October 2013 – “Stephen Fry” – Breakfast with Fry by Paul Evans

Breakfast with Fry

by Paul Evans

… so after AJ specifically instructed me to book the Eastern Standard Kitchen’s private dining area for brunch – which I dutifully did – I’ve just been publicly humiliated for doing so by the same man! I am so angry. But AJ is a direct, red-meat, patriotic success. I am his apologetically English subordinate. Impotent arousal fuels my shame. With pressurised facial capillaries, I negotiate an alternative (but undoubtedly more public) table while our guest recharges himself outside with another cigarette.

Boston’s ‘Kitchen’ is my favourite place for brunch, although I rarely get the opportunity. Its voluminous space (standfast the private area which prompted the recent claustrophobia jest from our celebrity), long bar and bulbous ‘Spielberg UFO’ lighting are paradoxically homely; while the reassuringly pricey and slick menu is reflected by the clientèle.

October 2013 – “Stephen Fry” – The Relative by Simon Evans

The Relative

by Simon Evans

The night before my husband’s hip operation was the last time I felt happy. We were watching ‘QI’ and Harold had turned to me and said “I thought Stephen Fry was dead. Didn’t he commit suicide?” It had really tickled me – Harold’s head was always in the clouds and his grip of the world of celebrity was loose at best. We had both laughed at his faux pas but I had seen the anxiety in Harold’s eyes, he hated hospitals and he’d never been in for an operation before.

Harold had fractured his hip when he had stumbled down the steps into our cellar. He had just popped down to grab a bottle of red to go with our Chilli.

October 2013 – “Stephen Fry” – Duo by John Pilling

Duo

By John Pilling

I was motivated to commence this little biography by reading a quote from Mr Stephen Fry. He said, “You are who you are when nobody’s watching.”

I rather liked that, his acceptance of the radical difference between the identities we show to the world and the ones we know ourselves to possess, has always struck me as admirable. I imagine he must be a most honest self aware person in order to originate something so true. The trick is, of course, to be happy with the “who you are” bit.

My own case however, is somewhat different to that postulated by Mr Fry. I have my public face as is normal, but privately I have two faces. Two distinct personalities who happily coexist symbiotically, my own and that of my “alter ego” Jeb.

October 2013 – “Stephen Fry” – MISSING: 9 YEAR OLD GINGER TOM by Martin Bolton

MISSING: 9 YEAR OLD GINGER TOM

by Martin Bolton

Hello.

What are you doing here?

I just thought I would say hello.

Hello. I didn’t think I would see you again.

You’re looking a bit dishevelled. What happened to you?

I’ve had a few beers.

 Look at the state of you. You’ve got a rip in your sleeve.