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[0:14] Iyvon Edebiri: Hello everyone. Welcome to The Parsnip Ship. My name is Iyvon Edebiri, and tonight we are having our reading at the Mark O'Donnell Theater at the Actors Fund Arts Center in downtown Brooklyn. Thank you for hosting us this evening to the Actors Fund. They've been really great. So a nice round of applause for them. Woo! And tonight we are hearing an amazing play by Bruce Jones. Woo! Got some Bruce Jones fans. And Jonathan Mello. Woo! Jonathan fans are in the house too. And this play is called What We Look Like with musical guest NOWA and Night Patrol, directed by Samantha Saltzman. Woo! Now, before we get into our first song of the evening, I like to ask our playwrights this one question. And this is the first time we've had two playwrights for Parsnip Ship. So one of y'all will answer, or both of you can.

[1:45] Misty Jones: Because I'm not very good at being concise. Um, I think first when we talk about this play, it is a love story that doesn't look like every other love story, and I think in mainstream movies and theater, sometimes as gay men, we are taught that only a certain type of love story exists, and only a certain type of gay man gets to fall in love in that kind of perfect romantic love, um, which we know isn't true, and so we wanted all of those other people to hear a story that sounded more like theirs. Um, and I'll also say that we as gay people, especially gay men in this particular play, but LGBTQ people in general, um, we spend a lot of time making sure that we're heard and that we're seen in the greater society, but sometimes we don't look within our own community for how we marginalize and treat each other and others within the community. So this play kind of breaks all that open so that we can see it and talk about it and look at it.

[2:46] Iyvon Edebiri: That's amazing. I s okay, so with that amazing answer, we're gonna go to our first song of the evening. Take it away, y'all.

[3:58] ♪ Musical number: "Half the Man I Am" — performed by NOWA ♪

[7:04] JP Maddock: I'm JP Maddock, and I'll be playing the role of Dominic.

[7:08] Tyler Gardella: I'm Tyler Gardella, and I'll be playing the role of Troy.

[7:11] Jacob Hoffman: I'm Jacob Hoffman. I'll be playing Adam.

[7:14] Jonathan Mello: I'm Jonathan Mello. I'll be doing stage directions.

[7:20] Misty Jones: What We Look Like by Bruce Jones and Jonathan Mello. Scene one. The scene opens on a crowded Whole Foods at lunchtime. Two men are seated at what appears to be a shared table. Both have paperwork and books strewn about. Adam, 32, is sharply dressed and has a series of spreadsheets, charts, and graphics spread in front of him. He's engrossed in his work, but to his left sits a large salad, uneaten. Jesse, 29, chubby, is seated with a full tray of assorted food and is not sharply dressed, but it works for him. He has a pile of books on either side of him, but is fully invested in his tray. The awkwardness of sitting at a shared table is felt between them. After a few moments, Jesse notices just how noisy it is and looks around.

[8:06] Jesse: It's like the DMV in here.

[8:08] Adam: Sorry.

[8:10] Jesse: Well, isn't it? You know, with all the people and the waiting in line and the sitting with strangers.

[8:16] Adam: Yeah.

[8:17] Jesse: There's nothing wrong with strangers. It's just funny.

[8:20] Adam: You must be new.

[8:21] Jesse: Depends on who you ask.

[8:23] Adam: I mean, I haven't received my 10-year coin yet.

[8:26] Jesse: Right. Ten years in New York, or you're not a real New Yorker.

[8:28] Adam: So they say.

[8:29] Jesse: They both go back to eating. Adam looks at Jesse's tray.

[8:33] Adam: I know what you're thinking. I'm a mind reader.

[8:36] Jesse: Oh?

[8:36] Adam: I like variety.

[8:38] Jesse: And also it's Whole Foods, so it's all healthy, right?

[8:42] Adam: I mean, that's what I tell myself.

[8:44] Jesse: Yeah. I just, I don't know. I can't see all that amazing organic food and then choose a salad.

[8:54] Adam: Sorry.

[8:55] Jesse: No, no, you're absolutely right. This plate of lettuce is disgusting. I'm jealous of what you have. God, I hate lettuce.

[9:03] Adam: Me too. It's the worst. Why does everyone insist on eating it? It makes me feel like a rabbit, you know, like a very hungry, plump, angry rabbit.

[9:14] Jesse: I know exactly how you feel, but then somehow I guilt myself into going over to that salad bar. Plus, I see my trainer's face screaming at me to not get the fried chicken.

[9:23] Adam: That sounds awful.

[9:25] Jesse: When I'm loading up my tray, my first thought is usually, God, I'm hungry, and then, oh, organic cheese in that order. Not that there's much guilt to begin with, because guilt isn't really a factor. I love cheese too much.

[9:40] Adam: I like that attitude. I think we could all use a dose of that.

[9:43] Jesse: What do you mean?

[9:45] Adam: What?

[9:46] Jesse: You said we could all use a dose of that, a dose of what?

[9:49] Adam: Oh. Um, I guess I meant like eating whatever and however much of what you want.

[9:55] Jesse: Shit. Sorry.

[9:56] Adam: I I meant just Don't be.

[9:59] Jesse: I know what you meant. Insert foot in mouth.

[10:02] Adam: You're fine. Plus, I've got a lot of experience in that department with the eating thing. People just have a lot to say about it.

[10:09] Jesse: I really didn't mean to. But then I have to explain to them that I just have a really fast metabolism.

[10:17] Adam: You can laugh. That was a joke.

[10:20] Jesse: I know, I just wasn't sure.

[10:21] Adam: About what?

[10:22] Jesse: I don't know. I can't laugh at other people if I don't laugh at myself first.

[10:28] Adam: Right. Adam looks down at his paperwork, trying to get back.

[10:31] Jesse: Sorry, I'm such a distraction. That looks important, whatever it is.

[10:35] Adam: Not at all. I'm sorry, I'm so distracted. This is just stressing me out.

[10:39] Jesse: What is all of that anyway?

[10:41] Adam: Prep for a presentation I have today. I hate public speaking.

[10:44] Jesse: Who doesn't? Adam's phone dings.

[10:46] Adam: Shit. Adam gets up and quickly gathers his stuff, takes a moment to send a quick text, then starts to walk away.

[10:52] Jesse: Good luck.

[10:53] Adam: Thanks, you too. I mean, no. Uh see ya.

[10:57] Jesse: Jesse waves goodbye.

[11:00] Misty Jones: Scene two. Same setting as before. A crowded Whole Foods at lunchtime. Adam is walking through the crowd trying to find a seat. Jesse is done eating and just sits reading with a stack of books in front of him.

[11:10] Jesse: Oh, hey again. Is this seat taken?

[11:12] Adam: Hi. Nope. Have a seat.

[11:15] Jesse: Thanks.

[11:18] Adam: No salad today.

[11:20] Jesse: Oh, no, actually. I'll admit I thought about what you said last time when I was up there, and after talking to myself for a couple of minutes, I don't feel guilty.

[11:29] Adam: I'm glad. See? I do now.

[11:31] Jesse: Adam goes back to eating.

[11:33] Jesse: We must have the same schedule.

[11:35] Adam: But we must. Twice in one week.

[11:37] Jesse: Jesse does a quick look around the room. The loudness almost makes it easier to think.

[11:42] Jesse: Does that make sense?

[11:43] Adam: Yeah. You can kind of melt into the hustle of other people's day, and then you don't feel so busy.

[11:48] Jesse: Exactly. Jesse goes back to reading.

[11:51] Adam: You're a reader, huh?

[11:52] Jesse: Yeah, I'm a creative writing teacher, so it comes with the territory. I'm getting into my groove now and I'm reading for fun again.

[11:59] Adam: That's cool.

[12:00] Jesse: Cool. Will you tell my students that?

[12:02] Adam: I will. It certainly beats my boring office.

[12:05] Jesse: Is it that boring?

[12:06] Adam: You'd be surprised.

[12:08] Jesse: How old are the kids?

[12:09] Adam: High school.

[12:10] Jesse: They can be challenging, but they're good kids.

[12:12] Adam: Jeez, I remember my high school experience, and we never had creative writing. These kids don't know how good they have it.

[12:18] Jesse: Do I sound like an old man?

[12:19] Adam: Not at all. We're probably the same age, and don't worry. They make me feel old all the time.

[12:24] Jesse: Well, them and my mother.

[12:26] Adam: Yeah.

[12:27] Jesse: Yes. She calls me almost every day to remind me that 27 is the new 47.

[12:33] Adam: Yikes.

[12:34] Jesse: Yeah, and I read this article the other day online about gay years or something. I can't remember exactly, but I do remember it had a little chart adding 20 years to your actual age.

[12:46] Adam: So if that's true, I'm already like an AARP member or something.

[12:51] Jesse: I guess you are. Well, we are. So we're officially the senior citizens table.

[12:57] Adam: Welcome.

[12:57] Jesse: You're funny.

[12:59] Adam: Thanks. My students think I'm hilarious.

[13:02] Jesse: What made you want to be a teacher?

[13:04] Adam: Sadly, my underwear modeling career was cut short by a tragic accident.

[13:11] Jesse: Kidding.

[13:12] Adam: I figured.

[13:13] Jesse: I mean, shit, God, I'm the worst.

[13:15] Adam: You're fine, really.

[13:17] Adam: Adam takes a bite of a brownie.

[13:19] Jesse: Oh my god, this is delicious. Do you want some?

[13:21] Adam: Yeah. They both take a bite.

[13:25] Jesse: I like your ring. I think I've seen one like that before. What is it?

[13:29] Adam: Clotta. It's called a Clotta ring.

[13:32] Jesse: Clotta. I like the sound of that. These two things on the sides of the heart, are those hands?

[13:40] Adam: It's Irish. They're supposed to represent your relationship status depending on which direction the point of the heart is facing.

[13:47] Jesse: God, if I had one of those, I'd feel like everyone was looking at my finger all the time, trying to figure out if I was single.

[13:52] Adam: I think it every day when I put it on. Doesn't hurt to advertise.

[13:56] Jesse: So how do you know which way means what?

[13:58] Adam: Well, it came in a little box with instructions.

[14:02] Jesse: Instructions for a ring.

[14:04] Adam: Yes, so if the point of the heart is facing out towards your fingernails and it's on your right hand, that means you are single.

[14:12] Jesse: Interesting.

[14:18] Adam: Yes, I bought it at a flea market. It's vintage, I guess.

[14:22] Jesse: I don't really know. I just thought it looked nice.

[14:27] Adam: Yeah. I don't really get vintage stuff.

[14:33] Jesse: I didn't get to ask what is it that you do?

[14:36] Adam: Oh boy, exciting stuff. I'm a graphic designer at an ad firm, saving one life, one ad campaign at a time.

[14:43] Jesse: Like Superman.

[14:44] Adam: Exactly. Only more like Clark Kent, but not a reporter and not really cool.

[14:48] Jesse: Are you kidding me? He's so cool.

[14:50] Adam: I mean, he uses his undercover identity to get the truth and fight for the little guy.

[14:54] Jesse: Yeah, although I'm not sure who the little guy is that I'm fighting for.

[14:58] Adam: Bad design taking over what city is it again?

[15:02] Jesse: It's Metropolis.

[15:03] Adam: Metropolis, right.

[15:04] Jesse: [looks down at his cell phone and realizes the time] I'm sorry. I was so wrapped up I forgot to check the time. So I should probably get back to my class before everyone else does.

[15:15] Jesse: [begins collecting his books and packing them into his bag] Well, I guess this is goodbye.

[15:20] Adam: Yeah, I guess it is.

[15:22] Jesse: It just occurred to me I didn't ask your name.

[15:25] Adam: Jesse.

[15:26] Jesse: Jesse.

[15:27] Adam: I'm Adam.

[15:28] Jesse: Well, Adam, it's been a pleasure talking to you.

[15:30] Adam: Same here.

[15:31] [They hold eye contact for just a moment. Then Jesse starts to exit.]

[15:35] Adam: [goes back to eating]

[15:37] Jesse: [stops abruptly, gathers some courage, turns around and heads back toward their table] Uh hey.

[15:42] Jesse: So I was thinking, um, I really think you should read this memoir.

[15:52] Jesse: [takes a hardcover book out of his tote bag and hands it to Adam]

[15:56] Adam: [reads the cover] Who is Shelley Winters?

[15:58] Jesse: She's awesome.

[16:02] Jesse: Anyway, I've already finished it and it's really good. You can borrow my copy.

[16:07] Jesse: Just return it to me when you're done.

[16:09] Adam: How will I find you?

[16:11] Jesse: Oh, right. Better yet, I'll return it to you if you agree to a drink after.

[16:22] Adam: Deal.

[16:23] Jesse: When do you work days mostly, usually done at about four each day?

[16:26] Adam: I meant when do you want to meet?

[16:29] Jesse: Fridays are best.

[16:30] [Jesse writes down his phone number on a small piece of paper and sticks it in the book like a bookmark.]

[16:34] Adam: [stands up] Great. Well, I'll see you then.

[16:40] Jesse: Friday.

[16:41] Adam: Yes.

[16:43] Jesse: I know there's a chance you may change your mind, but I don't think you should because I really want to see you again.

[16:49] Adam: Anyway, I just wanted to say that. I'll see you soon, Adam.

[16:53] [Jesse starts to leave, and Adam turns around and looks back.]

[16:56] Jesse: [also turns around and notices him looking, and they hold eyes and smile]

[17:00] [Jesse leaves.]

[17:01] [Adam opens up the book, takes out the bookmark, and puts the number in his phone.]

[17:06] [Scene three. A crowded bar at happy hour. The place is filled with mostly attractive people in suits.]

