Shoes
By Anthony Proctor
Characters
Adam
Nick – Adam’s boyfriend
Ayaz
Mahmoud – Ayaz’s boyfriend
Prometheus
Aaron
The actors play any other named characters.
Adam
Nick – Adam’s boyfriend
Ayaz
Mahmoud – Ayaz’s boyfriend
Prometheus
Aaron
The actors play any other named characters.
Act 1
From the moment that you enter the theatre, you have entered a public toilet. It is bright, open and clean. You are handed a toilet role. You start to unravel it and see that there are names written on the sheets - hundreds of male names from every era of history. You hear the names being whispered. The whispers come from everywhere. As you enter the main performance space, the whispers come from each of the three cubicles and from each of the 2 neon coloured urinals and the 2 pristine wash basins.
Whispered Names: Joshua, William, Ethan, Lucas, Oliver, Ryan, George, Michael, Thomas, Jayden, Daniel, Joseph, Alfred, Kei, Addison, Bilal, Coby, Gael, Fisher, Vaughan, Owen, Dale, Carl, Neil, Tate, Kier, Lal, Luke, Lee, Kin, Noel, Jonathan, Idris, Gareth, Constantine, Damien, Brock, Dylan, Wapi, Rory, Quincy, Paul, Zeke, Ariel, Ben, Grant, Edward, Omar, Gordon, James, Keith, Humphrey, Isaac, Nigel, Walter, Seth, Ralph, Patrick, Taj, Lysander, Malcolm, Ian, Barack, Charles, Anthony, Brandt, Elliot, Hussein, Gideon, Darius, Christian, Scott, Joel, Julian, Imran, Kazuo, Nicholas, Orlando, Ali, Avalon, Beck, Horatio, Gino, Elmer, David, Cian, Jan, Vivian, Sebastian, Talbot, Elmer, Gabriel, Fynn, Harrison, Matthew, Damon, Harold, Mohammed, Kent, Jefferson, Hugh, Bailey, Barrett, Blair, Brian, Bronwyn, Bruce, Hartley, Noah, Zeno, Sidney, Reece, Paris, Miki, Oscar, Perry, Rodrigo, Thane, Ulric, Rudi, Ouray, Wynn, Laurence, Maddox, Leighton, Norman, Jaci, Hunter, Christopher, Daquan, Forest, Luther, Nadim, Justin, Inir, Yul, Roger, Quinn, Paco, Uri, Theodore, Wesley, Yehudi, Raphael, Evan, Jamal, Igor, Max, Jerome, Francis, Xavier, Samuel, Floyd, Nasim, Van, Rowan, Robert, Richard, Ronan, Peter, Unwin, Reginald, Ezekiel, Aaron, Dennis, Haroshi, Elton, John, Leon, Martin, Orson, Lucian, Uriah, Heath, Parker, Salvador, Tariq, Yuko, Gavin, Andrew, Nicholas, Enoch, Howi, Nelson, Logan, Kumar, Irving, Kele, Lance, Malik, Mohan, Taylor, Saul, Raoul, Preston, Tobias, Warren, Quentin, Philip, Kelsey, Ibrahim, Magnus, Nelson, Kyle, Liam, Mac, Otto, Randal, Terrance, Eloy, Garrick, Homer, Dean, Laertes, Jesus, Lionel, Darren, Ivan, Lennon, Jyotish, Latif, Madison, Lloyd, Maurice, Oswald, Jacob, Havelock, Deion, Eric, Nathan, Yuma, Victor, Sean, Rudyard, Timothy, Wesley, Spencer, Vijay, Zion, Shen, Raji, Gerry, Esteban, Howard, Kenneth, Jaiden, Leroy, William, Stephen, Rufus, Trevor, Zach, Sunil, Efren, Gillian, Dexter, Hayden, Yale, Wilson, Timon, Xerxes, Lester, Colin, Declan, Cruz, Harvey, Wade, Russell, Thomas, Adam.
A shiny black shoe pokes out from beneath the middle cubical. It taps.
Nick enters. He sees the shoe and taps. The toilet door opens and a man invites Nick to join him inside the cubical.
Men enter, they walk to a rhythm. They all wear white shoes. Sometimes they kiss, sometimes they move to one of the urinals, sometimes they enter a cubical. The movement is almost balletic, aggressive, and urgent. At the highest point of the movement the men disappear.
We are left with Adam and Nick 17 and 19 respectively in spotlight centre stage they are play fighting. Nick has Adam in a headlock. Adam escapes and jumps on top of Nick. Both boys stare into each other’s eyes. Nickregains the advantage, throwing Adam over his shoulder. They both laugh. Adam holds Nick’s hand’s above his head. Again they stare into each other’s eyes. Adam kisses Nick in the most passionate way. They break and look at each other. They don’t know what to do. They don’t understand. They smile. They kiss again. It is the most thrilling moment of their lives. They break again. Eyes fixed on each other. Simultaneously they say:
Adam Wow!
Nick Wow!
Adam The first time we met
Nick at the urinals
Adam after a text
Nick Many messages on MSN
Adam Via many a dirty message on MSN
Nick Dirty messages on his computer whilst he was watching Coronation Street with his mother.
Adam No. Yes. But I never show pictures.
Nick So I was curious. You know
Adam I was terrified.
Nick I stood next to him at a urinal and looked over
Adam I’d never done anything like that before. I thought we were going to get arrested.
Nick He was so nervous. I looked down then looked up and thought
Adam We didn’t do anything then, he asked me to go for coffee. I thought he was leaning in to kiss me right there and he just whispered
Nick let’s get out of here
Adam there was no question
Nick It was the first time I’d ever actually spoken to a guy I’d met in a toilet. Usually I’d just unzip his fly and after leave with a nod. With him it was different. I wanted more. We kissed and my mind went blank, I didn’t understand. Later he asked me if I wanted to be his boyfriend.
Adam Via text
Nick via many nervous messages on MSN. Then I phoned him
Adam He hates talking on the phone.
Nick One day he came round and well, just never left.
Adam I was home.
Both exit. At that moment the lights change. Enter Adam now 26, from the middle toilet cubicle. He enters into his home carrying a suitcase and huge bunch of flowers. He does his routine.
Adam Hello. Nick? You know what, he’d forget his head if it wasn’t
Enter Nick he is in briefs
Nick Hi.
Adam Wow.
Nick I waited up, good trip?
They kiss
Adam Yeah, are you ok?
Nick Yeah
Adam So?
Nick What?
Adam What’s the news?
Nick Nothin’ really
Adam Well I’ve got loads.
Nick great.
Adam Don’t be like that, Martina’s having another baby.
Nick Right.
Adam She said the next one’s ours
Nick You’re enough to look after
Adam But I’m no trouble
Nick You’re the right kind of trouble
They kiss
Adam I’ve missed you
Nick Yeah
Adam I’m going to go away more often if this is the welcome home I get.
Nick Then I can turn this back into a bachelor pad
Adam You mean sex dungeon!
Nick No, that’s still down stairs
Adam Take me now
Nick Later
Adam Moody
Nick I’m tired, long day
Adam Tell me about it
Nick Wine?
Adam Of course
Nick Pink?
Adam Is there any other?
Nick Not for small minded queens like you
Adam Boo and hiss. I love you.
Nick Yeah.
Adam I do you know
Nick I know.
Adam Well?
Nick That’s nice.
Adam Have I done something wrong?
Nick I’m tired. I waited up.
Adam You were funny on the phone yesterday too
Nick I hate talking on the phone
Adam You hate talking to me on the phone
Nick Mother thinks dad’s dying again.
Adam What?
Nick He’s not, I’ve spoken to him he’s having an affair. Definitely not dying.
Adam Your poor mother. I’m lucky you’re like her and not him. Your father’s a dog.
Nick Woof!
Adam Not funny. He should know better at his age.
Nick It’s none of my business, and none of yours either so keep that shut.
Adam Mum’s the word
Nick Funny.
Adam That’s why you love me
Nick Right.
Adam Shall we?
Nick I was just going to
Adam Do you have to? I’ve just got back, you’ve had all day to
Nick I’ll be through in a minute,
Adam But
Nick I’m right here,
Adam Are you though?
Nick Stop it. I’m just going to do this and then I’ll be through.
Nick opens up his laptop, Adam leaves, and we hear whispered names and see men everywhere. Four men speak they are each in their own bedrooms on the internet.
1. Lives in a house with his friends in Wavertree. Training to be a Primary school Teacher, 4th and final year. Also works in some low grade clothing shop in the middle of nowhere of a weekend, but loves it. Has Morals, doesn't put toast crumbs back in the butter. Has standards. Originates from the Wavertree/Childwall border, never knew whether he was upper class, or an impoverished Chav. Finds visiting the Dentist very relaxing. Loves Dot Branning and Bianca from Eastenders like a Nan and Mother respectively. Totally hates the fact he is gay - Can't do anything about it. Ginger hair - Can't do anything about it. Squeezes toothpaste from the bottom, not the middle. I only have one clause for potential boyfriends...You MUST not be scared of spiders. Likes going out very much – only the fabulous places. Shy to a fault and worries about other’s perceptions of himself, vegetarian, 5 feet and 8 Inches tall, Size 8 shoe.
2 I’m not one for details. Look at my pictures if you like, let’s fuck.
3 Hi! My names Carl, I’m a pretty chilled out type of guy I work my arse off in the week and live for my weekends. Love going out with me mates an’ dancing like a demon and getting slightly intoxicated. I love travelling and have just got back from living in Australia so I’m feeling slightly suicidal at present. Message me if ya wanna chat!
4 Fit, sound and sorted, fun loving, young looking, horny scally biker lad in Manchester. Very straight acting bottom but will top once in a while. I’m good looking very approachable and good company. Proper lad into footie/sports kit, trackies, trainers, rockports, caps, shorts, sox, loafers etc, oh, and sex! Love a few beers ‘n’ ‘Extras’, clubbing and me tunes especially funky vocal house n trance though me tastes are varied and I will listen to anythin’ when the mood takes me and I’m in the right company. Loads of kit to share n swap, stacks of trainers phwoaaar. Love cars, bikes, leathers, rubber, biker’s kit and bikers mmmmm. Got a Ducati! Don’t mind a fit Pillion either, sorry lads not into Harley clone types! Looking for mates for chats, beers and/or rides out if you’ve a bike. If not then let’s sort a beer out n see how it goes. Nothing ventured nothin’ gained. Ohh and I’m after meets ‘n’ socialising not just talkin’ about meetin’ up and then pissin’ about. No way can you get to know someone by text on a bloody computer now is there? Get real! Good or bad, rate me pics lads, nice one! P.s Ohh to anyone who’s blocked me. Stop lookin’ at me profile if ya cant be assed chattin’ ya miserable fucks!
Nick Nice.
Adam Nick, come on, please
Nick I’m coming!
Nick exits.
Public toilet. Two cubicles. We hear a tap. Teenagers talk between the cubicles.
Ayaz I love you, I love you, I love you!
Mamoud Shhh! Not so loud
Ayaz But I could scream it from the roof tops
Mahmoud If you did that now we’d get caught, and what would your mother say if you had to call her from the station after being arrested for cottaging
Ayaz They don’t arrest guys for this anymore
Mahmoud Are you joking?
Ayaz We shouldn’t have to hide it
Mahmoud But we do
Ayaz Love is love
Mahmoud Not everybody sees it like that
Ayaz Really?
Mahmoud Not everyone in here thinks that this is love.
Ayaz When it came it came without warning
Mahmoud Not now
Ayaz Say it with me
Mahmoud I know it
Ayaz I know you know it, say it with me
Mahmoud Not now.
Ayaz I love you, I love you, I love you
Mahmoud Shhhh!
Adam is in his study, he his building a model of a Greek Amphitheatre. He puts on one piece and knocks over two figures. At that moment we seePrometheus and Aaron. They are learning an ancient martial art.
Nick Have you not finished that yet?
Adam It’s complicated
Nick Can I?
Adam No, you don’t know how to
Nick You could teach me
Adam I’ll only be a minute.
Nick What are they doing?
Adam This one is teaching this younger guy.
Nick They’re naked?
Adam He’s learning.
Nick Looks hot
Adam You are filthy.
Nick Just saying
Adam They would have sex ok.
Nick The boy paid for school with sex?
Adam Not exactly, it wasn’t like that
Nick right
Adam He’d be schooled and he would have sex with him. They thought it would keep them young.
Nick How funny.
Adam I really want to go the real amphitheatre.
Nick You’ve never been
Adam No.
Nick What would we do in Greece?
Adam The usual
Nick Great.
Adam Theatre, the Cathedral, Clubs, the Sights, a good Restaurant
Nick Just like New York
Adam Milan
Nick Berlin
Adam Sao Paulo
Nick Do you remember running from shop to shop in Sao Paulo because you thought we’d get shot?
Adam I thought we were going to get abducted.
