Nighthawks (1978) - full transcript
Jim (Ken Robertson), a London teacher by day who spends his evenings cruising bars and discos, on the lookout for men from different backgrounds and places and trying to connect with them whether for sex, attempts at a relationship or friendship. He attempts to keep his life compartmentalised, his 'Gay encounters' and his 'friendships with school colleagues', something that seems a necessity working with school children, but can the status quo can't remain forever.
(opening music)
- Hello.
- Hey.
- How are you?
- Fine thank you, how are you?
- Fine thanks.
Have a good night.
- [Voiceover] This
very special (mumbles)
Yes you, you, other male.
(70's dance music)
(laughter)
(dance music)
- [Voiceover] (mumbles)
('70s dance music)
(slow music)
- Where did you spring from?
- Now (mumbles) reason.
- I wasn't..
- It's like dance all
through the night,
every body very (mumbles)
piss out of their minds.
Complete waste of time.
There's nothing that
interests me at all.
- So you came here?
- Right.
- That's the thing, that guy
there in the white T-shirt,
he's very me.
- He's not bad.
- Very nice.
- Too young for you, isn't he?
- He's very nice, you
gonna (mumbles) him out?
- Yeah I think so.
I'm kidding, but why don't
you just push your way in.
- I might do that.
- We'll see
- Yeah okay.
(slow music)
- Crowded, isn't it?
(laughs)
- Yeah.
You been here long?
- Half an hour, how 'bout you?
- About an hour.
I saw you coming in.
- Yeah?
- You came in on your own.
- Yeah.
- And I saw you passing me by,
I was gonna come
and talk to you but,
you were talking
to someone else.
- Nice timing,
(mumbles) to know you.
I was afraid actually (mumbles)
- Where do you live?
- Clapham.
Where do you live?
- Notting Hill.
(door creaks)
(laughs)
I'm able to sit comfortably.
- Yes I see.
- You've got a squeaky bed.
(laughs)
- Quite the labor
that one (mumbles)
(laughs)
- [Voiceover] As long as it's
not a test area (mumbles)
- No thank you.
- Well that (mumbles) it.
- Can I give you a lift?
- That's okay,
I got a Tube pass.
- Well I can give you
a lift to the Tube.
- It's only around the corner.
- Where exactly have
you got to get to?
- Holborn.
- Well I can give you a
lift there if you'd like.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
I've got plenty of time.
- Well it makes a really nice
change to go by car to work.
(laughs)
- Yeah, I suppose it does.
Do you always go by Tube?
- Yeah, I even travel on the
Tube every day during the day.
- Why don't you get
yourself a bike?
- Bike in London?
You've got to be joking.
Can you drop me just there
where the scaffolding is.
- Alright.
- Please.
- What are you doing
on the weekend?
- I'm working.
- Oh.
I would really like
to see you again.
What about during the week?
- Yeah.
You could give me a ring.
- One of the problems in
India is overpopulation.
Families are very big,
one of the reasons
is because, Shane?
(student coughs)
- There's no birth control.
- There's no birth control,
(laughter)
You know about that do you?
- They said that , but they
should have birth control,
they've got enough
rubber plantations.
(laughter)
- Very good Steven.
Thank you.
(laughter)
Shelley be careful you
don't fall backwards.
(laughter)
Why don't they have
birth control in India?
Does anyone know?
- No,
(students speak at same time)
- Because their religion.
- And what is that religion?
Wendy, do you know?
Wendy?
- [Wendy] No.
- [Voiceover] Hindu.
- Thank you.
Hindu.
I hope you're taking
notes all the way through.
This is the old room, this
use to be the grand school
before it went comprehensive
about four years ago.
Have you seen the new building?
- No.
- Its about 400
yards down the road.
- Yeah.
- That houses most of the arts.
Then there's the new block,
still under construction.
That gonna be the science block.
But the sciences are
here at the moment.
Have you met Sancton?
- No.
- I think you'd better.
This is where you (mumbles)
I'm taking up the (mumbles)
The headmaster's office.
You'll probably never see him.
Not again.
- Yes.
- This is Ralph.
A permanent fixture.
- Not for much longer.
- This is Judy, she just
joined our (mumbles)
- Hello.
- Hello.
I'm going to (mumbles)
are you coming?
- No, no time.
See you later.
- Alright, bye.
- Ralph has been (mumbles) since
I came here four years ago.
Now this is the blue staircase,
there's a red one, yellow
one and a green one.
They're all the same.
This room is used for
Film Projection in slides.
Projection in there.
But you want to book it,
you have to be careful
it's usually used
by everyone else.
Hello.
- Hi handsome.
- Hi, you alright?
- Yes.
- Oh, this is Judy.
- Hello.
- This is Pat.
Pat's from the
English department.
Judy's on your supply
til the end of term.
- Wonderful, did you
just start today?
- Yeah, I just
started this morning.
I only got the job yesterday,
so it was a bit chaotic
- Welcome.
- I don't have
anything prepared.
- Well there never is.
- No?
- No, never.
- What are you showing?
- I am showing (mumbles)
It was going to be Cares but
we couldn't get the print.
- I'd really like to see that.
- Oh, why don't you come along?
- Can't, (mumbles)
- Oh, God no you can't.
I've got four.
(laughs)
- I've already got
the lesson prepared.
- Oh okay.
- Well we're leaving,
- Okay.
- See you at four.
- Okay, yeah fine.
- Bye bye.
- Bye.
- We've just got time
for a cup of tea.
- (mumbles)
- (mumbles)
(70's music)
- Come in.
(laughs)
(70's music)
- I thought we could go out.
- Tonight?
- Mmm.
Do you wanna go local pubs?
- Oh no, not really.
Terrible around there.
- Oh, don't you
feel like going out?
- No, another day (mumbles)
I feel like staying,
but sit down, sit down.
- So you're a (mumbles)
- Mmm, yeah.
- Applying for a job?
- Well I was thinking
about it, yeah.
- Why, are you fed
up with your job?
- A little bit.
(mumbles) so it's not
like it gets a bit,
I want something more exciting.
- What does this say?
Ambitious young people
who want to go places.
(laughs)
Must be willing to travel
if required (mumbles) work.
You know what that
means, don't you?
- No.
- Selling stuff.
You'll get commission on it.
Which means you'll get paid
depending on how much you sell.
Not good.
- Have you done it?
- No, I know people
have tried it.
- What's that one (mumbles)
- Junior messenger.
- Hm, well it's just
more money that's all.
- What do you want to do?
- Well I don't know
really, but I mean,
I don't know.
- You haven't given
it enough thought.
- Well there are so many
jobs in there, you know,
I think might just
be for me but anyway,
(windshield wipers)
(snaps photo)
(alarm rings)
- Leave your work in your desks.
(students chattering)
Oh hi,
- How are you?
- Alright, thanks.
How are you?
- Oh fine.
(mumbles) the weekend actually.
- What did you do?
- Just it's Monday today.
(laughs)
Went down to my parents.
- Oh yeah?
- They live down in the country.
How about yourself?
- Well I did a bit of work,
Had a few drinks.
- Yeah?
Do you feel like a drink now?
- I really do, yes.
- Well.
Oh, cheers.
- There you are.
- What are you drinking?
- Martini.
- Oh, I like that sometimes.
Didn't think of it today though.
Brought up a beer,
ever since I started.
All those years as
a student I suppose.
- Mmm.
- Where were you at college?
- Lincoln.
- Yeah?
- Where were you?
- Southampton.
- How nice.
- I met Steven
there, my husband.
- Did you?
- Yeah, cause he was
there same time as me,
and then I went teaching
and he did an extra year.
- What's he doing now?
- Cause I've done a year
in a Sixth Form college.
Did you know that?
- No.
- Oh, yeah,
well in Southampton I was a
year in Sixth Form college.
What does he do now?
- Mmhmm.
- Oh he's in a Polytechnic
teaching others to teach.
(laughs)
- Oh.
(television in background)
What else place did you have?
- It was just a
one room kitchen.
- On your own?
- No, no.
Sharing with a friend of mine.
Yeah.
But Emylyn is just like any
other big northern town really,
you know?
It's like London
except (mumbles)
(laughs)
- Do you find much to do?
- Well there's nothing
to do out there really.
There's one club you can go to.
Which is a real growl, you know.
- Did you know the friend
before you went there?
- Uh, yeah, yeah.
When he was at college you see,
so we managed to find
this place in the paper
and we moved in.
- You used to go
out there together?
- Go where?
- Go out to bars and stuff.
- Oh no, he was straight.
- Oh, was he?
- Yeah, it was a shame really,
cause he was a nice guy.
- Well you fancied him.
- Yeah, a little bit.
(laughs)
- Did he know?
- I don't know
whether he knew it,
I think he must've
though because
well just some things he
said sometimes you know?
And he knew that
I went out a lot
to gay,
to the gay place.
- So it didn't come to anything?
- No, no.
Well he was bringing his
girlfriends back then,
it was very frustrating.
Wake up one morning and there's,
his girlfriend lying there.
(chuckles)
- Should we go to bed?
- You want to stay here tonight?
- Mmm hmm.
- Well I'd rather you
didn't actually tonight.
If you don't mind, cause
I want to get some sleep.
I would like to be on my own.
- I just thought it would be
nice for us to be together.
- Yeah, but I just like to
be on my own tonight, so
- Well maybe tomorrow night.
Oh no I can't see
you tomorrow night.
What about Friday or Saturday?
- Friday.
Um, actually Friday I'm
meeting an old friend.
Yeah, he's coming
down from (mumbles)
so we're going out for
a bit of a booze up.
(chuckles)
- And Saturday?
- Probably the same thing.
They only drink us
up there you know.
(laughs)
- Well give me a call, will you?
- Yeah.
- I think this is a person
walking darkened area,
and there's not much
going on here nowadays
cause they put in
container shipper.
I guess most people who
were working at the docks
must be living around in
these high rise (mumbles)
Cause they were
new to the docks,
and you didn't have to
catch buses or anything.
This is one of the
direlects warehouses
and their the same problem.
It's got a garden (mumbles)
turned into offices
and so on but,
it also gonna be broken down.
- Oh Lois is five
and Emma's three.
Lois is the bad guy,
she's the big one.
She's um,
I think she's super.
But she can be very difficult.
Emma is much more amiable,
and Steven gets on,
you know, with Emma,
very very well,
but sometimes I think he's
a bit hard on Lois, see.
- Emma's the one we're
going to pick up?
- Yeah, we're going
to pick her up now.
Expect you'll like her, you're
used to kids, little ones.
- Yeah.
(70's dance music)
* you know I'm high
* Oh, I'm high on love
* you send me high
* high on a cloud of love
* like a giant (mumbles)
* make it seem
like nothing at all
* there is nothing to (mumbles)
* happy at all
- Very good how are you?
- I'm alright
thanks, how are you?
- Okay.
Just come from the out room.
- Happier?
- Mmmhmm.
- Any good?
- No.
(laughs)
Won't be here otherwise.
How long have you been here?
- About an hour.
- Really?
- Yeah.