[17:20] Troy: You made it!

[17:20] Adam: Yeah, sorry. Crazy day at work.

[17:22] Troy: Well, have a drink. You need one.

[17:24] [Adam exits to get a drink.]

[17:26] [Troy stays flipping through his phone, probably on grinder.]

[17:32] Dominic: Look who it is.

[17:34] Troy: Where have you been?

[17:35] [Dominic and Troy hug. It's very fake.]

[17:40] Dominic: Summer was nuts.

[17:43] Dominic: I was back and forth between the Hamptons and here, then Fire Fire Ireland for the fourth. Plus, my friends got married in Costa Rica.

[17:49] Adam: [enters with a beer] Okay, I'm back.

[17:52] Troy: Oh, hey, Adam, this is my friend Dominic.

[17:54] [Adam reaches out his hand and Dominic shakes it.]

[17:56] Troy: He's the most annoyingly connected person I know.

[17:58] Dominic: Oh?

[17:59] Troy: I just know the right people, that's all.

[18:01] Adam: Cool.

[18:02] Dominic: How's the magazine?

[18:04] Adam: Insane. I have a whole new group of interns who are completely useless.

[18:07] Dominic: We just launched a youth section, too.

[18:09] [Dominic is the editor for a fashion magazine.]

[18:12] Adam: Huh?

[18:12] Dominic: Oh, cool. I train pretty much all of their clientele.

[18:16] [Adam glances at his phone.]

[18:18] [Lights change on another part of the stage. Jesse is holding a Superman comic and takes a picture with it.]

[18:23] Jesse: [texts] Look at what I bought today.

[18:27] [Exclamation point. Smiley face.]

[18:30] [Lights change back, and Jesse exits.]

[18:32] [Adam smiles and then looks back to Troy and Dominic, who are still talking.]

[18:36] Adam: And my friends don't understand, you know.

[18:39] Adam: Connor texted me like seven times throughout the day, and I'm like, um, I don't have time for you.

[18:44] Adam: I'm a super busy. I have a super big job.

[18:47] Troy: He's so out of touch.

[18:48] Adam: Like, I get it. Your rich husband pays for everything, so you can go to soul cycle classes six times a day, but not all of us get to do that.

[18:55] Dominic: Did I tell you that they moved to a new place?

[18:57] Adam: [is on his phone texting, then realizes he's supposed to respond] Oh, Connor, Adam, do you know him?

[19:02] Troy: Wait, who?

[19:03] Dominic: Clearly, Adam's too busy on grinder.

[19:05] Dominic: Anyway, they moved to a new place.

[19:07] Adam: Where?

[19:08] Dominic: Chelsea.

[19:09] Dominic: It's this crazy nice apartment. I'm talking like penthouse, marble countertops, hotel-style bathrooms, the whole thing.

[19:15] Dominic: Apparently, his husband Richard opened a new boutique or whatever, and they're raking in money from that.

[19:19] Dominic: Actually, I'm supposed to go to some big event of theirs next week. It's gonna be a huge deal.

[19:23] Dominic: Tons of press and some big industry people.

[19:25] Dominic: They hired Yassel Ferrera.

[19:28] [Adam glances at his phone again.]

[19:29] [Lights change. It's another text from Jesse.]

[19:32] Jesse: Did you know they almost made a Superman movie starring Nicolas Cage?

[19:39] [Lights change back. Jesse exits as Dominic and Troy wait for a response from Adam.]

[19:44] Dominic: The best publicist in the city. You don't know her?

[19:47] Adam: No.

[19:48] Dominic: She's everything. Last year she worked for some party that Jay-Z was throwing, and so she's insanely connected.

[19:54] Dominic: Heidi Klum is on the invite list for Connor and Richard's party.

[19:58] Adam: Sounds fun.

[19:59] Dominic: You're coming, right?

[20:00] Adam: Probably.

[20:01] Dominic: I can get you both on the list if you want.

[20:03] Adam: Yeah, maybe. I'm not a huge party person.

[20:05] Dominic: Me either.

[20:08] Dominic: But I'm they're gonna do it right. It's at the Ganza Fort, so there's plenty of room to move around and have like little side groups and stuff.

[20:15] Dominic: Plus, Heidi Klum is going to be there.

[20:19] Troy: Come on, old man. You barely do anything as it is.

[20:22] Adam: We'll see.

[20:23] [Adam's phone dings again.]

[20:24] [Lights up on Jesse.]

[20:26] Jesse: Dinner was great Friday. Will I get to see you this week?

[20:29] [Lights out on Jesse.]

[20:31] Adam: [smiles] I actually have to run.

[20:33] Troy: Lame.

[20:34] Adam: Okay. Hey, if you want me to be in any shape to have a good session tomorrow, I'm gonna need some sleep.

[20:39] Troy: Fine. I'll plan to kick your ass then.

[20:41] Adam: Can't wait.

[20:42] Dominic: Great to meet you.

[20:43] Adam: Same here. Let me know about that party.

[20:44] Dominic: Sure, I'll uh let you know.

[20:46] Adam: Yeah, sure. See you in the morning then.

[20:48] Dominic: Yep. Have a good night, guys.

[20:51] Troy: Bye, Adam.

[20:52] [Adam exits.]

[20:53] [Lights fade on Dominic and Troy.]

[20:55] [Adam dials on his phone, lights up on Jesse.]

[20:58] Jesse: Hello?

[20:59] Adam: Hey.

[21:00] Jesse: Hi.

[21:02] Adam: Sorry, I have a long walk to the train, and I was thinking maybe you could keep me company.

[21:07] Jesse: Sure, yeah, of course. So how was your day?

[21:10] [Lights out.]

[21:13] [Scene four. An upscale gym.]

[21:15] [Adam and Troy enter. It's clear they've just finished a training session.]

[21:21] Troy: Did you get home okay last night?

[21:23] Adam: Yeah, I'm used to taking the train alone, trust me.

[21:27] Troy: Did you go home with someone last night?

[21:30] Adam: What was his name?

[21:33] Troy: Daniel.

[21:35] Adam: He's from Barcelona.

[21:37] Troy: Is Daniel even old enough to drink?

[21:40] Adam: Of course. I think.

[21:42] Troy: Well, you wouldn't be you if there wasn't that question.

[21:44] Adam: I like what I like.

[21:45] Troy: That you do.

[21:47] Troy: What about you? Did you get any action?

[21:50] Adam: You mean from the bar to the train? A lot can happen.

[21:54] Troy: Well, I made friends with a man in a cowboy hat on the train.

[21:58] Adam: Oh.

[21:59] Troy: He complimented my hair and asked if I wanted drugs.

[22:03] Adam: I hear wedding bells.

[22:05] Troy: I switched cars before things got weird.

[22:07] Troy: And I got pizza.

[22:08] Adam: But pizza!

[22:09] Troy: Don't be like that.

[22:10] Adam: Okay, but hey, I'm just trying to make sure you aren't alone for the rest of your life.

[22:13] Troy: How sweet of you.

[22:14] Adam: And one of the ways I do that is by making sure you don't get fat.

[22:18] Troy: You represent me, you know. You turn into a slob, and people start asking who your trainer is, and then the next thing you know, I'm unemployed.

[22:24] Adam: I'll do my best.

[22:25] Troy: Good. I just think a handsome man like yourself deserves to have fun.

[22:30] Adam: Hot people have fun.

[22:32] Troy: I should really add that to my business card or something.

[22:38] Adam: Anyway.

[22:39] Troy: Don't become a cat lady.

[22:41] Adam: I hate cats.

[22:42] Troy: You obviously need to rethink that.

[22:43] Adam: Who says I'm not talking to anyone?

[22:45] Troy: Oh.

[22:47] Adam: I'm just saying you don't know everything.

[22:49] Troy: Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. What's to know?

[22:51] Adam: Nothing.

[22:52] Troy: I get nothing.

[22:54] Adam: It's nice, that's all you get.

[22:55] Troy: Oh bullshit. Who is he?

[22:57] Adam: A guy.

[22:58] Troy: That I met.

[23:00] Adam: Why are you being so mysterious?

[23:01] Troy: Like, come on. You basically know every guy I've ever fought.

[23:03] Adam: Why do you care?

[23:04] Troy: I am a concerned party. I mean, I'm basically your connection to our people.

[23:09] Adam: That's not true. I have friends.

[23:11] Troy: Oh, really? When's the last time you did anything that I personally didn't have to drag you out for?

[23:16] Adam: Lots of times.

[23:18] Troy: Sure.

[23:19] Troy: Have you guys fucked?

[23:20] Adam: Oh, stop being crude.

[23:21] Troy: I'm sorry. I don't think we've met yet. I'm Troy, friends with Adam.

[23:24] Adam: Look.

[23:25] Troy: It's new. We're figuring things out as we go.

[23:28] Adam: We?

[23:30] Troy: How long has this been going on for?

[23:32] Adam: I don't know.

[23:34] Troy: A week or so?

[23:35] Adam: Are you serious?

[23:37] Troy: Wait, that's a long time.

[23:39] Adam: It's really not.

[23:41] Troy: And you really haven't fucked yet?

[23:44] Adam: Most people don't think seeing someone for more than a week without having sex is a big deal.

[23:48] Troy: What's happening here?

[23:49] Adam: I mean, I know you're kind of a little bit.

[23:52] Troy: This is just crude.

[23:53] Adam: Wait, then why won't you even talk about him?

[23:57] Troy: Is he short?

[24:03] Adam: Is he old?

[24:05] Troy: Weird forehead, receding hairline, ugly freckle pattern.

[24:10] Adam: Dude, come on, what is it?

[24:12] Troy: Why does something have to be wrong? Can't I genuinely be interested in a guy and not have fucked him?

[24:18] Adam: Um, let me think. Nope.

[24:20] Troy: Go fuck yourself.

[24:22] Adam: Fine.

[24:24] Troy: Thank you.

[24:25] Adam: I'll leave it alone.

[24:26] Troy: Thank you.

[24:29] Troy: So when do you see Loverboy again?

[24:32] Adam: Oh god.

[24:33] Troy: Come on. I'm being a supportive friend this time.

[24:36] Adam: Honest?

[24:37] Troy: Honest.

[24:38] Adam: Friday.

[24:39] Troy: I'm picking him up after school.

[24:40] Troy: Oh, how adorable.

[24:42] Adam: Where are you guys going after that?

[24:43] Troy: Nope, no way.

[24:44] Adam: Come on. I promise not to crash the date.

[24:46] Troy: Nope, not even close.

[24:47] Adam: Fine.

[24:48] Troy: Wait. Who's choosing the place?

[24:51] Adam: Me, why?

[24:53] Troy: Don't fuck it up.

[24:55] [Lights out.]

[24:58] [Scene five. A Mexican Cuban fusion restaurant.]

[25:01] [Jesse and Adam's fourth date. They're sitting at a table with a big assortment of fried food and wine.]

[25:07] Jesse: What?

[25:08] Adam: What?

[25:10] Jesse: Do you not like it?

[25:11] Adam: No, no. It just seems like they sort of just fry everything.

[25:16] Jesse: Yup.

[25:17] Adam: Well, dig in.

[25:18] [They both start to eat.]

[25:20] Jesse: Hey, what's your favorite color?

[25:22] Adam: Why?

[25:23] Jesse: I got this book today for work on color and meaning, and I was wondering how it might apply to people.

[25:28] Adam: Blue.

[25:29] [Adam reaches in his bag and fishes out a small, thick coffee table book.]

[25:32] Jesse: It says here, blue is the most common color in the spectrum. It indicates deliberation and introspection. Blue means trust, wisdom, and compassion.

[25:43] Jesse: Interesting.

[25:45] Adam: Well, what's your favorite color then?

[25:47] Jesse: Maroon.

[25:48] Adam: You mean like purple?

[25:49] Jesse: No, I mean maroon.

[25:52] Adam: Let me look it up.

[25:54] Jesse: Um, maroon indicates a well-disciplined red, the color personality, a warm, powerful, and attention-getting color. It represents sacrifice, bravery, and truth.

[26:05] Adam: A regular Captain Wentworth.

[26:07] Jesse: Who's that?

[26:09] Adam: He's the love interest of the heroine in Persuasion by Jane Austen.

[26:13] Jesse: It's one of my favorites.

[26:14] Adam: He's a naval officer, so well disciplined and brave and all those other adjectives.

[26:21] Jesse: Some people think that Austen wrote him as the ideal husband for Anne, the heroine, but I don't know how perfect he really is.

[26:28] Adam: Maybe maroon would be his favorite color.

[26:31] Jesse: Sounds like it could be. It's a good book. I try to sneak it in on every reading list.

[26:35] Adam: Tell me more about it.

[26:37] Jesse: It doesn't really get going until chapter six, but the book centers around one of Jane Austen's only heroines that isn't in her teens.

[26:44] Jesse: When she was in her teens, she meets this guy she wants to marry, but because of, you know, outside forces, she doesn't marry him, and they're separated for a while.

[26:51] Jesse: Then, years later, when she's a down-and-out spinster at twenty-seven years old, she runs into him again and manages to have another shot at happiness and doesn't screw it up the second time.

[27:03] Adam: I like that. A second chance love story.

[27:05] Jesse: A second spring.

[27:07] Adam: A second spring?

[27:08] Jesse: Yeah, that the whole story takes place over the course of the autumn and the winter, and her life truly begins again in the spring.

[27:16] Jesse: I read an essay about it, and they called it her second spring, which I like. It's less about a second chance and more about how time changed them both.

[27:26] Adam: So really it's, I guess it's a second spring love story.