Nick If someone abducted you, they’d give you back.
Adam Boo and Hiss.
Nick I loved Nairobi.
Adam It was too hot
Nick I loved the way the moon was upside down
Adam Even at night it was too hot. I wish I could have been in Greece before they’d built the Amphitheatre, in the time of Aristotle, as civilisation was growing. It became so sophisticated. Just like now. I love the way that they were so free
Nick Like the Romans
Adam They weren’t freer, they were just promiscuous
Nick Yeah, much better
Adam The Greeks still had a heart.
Nick But what was the price?
Adam it wasn’t like that.
Nick Is it still the same?
Adam I don’t think so
Nick I think we should find out
The lights change. Adam is 15 years old.
Adam When the time is right I’ll find the right guy, we’ll live in our home together, he will cook dinner on Wednesdays, and on Sunday we’ll walk in the park or see the folks or talk about unimportant stuff whilst sitting in the garden. We will learn to love together, we will teach each other everything about ourselves. I’ll know why he lifts up his little finger to drink tea or why he prefers to sleep on the left hand side or the bed or why he has to check the cooker three times before we go to sleep. I‘ll find someone to run in the fields with and to bathe in the sun next to and someone who will rub my feet when I’m tired. Someone who I’ll know everything about. Someone who will tell me everything. I’ll grow old with this person. We will hold hands and look into each other’s eyes and smile and laugh and he will get angry at the little things and I will love his grumpiness. We will go on holidays to far off places and see extraordinary things and be comfortable as one. I will find him and I will love him forever. And he will love me.
Enter an older man, he stands at the urinal. A young man enters stands at the other urinal. The older man taps his foot, the young man sniffs. The old man glances over. The young man is unaware. The older man taps his foot. The young man pisses. The Older man watches. The younger man notices, pisses on his own shoes.
Younger man Fucking queer. (exit)
The lights change, you can see into the three cubicles. Nick is in the centre one, one man is in the left and two men are in the right. You see Nick put his foot under the left cubical door and tap - A series of gestures depicting how to seduce a man from behind a cubical wall. The lights change. Nick stands with a shoebox.
Nick Teenagers tend to wear trainers, teenagers and old men. You can usually gage which is which from how he taps. An old man, the more experienced usually is much less bothered about getting caught. He taps at the floor like he’s Ginger Rodgers and for his age he does a pretty good quick step. A teenager he’s in and out. He’s unsure. He’s fidgety. You got to reel him in. Be patient, offer reassurance. The thrill of the chase. A black shoe, a polished back shoe is a business man, banker, lawyer you know, non-sales. He makes the rules. He has a profession. You follow him. You have to be careful that he’s not a policeman the giveaway is that they only shine their shoe’s on one side. It’s peculiar but true. Next time you see one look. Brown shoe. Brown shoes are trendy. You know. If you’re down far enough to see if he’s wearing a black suit you know he’s in sales. If he’s wearing a black suit with a brown shoe he is in his mid twenties and in sales. And they are the most common, on the whole. (A moment) The best advice I was ever given was to steer clear of any man in a grey shoe. My mother always said you can never trust a man in a grey shoe and it’s true. They are trouble. Boots are rare, workmen usually and they never have long, flip-flops are also a no no. They give you too much information. You can tell a man’s diet from his toe nails. I don’t need to be that well informed. Yes there is a lot of history between the journey of each foot- tap.
Nick picks up a shoe, he smells it.
This one is very special. This was my first one. This is the one that started it all. This is the one that got me into it. I was seventeen, in a shopping centre in Birmingham. Innocent. He must have been what thirty-eight? Very wealthy. Well you can tell can’t you? It’s a Testoni shoe, look at it! Italian, hand stitched, perfect! A man who wears this shoe takes care of himself. He is in the position to take care of others, to take care of me. I jumped out of my skin when it poked through under the cubical wall, the brown leather tapping on the floor. I ignored it. I didn’t understand what it wanted. I had never seen something so beautiful. It tapped. I offered up my shoe. Just out of curiosity you understand. I had no idea what it might lead to. Before I knew it there where knees under the cubical, an arm reaching for me - the most surreal moment of my life. Afterwards I peaked under the wall. I couldn’t see his face. I waited for three hours after to see if he might come back. I saw those shoes once again after that but I was too shy to do anything. I couldn’t be sure it was him. I didn’t know what to do, I was a boy. I saved up and bought them. They’re part of who I am now. They’re part of who I’ll always be. I’m with Adam. I am. I know I should be faithful but he’ll never give me what these did. I want more.
The lights change Adam is sitting on a sofa.
I picked up these for you.
Adam You
Nick I saw them and I thought, you’d look amazing in these shoes.
Adam You’ve never bought me shoes before
Nick but I saw them and I thought
Adam I’d look amazing in these shoes
Nick Yes
Adam Yes
Nick Well try them on
Adam They’re not even my size
Nick Just put them on
Adam I never wear brown shoes
Nick For godsake
Adam OK
Nick Perfect
Adam They hurt
Nick Gorgeous
Adam They pinch
Nick Amazing
Adam Are you even listening to me? I can’t wear them. They hurt, they don’t fit, they’re the wrong colour. You of all people should know what size shoe I am. I’m a size 9 Nick. I wear size 9 black shiny shoes. I did when we met and I haven’t changed. I don’t need new shoes. I like my old comfortable shoes.
Nick Once you’ve worn them in you’ll be ok.
Adam But they aren’t
Nick They’re the right size
Adam They’re the wrong type
Nick They suit you
Adam Thank you
Nick But
Adam I don’t want them, I’m sorry.
Nick Ok, fine. I just thought
Adam If they didn’t hurt.
Nick But you’ve never changed your shoes.
Adam I’ve bought new ones
Nick Really
Adam Of course
Nick When?
Adam When the old ones wear out
Nick You see the problem with you Adam is that
Adam So let me get this right.
Nick No, let me finish
Adam You don’t like my shoes.
Nick Come on it’s just a small
Adam No it’s not
Nick It is such a small little
Adam obviously its
Nick A tiny thing
Adam It means a lot to you
Nick That you at least try
Adam But I don’t understand
Nick It’s just sometimes I think that nothing ever changes. Where’s the
Adam You’ve lost me
Nick I want a bit more excitement
Adam I’m not exciting?
Nick We’re not exciting together.
Adam I’ve always been excited by you
Nick kisses Adam on the head.
Nick I just don’t know if that’s enough anymore.
Adam what?
Nick I never thought you’d stay
Adam why would I leave you?
Nick I thought you’d probably find someone better
Adam what?
Nick We were so young Adam
Adam Are you leaving?
Nick Do you want me to?
Adam No
Nick I think maybe I
Adam Maybe?
Nick maybe I need to take some time
Adam Have a think?
Nick clear my head
Adam Decide what you want?
Nick Yes.
Adam You should know what you want
Nick I have an idea
Adam You should look at me and want me.
Nick When I look at you my mind goes blank
Adam what have I done wrong?
Nick Nothing
Adam So what is it?
Nick I
Adam Are you seeing someone else?
Nick No
Adam Are you seeing someone else?
Nick No
Adam Are you seeing someone else?
Nick No.
Enter an older man, he stands at the urinal. Adam enters stands at the other urinal. The older man taps his foot, Adam sniffs. The old man glances over. Adam is unaware. The older man taps his foot. Adam pisses. The Older man watches. Adam notices, pisses on his shoes.
Adam What the bloody hell do you think you’re doing?
The older man, zips up his fly and leaves quickly. Adam goes to the middle cubical, we can see. He waits. A grey shoe taps from the left. Adam does nothing. A red shoe taps from the right. Adam does nothing. The right hand cubical door opens and a man walks in but no one walks out. There is not a red and a green pair of shoes visible. Again, Adam does nothing.
Adam If I’d like them I’d suck their nose. Most of them had never experienced that before. It was my USP. They’d remember if we’d chat online after, I could say, I’m the one who sucked your nose and he’d say ‘ah right. Yeah. I remember.’ Then I’d make a joke about the number of men they have on their mind. And they’d laugh. Romance is dead. I’ve always known that really. When I was dating, I’d never stay over. It was a rule. There’s nothing worse than the walk of shame. Have a good time, have a shower and leave. Always. Leave my email address, run my hands through his hair and leave. Browsing the net then going to meet someone at 1am always seemed like a good idea at the time but it took a lot to get me out of the door. He’d always be good looking, at least alright looking and sometimes there’d be a nice surprise. Sometimes it would be better than the advert. I think that’s what first drew me to Nick. I thought I could learn a lot from a guy like that. We met, I was so nervous. He was gorgeous. I saw him and nearly just turned and left right there, I thought I had no chance. But we got chatting and he was wonderful and when I sucked his nose, he did it back. We both laughed.
Adam exits out of the centre cubical, he breaks off the right hand cubical door. Ayaz and Mahmoud role out of it and a single line of sand falls from the sky, it keeps falling throughout the next scene. Ayaz and Mahmoud are 17 and 19 respectively in spotlight centre stage they are play fighting. We are in Iran 2005. Mahmoud has Ayaz in a headlock. Ayaz escapes and jumps on top ofMahmoud. Both boys stare into each other’s eyes. Mahmoud regains the advantage, throwing Ayaz over his shoulder. They both laugh. Ayaz holdsMahmoud’s hand’s above his head. Again they stare into each other’s eyes. Ayaz kisses Mahmoud in the most passionate way. They break and look at each other. They don’t know what to do. They don’t understand. They smile. They kiss again. It is the most thrilling moment of their lives. They break again. Eyes fixed on each other. Simultaneously they say:
Ayaz Wow!
Mahmoud Wow!
Ayaz I love you, I love you, I love only you!
Mamoud Shhh! Not so loud
Ayaz But I could scream it from the roof tops
Mahmoud If you did that you would end both our lives screaming.
Ayaz We shouldn’t have to hide it
Mahmoud But we do, if my father found out
Ayaz Love is love
Mahmoud Not everybody is as romantic as you are. Unfortunately most are realistic.
Ayaz When it came it came without warning
Mahmoud Not now
Ayaz Say it with me
Mahmoud I know it
Ayaz I know you know it, say it with me
Mahmoud Not now. I want to do this now
They kiss
Ayaz I love you, I love you, I love you
Mahmoud Shhhh! Someone will hear.
Ayaz I don’t care
Mahmoud Well I do so stop being so foolish and kiss me again
They kiss.
Mahmoud You know that as long as we live here we cannot tell anybody about this don’t you. I do love you, of course I do. But this has to be secret . You do understand that don’t you?
Ayaz Yes. Spoil sport. I think I could tell my mother.
Mahmoud No! Never
Ayaz She’d be alright. She loves me, she will respect that I’m happy
Mahmoud Ayaz, I will be with you for the rest of my life, I am yours. Please, stop it. You can’t tell any of our families.
Ayaz My mother would protect us. She’d be on our side
Mahmoud No, I’m afraid she wouldn’t .
Ayaz We’ll try it shall we and then we’ll know
Mahmoud If you tell anybody about us, I will deny it.
Ayaz How can you say such a thing?
Mahmoud I would have to
Ayaz Even though you love me
Mahmoud Yes, I’d have to deny it because I love you.
Ayaz Oh.
Mahmoud So please, our wonderful secret.
Ayaz When it came it came like thunder
Mahmoud When it came it came like a whisper.
It gets very hot
Older Man, Nick and Younger Man are in a London Sauna. Older man edge’s towards Younger Man. Nick is optimistic.
Older Man You are just my type
Younger Man No thanks
Older Man Where you from?
Younger Man Leeds?
Older Man no originally?
Younger Man Leeds.
Nick Do you wanna?
Older man No thanks
Nick You?
Younger Man Not right now mate
Nick Fine.
Older Man I’m here with my boyfriend
Younger Man You both?
Older Man Yes
Younger Man great
Older Man The problem is that we’re both tops
Nick How do you handle that?
Older Man We get by
Younger Man Shame
Older Man He’s only 20, I know that I haven’t got him forever
Younger Man That’s really sad
Older Man It’s true. We’ve been going out for a year. It just not the same?
Younger Man Sorry.
Older Man I’m not like this.
Younger Man Look, I don’t mind talking to you, but you’ve got to get your hands off me
Older Man Sorry
Younger Man Fine. Just rules ya know
Older Man Got it
Younger Man So not the same?
Older Man I lost Phil last year.
Younger Man I am sorry
Older ManI would have never done this with him.
Younger Man Yes
Older Man It’s not the same without him.
Younger Man I can
Older Man No you can’t imagine
Younger Man I was just
Older Man I’m sorry.
Younger Man I’m just starting a relationship.
Older Man How nice
Younger Man Probably be the last time I come here
Older man Good.
Younger Man Without him I mean.
