Full Transcript for QUESTA - Act 1

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00:00:00 Speaker 1: One, two, three. 00:00:01 Speaker 2: Taylor Reid. 00:00:02 Speaker 3: Cuesta. 00:00:04 Speaker 4: Yes. 00:00:05 Speaker 5: Yes. 00:00:08 Speaker 6: Cuesta by Victor Bumbalow. Fade in. Black postcard. It reads 1991. Exterior, New York City, Chelsea. 00:00:17 Speaker 7: Evening. 00:00:18 Speaker 6: A quiet residential area. Brownstones and small apartment buildings. It's an hour after the rain. The street, fairly deserted, is glistening with colored lights reflecting off it. For a second, the street sparkles with a make-believe look to it. This image is interrupted as Paul turns the corner. He is attractive, thin, and in his early 30s. He is running, scared. He instantly slows down when he sees a woman coming down the block toward him. He crosses the street, trying to control his heavy breathing. Paul and the woman pass each other on opposite sides of the street. When he is sure she can no longer see him and no one else is on the street... He rips off his baseball-like jacket, wipes his shirt with it, and buries it in a street corner garbage bin that is already filled. He cleans his dirty hands on his jeans. A car turns a corner. Paul shies away from it. He then turns another corner onto a heavily trafficked street and picks up his pace. Exterior street continuous. Paul passes a store window and sees his reflection. His face and shirt have blood on them. He stares at himself. Dissolve to exterior, head of a young man, same time. The young man is perhaps 21. Some blood drips from his mouth. His head lies in a pool of blood coming from the back of his skull. 00:01:41 Speaker 3: Red. 00:01:42 Speaker 6: Such a vivid red, in contrast to the pale face and the dark concrete. The face is attractive. The face of an all-American boy. The eyes are still open, startled. two old and worn shoes step into the frame. Cut to exterior street a moment later. Paul is running. Exterior, a deserted alley a second later. Daniel, early 40s, is staring at the body. He is a black street person, very, very thin. Daniel is effeminate when he wants to be and ever so butch when he needs to be. The real Daniel disappeared years ago. 00:02:24 Speaker 1: Don't touch anything. 00:02:26 Speaker 6: He slowly backs away from the body. Exterior, in front of Trucking, a gay bar in the village, moments later. A few people in front of the bar watch Daniel as he walks into Trucking. Interior Trucking, continuous. Daniel enters the bar. It is the weekend, so it's fairly crowded. Immediately, a bartender comes over to Daniel. 00:02:48 Speaker 1: Somebody just got killed in the alley, and I saw who did it. 00:02:51 Speaker 6: That grabs the customer's attention. Word spreads. Some laugh, like it might be a joke. Some folks leave, maybe to take a look. Some just study Daniel. 00:03:01 Speaker 1: Shouldn't someone call 911? 00:03:03 Speaker 6: The bartender just stands there. 00:03:05 Speaker 1: If you won't prove, go look for yourself. 00:03:07 Speaker 6: The bartender backs away from Daniel to do just that. Exterior Chelsea, a little later. Paul is hurrying down another street, trying to be invisible to a passerby. He turns a corner and runs up the steps of a brownstone and rings the intercom. The intercom answers. 00:03:24 Speaker 8: It's me. Are you alone? 00:03:27 Speaker 3: Yes. 00:03:27 Speaker 9: Why? 00:03:29 Speaker 6: Interior, one-bedroom apartment in the Brownstone building, moments later. Susan, mid-twenties, whose open-heartedness can be intimidating, goes to answer the door. As soon as she opens the door, Paul pushes past her and starts ripping off his clothes. 00:03:44 Speaker 2: What the hell? 00:03:44 Speaker 6: Paul is half out of his mind, hyper and desperate. His speech is rapid and disjointed. 00:03:50 Speaker 8: We've got to get rid of these. 00:03:51 Speaker 10: What happened? 00:03:53 Speaker 8: Give me something to wear. No, I better shower first. When will Nicholas be back? 00:03:59 Speaker 2: In a few minutes. 00:04:00 Speaker 8: I don't want him to see this. Get me a plastic bag. 00:04:05 Speaker 6: Susan runs out of the room to get a plastic bag for his clothes. 00:04:09 Speaker 2: Then a drink. 00:04:10 Speaker 8: I need a drink. 00:04:11 Speaker 2: You shouldn't. 00:04:12 Speaker 8: I need one. 00:04:14 Speaker 6: Susan comes into the room with the plastic bag. Paul grabs it out of her hands and starts throwing his bloodied clothes into it. 00:04:21 Speaker 2: What happened? The drink. 00:04:22 Speaker 6: Paul is now down to his underwear. He checks his body for blood. Susan goes to a cabinet and pours Paul a drink. 00:04:30 Speaker 8: I think he's dead. Who? The man in the alley. 00:04:35 Speaker 2: Oh, Jesus fucking Christ. 00:04:36 Speaker 6: Paul grabs the drink out of Susan's hand and gulps it. He keeps aimlessly moving around the room. 00:04:42 Speaker 2: What alley? 00:04:43 Speaker 8: I didn't mean it. You believe me, don't you? 00:04:51 Speaker 2: Paul, what are you talking about? 00:04:53 Speaker 8: I killed him. What? I could have stopped, but I didn't. I kept hitting, banging his head. 00:05:04 Speaker 6: Susan, in shock, is just staring at Paul. 00:05:08 Speaker 8: We were in the alley near trucking. Sex sometimes goes on there. Don't look at me like that. It's the only kind of sex I can handle these days. He was younger than me. Bigger. 00:05:22 Speaker 4: Drunk. 00:05:24 Speaker 8: He was finishing peeing. I looked at him and he smiled. He started calling me names. Then he started hitting me. 00:05:32 Speaker 10: Hard. 00:05:34 Speaker 8: Somehow I tripped him or he tripped. There was blood coming from his head. He must have fallen on a rock or something. And I jumped on him. And I grabbed him by the shoulders and kept banging him. Then somebody came towards us and I ran. 00:05:54 Speaker 2: Maybe he's still alive. 00:05:56 Speaker 1: He's not. 00:05:58 Speaker 2: We've got to call the police now. It was an accident. Self-defense. 00:06:02 Speaker 6: Susan quickly