[27:30] [They both go back to eating for a moment.]

[27:32] Adam: What's your biggest fear?

[27:36] Jesse: You want to know my biggest fear?

[27:38] Adam: Yeah.

[27:40] Jesse: Hmm. Well, I sort of planned on being alone. Not like tonight, but like forever.

[27:46] Jesse: Not that it's a fear. I guess that is a fear. I thought that for a while anyway.

[27:52] Adam: Well, we hadn't met yet.

[27:53] Jesse: You're presumptuous.

[27:55] Adam: And no, we hadn't, remember.

[27:57] Jesse: I'm 47 according to my mother.

[28:00] Adam: What I mean is that I feel sometimes like I'm running out of time.

[28:05] Jesse: Biological clock's ticking and whatnot.

[28:09] Adam: Anyway, what's your biggest fear?

[28:12] Jesse: Oh. I worry a lot about not being the best version of myself.

[28:18] Adam: I guess I don't want to leave the planet without having made an impression.

[28:22] Jesse: Like being remembered for something?

[28:23] Adam: Exactly. Leaving a legacy.

[28:26] Jesse: Yeah. I can get that.

[28:29] Adam: Superman.

[28:30] [Adam leans in and grabs Jesse's hand.]

[28:33] [After a moment, Adam starts to look over Jesse's shoulder, seemingly irritated.]

[28:38] Jesse: What are you staring at?

[28:39] Adam: Those guys over there.

[28:40] Jesse: What are they doing?

[28:41] Adam: Nothing.

[28:42] Jesse: What were you saying?

[28:43] Adam: Are they staring?

[28:45] Jesse: Yeah.

[28:47] Adam: It's okay, really.

[28:48] Jesse: It doesn't bother you?

[28:49] Adam: It's rude.

[28:50] Jesse: Why should it?

[28:51] Adam: I mean, it bothers me a little, but people give me strange looks all the time, and it could be for a multitude of reasons.

[28:58] Jesse: Does it bother you?

[28:59] Adam: No.

[29:00] Jesse: Well, then I'm unbothered.

[29:03] Adam: I guess I just hate people thinking they have a right to have an opinion about everything, you know?

[29:07] Jesse: Yeah, I can see that. It's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is. It doesn't hurt you.

[29:17] Adam: To kill a mockingbird?

[29:20] Jesse: Yes. People always think I'm showing off when really book. Seriously. Dead serious. That book taught me a lot. That I guess reminds me a lot of my dad. This smart, honest guy who taught me and my brother about how to see people as people. My brother, he was five, asked my dad what the scary man was doing. My dad just said, you know, he's had a really tough life. People who struggle so much, all they need is a little help. We're the same as him, just luckier. That's something I always think about.

[30:01] Adam: I love that. I think it's why I'm so sensitive about things.

[30:06] Jesse: He sounds like a good man.

[30:08] Adam: My dad is the coolest, most free-thinking person around. He just wants me to follow my heart, do things that make me happy, and not miss anything. My mother's wonderful too, don't get me wrong. But my dad was the one who let me play in the woods and helped me create these entire worlds in my imagination. He made me fall in love with books. I was definitely a loner as a kid, but he never pressured me to be anything else.

[30:33] Jesse: Sounds like most of who you are comes from your dad, then we have that in common.

[30:39] Adam: Yeah, I guess we do.

[30:50] Troy: Look who it is!

[30:53] Adam: Hi, Troy!

[30:55] Troy: Hey, hi. Um, what are you doing here?

[30:57] Adam: Well, this random on Grindr told me to meet him around the corner as I'm walking by, who do I see in the window but my buddy? I figured I'd come say hi.

[31:08] Jesse: Hi, I'm Jesse.

[31:10] Troy: Uh hey, Troy. Look, I meant to text you.

[31:12] Adam: Oh, no need. What are you two queens up to anyway?

[31:16] Jesse: We were just catching up, having dinner.

[31:21] Troy: Oh, okay. You two want to come to Trixie's later? They're having an underwear party.

[31:27] Jesse: We're good. Sorry, I'm just gonna excuse myself if you two don't mind. Bathroom.

[31:32] Adam: Yeah, fine. Sure. Uh you can sit in my seat if you want while I'm gone.

[31:36] Jesse: [exits]

[31:37] Troy: Jeez, okay, I get it. You wanna sleep with me. Fat chance. Get it.

[31:42] Adam: Why are you always such an asshole? What's your problem?

[31:46] Troy: That was funny. What are you even doing here?

[31:48] Adam: Um, I told you, Grindr fail. So. What's with the homely looking guy?

[31:54] Troy: Don't start.

[31:54] Adam: What? Is this like a sympathy thing?

[31:57] Troy: Oh, whatever. I need to get laid. Just thought you might want to come along. Don't think I haven't noticed the dry spell you're in.

[32:03] Adam: Well, don't I mean, just I don't want to come, thanks.

[32:07] Troy: Sure, buddy. I'll just leave you to your Make-A-Wish date.

[32:09] Adam: Fuck you.

[32:10] Jesse: [returns and hovers for a moment] Should I get another chair?

[32:14] Adam: It's fine. He's leaving.

[32:16] Troy: Okay, Adam. Well, nice bumping into you. If you change your mind, I'll be at Trixie's. You know where that is, right? Bye, Troy.

[32:26] Troy: [exits]

[32:31] Jesse: He seems nice.

[32:33] Adam: Yeah. Is everything okay?

[32:36] Adam: [gets close to Jesse, grabs him and kisses him passionately and hard] Oh. Let's get out of here.

[32:43] Jesse: Okay.

[32:46] [Blackout.]

[32:48] [Scene six. A crowded bar in Chelsea. Happy hour.]

[32:55] Dominic: I'm just saying, it's the business.

[32:58] Adam: It is. So we're fighting all this negative press. Everyone's so fucking PC. I mean, I'm not gonna send you on a shoot looking like the Pillsbury Doughboy.

[33:08] Dominic: I don't make the rules. People just don't want to see big people when they're flipping through magazines.

[33:15] Adam: Definitely not. And if they can't fit in the garment, then they don't get the job.

[33:18] Dominic: They should just hire me. I'll whip those fatties into shape. They get fucking loser style.

[33:23] [Adam is obviously uncomfortable.]

[33:25] Dominic: Uh-oh. Adam doesn't like all this mean talk.

[33:28] Adam: I mean, you're an ad man, Adam. You know how it is. It's not exclusive or mean, it's business.

[33:33] Dominic: Yeah. I just think it's easy to find another pair of whatever it is, shorts or whatever, if you think the model is the right fit.

[33:40] Troy: They're models, Adam. If they can't fit the clothes, they can't fucking model them.

[33:44] Adam: Aren't there tons of clothes and tons of fabric?

[33:47] Dominic: I don't know. Tons of fabric.

[33:49] Adam: That's the problem. I just don't think it's that cut and dry.

[33:52] Troy: Oh, you're innocent. I kind of love it.

[33:54] Dominic: Uh he's really not. He's being weird. Where's all this coming from, man?

[33:57] Adam: It's not coming from anywhere. It's just how I feel.

[34:00] Troy: Bullshit. Is that your type? I mean, guys with like a little something extra.

[34:03] Adam: I don't have a type. I hate when people say that.

[34:06] Troy: You have a type, you just don't want to admit it. Everyone has a type.

[34:09] Adam: I don't.

[34:10] Troy: Then it shouldn't be hard to get you laid tonight.

[34:12] Adam: I don't want your help.

[34:13] Troy: Who said anything about want? You need it. Getting laid is definitely your department, Troy.

[34:17] Dominic: [notices someone across the bar, waves excitedly] That's Angelo DeSanto.

[34:22] Adam: Who?

[34:22] Dominic: A huge restaurant. I'll be right back.

[34:25] [Dominic exits.]

[34:27] Troy: What do you think about Dominic?

[34:28] Adam: A little femme, but you do need to get laid, and he's not bad looking.

[34:31] Troy: Who says I'm not? Getting laid, I mean.

[34:34] Adam: Well, last time we talked, you were heavy in the handholding stage with some rando of months.

[34:38] Troy: It had been a week, anyway.

[34:40] Adam: Wait, wait. Are you still seeing that guy?

[34:43] Troy: Yes.

[34:44] Adam: You bitch! You must be engaged by now.

[34:49] Troy: It's going well.

[34:50] [Adam's phone rings and Jesse's picture shows up.]

[34:53] Dominic: That must be the husband now.

[34:56] Troy: Oh, look how cute. You have his picture saved already.

[35:00] [Troy grabs Adam's phone.]

[35:01] Adam: Hey.

[35:02] Troy: What the fuck? Wait, what the fuck?

[35:03] Adam: [grabs the phone back] Lights change. Jesse appears.

[35:07] Jesse: Hey, I just wanted to call and see if we could meet at the restaurant. I'm heading home to change, so it's easier for me to just go.

[35:15] Adam: Yeah, for sure. That works.

[35:16] Jesse: Awesome. I'll meet you there.

[35:17] Adam: Great. Nine o'clock?

[35:18] Jesse: Yes, perfect. I'm looking forward to seeing you.

[35:21] Adam: Me too. See you then.

[35:22] [Jesse exits.]

[35:26] Adam: Dude. Like that guy from the restaurant?

[35:30] Troy: What?

[35:30] Adam: Yeah. Wait, so uh uh okay. [Adam is still scrolling through his phone.]

[35:36] Troy: What are you looking for?

[35:37] Adam: I'm just Googling where the restaurant is. [Adam still looking at his phone, sees Troy staring at him.]

[35:42] Adam: Okay, Troy, go ahead. Say what you're going to say.

[35:47] Troy: I'm not gonna say anything.

[35:49] Adam: I just what?

[35:50] Troy: I think it's weird.

[35:51] Adam: What's weird?

[35:52] Troy: Uh, the whole thing.

[35:53] Adam: Leave him alone.

[35:54] Troy: Leave him alone? What are you guys actually dating?

[35:58] Adam: I guess. I mean, yeah, I like him a lot.

[36:00] Troy: Well, there's certainly a lot of him to like. Can't you get out of your gym rat bullshit for a minute?

[36:05] Adam: Dude, I'm just looking out for you. I mean, you can do a lot better.

[36:09] Troy: That is irrelevant considering I am interested in this guy.

[36:12] Adam: Okay. It's your bed or whatever the saying is. Let's just hope he doesn't break it.

[36:17] Troy: Alright already. You know what your problem is? You don't see your dates as people, just hookups.

[36:23] Adam: Yes, and you're so above it all. You didn't even say you guys were out together.

[36:27] Troy: It's not your business. You know what? You obviously don't see the power in your attractiveness, or else you wouldn't be wasting it.

[36:36] Adam: I see the chemistry before I see my own attractiveness.

[36:39] Troy: Not everyone gets to look like you, Troy. It's not magic. I worked for the body I have. If they work hard enough, they can be as good looking as I am. It's easy.

[36:51] Adam: They, oh come on. The fat people are just lazy.

[36:54] Troy: Come on, I'm a personal trainer. I've seen it.

[36:56] Adam: You know what? No. No. We, as a society, baby these people. I hate to break it to you, but fat people are disgusting.

[37:05] Troy: I grew up in a small town in Connecticut with two extremely active parents, an older brother and sister who were both popular and attractive. When I started to blow up in middle school, being fat was not an option. My mother wouldn't let me eat until I ran four miles before dinner. I wasn't sitting around whining about my body. I was doing something about it.

[37:27] Adam: Jesse doesn't need to do that. And he's not whining about his body.

[37:30] Troy: Well, maybe he should. At least then he'd have a shot at changing it.

[37:34] Adam: Why should he have to change? No, it's you who's delusional. We're in New York City and we're gay men. Do the math. Gay men don't get fat. Who wants to date and or fuck someone who can't stop eating?

[37:45] Troy: Has it ever occurred to you that dating someone is more about what they look like?

[37:49] Adam: Nope. And and you're fooling yourself if you do. Think about it. How often have you seen twos out with tens?

[37:58] Troy: Well, I mean, you're a strong eight, but you know what I mean.

[38:01] Adam: I just like him.

[38:03] Troy: Face it, Adam. There is a hierarchy in our world, and you and I are at the top. Well, Jesse is well, a two. And I say he's a two because at least he has a nice face. And and twos like him tend to stick together. Let them have attic.

[38:19] Adam: That's not true. Look, I know you may think I'm shallow, but I'm just being honest with you before you come to a sad realization later. You think you can think differently and think that you're deeper and above it all, but soon all you'll have done is wasted your time and broken that fat little boy's heart.

[38:38] Troy: I mean, not that I care, but don't you?

[38:40] Adam: Yeah, I do care, and I don't think it's that simple.

[38:43] Troy: Oh, it is, my friend. I don't want to continue with this conversation. I have to go meet Jesse.

[38:48] Troy: Guess we'll just have to agree to disagree, buddy.

[38:51] Dominic: [approaches again] Guys, my friends are going to this cool event tonight at Gypsy. You in?

[38:57] Adam: Yeah, I'll meet you there.

[38:58] Troy: I'm good. I'll see you later, Adam.

[39:00] [Dominic exits.]

[39:02] Troy: In the meantime, I'll be at Gypsy tonight, getting action from some tens and maybe a couple nine and a halves if I'm feeling generous.

[39:11] Adam: You've inspired me. Goodbye, Troy.

[39:15] [Adam exits.]

[39:21] Jesse: There are books and papers everywhere. Um, have a seat here.

[39:26] Adam: [doesn't sit but wanders around a bit, discovering the place] Thanks.

[39:30] Jesse: I love the place.