Older Man We’re coming every week at the moment. I don’t know. I don’t really know why I’m in here. The things you do to keep them happy eh? Phil would have never have come here. I miss the small things. I miss him. I miss him putting both breakfast cups out for us before bed. I miss not having to say the things he knew, I miss not hearing the things he knew I didn’t want to hear. When someone knows you like that, it’s so hard to just move on. I shouldn’t compare them really it’s not fair.
Nick You only know what you had when it’s gone
Older man Never forget that. I think coming here’s a bad idea.
Younger Man What if you don’t know you have something good?
Older Man What are you looking for?
Nick Sex
Younger Man Yeah
Nick Good, honest sex
Younger Man Something for now.
Older Man If you want to have sex, have sex. Have it, experience the fullness of it. Have it and enjoy it, really enjoy it. Not in here, not underneath a toilet wall or in the park at midnight full of lust. Have it with love. Have it with connection, even if it’s just a one night stand, have it and enjoy it.
It starts to rain We are in Athens 550 bc. Prometheus (40’s) and Aaron (17) are bathing together under running water.
Aaron You know I have something to tell you.
Prometheus You have used that tone before. You must say what is on your mind. Have I not taught you to be articulate?
Aaron Yes of course. Indeed you have taught me gentlemanly ways, you have broadened both my body and mind. I am forever in your debt.
Prometheus Like so many others. Most of the radical thinkers have come through me. I have inspired many and given countless an opportunity which was not provided through birthright. It is my pleasure. You are not the firsteromenos I have taken and although you may be the most handsome, you probably will not be the last.
Aaron I’m leaving.
Prometheus Of course. They all do in the end. And you should.
Aaron I would like to go as soon as possible.
Prometheus I would not stand in your way.
Aaron I have begun to grow a beard. I am of age.
Prometheus I agree.
Aaron I have chosen
Prometheus A wife? Congratulations. We will have a huge celebration. I am so pleased for you. Have you thought about when you will be getting married?
Aaron No.
Prometheus Well you must these things/take time and effort they do not just
Aaron Prometheus. You must listen.
Prometheus Can I not be excited? This is great news!
Aaron I doubt you will be so
Prometheus Are you worried about jealously? Foolish boy. This is the reason you are in my company. You are learned and indeed you are a man. It is time, you should learn not to be so bashful.
Aaron I have not found a wife.
Prometheus You have time for all that, go and experience life, travel, live. There’s plenty of time for wives
Aaron No, you must
Prometheus I don’t understand why you are sullen boy. This is exciting, this is a wonderful time
Aaron If you’d just
Prometheus Not another word. I am going to plan the celebration, conragtulations child. I am so very pleased for you.
Aaron I am leaving you for another man. I am in love.
Prometheus Are you mad?
Aaron We have not got into the logistics yet. I have always been loyal to you. My wish was never to betray you or your kindness to me. I told him I would not lay with him until I had you’re consent and I had left you’re house. And although he has been very persistent I/ have held my ground.
Prometheus Malakas! At least I have taught you something. I knew that you were young but I never thought that you were so naive. Am I to take it that you are steadfast in your decision?
Aaron I am.
Prometheus And Eros, in some devious trick has bewitched you?
Aaron Yes.
Prometheus And you are happy?
Aaron Yes.
Prometheus Then you must go.
Aaron You consent?
Prometheus It is my last act of love to you. I must have lost my mind. I have been involved in pederasty for fifteen years. I have had the pleasure of many men and this is the first time I have heard such nonsense. Yet happiness is so hard to find. You are aware that your life is destined for much hardship. You do understand that don’t you?
Aaron In all that hardship there maybe the chance for one day of happiness. For that reason I must take the risk. I must see if it is possible. I know that my time with you is up and I want my adult life to be as happy and enriching as you have made my adolescent one.
Prometheus Enough. Go. It is done.
We hear ‘The Train approaching platform one is for Blackburn.’ We are at Hall i’th’ Wood train station. It’s spring. It’s 11pm. Nick is standing in a shadow further up the platform.
Aaron texts on his mobile phone. Nick’s phone beeps as it receives a message. Aaron walks up to Nick.
Aaron Have you got a light?
Nick Don’t smoke, sorry
Aaron Oh
Nick You’ve missed the train
Aaron I’m not
Nick The last train has gone
Aaron No I’m here to
Nick Is someone coming for you?
Aaron I hope so, the waiting room smells of piss
Nick Yes, nice isn’t it.
Aaron eeeeeeeeee No.
Nick laughs
Aaron You’re jokin’ right?
Nick Of course.
Aaron Right, thanks then
Nick So who you waiting for?
Aaron Dunno. Altcourse?
Nick What?
Aaron I’m meeting a guy off the internet called Altcourse.
Nick What for?
Aaron Dunno summat to do isn’t it.
Nick What does he look like?
Aaron He’s perfect.
Nick Perfect?
Aaron For tonight
Nick Right. Where are you from?
Aaron Manchester.
Nick No originally
Aaron Manchester.
Nick Ok
Aaron He told me to wear a white top and grey shoes. I had to buy new shoes. Freak.
Nick UKslim18?
Aaron Yeah. You look older than 23.
Nick You look younger than 19
Aaron I’m 17
Nick I’m 28, you ok with that?
Aaron I haven’t got anywhere else to go.
Nick How are you going to get home?
Aaron Tomorrow
Nick Ah? I sort of, well
Aaron You not interested? Coz if you’re not interested it’s fine I’ll just ya know, get off like.
Nick No, I mean yes, you’re hot, it’s just
Aaron What?
Nick You said you could drive
Aaron I can drive
Nick I expected you to bring your car, we never spoke about you coming over. We arranged to meet in the car park
Aaron It was dark. I wasn’t waiting there.
Nick That’s ok.
Aaron My mum needed the car. I didn’t think you’d live in the middle of nowhere. Can we worry about this after?
Nick How much money have you got?
Aaron I’m not fucking paying you.
Nick I’ll lend you some for a taxi, back to?
Aaron Manchester.
Nick So how much have you got?
Aaron A tenner, I think we should foget it.
Nick I can’t leave you out here on your own
Aaron I’ll be ok. Some other time maybe.
Nick Well take this, make sure you get home
Nick hands Aaron fifty pounds.
Aaron This was a mistake.
Nick It’s ok.
Aaron Am I always going to be a virgin? How can I tell my dad I’m gay if I haven’t even slept with anyone?
Nick what are you talking about?
Aaron I’m gay
Nick Yeah I got that
Aaron I don’t want to pretend anymore, I want to tell everyone the truth, I don’t want to meet people in train stations or toilets or car parks. I want a boyfriend, but who’s going to look at me if I haven’t even done anything.
Nick You’re a silly kid
Aaron Fuck off
Nick Come back
Aaron Why?
Nick Come back and I’ll tell you. You know what, when I met my boyfriend he wouldn’t sleep with me for six weeks.
Aaron Sounds like a right spoon
Nick He was sweet, he still is sweet. He said that we’d know when the time was right
Aaron And?
Nick I was about your age, we waited, and it was perfect
Aaron Yeah but that was years ago, things are different now
Nick Oi, cheeky!
Aaron I wouldn’t have made you wait
Nick It was a good thing, you’ll find a boyfriend, there’s plenty of time. I think I should take you home.
Aaron Take me back to yours?
Nick no
Aaron Just for a bit
Nick No
Aaron I can wait six weeks.
Nick My boyfriend won’t let you
Aaron But he lets you do this?
Nick This is different.
Aaron No it’s not
Nick He doesn’t know about this.
Aaron Cheating is cheating
Nick You’re right
Aaron So?
Nick Let’s go
They exit. Enter Adam, from the middle toilet cubicle. He enters into his home carrying a suitcase and huge bunch of flowers.
Adam Hello? Nick? You know what, he’d forget his head if it wasn’t
Enter Nick he is in briefs
Nick Hi.
Adam Wow.
Nick I waited up, good trip?
They kiss
Adam the usual
Nick Yeah.
Adam What’s the news?
Nick Nothin’ really
Adam Well I’ve got loads.
Nick great.
Adam Martina’s having another baby. She said the next one’s ours
Nick You’re enough to look after
Adam But I’m no trouble
Nick You’re the right kind of trouble. You need to tell Steve to leave that poor woman alone, what’s that four now?
Adam Yeah
They kiss
Adam I’ve missed you
Nick You go away so often.
Adam I’m sorry
Nick I am going to turn this back into a bachelor pad
Adam I
Nick I’m tired, long day
Adam Tell me about it
Nick Wine?
Adam Of course
Nick Pink?
Adam Is there any other?
Nick Not for small minded queens like you
Adam Boo and hiss. I
Nick Yeah.
Adam I do you know
Nick I know.
Adam Well?
Nick That’s nice. I’m tired
Adam You seem
Nick what?
Adam There is a change in you, what’s going on?
Nick Nothing, I am happy you’re home
Adam I
Nick I’ll be right back
Nick goes to the cupboard for the wine he opens it and is splattered with blood. Ayaz is screaming.
Ayaz I thought it would be fine. I said that I was in love. I said that I was happy, everyone cheered. I thought that with my mother it would be different. I thought that we were ready to change. I thought that we could change, if they saw how happy I was. I was kept in there for 40 days and nights. Beaten, abused, you would not treat a dog the way they treated me. Justice? Punishment? You have got to laugh. They took it. They took everything I had. Almost everything. They couldn’t destroy it. They didn’t even get close to it. My love is still there. After all the words, after all the sentences, after everything, they can bleed me but they cannot kill it. I still love him. I’ll always love him.
Ayaz climbs back into a cupboard.
Adam You split it all over yourself
Nick I’m useless
Adam I love you
Nick I know
Adam I always will
Nick I can count on that
Adam Yes you can, I think you’re going to need a shower
Nick I think that we need a shower
Adam I’m not filthy
Nick Oh yes you are
Nick and Aaron burst in play fighting. Nick has Aaron in a headlock. Aaronescapes and jumps on top of Nick. Both boys stare into each other’s eyes.Nick regains the advantage, throwing Aaron over his shoulder. They both laugh. Nick holds Aaron’s hand’s above his head. Nick kisses Arron in the most passionate way. They break and look at each other. They don’t know what to do. They smile. They kiss again. It is the most thrilling moment of their lives. They break again. Eyes fixed on each other. Simultaneously they say:
Aaron I love you.
Nick I love you.
Aaron I think that I will love you forever.
Nick I think I would like to challenge you to that.
Aaron (Kissing after each word) I accept the challenge.
Nick If you’re lucky enough to fall in love. Fall. Plummet. Fall as fast and as hard as you can, don’t stop falling ‘cos when you land, that’s when all the shit happens.
Aaron I told my parents. My dad walked out, my mum cried. I cried. I wanted you to hold my hand. Dad’s reaction was, well, I’d never seem my mum like that. Dad came back. I looked him directly in the eye. I was bricking it. He said. Mum had to walked out. Whilst he said
Dad I’m absolutely fine with it, as long as you’re in love. I mean, you’ve got to feel something. It’s got to mean something. It can’t just be with lust. If one of you isn’t really bothered then you should stop now. If you’re not serious then don’t put yourself through it. It must be worth something.
Aaron I cried. We all cried. Then he said
Dad And for god sake be careful.
Nick I really really love you.
They kiss.
Aaron Take me home with you. I want to see this bachelor pad.
Nick Five weeks and six days
Aaron Do I really have to wait
Nick I love you
Aaron You say you love me
Nick I’ve never said it before
Aaron To me?
Nick To anyone, I’ve never said I love you to anyone. I love you.
Back to Adam and Nick’s flat
Nick I’ll go and wash up
Adam Should I?
Nick No it’s fine
Adam Really?
Nick Yeah, I’ll clean myself up and then I’ll just
Adam Do you have to I’ve just got home
Nick I’ll be right back
Adam I don’t want you to go anywhere
Nick I’m just
Adam Hold me
Nick In a minute
Adam I need to know you’re still here Nick, I’m scared.
Nick You’re being ridiculous.
At that moment Mahmoud enters in a way that will shock.
Mahmoud They called me dog, beast, inhuman. They treated me inhumanly. They said that they should kill us for corrupting the community, for tainting its soul, for raping its body. They said that they should strangle the life breath out of us. We who are not natural, who are unholy who are cursed. We who don’t deserve to live. The courts will decide what to do with us. I fear the worst.
Enter Prometheus he lifts Mahmoud and bathes his wounds.
Prometheus You look like you are far from home child, shhhh! Rest, rest, no need to talk. You’re safe now.
Enter Aaron
Aaron Prometheus, all is well, it’s well. Nikolas and I are good and spring is here and oh God is he alright.
Prometheus He is healing, badly beaten but healing. I’m glad you’re well Aaron but I told you, you cannot come here anymore. I cannot agree to your chosen path nor be part of it. I’m sorry.
Aaron I thought that you were just angry, jealous even but not serious, after all we did, after all those hours, now nothing?
Prometheus If this is how you chose to live then yes.
Aaron Alright.