- And you're still here?
- Yeah.
(whispers)
- Anyone you fancy?
(70's dance music)
- Where do you work?
- I work in a bar.
- Oh.
Do you get free night?
- Mmm.
- Tough work isn't it?
Bar work I mean.
(70's dance music)
Well it's came to that
(mumbles) to say goodnight
in the streets.
(mumbles)
(70's dance music continues)
- Mountain kings (mumbles) sir.
- Mountain kings?
Can you describe it to us?
- Well Scotland
has new buildings,
not so scruffy as London.
- You mean it's cleaner?
- Yes.
- How would any of you
feel about moving out?
Moving out to a new
town and leaving London.
Olly?
- Well I don't
particularly like London.
Because it's too closed in.
Too much buildings and
everything all closed in,
so it's like you're in a trap.
And when you're in, out
somewhere out of London,
you are so free.
(mumbles)
- How many of you actually
get out of London?
Do you go out of
London very much?
Ian?
- In the summer I
go out of London.
- Where do you go?
- (mumbles)
- I was going
(mumbles) at school,
but (mumbles)
- Were you?
Oh left, sorry.
(laughs)
Trying to concentrate
on three things at once.
You're gonna park in
and have a cup of tea
with us aren't you?
- Alright, I'd really like to.
- Yeah, it'd be nice.
You see if I don't set
the work to do in class,
I have to spend so long
preparing the lesson,
cause I've got to
know, you know,
I just can't feel competent
enough at the moment
anyway to just stand
up there and (mumbles)
I like to have you know,
notes in front of me.
Do you have notes
when you're teaching?
- Yes, sometimes.
Have you got any milk?
- Uh, yeah its on the drain
right there behind you, okay?
Terrible stain here you know,
you must think
this is disgusting.
- Sit down, have a
rest, food's ready.
(laughs)
- Yeah, I'll just chop these up
then I'll be okay,
once Steven gets in.
He usually (mumbles)
half past six.
- You all eat together?
- No, I'll give the
girls something,
and he puts them in the
bath when he comes home.
(mumbles) he puts them in
the bath, reads them a story
and I've got supper
ready when he comes down.
Okay?
- Alright.
- Alright.
- I'll take it in.
- Yeah you take that in,
- You take the glasses.
- Yeah, I'm just
gonna do (mumbles) for
the girls, alright?
- Alright.
(70's dance music)
- Great, thanks.
- I put two sugars in it.
- Yeah that's fine.
- I'm sorry, I've
forgotten your name.
- Neil.
- Neil.
- That's great.
How long have you had the place?
- About four years.
- You've personalized
it quite a bit,
it's very homey.
- Where do you live?
- I live near the Angel,
near work.
I work just off (mumbles),
so it's very convenient.
- Do you live on your own?
- No, I share with three guys.
Three other guys.
- All gay?
- No, no.
At least they don't act it.
(chuckles)
- They know you are?
- No, there's no
way I can tell them,
because you know,
they're very nuff,
they're all, it's all kinds
of football, booze and birds,
you know.
And um, if you don't
like the first two,
then you're a bit strange.
And I mean they're
acquired taste,
but if you don't like birds,
which after all those are
the fundamental role of
the male, the species,
you know I mean, you're
not even human as far as
they're concerned.
- Where are you from?
- Originally?
- Yeah.
- From Bolton, in
(mumbles) to Manchester.
- Oh yeah.
When did you come to London?
- Um, about 7 weeks ago.
Something like that.
- What brought you down?
- Well, I was hung up
up there about being gay
and not being able to
do anything about it.
So, I had seen in
the Sunday papers,
I had seen articles on gay
pride parties in London,
announce all of the gay
prostitution racket.
So I decided there must
be something here for me.
So I just moved down.
- Was that what
you came down for?
- For prostitution?
No.
(laughs)
No I met a couple of guys
that did the deli circuit,
but I never got into it myself.
What do you do?
- I teach.
- You teach.
I recognize the geography books.
- Yeah.
- Memories of school.
- I think we should go to bed.
- Yeah.
Shall I leave this down?
- Yeah sure, if you're finished.
Do you go down to the
streets very often?
- Uh, I've been
about four times.
You see I haven't been on the
scene for such a short time.
I like to try a lot
of new places out,
but if I have a regular I
suppose you could call the
streets the reg, you know,
the regular place to go.
- I go there quite often.
- Yeah.
- Have you tried
any other places?
- Yeah, (mumbles),
rainbow rooms,
a few other places I can't
remember the names of them.
I just like music, I
like the dance music,
you know where they can't have,
I like to enjoy
myself, have a drink,
you know, just mix (mumbles)
- I noticed you liked those.
- Yeah.
- I was watching you.
(laughs)
- Is that the only
thing I do normally?
Just um,
- What do the guys
think, where you live?
When you go out?
Don't you tell them
when you're going?
- Well I go up to the
pub with them you see,
and then they don't
really enjoy these girls,
so I mean I can just say
I'm going down to the club
or going out with a girlfriend.
And they just accept it,
they don't ask any prying
questions really.
- That must be very difficult.
- Not really, I've
just got to do it.
- Come.
- What's in the pillow?
- Straw.
(chuckles)
- Should I put this anywhere?
- Yeah, just put it there.
What time do you have to get up?
- Well, I normally
start work by nine.
- That's fine.
- I think I'll treat
myself to one of these when
I get a bit of money.
- To one of what?
- A quilt.
- They're good, nice.
I make my bed very
easy in the morning,
especially if you're in a hurry.
- Yeah.
- Can I drop you just
here by the light?
- Yes, sure.
- The Tube is just
around the corner.
- Go ahead, thanks a lot.
Alright so you'll be at
Back Street's next weekend?
- Yeap,
- Alright, I'll see you then.
- Okay.
- Okay, see you.
- I suggest you
make three columns.
One for the name of
the tin or the packet,
which is what we
call the brand name.
Brand name.
The second column I want
you to put exactly what
that product is, whether its
cheese, whether its yogurt,
or what other kind of
milk product it is.
And the third column should
tell where it comes from.
Now you should find that written
on the tin or the packet.
Have you got that?
You know what to do.
- I used to go to the
pictures years ago you know,
a girl I used to live with
actually used to get up
Sunday mornings and go.
And sit in the front row,
have you ever done that?
- Mmm.
- What was the (mumbles) the
bag of popcorn sounds great.
(chuckles)
Well, I haven't seen
her in ages actually.
She got married.
It's funny actually
because she married a guy
in the same year as Steven.
We seem to have
lost touch lately.
Well not lately, since
we came to London really.
Don't seem to have,
made the same sort
of friends (mumbles)
You know, when I was at home
sort of where I come from,
you know I told you,
- Mmm hmm.
- I came from a
very small village,
well the sort of school
we went to all the kids
came from round about
and we used to go ,
after we all went to
college it was (mumbles)
to go home for the holidays
and we used to go
drinking together but,
don't know I suppose
its life but,
don't know where any of them
are now except one person.
- So you don't normally
go out on your own at all?
- No I don't.
I picked the wrong night too.
- Why?
- Well it's Thursday isn't it?
Steven has squash tonight and
I had completely forgotten.
- So he's staying in, is he?
- He's not pleased.
(laughs)
It's not funny actually,
- Sorry.
- Well it wasn't
funny at the time,
that's why I came in all
breathless and (sighs)
- Did you have a rile?
- No.
No we didn't have a
rile, but I mean he just
thought I was very
inconsiderate.
For the first time in a
year I decide to go out,
how very inconsiderate
of your duty.
You know I play squash
on Thursday nights.
- I know.
- Well I didn't
do it on purpose,
he made me so mad I wish
I had done it on purpose,
but there you are.
Yeah, he's okay though really.
It's just, sort of,
like I said you know, we've
been in London six years,
and there's probably maybe,
you know, a (mumbles)
Well I can't always
blame every body else
cause I haven't
made friends here,
you have to make an effort
for yourself, don't you?
- Well, you're out anyway.
(laughs)
- Yeah.
Do you get so close when
you first meet somebody,
you get so close, you sort of
I suppose you let people drop.
Is that it do you think?
- Could be, I don't know.
- Would you ever
live with anybody?
- Oh yeah,
the last one was
about three months.
But you know my
place is very small.
You start getting under,
under each other's feet.
I mean, coming in and
wanting to do some work,
you want to be on your own
and the television is on.
It's alright sometimes, but
when it happens all the time,
so um, I sort of
put an end to it.
And he left.
When in fact I asked him to
leave, which wasn't very easy.
I didn't want to sort
of chuck anyone out,
but it just became
too impossible.
It lasted for
about three months,
there were some good times.
But, that was three months ago.
Oh there was another one,
lasted for about a year.
We didn't actually
live together, but
he had a place of his
own and I had my place.
And I used to stay there
and he used to stay with me.
But he went back to Australia.
So I'm living on my
own at the moment.
- Pat's from
Australia isn't she?
- Yeah.
I am seeing someone
at the moment.
- You mean, a boyfriend?
- Yeah.
- What's his name?
- Mike.
(slow music)
(chuckles)
- It would be nice to
meet you for a drink after
(mumbles) one night.
If you'd like.
- Yeah.
- Or we could go see a
film, or go for a meal.
- That'd be nice,
yeah I'd like that.
- What about Thursday?
- Okay.
- Where's a convenient
place to meet you?
- The (mumbles)
Um, what about the Salisbury?
- Yeah, that's fine.
Should we say about seven?
- Yeah, 7, 7:30pm.
- Great.
Alright, I'll see
you on Thursday at 7.
- Yeap.
- Ciao.
- Bye bye.
(closes door)
(chuckles)
- Now I've got the (mumbles)
- Actually quit his job.
- Yeah.
(laughs)
(people talking)
- Hello?
Hello is that St. Martin's?
I'm trying to get in touch
with one of your students.
Peter Holland.
Oh really?
Is it possible to
leave a message?
I see.
And what time does
the switchboard open?
Okay, well I'll ring then.
I'm sorry to bother you.
Thanks very much, bye bye.
Hello?
Hello may I speak
to Neil please?
Thank you.
Hello, Neil?
This is Jim.
Yeah, um, we met in the streets.
Hi, I'm alright thank you.
How are you?
I just wondered
what you were doing.
I mean tonight.
Oh will you?
I just wondered if you know,
you'd like to go for a drink.
Or maybe, go on somewhere.
Well I'm in the Salisbury.
Its on St. Martins lane.
Well, would you like
to meet me here?
Or we could go for a meal.
Well I'll just wait for
you here if you'd like.
An hour?
Yeah, yeah, that's great.
Okay,
see you. Bye bye.
- It starts when
I go home, really.
Cause I sort of, you
know my dad picks me up
from the station
and driven back.
And my mother's got me
staking chips away too for me.
She just stuffs food down me.
Mind you I've only
been home once,
since I moved to London.
Though just for a weekend.
- Do you write home a lot?
- No, my mom telephones me.
Bout every Sunday, two o'clock
I'm waiting by the phone
until the phone calls.