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goes over to the phone and picks it up. 00:06:05 Speaker 8: Did you hear me? I kept banging his head. 00:06:08 Speaker 6: Susan looks at Paul's pleading body and puts down the phone. Interior shower. Minutes later, Paul is scrubbing his skin violently. Interior Susan's living room, a moment later. Susan's husband, Nicholas, comes into the room with a grocery bag. He's an early 30s New Yorker man on the move. 00:06:28 Speaker 3: One grocery store and two delis later. Natural cashews. 00:06:32 Speaker 6: He looks over to his upset wife. 00:06:35 Speaker 3: Hey, what's the matter? 00:06:38 Speaker 10: It's my brother. 00:06:38 Speaker 2: He's in the shower. 00:06:41 Speaker 3: Why is he in our shower? 00:06:43 Speaker 6: Exterior, street in front of trucking, same time. The scene is lit from the lights of cop cars and an ambulance. The young man is now in a body bag. He's being placed in the ambulance. Daniel, holding court, is with detectives and some onlookers. Interior, Susan's living room, moments later. Susan is with her husband. Paul comes into the room and looks at them. 00:07:05 Speaker 1: Paul, this is serious. 00:07:08 Speaker 8: You told him? 00:07:09 Speaker 3: That you got hit drunk and got sick all over yourself? 00:07:12 Speaker 6: Paul is relieved that his sister has lied. They exchange a look. 00:07:17 Speaker 8: I'll bring your clothes back tomorrow. 00:07:20 Speaker 3: You told us you weren't drinking anymore. You said AA was working for you. 00:07:27 Speaker 6: Interior Police Station, night. Detective Ralph Salvadori, a 45-year-old with a weight problem, and his younger partner, Detective Bernadette Kronick, are with Daniel, who is enjoying a cup of coffee and a donut. Daniel is giving instructions to the sketch artist, Jason. 00:07:44 Speaker 1: Are you being cooperative tonight? It's a kinder, gentler me. 00:07:48 Speaker 11: What were you doing back there? 00:07:50 Speaker 4: Pee. 00:07:51 Speaker 1: It's my pissoir. 00:07:53 Speaker 12: Anyway, the two boys were fighting. I thought I'd better take a look. What a good citizen I am. His nose is whiter. 00:08:02 Speaker 6: The sketch looks nothing like Paul. In fact, it looks more like the dead young man. 00:08:07 Speaker 1: Do you think I could have another donut? Maybe a cigarette? He had thicker, blonder hair. Straight. 00:08:15 Speaker 6: Paul's hair is not blonde. Chronic hands Daniel a donut. 00:08:19 Speaker 1: Many, many thanks, darling. What a cute little body you have. 00:08:24 Speaker 6: Interior, Susan's bedroom, later that night. Susan and Nicholas are getting ready for bed. Susan looks out of it. 00:08:31 Speaker 3: Your brother's using Kevin as an excuse to drink. He's playing the widower again. 00:08:37 Speaker 6: Let's just go to bed. 00:08:39 Speaker 3: It's been two years since Kevin died. 00:08:42 Speaker 2: You have some compassion. 00:08:43 Speaker 3: Kevin was my best friend. I lost someone, too. 00:08:47 Speaker 4: I know. 00:08:49 Speaker 6: Susan goes

into the bathroom to get away from her husband. Interior bathroom continuous. Susan closes the door and tries to control her shaking. Dissolved to interior Paul's studio apartment that night. Paul, looking like a frightened child, is sitting up in bed in his darkened apartment. He is dazed and clutching his pillow. Interior, close-up of Lori's face a few days later. Lori is a sensual-looking woman in her early to mid-forties. She looks tired and appears almost drugged. She is staring at something. Dissolved to Interior St. Anthony's Church a second later. Lori, wearing black, is staring at the coffin holding her son. It is in the aisle next to her. Near the coffin is a smiling picture of a young man. It is the dead boy from the alley. the muffled sounds of the mass ending, and the organ playing are heard. Next to Lori are her sister, her brother-in-law, and her uncomfortable teenage nephew. Father Dunn, in his late 70s, is blessing the coffin. He is assisted by Father James, a younger priest in his 40s. Father Dunn and Father James lead the coffin, wheeled by the pallbearers, down the aisle to the church's exit. Lori and her family take their place behind the coffin. The rest of the people file behind the family. It's a very small group of mourners. Interior, Lori's kitchen, late that evening. Lori is wandering around the room aimlessly. Father James sits at her kitchen table in a t-shirt and pants. He exudes too much sexuality for a priest. 