The phrase in parentheses is explaining that he wants a burger and not to have sexual relations with 5 men. It acts as an “anti” circle like the anti sea bear circle in the SpongeBob episode. So using the phrase to communicate that he wants a burger and not hot steamy man on man on man on man on man on man sex, clarifies to the reader that the author is not gay.

For me there was a couple wild suspensions of disbelief that just didn’t work. Earning enough cash from an afternoon of playing randoms at chess in the park to afford a full on suite at a decent hotel downtown Toronto. And the police just letting them go, no license, no identification of any kind…

I did really enjoy Toronto in general and thought the main plot was strong enough, but agree the romance was unnecessary and also think the dialogue needs some work.

It immediately felt so right that I committed half an hour to really figuring out what this was and how it all worked. Okay to be fair I only kind of know how it all works