(chuckles)
- And if you're not
there she wants to know
where you've been.
- Well no, if I'm
not gonna be there
I'll ring her up on Saturday.
Just so she doesn't think
there's anything wrong.
I'm going home this weekend,
on Saturday then coming
back the next Saturday.
Then going up for Christmas.
Which will all be
great I'm sure.
- Yeah I reckon I'll be
going home for Christmas.
- Where'd you come from?
- From Redding.
- Redding.
Where's that?
- That's about 40
miles out of London.
- Yeah.
- Quite easy in the car.
- Do you see a lot
of your mom and dad?
- Not as much as I used to.
- Why is that?
- Don't know really, just
keep putting it off, going back.
It's a difficult one.
I mean, its very convenient.
I should be able
to go very often,
I mean its easy to get
there, I've got the car.
But I make it, if possible,
every three or four weeks.
- Yeah so they don't
know you're gay?
- No.
Have you told yours?
- No, no I'd like to, but it's,
you never know what
they're going to say.
You know its a bit hard.
My brothers keep asking
to come down to London
but I wouldn't know
what to do with them
if they came down here really.
You know, but as it is
at the moment I've got
an excuse because the
house is too crowded.
- Mmm hmm.
- Wouldn't be able
to fit them in.
(70's dance music)
- Oh hi Peter.
What happened to you?
Yeah, I waited.
For about an hour.
No it's alright.
I just thought,
No it doesn't matter.
How are you?
Yeah, I'm fine thank you.
Well I have to do a bit
of work after school.
Only to about seven.
Eight o'clock yeah that's fine.
Well it'll take me
about half an hour.
Yeah well I'd come,
I'll just come (mumbles)
About eight, okay yeah.
And you're alright are you?
(chuckles)
Okay well I'll um,
I'll see you later.
Yeah.
(knocks)
- Good morning.
You must be Peter's friend.
I've heard so much about you.
Do you have any socks, Peter?
Mmm.
Any clean socks?
Are these clean?
Can I have these?
- Mmm, take one.
- Got some tea.
- Won't please you,
- Does your friend
want some tea?
- Mmm.
- Okay, couple of minutes.
It's 10 o'clock.
- Oh shit.
(mumbles)
- Mmm.
- I've got to go, I'm late.
- Stay for tea.
- I'm supposed to go in at nine.
- Go on ahead.
I'm tired.
- You'll stay in bed
all day won't you?
(chuckles)
- Yeah probably.
I'll go in at mid-day.
- Alright, one tea
then I must go.
Sorry I'm late everyone.
- Where have you been?
(students bickering)
- Look I said I'm
sorry I'm late.
You're late quite
often, alright?
- We can sit here (mumbles)
- Yes, (mumbles)
(students talking)
Alright, settle down.
(mumbles) the lesson.
April, settle down.
(laughter)
- What couldn't
(mumbles) aren't we?
- Well there's always a
down at the end of (mumbles)
- Don't you go?
- No.
- Oh well I was thinking
it'd be rather fun to go,
you know, those kids
have had the (mumbles)
I'd like to go,
have an evening with them.
- When I first went to the
school I went to the first two.
- Yeah.
- Not after that.
- Oh dear.
(chuckles)
- Who else is going?
- Oh, Pat's going.
- Oh she always goes.
- How about Ralph, does he go?
- No, he never goes.
- Why don't you come this
year, give it another try?
Go on, I'd like you to come.
Have a few drinks.
Come in here first.
- Well you have to do that.
(laughs)
If you come in here
and have a few drinks.
Is Peter in?
- No he doesn't
live here anymore.
- Oh, he's moved?
- Yes.
- Have you got his address?
- I think it's somewhere,
do you want to come in?
- No, it's alright.
I'll just wait here.
- Okay, I'll be a
couple of minutes.
This is it.
- Oh thanks.
Is there no phone?
- No.
- Okay, that'll do.
- Okay?
- Yeah, thanks very much.
- Okay.
- Bye bye.
- Cheers.
(closes door)
(people speaking at bar)
- It's Jim, isn't it?
- Yeah.
- Hello, I don't know
if you remember me.
I'm John.
We met in the Prince
Albert a couple weeks ago.
I was with Paul.
- Oh yes.
- It's nice to see
you, how are you?
- I'm alright, thank you.
- Good.
I saw Paul last week,
can't believe he's going
off to Germany.
I think he left yesterday
to be on his tour.
He'll be in Hamburg
over Christmas.
What are you doing
for Christmas?
Are you staying in London?
- I haven't decided yet.
- Well I've had
one of those days.
I'm supposed to meet some
musicians coming for recording,
and they got lost
at the airport.
Would you like a drink?
- No thanks, I'm
going to meet someone.
- Oh you sure?
- Yeah.
I better get going.
- Alright, well nice to see you.
- See you again.
- See you again, yes.
Buh-bye.
- Bye.
(70's dance music)
- Do you have to do
this every morning?
- Yes, every morning.
It's not that bad.
- Do you want some help?
- No thanks.
- I'm in your way, aren't I?
- You're alright.
Just watch it when it goes up.
You having tea or coffee?
- What are you having?
- Tea.
- Be really nice, thanks.
- Alright.
- Do you want some help?
- No I'm fine, thanks.
You do take milk, don't you?
- Yeah.
- There it is.
- Thank you.
- So what time do you
have to be at school?
- Five to nine.
What time do you
have to be at work?
- Between 9 and 9:15.
- Where do you work?
- In the city.
In a, well an American bank.
It's a nice place.
- How long have you lived here?
- About 18 months.
I've got about six months to go
and then I go back to America.
- Is that the right time?
- Yes it is.
- I'm gonna have to get going.
- Well why don't
I take your number
and I can give you a call
and we can arrange
something for the weekend?
- Yeah, alright.
Have you got a pen?
- Yeah.
(clears throat)
Maybe we go out to
the theater and out,
then for dinner or something.
You do like theater don't you?
- Mmm hmm.
- 3-0-3-0?
- Yeah.
- I'll give you both
my numbers just in case
you can't get through.
You know, whatever
time of the day it is.
- I sometimes do a bit
of work over the weekend,
you know preparing
for the next week.
So,
- Well I hope you're not
doing much this weekend,
cause I'd really like
to see you again.
- Well maybe I should
give you a ring
on Thursday and
arrange something?
- Well I hope you would.
- Now I really must go
because I've got to go home
and have a shave and get ready.
- You can shave here.
Cause I can drive you
back to your flat.
- No, I've got to go back
there and collect books,
and collect my car.
And then go to
work, I may as well,
you go in the opposite
direction to me anyway.
- Well it doesn't matter,
I don't have to be at work
til a much later time anyway.
- It'll just make a
change going on the Tube.
- Well alright.
- I'm looking forward to it.
- Okay.
- Now I really must go,
I'm going to be so late.
- You will call
Thursday won't you?
- Yes sure, yeah.
- (mumbles)
- It was nice seeing you.
- Nice seeing you.
- I'll be in touch.
- Alright, bye.
- Bye bye.
- From any two open areas
describe the process of
renewal which is taking place,
and the problems encountered.
- [Student] How long
do we got for this one?
- Normally you'd
have 45 minutes,
you have the rest of
the double period.
If you need anything, yes?
- Does this have to be in
at the end of the lesson?
- Yes, please.
- Are you going to the
dance tonight Mr. (mumbles)
(laughter)
- I don't know I haven't
thought about it.
Now get on with the question,
I've got work to do.
- You never appear.
- Caroline,
- What?
- Get on with it.
- I can't do it.
- Oh come on, don't be awkward.
I had a rile with Steven
this morning about it.
- Why is he gonna
babysit or something?
- Yeah, he wants to go out but
I said I was going out and,
you know, I just
thought you were coming.
- Well (mumbles) a drink.
- Yeah.
(70's dance music)
- Oh fuck off, you stupid bitch.
Just leave it out would ya?
Just had enough of
the whole evening.
Bloody school dance, I
didn't wanna go to the
bloody school dance
in the first place.
Do you want me to
get you a taxi?
- No, Jim.
- Alright.
(slow suspenseful music)
- What's where all this on?
- I didn't want to go to the
school dance in the first place
I didn't want to get drunk
and I didn't want to go
to Richard's bloody party.
A lot of people thought
we were together.
- What are you talking about?
We were together.
- We weren't together.
I wouldn't have gone
at all if you hadn't
gone on and on about it.
- What is it?
Is it me?
Or has something else upset you?
Your boyfriend?
- What boyfriend?
- I thought you had
a boyfriend, Mike.
- I don't see Mike anymore.
Anyway, he wasn't
really my boyfriend,
I just saw him
four or five times.
Anyway I'm seeing
someone else now.
- What's his name?
- Neil.
I told you about the guy I lived
with for about three months
didn't I?
- Who?
- His name is Tim.
He was looking for
somewhere to live
and I invited him to
come and stay with me.
- Where did you meet him?
- In a pub.
He was quite a good looking guy,
an actor.
Well I thought he was
quite good looking.
And for the first two
weeks, it was really good.
I mean I really enjoyed
him being there,
on the weekends we'd
go off somewhere.
We didn't go out very much,
we stayed in most of the time.
I really used to look forward
to coming home from school,
cause he'd be there.
I just got used to it.
It was quite nice I
think, someone there.
- Yeah.
- But after about three
weeks I'd come home
and he wasn't there.
I mean he was out, there'd
be a note left saying
"I've gone to see friends"
or gone to see his brother.
Or he was looking for work.
So I'd stay in and
do some work myself
and wait for him coming home.
And then one night
he didn't come home,
he phoned about 12 o'clock
and said he missed his train,
and he was staying
with his brother.
So I said "Fine, I'll
see you tomorrow."
Well I couldn't sleep
that night, I mean,
I didn't know whether
to believe him or not.
And it became a regular
thing, this staying away.
And there wouldn't be any note
and there wouldn't
be a phone call.
And he'd stay away four
or five nights a week.
And then it got really bad,
and the nights he stayed
were as bad as the
nights he was away
because I couldn't
talk about it to him.
It became really difficult.
And all that time I would
say "You mustn't be jealous,
You mustn't get possessive,
you have no rights
on this person whatsoever."
But I was getting
really jealous, I just,
I couldn't sleep at
night because of it.
So I just said to him one
night I can't stand it anymore,
I've had enough.
And I was going on a school
trip, I was taking some
kids to France, so I said
"Well you know, when I get back
I would rather
you weren't here."
And he said "alright"
So I went on this trip
but didn't really enjoy
it, I mean I was thinking
about him all the time.
And when I got back
he wasn't there.
The spare keys were
on the kitchen table
and there was a note left.
Immediately I went out and
looking at all the bars,
looking for him,
trying to find him.
I ended up just getting pissed
I didn't see him at all.
And then I bumped into
him about a week later,
and we didn't have anything
to say to each other.
So I stayed in a little after
that, I didn't go out at all.
Just stayed in and did work.
And then I got in to the habit
of going to the bars again.
- What do you actually
do in these bars?
I mean, what are they like?
- Well the bars,
in the (mumbles)
- Yeah.