00:10:28 Speaker 9: Father Dunn's eulogy was ridiculous. It has nothing of will in it. 00:10:32 Speaker 1: I should have done it. I'm sorry. 00:10:35 Speaker 13: Oh, and his idea of angels, it. 00:10:37 Speaker 14: Father Dunn's spirituality has a touch of Disney to it. 00:10:41 Speaker 13: How the hell did those people get my number? 00:10:44 Speaker 1: Your name was in the paper? 00:10:46 Speaker 9: They called it another gay bashing. I told them they won't be calling here again. My son was not one of them. He wasn't gay. You know that. 00:10:58 Speaker 13: But I think some of the police think he was. 00:11:00 Speaker 1: No, they don't. 00:11:02 Speaker 15: The way his car was parked, the witness said he was just back there peeing. 00:11:08 Speaker 13: Gay, my ass. How we would laugh whenever I made fun of my boss, Richard. 00:11:13 Speaker 1: You gotta get some sleep. 00:11:17 Speaker 13: Why did God do this to me? 00:11:19 Speaker 8: Was it because of us? 00:11:22 Speaker 1: I doubt it. 00:11:26 Speaker 13: Can you stay all night? 00:11:29 Speaker 1: You know I can't do that. But I'll stay a while. 00:11:35 Speaker 9: Your collar is very selective in what kind of comfort it can give. 00:11:41 Speaker 6: Exterior, Chelsea Street, Day. Celia, a white drag queen whose name is Carl when he's not in drag, is sitting on a stoop. Next to him is Daniel. They are sharing a sandwich, watching the traffic, and giving the once-over to the various nannies wheeling their white babies. 00:11:59 Speaker 10: If I was the

witness, I'd at least gotten myself on television. 00:12:03 Speaker 1: As what? The ugliest bitch around? 00:12:06 Speaker 10: As the cutest boy there ever was. 00:12:09 Speaker 1: You were that once, darling. 00:12:11 Speaker 10: But I preferred a dress. 00:12:13 Speaker 1: Hmm. I lied. 00:12:16 Speaker 12: My murderer looked nothing like the description I gave. 00:12:19 Speaker 10: I saw the flyers. He looks like Brad Pitt. 00:12:23 Speaker 1: You got it. That's who I was describing. I love that little white boy. 00:12:29 Speaker 5: I'm over him. 00:12:31 Speaker 10: I'm on to the Johnny Deep. 00:12:33 Speaker 1: Dab? 00:12:34 Speaker 10: Whatever. 00:12:35 Speaker 1: You got no loyalty. It's a severe character flaw. 00:12:39 Speaker 10: Why'd you lie? 00:12:41 Speaker 1: I had my reasons. 00:12:42 Speaker 10: He give you money? 00:12:43 Speaker 4: No. 00:12:44 Speaker 13: Who do you think I am, a criminal? 00:12:46 Speaker 6: Celia is watching a couple of nannies wheeling their babies. 00:12:49 Speaker 10: It's an explosion of babies. 00:12:51 Speaker 1: Everybody's getting them these days. Old people, gay people, lesbian people. 00:12:59 Speaker 6: Interior Paul's studio apartment day. Paul sits on a high stool near his kitchen counter. He is as disheveled as his apartment is. The room is fairly large. One can see what an attractive space this once was, or could be again. Susan is straightening up the room. 00:13:17 Speaker 8: You don't have to do this. 00:13:18 Speaker 6: Susan's not paying attention to him. 00:13:22 Speaker 8: Why do you think he did it? 00:13:24 Speaker 9: Who? 00:13:25 Speaker 8: The witness. His description. You've seen the flyers. They look nothing like me. Maybe he's going to blackmail me. 00:13:32 Speaker 2: Maybe he wasn't a witness. Just somebody who's looking for attention. 00:13:36 Speaker 8: Maybe I should just go to the police. 00:13:39 Speaker 10: No. 00:13:39 Speaker 7: No. 00:13:40 Speaker 2: It might be too late for that. 00:13:43 Speaker 12: The mother. 00:13:46 Speaker 8: I read he's a hairdresser in the village. But the funeral's in Jersey at St. 00:13:50 Speaker 7: Anthony's. 00:13:50 Speaker 2: Please, please stop it. 00:13:52 Speaker 8: I can't. I've been thinking. Thinking. It's a blur to me. I was in such a rage. I need to know if he was dead when I jumped on him. What the hell difference would that make? 00:14:05 Speaker 2: It was self-defense. 00:14:07 Speaker 8: But I kept pounding. 00:14:09 Speaker 6: Silence. Susan sits down, holding in her tears. 00:14:14 Speaker 8: I should have gone right home after it happened. I should have never told you. 00:14:19 Speaker 4: You had to. We never kept secrets from each other. All we have is each other. 00:14:26 Speaker 8: You have Nicholas now. 00:14:28 Speaker 2: I know, but I can't help it. 00:14:29 Speaker 4: I need you more. Remember all those dreams we had after Mommy and Daddy died? 00:14:38 Speaker 2: They were always so similar. 00:14:40 Speaker 4:

When we used to tell them to each other... some of our loneliness would disappear, remember? Let's... Let's pretend we both had a similar nightmare. 00:14:51 Speaker 13: That this was. 00:14:51 Speaker 4: That what this was was just a nightmare. 00:14:56 Speaker 6: Paul sits at the edge of his bed, holding his head. The phone starts ringing. The machine kicks in. 00:15:02 Speaker 1: Hi, it's me. 00:15:03 Speaker 8: Shit, get it. 00:15:05 Speaker 6: Susan, who is nearer to the phone, gets it. Paul stands up and tries to get himself together. 00:15:09 Speaker 10: Hello? 00:15:10 Speaker 9: Hello? 00:15:11 Speaker 10: Hey, it's Ron. 00:15:13 Speaker 2: Oh, hi, Ron. How have you been? 00:15:14 Speaker 1: I'm good. It's my birthday. 00:15:18 Speaker 2: Well, happy birthday to you. 00:15:20 Speaker 15: Thank you. 00:15:21 Speaker 8: Tell him I'm dressing. 00:15:22 Speaker 2: He's dressing. He's dressing. I heard that the restaurant is great. 00:15:27 Speaker 10: Yeah. Yeah. 00:15:29 Speaker 1: Things are going good. 00:15:30 Speaker 6: Paul goes over to get the phone from Susan. 00:15:32 Speaker 8: Sorry I'm running late. 00:15:34 Speaker 1: That's all right. Just get here when you can. 00:15:37 Speaker 10: All right. 00:15:37 Speaker 4: All right. 00:15:38 Speaker 8: I'll meet you there. Let me go. I'll see you in a few. 00:15:41 Speaker 6: He hangs up. 00:15:43 Speaker 2: You are not in shape to go to a birthday party. 00:15:45 Speaker 8: I have to. Bradley's going to be there. He just got out of the hospital and I have to talk to him. It's important. 00:15:51 Speaker 6: Paul starts rushing, looking for something to wear. 00:15:54 Speaker 8: Please don't worry about me, okay? I'll figure something out. But I have to see Bradley. I do. I just wish it wasn't such a blur. Why can't I see it? 00:16:07 Speaker 6: Interior, an upscale Tribeca restaurant, evening. Ten gay men of various ethnic origins are seated at a table. Eight of them seem to be having a good time. The group includes Ron, who is in his 30s and seems to be its leader. Paul is sitting next to Bradley, who obviously has AIDS, given the lesions on his face. They are out of sync with the rest of their friends, having a serious conversation. They get up and head for the men's room. The other men notice, pause for an instant, Then resume their conversations. A man at the next table has been staring at Bradley. Paul and Bradley enter the men's room. Interior men's room continuous. 00:16:46 Speaker 8: I'm sorry. I just couldn't walk into a hospital again. 00:16:49 Speaker 4: I know. 00:16:50 Speaker 1: I shouldn't have been mad at you. 00:16:52 Speaker 5: But I felt like shit and I was bored. 00:16:55 Speaker 14: And I thought we could distract ourselves by talking about old movies. Our gang would know the difference between Joan Crawford and Golda Meir. 00:17:04 Speaker 8: I didn't want to see you there. 00:17:06 Speaker 1: Well, after Kevin died, you volunteered at GM's... At the YMCA? 00:17:11

Speaker 10: Okay. 00:17:12 Speaker 14: After Kevin died, you volunteered at GM's... I. 00:17:17 Speaker 8: Don't want to say that motherfucking H! 00:17:19 Speaker 1: All right. What was the thing that you had trouble with last night? Stanima. 00:17:24 Speaker 10: Stanima. 00:17:27 Speaker 2: He's got great stanima. 00:17:31 Speaker 14: After Kevin died, you volunteered at GMHC. You were in the hospital all the time taking care of people. I thought it was so great given what you've been through. 00:17:39 Speaker 8: That great guy is gone. 00:17:41 Speaker 1: No, he's not. He's standing right in front of me. 00:17:45 Speaker 10: But.... 00:17:47 Speaker 14: I'm not the last person you love who's going to be in the hospital with. 00:17:50 Speaker 1: This fucking disease. You do love me. 00:17:55 Speaker 10: Maybe. 00:17:58 Speaker 13: I should be more understanding. 00:18:00 Speaker 1: I'm sorry, I really am. 00:18:03 Speaker 8: No, no... I should have been there for you. I'm the one who's sorry. 00:18:09 Speaker 1: Are we in competition? 00:18:12 Speaker 8: Of course. 00:18:13 Speaker 6: They look at each other and instantly hug. There's a knock on the door. 00:18:18 Speaker 1: We'll be right out. 00:18:19 Speaker 6: Bradley opens the door. The guy races in, really having to go. 00:18:22 Speaker 4: Sorry. 00:18:23 Speaker 2: Do I know you? 00:18:23 Speaker 12: No. 00:18:35 Speaker 1: Well, you've been staring at me all night. 00:18:38 Speaker 7: I'm Bradley. 00:18:39 Speaker 6: All Bradley's friends are watching. The man turns away from Bradley. The woman at the table bends her head. 00:18:45 Speaker 1: You people aren't very friendly. 00:18:47 Speaker 6: Paul proudly watches Bradley as some of the guys at their table begin laughing. The man raises his hand. 00:18:53 Speaker 4: Check. 00:18:54 Speaker 6: Interior, Richard's Beauty Salon, the next day. It's the last holdout in the village. An old-fashioned beauty salon in an area that is getting trendier. It's a favorite of local people. A mixed crowd. Richard is the owner. He's a well-put-together gay man in his mid-40s. Shy and soft-spoken, he is a kind-hearted survivor. Lori is one of his employees. His other employee is Beth, a purple-haired girl in her 20s. Lori is cleaning her station. 00:19:23 Speaker 5: I went to the demonstration the other night. 00:19:26 Speaker 6: It's ridiculous. 00:19:27 Speaker 13: My son was not gay. 00:19:29 Speaker 5: But the killer thought he was. 00:19:33 Speaker 13: Let's not talk about it. 00:19:34 Speaker 1: I'll leave you alone. 00:19:36 Speaker 13: I didn't say I want to be left alone, Richard. 00:19:37 Speaker 8: I just don't want to talk about my son. 00:19:39 Speaker 10: I'm sorry. 00:19:41 Speaker 6: On Richard, not knowing what to say next. 00:19:44 Speaker 13: Just distract me, okay? 00:19:48 Speaker 5: I went to the club this weekend. The boys were so young. I thought I was the oldest guy there. You're either invisible to them or they resent you for taking up space. I'm at a loss. I don't know what I should do. Any ideas? 