Enter Adam he checks the house,
Adam Nick?
Adam looks around for any signs that Nick might be cheating the laptop is on, he looks through the browser history, we hear voices
Voice Nick, you’re fit
Voice Take your top off
Voice Show us your ass
Voice You’re gonna be international
Voice I love your smile
Voice Jerk off
Voice Lovin’ the show man
Voice Let’s see some skin
Voice What you into?
Voice Show us your cock.
Voice Nice bod mate
Voice Turn around
Voice Are you a top or a bottom?
Voice When did you last have sex?
Voice Do you have a long foreskin?
Voice Let’s see a nipple
Voice Time waster!
Voice You’re not that fit.
Voice He is!
Voice I wouldn’t say no
Voice Hallo from Poland
Voice Wow! That’s hot
Voice Get your cock out for the boys.
Voice You got a fan club in the USA
Voice And Canada
Voice Australia loves you too
Voice Do you love us?
Voice Show us
Voice Come on, get your cock out!
Voice Wanna see that fine ass.
Voice I’ll so you mine if you show me yours.
Voice Gay or bi?
Voice Tease.
Adam slams down the laptop screen to stop the noise.
Mahmoud is dragged onto stage kicking and screaming.
Mahmoud I shall not be condemned by this court.
Ayaz rushes in
Ayaz No! It’s not true. It’s a lie no one even came to question me. I have never been hurt by this man.
Mahmoud Ayaz stop.
Ayaz They can’t do this, they shouldn’t be allowed to just do this, they have to hear the truth
Mahmoud They are not interested in the truth or sense or reason or justice. They are interested in what’s right and wrong and they think they know one from another.
Ayaz We can change them. When it came
Mahmoud Not now.
Ayaz I’m sorry
Mahmoud I told you not to tell anybody. We would have been happy in secret. I would have loved you forever. We could have loved so much together.
Ayaz We can still
Mahmoud No we can’t
Ayaz gets as high as possible
Ayaz My name is Ayaz Marhoni and I am in love with this man. This man who has only loved me and who you have sentenced to death. His crime? Me. Not rape. Not filth, nothing unholy. Love. His crime is love and if he should die for love then you should take me too. I love him.
Mahmoud It is true. We are in love. Let me love Ayaz. Let us love together quietly and in peace.
At that moment two boys rise from the floor. They are tied to wooden posts and their heads are covered with a hood. They are Ayaz and Mahmoud. You are in Justice Square in the Iranian city of Mashhad. It is July 19th 2005.
Ayaz When it came, it came without warning.
Mahmoud It came like a change in the weather.
Ayaz When it came, it came uninvited.
Mahmoud It came like a monsoon in the desert.
Ayaz When it came, it came all bombastic.
Mahmoud It came as a signal from Allah.
Ayaz When it came, it came in a whisper.
Mahmoud It came like a ripple in water.
Ayaz When it came, it bloomed like a flower.
Mahmoud It came like an infectious fever.
The large man in the balaclava rips the back of Mahmoud’s trousers so that his arse is bare. He brands Mahmoud with a hot iron. He whips the boys.
Ayaz When it came, it came incognito.
Mahmoud It came like a burning sensation.
Ayaz When it came, it came as if posted.
Mahmoud It came and it hurt me.
Ayaz When it came, it came like the perfect secret.
Mahmoud It came and I wished I hadn’t wished it.
Ayaz When it came, it came like freedom.
Mahmoud It came and it kept on coming.
Ayaz When it came, it came like freedom.
Mahmoud It came and it kept on coming.
Mahmoud collapses with the pain and is cut down from the post.
Ayaz I am not a criminal I am a homosexual. I am not a criminal I am a homosexual. I am not a criminal. I am not a criminal. I am in love and not you, nor Allah, nor any of your laws or death can change that. I am in love. I am in love. I am in love.
Enter Nick, he stands at the urinal. Younger Man enters stands at the other urinal. Nick taps his foot, Younger Man sniffs. The Nick glances over. Younger Man is unaware. The Nick taps his foot. Younger Man pisses. The Nick watches. Younger Man notices, pisses on his shoes. Nick laughs.
Nick Nice
Younger Man You what?
Nick You’re cock. You have a nice cock
Younger Man Thanks
Nick moves into the urinal. He is followed by the Younger Man.
Younger Man Yes, Yes, Yes!
Nick Shhh! Not so loud
Younger Man But it’s so good!
Nick I don’t want to get caught, and what would your mother say if you had to call her from the station after being arrested for having sex in a loo?
Younger Man They don’t arrest guys for this anymore
Nick Are you joking? The fear’s half the fun. There’s camera’s everywhere.
Younger Man What?
Nick Kiss me
Younger Man I don’t,
In the next cubical, we hear the sound of someone being beaten up. It is vicious. The door opens and Aaron is thrown out. He is badly beaten
Enter Prometheus.
Prometheus What has happened child?
Aaron I had nowhere else to
Prometheus Come come.
Aaron Thank you.
Prometheus Again?
Aaron Yes.
Prometheus was it in the market?
Aaron No
Prometheus And it wasn’t?
Aaron No.
Prometheus You are bare foot.
Aaron I ran.
Prometheus It was that serious?
Aaron Can I come back to you?
Prometheus Aaron. You knew when you left. I have told you many times. As long as you are with him I cannot help you. Renounce this, take on a wife, take on our own student and come back to society.
Aaron I can’t, I want to be with him
Prometheus I would help you if I could.
Aaron I know.
Prometheus hands Aaron a pair of sandals.
Prometheus Take these.
Aaron I don’t deserve your charity.
Prometheus Aaron, this time, don’t go back to him.
Aaron puts on the sandals and walks away.
Lights change it’s much darker. Back to present day, inside Nick and Adam’s flat.
Enter Nick with 2 men
Nick Here we are
1 Nice place
2 Yeah, swanky
Nick Thanks
2 So where’s the bedroom?
Nick Who said anything about the bedroom?
1 I distinctly remember you did, several times
2 more than several
Nick well I might have mentioned bedroom antics but not the bed room, wine?
2 Of course
1 Pink?
Nick oh god.
1 what
Nick Shall we?
Enter Adam carrying a large bunch of flowers and his suitcase.
Adam Hello, Nick? You know what, he’s forget his head if it wasn’t, oh hi.
Nick Shit
Adam Who are they?
1 Hi
2 You didn’t say anyone else was coming.
Nick You said that you we’re back on tomorrow.
Adam The last meeting was cancelled. I did tell you
Nick You said you’d be back tomorrow
Adam Surprise.
Nick They were just leaving.
2 We just arrived!
Nick They just came over to
Adam what’s going on?
Nick Don’t. Please.
Adam I don’t understand, are you here to
Nick Come on
Adam How could you?
Nick We’ll you should have
1 tries to comfort Adam
Adam Get off.
2 undoes Adam’s fly.
Adam What the fuck are you doing?
2 You’re so hot when you’re angry.
Nick Get off him. I’m sorry.
Adam What do you think you are you doing?
Nick Adam?
Adam I can’t believe this
Nick I thought that you weren’t coming back tonight
Adam Slut
Nick Please
Adam Whore
Nick Adam
Adam Fucking cunt.
Nick Please, Can we just
1 I’m so sorry mate, I didn’t realise, I’m
2 You look familiar
Adam Just fuck off
1 and 2 exit.
Nick I’m sorry.
Adam For what Nick
Nick I’m sorry
Adam How can you
Nick I don’t want to hurt you.
Adam You make me sick.
Nick I’ve got to tell you something
Adam What
Nick I’ve, I mean, I’m, I’ve got something to tell you
Adam I think I’ve heard enough
Nick I’m seeing other people.
Adam I can see that you’re seeing other people
Nick No I mean I’ve been seeing other people for a long time
Adam What do you mean, a long time?
Nick I’ve always
Adam always?
Nick I’ve never
Adam Never? How many?
Nick I don’t know,
Adam You don’t know?
Nick Listen, I’ve got to tell you what’s going on
Adam What is going on Nick? Are you about to tell me that our relationship is what, over?
Nick It’s not about that, it’s more, I dunno, I can’t stop myself
Adam Do you love me?
Nick You know the answer to that question
Adam Do I?
Nick Yes you do
Adam When was the last time you told me that you love me?
Nick (Pause)
Adam Say it!
Nick No
Adam Say it
Nick Adam
Adam Say it
Nick picks up Adam’s Amphitheatre and smashes it on the ground.
Adam Nick what the fuck?
Adam picks up Nick’s laptop and goes to smash it on the floor. Nick stops him by putting Adam in a headlock, Adam drops the laptop.
Adam I hate it when you go on the computer all the time.
Adam escapes from the headlock and slaps Nick across the face.
Nick I hate it when you won’t give me my own space.
Both men stare at each other.
Adam Why can’t you say that you love me?
Nick grabs Adam. They look again. Adam holds Nick’s hand’s above his head. Adam kisses Nick in the most passionate way. They break and look at each other. They don’t know what to do. They don’t understand. It is the most terrifying moment of their lives. They look at each other forever.
Nick I told you I loved you by coming home every night. By being here by putting up with your
Adam So it’s me.
Nick I don’t know where I am right now.
Adam What does this mean Nick?
Nick I’m just being honest
Adam Why can’t you just be my boyfriend? Why can’t we just love each other and that be enough?
Nick We can talk about this
Adam I want to grow old with you
Nick I think that you already have.
Adam I want to walk in the park with you on Sundays and argue about articles in the guardian and pretend to hate going to see your mother when actually I love seeing her. I want you Nick. I’ve always wanted you.
Nick I’ve met someone else.
Adam Are you serious?
Nick Yes
Adam You’ve met someone else.
Nick I’ve decided
Adam I can’t believe this
Nick I love him
Adam We own a house together
Nick I know
Adam You’re my next of kin on my passport
Nick I know
Adam I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you
Nick I’m sorry
Adam No
Nick I can’t keep going on pretending that we’re happy.
Adam I am happy
Nick I can’t go on pretending that I’m happy.
Adam You’re in love.
Nick Yes
Adam is silent. Nick exits.
We hear the chant of ‘Sword, Air, Rope, Stone.’ Sand falls from the sky. Ayazand Mahmoud stand at a table, there are four objects, a sword, a tall building, a rope and a stone. After thinking for a long time, both boys pick up the rope, there is a cheer, they kiss. The sand stops falling.
Enter Aaron
Aaron I have something to tell you
Nick I’ve heard that before.
Aaron I’m leaving
Nick I’ve left adam
Aaron I’m sorry
Nick I love you
Aaron I never meant for this
Nick I want you
Aaron I can’t do this
Nick Why?
Aaron I need a change of shoes.
Nick I found a pair that I always want to wear
Aaron I can’t give you what you want
Nick Aaron
Aaron It’s not you it’s
Nick I love you
Aaron I’ll always
Nick Please don’t go.
Aaron I’ve got to, I’m going, I’ve met someone else, he’s perfect.
Nick Perfect?
Aaron For now. This was never meant to get so serious.
Nick But what about me?
Ayaz and Mahmoud stand silent onstage. The large man lifts each of the boys and places a noose around there necks.
Ayaz When it came it came like thunder.
Mahmoud When it came, it came like a whisper.
You hear the call to prayer. One deep drum beat. The nooses are pulled tight. You hear a cheer from a very large crowd.
Enter Prometheus with a New Student, Prpmetheus is teaching an ancient martial art.
Prometheus No boy, concentrate
N. Student Sorry
Prometheus Yes that’s better, good, you’re doing well.
N. Student Thank you teacher
Prometheus You are developing well. Your shoulders are broadening, your mind is faster, your reason is becoming more logical. I am pleased with you.
N. Student I miss my mother.
Prometheus You can see her anytime
N. Student She used to sing me to sleep
Prometheus I will do that now
N. Student She used to run her fingers through my hair.
Prometheus In time you will have a wife to do that for you.
N. Student Prometheus, why do we grow up?
Enter Ayaz
Ayaz If you fall in love, fall. Plummet. Fall as fast and as hard as you can, don’t stop falling. ‘Cos when you land, when you land, that’s when all the shit happens.
Enter Adam
Adam Don’t worry about me, I’ll be ok. I’ll pick up the pieces and rebuild. Maybe I won’t find anybody else. What if I don’t find anybody else? I guess time will tell. I used to think that I had to be with someone. But maybe I think that I can wait for someone who has to be with me. I’ll know because when I see him, I’ll suck his nose and talk about Greece and pour him an glass of Rose and he’ll wrap his arms around me, kiss me on the neck and say I love you. But it has to be different. Next time I’ll be me. More of me. I’ll not tap to his beat. We’ll tap together. In time together and we’ll be comfortable in our own shoes. Romance is not dead. It’s burning and out there and still beating and I will take my share of it. Just that. No more, no less. Just my share of it and I will hurt. And I will be joyous. And it will make me cry and smile and confused and frustrated. But what it will never do. What it can never do again is ask me to change my shoes. I decide if I change my shoes.