[39:31] Adam: Oh, thanks. I'm trying to get published right now, so my life is a little crazy, as you can see.

[39:36] Jesse: Published? That sounds like a big deal.

[39:38] Adam: Hardly. But it could be if it happens.

[39:40] [Adam finds an old yearbook and starts flipping through it.]

[39:44] Jesse: Oh no. Look how cute you were.

[39:47] Adam: Brooked that away.

[39:48] Jesse: Oh. Who's Harold White?

[39:51] Adam: He says he can't wait to see you more over the summer.

[39:54] Jesse: Well, he was my next door neighbor, and it just so happens, my first kiss.

[39:59] Adam: Next door neighbor, hot.

[40:00] Jesse: Oh, he was boring. But he lived next door to me, so we used to play Pokémon cards after school every day. Then one day he kept staring at me. He asked me if I had ever kissed someone before. I said no. He said, Don't you wonder what it's like? I said, Yeah, kind of. And then he just leaned over and bam on the lips. He said I had soft lips.

[40:24] Adam: Harold White, my competition.

[40:28] Jesse: I think he's married with kids now.

[40:30] Adam: The one who got away.

[40:32] Jesse: Yeah. What about you? Did you kiss a boy behind the jungle gym?

[40:37] Adam: See, you had one of these cute after-school special kind of kisses. Mine was lame. In ninth grade, it was some kid who held my hand while we were watching TV before my mom got home. His name was Ben Divers. We'd been holding hands for about two weeks at this point, and he asked if I would mind kissing him, and I said, no, I would not. And that was it. We held hands for about two more weeks, and then he found a new hand holder.

[41:02] Jesse: Oh, ninth grade was your first kiss. That's late.

[41:04] Adam: Yeah, I was a late bloomer. I was scared to be with boys in public till college, really.

[41:09] Jesse: Was it your family?

[41:10] Adam: No, not really. It was sort of a small town syndrome. We didn't have any gay people in my town, so I had no idea it was actually an option.

[41:19] Jesse: Strange now. Sitting here with you.

[41:24] Adam: Oh god. So you want to hold hands?

[41:28] [Adam grabs Jesse's hand, pulls him in, and starts to kiss his neck passionately.]

[41:33] Jesse: Do you want to watch a movie or a movie?

[41:35] Adam: Yeah, I don't know. I have movies and let's skip that part. You were incredible the other night.

[41:41] Jesse: [gets up] Sorry. Tell me. Do you like my body?

[41:47] Adam: What?

[41:47] Jesse: Do you like my body? Is this because I have all those next magazines in my apartment?

[41:56] Adam: No.

[41:57] Jesse: Good, because they give them out like candy at every gay bar. Somehow I always end up with one, but I'm not collecting them. I'm serious, Adam.

[42:02] Adam: Me too. Of course I like your body. I love your body. I mean, I know you like it, but are you really attracted to me?

[42:10] Jesse: I mean, do I excite you?

[42:13] Adam: Yes, of course. Of course you are. You do.

[42:15] Jesse: I don't know. I mean, I'm not always sure.

[42:17] Adam: You do.

[42:19] Jesse: I just want you to be proud of me. Proud to be seen with me.

[42:23] Adam: Where's all this coming from? Why haven't I met your friends?

[42:28] Jesse: I don't know. I mean, just you just haven't. The one friend I did meet a few weeks ago at the restaurant.

[42:34] Adam: I knew it. When he showed up at the restaurant and he saw us together, I'm just saying it was weird.

[42:40] Jesse: He likes you or something.

[42:42] Adam: What? No, he's a personal trainer. He has issues. It's not like he was ever gonna try to.

[42:49] Jesse: Like you couldn't believe it. He's a jerk, Jesse. That's all. I know what people might be thinking. And I want to make sure you aren't thinking that stuff too. I just want to make sure that you're happy being with me.

[43:01] Adam: I am. I trust that you would tell me, but sometimes people need an opportunity to talk about this kind of stuff. That's the level we're at, right? So here's the opportunity. I'm just asking where you are in all this.

[43:15] Jesse: I'm here with you.

[43:18] [They begin to kiss. After a few moments, Jesse pulls back again.]

[43:23] Jesse: Please, what is it you want me to say? Do you need an out?

[43:26] Adam: An out? Why would I need an out? It's still early, Adam, so I understand if you do, but I can't pretend not to care. Because I care a lot, okay? I care so much. And I wouldn't be upset if you didn't feel the same way.

[43:39] Jesse: Why wouldn't you be upset?

[43:40] Adam: I'm not stupid, Adam, okay?

[43:42] Jesse: What does that mean?

[43:43] Adam: I know people like us don't usually end up together.

[43:48] Jesse: So I want to be honest with myself.

[43:51] Adam: I like you a lot.

[43:53] Jesse: But I can't continue on with this until I know that you know that you have an option.

[43:58] Adam: The option to leave?

[43:59] Jesse: The option to leave or the option of someone else, someone different.

[44:04] Adam: I chose already.

[44:05] Jesse: Have you?

[44:05] Adam: What do you mean?

[44:06] Jesse: It feels like we're seeing each other in secret.

[44:10] Adam: And I don't want to keep seeing you in secret.

[44:12] Jesse: If there's something there that's making you uncomfortable with me, I want to know.

[44:15] Adam: There's not.

[44:16] Jesse: I just I think I wanted to keep you to myself for a while.

[44:20] Adam: You even said it, it's still early.

[44:22] Jesse: I like you.

[44:23] Adam: And I like myself.

[44:25] Jesse: So I need to know that you aren't embarrassed of me because I'm not embarrassed of me.

[44:28] Adam: I am not embarrassed of you, Jesse.

[44:30] Jesse: Here's the reality.

[44:32] Adam: You have the other options.

[44:33] Jesse: Those cheese grater ab sharp face next magazine guys.

[44:37] Adam: You can have them right now.

[44:39] Jesse: You're right, I guess.

[44:41] Adam: I could have one of those guys I don't have anything in common with, but then what?

[44:46] Jesse: That guy wouldn't try strange Mexican Cuban fusion food or avoid sex to try and watch movies.

[44:53] Adam: He wouldn't be you.

[44:56] Jesse: Look at me.

[44:59] Adam: I know what you look like.

[45:01] Jesse: I like every part of you because it's you.

[45:06] Adam: I don't know.

[45:09] Jesse: I might not be sure about this or anything in my life, but can we just try?

[45:15] Adam: And not because of you or me or what we look like, and not because I don't want to be with you.

[45:20] Jesse: Can we just be together now and see what happens?

[45:25] Adam: It's just I never I want to be here.

[45:25] Jesse: Okay.

[45:25] Adam: I want to be here.

[45:33] Jesse: Adam grabs Jesse's hand, removes the cluttering from Jesse's right hand, turns it around so the point of the heart faces the fingernails, then places it on Jesse's left hand.

[45:43] Adam: Just promise me that if this is too much for you, you'll tell me.

[45:48] Jesse: I promise.

[45:49] Adam: They start to kiss again with more touching.

[45:52] Jesse: Yeah, okay.

[45:54] Jesse gets up and grabs his pajamas from his drawer.

[45:57] Adam: Hey.

[46:01] Jesse: You're looking at me now.

[46:04] Adam: I'm serious.

[46:06] Jesse: Stand over here and take your clothes off.

[46:09] Adam: Why?

[46:10] Jesse: You want me to prove that I think you're sexy?

[46:13] Adam: Then stand here and let me look at you.

[46:18] Jesse: Adam, do it.

[46:20] Adam: No.

[46:23] Jesse: Keep the light on.

[46:24] Adam: Jesse slowly takes off his clothes, leaving just his underwear.

[46:30] Jesse: You are so sexy.

[46:30] Adam: Stop.

[46:33] Jesse: I mean it.

[46:35] Adam: Now get over here so I can show you just how sexy you are.

[46:39] Jesse: Jesse smiles then walks over to the bed.

[46:41] Adam: They start kissing intensely and taking their clothes off.

[46:44] Lights fade during this to blackout.

[46:48] Dominic: Scene eight.

[46:50] Troy: Dominic's birthday party.

[46:51] Dominic: Dominic and Troy are already seated at a low couch and have several empty drinks in front of them.

[46:57] Troy: Tonight's the big night.

[46:59] Dominic: Leave me alone.

[47:01] Troy: Don't you have somewhere to be?

[47:02] Dominic: And miss the fireworks between you two?

[47:04] Troy: No way.

[47:05] Dominic: Now wait.

[47:06] Troy: Didn't you say he had like some thing going on?

[47:09] Dominic: He does.

[47:10] Troy: At least he said he did.

[47:12] Dominic: Well, he's alone tonight.

[47:13] Troy: What's his deal anyway?

[47:15] Dominic: Apparently moonlighting as a chubby chaser, but he's pretty normal besides that.

[47:20] Troy: I don't get it.

[47:22] Dominic: What he's like huge, right?

[47:24] Troy: The guy?

[47:25] Dominic: Wait, but you said he's into me.

[47:28] Troy: For sure.

[47:32] Dominic: You just said he's a chubby chaser.

[47:35] Troy: Yep.

[47:36] Dominic: Fuck you.

[47:39] Troy: I said moonlighting as a chubby chaser.

[47:41] Dominic: If you can remember, I don't fuck fat guys.

[47:44] Troy: Okay, I might have once and he wasn't like fat fat, just like soft.

[47:48] Dominic: Any anyway.

[47:50] Troy: Dating is totally different.

[47:52] Dominic: Since when do you date?

[47:53] Troy: Fucking dating, tomato, tomato, whatever.

[47:56] Dominic: Which was which was I exactly?

[48:00] Troy: Somewhere between soft and normal.

[48:02] Dominic: Wow.

[48:03] Troy: Okay, happy birthday to me.

[48:06] Dominic: No, no, no, no.

[48:07] Troy: Look.

[48:08] Dominic: There's a scale.

[48:09] Troy: It's like drinks.

[48:11] Dominic: Tall, grande, venti.

[48:13] Troy: And remember like four years ago when they had one even bigger than Venti?

[48:16] Dominic: Trenta?

[48:17] Troy: You see.

[48:19] Dominic: You're like between tall and a grande, while Adam's new man is a Trenta, and well, there's a reason Trenta doesn't exist anymore.

[48:26] Troy: Well, fuck you very much.

[48:27] Dominic: I'm just saying your dating material.

[48:30] Troy: The Trenta is not.

[48:33] Dominic: Right, but aren't they like together?

[48:36] Troy: No, don't worry about it.

[48:37] Dominic: He's really into you, I'm telling you.

[48:39] Troy: Just go for it.

[48:40] Dominic: Shut up, shut up.

[48:41] Adam enters carrying a cocktail.

[48:42] Adam: Hey guys, sorry, the line at the bar was crazy long.

[48:45] Dominic: No problem.

[48:46] Troy: I'm glad you made it.

[48:49] Adam: Yeah, this place is really nice.

[48:51] Dominic: It's okay.

[48:52] Troy: It's great, shut up.

[48:54] Dominic: So, Adam, how have you been lately?

[48:56] Troy: Getting any action?

[48:57] Adam: Um.

[48:58] Troy: Shut the fuck up.

[48:59] Dominic: Troy, don't you have like trade to cruise?

[49:01] Troy: I can't imagine you're being leaving here alone tonight.

[49:04] Dominic: Oh my god, you're right.

[49:05] Troy: Where are you going?

[49:07] Dominic: To find Mr. Wright.

[49:08] Troy exits.

[49:14] Adam: You look really good tonight.

[49:16] Dominic: Oh, thanks.

[49:17] Adam: You look nice too.

[49:18] Dominic: You think?

[49:19] Adam: This jacket costs way too much, but I figured I'm worth it.

[49:22] Dominic: Right.

[49:23] Adam: Yeah.

[49:25] Dominic: So what are you drinking?

[49:28] Adam: Vodka Martini.

[49:29] Dominic: It's pretty strong.

[49:29] Adam: Great.

[49:30] Dominic: Let me get you another.

[49:30] Adam: No, I'm Dominic is already up.

[49:33] Dominic returns with two cocktails.

[49:35] Adam: Wow, that was fast.

[49:36] Dominic: It helps when you're the guest of honor.

[49:38] Adam: Right, yeah, I guess it would.

[49:40] Dominic: So, Adam.

[49:42] Dominic: Tell me about yourself.

[49:44] Adam: We've met a couple times, but I feel like I don't know anything about you.

[49:47] Dominic: Um, I'm terrible uh talking about myself.

[49:50] Adam: Um, I work in advertising.

[49:52] Dominic: Boring.

[49:53] Adam: Tell me what you do with your time.

[49:55] Dominic: Troy tells me you're he's your trainer.

[49:57] Adam: Yeah, he's intense about that stuff, but I just want to be a little healthier.

[50:01] Dominic: Well, it's certainly paying off.

[50:03] Adam: Thanks.

[50:04] Dominic: You go out much?

[50:05] Adam: Nah, occasionally grab a drink after work, but bars aren't really my scene.

[50:09] Dominic: Really?

[50:09] Adam: Come on.

[50:10] Dominic: Hot guy like you doesn't go out.

[50:12] Adam: Dominic inches closer on the couch.

[50:15] Dominic: I love a man in a suit.

[50:17] Adam: Um, thanks.

[50:19] Dominic: Where do you live?

[50:20] Adam: Brooklyn, why?

[50:23] Dominic: Just wondering.

[50:24] Dominic: I live in Chelsea.

[50:27] Adam: It's a lot closer.

[50:29] Dominic: Yeah.

[50:32] Dominic: Did I tell you you look great tonight?

[50:33] Adam: You did.