00:20:02 Speaker 6: Laurie has not been paying attention to him. 00:20:05 Speaker 13: There's my next customer. 00:20:07 Speaker 6: She leaves Richard, who's feeling helpless. Interior stairway to Paul's apartment, early evening. Paul is carrying a bag of groceries up the stairs. In front of him, also climbing the stairs, is Mrs. Marente, a woman in her mid-70s. 00:20:21 Speaker 11: Damn that elevator. Honey, you look tired. 00:20:27 Speaker 8: Haven't been sleeping well lately. Me either. 00:20:30 Speaker 2: Miss my Tony so much. 00:20:32 Speaker 13: I know. 00:20:33 Speaker 2: Well, I know you know, darling. It's a bitch being alone. 00:20:39 Speaker 7: But I've got my daughter, you've got your sister, your friends. 00:20:45 Speaker 3: We're lucky. 00:20:47 Speaker 11: So they say. 00:20:49 Speaker 8: So they say. 00:20:51 Speaker 6: They smile at each other. They are now standing in front of Mrs. Marente's apartment door. 00:20:55 Speaker 9: Mrs. 00:20:55 Speaker 6: Marente opens her door. 00:20:57 Speaker 11: Give her here. 00:20:58 Speaker 8: Mrs. 00:20:58 Speaker 6: Marente takes her grocery bag. 00:21:01 Speaker 11: What would I do without you? 00:21:02 Speaker 6: She kisses Paul on the cheek. 00:21:05 Speaker 11: Come in for a cup of coffee. 00:21:07 Speaker 8: I'm just going to crash. 00:21:10 Speaker 7: You know what I'm going to do? I'm going to make you some of those almond paste cookies that you and Kevin like so much. 00:21:17 Speaker 2: Knock on my door later. 00:21:18 Speaker 11: I'll have some for you. 00:21:19 Speaker 8: That would be great. 00:21:20 Speaker 6: Tony could take a little. 00:21:23 Speaker 11: He didn't have a sweet tooth. 00:21:26 Speaker 8: But I do. 00:21:27 Speaker 11: I know, darling. 00:21:29 Speaker 6: Interior. Basement of a church. 00:21:31 Speaker 2: Evening. 00:21:31 Speaker 6: The homeless in the area are being fed. Three long tables are set up. About 12 people are eating. The food looks like the worst kind of cafeteria food. Daniel and Celia are being served. After they get their food, they head to an empty table. 00:21:46 Speaker 10: You like my new shoes? 00:21:48 Speaker 1: Where'd you get them? 00:21:48 Speaker 10: Robbed them off a cunt and called me a name. 00:21:51 Speaker 5: Pretty. 00:21:52 Speaker 6: They sit. 00:21:54 Speaker 1: I have a confession to make. 00:21:56 Speaker 10: You want to do drag? 00:21:57 Speaker 12: Never. I seen my little killer before. In that alley? He's the kind of man I've always been a sucker for. You know, The quiet, polite type. He used to smile at me when I said hello. I offered myself to him a couple times. 00:22:15 Speaker 10: Surprise, surprise. 00:22:17 Speaker 1: He said, no thank you. Real polite, though. I followed him home once. 00:22:25 Speaker 10: Girlfriend, you've got to get some help. 00:22:27 Speaker 12: I've followed boys home before. It's just curiosity. I want to know

something about their lives away from the alley. I don't know his name yet. 00:22:37 Speaker 1: But I'll find out. 00:22:38 Speaker 10: I don't want to hear any more about him. I don't want to be one of those accessories. 00:22:46 Speaker 1: I bet he thinks about Will, the dead boy, all the time. 00:22:49 Speaker 10: Are you going deaf? What did I just say? 00:22:52 Speaker 1: I'm just making conversation. 00:22:54 Speaker 10: I wish they could find a goody-goody who could cook. 00:22:58 Speaker 6: Celia looks over to the smiling, kind-hearted, overweight woman who stands behind the serving table. She is obviously the cook. The woman catches Celia looking at her and smiles. Celia smiles back. 00:23:10 Speaker 10: Better yet, a fussy fag. 00:23:13 Speaker 1: It's fuel, baby. Just fuel. 00:23:16 Speaker 6: Exterior. A street in front of a library in Working Class Queens. 00:23:20 Speaker 10: Morning. 00:23:21 Speaker 6: It's a bright, clear day. People on the street seem to be enjoying it. Interior. Queensborough Hill Library. A moment later. Paul is picking books out from a shelf and putting them on a cart. Joan Ziff, the head librarian and Paul's boss, approaches him. She is a thin woman in her early 60s, warm-hearted and motherly. 00:23:40 Speaker 11: Okay, kiddo, what's going on? 00:23:43 Speaker 10: Nothing. 00:23:44 Speaker 2: Are you mad at me? 00:23:46 Speaker 8: Of course not. It's just that I've been sad lately. Another friend of mine is back in the hospital. 00:23:53 Speaker 11: Let's sneak out and get lunch together. 00:23:56 Speaker 6: Interior restaurant, lunchtime. Joan is sipping a glass of wine. Paul sits across from her. 00:24:01 Speaker 11: I'm sorry about your friend. 00:24:02 Speaker 2: I don't know how you guys do it. 00:24:04 Speaker 13: I don't know how you do it. 00:24:06 Speaker 8: Don't make me out to be a hero, because I'm not. 00:24:08 Speaker 11: Well, excuse me. 00:24:10 Speaker 8: I'm sorry, I'm not myself. I shouldn't be around people right now. 00:24:15 Speaker 11: You want to talk about it? 00:24:17 Speaker 8: Not right now, but I do have a favor to ask. 00:24:21 Speaker 11: Anything, darling. 00:24:23 Speaker 8: You might take away that anything after I ask it. 00:24:26 Speaker 5: We'll see. 00:24:27 Speaker 8: I have some time coming. I'd like a few days off. 00:24:32 Speaker 11: You're going to leave me alone with Bill and Charlotte? 