give 3,600 lucky people a sample of what a longer cruise onboard Reslove will be like. All proceeds from the raffle will go to Appetite for Life which provides fresh meals to people with AIDS in our county. I am guaranteeing a minimum donation of $100,000 to this wonderful organization.
Then, we will have a two two-night cruise for local volunteer organizations, police, firefighters, and paramedics. My team will work with these organizations on the details. I am so grateful to the caring and brave people that give up their time to help others and who put their lives at risk to protect us from harm. This is a small way to say thanks. My life partner, Rick Stephens, the Director of Pensacola Operations for ENW Enterprises, will be overseeing many aspects of the new construction. Other members of the Compass team will be making themselves known to the community over the next few months. Many of the citizens of Pensacola will be joining the Compass family through the hundred of jobs that will soon be available. I would like to say to them now, welcome to the family.
So what are the numbers for the Pensacola economy? In a full year of operation, Resolve will have 68 departures from the port of Pensacola. Each cruise will carry 1,800 passengers. That works out to over 122,000 people that will pass through Pensacola each year. Staying in hotels, parking their cars, flying into the airport, eating in our restaurants, using our taxis, spending money here in our town. Of course I need to buy tons - and I mean tons - of fuel 68 times a year. I have to buy food to feed 122,000 people 4 meals a day plus snacks. Lets see that would be 4 meals a day times 365 days in a year times 1,800 people onboard - that is food for 2.6 million meals. I also have a crew of almost 1,000 and they have to be fed and clothed and they will spend money here as well. The cruise industry estimates that each homeport call by a cruise ship adds, $750,000 in business revenue to the local economy. So with 68 homeport calls the potential impact is $51 million per year. Once Quest is in place and the fish have moved into their new home she will generate another $8 to $10 million per year. Anyway you look at it, $60 million per year just arrived in Pensacola including jobs for hundreds - thousands when you look at the ripple impact. I haven't even started to calculate the benefit of having a new waterfront hotel and retail/entertainment complex.
I am ready to make this happen. To invest in this community I love and I call home. To make Pensacola what it can be. We need our local officials to make this happen. We need to move quickly so we can welcome our new guests to Pensacola starting in 8 weeks. I need the city to give its immediate approval for the lease so work can begin on a temporary structure and I also need them to provide expeditious approval to the plan for the longer-term work we need. I don't mean think about it, I mean do it.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I believe we have opened a new chapter for our great city. Thank you for coming today and I will be happy to answer any questions you have."
After a few seconds of quiet, applause erupted. This was followed by a barrage of questions which Ethan easily fielded. By 3:30pm it was all over. Ethan and Rick were on their way back home holding hands as they passed over the 3 mile Pensacola Bay bridge, through Gulf Breeze and over the final bridge to the beach.
Pensacola had been changed forever by two gay guys in love. Irony defined.
Authors note - no, this isn't the end. :-) Christmas is just a few days away for our guys and I am sure there will be some surprises. We have to check in with Kevin and Sarah soon and of course we have the launch of the 3 new girls too. Rick and Ethan have a lot to do. A new house, a nanny, and a new cruise terminal and hotel to build - never a dull moment with these guys.