[50:34] Dominic: I Dominic leans in for a kiss.

[50:36] Adam: Adam quickly pulls away.

[50:37] Dominic: What are you look?

[50:38] Adam: I know you're into me, and I just want to let you know that I know and that I'm into you.

[50:43] Dominic: What gave you that idea?

[50:45] Adam: Troy told me what you said.

[50:46] Dominic: Oh, what did I say?

[50:48] Adam: That you were just dating some fat guy, so you could check the nice guy box off, and that you're just really into me.

[50:53] Dominic: No, I get it.

[50:55] Adam: I once went on a date with a guy who was severely balding, and it made me feel better about myself.

[50:59] Dominic: And hey, I did that guy a huge favor by letting him be seen with me.

[51:02] Adam: Whoa, wait, that is not what this is about.

[51:04] Dominic: I'm just hoping to get a little taste of what's to come tonight.

[51:08] Adam: Dominic again leans in to kiss Adam.

[51:09] This time Adam gets up.

[51:11] Adam: Look, I'm sorry if you got the wrong impression or the wrong idea or whatever, but I'm actually seeing someone.

[51:15] Dominic: You don't have to do that.

[51:17] Adam: Do what?

[51:17] Dominic: Date him.

[51:18] Adam: Just like you have other options.

[51:20] Dominic: You are unbelievable.

[51:21] Adam: I just told you I was dating someone, someone I like.

[51:24] Dominic: Someone who's really fat.

[51:26] Adam: I'm just saying you have options.

[51:28] Dominic: Don't settle.

[51:29] Adam: I'm not settling.

[51:30] Dominic: Look, I know you're into me, so let's just explore that.

[51:36] Adam: I am not interested in you.

[51:37] Dominic: This is loud enough for people around them to hear.

[51:40] Adam: Dominic is clearly mortified.

[51:42] Dominic: What?

[51:43] Adam: Is he rich or something?

[51:46] Dominic: What?

[51:46] Adam: I just.

[51:47] Dominic: I've gotta know.

[51:49] Adam: Why him?

[51:50] Dominic: I am not answering that.

[51:51] Adam: You think fucking a fat guy makes you some deep soul, doesn't it?

[51:54] Dominic: Like you're just above it all.

[51:56] Adam: I don't Well, it doesn't.

[51:57] Dominic: You're fooling yourself.

[51:59] Adam: I'm leaving.

[52:00] Dominic: If you're so proud of you two, I'm just wondering.

[52:04] Adam: Why isn't he here?

[52:06] Dominic: He's Yes.

[52:08] Adam: He's working.

[52:09] Dominic: Bullshit.

[52:10] Adam: Plus, he wouldn't like vi things like this.

[52:12] Dominic: He doesn't like them.

[52:13] Adam: Why?

[52:13] Dominic: Because he could never get in?

[52:15] Adam: Like we'd want some fatty wandering around.

[52:17] Dominic: Fuck you!

[52:18] Adam: Oh, that pushed a button.

[52:20] Dominic: Here's the thing, Dominic, and I know you'll find this hard to believe, but no matter what you or Troy or anyone else has to say about Jesse, he's better than all of you.

[52:28] Adam: He's more caring, more genuine, and more.

[52:30] Dominic: Well, obviously, he's more.

[52:31] Adam: I mean there's more of him to go around.

[52:33] Dominic: He isn't vain or a complete fucking prick.

[52:35] Adam: He actually cares enough to get to know people.

[52:39] Dominic: You don't know anything about me.

[52:41] Adam: I know that you're an asshole.

[52:42] Dominic: And I know for some reason that you happen to find the least desirable guy you could.

[52:46] Adam: Like, you've got some point to prove.

[52:48] Dominic: This is crazy.

[52:49] Adam: Is it though?

[52:50] Dominic: What are you talking about?

[52:51] Adam: I don't know you that well, but I do know I didn't do anything to you.

[52:54] Dominic: Get out of my party.

[52:55] Adam: I was already leaving.

[52:57] Adam gets up, but pauses before walking away.

[52:59] Adam: And by the way, I'm happy with Jesse.

[53:02] Dominic: Good for you.

[53:05] Adam exits.

[53:06] Dominic is left sitting alone.

[53:10] Dominic: Scene nine.

[53:11] Adam: Adam is seen leaving the gym.

[53:13] Troy: Troy runs after him.

[53:14] Troy: Adam.

[53:16] Adam: Hey, what the fuck?

[53:18] Troy: I have to find out from the other guys that you switched trainers.

[53:22] Adam: You didn't have to do that.

[53:23] Troy: I think I did, actually.

[53:26] Adam: Are you gonna talk to me?

[53:27] Troy: I don't have anything to say to you.

[53:29] Adam: Dude, what happened?

[53:31] Troy: Seriously, Troy.

[53:33] Adam: I heard what you said about me with Jesse.

[53:37] Troy: Oh.

[53:42] Adam: Look, I think I owe you an apology.

[53:46] Troy: Okay.

[53:50] Adam: I know I've been sort of an ass about this whole Jesse thing.

[53:50] Troy: Sort of.

[53:55] Adam: Okay.

[53:57] Troy: I've been a huge ass.

[53:59] Adam: I it was it was just new to me, and I I couldn't figure out why you were doing it.

[54:04] Troy: Me dating Jesse doesn't have anything to do with you.

[54:07] Adam: I know at all.

[54:08] Troy: I know.

[54:09] Adam: You know?

[54:10] Troy: Yes.

[54:10] Adam: You told Dominic, a guy I barely know, that I was dating some fat guy so I could check off the nice box.

[54:17] Troy: I know.

[54:17] Adam: You couldn't figure out why I was doing it.

[54:19] Troy: Doing what?

[54:20] Adam: Dating someone?

[54:21] Troy: Well, I I mean, like, I couldn't figure out what it was you wanted.

[54:26] Adam: But I wanted Jesus Christ, he's a human being, Troy.

[54:29] Troy: I'm trying to apologize.

[54:30] Adam: Well, you're doing a shit job.

[54:32] Troy: Honestly, I am just so sick of talking about this.

[54:34] Adam: God, I'm with a guy I care about and love being around.

[54:37] Troy: Why do I have to defend my choice to my friend?

[54:40] Adam: I'm dating Jesse because I like him, and he likes me.

[54:44] Troy: That's all you need to know.

[54:45] Adam: And if you took some time in between making assumptions and stirring up trouble and got your head out of your ass for a minute, you'd see that we have an amazingly healthy relationship.

[54:53] Troy: One that's more normal than most of the relationships you've had.

[54:56] Adam: So enough about what I said.

[54:58] Troy: I don't want to hear it.

[54:59] Adam: I I thought you and Dominic would hit it off.

[55:01] Troy: And I I just really didn't think you were that into this guy.

[55:05] Adam: I I was making a joke.

[55:06] Troy: That's not an excuse.

[55:07] Adam: I know.

[55:14] Troy: I want my drinking buddy back.

[55:16] Adam: It's not that easy.

[55:18] Adam turns around and starts to walk away.

[55:21] Troy: Come on.

[55:22] Troy: We've missed you on Thursdays.

[55:24] Adam: Boys' night is no fun without you.

[55:26] Troy: I've been busy.

[55:27] Adam: Yeah, I know.

[55:30] Troy: Are you around this Thursday?

[55:31] Adam: Nope.

[55:32] Troy: Right, okay.

[55:33] Adam turns to walk away.

[55:37] Troy: Okay, I missed you.

[55:38] Adam continues walking.

[55:40] Troy: Okay, wait.

[55:43] Troy: I want my friend back.

[55:44] Troy: Just give me a chance to explain.

[55:47] Adam turns around.

[55:50] Troy: I know.

[55:51] Adam: I'm a terrible person.

[55:52] Troy: I don't know.

[55:53] Adam: I don't know why I put you through hell with this guy.

[55:57] Troy: Like, honestly, I think I saw you being happy and I was jealous.

[56:02] Adam: Yes, I'm an asshole, and you're actually a good person, a good guy.

[56:08] Troy: But that's what makes our friendship work.

[56:11] Adam: You keep me in line, and I don't know.

[56:16] Troy: I'm I'm an asshole.

[56:22] Adam: I said it already.

[56:23] Troy: You're a good person, and I'm saying that.

[56:26] Adam: You are.

[56:27] Troy: You are.

[56:29] Adam: And I'm sorry.

[56:30] Troy places his arm on Adam's shoulder.

[56:32] Adam smiles and pushes his hand off.

[56:35] Adam: Alright, let me go.

[56:37] Troy: I have to go home.

[56:38] Adam: Okay, just promise me you'll come on Thursday.

[56:43] Troy: If I've just spend one more night alone with those boring men, I'm going to die.

[56:48] Adam: Maybe.

[56:49] Troy: But only because I miss going out.

[56:55] Adam: You should bring Jesse.

[56:57] Troy: Adam gives Troy a look.

[56:58] Adam: I'm I'm serious.

[56:59] Troy: I I want to get a know-em.

[57:02] Adam: No jokes, I promise.

[57:05] Troy: Okay.

[57:07] Adam: Cool.

[57:08] Troy: See you Thursday.

[57:10] Adam: Troy and Adam exit.

[57:12] Blackout.

[57:15] Dominic: Scene 10.

[57:16] Jesse: The hallway outside of a fundraiser.

[57:18] Jesse: We hear music and talking distantly.

[57:20] Jesse: Jesse is standing alone in a hallway.

[57:22] Dominic: Dominic comes out from the hall with a drink and approaches Jesse.

[57:26] Dominic: Hey.

[57:27] Jesse: Hi.

[57:28] Dominic: Are you Jesse Adam's boyfriend?

[57:30] Jesse: You must be him.

[57:32] Dominic: Uh yes, I am.

[57:34] Jesse: I wondered if Adam would bring his new boo.

[57:36] Dominic: I'm Dominic.

[57:37] Jesse: Hi, Dominic.

[57:37] Dominic: Nice to meet you.

[57:40] Jesse: You don't know who I am.

[57:42] Dominic: I'm um.

[57:45] Jesse: I'm um friends with Adam.

[57:49] Dominic: Oh, okay.

[57:50] Jesse: Yeah.

[57:51] Dominic: I was actually wasn't sure if he'd be here at all.

[57:53] Jesse: I thought he hated things like this.

[57:55] Dominic: Fundraisers?

[57:56] Jesse: Like big events.

[57:57] Dominic: I don't know.

[57:58] Jesse: I mean, you know him better than I do.

[57:59] Dominic: To be honest, I think I'm the out of place one here.

[58:03] Jesse: Oh?

[58:04] Dominic: Yeah, just the cameras and fancy people and things.

[58:08] Jesse: Yeah.

[58:10] Dominic: I'm used to it, I guess.

[58:15] Jesse: You look very nice.

[58:16] Adam: Thank you.

[58:18] Jesse: Where's Adam?

[58:19] Dominic: He's in the bathroom.

[58:20] Jesse: I I didn't want to go in without him.

[58:22] Dominic: It felt like I shouldn't.

[58:24] Jesse: Oh, yeah.

[58:24] Dominic: I was wondering what you were doing out here.

[58:26] Jesse: Going into places as a couple, that whole thing.

[58:29] Dominic: Yeah.

[58:29] Jesse: It's weird.

[58:30] Dominic: Yeah.

[58:31] Jesse: I actually thought I would meet you at my birthday party the other night.

[58:35] Dominic: Why is that?

[58:36] Jesse: Adam was there.

[58:39] Dominic: Sorry, I figured you knew.

[58:41] Jesse: No, no. Um, I was actually uh working anyway.

[58:44] Dominic: How was it?

[58:45] Jesse: I don't remember any of it.

[58:47] Dominic: Oh, that's not good.

[58:48] Jesse: No, it was great.

[58:51] Dominic: Anyway, I can I guess you're gonna wait for him here then.

[58:55] Jesse: You can wait with me if you'd like. Lonely hallway.

[59:00] Dominic: Sure.

[59:03] Jesse: So when did you get here?

[59:06] Dominic: A while ago. My friend organized the whole thing, so I came here to help and get to the bar first.

[59:11] Jesse: Wow, you must be excited then.

[59:13] Dominic: I guess. Honestly, I feel like I'm always at these things. I was actually supposed to be at this party for Vogue, but you know how it is.

[59:19] Jesse: You have to make at least an appearance, be seen.

[59:22] Dominic: Right.

[59:24] Jesse: Vogue, wow.

[59:26] Dominic: It's whatever.

[59:29] Jesse: It doesn't sound like whatever at all. It sounds like you lead a very glamorous life.

[59:34] Dominic: Yeah, sure.

[59:37] Jesse: Is everything okay?

[59:40] Dominic: What?

[59:41] Jesse: You seem sad.

[59:44] Dominic: Um, I ask that when I feel nervous.

[59:55] Jesse: I don't think anyone's ever asked me that.

[59:57] Dominic: Well, I'm asking. If you get it out, whatever it is you're feeling, usually it helps.

[1:00:04] Jesse: I mean, we just met.

[1:00:06] Dominic: My dad always says, a stranger is a friend you haven't met yet.

[1:00:10] Jesse: You can't be from the city.

[1:00:12] Dominic: Not quite, but hey, look at it this way. I have no basis for judgment.

[1:00:18] Jesse: That's true.

[1:00:20] Dominic: So what's bothering you? I've got time.

[1:00:25] Jesse: I don't know. I just feel like I celebrated my 30th birthday with nothing to show for all these years except for a five new gray hairs.

[1:00:34] Dominic: I don't know you, but it seems like you've got a lot to offer. Maybe you're just being too hard on yourself.