- Well they're just like
ordinary pubs or discotheques.
I mean you've been to a
discotheque haven't you?
- Well gosh, not for
absolutely years,
I was think of teeny
boppers going to disco's.
(laughs)
I mean you dance, do you?
- Yes.
- And you usually meet somebody?
- Usually.
Well no not always, I
mean sometimes I don't
particularly want to meet
anyone I just want to
talk to friends but, yeah
I usually meet someone.
Well I met Mike there.
I saw him for about three
or four times after that.
- As, sort of make a
date or something do you?
- Yeah.
- Oh.
- After Tim I met
quite a few people.
There was Francisco,
he was a waiter.
Quite a bit difficult though
because he worked very
odd hours I mean he was
working most in the evenings.
And he didn't speak
very much English,
and I didn't speak Spanish.
That lasted for about
two or three weeks.
Well then there was
a guy called David,
he was an architect.
I saw him for about three weeks.
And then Roger,
and then there was a guy
called Paul, he was a teacher.
I still see him quite a lot.
And Nick, he's one
of my best friends,
I see him all the time now.
Oh before Nick, there
was a guy called George.
Then there was a guy
called Patrick, then Mike.
- Gosh, aren't you confused?
I mean, sorry, but I'm so
sure I would be dreadfully
confused if I was, so many
people you know going,
I mean I'm just looking at
it from, the way I'm used
to being I suppose.
I've got Steven and the girls
and a few close friends and,
that's you know I mean,
that's what I sort of,
- Well it's different
for you, isn't it?
I mean you've got someone.
- Yes.
- As far as I can gather
Steven doesn't particularly
want you to go out
and meet people.
I don't have anyone, I can
go out whenever I want to.
- I just don't think I
would know what I was doing,
I think I'd be worrying and
don't you get anxious about
whether you're going to
see these people again or not?
(mumbles)
- I know I can, I mean some
of the times when I was living
with Phil, and with Tim,
they were very difficult.
But I suppose I got a lot
out of those relationships,
but I don't discount
the other relationships,
the shorter term wise.
I mean I still see these people,
I'm still friends with them
- Yeah.
- And if things don't work
out right, I mean if it just
doesn't work out, I mean
you can always pull out of
the relationship don't you?
- You mean just like that?
- Yes, well don't get tied down.
- But I mean, what if
the other person maybe is
by that time, perhaps become
you know, very fond of you?
- Well then its a bit
difficult isn't it?
- Do you think that's fair?
I mean to go in something
without you know thinking it,
I'm sorry but it just
seems to me that maybe it's
going into things without
giving it, you know,
without giving it enough
thought, defining the situation.
I think its a bit dangerous.
- Yes it can be some times.
But I mean I really enjoy
going, I just enjoy going out
on my own, without any ties,
not knowing who I'm going
to meet, where I'm
going to end up.
- I think you must have
to be very strong not to
end up feeling rejected.
I mean you say you can
pull out but I mean,
I suppose there are
times when other people
want to pull out.
(whistling)
- Two coffees please.
- (mumbles)
- (mumbles)
A lot of people
(mumbles) down the street
around the corner, so
I sort of tag along.
And I went down in to
this kind of cellar,
paid some money to go in, and
I was really really shocked,
I mean it was just,
just full of men.
Dancing together.
- And you were surprised?
- Surprised, yeah I was,
I just didn't think that
places like that existed.
And then someone came on and
said "Would you like to dance?"
I mean, I really had
to think about that,
and I thought "Well, I've
never done that before.
I've never been in that
kind of situation."
Then I thought "Well, you know
that's what you come for."
Everyone else is,
so I did dance,
and it was very strange
because I had never,
sort of had that physical
contact with anyone
like that before.
And then someone asked
me if I'd like to go
back home with them,
and I said "Yeah."
And I ended up in a
bedsit in Paddington.
Woke up in the morning, I felt
I don't know what I felt really.
I suppose I felt relieved.
- Mmm.
- Relieved that I had actually
done it after all that time,
I had done it.
And I started going
to the club regularly,
and going to the pub as well.
Meeting other men, you know
men that I just didn't really
have anything in common
with except they were gay
and I was there with them.
- Mmm.
What about the girlfriends?
- Oh I was still
seeing lots of girls,
going out with them
and sleeping with them.
But it became like I was sort
of leading a double life.
- Yeah.
So you stopped seeing the girls.
- Well gradually yeah,
I mean I just saw more
and more boyfriends I suppose.
- Yeah.
But people at school don't
know you're gay, do they?
- Well Pat knows,
- Yeah.
- and Ralph knows.
- And I know.
- And you know.
- Yeah.
- I don't know why it
always seems so strange,
I mean it's always such a
big deal to tell anyone.
- Mmm.
- But it shouldn't be,
it should be the easiest
thing in the world to
sort of tell someone,
it always becomes
such a big issue.
I suppose it's because
people just never never,
never think you are,
they just don't think
that I might be gay.
- But it's a good feeling
when you have told somebody.
- Yeah.
- Yeah?
- Well I'm glad I told you.
- So am I.
(people talking)
- Hello.
- Oh hi, how are you?
- I'm okay, thanks, and you?
- Yeah, alright.
- A little bit better than
the last time I saw you.
- Oh yeah, I was in a bit
of a stake that night.
(chuckles)
- What are you doing tonight?
- Nothing, just
enjoying a drink.
- (mumbles) drink.
- Mmm.
And you?
- I wasn't thinking
of staying here,
got a party to go to actually.
- A party?
- Yes, if you're in the mood.
- I think I've had
my fill of parties.
- Who you?
Well it's a quiet thing,
just a few people.
It's in a very interesting
place in south London.
On the river, it's one
of the old warehouses,
its been converted to a studio.
Won't be many people
there, very relaxed.
Don't ask me about the
art, don't know anything.
- You don't know about,
- Oh that's my,
that's my favorite.
That is beautiful.
- That's not here.
- No it's not, I don't
know where it is actually.
It's lovely.
What do you want to drink?
- Anything that's like wine.
Not if its sweet.
- Okay.
- I never remember
these associations.
(laughter)
- Cheers.
- Hello, John, yes hi john.
- How are you?
- Very well.
This is Dorrit.
- Hello.
- Hello.
- She works for the
Daily Telegraph.
- Dorrit?
- Dorrit.
- Like Dickens.
- You've got the name
of from her father,
who used to read Dickens a lot.
- Oh really?
- Yes.
(laughs)
- Oh very pleased to meet you.
- Radio, get it right.
(laughs)
- Yeah.
- This is Jim.
- Hello.
- How do you do?
- Nice to meet you.
- And Dorrit.
- How do you do?
- How do you do?
- From Denmark, I've
been telling Jim
about your paintings,
are they here?
- Yes, yes.
- Oh you must see them.
- I'd really like to see them.
- Alright, come on.
- Okay.
- You've got a drink?
- Yes.
- So you're (mumbles)
- Yes, the paintings really,
- Is this your studio?
- No no, the paintings
are in transit.
They're on their way to America.
It's a very small show,
I hope to have a big one
in London at some stage,
but it's a matter of
just getting the work done, so
must be spend about
two years, yet.
Doin that work, no
no Guy (mumbles)
he knows all about it, I
know nothing about it at all.
- You just paint.
- I just do that, yes.
This is the couch one,
the dear old couch.
We've been together
for two years now.
Found it in a shopping
(mumbles) gate.
Some think nice
and soft and lumpy,
this one here
isn't finished yet.
Would you like to
have a look at it?
I just brought it
along to show Stuart.
There's gonna be a
lot more in it yet,
spilled coffee and dead
birds, things like that.
And this is a bit of
litter, that I picked up
the other day in a
Tube station in bank.
This is, a bit obsessive,
but the thing about arranging
this is a bit tricky.
Have to do it by chance, so I
just chuck it over my shoulder
and as it falls, you
see it arranged itself
and I work it on
from the next day.
(laughs)
Like (mumbles)
- Sorry to butt in, but
are you the painter?
- Yes.
- I really am very
interested in that painting,
I think its absolutely beautiful
You know I think it's, and
the work is so detailed,
all the sort of
colors and the fabric
and the little details.
Are you just, you were
just talking about it,
- Yes.
We just happened to
find a bit of (mumbles)
paper on the floor.
- Oh I see, rather
like in this one,
- Yeah.
Yeah.
- Oh I see.
I noticed for instance
in this you know,
you even got the detail of
what's inside the bag, and,
- Yes, yeah.
And that's a sweet wrapper
from the tape gallery.
A sugar wrapper.
- What's in this paint frame?
- Just a bit of newspaper.
(people talking)
(laughter)
- Are you alright?
- Yeah, I'm alright just
gonna look at the view,
- Oh alright.
- See you later.
(people talking)
- [Voiceover] As he
was making nice things,
that were as critical
as they could be.
- [Voiceover] This
is a friend of ours,
who used to be a filmmaker.
(people talking)
- [Voiceover] I think
you are very brave.
(people talking)
- [Voiceover] Yes,
she must have.
Yes.
(laughter)
- How you doing?
- Alright thank you.
- Get on alright with Peter?
- Yeah, he's really nice.
Have you seen his work?
- No, I haven't
seen it actually.
- It's lovely.
- Those are the ones
going to America?
- Yes, he said.
He said Stuart's in (mumbles)
- Yes that's right, he's
organizing the exhibition.
In Los Angeles, in two weeks.
- Yeah.
How long have you known Stuart?
- Oh, three years.
And we've been together for two.
- Where did you meet?
- Ah, personal introduction.
I met him through a friend.
At a dinner party.
- You were introduced?
- Yes.
(laughs)
It was act for charity,
cause I was feeling lonely
at the time.
And, (mumbles) said "Come
over, there's somebody
I'd like you to meet."
And Stuart was there, and
away we went.
- I had a feeling you
were living together,
but I wasn't sure if
that was the situation.
- Oh well, its a bit more
complicated then that.
I mean I'm not sure
of it myself, anymore.
- He travels a lot?
- Yes, he always has, his job.
But he has a heck of
a social life as well,
he's always out.
And he's, that sort of
person that can live in
several places at the same time.
I mean he's got stuff at my
flat, he's got stuff here,
he sleeps here, a
couple of other places.
So maybe I won't see him
for a week at a time.
- How'd you find that?
- I can't really cope with it.
- I lived with someone
for about three months,
I had to ask him to
leave at the end.
- Did you have to?
- Yeah, my flat's very small,
and there are times I just
need to go my own to work,
and I asked him to leave.
It wasn't very pleasant.
- I'm the opposite, I need
to have somebody there.
- Did you go out very
much with Stuart?
- Yes, we did
everything together.
Well, theaters and parties.
Things like that, we didn't
(mumble) on the scene
very much.
- I found I used to
go out even more then,
when I was living with
someone because it was just
too confined in that flat.
Just to be there all the
time, we used to go out
go to clubs a lot together.
- Oh we went out
because we wanted to.
I go out now because I have to.
(sighs)
Enjoying the party?
- Yeah its alright.
You?