00:24:36 Speaker 8: I know it's a lot to ask, but I just need some time to get myself together. I really, really do. 00:24:44 Speaker 11: Okay. 00:24:45 Speaker 6: Joan takes another sip of her wine. 00:24:48 Speaker 11: I'm sorry, I'm having wine. 00:24:49 Speaker 8: Oh, that doesn't bother me at all. And I'm about to eat flesh. How long have you been a vegetarian? 00:24:56 Speaker 11: Oh, about ten years now. 00:24:59 Speaker 8: I wonder what it was like to eat in a restaurant in the old days. 00:25:03 Speaker 11: If you're expecting me to answer... I'll belt you. 00:25:08 Speaker 8: You know what I mean. When not every other person was in a program. When nobody knew what the hell cholesterol was. 00:25:16 Speaker 6: It was easier. 00:25:18 Speaker 11: But I'm sure they died earlier. 00:25:23 Speaker 8: So it's for health reasons. 00:25:25 Speaker 11: And spiritual. 00:25:27 Speaker 8: Tell me about that. 00:25:30 Speaker 13: Not when we're about to eat. 00:25:31 Speaker 8: Please, it won't bother me. 00:25:33 Speaker 10: Well, I. 00:25:35 Speaker 11: I read somewhere that when you eat flesh.... 00:25:40 Speaker 13: Not now. 00:25:41 Speaker 8: That in your next life you become the animal? 00:25:43 Speaker 10: No. 00:25:44 Speaker 7: That you digest the fear and horror the animal experienced at the moment of its death. 00:25:52 Speaker 6: Paul takes a moment to take that in, then suddenly gets up. 00:25:56 Speaker 11: Where are you going? 00:25:57 Speaker 8: To change my order. A salad. That's what I'll have. It'll be good deed for the day. I need to do good. 00:26:04 Speaker 6: Joan, worried, watches Paul as he looks for the waiter. Interior hallway evening. Lori is getting out of the elevator and heading for her apartment. She opens the door. Interior, Lori's kitchen, continuous. Father James, not in his priest gear, is in her kitchen cooking supper. Lori's surprised to see him. 00:26:23 Speaker 10: Well, hello. I got here an hour ago. 00:26:28 Speaker 1: I thought I'd surprise you with supper. 00:26:31 Speaker 3: I'm counseling a couple tonight, so I have I have to leave early. 00:26:36 Speaker 8: Sweet kids. 00:26:38 Speaker 3: I'm marrying them next week. It's great that you. 00:26:42 Speaker 1: Live in this building. 00:26:43 Speaker 5: Why? 00:26:44 Speaker 1: Well, they're mostly Jewish. They have no idea who I am. 00:26:49 Speaker 6: Lori removes her shoes. 00:26:51 Speaker 13: Lucky us. 00:26:53 Speaker 1: You look tired. 00:26:55 Speaker 13: Can't sleep. Maybe I should see a doctor. Get some pills. 00:27:01 Speaker 1: That wouldn't be a bad idea. 00:27:03 Speaker 6: Lori notices Father James' gym bag. 00:27:05 Speaker 13: Does Father Dunn really believe you go to the gym every day? 00:27:09 Speaker 3: Poor old guy is getting so forgetful. 00:27:13 Speaker 13: Lucky you. I called Detective Salvadori today. 00:27:19 Speaker 12: And? 00:27:19 Speaker 13: Nothing yet. But they're working on it. They're never going to find him. 00:27:25 Speaker 6: Lori starts removing some of her clothes. 00:27:30 Speaker 13: Do you feel guilty about our fucking. 00:27:32 Speaker 1: What brought that up? 00:27:34 Speaker 13: I'm curious. 00:27:37 Speaker 1: Sometimes. 00:27:37 Speaker 13: But not all the time. 00:27:39 Speaker 1: No. 00:27:40 Speaker 6: Laurie leaves the kitchen. Interior of Laurie's bedroom continuous. Laurie goes into her bedroom to finish changing her clothes. 00:27:48 Speaker 9: I guess you don't take your vows too seriously. 00:27:51 Speaker 1: Well, some would say that I don't. 00:27:54 Speaker 8: But

you think you do? 00:27:57 Speaker 10: For the most part. 00:27:59 Speaker 6: Laurie stares at a photo of her son. 00:28:02 Speaker 3: You might not believe it, but I'm a good priest. 00:28:06 Speaker 8: But by your own rules. 00:28:08 Speaker 6: Lori tears herself away from the photo and leaves to join Father James. Interior, Lori's kitchen, continuous. Father James is now setting the table. Lori helps him. 00:28:20 Speaker 13: I wonder where Will's father is. 00:28:23 Speaker 1: When was the last time you saw him? 00:28:25 Speaker 13: Before Will was born. I wonder if you can grieve for a child you never met. 00:28:31 Speaker 6: Lori opens a bottle of wine and pours herself a glass. 00:28:35 Speaker 13: I broke a promise I made to you. I told Will about us. 00:28:39 Speaker 3: Don't worry. 00:28:40 Speaker 13: He's the only one I told. 00:28:41 Speaker 9: The scheduling was just getting too complicated. 00:28:46 Speaker 13: I thought it would make it easier. Now it's... It's real easy, isn't it? He had a good laugh. 00:28:54 Speaker 1: I thought it was funny. 00:28:56 Speaker 6: Lori is sipping her wine. 00:28:57 Speaker 13: I'm going to weigh it is. You know, I used to enjoy my work. Now I hate it. Pity vomits out of those boys. I know what they're thinking. He was gay and she just can't accept it. Such queer bullshit. I started calling them names under my breath. 00:29:19 Speaker 1: What can I do for you? 00:29:21 Speaker 6: Laurie walks over to Father James. 00:29:24 Speaker 13: Forget dinner. Have sex with me before you go. It's the only time I feel something other than this pain. 00:29:30 Speaker 6: Lori kisses Father James passionately as the evening light streams into the kitchen window. Interior, Paul's apartment. 