[1:00:41] Jesse: I don't know. I What is it?

[1:00:45] Dominic: Nothing.

[1:00:46] Jesse: I just I get it.

[1:00:50] Dominic: Get what?

[1:00:52] Jesse: No, nothing.

[1:00:53] Dominic: So.

[1:00:55] Jesse: Are you having fun?

[1:00:56] Dominic: Well, it's a beautiful hallway.

[1:01:01] Jesse: Right. Uh, uh, so what do you do for a living?

[1:01:05] Dominic: I'm a creative writing teacher.

[1:01:07] Jesse: College?

[1:01:08] Dominic: High school.

[1:01:09] Jesse: Oh, cool.

[1:01:10] Dominic: Cool.

[1:01:11] Jesse: Adam said the same thing when we met.

[1:01:13] Dominic: I bet he did.

[1:01:14] Jesse: What?

[1:01:15] Dominic: I don't know. I mean, writing.

[1:01:19] Jesse: It's very universal.

[1:01:22] Dominic: Yeah. I mean, everyone has the potential to create something.

[1:01:28] Jesse: Yeah.

[1:01:31] Dominic: Well, I should probably—

[1:01:33] Adam: Dominic, hey.

[1:01:35] Dominic: Oh, hello, Adam.

[1:01:37] Adam: You look handsome.

[1:01:38] Dominic: Uh, thanks. I didn't know you'd be here.

[1:01:43] Adam: Are you kidding? It's the biggest fundraiser of the year. All the gays are here.

[1:01:46] Dominic: I'm surprised you are here.

[1:01:48] Adam: Well, I um this is uh—

[1:01:52] Dominic: We met.

[1:01:53] Adam: Oh, well, okay. Well, you two have fun. I have to go make sure that my friend doesn't make a fool of himself in front of his soon-to-be ex-husband.

[1:02:02] Jesse: Good luck.

[1:02:03] Dominic: It's an actual duty of mine tonight.

[1:02:05] Adam: Okay. It was great meeting you.

[1:02:07] Dominic: You too. I'll meet you two on the dance floor later, right?

[1:02:11] Jesse: Um, of course.

[1:02:13] Dominic: Great.

[1:02:13] Dominic exits.

[1:02:16] Jesse: He seems nice.

[1:02:18] Adam: Yeah.

[1:02:19] Jesse: Yeah, he's nice, I guess.

[1:02:21] Adam: He was really nice.

[1:02:22] Jesse: In a way.

[1:02:24] Adam: I liked his bow tie.

[1:02:25] Jesse: Yeah, me too.

[1:02:30] Adam: You were in the bathroom a while.

[1:02:32] Jesse: Sorry.

[1:02:33] Troy: Hey guys, what are you both doing out here?

[1:02:36] Jesse: We're just talking.

[1:02:38] Troy: Hey, Jesse.

[1:02:39] Jesse: Hi, Troy.

[1:02:40] Troy: Uh listen, I I just want to say I was really rude to you when we met a few weeks ago.

[1:02:46] Jesse: It's no.

[1:02:47] Troy: It's not okay. I'm an asshole. And I'm sorry.

[1:02:54] Jesse: Forgiven.

[1:02:57] Troy: Can can we—

[1:02:59] Jesse: Um, yeah.

[1:03:03] Troy: Troy hugs Jesse. It's awkward, but well meant.

[1:03:09] Troy: We missed you the other night.

[1:03:11] Jesse: It was pretty crazy.

[1:03:16] Troy: Oh?

[1:03:17] Jesse: Your man Adam here had a great time.

[1:03:19] Troy: What happened the other night?

[1:03:21] Adam: Boys' night.

[1:03:22] Jesse: We haven't really had a proper one since.

[1:03:24] Troy: Never mind.

[1:03:26] Jesse: Boys' night, got it.

[1:03:27] Troy: It was just a last minute thing.

[1:03:29] Jesse: Oh, okay.

[1:03:32] Troy: So I'm gonna head in. I'll I'll I'll see you guys inside.

[1:03:37] Jesse: Okay, see you inside.

[1:03:39] Troy exits.

[1:03:42] Adam: How many things haven't you invited me to?

[1:03:45] Jesse: What?

[1:03:45] Adam: No, it wasn't like that.

[1:03:47] Jesse: It was not even a thing to invite you to.

[1:03:49] Adam: What about Dominic's birthday party?

[1:03:51] Jesse: Are you going to just grill me on everything I've done this past month?

[1:03:53] Adam: I'm just asking a question.

[1:03:55] Jesse: I think it's strange you didn't tell me anything about it.

[1:03:57] Adam: I didn't mean not to tell you.

[1:03:59] Jesse: You didn't even mention it casually.

[1:04:00] Adam: Okay, it's just I know.

[1:04:02] Jesse: I think.

[1:04:07] Adam: Are we okay?

[1:04:11] Jesse: I don't know.

[1:04:13] Adam: You don't know.

[1:04:16] Jesse: Adam, I like you. I do.

[1:04:18] Adam: I just don't know if I can handle this right now.

[1:04:22] Jesse: Adam.

[1:04:22] Adam: It's just the other night.

[1:04:24] Jesse: Don't do this. Please, just let me.

[1:04:26] Adam: I understand if you feel scared. I'm scared too.

[1:04:31] Jesse: But when I'm with you, I feel less scared.

[1:04:36] Adam: When I'm with you, you look right at me. You see me.

[1:04:40] Jesse: I don't need you to be Superman. I don't need you to rescue me. I just need you to be you, and for me to be me, and for us to be us.

[1:04:50] Adam: I'm not this good guy you think I am.

[1:04:51] Jesse: What do you mean?

[1:04:52] Adam: I love being with you, but sometimes I feel like everything with us is so hard.

[1:04:57] Jesse: When did it become hard?

[1:04:59] Adam: I'm not sure.

[1:05:00] Jesse: Because we're in public together as a couple.

[1:05:02] Adam: You don't understand.

[1:05:03] Jesse: Help me understand.

[1:05:04] Adam: I used to have friends. I used to go out with my friends and have fun and not care.

[1:05:08] Jesse: That's not my fault.

[1:05:09] Adam: You wouldn't even invite me to hang out with your friends.

[1:05:13] Jesse: Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?

[1:05:15] Adam: It's not that simple.

[1:05:16] Jesse: Yes, it is.

[1:05:17] Adam: It isn't.

[1:05:18] Jesse: Then how isn't it simple?

[1:05:20] Adam: It just isn't.

[1:05:22] Jesse: Tell me.

[1:05:23] Adam: I want it to be easier, but it just isn't. And I know that it's me.

[1:05:28] Jesse: You're right. It might be my stuff that makes it hard, but I can't help it. Maybe I'm a coward, but I'm just seeing this and seeing where it might go, and I'm not sure anymore.

[1:05:38] Jesse: But it's okay to not be sure.

[1:05:40] Adam: I don't think it is.

[1:05:44] Jesse: Maybe I should go.

[1:05:50] Adam: You're not even gonna say anything.

[1:05:54] Jesse: I don't know what to say.

[1:05:57] Adam: I feel like I don't even know you right now.

[1:06:04] Jesse: If you want me to leave, I want to hear you say it.

[1:06:09] Adam: I think you should go.

[1:06:15] Jesse: Okay, Adam. Will I see you this Friday for dinner?

[1:06:23] Adam: I'll call you.

[1:06:25] Jesse: Goodbye, Adam.

[1:06:28] Jesse exits.

[1:06:31] Scene 11.

[1:06:33] Transition.

[1:06:34] Jesse's apartment building three months later. Adam is waiting on Jesse's apartment building stoop. Jesse sees Adam and stops, dead in his tracks.

[1:06:42] Adam: Jess.

[1:06:45] Jesse: Hey.

[1:06:48] Adam: Hi.

[1:06:51] Jesse: How are you?

[1:06:53] Adam: I'm okay.

[1:06:55] Jesse: You're on my stoop.

[1:06:57] Adam: On second thought.

[1:06:58] Jesse: How long have you been?

[1:06:59] Adam: A while. I didn't know what else to do.

[1:07:03] Jesse: I'm gonna go inside.

[1:07:04] Jesse starts up the stairs to his apartment.

[1:07:06] Adam: Jesse, I know I'm the last person on earth you want to see.

[1:07:10] Jesse: Three months.

[1:07:11] Adam: I know. I It's been three months since I've seen you. I've called. I haven't even run into you.

[1:07:17] Jesse: I know.

[1:07:21] Adam: Your ring, you're not.

[1:07:22] Jesse: What do you want?

[1:07:24] Adam: I was thinking about you the other day.

[1:07:26] Jesse: Okay.

[1:07:28] Adam: I know that I screwed up. It felt like we were in the twilight zone that night. My head was all scrambled, and I just didn't know.

[1:07:36] Jesse: You don't have to say anything.

[1:07:38] Adam: I didn't mean to disappear.

[1:07:41] Jesse: That's not true, Adam. It's not okay what I did.

[1:07:43] Adam: Of course it wasn't okay.

[1:07:46] Jesse: What the fuck, Adam?

[1:07:50] Adam: I couldn't be that person to you. That I knew you wanted. I don't the one that you deserve, deserve.

[1:07:57] Jesse: Okay, Adam. I just want you to know how special you are to me, and how if I had another chance or more time or something.

[1:08:04] Adam: I'm not sure.

[1:08:05] Jesse: Adam, Adam. Listen. I'm sorry, Jesse.

[1:08:13] Adam: I just want to say something so that you don't completely hate me.

[1:08:16] Jesse: Why does it matter if I hate you or something?

[1:08:18] Adam: Because it does.

[1:08:19] Jesse: Who cares what I think?

[1:08:20] Adam: I care. I can't let you think that our time together, because of what I did, it doesn't erase everything.

[1:08:22] Jesse: It doesn't.

[1:08:28] Adam: Oh, I know that. Because I've been going over it in my head almost every day, every date, every phone call for the last three months. I've been going over it in my head over and over again, trying to figure out what I did.

[1:08:40] Jesse: I realized I didn't do anything.

[1:08:43] Adam: It's not you. You don't know what you want. Or maybe you do know what you want. I don't fit into that picture somehow.

[1:08:50] Jesse: It wasn't you, Jess.

[1:08:52] Adam: It had to have had something to do with me.

[1:08:56] Jesse: I felt like I was under a lot of pressure.

[1:08:58] Adam: I don't want to do this.

[1:08:59] Jesse turns around and walks away quickly, almost running away.

[1:09:03] Adam: Jesse, I cared about you. I did. I still do.

[1:09:06] Jesse: You can say these things, but the fact is you disappear.

[1:09:09] Adam: Jess.

[1:09:09] Jesse: Into thin air.

[1:09:10] Adam: Jess, I'm so sorry.

[1:09:12] Jesse: Don't say you're sorry.

[1:09:13] Adam: Say why?

[1:09:14] Jesse: Wait. Don't.

[1:09:15] Adam: I know why.

[1:09:21] Jesse: But I want it to be why.

[1:09:25] Adam: It's been three months. I did a lot of thinking. You know, I waited. At the restaurant, just in case.

[1:09:35] Jesse: God, Jesse. I'm Do you have any idea how that felt?

[1:09:41] Adam: No.

[1:09:41] Jesse: Yeah, well, it sucked.

[1:09:47] Adam: Why are you here? Why did you come here?

[1:09:51] Jesse: To say sorry. To I don't know.

[1:09:56] Adam: Well, I heard your apology. Now excuse me.

[1:09:58] Jesse walks to his building door, gets the key, and then stops.

[1:10:01] Adam: Jesse, wait.

[1:10:02] Jesse: No, Adam, just go.

[1:10:03] Adam: I can't. If this is some guilt trip thing, then you don't have to.

[1:10:06] Jesse: It's not. I I wasn't honest with you, and I just need to be for one minute. Just completely honest with you.

[1:10:15] Jesse: Okay.

[1:10:16] Jesse sets his bag down and crosses his arms.

[1:10:22] Adam: That night. When I let you leave, I just. I want you to know that it wasn't because I didn't like you enough. Or that I didn't feel like I might be falling in love with you because I did. And I was.

[1:10:40] Jesse: But the whole thing just freaked me out.

[1:10:43] Adam: I stood in that bathroom imagining, introducing you to everyone and feeling like I'd have to explain something.

[1:10:49] Jesse: Explain what?

[1:10:50] Adam: Us.

[1:10:52] Jesse: You.

[1:10:53] Adam: Us together.

[1:10:56] Jesse: I see.

[1:10:56] Adam: I didn't want to get in deeper with you when I was feeling so unsure about everything.

[1:11:01] Jesse: Just stop. Stop trying to be the good guy all the time.

[1:11:04] Adam: It's true.

[1:11:05] Jesse: Just leave. Please.

[1:11:12] Adam: That's it. You're not going to say anything else?

[1:11:16] Jesse: What do you want me to say, Adam?

[1:11:19] Adam: That you broke my heart?

[1:11:20] Jesse: Yes, you did. You're the first guy I ever felt safe with.

[1:11:26] Adam: Good for you. I can't take back what I did, and I can't make things right, but I hate this. I I miss you, Jesse.

[1:11:33] Jesse: But you made the choice, Adam. You chose to disappear.

[1:11:40] Adam: Yes. I made the wrong choice.

[1:11:47] Adam: I went back that day at Whole Foods after the first time we met because there was something about you. I had to talk to you again, and I was right. Being with you changed the way I saw things, and because of that, I felt like I might have been giving something up.