Adam takes off his shoes and walks bare foot off the stage.
End
No curtain, No Bow.
From the moment that you enter the theatre, you have entered a public toilet. It is bright, open and clean. You are handed a toilet role. You start to unravel it and see that there are names written on the sheets - hundreds of male names from every era of history. You hear the names being whispered. The whispers come from everywhere. As you enter the main performance space, the whispers come from each of the three cubicles and from each of the 2 neon coloured urinals and the 2 pristine wash basins.
Whispered Names: Joshua, William, Ethan, Lucas, Oliver, Ryan, George, Michael, Thomas, Jayden, Daniel, Joseph, Alfred, Kei, Addison, Bilal, Coby, Gael, Fisher, Vaughan, Owen, Dale, Carl, Neil, Tate, Kier, Lal, Luke, Lee, Kin, Noel, Jonathan, Idris, Gareth, Constantine, Damien, Brock, Dylan, Wapi, Rory, Quincy, Paul, Zeke, Ariel, Ben, Grant, Edward, Omar, Gordon, James, Keith, Humphrey, Isaac, Nigel, Walter, Seth, Ralph, Patrick, Taj, Lysander, Malcolm, Ian, Barack, Charles, Anthony, Brandt, Elliot, Hussein, Gideon, Darius, Christian, Scott, Joel, Julian, Imran, Kazuo, Nicholas, Orlando, Ali, Avalon, Beck, Horatio, Gino, Elmer, David, Cian, Jan, Vivian, Sebastian, Talbot, Elmer, Gabriel, Fynn, Harrison, Matthew, Damon, Harold, Mohammed, Kent, Jefferson, Hugh, Bailey, Barrett, Blair, Brian, Bronwyn, Bruce, Hartley, Noah, Zeno, Sidney, Reece, Paris, Miki, Oscar, Perry, Rodrigo, Thane, Ulric, Rudi, Ouray, Wynn, Laurence, Maddox, Leighton, Norman, Jaci, Hunter, Christopher, Daquan, Forest, Luther, Nadim, Justin, Inir, Yul, Roger, Quinn, Paco, Uri, Theodore, Wesley, Yehudi, Raphael, Evan, Jamal, Igor, Max, Jerome, Francis, Xavier, Samuel, Floyd, Nasim, Van, Rowan, Robert, Richard, Ronan, Peter, Unwin, Reginald, Ezekiel, Aaron, Dennis, Haroshi, Elton, John, Leon, Martin, Orson, Lucian, Uriah, Heath, Parker, Salvador, Tariq, Yuko, Gavin, Andrew, Nicholas, Enoch, Howi, Nelson, Logan, Kumar, Irving, Kele, Lance, Malik, Mohan, Taylor, Saul, Raoul, Preston, Tobias, Warren, Quentin, Philip, Kelsey, Ibrahim, Magnus, Nelson, Kyle, Liam, Mac, Otto, Randal, Terrance, Eloy, Garrick, Homer, Dean, Laertes, Jesus, Lionel, Darren, Ivan, Lennon, Jyotish, Latif, Madison, Lloyd, Maurice, Oswald, Jacob, Havelock, Deion, Eric, Nathan, Yuma, Victor, Sean, Rudyard, Timothy, Wesley, Spencer, Vijay, Zion, Shen, Raji, Gerry, Esteban, Howard, Kenneth, Jaiden, Leroy, William, Stephen, Rufus, Trevor, Zach, Sunil, Efren, Gillian, Dexter, Hayden, Yale, Wilson, Timon, Xerxes, Lester, Colin, Declan, Cruz, Harvey, Wade, Russell, Thomas, Adam.
A shiny black shoe pokes out from beneath the middle cubical. It taps.
Nick enters. He sees the shoe and taps. The toilet door opens and a man invites Nick to join him inside the cubical.
Men enter, they walk to a rhythm. They all wear white shoes. Sometimes they kiss, sometimes they move to one of the urinals, sometimes they enter a cubical. The movement is almost balletic, aggressive, and urgent. At the highest point of the movement the men disappear.
We are left with Adam and Nick 17 and 19 respectively in spotlight centre stage they are play fighting. Nick has Adam in a headlock. Adam escapes and jumps on top of Nick. Both boys stare into each other’s eyes. Nickregains the advantage, throwing Adam over his shoulder. They both laugh. Adam holds Nick’s hand’s above his head. Again they stare into each other’s eyes. Adam kisses Nick in the most passionate way. They break and look at each other. They don’t know what to do. They don’t understand. They smile. They kiss again. It is the most thrilling moment of their lives. They break again. Eyes fixed on each other. Simultaneously they say:
Adam Wow!
Nick Wow!
Adam The first time we met
Nick at the urinals
Adam after a text
Nick Many messages on MSN
Adam Via many a dirty message on MSN
Nick Dirty messages on his computer whilst he was watching Coronation Street with his mother.
Adam No. Yes. But I never show pictures.
Nick So I was curious. You know
Adam I was terrified.
Nick I stood next to him at a urinal and looked over
Adam I’d never done anything like that before. I thought we were going to get arrested.
Nick He was so nervous. I looked down then looked up and thought
Adam We didn’t do anything then, he asked me to go for coffee. I thought he was leaning in to kiss me right there and he just whispered
Nick let’s get out of here
Adam there was no question
Nick It was the first time I’d ever actually spoken to a guy I’d met in a toilet. Usually I’d just unzip his fly and after leave with a nod. With him it was different. I wanted more. We kissed and my mind went blank, I didn’t understand. Later he asked me if I wanted to be his boyfriend.
Adam Via text
Nick via many nervous messages on MSN. Then I phoned him
Adam He hates talking on the phone.
Nick One day he came round and well, just never left.
Adam I was home.
Both exit. At that moment the lights change. Enter Adam now 26, from the middle toilet cubicle. He enters into his home carrying a suitcase and huge bunch of flowers. He does his routine.
Adam Hello. Nick? You know what, he’d forget his head if it wasn’t
Enter Nick he is in briefs
Nick Hi.
Adam Wow.
Nick I waited up, good trip?
They kiss
Adam Yeah, are you ok?
Nick Yeah
Adam So?
Nick What?
Adam What’s the news?
Nick Nothin’ really
Adam Well I’ve got loads.
Nick great.
Adam Don’t be like that, Martina’s having another baby.
Nick Right.
Adam She said the next one’s ours
Nick You’re enough to look after
Adam But I’m no trouble
Nick You’re the right kind of trouble
They kiss
Adam I’ve missed you
Nick Yeah
Adam I’m going to go away more often if this is the welcome home I get.
Nick Then I can turn this back into a bachelor pad
Adam You mean sex dungeon!
Nick No, that’s still down stairs
Adam Take me now
Nick Later
Adam Moody
Nick I’m tired, long day
Adam Tell me about it
Nick Wine?
Adam Of course
Nick Pink?
Adam Is there any other?
Nick Not for small minded queens like you
Adam Boo and hiss. I love you.
Nick Yeah.
Adam I do you know
Nick I know.
Adam Well?
Nick That’s nice.
Adam Have I done something wrong?
Nick I’m tired. I waited up.
Adam You were funny on the phone yesterday too
Nick I hate talking on the phone
Adam You hate talking to me on the phone
Nick Mother thinks dad’s dying again.
Adam What?
Nick He’s not, I’ve spoken to him he’s having an affair. Definitely not dying.
Adam Your poor mother. I’m lucky you’re like her and not him. Your father’s a dog.
Nick Woof!
Adam Not funny. He should know better at his age.
Nick It’s none of my business, and none of yours either so keep that shut.
Adam Mum’s the word
Nick Funny.
Adam That’s why you love me
Nick Right.
Adam Shall we?
Nick I was just going to
Adam Do you have to? I’ve just got back, you’ve had all day to
Nick I’ll be through in a minute,
Adam But
Nick I’m right here,
Adam Are you though?
Nick Stop it. I’m just going to do this and then I’ll be through.
Nick opens up his laptop, Adam leaves, and we hear whispered names and see men everywhere. Four men speak they are each in their own bedrooms on the internet.
1. Lives in a house with his friends in Wavertree. Training to be a Primary school Teacher, 4th and final year. Also works in some low grade clothing shop in the middle of nowhere of a weekend, but loves it. Has Morals, doesn't put toast crumbs back in the butter. Has standards. Originates from the Wavertree/Childwall border, never knew whether he was upper class, or an impoverished Chav. Finds visiting the Dentist very relaxing. Loves Dot Branning and Bianca from Eastenders like a Nan and Mother respectively. Totally hates the fact he is gay - Can't do anything about it. Ginger hair - Can't do anything about it. Squeezes toothpaste from the bottom, not the middle. I only have one clause for potential boyfriends...You MUST not be scared of spiders. Likes going out very much – only the fabulous places. Shy to a fault and worries about other’s perceptions of himself, vegetarian, 5 feet and 8 Inches tall, Size 8 shoe.
2 I’m not one for details. Look at my pictures if you like, let’s fuck.
3 Hi! My names Carl, I’m a pretty chilled out type of guy I work my arse off in the week and live for my weekends. Love going out with me mates an’ dancing like a demon and getting slightly intoxicated. I love travelling and have just got back from living in Australia so I’m feeling slightly suicidal at present. Message me if ya wanna chat!
4 Fit, sound and sorted, fun loving, young looking, horny scally biker lad in Manchester. Very straight acting bottom but will top once in a while. I’m good looking very approachable and good company. Proper lad into footie/sports kit, trackies, trainers, rockports, caps, shorts, sox, loafers etc, oh, and sex! Love a few beers ‘n’ ‘Extras’, clubbing and me tunes especially funky vocal house n trance though me tastes are varied and I will listen to anythin’ when the mood takes me and I’m in the right company. Loads of kit to share n swap, stacks of trainers phwoaaar. Love cars, bikes, leathers, rubber, biker’s kit and bikers mmmmm. Got a Ducati! Don’t mind a fit Pillion either, sorry lads not into Harley clone types! Looking for mates for chats, beers and/or rides out if you’ve a bike. If not then let’s sort a beer out n see how it goes. Nothing ventured nothin’ gained. Ohh and I’m after meets ‘n’ socialising not just talkin’ about meetin’ up and then pissin’ about. No way can you get to know someone by text on a bloody computer now is there? Get real! Good or bad, rate me pics lads, nice one! P.s Ohh to anyone who’s blocked me. Stop lookin’ at me profile if ya cant be assed chattin’ ya miserable fucks!
Nick Nice.
Adam Nick, come on, please
Nick I’m coming!
Nick exits.
Public toilet. Two cubicles. We hear a tap. Teenagers talk between the cubicles.
Ayaz I love you, I love you, I love you!
Mamoud Shhh! Not so loud
Ayaz But I could scream it from the roof tops
Mahmoud If you did that now we’d get caught, and what would your mother say if you had to call her from the station after being arrested for cottaging
Ayaz They don’t arrest guys for this anymore
Mahmoud Are you joking?
Ayaz We shouldn’t have to hide it
Mahmoud But we do
Ayaz Love is love
Mahmoud Not everybody sees it like that
Ayaz Really?
Mahmoud Not everyone in here thinks that this is love.
Ayaz When it came it came without warning
Mahmoud Not now
Ayaz Say it with me
Mahmoud I know it
Ayaz I know you know it, say it with me
Mahmoud Not now.
Ayaz I love you, I love you, I love you
Mahmoud Shhhh!
Adam is in his study, he his building a model of a Greek Amphitheatre. He puts on one piece and knocks over two figures. At that moment we seePrometheus and Aaron. They are learning an ancient martial art.
Nick Have you not finished that yet?
Adam It’s complicated
Nick Can I?
Adam No, you don’t know how to
Nick You could teach me
Adam I’ll only be a minute.
Nick What are they doing?
Adam This one is teaching this younger guy.
Nick They’re naked?
Adam He’s learning.
Nick Looks hot
Adam You are filthy.
Nick Just saying
Adam They would have sex ok.
Nick The boy paid for school with sex?
Adam Not exactly, it wasn’t like that
Nick right
Adam He’d be schooled and he would have sex with him. They thought it would keep them young.
Nick How funny.
Adam I really want to go the real amphitheatre.
Nick You’ve never been
Adam No.
Nick What would we do in Greece?
Adam The usual
Nick Great.
Adam Theatre, the Cathedral, Clubs, the Sights, a good Restaurant
Nick Just like New York
Adam Milan
Nick Berlin
Adam Sao Paulo
Nick Do you remember running from shop to shop in Sao Paulo because you thought we’d get shot?
Adam I thought we were going to get abducted.
Nick If someone abducted you, they’d give you back.
Adam Boo and Hiss.
Nick I loved Nairobi.