00:29:38 Speaker 2: Evening. 00:29:39 Speaker 6: The only lights in the apartment come from the television and a spill from the bathroom. Paul, who is alone, is pouring himself a cup of coffee. The phone rings. Paul does not answer it. The answering machine clicks on. 00:29:51 Speaker 8: Hi, it's Paul. You know what to do. 00:29:56 Speaker 10: Paul, it's Ron. 00:29:57 Speaker 1: I'm getting really pissed. 00:30:00 Speaker 10: Get off your ass and give me a call. 00:30:02 Speaker 6: Paul picks up the phone. 00:30:03 Speaker 9: Hi. 00:30:03 Speaker 8: Where the hell have you been? I can't talk now. 00:30:07 Speaker 4: Why? 00:30:08 Speaker 8: I've got company. 00:30:10 Speaker 1: Company? As in company? 00:30:13 Speaker 12: Yes. 00:30:14 Speaker 6: Holy shit. 00:30:15 Speaker 1: I'm calling entertainment tonight. 00:30:17 Speaker 8: I'll talk to you later. 00:30:18 Speaker 1: I want details, not the graphic ones. Who the hell am I kidding? 00:30:21 Speaker 8: I want the graphic ones. 00:30:22 Speaker 15: Later. 00:30:23 Speaker 1: Have a good one. Be safe. 00:30:25 Speaker 6: Paul hangs up the phone. 00:30:27 Speaker 10: Liar, liar. Pants on fire. 00:30:29 Speaker 6: Exterior, Susan's building, morning. It is a crisp, clear New

York day. Interior, Susan's small kitchen. Susan's making coffee. Nicholas walks into the room in his boxer shorts and t-shirt. 00:30:41 Speaker 1: Mmm, morning, Mom. 00:30:43 Speaker 6: He kisses her. 00:30:44 Speaker 2: Paul will be over. 00:30:46 Speaker 6: To dinner tonight. Nicholas embraces her. 00:30:49 Speaker 4: Do you think we can start. 00:30:51 Speaker 2: Thinking of names? 00:30:52 Speaker 3: No, no, I don't want to label the kid yet. Let's just dream about being parents. 00:30:59 Speaker 6: Interior, Susan's small bedroom, minutes later. Susan and Nicholas are finishing dressing and can't help the naming conversation. 00:31:07 Speaker 3: Okay, no family names. Something special and unique. 00:31:12 Speaker 2: But nothing odd or trendy. 00:31:14 Speaker 1: Or common. But a real name. 00:31:16 Speaker 3: I mean, not water, river, breeze, peace, ocean, apple, pear. 00:31:22 Speaker 6: They fall onto the bed together. 00:31:24 Speaker 2: I can't wait to tell Paul. 00:31:27 Speaker 11: Why haven't you told him yet? 00:31:29 Speaker 6: Susan starts getting off the bed. Dissolved to interior Susan's living room, evening. Susan, Nicholas, and Paul are sitting around the table finishing dinner. There is an awkward silence. 00:31:43 Speaker 8: That's great news. It's really great. Why'd you wait this long to tell me that you were expecting? 00:31:51 Speaker 3: I have no idea. 00:31:53 Speaker 2: It's only been a couple weeks. I was just waiting for the right happy moment. 00:31:59 Speaker 8: I see. 00:32:00 Speaker 11: So how are you doing? 00:32:03 Speaker 8: I'm going back to meetings. 00:32:04 Speaker 3: That's great. And how's work? 00:32:06 Speaker 8: I haven't been there for a few days. Taking some personal time. 00:32:12 Speaker 1: For what? 00:32:14 Speaker 8: Clearing my head. Taking care of some stuff. 00:32:17 Speaker 1: Hey, you alright? 00:32:19 Speaker 4: You look tired. 00:32:20 Speaker 8: I haven't been sleeping too well, that's all. 00:32:24 Speaker 9: Um.... 00:32:26 Speaker 8: How long are you going to continue teaching? 00:32:29 Speaker 2: Until the end of the semester. I don't want to desert my third graders. And then I'll be about seven months. It'll be time. 00:32:37 Speaker 3: I wish you would stop sooner. 00:32:39 Speaker 2: That's soon enough. 00:32:41 Speaker 8: Have you thought of any names? Not yet. 00:32:44 Speaker 2: Any suggestions? 00:32:45 Speaker 8: If it's a boy, how about Kevin? 00:32:49 Speaker 3: I don't want to name him after somebody who's dead. 00:32:52 Speaker 8: You're bound to. At least it would be somebody you knew and He was your best friend. 00:32:57 Speaker 2: Kevin is a lovely name. I hadn't thought of that. 00:33:01 Speaker 8: Consider it. 00:33:04 Speaker 3: Is this some kind of test? 00:33:06 Speaker 15: Maybe. 00:33:07 Speaker 10: Here we go again. 00:33:08 Speaker 2: The war of the widowers. 00:33:09 Speaker 3: What are you talking about? 00:33:10 Speaker 2: Your pissing contest. Who's grieving more? 00:33:13 Speaker 4: You've got to stop using Kevin to get at each other. 00:33:15 Speaker 6: A lid has been put on both Nicholas and Paul. 00:33:18 Speaker 3: We don't do that. 00:33:20 Speaker 10: Right. 00:33:22 Speaker 15: Sorry. 00:33:24 Speaker 10: Me too. 00:33:26 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm just looking for a new beginning. 00:33:28 Speaker 8: I'm not there yet, buddy. 00:33:31 Speaker 4: I understand. 00:33:31 Speaker 8: I better go. Jesus, I am cranky. Guys, forgive me. I bet Nicholas is worried that that kid might inherit my moods. I'm so happy for you guys. 00:33:48 Speaker 3: And you. The baby is going to be a blessing for all of us, Uncle Paulie. 