- Yes, would you like to stay?
I should talk to some people
actually while I'm here.
- Well you know, you feel free,
- And I thought we might
stay for about an hour,
and then we can
do something else.
Would you like to come back
to my place afterwards?
- Yeah, okay that'd be nice.
- Yes?
(students talking)
- Alright, those in
the back settle down.
We won't be able to do
very much this lesson,
Mr. Benson is away and
we have another class in.
My class will get on
with their own work,
the rest of you can read.
If you haven't got a
book you're gonna have to
go to the library.
Will you keep quiet.
So if you have any
questions, put your hands up.
(students talking)
Yes, Christopher?
- Is it true that you're bent?
(laughter)
(cheers)
- Do you mind repeating
the question, Christopher?
- Is it true that
you're a queer?
(laughter)
There's been a rumor
going around the school
that you're a queer.
- [Student] Come on admit it.
- Yes its true.
(cheers)
Alright, now you know,
get on with the work.
(students talking)
- And when you
don't come to school
do you dress up in
lady's clothes (mumbles)
(laughter)
- No I don't.
No.
- So do you get on
the kings' roads?
So you queerfest "come
on Charlie (mumbles)"
(laughter)
- I haven't been down to
King's road for a long time,
have you?
- No.
Well I have actually yeah.
(students talking)
- (mumbles) fashion.
- Yeah.
- And (mumbles) you queerbite.
- Mr. I thought you were going
out with that Mrs. Richards.
- Sorry?
- I thought you were going
out with Mrs. Richards,
the supply teacher.
- You thought I was
going out with her?
- Yes.
- What made you presume that?
- Well you always
go out with her.
- He's a queer teacher,
I'll be (mumbles)
- (mumbles)
- Yeah.
- The rainbow?
Yes I've been there.
Have you been there?
- No.
(students talking)
- No.
(students talking)
Christopher,
- Handbag.
- I don't carry a handbag.
- He carries a cucumber.
(laughter)
- (mumbles) ya queerbite.
- Christopher.
- Does your (mumbles)
know you're a queer?
- I have no idea.
I haven't asked them.
- Why (mumbles) if you know.
- I don't know.
- You going to answer
my question sir?
- What was that?
- I said what do you do in bed?
- Well a lot of things.
(students yelling)
What do you do?
- I sleep usually.
- Yes, well I do quite often.
- No but not with other men.
- Are you ashamed of it?
- No, I'm not ashamed of it.
- Well I mean any sort of
person you meet every day
isn't he?
(students talking)
... everyday.
- You should be buggered
out shouldn't he?
(students yelling)
- It's not your teacher,
the risk of being talked about.
(students yelling)
- Yeah but we all
know what you know.
(students yelling)
- Alright, now quiet.
If you want a discussion
about it we'll have a
discussion in a
civilized fashion.
One at a time.
Christopher.
- So what does your family
think about you being queer?
- There, Christopher.
- So how come you can be so
straight forward about it?
- Cause he likes to be.
(students talking)
- I think it's better to be
straight forward about it,
don't you?
- Not really.
(students talking)
- Christopher, do you
have anything to say?
Do you?
- Yeah.
- Probably why you
are queer, (mumbles)
(laughter)
- I have no choice
in the matter.
(students talking)
- Have you been with a woman?
Yes I have.
- You have?
- Yes.
What is your question?
- What's your close friends
and your family think about it?
- My family don't know.
- So why won't you tell them?
- I'm not afraid
of telling them,
(students talking)
- (mumbles)
(students bickering)
- Christopher the chances
of me touching you are,
(students bickering)
- You will be a homosexual
like me it's really good.
- What's wrong with being gay?
What's wrong?
(students talking)
If there's nothing wrong,
(students bickering)
- If everyone in the
world was like him,
none of us would
be here would they?
(students bickering)
- Ricky,
- What do the other
teachers in the school
think about you being queer?
- They don't seem to mind.
The question arose,
and I discussed it.
I answered their questions,
they were asking me the usual,
stupid questions that
children of that age do ask
because they don't know
anything about the subject.
They're not taught it
anywhere, they certainly
aren't taught it in this school.
- Yes yes, but,
- They were asking me
questions like "Is it true
you fancy little boys?" "Do
you wear womens clothing?"
"Do you carry a handbag?"
The usual prejudices and
they're going to go out
and leave this school
with the same things.
- Yes I am sure you were acting
from an (mumbles) motive.
- And they'll end up
probably going queer bashing.
- Yes, but you must be more
careful about this, Jim.
This school has a
little reputation,
and the kind of thing
you've been doing,
simply inviting these
people to go on and probe
and probe and probe, and
try and make this (mumbles)
This is one of the finest
comprehensive schools
in the London area, and the
kind of thing that you are
doing is simply inviting
these people to make a fuss.
And we don't want that.
- But it was important
for those children that I
talk to them about it.
- Well,
- They had no other chance
to talk about that subject.
I have been a geography
teacher in this school
for four years,
I have never discussed
sex in a classroom before.
This was the first
time I discussed it,
and it was a good lesson
and we learned a lot of it.
I wish it had gone on.
- Sex education is
taken care of by the,
- He said more or less, if
you talk about homosexuality
in the classroom again,
you'll get the sack.
- Unless of course it's
in sex education classes.
- Well if we're gonna go on
and on about me being queer,
what's the point of me
trying to teach them
about wheat growing in
the Canadian prairies.
(laughter)
I mean they're not
interested anyway.
Half of them will be
leaving next year,
with what?
- Well listen to your heart,
if there's any trouble,
we'll (mumbles) that case.
Does anyone want another drink?
Or have we got time?
What's the time?
- Half seven.
- Oh yeah we've got time,
no one's coming til late.
Do you want another drink?
- I'll have a half.
- Do you want the same?
- Yes please.
- Yeah I'll have the
same again please.
- Thanks.
- You tired?
- Not really.
- So we going to your place?
It's near here.
- I feel like going
on somewhere else.
- Somewhere else?
- Yeah.
- Like where?
- Like a club or a disco.
- It's already 1 o'clock.
We've got to be
up for work at 8.
Thought it would be nice to
be on our own for a while.
- Yeah, but I don't particularly
feel like going back yet.
I'd like to go on
somewhere else.
(70's dance music)
- Do you want to get a drink?
- A pint of lager.
- You wait here?
- Yeah.
(70's dance music)
- There you are.
- Should we have a dance?
- If you want to.
- Yeah, go through there.
(quick dance music)
- Hello.
- Hey.
- How are you?
- Fine thank you, how are you?
- Fine thanks.
Have a good night.
- [Voiceover] This
very special (mumbles)
Yes you, you, other male.
(70's dance music)
(laughter)
(dance music)
- [Voiceover] (mumbles)
('70s dance music)
(slow music)
- Where did you spring from?
- Now (mumbles) reason.
- I wasn't..
- It's like dance all
through the night,
every body very (mumbles)
piss out of their minds.
Complete waste of time.
There's nothing that
interests me at all.
- So you came here?
- Right.
- That's the thing, that guy
there in the white T-shirt,
he's very me.
- He's not bad.
- Very nice.
- Too young for you, isn't he?
- He's very nice, you
gonna (mumbles) him out?
- Yeah I think so.
I'm kidding, but why don't
you just push your way in.
- I might do that.
- We'll see
- Yeah okay.
(slow music)
- Crowded, isn't it?
(laughs)
- Yeah.
You been here long?
- Half an hour, how 'bout you?
- About an hour.
I saw you coming in.
- Yeah?
- You came in on your own.
- Yeah.
- And I saw you passing me by,
I was gonna come
and talk to you but,
you were talking
to someone else.
- Nice timing,
(mumbles) to know you.
I was afraid actually (mumbles)
- Where do you live?
- Clapham.
Where do you live?
- Notting Hill.
(door creaks)
(laughs)
I'm able to sit comfortably.
- Yes I see.
- You've got a squeaky bed.
(laughs)
- Quite the labor
that one (mumbles)
(laughs)
- [Voiceover] As long as it's
not a test area (mumbles)
- No thank you.
- Well that (mumbles) it.
- Can I give you a lift?
- That's okay,
I got a Tube pass.
- Well I can give you
a lift to the Tube.
- It's only around the corner.
- Where exactly have
you got to get to?
- Holborn.
- Well I can give you a
lift there if you'd like.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
I've got plenty of time.
- Well it makes a really nice
change to go by car to work.
(laughs)
- Yeah, I suppose it does.
Do you always go by Tube?
- Yeah, I even travel on the
Tube every day during the day.
- Why don't you get
yourself a bike?
- Bike in London?
You've got to be joking.
Can you drop me just there
where the scaffolding is.
- Alright.
- Please.
- What are you doing
on the weekend?
- I'm working.
- Oh.
I would really like
to see you again.
What about during the week?
- Yeah.
You could give me a ring.
- One of the problems in
India is overpopulation.
Families are very big,
one of the reasons
is because, Shane?
(student coughs)
- There's no birth control.
- There's no birth control,
(laughter)
You know about that do you?
- They said that , but they
should have birth control,
they've got enough
rubber plantations.
(laughter)
- Very good Steven.
Thank you.
(laughter)
Shelley be careful you
don't fall backwards.
(laughter)
Why don't they have
birth control in India?
Does anyone know?
- No,
(students speak at same time)
- Because their religion.
- And what is that religion?
Wendy, do you know?
Wendy?
- [Wendy] No.
- [Voiceover] Hindu.
- Thank you.
Hindu.
I hope you're taking
notes all the way through.
This is the old room, this
use to be the grand school
before it went comprehensive
about four years ago.
Have you seen the new building?
- No.
- Its about 400
yards down the road.
- Yeah.
- That houses most of the arts.
Then there's the new block,
still under construction.
That gonna be the science block.
But the sciences are
here at the moment.
Have you met Sancton?
- No.
- I think you'd better.
This is where you (mumbles)
I'm taking up the (mumbles)
The headmaster's office.
You'll probably never see him.
Not again.
- Yes.
- This is Ralph.
A permanent fixture.
- Not for much longer.
- This is Judy, she just
joined our (mumbles)
- Hello.
- Hello.
I'm going to (mumbles)
are you coming?
- No, no time.
See you later.
- Alright, bye.
- Ralph has been (mumbles) since
I came here four years ago.
Now this is the blue staircase,
there's a red one, yellow
one and a green one.
They're all the same.
This room is used for
Film Projection in slides.
Projection in there.
But you want to book it,
you have to be careful
it's usually used
by everyone else.
Hello.
- Hi handsome.
- Hi, you alright?
- Yes.
- Oh, this is Judy.
- Hello.
- This is Pat.
Pat's from the
English department.
Judy's on your supply
til the end of term.
- Wonderful, did you
just start today?
- Yeah, I just
started this morning.
I only got the job yesterday,
so it was a bit chaotic
- Welcome.
- I don't have
anything prepared.
- Well there never is.
- No?
- No, never.
- What are you showing?
- I am showing (mumbles)
It was going to be Cares but
we couldn't get the print.
- I'd really like to see that.
- Oh, why don't you come along?