Adam It was too hot
Nick I loved the way the moon was upside down
Adam Even at night it was too hot. I wish I could have been in Greece before they’d built the Amphitheatre, in the time of Aristotle, as civilisation was growing. It became so sophisticated. Just like now. I love the way that they were so free
Nick Like the Romans
Adam They weren’t freer, they were just promiscuous
Nick Yeah, much better
Adam The Greeks still had a heart.
Nick But what was the price?
Adam it wasn’t like that.
Nick Is it still the same?
Adam I don’t think so
Nick I think we should find out
The lights change. Adam is 15 years old.
Adam When the time is right I’ll find the right guy, we’ll live in our home together, he will cook dinner on Wednesdays, and on Sunday we’ll walk in the park or see the folks or talk about unimportant stuff whilst sitting in the garden. We will learn to love together, we will teach each other everything about ourselves. I’ll know why he lifts up his little finger to drink tea or why he prefers to sleep on the left hand side or the bed or why he has to check the cooker three times before we go to sleep. I‘ll find someone to run in the fields with and to bathe in the sun next to and someone who will rub my feet when I’m tired. Someone who I’ll know everything about. Someone who will tell me everything. I’ll grow old with this person. We will hold hands and look into each other’s eyes and smile and laugh and he will get angry at the little things and I will love his grumpiness. We will go on holidays to far off places and see extraordinary things and be comfortable as one. I will find him and I will love him forever. And he will love me.
Enter an older man, he stands at the urinal. A young man enters stands at the other urinal. The older man taps his foot, the young man sniffs. The old man glances over. The young man is unaware. The older man taps his foot. The young man pisses. The Older man watches. The younger man notices, pisses on his own shoes.
Younger man Fucking queer. (exit)
The lights change, you can see into the three cubicles. Nick is in the centre one, one man is in the left and two men are in the right. You see Nick put his foot under the left cubical door and tap - A series of gestures depicting how to seduce a man from behind a cubical wall. The lights change. Nick stands with a shoebox.
Nick Teenagers tend to wear trainers, teenagers and old men. You can usually gage which is which from how he taps. An old man, the more experienced usually is much less bothered about getting caught. He taps at the floor like he’s Ginger Rodgers and for his age he does a pretty good quick step. A teenager he’s in and out. He’s unsure. He’s fidgety. You got to reel him in. Be patient, offer reassurance. The thrill of the chase. A black shoe, a polished back shoe is a business man, banker, lawyer you know, non-sales. He makes the rules. He has a profession. You follow him. You have to be careful that he’s not a policeman the giveaway is that they only shine their shoe’s on one side. It’s peculiar but true. Next time you see one look. Brown shoe. Brown shoes are trendy. You know. If you’re down far enough to see if he’s wearing a black suit you know he’s in sales. If he’s wearing a black suit with a brown shoe he is in his mid twenties and in sales. And they are the most common, on the whole. (A moment) The best advice I was ever given was to steer clear of any man in a grey shoe. My mother always said you can never trust a man in a grey shoe and it’s true. They are trouble. Boots are rare, workmen usually and they never have long, flip-flops are also a no no. They give you too much information. You can tell a man’s diet from his toe nails. I don’t need to be that well informed. Yes there is a lot of history between the journey of each foot- tap.
Nick picks up a shoe, he smells it.
This one is very special. This was my first one. This is the one that started it all. This is the one that got me into it. I was seventeen, in a shopping centre in Birmingham. Innocent. He must have been what thirty-eight? Very wealthy. Well you can tell can’t you? It’s a Testoni shoe, look at it! Italian, hand stitched, perfect! A man who wears this shoe takes care of himself. He is in the position to take care of others, to take care of me. I jumped out of my skin when it poked through under the cubical wall, the brown leather tapping on the floor. I ignored it. I didn’t understand what it wanted. I had never seen something so beautiful. It tapped. I offered up my shoe. Just out of curiosity you understand. I had no idea what it might lead to. Before I knew it there where knees under the cubical, an arm reaching for me - the most surreal moment of my life. Afterwards I peaked under the wall. I couldn’t see his face. I waited for three hours after to see if he might come back. I saw those shoes once again after that but I was too shy to do anything. I couldn’t be sure it was him. I didn’t know what to do, I was a boy. I saved up and bought them. They’re part of who I am now. They’re part of who I’ll always be. I’m with Adam. I am. I know I should be faithful but he’ll never give me what these did. I want more.
The lights change Adam is sitting on a sofa.
I picked up these for you.
Adam You
Nick I saw them and I thought, you’d look amazing in these shoes.
Adam You’ve never bought me shoes before
Nick but I saw them and I thought
Adam I’d look amazing in these shoes
Nick Yes
Adam Yes
Nick Well try them on
Adam They’re not even my size
Nick Just put them on
Adam I never wear brown shoes
Nick For godsake
Adam OK
Nick Perfect
Adam They hurt
Nick Gorgeous
Adam They pinch
Nick Amazing
Adam Are you even listening to me? I can’t wear them. They hurt, they don’t fit, they’re the wrong colour. You of all people should know what size shoe I am. I’m a size 9 Nick. I wear size 9 black shiny shoes. I did when we met and I haven’t changed. I don’t need new shoes. I like my old comfortable shoes.
Nick Once you’ve worn them in you’ll be ok.
Adam But they aren’t
Nick They’re the right size
Adam They’re the wrong type
Nick They suit you
Adam Thank you
Nick But
Adam I don’t want them, I’m sorry.
Nick Ok, fine. I just thought
Adam If they didn’t hurt.
Nick But you’ve never changed your shoes.
Adam I’ve bought new ones
Nick Really
Adam Of course
Nick When?
Adam When the old ones wear out
Nick You see the problem with you Adam is that
Adam So let me get this right.
Nick No, let me finish
Adam You don’t like my shoes.
Nick Come on it’s just a small
Adam No it’s not
Nick It is such a small little
Adam obviously its
Nick A tiny thing
Adam It means a lot to you
Nick That you at least try
Adam But I don’t understand
Nick It’s just sometimes I think that nothing ever changes. Where’s the
Adam You’ve lost me
Nick I want a bit more excitement
Adam I’m not exciting?
Nick We’re not exciting together.
Adam I’ve always been excited by you
Nick kisses Adam on the head.
Nick I just don’t know if that’s enough anymore.
Adam what?
Nick I never thought you’d stay
Adam why would I leave you?
Nick I thought you’d probably find someone better
Adam what?
Nick We were so young Adam
Adam Are you leaving?
Nick Do you want me to?
Adam No
Nick I think maybe I
Adam Maybe?
Nick maybe I need to take some time
Adam Have a think?
Nick clear my head
Adam Decide what you want?
Nick Yes.
Adam You should know what you want
Nick I have an idea
Adam You should look at me and want me.
Nick When I look at you my mind goes blank
Adam what have I done wrong?
Nick Nothing
Adam So what is it?
Nick I
Adam Are you seeing someone else?
Nick No
Adam Are you seeing someone else?
Nick No
Adam Are you seeing someone else?
Nick No.
Enter an older man, he stands at the urinal. Adam enters stands at the other urinal. The older man taps his foot, Adam sniffs. The old man glances over. Adam is unaware. The older man taps his foot. Adam pisses. The Older man watches. Adam notices, pisses on his shoes.
Adam What the bloody hell do you think you’re doing?
The older man, zips up his fly and leaves quickly. Adam goes to the middle cubical, we can see. He waits. A grey shoe taps from the left. Adam does nothing. A red shoe taps from the right. Adam does nothing. The right hand cubical door opens and a man walks in but no one walks out. There is not a red and a green pair of shoes visible. Again, Adam does nothing.
Adam If I’d like them I’d suck their nose. Most of them had never experienced that before. It was my USP. They’d remember if we’d chat online after, I could say, I’m the one who sucked your nose and he’d say ‘ah right. Yeah. I remember.’ Then I’d make a joke about the number of men they have on their mind. And they’d laugh. Romance is dead. I’ve always known that really. When I was dating, I’d never stay over. It was a rule. There’s nothing worse than the walk of shame. Have a good time, have a shower and leave. Always. Leave my email address, run my hands through his hair and leave. Browsing the net then going to meet someone at 1am always seemed like a good idea at the time but it took a lot to get me out of the door. He’d always be good looking, at least alright looking and sometimes there’d be a nice surprise. Sometimes it would be better than the advert. I think that’s what first drew me to Nick. I thought I could learn a lot from a guy like that. We met, I was so nervous. He was gorgeous. I saw him and nearly just turned and left right there, I thought I had no chance. But we got chatting and he was wonderful and when I sucked his nose, he did it back. We both laughed.
Adam exits out of the centre cubical, he breaks off the right hand cubical door. Ayaz and Mahmoud role out of it and a single line of sand falls from the sky, it keeps falling throughout the next scene. Ayaz and Mahmoud are 17 and 19 respectively in spotlight centre stage they are play fighting. We are in Iran 2005. Mahmoud has Ayaz in a headlock. Ayaz escapes and jumps on top ofMahmoud. Both boys stare into each other’s eyes. Mahmoud regains the advantage, throwing Ayaz over his shoulder. They both laugh. Ayaz holdsMahmoud’s hand’s above his head. Again they stare into each other’s eyes. Ayaz kisses Mahmoud in the most passionate way. They break and look at each other. They don’t know what to do. They don’t understand. They smile. They kiss again. It is the most thrilling moment of their lives. They break again. Eyes fixed on each other. Simultaneously they say:
Ayaz Wow!
Mahmoud Wow!
Ayaz I love you, I love you, I love only you!
Mamoud Shhh! Not so loud
Ayaz But I could scream it from the roof tops
Mahmoud If you did that you would end both our lives screaming.
Ayaz We shouldn’t have to hide it
Mahmoud But we do, if my father found out
Ayaz Love is love
Mahmoud Not everybody is as romantic as you are. Unfortunately most are realistic.
Ayaz When it came it came without warning
Mahmoud Not now
Ayaz Say it with me
Mahmoud I know it
Ayaz I know you know it, say it with me
Mahmoud Not now. I want to do this now
They kiss
Ayaz I love you, I love you, I love you
Mahmoud Shhhh! Someone will hear.
Ayaz I don’t care
Mahmoud Well I do so stop being so foolish and kiss me again
They kiss.
Mahmoud You know that as long as we live here we cannot tell anybody about this don’t you. I do love you, of course I do. But this has to be secret . You do understand that don’t you?
Ayaz Yes. Spoil sport. I think I could tell my mother.
Mahmoud No! Never
Ayaz She’d be alright. She loves me, she will respect that I’m happy
Mahmoud Ayaz, I will be with you for the rest of my life, I am yours. Please, stop it. You can’t tell any of our families.
Ayaz My mother would protect us. She’d be on our side
Mahmoud No, I’m afraid she wouldn’t .
Ayaz We’ll try it shall we and then we’ll know
Mahmoud If you tell anybody about us, I will deny it.
Ayaz How can you say such a thing?
Mahmoud I would have to
Ayaz Even though you love me
Mahmoud Yes, I’d have to deny it because I love you.
Ayaz Oh.
Mahmoud So please, our wonderful secret.
Ayaz When it came it came like thunder
Mahmoud When it came it came like a whisper.
It gets very hot
Older Man, Nick and Younger Man are in a London Sauna. Older man edge’s towards Younger Man. Nick is optimistic.
Older Man You are just my type
Younger Man No thanks
Older Man Where you from?
Younger Man Leeds?
Older Man no originally?
Younger Man Leeds.
Nick Do you wanna?
Older man No thanks
Nick You?
Younger Man Not right now mate
Nick Fine.
Older Man I’m here with my boyfriend
Younger Man You both?
Older Man Yes
Younger Man great
Older Man The problem is that we’re both tops
Nick How do you handle that?
Older Man We get by
Younger Man Shame
Older Man He’s only 20, I know that I haven’t got him forever
Younger Man That’s really sad
Older Man It’s true. We’ve been going out for a year. It just not the same?
Younger Man Sorry.
Older Man I’m not like this.
Younger Man Look, I don’t mind talking to you, but you’ve got to get your hands off me
Older Man Sorry
Younger Man Fine. Just rules ya know
Older Man Got it
Younger Man So not the same?
Older Man I lost Phil last year.
Younger Man I am sorry
Older ManI would have never done this with him.
Younger Man Yes
Older Man It’s not the same without him.
Younger Man I can
Older Man No you can’t imagine
Younger Man I was just
Older Man I’m sorry.
Younger Man I’m just starting a relationship.
Older Man How nice
Younger Man Probably be the last time I come here
Older man Good.
Younger Man Without him I mean.
Older Man We’re coming every week at the moment. I don’t know. I don’t really know why I’m in here. The things you do to keep them happy eh? Phil would have never have come here. I miss the small things. I miss him. I miss him putting both breakfast cups out for us before bed. I miss not having to say the things he knew, I miss not hearing the things he knew I didn’t want to hear. When someone knows you like that, it’s so hard to just move on. I shouldn’t compare them really it’s not fair.