00:33:55 Speaker 6: Nicholas looks lovingly at Paul as he returns the look. Exterior, street in front of Susan's apartment, a bit later. Paul comes out of the building. Daniel emerges from the shadows and starts following him. Cut to exterior in front of Richard's salon, day. Paul is looking in the window. He catches glimpses of Lori. Interior, Richard's beauty salon, moments later. Lori is dyeing the hair of a 50s or 60s overweight man. His name is Sam, a wonderful queen. who does have the tendency to talk too much. With each procedure, Lori's hostility seems to mount. She tries covering her feelings, but they are leaking. While Sam is rambling on, Paul can be seen entering the salon, saying a few words to Beth, the other stylist, and then taking a seat. Paul picks up a magazine, pretends to be thumbing through it, but keeps glancing at Lori. 00:34:47 Speaker 15: Oh, you have no idea what I've been through. No idea whatsoever. They want me for this benefit. They always want me for the benefits. But what can I say? 00:34:56 Speaker 12: No. 00:34:57 Speaker 5: I should thank the Lord that I'm still popular. 00:35:00 Speaker 15: But I'm not sure what benefit this is for. I don't think it's for the plague that I wouldn't mind. I think it's for another cause. 00:35:08 Speaker 1: Who knows? 00:35:09 Speaker 15: Gay boys with babies or lesbians with hula hoops. It makes you feel like you're killing gay people if you don't say yes. I don't give a shit that you have no money and they are loaded. Yeah, but you do it for free for the cause. Just because you're a faggot entertainer. Ask these same people if they'll do your taxes for free. Write your will for free. Clean your teeth. 00:35:33 Speaker 12: But if you're an. 00:35:34 Speaker 15: Entertainer, do it for free or you're a sleazebag. 00:35:39 Speaker 1: It is a bitch. 00:35:40 Speaker 6: Paul, still in the background, looks uncomfortable. He gets up, seems to be saying a few apologetic words to Beth, and then leaves. 00:35:51 Speaker 1: I'm so much happier as a blonde. 00:35:53 Speaker 14: I really am. 00:35:55 Speaker 1: There's a certain hotness there. 00:36:00 Speaker 15: And the color's right. But honey, I hate to criticize. The last time the color had too much white in it. 00:36:09 Speaker 10: Be careful, please. Okay? 00:36:14

Speaker 13: Okay. 00:36:14 Speaker 1: I mean, you have no. 00:36:16 Speaker 15: Idea what it's like to be in my business. How difficult it is if your wig isn't right. If the color isn't perfect, if the dress isn't drop dead, if your song isn't a home run. 00:36:28 Speaker 13: Why don't you get yourself a real life? 00:36:35 Speaker 1: I have a real life. 00:36:36 Speaker 9: You really think that being a blonde is going to make you more desirable? 00:36:40 Speaker 1: What are you getting at? 00:36:42 Speaker 12: Now? 00:36:46 Speaker 1: Don't be mean. 00:36:48 Speaker 13: That's what you want. 00:36:50 Speaker 9: You want to be younger so you can get laid like that's really going to happen. 00:36:54 Speaker 1: I don't need this. I don't need this today. 00:36:58 Speaker 13: I don't give a shit if this dye makes you bald. 00:37:01 Speaker 6: By this time, everyone in the salon is listening to Lori and Sam. 00:37:05 Speaker 10: What the hell are you doing? 00:37:07 Speaker 6: All eyes are on Lori. She's gathering her things. Sam sits with his hair half done, wanting to disappear. 00:37:13 Speaker 5: Apologize. 00:37:14 Speaker 6: Lori goes into the back room. 00:37:16 Speaker 5: Beth, take care of Sam. 00:37:17 Speaker 6: Richard follows Lori as Beth tries to comfort Sam. Interior, backroom continuous, Lori is getting the rest of her things. 00:37:26 Speaker 10: You hurt him. 00:37:27 Speaker 9: That fat queen is as hard as nails. 00:37:30 Speaker 5: That's not true. 00:37:31 Speaker 13: He's some pathetic throwback. 00:37:33 Speaker 9: Today I couldn't stand looking at him, couldn't stand listening to him, and I have to tell you, I hated touching him. 00:37:39 Speaker 13: Why a man would want to act like that? 00:37:41 Speaker 5: He does a lot for our community. 00:37:43 Speaker 13: So he's a fucking saint. 00:37:45 Speaker 5: He's a beautiful guy. 00:37:47 Speaker 12: Ha! 00:37:48 Speaker 8: Where's the beauty? 00:37:49 Speaker 5: He's totally reinvented himself. 00:37:51 Speaker 13: That is one useless invention. 00:37:53 Speaker 5: Lori, I know you're very angry. 00:37:56 Speaker 13: I shouldn't work here anymore. Stop booking me. I'll come back tomorrow and finish out the week. I hate coming here and I'm beginning to hate you. 00:38:04 Speaker 5: Please don't say that. 00:38:05 Speaker 13: Don't give me your martyrdom. I'm a good person. 00:38:07 Speaker 5: Look. 00:38:09 Speaker 13: Why don't you call me a bitch? Why aren't you yelling at me? Are you frightened? 00:38:13 Speaker 9: Are you consumed with so much pity for me that you can't think? 00:38:18 Speaker 8: What is it? 00:38:19 Speaker 5: You're my friend, and you need help. 00:38:21 Speaker 14: And that stupid fat queen doesn't... Lori leaves the room. 00:38:26 Speaker 6: Richard follows her. Interior, Richard's beauty salon, continuous. Beth is with Sam, who is truly upset, trying to finish his hair and calm him down. Lori rushes through the salon to the front door. Richard is following her. 00:38:40 Speaker 1: Is she gonna say she's sorry? Are you firing her? 00:38:45 Speaker 13: Kiss my straight ass! 00:38:47 Speaker 6: Richard suddenly stops following her. End of Act One.

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