- Can't, (mumbles)
- Oh, God no you can't.
I've got four.
(laughs)
- I've already got
the lesson prepared.
- Oh okay.
- Well we're leaving,
- Okay.
- See you at four.
- Okay, yeah fine.
- Bye bye.
- Bye.
- We've just got time
for a cup of tea.
- (mumbles)
- (mumbles)
(70's music)
- Come in.
(laughs)
(70's music)
- I thought we could go out.
- Tonight?
- Mmm.
Do you wanna go local pubs?
- Oh no, not really.
Terrible around there.
- Oh, don't you
feel like going out?
- No, another day (mumbles)
I feel like staying,
but sit down, sit down.
- So you're a (mumbles)
- Mmm, yeah.
- Applying for a job?
- Well I was thinking
about it, yeah.
- Why, are you fed
up with your job?
- A little bit.
(mumbles) so it's not
like it gets a bit,
I want something more exciting.
- What does this say?
Ambitious young people
who want to go places.
(laughs)
Must be willing to travel
if required (mumbles) work.
You know what that
means, don't you?
- No.
- Selling stuff.
You'll get commission on it.
Which means you'll get paid
depending on how much you sell.
Not good.
- Have you done it?
- No, I know people
have tried it.
- What's that one (mumbles)
- Junior messenger.
- Hm, well it's just
more money that's all.
- What do you want to do?
- Well I don't know
really, but I mean,
I don't know.
- You haven't given
it enough thought.
- Well there are so many
jobs in there, you know,
I think might just
be for me but anyway,
(windshield wipers)
(snaps photo)
(alarm rings)
- Leave your work in your desks.
(students chattering)
Oh hi,
- How are you?
- Alright, thanks.
How are you?
- Oh fine.
(mumbles) the weekend actually.
- What did you do?
- Just it's Monday today.
(laughs)
Went down to my parents.
- Oh yeah?
- They live down in the country.
How about yourself?
- Well I did a bit of work,
Had a few drinks.
- Yeah?
Do you feel like a drink now?
- I really do, yes.
- Well.
Oh, cheers.
- There you are.
- What are you drinking?
- Martini.
- Oh, I like that sometimes.
Didn't think of it today though.
Brought up a beer,
ever since I started.
All those years as
a student I suppose.
- Mmm.
- Where were you at college?
- Lincoln.
- Yeah?
- Where were you?
- Southampton.
- How nice.
- I met Steven
there, my husband.
- Did you?
- Yeah, cause he was
there same time as me,
and then I went teaching
and he did an extra year.
- What's he doing now?
- Cause I've done a year
in a Sixth Form college.
Did you know that?
- No.
- Oh, yeah,
well in Southampton I was a
year in Sixth Form college.
What does he do now?
- Mmhmm.
- Oh he's in a Polytechnic
teaching others to teach.
(laughs)
- Oh.
(television in background)
What else place did you have?
- It was just a
one room kitchen.
- On your own?
- No, no.
Sharing with a friend of mine.
Yeah.
But Emylyn is just like any
other big northern town really,
you know?
It's like London
except (mumbles)
(laughs)
- Do you find much to do?
- Well there's nothing
to do out there really.
There's one club you can go to.
Which is a real growl, you know.
- Did you know the friend
before you went there?
- Uh, yeah, yeah.
When he was at college you see,
so we managed to find
this place in the paper
and we moved in.
- You used to go
out there together?
- Go where?
- Go out to bars and stuff.
- Oh no, he was straight.
- Oh, was he?
- Yeah, it was a shame really,
cause he was a nice guy.
- Well you fancied him.
- Yeah, a little bit.
(laughs)
- Did he know?
- I don't know
whether he knew it,
I think he must've
though because
well just some things he
said sometimes you know?
And he knew that
I went out a lot
to gay,
to the gay place.
- So it didn't come to anything?
- No, no.
Well he was bringing his
girlfriends back then,
it was very frustrating.
Wake up one morning and there's,
his girlfriend lying there.
(chuckles)
- Should we go to bed?
- You want to stay here tonight?
- Mmm hmm.
- Well I'd rather you
didn't actually tonight.
If you don't mind, cause
I want to get some sleep.
I would like to be on my own.
- I just thought it would be
nice for us to be together.
- Yeah, but I just like to
be on my own tonight, so
- Well maybe tomorrow night.
Oh no I can't see
you tomorrow night.
What about Friday or Saturday?
- Friday.
Um, actually Friday I'm
meeting an old friend.
Yeah, he's coming
down from (mumbles)
so we're going out for
a bit of a booze up.
(chuckles)
- And Saturday?
- Probably the same thing.
They only drink us
up there you know.
(laughs)
- Well give me a call, will you?
- Yeah.
- I think this is a person
walking darkened area,
and there's not much
going on here nowadays
cause they put in
container shipper.
I guess most people who
were working at the docks
must be living around in
these high rise (mumbles)
Cause they were
new to the docks,
and you didn't have to
catch buses or anything.
This is one of the
direlects warehouses
and their the same problem.
It's got a garden (mumbles)
turned into offices
and so on but,
it also gonna be broken down.
- Oh Lois is five
and Emma's three.
Lois is the bad guy,
she's the big one.
She's um,
I think she's super.
But she can be very difficult.
Emma is much more amiable,
and Steven gets on,
you know, with Emma,
very very well,
but sometimes I think he's
a bit hard on Lois, see.
- Emma's the one we're
going to pick up?
- Yeah, we're going
to pick her up now.
Expect you'll like her, you're
used to kids, little ones.
- Yeah.
(70's dance music)
* you know I'm high
* Oh, I'm high on love
* you send me high
* high on a cloud of love
* like a giant (mumbles)
* make it seem
like nothing at all
* there is nothing to (mumbles)
* happy at all
- Very good how are you?
- I'm alright
thanks, how are you?
- Okay.
Just come from the out room.
- Happier?
- Mmmhmm.
- Any good?
- No.
(laughs)
Won't be here otherwise.
How long have you been here?
- About an hour.
- Really?
- Yeah.
- And you're still here?
- Yeah.
(whispers)
- Anyone you fancy?
(70's dance music)
- Where do you work?
- I work in a bar.
- Oh.
Do you get free night?
- Mmm.
- Tough work isn't it?
Bar work I mean.
(70's dance music)
Well it's came to that
(mumbles) to say goodnight
in the streets.
(mumbles)
(70's dance music continues)
- Mountain kings (mumbles) sir.
- Mountain kings?
Can you describe it to us?
- Well Scotland
has new buildings,
not so scruffy as London.
- You mean it's cleaner?
- Yes.
- How would any of you
feel about moving out?
Moving out to a new
town and leaving London.
Olly?
- Well I don't
particularly like London.
Because it's too closed in.
Too much buildings and
everything all closed in,
so it's like you're in a trap.
And when you're in, out
somewhere out of London,
you are so free.
(mumbles)
- How many of you actually
get out of London?
Do you go out of
London very much?
Ian?
- In the summer I
go out of London.
- Where do you go?
- (mumbles)
- I was going
(mumbles) at school,
but (mumbles)
- Were you?
Oh left, sorry.
(laughs)
Trying to concentrate
on three things at once.
You're gonna park in
and have a cup of tea
with us aren't you?
- Alright, I'd really like to.
- Yeah, it'd be nice.
You see if I don't set
the work to do in class,
I have to spend so long
preparing the lesson,
cause I've got to
know, you know,
I just can't feel competent
enough at the moment
anyway to just stand
up there and (mumbles)
I like to have you know,
notes in front of me.
Do you have notes
when you're teaching?
- Yes, sometimes.
Have you got any milk?
- Uh, yeah its on the drain
right there behind you, okay?
Terrible stain here you know,
you must think
this is disgusting.
- Sit down, have a
rest, food's ready.
(laughs)
- Yeah, I'll just chop these up
then I'll be okay,
once Steven gets in.
He usually (mumbles)
half past six.
- You all eat together?
- No, I'll give the
girls something,
and he puts them in the
bath when he comes home.
(mumbles) he puts them in
the bath, reads them a story
and I've got supper
ready when he comes down.
Okay?
- Alright.
- Alright.
- I'll take it in.
- Yeah you take that in,
- You take the glasses.
- Yeah, I'm just
gonna do (mumbles) for
the girls, alright?
- Alright.
(70's dance music)
- Great, thanks.
- I put two sugars in it.
- Yeah that's fine.
- I'm sorry, I've
forgotten your name.
- Neil.
- Neil.
- That's great.
How long have you had the place?
- About four years.
- You've personalized
it quite a bit,
it's very homey.
- Where do you live?
- I live near the Angel,
near work.
I work just off (mumbles),
so it's very convenient.
- Do you live on your own?
- No, I share with three guys.
Three other guys.
- All gay?
- No, no.
At least they don't act it.
(chuckles)
- They know you are?
- No, there's no
way I can tell them,
because you know,
they're very nuff,
they're all, it's all kinds
of football, booze and birds,
you know.
And um, if you don't
like the first two,
then you're a bit strange.
And I mean they're
acquired taste,
but if you don't like birds,
which after all those are
the fundamental role of
the male, the species,
you know I mean, you're
not even human as far as
they're concerned.
- Where are you from?
- Originally?
- Yeah.
- From Bolton, in
(mumbles) to Manchester.
- Oh yeah.
When did you come to London?
- Um, about 7 weeks ago.
Something like that.
- What brought you down?
- Well, I was hung up
up there about being gay
and not being able to
do anything about it.
So, I had seen in
the Sunday papers,
I had seen articles on gay
pride parties in London,
announce all of the gay
prostitution racket.
So I decided there must
be something here for me.
So I just moved down.
- Was that what
you came down for?
- For prostitution?
No.
(laughs)
No I met a couple of guys
that did the deli circuit,
but I never got into it myself.
What do you do?
- I teach.
- You teach.
I recognize the geography books.
- Yeah.
- Memories of school.
- I think we should go to bed.
- Yeah.
Shall I leave this down?
- Yeah sure, if you're finished.
Do you go down to the
streets very often?
- Uh, I've been
about four times.
You see I haven't been on the
scene for such a short time.
I like to try a lot
of new places out,
but if I have a regular I
suppose you could call the
streets the reg, you know,
the regular place to go.
- I go there quite often.
- Yeah.
- Have you tried
any other places?
- Yeah, (mumbles),
rainbow rooms,
a few other places I can't
remember the names of them.
I just like music, I
like the dance music,
you know where they can't have,
I like to enjoy
myself, have a drink,
you know, just mix (mumbles)
- I noticed you liked those.
- Yeah.
- I was watching you.
(laughs)
- Is that the only
thing I do normally?
Just um,
- What do the guys
think, where you live?
When you go out?
Don't you tell them
when you're going?
- Well I go up to the
pub with them you see,
and then they don't
really enjoy these girls,
so I mean I can just say
I'm going down to the club
or going out with a girlfriend.
And they just accept it,
they don't ask any prying
questions really.
- That must be very difficult.
- Not really, I've
just got to do it.
- Come.
- What's in the pillow?