Nick You only know what you had when it’s gone
Older man Never forget that. I think coming here’s a bad idea.
Younger Man What if you don’t know you have something good?
Older Man What are you looking for?
Nick Sex
Younger Man Yeah
Nick Good, honest sex
Younger Man Something for now.
Older Man If you want to have sex, have sex. Have it, experience the fullness of it. Have it and enjoy it, really enjoy it. Not in here, not underneath a toilet wall or in the park at midnight full of lust. Have it with love. Have it with connection, even if it’s just a one night stand, have it and enjoy it.
It starts to rain We are in Athens 550 bc. Prometheus (40’s) and Aaron (17) are bathing together under running water.
Aaron You know I have something to tell you.
Prometheus You have used that tone before. You must say what is on your mind. Have I not taught you to be articulate?
Aaron Yes of course. Indeed you have taught me gentlemanly ways, you have broadened both my body and mind. I am forever in your debt.
Prometheus Like so many others. Most of the radical thinkers have come through me. I have inspired many and given countless an opportunity which was not provided through birthright. It is my pleasure. You are not the firsteromenos I have taken and although you may be the most handsome, you probably will not be the last.
Aaron I’m leaving.
Prometheus Of course. They all do in the end. And you should.
Aaron I would like to go as soon as possible.
Prometheus I would not stand in your way.
Aaron I have begun to grow a beard. I am of age.
Prometheus I agree.
Aaron I have chosen
Prometheus A wife? Congratulations. We will have a huge celebration. I am so pleased for you. Have you thought about when you will be getting married?
Aaron No.
Prometheus Well you must these things/take time and effort they do not just
Aaron Prometheus. You must listen.
Prometheus Can I not be excited? This is great news!
Aaron I doubt you will be so
Prometheus Are you worried about jealously? Foolish boy. This is the reason you are in my company. You are learned and indeed you are a man. It is time, you should learn not to be so bashful.
Aaron I have not found a wife.
Prometheus You have time for all that, go and experience life, travel, live. There’s plenty of time for wives
Aaron No, you must
Prometheus I don’t understand why you are sullen boy. This is exciting, this is a wonderful time
Aaron If you’d just
Prometheus Not another word. I am going to plan the celebration, conragtulations child. I am so very pleased for you.
Aaron I am leaving you for another man. I am in love.
Prometheus Are you mad?
Aaron We have not got into the logistics yet. I have always been loyal to you. My wish was never to betray you or your kindness to me. I told him I would not lay with him until I had you’re consent and I had left you’re house. And although he has been very persistent I/ have held my ground.
Prometheus Malakas! At least I have taught you something. I knew that you were young but I never thought that you were so naive. Am I to take it that you are steadfast in your decision?
Aaron I am.
Prometheus And Eros, in some devious trick has bewitched you?
Aaron Yes.
Prometheus And you are happy?
Aaron Yes.
Prometheus Then you must go.
Aaron You consent?
Prometheus It is my last act of love to you. I must have lost my mind. I have been involved in pederasty for fifteen years. I have had the pleasure of many men and this is the first time I have heard such nonsense. Yet happiness is so hard to find. You are aware that your life is destined for much hardship. You do understand that don’t you?
Aaron In all that hardship there maybe the chance for one day of happiness. For that reason I must take the risk. I must see if it is possible. I know that my time with you is up and I want my adult life to be as happy and enriching as you have made my adolescent one.
Prometheus Enough. Go. It is done.
We hear ‘The Train approaching platform one is for Blackburn.’ We are at Hall i’th’ Wood train station. It’s spring. It’s 11pm. Nick is standing in a shadow further up the platform.
Aaron texts on his mobile phone. Nick’s phone beeps as it receives a message. Aaron walks up to Nick.
Aaron Have you got a light?
Nick Don’t smoke, sorry
Aaron Oh
Nick You’ve missed the train
Aaron I’m not
Nick The last train has gone
Aaron No I’m here to
Nick Is someone coming for you?
Aaron I hope so, the waiting room smells of piss
Nick Yes, nice isn’t it.
Aaron eeeeeeeeee No.
Nick laughs
Aaron You’re jokin’ right?
Nick Of course.
Aaron Right, thanks then
Nick So who you waiting for?
Aaron Dunno. Altcourse?
Nick What?
Aaron I’m meeting a guy off the internet called Altcourse.
Nick What for?
Aaron Dunno summat to do isn’t it.
Nick What does he look like?
Aaron He’s perfect.
Nick Perfect?
Aaron For tonight
Nick Right. Where are you from?
Aaron Manchester.
Nick No originally
Aaron Manchester.
Nick Ok
Aaron He told me to wear a white top and grey shoes. I had to buy new shoes. Freak.
Nick UKslim18?
Aaron Yeah. You look older than 23.
Nick You look younger than 19
Aaron I’m 17
Nick I’m 28, you ok with that?
Aaron I haven’t got anywhere else to go.
Nick How are you going to get home?
Aaron Tomorrow
Nick Ah? I sort of, well
Aaron You not interested? Coz if you’re not interested it’s fine I’ll just ya know, get off like.
Nick No, I mean yes, you’re hot, it’s just
Aaron What?
Nick You said you could drive
Aaron I can drive
Nick I expected you to bring your car, we never spoke about you coming over. We arranged to meet in the car park
Aaron It was dark. I wasn’t waiting there.
Nick That’s ok.
Aaron My mum needed the car. I didn’t think you’d live in the middle of nowhere. Can we worry about this after?
Nick How much money have you got?
Aaron I’m not fucking paying you.
Nick I’ll lend you some for a taxi, back to?
Aaron Manchester.
Nick So how much have you got?
Aaron A tenner, I think we should foget it.
Nick I can’t leave you out here on your own
Aaron I’ll be ok. Some other time maybe.
Nick Well take this, make sure you get home
Nick hands Aaron fifty pounds.
Aaron This was a mistake.
Nick It’s ok.
Aaron Am I always going to be a virgin? How can I tell my dad I’m gay if I haven’t even slept with anyone?
Nick what are you talking about?
Aaron I’m gay
Nick Yeah I got that
Aaron I don’t want to pretend anymore, I want to tell everyone the truth, I don’t want to meet people in train stations or toilets or car parks. I want a boyfriend, but who’s going to look at me if I haven’t even done anything.
Nick You’re a silly kid
Aaron Fuck off
Nick Come back
Aaron Why?
Nick Come back and I’ll tell you. You know what, when I met my boyfriend he wouldn’t sleep with me for six weeks.
Aaron Sounds like a right spoon
Nick He was sweet, he still is sweet. He said that we’d know when the time was right
Aaron And?
Nick I was about your age, we waited, and it was perfect
Aaron Yeah but that was years ago, things are different now
Nick Oi, cheeky!
Aaron I wouldn’t have made you wait
Nick It was a good thing, you’ll find a boyfriend, there’s plenty of time. I think I should take you home.
Aaron Take me back to yours?
Nick no
Aaron Just for a bit
Nick No
Aaron I can wait six weeks.
Nick My boyfriend won’t let you
Aaron But he lets you do this?
Nick This is different.
Aaron No it’s not
Nick He doesn’t know about this.
Aaron Cheating is cheating
Nick You’re right
Aaron So?
Nick Let’s go
They exit. Enter Adam, from the middle toilet cubicle. He enters into his home carrying a suitcase and huge bunch of flowers.
Adam Hello? Nick? You know what, he’d forget his head if it wasn’t
Enter Nick he is in briefs
Nick Hi.
Adam Wow.
Nick I waited up, good trip?
They kiss
Adam the usual
Nick Yeah.
Adam What’s the news?
Nick Nothin’ really
Adam Well I’ve got loads.
Nick great.
Adam Martina’s having another baby. She said the next one’s ours
Nick You’re enough to look after
Adam But I’m no trouble
Nick You’re the right kind of trouble. You need to tell Steve to leave that poor woman alone, what’s that four now?
Adam Yeah
They kiss
Adam I’ve missed you
Nick You go away so often.
Adam I’m sorry
Nick I am going to turn this back into a bachelor pad
Adam I
Nick I’m tired, long day
Adam Tell me about it
Nick Wine?
Adam Of course
Nick Pink?
Adam Is there any other?
Nick Not for small minded queens like you
Adam Boo and hiss. I
Nick Yeah.
Adam I do you know
Nick I know.
Adam Well?
Nick That’s nice. I’m tired
Adam You seem
Nick what?
Adam There is a change in you, what’s going on?
Nick Nothing, I am happy you’re home
Adam I
Nick I’ll be right back
Nick goes to the cupboard for the wine he opens it and is splattered with blood. Ayaz is screaming.
Ayaz I thought it would be fine. I said that I was in love. I said that I was happy, everyone cheered. I thought that with my mother it would be different. I thought that we were ready to change. I thought that we could change, if they saw how happy I was. I was kept in there for 40 days and nights. Beaten, abused, you would not treat a dog the way they treated me. Justice? Punishment? You have got to laugh. They took it. They took everything I had. Almost everything. They couldn’t destroy it. They didn’t even get close to it. My love is still there. After all the words, after all the sentences, after everything, they can bleed me but they cannot kill it. I still love him. I’ll always love him.
Ayaz climbs back into a cupboard.
Adam You split it all over yourself
Nick I’m useless
Adam I love you
Nick I know
Adam I always will
Nick I can count on that
Adam Yes you can, I think you’re going to need a shower
Nick I think that we need a shower
Adam I’m not filthy
Nick Oh yes you are
Nick and Aaron burst in play fighting. Nick has Aaron in a headlock. Aaronescapes and jumps on top of Nick. Both boys stare into each other’s eyes.Nick regains the advantage, throwing Aaron over his shoulder. They both laugh. Nick holds Aaron’s hand’s above his head. Nick kisses Arron in the most passionate way. They break and look at each other. They don’t know what to do. They smile. They kiss again. It is the most thrilling moment of their lives. They break again. Eyes fixed on each other. Simultaneously they say:
Aaron I love you.
Nick I love you.
Aaron I think that I will love you forever.
Nick I think I would like to challenge you to that.
Aaron (Kissing after each word) I accept the challenge.
Nick If you’re lucky enough to fall in love. Fall. Plummet. Fall as fast and as hard as you can, don’t stop falling ‘cos when you land, that’s when all the shit happens.
Aaron I told my parents. My dad walked out, my mum cried. I cried. I wanted you to hold my hand. Dad’s reaction was, well, I’d never seem my mum like that. Dad came back. I looked him directly in the eye. I was bricking it. He said. Mum had to walked out. Whilst he said
Dad I’m absolutely fine with it, as long as you’re in love. I mean, you’ve got to feel something. It’s got to mean something. It can’t just be with lust. If one of you isn’t really bothered then you should stop now. If you’re not serious then don’t put yourself through it. It must be worth something.
Aaron I cried. We all cried. Then he said
Dad And for god sake be careful.
Nick I really really love you.
They kiss.
Aaron Take me home with you. I want to see this bachelor pad.
Nick Five weeks and six days
Aaron Do I really have to wait
Nick I love you
Aaron You say you love me
Nick I’ve never said it before
Aaron To me?
Nick To anyone, I’ve never said I love you to anyone. I love you.
Back to Adam and Nick’s flat
Nick I’ll go and wash up
Adam Should I?
Nick No it’s fine
Adam Really?
Nick Yeah, I’ll clean myself up and then I’ll just
Adam Do you have to I’ve just got home
Nick I’ll be right back
Adam I don’t want you to go anywhere
Nick I’m just
Adam Hold me
Nick In a minute
Adam I need to know you’re still here Nick, I’m scared.
Nick You’re being ridiculous.
At that moment Mahmoud enters in a way that will shock.
Mahmoud They called me dog, beast, inhuman. They treated me inhumanly. They said that they should kill us for corrupting the community, for tainting its soul, for raping its body. They said that they should strangle the life breath out of us. We who are not natural, who are unholy who are cursed. We who don’t deserve to live. The courts will decide what to do with us. I fear the worst.
Enter Prometheus he lifts Mahmoud and bathes his wounds.
Prometheus You look like you are far from home child, shhhh! Rest, rest, no need to talk. You’re safe now.
Enter Aaron
Aaron Prometheus, all is well, it’s well. Nikolas and I are good and spring is here and oh God is he alright.
Prometheus He is healing, badly beaten but healing. I’m glad you’re well Aaron but I told you, you cannot come here anymore. I cannot agree to your chosen path nor be part of it. I’m sorry.
Aaron I thought that you were just angry, jealous even but not serious, after all we did, after all those hours, now nothing?
Prometheus If this is how you chose to live then yes.
Aaron Alright.
Enter Adam he checks the house,
Adam Nick?