[1:12:03] Adam: But what I'm trying to say is that you're good. You are good. And I'm so fucking aware of everything that's ugly around me. I thought I wanted to go back to it and be around the same sorts of people that I used to, but I can't now, and I don't want to. You've changed me, and I I feel lost.

[1:12:27] Adam: You pierced my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am not too late. That such precious feelings are gone forever. I have loved none but you persuasion.

[1:12:53] Jesse: I want you to be in my life again. I don't know how that could possibly happen because I know you'll never be able to trust me. But I hate not seeing you.

[1:13:10] Adam: Friday. Friday, we're having a dinner thing fundraiser. It's to help the juniors pay for their study abroad trip next year. Are you not so fast? Tickets are a hundred bucks.

[1:13:30] Jesse: Okay. I was just wondering if you'd like to support the cause. Will you be there?

[1:13:40] Adam: Of course, yes.

[1:13:42] Jesse: Then I'll be there. This doesn't mean I know.

[1:13:47] Adam: I know. Now can I kindly go inside my apartment?

[1:13:53] Jesse: Yes.

[1:13:54] Jesse: What?

[1:14:01] Adam: Nothing. I'll see you Friday.

[1:14:05] Jesse: Jesse watches Adam walk away. Once Adam is gone, Jesse looks at his keys, takes a deep breath, exhales, and smiles to himself. Jesse takes his ring out of his pocket and puts it on. We don't see what direction it's facing. Lights out. End of play.

[1:15:24] ♪ Musical number: "Come Around" — performed by NOWA ♪

[1:17:00] Iyvon Edebiri: So the first question I asked about the world, what would the world be missing if it didn't have this play?

[1:18:48] Misty Jones: You kind of touched upon a usual question that I asked is, you know, what was the reason why you wrote this play? But specifically, I want to know how did you create, um, more so I want to hear more about what inspired you to write the play, but also how you created this world of characters, especially inserting yourselves into this reading.

[1:19:12] Jonathan Mello: How do you want to tackle this one, sweet Play?

[1:19:17] Misty Jones: Do you want Bruce?

[1:19:18] Jonathan Mello: Bruce and I have been friends for a long time. So before we were playwrights, we were just two people working in a restaurant talking about being an actor and what our lives were. And we talked a lot about dating and our dating experience, and all of those things melded into why don't we tell a story that's specifically you how about, um, okay, good, I've got something. I well, there's a few things. There's something that Jonathan said at the top that he was talking about the idea of, you know, marginalizing people, and in this case, specifically marginalizing fat bodies. And one of the things that we talked about a lot in something that is like an instance that's something that's been a constant thing that's happened to me is like, you know, you're in a bar, you're flirting, things are going somewhere, you're like, okay, it's scram time.

We're either gonna exchange numbers or you're coming home, or like, you know, we're doing that thing. And one thing I think I talked about a lot with Jonathan is how we would get to the scram time part, and there's this one instance, and I remember this happened at South, Silver by the Flea. Me and the and our meeting this guy. And this guy was like, you know, we were it was really going well. Like I thought like we're, you know, we're gonna go home together. And then he's just like, I'm sorry, but like you're just not usually what like what I go for. And I remember kind of being like, aha, because it made me realize that like this makes so much sense because I've had a lot of kind of circumstances like that, similar.

And I think we were kind of like, what would happen if there was someone who is brave enough to like follow through with this thing, like Jesse does, who's like very brave and takes like a kind of he does a very brave thing, and what happens if things work out and what happens when they get to know each other? So it's kind of like, you know, almost like, you know, I wish I could be half as brave as he is, but yeah, what happens if two people who don't look like they go together actually fall in love? And we actually see what that looks like, yeah.

[1:21:29] Misty Jones: Yeah, but also it's like, you know, it's not rife with challenges, you know. It's like, you know, it's not ignoring the idea that there may be some people in his community and his circle who are not, um, cool, you know, it's not just gonna happen easy for them.

[1:21:45] Jonathan Mello: Of course, whoever it is. And so, like on that note, why do you think, um, because what drew me to this play is that, um, I'm very fascinated with conversations about body image, but specifically male body image, because body image and, um, yeah, ways in which we see body, um, the body and those conversations tend to be more centered towards, um, female and femme, you know, bodies, right? Um, so I'm usually fascinated about how men explore body image, and specifically in this, it's, you know, in the queer VA community, right? So why do you think like these conversations are so like stilted and stalled within that community?

[1:22:34] Misty Jones: I could take this, or you we could both take this. Do you want to do sure?

[1:22:39] Jonathan Mello: Yeah.

[1:22:39] Jonathan Mello: I think I don't know. Women can be cruel.

[1:22:43] Misty Jones: Well, I think very cruel.

[1:22:44] Jonathan Mello: Well, I think it's also about the idea that there is also a very specific kind of misogyny that exists in the context of gay male spaces. And the idea like fat shaming is because of misogyny and the idea of a male body, what we think is a male body. I'm saying I'm using quote fingers, and the idea that like a fat body is also inherently more feminine because you have a curvy or a soft body, and that's something that there are men who gay men who hate women or hate femme folk or hate feminine people, that's something that I think manifests itself in that way, and that's like what I think makes fat shaming happen. And so this idea that you can't even be soft, your body can't be soft, your language can't be soft, your heart can't be soft.

And so I think it has a lot to do with misogyny, and I think that's one of the reasons why the conversation is is uh stilted, is because we're not acknowledging that it's inherently misogynistic, and we're also not having the honest conversation with ourselves and going like, oh yeah, I like this kind of thing or this kind of person, why is that? And I think no one is honest, I don't think everyone's being honest enough with themselves when it comes to talking about the things that they like because everyone's like, oh well, no one just wakes up and says, like, thin bodies are beautiful. Like you're not born saying these are the only kinds of bodies that I can find attractive that I can find desirable.

That is all shaded by our experiences, our social experiences, our romantic experiences, all of it. It has nothing to do with what is inherently in us. It has to do with like how we're, you know, nurtured nature versus nurture, I guess. Um I hope that answers the question.

[1:24:28] Misty Jones: No, that was great.

[1:24:29] Jonathan Mello: Thanks for watching. I was I'll I was just gonna say back like back, sweetheart, what we talked about what this what the world will be missing without this play is that too often we don't look at that stuff.

[1:24:41] Misty Jones: Yeah, why do it's not even a part of the conversation? Why do we idolize one certain kind of body and stigmatize every other kind of body?

[1:24:50] Jonathan Mello: Right. It's like we're, you know, as gay people, we're trying to be heard, and then we forget to look inward at how we treat each other in the community and how we look at things and why we look at them that way.

[1:25:00] Misty Jones: Oh, and I'd also want to say, I'm sorry, I just wanted to add to that. There are obviously subcategories, but even in the subcategories, there are barometers. If you're a chubby person, you still have to be like this. If you're this person, you still, you know what I mean? It's all just like the, there's not enough cross-pollinating without thinking.

[1:25:23] Jonathan Mello: Right.

[1:25:26] Misty Jones: So, um, one thing that jumped out to me when I first met you, Bruce, um, is how you describe yourself and describe Jesse when we were discussing the show. So, um, Jesse is a fat, black, queer man, right?

[1:25:43] Jonathan Mello: Person.

[1:25:44] Misty Jones: Person. Thank you. No, it's okay. Um, no, I just, uh, so society tends to think that the word fat is a bad word.

[1:25:54] Jonathan Mello: Well, yeah, I mean when you weaponize it.

[1:25:56] Misty Jones: Right, yeah. So, um, like what does that mean to you? Because that I feel like the acceptance of that word has changed a little bit over the years. And so I'm wondering, like, as you were writing this and putting yourself as Jesse into this play, like how has that word changed for you? What does it mean for you?

[1:26:18] Jonathan Mello: Thank you for that question, Iyvon. Um, I think the word fat is weaponized already. So every time someone wants to say something's bad about someone, you know, like your ex-boyfriend starts dating someone different, they're like, oh, well, so and so is fat, or so and so is fat, or he didn't have a fat. And so it's about the idea that the word is weaponized and not used as like a descriptive word. It's used as like a weapon. And so I've kind of tried to reclaim the term for myself. I like the, I think the term fat is fine. I like the term chubby. Um, I think, gosh, as it coincides with Jesse, I think that one of the reasons Jesse doesn't go like I'm fat, deal with it, is because the word is weaponized. And so we wanted to make sure that when the word fat came out of anyone's mouth, it was out of the mouth of someone who wasn't Jesse, because he wasn't using it to weaponize himself and to weaponize, you know, against himself as a tool against himself.

[1:27:17] Jonathan Mello: And I think um what makes this character inherently special and tragic and and kind of uh it's not I shouldn't say hard, but but tough is that there is a you know a line in the scene where in that dinner scene where he says, you know, I kind of planned on being alone, and he's essentially, even though he's kind of someone who lives in in a in a space of confidence for the most part, I had a lot of discussions, you know, I mean a brief discussion with, and I'm sure we'll have more with our director Sammy.

[1:27:46] Jonathan Mello: She's over there in the can you wave, Sammy?

[1:27:48] Jonathan Mello: There's Sammy.

[1:27:49] Jonathan Mello: And Sammy and I talked about she's amazing.

[1:27:51] Jonathan Mello: And we talked about um the idea of how there's this person who's very confident, but has this thing that is buried so deep in them.

[1:27:59] Jonathan Mello: This and this insecurity is unearthed by his relationship with Adam.

[1:28:04] Jonathan Mello: Because ultimately, those are feelings he hasn't touched, because ultimately he's like, I'm probably gonna be alone.

[1:28:10] Jonathan Mello: And I'm like, I'm okay with that.

[1:28:11] Jonathan Mello: I like my kids, I like teaching.

[1:28:12] Jonathan Mello: This is great.

[1:28:13] Jonathan Mello: But then he meets this person, and then he is all these other things because once the possibility is dangling in front of your face, it's um it could be devastating.

[1:28:25] Jonathan Mello: Right.

[1:28:25] Jonathan Mello: It's why he warns him then.

[1:28:26] Jonathan Mello: He's like, you know, he's in a manner of words.

[1:28:29] Jonathan Mello: He says, if you don't, if you don't love me, or if you know we're not going that direction, like I will be crushed if you don't, you know, to we don't know, we don't figure this out.

[1:28:39] Jonathan Mello: And so I think the thing is is it's about how insecurity can be unearthed by the power of love, by the power of being loved and being desired and being um cared for.

[1:28:51] Jonathan Mello: Um, I hope that sort of answered it.

[1:28:54] Jonathan Mello: I might have skated around it a bit.

[1:28:57] Jonathan Mello: Oh, thank you.

[1:28:58] Jonathan Mello: Thank you.

[1:29:01] Iyvon Edebiri: Um, so I'm gonna do like quick lightning rounds today, which I've never done.

[1:29:06] Iyvon Edebiri: Oh boy.

[1:29:06] Iyvon Edebiri: Right, okay.

[1:29:07] Iyvon Edebiri: Just something jumped out at me.

[1:29:09] Iyvon Edebiri: Okay.

[1:29:10] Iyvon Edebiri: What are your both both yeah, I'll answer it.

[1:29:12] Iyvon Edebiri: So, like in like 10 seconds.

[1:29:14] Iyvon Edebiri: Okay, 10 seconds each.

[1:29:15] Iyvon Edebiri: 10 seconds each.

[1:29:16] Iyvon Edebiri: Okay, I'm gonna look at it.

[1:29:17] Iyvon Edebiri: Don't go over.

[1:29:18] Iyvon Edebiri: Oh, geez.

[1:29:18] Iyvon Edebiri: Jonathan.

[1:29:19] Iyvon Edebiri: Okay.

[1:29:20] Iyvon Edebiri: Heard.

[1:29:21] Iyvon Edebiri: Okay.

[1:29:22] Iyvon Edebiri: What are your favorite colors and what would they say about you?

[1:29:28] Jonathan Mello: Marigold.

[1:29:29] Jonathan Mello: Green.

[1:29:29] Jonathan Mello: All shades of green.

[1:29:30] Jonathan Mello: Emerald green, especially.

[1:29:32] Jonathan Mello: But oh, I love yellow and marigold and green.

[1:29:34] Jonathan Mello: And because um I love sunflowers.

[1:29:40] Jonathan Mello: That was nice.

[1:29:42] Bruce Jones: I don't know if I can be so poetic.

[1:29:44] Bruce Jones: Um, blue, purple, gray.

[1:29:46] Bruce Jones: Gray's weird, but blue and purple like cooling.

[1:29:49] Bruce Jones: I'm a Leo, so I'm a fire science like, and it's like cooling, gray.

[1:29:52] Bruce Jones: I don't know, I just really like gray.

[1:29:56] Bruce Jones: Is that more than 10 seconds?

[1:29:57] Iyvon Edebiri: Probably.

[1:29:59] Iyvon Edebiri: What is um what are your favorite books?

[1:30:02] Iyvon Edebiri: And what are your favorite quotes from those books?

[1:30:06] Bruce Jones: Oh, Jesus.

[1:30:06] Bruce Jones: Jane Eyre.

[1:30:07] Bruce Jones: Fir favorite in the world.

[1:30:09] Bruce Jones: Uh, favorite quote.

[1:30:11] Bruce Jones: It's the time.

[1:30:11] Bruce Jones: If any of you know Jane Eyre, it's the part where he talks about how like my heart is connected to your heart, and it's like we have a string attached to our ribs.

[1:30:19] Bruce Jones: That quote.

[1:30:19] Bruce Jones: Look it up, but that's the quote.

[1:30:21] Bruce Jones: It's my favorite quote.

[1:30:22] Bruce Jones: Google that string, heart.

[1:30:25] Bruce Jones: String, heart, ribs.