- Straw.
(chuckles)
- Should I put this anywhere?
- Yeah, just put it there.
What time do you have to get up?
- Well, I normally
start work by nine.
- That's fine.
- I think I'll treat
myself to one of these when
I get a bit of money.
- To one of what?
- A quilt.
- They're good, nice.
I make my bed very
easy in the morning,
especially if you're in a hurry.
- Yeah.
- Can I drop you just
here by the light?
- Yes, sure.
- The Tube is just
around the corner.
- Go ahead, thanks a lot.
Alright so you'll be at
Back Street's next weekend?
- Yeap,
- Alright, I'll see you then.
- Okay.
- Okay, see you.
- I suggest you
make three columns.
One for the name of
the tin or the packet,
which is what we
call the brand name.
Brand name.
The second column I want
you to put exactly what
that product is, whether its
cheese, whether its yogurt,
or what other kind of
milk product it is.
And the third column should
tell where it comes from.
Now you should find that written
on the tin or the packet.
Have you got that?
You know what to do.
- I used to go to the
pictures years ago you know,
a girl I used to live with
actually used to get up
Sunday mornings and go.
And sit in the front row,
have you ever done that?
- Mmm.
- What was the (mumbles) the
bag of popcorn sounds great.
(chuckles)
Well, I haven't seen
her in ages actually.
She got married.
It's funny actually
because she married a guy
in the same year as Steven.
We seem to have
lost touch lately.
Well not lately, since
we came to London really.
Don't seem to have,
made the same sort
of friends (mumbles)
You know, when I was at home
sort of where I come from,
you know I told you,
- Mmm hmm.
- I came from a
very small village,
well the sort of school
we went to all the kids
came from round about
and we used to go ,
after we all went to
college it was (mumbles)
to go home for the holidays
and we used to go
drinking together but,
don't know I suppose
its life but,
don't know where any of them
are now except one person.
- So you don't normally
go out on your own at all?
- No I don't.
I picked the wrong night too.
- Why?
- Well it's Thursday isn't it?
Steven has squash tonight and
I had completely forgotten.
- So he's staying in, is he?
- He's not pleased.
(laughs)
It's not funny actually,
- Sorry.
- Well it wasn't
funny at the time,
that's why I came in all
breathless and (sighs)
- Did you have a rile?
- No.
No we didn't have a
rile, but I mean he just
thought I was very
inconsiderate.
For the first time in a
year I decide to go out,
how very inconsiderate
of your duty.
You know I play squash
on Thursday nights.
- I know.
- Well I didn't
do it on purpose,
he made me so mad I wish
I had done it on purpose,
but there you are.
Yeah, he's okay though really.
It's just, sort of,
like I said you know, we've
been in London six years,
and there's probably maybe,
you know, a (mumbles)
Well I can't always
blame every body else
cause I haven't
made friends here,
you have to make an effort
for yourself, don't you?
- Well, you're out anyway.
(laughs)
- Yeah.
Do you get so close when
you first meet somebody,
you get so close, you sort of
I suppose you let people drop.
Is that it do you think?
- Could be, I don't know.
- Would you ever
live with anybody?
- Oh yeah,
the last one was
about three months.
But you know my
place is very small.
You start getting under,
under each other's feet.
I mean, coming in and
wanting to do some work,
you want to be on your own
and the television is on.
It's alright sometimes, but
when it happens all the time,
so um, I sort of
put an end to it.
And he left.
When in fact I asked him to
leave, which wasn't very easy.
I didn't want to sort
of chuck anyone out,
but it just became
too impossible.
It lasted for
about three months,
there were some good times.
But, that was three months ago.
Oh there was another one,
lasted for about a year.
We didn't actually
live together, but
he had a place of his
own and I had my place.
And I used to stay there
and he used to stay with me.
But he went back to Australia.
So I'm living on my
own at the moment.
- Pat's from
Australia isn't she?
- Yeah.
I am seeing someone
at the moment.
- You mean, a boyfriend?
- Yeah.
- What's his name?
- Mike.
(slow music)
(chuckles)
- It would be nice to
meet you for a drink after
(mumbles) one night.
If you'd like.
- Yeah.
- Or we could go see a
film, or go for a meal.
- That'd be nice,
yeah I'd like that.
- What about Thursday?
- Okay.
- Where's a convenient
place to meet you?
- The (mumbles)
Um, what about the Salisbury?
- Yeah, that's fine.
Should we say about seven?
- Yeah, 7, 7:30pm.
- Great.
Alright, I'll see
you on Thursday at 7.
- Yeap.
- Ciao.
- Bye bye.
(closes door)
(chuckles)
- Now I've got the (mumbles)
- Actually quit his job.
- Yeah.
(laughs)
(people talking)
- Hello?
Hello is that St. Martin's?
I'm trying to get in touch
with one of your students.
Peter Holland.
Oh really?
Is it possible to
leave a message?
I see.
And what time does
the switchboard open?
Okay, well I'll ring then.
I'm sorry to bother you.
Thanks very much, bye bye.
Hello?
Hello may I speak
to Neil please?
Thank you.
Hello, Neil?
This is Jim.
Yeah, um, we met in the streets.
Hi, I'm alright thank you.
How are you?
I just wondered
what you were doing.
I mean tonight.
Oh will you?
I just wondered if you know,
you'd like to go for a drink.
Or maybe, go on somewhere.
Well I'm in the Salisbury.
Its on St. Martins lane.
Well, would you like
to meet me here?
Or we could go for a meal.
Well I'll just wait for
you here if you'd like.
An hour?
Yeah, yeah, that's great.
Okay,
see you. Bye bye.
- It starts when
I go home, really.
Cause I sort of, you
know my dad picks me up
from the station
and driven back.
And my mother's got me
staking chips away too for me.
She just stuffs food down me.
Mind you I've only
been home once,
since I moved to London.
Though just for a weekend.
- Do you write home a lot?
- No, my mom telephones me.
Bout every Sunday, two o'clock
I'm waiting by the phone
until the phone calls.
(chuckles)
- And if you're not
there she wants to know
where you've been.
- Well no, if I'm
not gonna be there
I'll ring her up on Saturday.
Just so she doesn't think
there's anything wrong.
I'm going home this weekend,
on Saturday then coming
back the next Saturday.
Then going up for Christmas.
Which will all be
great I'm sure.
- Yeah I reckon I'll be
going home for Christmas.
- Where'd you come from?
- From Redding.
- Redding.
Where's that?
- That's about 40
miles out of London.
- Yeah.
- Quite easy in the car.
- Do you see a lot
of your mom and dad?
- Not as much as I used to.
- Why is that?
- Don't know really, just
keep putting it off, going back.
It's a difficult one.
I mean, its very convenient.
I should be able
to go very often,
I mean its easy to get
there, I've got the car.
But I make it, if possible,
every three or four weeks.
- Yeah so they don't
know you're gay?
- No.
Have you told yours?
- No, no I'd like to, but it's,
you never know what
they're going to say.
You know its a bit hard.
My brothers keep asking
to come down to London
but I wouldn't know
what to do with them
if they came down here really.
You know, but as it is
at the moment I've got
an excuse because the
house is too crowded.
- Mmm hmm.
- Wouldn't be able
to fit them in.
(70's dance music)
- Oh hi Peter.
What happened to you?
Yeah, I waited.
For about an hour.
No it's alright.
I just thought,
No it doesn't matter.
How are you?
Yeah, I'm fine thank you.
Well I have to do a bit
of work after school.
Only to about seven.
Eight o'clock yeah that's fine.
Well it'll take me
about half an hour.
Yeah well I'd come,
I'll just come (mumbles)
About eight, okay yeah.
And you're alright are you?
(chuckles)
Okay well I'll um,
I'll see you later.
Yeah.
(knocks)
- Good morning.
You must be Peter's friend.
I've heard so much about you.
Do you have any socks, Peter?
Mmm.
Any clean socks?
Are these clean?
Can I have these?
- Mmm, take one.
- Got some tea.
- Won't please you,
- Does your friend
want some tea?
- Mmm.
- Okay, couple of minutes.
It's 10 o'clock.
- Oh shit.
(mumbles)
- Mmm.
- I've got to go, I'm late.
- Stay for tea.
- I'm supposed to go in at nine.
- Go on ahead.
I'm tired.
- You'll stay in bed
all day won't you?
(chuckles)
- Yeah probably.
I'll go in at mid-day.
- Alright, one tea
then I must go.
Sorry I'm late everyone.
- Where have you been?
(students bickering)
- Look I said I'm
sorry I'm late.
You're late quite
often, alright?
- We can sit here (mumbles)
- Yes, (mumbles)
(students talking)
Alright, settle down.
(mumbles) the lesson.
April, settle down.
(laughter)
- What couldn't
(mumbles) aren't we?
- Well there's always a
down at the end of (mumbles)
- Don't you go?
- No.
- Oh well I was thinking
it'd be rather fun to go,
you know, those kids
have had the (mumbles)
I'd like to go,
have an evening with them.
- When I first went to the
school I went to the first two.
- Yeah.
- Not after that.
- Oh dear.
(chuckles)
- Who else is going?
- Oh, Pat's going.
- Oh she always goes.
- How about Ralph, does he go?
- No, he never goes.
- Why don't you come this
year, give it another try?
Go on, I'd like you to come.
Have a few drinks.
Come in here first.
- Well you have to do that.
(laughs)
If you come in here
and have a few drinks.
Is Peter in?
- No he doesn't
live here anymore.
- Oh, he's moved?
- Yes.
- Have you got his address?
- I think it's somewhere,
do you want to come in?
- No, it's alright.
I'll just wait here.
- Okay, I'll be a
couple of minutes.
This is it.
- Oh thanks.
Is there no phone?
- No.
- Okay, that'll do.
- Okay?
- Yeah, thanks very much.
- Okay.
- Bye bye.
- Cheers.
(closes door)
(people speaking at bar)
- It's Jim, isn't it?
- Yeah.
- Hello, I don't know
if you remember me.
I'm John.
We met in the Prince
Albert a couple weeks ago.
I was with Paul.
- Oh yes.
- It's nice to see
you, how are you?
- I'm alright, thank you.
- Good.
I saw Paul last week,
can't believe he's going
off to Germany.
I think he left yesterday
to be on his tour.
He'll be in Hamburg
over Christmas.
What are you doing
for Christmas?
Are you staying in London?
- I haven't decided yet.
- Well I've had
one of those days.
I'm supposed to meet some
musicians coming for recording,
and they got lost
at the airport.
Would you like a drink?
- No thanks, I'm
going to meet someone.
- Oh you sure?
- Yeah.
I better get going.
- Alright, well nice to see you.
- See you again.
- See you again, yes.
Buh-bye.
- Bye.
(70's dance music)
- Do you have to do
this every morning?
- Yes, every morning.
It's not that bad.
- Do you want some help?
- No thanks.
- I'm in your way, aren't I?
- You're alright.
Just watch it when it goes up.
You having tea or coffee?
- What are you having?
- Tea.
- Be really nice, thanks.