Adam looks around for any signs that Nick might be cheating the laptop is on, he looks through the browser history, we hear voices
Voice Nick, you’re fit
Voice Take your top off
Voice Show us your ass
Voice You’re gonna be international
Voice I love your smile
Voice Jerk off
Voice Lovin’ the show man
Voice Let’s see some skin
Voice What you into?
Voice Show us your cock.
Voice Nice bod mate
Voice Turn around
Voice Are you a top or a bottom?
Voice When did you last have sex?
Voice Do you have a long foreskin?
Voice Let’s see a nipple
Voice Time waster!
Voice You’re not that fit.
Voice He is!
Voice I wouldn’t say no
Voice Hallo from Poland
Voice Wow! That’s hot
Voice Get your cock out for the boys.
Voice You got a fan club in the USA
Voice And Canada
Voice Australia loves you too
Voice Do you love us?
Voice Show us
Voice Come on, get your cock out!
Voice Wanna see that fine ass.
Voice I’ll so you mine if you show me yours.
Voice Gay or bi?
Voice Tease.
Adam slams down the laptop screen to stop the noise.
Mahmoud is dragged onto stage kicking and screaming.
Mahmoud I shall not be condemned by this court.
Ayaz rushes in
Ayaz No! It’s not true. It’s a lie no one even came to question me. I have never been hurt by this man.
Mahmoud Ayaz stop.
Ayaz They can’t do this, they shouldn’t be allowed to just do this, they have to hear the truth
Mahmoud They are not interested in the truth or sense or reason or justice. They are interested in what’s right and wrong and they think they know one from another.
Ayaz We can change them. When it came
Mahmoud Not now.
Ayaz I’m sorry
Mahmoud I told you not to tell anybody. We would have been happy in secret. I would have loved you forever. We could have loved so much together.
Ayaz We can still
Mahmoud No we can’t
Ayaz gets as high as possible
Ayaz My name is Ayaz Marhoni and I am in love with this man. This man who has only loved me and who you have sentenced to death. His crime? Me. Not rape. Not filth, nothing unholy. Love. His crime is love and if he should die for love then you should take me too. I love him.
Mahmoud It is true. We are in love. Let me love Ayaz. Let us love together quietly and in peace.
At that moment two boys rise from the floor. They are tied to wooden posts and their heads are covered with a hood. They are Ayaz and Mahmoud. You are in Justice Square in the Iranian city of Mashhad. It is July 19th 2005.
Ayaz When it came, it came without warning.
Mahmoud It came like a change in the weather.
Ayaz When it came, it came uninvited.
Mahmoud It came like a monsoon in the desert.
Ayaz When it came, it came all bombastic.
Mahmoud It came as a signal from Allah.
Ayaz When it came, it came in a whisper.
Mahmoud It came like a ripple in water.
Ayaz When it came, it bloomed like a flower.
Mahmoud It came like an infectious fever.
The large man in the balaclava rips the back of Mahmoud’s trousers so that his arse is bare. He brands Mahmoud with a hot iron. He whips the boys.
Ayaz When it came, it came incognito.
Mahmoud It came like a burning sensation.
Ayaz When it came, it came as if posted.
Mahmoud It came and it hurt me.
Ayaz When it came, it came like the perfect secret.
Mahmoud It came and I wished I hadn’t wished it.
Ayaz When it came, it came like freedom.
Mahmoud It came and it kept on coming.
Ayaz When it came, it came like freedom.
Mahmoud It came and it kept on coming.
Mahmoud collapses with the pain and is cut down from the post.
Ayaz I am not a criminal I am a homosexual. I am not a criminal I am a homosexual. I am not a criminal. I am not a criminal. I am in love and not you, nor Allah, nor any of your laws or death can change that. I am in love. I am in love. I am in love.
Enter Nick, he stands at the urinal. Younger Man enters stands at the other urinal. Nick taps his foot, Younger Man sniffs. The Nick glances over. Younger Man is unaware. The Nick taps his foot. Younger Man pisses. The Nick watches. Younger Man notices, pisses on his shoes. Nick laughs.
Nick Nice
Younger Man You what?
Nick You’re cock. You have a nice cock
Younger Man Thanks
Nick moves into the urinal. He is followed by the Younger Man.
Younger Man Yes, Yes, Yes!
Nick Shhh! Not so loud
Younger Man But it’s so good!
Nick I don’t want to get caught, and what would your mother say if you had to call her from the station after being arrested for having sex in a loo?
Younger Man They don’t arrest guys for this anymore
Nick Are you joking? The fear’s half the fun. There’s camera’s everywhere.
Younger Man What?
Nick Kiss me
Younger Man I don’t,
In the next cubical, we hear the sound of someone being beaten up. It is vicious. The door opens and Aaron is thrown out. He is badly beaten
Enter Prometheus.
Prometheus What has happened child?
Aaron I had nowhere else to
Prometheus Come come.
Aaron Thank you.
Prometheus Again?
Aaron Yes.
Prometheus was it in the market?
Aaron No
Prometheus And it wasn’t?
Aaron No.
Prometheus You are bare foot.
Aaron I ran.
Prometheus It was that serious?
Aaron Can I come back to you?
Prometheus Aaron. You knew when you left. I have told you many times. As long as you are with him I cannot help you. Renounce this, take on a wife, take on our own student and come back to society.
Aaron I can’t, I want to be with him
Prometheus I would help you if I could.
Aaron I know.
Prometheus hands Aaron a pair of sandals.
Prometheus Take these.
Aaron I don’t deserve your charity.
Prometheus Aaron, this time, don’t go back to him.
Aaron puts on the sandals and walks away.
Lights change it’s much darker. Back to present day, inside Nick and Adam’s flat.
Enter Nick with 2 men
Nick Here we are
1 Nice place
2 Yeah, swanky
Nick Thanks
2 So where’s the bedroom?
Nick Who said anything about the bedroom?
1 I distinctly remember you did, several times
2 more than several
Nick well I might have mentioned bedroom antics but not the bed room, wine?
2 Of course
1 Pink?
Nick oh god.
1 what
Nick Shall we?
Enter Adam carrying a large bunch of flowers and his suitcase.
Adam Hello, Nick? You know what, he’s forget his head if it wasn’t, oh hi.
Nick Shit
Adam Who are they?
1 Hi
2 You didn’t say anyone else was coming.
Nick You said that you we’re back on tomorrow.
Adam The last meeting was cancelled. I did tell you
Nick You said you’d be back tomorrow
Adam Surprise.
Nick They were just leaving.
2 We just arrived!
Nick They just came over to
Adam what’s going on?
Nick Don’t. Please.
Adam I don’t understand, are you here to
Nick Come on
Adam How could you?
Nick We’ll you should have
1 tries to comfort Adam
Adam Get off.
2 undoes Adam’s fly.
Adam What the fuck are you doing?
2 You’re so hot when you’re angry.
Nick Get off him. I’m sorry.
Adam What do you think you are you doing?
Nick Adam?
Adam I can’t believe this
Nick I thought that you weren’t coming back tonight
Adam Slut
Nick Please
Adam Whore
Nick Adam
Adam Fucking cunt.
Nick Please, Can we just
1 I’m so sorry mate, I didn’t realise, I’m
2 You look familiar
Adam Just fuck off
1 and 2 exit.
Nick I’m sorry.
Adam For what Nick
Nick I’m sorry
Adam How can you
Nick I don’t want to hurt you.
Adam You make me sick.
Nick I’ve got to tell you something
Adam What
Nick I’ve, I mean, I’m, I’ve got something to tell you
Adam I think I’ve heard enough
Nick I’m seeing other people.
Adam I can see that you’re seeing other people
Nick No I mean I’ve been seeing other people for a long time
Adam What do you mean, a long time?
Nick I’ve always
Adam always?
Nick I’ve never
Adam Never? How many?
Nick I don’t know,
Adam You don’t know?
Nick Listen, I’ve got to tell you what’s going on
Adam What is going on Nick? Are you about to tell me that our relationship is what, over?
Nick It’s not about that, it’s more, I dunno, I can’t stop myself
Adam Do you love me?
Nick You know the answer to that question
Adam Do I?
Nick Yes you do
Adam When was the last time you told me that you love me?
Nick (Pause)
Adam Say it!
Nick No
Adam Say it
Nick Adam
Adam Say it
Nick picks up Adam’s Amphitheatre and smashes it on the ground.
Adam Nick what the fuck?
Adam picks up Nick’s laptop and goes to smash it on the floor. Nick stops him by putting Adam in a headlock, Adam drops the laptop.
Adam I hate it when you go on the computer all the time.
Adam escapes from the headlock and slaps Nick across the face.
Nick I hate it when you won’t give me my own space.
Both men stare at each other.
Adam Why can’t you say that you love me?
Nick grabs Adam. They look again. Adam holds Nick’s hand’s above his head. Adam kisses Nick in the most passionate way. They break and look at each other. They don’t know what to do. They don’t understand. It is the most terrifying moment of their lives. They look at each other forever.
Nick I told you I loved you by coming home every night. By being here by putting up with your
Adam So it’s me.
Nick I don’t know where I am right now.
Adam What does this mean Nick?
Nick I’m just being honest
Adam Why can’t you just be my boyfriend? Why can’t we just love each other and that be enough?
Nick We can talk about this
Adam I want to grow old with you
Nick I think that you already have.
Adam I want to walk in the park with you on Sundays and argue about articles in the guardian and pretend to hate going to see your mother when actually I love seeing her. I want you Nick. I’ve always wanted you.
Nick I’ve met someone else.
Adam Are you serious?
Nick Yes
Adam You’ve met someone else.
Nick I’ve decided
Adam I can’t believe this
Nick I love him
Adam We own a house together
Nick I know
Adam You’re my next of kin on my passport
Nick I know
Adam I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you
Nick I’m sorry
Adam No
Nick I can’t keep going on pretending that we’re happy.
Adam I am happy
Nick I can’t go on pretending that I’m happy.
Adam You’re in love.
Nick Yes
Adam is silent. Nick exits.
We hear the chant of ‘Sword, Air, Rope, Stone.’ Sand falls from the sky. Ayazand Mahmoud stand at a table, there are four objects, a sword, a tall building, a rope and a stone. After thinking for a long time, both boys pick up the rope, there is a cheer, they kiss. The sand stops falling.
Enter Aaron
Aaron I have something to tell you
Nick I’ve heard that before.
Aaron I’m leaving
Nick I’ve left adam
Aaron I’m sorry
Nick I love you
Aaron I never meant for this
Nick I want you
Aaron I can’t do this
Nick Why?
Aaron I need a change of shoes.
Nick I found a pair that I always want to wear
Aaron I can’t give you what you want
Nick Aaron
Aaron It’s not you it’s
Nick I love you
Aaron I’ll always
Nick Please don’t go.
Aaron I’ve got to, I’m going, I’ve met someone else, he’s perfect.
Nick Perfect?
Aaron For now. This was never meant to get so serious.
Nick But what about me?
Ayaz and Mahmoud stand silent onstage. The large man lifts each of the boys and places a noose around there necks.
Ayaz When it came it came like thunder.
Mahmoud When it came, it came like a whisper.
You hear the call to prayer. One deep drum beat. The nooses are pulled tight. You hear a cheer from a very large crowd.
Enter Prometheus with a New Student, Prpmetheus is teaching an ancient martial art.
Prometheus No boy, concentrate
N. Student Sorry
Prometheus Yes that’s better, good, you’re doing well.
N. Student Thank you teacher
Prometheus You are developing well. Your shoulders are broadening, your mind is faster, your reason is becoming more logical. I am pleased with you.
N. Student I miss my mother.
Prometheus You can see her anytime
N. Student She used to sing me to sleep
Prometheus I will do that now
N. Student She used to run her fingers through my hair.
Prometheus In time you will have a wife to do that for you.
N. Student Prometheus, why do we grow up?
Enter Ayaz
Ayaz If you fall in love, fall. Plummet. Fall as fast and as hard as you can, don’t stop falling. ‘Cos when you land, when you land, that’s when all the shit happens.
Enter Adam
Adam Don’t worry about me, I’ll be ok. I’ll pick up the pieces and rebuild. Maybe I won’t find anybody else. What if I don’t find anybody else? I guess time will tell. I used to think that I had to be with someone. But maybe I think that I can wait for someone who has to be with me. I’ll know because when I see him, I’ll suck his nose and talk about Greece and pour him an glass of Rose and he’ll wrap his arms around me, kiss me on the neck and say I love you. But it has to be different. Next time I’ll be me. More of me. I’ll not tap to his beat. We’ll tap together. In time together and we’ll be comfortable in our own shoes. Romance is not dead. It’s burning and out there and still beating and I will take my share of it. Just that. No more, no less. Just my share of it and I will hurt. And I will be joyous. And it will make me cry and smile and confused and frustrated. But what it will never do. What it can never do again is ask me to change my shoes. I decide if I change my shoes.
Adam takes off his shoes and walks bare foot off the stage.
End
No curtain, No Bow.