[1:30:28] Bruce Jones: We'll get it.

[1:30:34] Iyvon Edebiri: Okay.

[1:30:34] Iyvon Edebiri: All right.

[1:30:35] Iyvon Edebiri: Okay, this is kind of cheating, but not actually.

[1:30:38] Jonathan Mello: Uh, to kill a mocking bird, for sure.

[1:30:40] Jonathan Mello: And actually, the quote that is in the play is one of my favorites, which is kind of why we were used it.

[1:30:44] Jonathan Mello: But I also really like the 40 rules of love, which is a beautiful.

[1:30:47] Jonathan Mello: I don't know any quotes from it because it's been a long time.

[1:30:49] Jonathan Mello: But uh I also just read The Secret History, which is beautiful and weird and super dark, but cool.

[1:30:56] Jonathan Mello: I don't know.

[1:30:56] Jonathan Mello: I like a lot of books.

[1:30:59] Iyvon Edebiri: Um, and jumping off of that, how did y'all actually write the play together?

[1:31:02] Iyvon Edebiri: What was that?

[1:31:03] Jonathan Mello: Oh, I love this question.

[1:31:04] Jonathan Mello: Because people ask this a lot.

[1:31:05] Jonathan Mello: Google Drive.

[1:31:07] Jonathan Mello: Yeah, shout out to Google Drive.

[1:31:09] Jonathan Mello: Literally.

[1:31:11] Jonathan Mello: Literally.

[1:31:12] Jonathan Mello: Thanks, Google.

[1:31:13] Jonathan Mello: Um, yeah, we're going to be able to do that.

[1:31:15] Jonathan Mello: We met basically once a week for a really long time.

[1:31:18] Jonathan Mello: I went away.

[1:31:19] Jonathan Mello: I came back, and then we started doing it that way, and we would meet and literally sit next to each other in Google Drive.

[1:31:24] Jonathan Mello: Fun fact the very last scene of the play was all improv.

[1:31:29] Jonathan Mello: We sat together, and I was like, here's this, here's this.

[1:31:32] Jonathan Mello: And then I was like, go.

[1:31:34] Jonathan Mello: Because we left, we left, we leave Adam and Jesse in the gala, and we were like, what the fuck do we do after this?

[1:31:39] Jonathan Mello: Am I allowed to swear in here?

[1:31:40] Jonathan Mello: Um like, what do we do after this?

[1:31:43] Jonathan Mello: Like, we we know there's more of the story there, and we have to figure it out.

[1:31:46] Jonathan Mello: And so we just so picture me and Jonathan E yelling at each other in his apartment and then going and being like, oh, that's good.

[1:31:55] Jonathan Mello: So that's true.

[1:31:57] Jonathan Mello: The beauty of the crying and yelling.

[1:31:59] Jonathan Mello: It wasn't even it was actually really that was if I were to look at that recording like and listen to those now.

[1:32:04] Jonathan Mello: We should find it.

[1:32:05] Jonathan Mello: It would be it would be crazy.

[1:32:07] Jonathan Mello: Oh yeah.

[1:32:08] Jonathan Mello: I'm sure I was crying too.

[1:32:09] Jonathan Mello: It was it was nuts.

[1:32:10] Jonathan Mello: Anyway, whatever.

[1:32:11] Jonathan Mello: Mental illness is real needs care and intervention.

[1:32:14] Jonathan Mello: So I'm doing my best.

[1:32:19] Iyvon Edebiri: So I'm gonna um start wrapping up.

[1:32:22] Iyvon Edebiri: Um so last two questions.

[1:32:24] Iyvon Edebiri: I so if you if if Donald Trump were in this room and you had, I know everyone does the like the same kind of groan, like oh um, if Donald Trump was like, if he was in this room, um, and you had 60 seconds each, what would you say to him?

[1:32:47] Iyvon Edebiri: Unfiltered, you can totally curse on camera.

[1:32:51] Bruce Jones: You go first.

[1:32:52] Jonathan Mello: I think you should go.

[1:32:53] Jonathan Mello: Mine's short.

[1:32:54] Jonathan Mello: Oh, right.

[1:32:55] Jonathan Mello: Mine's short, honey.

[1:32:56] Jonathan Mello: Go ahead.

[1:32:57] Bruce Jones: Um I don't think I could get very far saying anything to him.

[1:33:02] Bruce Jones: I would probably read the definition of narcissism because I'm not sure he knows what that is.

[1:33:07] Bruce Jones: Maybe he's never heard of it.

[1:33:09] Bruce Jones: Um I would ask him as deep as this sounds, uh, what he thinks his legacy is gonna be and how he thinks Barron will be affected by everything he's doing.

[1:33:20] Bruce Jones: I like, I don't he doesn't ever think about anyone but himself, so I would want to see what he would actually say.

[1:33:26] Bruce Jones: Although I don't believe a single word out of his mouth, so it would sort of be in empty, it'd be an empty room.

[1:33:36] Jonathan Mello: Um I don't have very much to say, Donald.

[1:33:40] Jonathan Mello: I would say I really think you need to vary up your McDonald's order.

[1:33:50] Iyvon Edebiri: Bruce, you're you're a wicca.

[1:33:53] Bruce Jones: Right?

[1:33:53] Bruce Jones: Wicca.

[1:33:54] Bruce Jones: Rich.

[1:33:55] Iyvon Edebiri: Um and you cast spells against Donald Trump.

[1:34:00] Iyvon Edebiri: Sammy, she's asking about it.

[1:34:02] Bruce Jones: I didn't say it.

[1:34:03] Bruce Jones: I didn't say anything.

[1:34:04] Iyvon Edebiri: I didn't say what what do you like?

[1:34:07] Iyvon Edebiri: What do you shout out to Lauren?

[1:34:09] Iyvon Edebiri: All right, sorry.

[1:34:09] Iyvon Edebiri: Wish is wish for.

[1:34:11] Iyvon Edebiri: What do you like?

[1:34:13] Iyvon Edebiri: What do you do?

[1:34:14] Iyvon Edebiri: Like, what is that?

[1:34:15] Iyvon Edebiri: What is what like what what is it?

[1:34:17] Iyvon Edebiri: What what do you do?

[1:34:21] Bruce Jones: I have another witch, my witch sister Lawrence here.

[1:34:24] Bruce Jones: Um, so I think that oh, this is the well, I know I'd answer this.

[1:34:29] Bruce Jones: So I think that when we think about witchcraft in the in the in the grand sense, I think about taking an active role in the things that are around us in a way that is supernatural, and also about having an appreciation for every possible living atom and thing, and knowing that you can harness the power of all the living atoms and things around you and make something amazing happen.

[1:34:58] Bruce Jones: And it may not happen right away, but if you really look inside yourself, you'll you'll know.

[1:35:05] Bruce Jones: And I think I don't know, and I guess I guess that's kind of like what is that?

[1:35:10] Bruce Jones: That's like the way that I would say, you know, talk about witchcraft.

[1:35:12] Bruce Jones: And the way that I kind of knew that I was a witch was when I started um having like prophetic dreams.

[1:35:19] Bruce Jones: So that's kind of when I figured out that I had maybe a little bit of an edge as far as supernatural ability.

[1:35:25] Iyvon Edebiri: Did you see Donald Trump coming?

[1:35:28] Bruce Jones: What she wants to do.

[1:35:31] Bruce Jones: That was like kind of shade, but nothing.

[1:35:33] Bruce Jones: She wants me to talk about the binding spell, and I don't want the government to call my house.

[1:35:37] Iyvon Edebiri: Okay.

[1:35:40] Iyvon Edebiri: We can do our last one.

[1:35:41] Iyvon Edebiri: Exactly.

[1:35:41] Iyvon Edebiri: That's one is what did you have for breakfast this morning?

[1:35:45] Jonathan Mello: I had a medium cold brew from Dunkin' Donuts, the Girl Scout flavor, the coconut caramel.

[1:35:53] Jonathan Mello: But that's it.

[1:35:55] Bruce Jones: How funny.

[1:35:56] Bruce Jones: I had a giant cold brew from Dunkin' Donuts and a sausage and cheese.

[1:36:02] Bruce Jones: I wanted it to be something really prophetic.

[1:36:04] Bruce Jones: I thought I was gonna have like a no, I didn't.

[1:36:06] Bruce Jones: I I had to use a bowl of inspiration.

[1:36:11] Bruce Jones: I don't know.

[1:36:12] Iyvon Edebiri: Well, on that note, um, we're gonna start to wrap up.

[1:36:16] Iyvon Edebiri: So I would like to say thank you all for listening to the Parsnip Ship.

[1:36:22] Iyvon Edebiri: Um, just so you all know, we are now accepting submissions for season four, and we are asking for submissions only from Playwrights of color for next season.

[1:36:31] Iyvon Edebiri: And you can find out more information about submitting your play at the Parsnipship.com.

[1:36:37] Iyvon Edebiri: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at The Parsnip Ship.

[1:36:40] Iyvon Edebiri: You can find updates on our upcoming readings and all of our writers, directors, musicians, and plays as well.

[1:36:47] Iyvon Edebiri: Our latest episode, I Wanna Fuck Like Romeo and Juliet by Andrew Ricon is live on all of our listening platforms.

[1:36:54] Iyvon Edebiri: Please subscribe to the Parsnip Ship on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play.

[1:36:59] Iyvon Edebiri: All of our previous readings and interviews are available on there as well.

[1:37:02] Iyvon Edebiri: We'd like to thank again the Mark O'Donnell Theater at the Actors Fund Art Center for having us here, and Matthew Ashley and Saul, especially.

[1:37:11] Iyvon Edebiri: Thank you all.

[1:37:17] Iyvon Edebiri: I'd like to thank our cast tonight, Jacob Hoffman, Tyler Gardella, who actually directed uh episode from earlier this season, which is called In the Room Waiting.

[1:37:28] Iyvon Edebiri: So take a listen to that one.

[1:37:29] Iyvon Edebiri: It's awesome.

[1:37:30] Iyvon Edebiri: JP Maddock, Jonathan Mello and Bruce Jones, of course.

[1:37:35] Iyvon Edebiri: Our director, Samantha Saltzman.

[1:37:37] Iyvon Edebiri: Thank you, Sammy.

[1:37:39] Iyvon Edebiri: She's a Brandy alum.

[1:37:41] Iyvon Edebiri: We went to the same school.

[1:37:42] Iyvon Edebiri: She's really cool.

[1:37:44] Iyvon Edebiri: Our writers, of course, again, Bruce and Jonathan, thank you for your play and the conversation.

[1:37:49] Iyvon Edebiri: Thank you so much.

[1:37:50] Iyvon Edebiri: It's been great.

[1:37:50] Iyvon Edebiri: Thank you all.

[1:37:51] Iyvon Edebiri: Our musicians, Nova and Night Patrol.

[1:37:54] Iyvon Edebiri: Thank you.

[1:37:59] Iyvon Edebiri: Big thank you to our sound engineer Fernando.

[1:38:03] Iyvon Edebiri: Woo!

[1:38:03] Iyvon Edebiri: Woo!

[1:38:04] Iyvon Edebiri: Makes it sound good.

[1:38:06] Iyvon Edebiri: And on the TPS team, Katie Donnelly, our producing director, Rai Zelong, our artistic associate, Todd Kirkland, managing director, Jesse Manning, our producer, and Business Launch Productions.

[1:38:17] Iyvon Edebiri: And we want to officially welcome Blaise Tysher to the team as our newest artistic associate.

[1:38:24] Iyvon Edebiri: Our next reading will be The Mermaid's Parade by Gina Femia and directed by Blaze on Thursday, May 3rd at 7:30 p.m.

[1:38:32] Iyvon Edebiri: Follow us on social media to learn more information about location and tickets.

[1:38:37] Iyvon Edebiri: And before we wrap up, there's one last song by Nova and Night Patrol.

[1:38:42] Iyvon Edebiri: Take it away, guys.

[1:38:43] Iyvon Edebiri: Thank you.

[1:38:58] ♪ Musical number: "Let It Happen" — performed by Nova and Night Patrol ♪

[1:39:03] ♪ Musical number: "Let It Happen" — performed by Nova and Night Patrol ♪

[1:39:10] ♪ Musical number: "Let It Happen" — performed by Nova and Night Patrol ♪

[1:39:12] ♪ Musical number: "Let It Happen" — performed by Nova and Night Patrol ♪

[1:39:18] ♪ Musical number: "Let It Happen" — performed by Nova and Night Patrol ♪

[1:39:24] ♪ Musical number: "Let It Happen" — performed by Nova and Night Patrol ♪

[1:39:27] ♪ Musical number: "Let It Happen" — performed by Nova and Night Patrol ♪

[1:39:31] ♪ Musical number: "Let It Happen" — performed by Nova and Night Patrol ♪

[1:39:46] ♪ Musical number: "Let It Happen" — performed by Nova and Night Patrol ♪

[1:40:02] ♪ Musical number: "Let It Happen" — performed by Nova and Night Patrol ♪

[1:40:05] ♪ Musical number: "Let It Happen" — performed by Nova and Night Patrol ♪

[1:40:12] ♪ Musical number: "Let It Happen" — performed by Nova and Night Patrol ♪

[1:40:18] ♪ Musical number: "Let It Happen" — performed by Nova and Night Patrol ♪

[1:40:32] ♪ Musical number: "Let It Happen" — performed by Nova and Night Patrol ♪

[1:40:43] ♪ Musical number: "Let It Happen" — performed by Nova and Night Patrol ♪

[1:41:03] ♪ Musical number: "Let It Happen" — performed by Nova and Night Patrol ♪