- Alright.
- Do you want some help?
- No I'm fine, thanks.
You do take milk, don't you?
- Yeah.
- There it is.
- Thank you.
- So what time do you
have to be at school?
- Five to nine.
What time do you
have to be at work?
- Between 9 and 9:15.
- Where do you work?
- In the city.
In a, well an American bank.
It's a nice place.
- How long have you lived here?
- About 18 months.
I've got about six months to go
and then I go back to America.
- Is that the right time?
- Yes it is.
- I'm gonna have to get going.
- Well why don't
I take your number
and I can give you a call
and we can arrange
something for the weekend?
- Yeah, alright.
Have you got a pen?
- Yeah.
(clears throat)
Maybe we go out to
the theater and out,
then for dinner or something.
You do like theater don't you?
- Mmm hmm.
- 3-0-3-0?
- Yeah.
- I'll give you both
my numbers just in case
you can't get through.
You know, whatever
time of the day it is.
- I sometimes do a bit
of work over the weekend,
you know preparing
for the next week.
So,
- Well I hope you're not
doing much this weekend,
cause I'd really like
to see you again.
- Well maybe I should
give you a ring
on Thursday and
arrange something?
- Well I hope you would.
- Now I really must go
because I've got to go home
and have a shave and get ready.
- You can shave here.
Cause I can drive you
back to your flat.
- No, I've got to go back
there and collect books,
and collect my car.
And then go to
work, I may as well,
you go in the opposite
direction to me anyway.
- Well it doesn't matter,
I don't have to be at work
til a much later time anyway.
- It'll just make a
change going on the Tube.
- Well alright.
- I'm looking forward to it.
- Okay.
- Now I really must go,
I'm going to be so late.
- You will call
Thursday won't you?
- Yes sure, yeah.
- (mumbles)
- It was nice seeing you.
- Nice seeing you.
- I'll be in touch.
- Alright, bye.
- Bye bye.
- From any two open areas
describe the process of
renewal which is taking place,
and the problems encountered.
- [Student] How long
do we got for this one?
- Normally you'd
have 45 minutes,
you have the rest of
the double period.
If you need anything, yes?
- Does this have to be in
at the end of the lesson?
- Yes, please.
- Are you going to the
dance tonight Mr. (mumbles)
(laughter)
- I don't know I haven't
thought about it.
Now get on with the question,
I've got work to do.
- You never appear.
- Caroline,
- What?
- Get on with it.
- I can't do it.
- Oh come on, don't be awkward.
I had a rile with Steven
this morning about it.
- Why is he gonna
babysit or something?
- Yeah, he wants to go out but
I said I was going out and,
you know, I just
thought you were coming.
- Well (mumbles) a drink.
- Yeah.
(70's dance music)
- Oh fuck off, you stupid bitch.
Just leave it out would ya?
Just had enough of
the whole evening.
Bloody school dance, I
didn't wanna go to the
bloody school dance
in the first place.
Do you want me to
get you a taxi?
- No, Jim.
- Alright.
(slow suspenseful music)
- What's where all this on?
- I didn't want to go to the
school dance in the first place
I didn't want to get drunk
and I didn't want to go
to Richard's bloody party.
A lot of people thought
we were together.
- What are you talking about?
We were together.
- We weren't together.
I wouldn't have gone
at all if you hadn't
gone on and on about it.
- What is it?
Is it me?
Or has something else upset you?
Your boyfriend?
- What boyfriend?
- I thought you had
a boyfriend, Mike.
- I don't see Mike anymore.
Anyway, he wasn't
really my boyfriend,
I just saw him
four or five times.
Anyway I'm seeing
someone else now.
- What's his name?
- Neil.
I told you about the guy I lived
with for about three months
didn't I?
- Who?
- His name is Tim.
He was looking for
somewhere to live
and I invited him to
come and stay with me.
- Where did you meet him?
- In a pub.
He was quite a good looking guy,
an actor.
Well I thought he was
quite good looking.
And for the first two
weeks, it was really good.
I mean I really enjoyed
him being there,
on the weekends we'd
go off somewhere.
We didn't go out very much,
we stayed in most of the time.
I really used to look forward
to coming home from school,
cause he'd be there.
I just got used to it.
It was quite nice I
think, someone there.
- Yeah.
- But after about three
weeks I'd come home
and he wasn't there.
I mean he was out, there'd
be a note left saying
"I've gone to see friends"
or gone to see his brother.
Or he was looking for work.
So I'd stay in and
do some work myself
and wait for him coming home.
And then one night
he didn't come home,
he phoned about 12 o'clock
and said he missed his train,
and he was staying
with his brother.
So I said "Fine, I'll
see you tomorrow."
Well I couldn't sleep
that night, I mean,
I didn't know whether
to believe him or not.
And it became a regular
thing, this staying away.
And there wouldn't be any note
and there wouldn't
be a phone call.
And he'd stay away four
or five nights a week.
And then it got really bad,
and the nights he stayed
were as bad as the
nights he was away
because I couldn't
talk about it to him.
It became really difficult.
And all that time I would
say "You mustn't be jealous,
You mustn't get possessive,
you have no rights
on this person whatsoever."
But I was getting
really jealous, I just,
I couldn't sleep at
night because of it.
So I just said to him one
night I can't stand it anymore,
I've had enough.
And I was going on a school
trip, I was taking some
kids to France, so I said
"Well you know, when I get back
I would rather
you weren't here."
And he said "alright"
So I went on this trip
but didn't really enjoy
it, I mean I was thinking
about him all the time.
And when I got back
he wasn't there.
The spare keys were
on the kitchen table
and there was a note left.
Immediately I went out and
looking at all the bars,
looking for him,
trying to find him.
I ended up just getting pissed
I didn't see him at all.
And then I bumped into
him about a week later,
and we didn't have anything
to say to each other.
So I stayed in a little after
that, I didn't go out at all.
Just stayed in and did work.
And then I got in to the habit
of going to the bars again.
- What do you actually
do in these bars?
I mean, what are they like?
- Well the bars,
in the (mumbles)
- Yeah.
- Well they're just like
ordinary pubs or discotheques.
I mean you've been to a
discotheque haven't you?
- Well gosh, not for
absolutely years,
I was think of teeny
boppers going to disco's.
(laughs)
I mean you dance, do you?
- Yes.
- And you usually meet somebody?
- Usually.
Well no not always, I
mean sometimes I don't
particularly want to meet
anyone I just want to
talk to friends but, yeah
I usually meet someone.
Well I met Mike there.
I saw him for about three
or four times after that.
- As, sort of make a
date or something do you?
- Yeah.
- Oh.
- After Tim I met
quite a few people.
There was Francisco,
he was a waiter.
Quite a bit difficult though
because he worked very
odd hours I mean he was
working most in the evenings.
And he didn't speak
very much English,
and I didn't speak Spanish.
That lasted for about
two or three weeks.
Well then there was
a guy called David,
he was an architect.
I saw him for about three weeks.
And then Roger,
and then there was a guy
called Paul, he was a teacher.
I still see him quite a lot.
And Nick, he's one
of my best friends,
I see him all the time now.
Oh before Nick, there
was a guy called George.
Then there was a guy
called Patrick, then Mike.
- Gosh, aren't you confused?
I mean, sorry, but I'm so
sure I would be dreadfully
confused if I was, so many
people you know going,
I mean I'm just looking at
it from, the way I'm used
to being I suppose.
I've got Steven and the girls
and a few close friends and,
that's you know I mean,
that's what I sort of,
- Well it's different
for you, isn't it?
I mean you've got someone.
- Yes.
- As far as I can gather
Steven doesn't particularly
want you to go out
and meet people.
I don't have anyone, I can
go out whenever I want to.
- I just don't think I
would know what I was doing,
I think I'd be worrying and
don't you get anxious about
whether you're going to
see these people again or not?
(mumbles)
- I know I can, I mean some
of the times when I was living
with Phil, and with Tim,
they were very difficult.
But I suppose I got a lot
out of those relationships,
but I don't discount
the other relationships,
the shorter term wise.
I mean I still see these people,
I'm still friends with them
- Yeah.
- And if things don't work
out right, I mean if it just
doesn't work out, I mean
you can always pull out of
the relationship don't you?
- You mean just like that?
- Yes, well don't get tied down.
- But I mean, what if
the other person maybe is
by that time, perhaps become
you know, very fond of you?
- Well then its a bit
difficult isn't it?
- Do you think that's fair?
I mean to go in something
without you know thinking it,
I'm sorry but it just
seems to me that maybe it's
going into things without
giving it, you know,
without giving it enough
thought, defining the situation.
I think its a bit dangerous.
- Yes it can be some times.
But I mean I really enjoy
going, I just enjoy going out
on my own, without any ties,
not knowing who I'm going
to meet, where I'm
going to end up.
- I think you must have
to be very strong not to
end up feeling rejected.
I mean you say you can
pull out but I mean,
I suppose there are
times when other people
want to pull out.
(whistling)
- Two coffees please.
- (mumbles)
- (mumbles)
A lot of people
(mumbles) down the street
around the corner, so
I sort of tag along.
And I went down in to
this kind of cellar,
paid some money to go in, and
I was really really shocked,
I mean it was just,
just full of men.
Dancing together.
- And you were surprised?
- Surprised, yeah I was,
I just didn't think that
places like that existed.
And then someone came on and
said "Would you like to dance?"
I mean, I really had
to think about that,
and I thought "Well, I've
never done that before.
I've never been in that
kind of situation."
Then I thought "Well, you know
that's what you come for."
Everyone else is,
so I did dance,
and it was very strange
because I had never,
sort of had that physical
contact with anyone
like that before.
And then someone asked
me if I'd like to go
back home with them,
and I said "Yeah."
And I ended up in a
bedsit in Paddington.
Woke up in the morning, I felt
I don't know what I felt really.
I suppose I felt relieved.
- Mmm.
- Relieved that I had actually
done it after all that time,
I had done it.
And I started going
to the club regularly,
and going to the pub as well.
Meeting other men, you know
men that I just didn't really
have anything in common
with except they were gay
and I was there with them.
- Mmm.
What about the girlfriends?
- Oh I was still
seeing lots of girls,
going out with them
and sleeping with them.
But it became like I was sort
of leading a double life.
- Yeah.
So you stopped seeing the girls.
- Well gradually yeah,
I mean I just saw more
and more boyfriends I suppose.
- Yeah.
But people at school don't
know you're gay, do they?
- Well Pat knows,
- Yeah.
- and Ralph knows.
- And I know.
- And you know.
- Yeah.
- I don't know why it
always seems so strange,
I mean it's always such a
big deal to tell anyone.
- Mmm.
- But it shouldn't be,
it should be the easiest
thing in the world to
sort of tell someone,
it always becomes
such a big issue.
I suppose it's because
people just never never,
never think you are,
they just don't think
that I might be gay.
- But it's a good feeling
when you have told somebody.
- Yeah.
- Yeah?
- Well I'm glad I told you.
- So am I.
(people talking)
- Hello.
- Oh hi, how are you?
- I'm okay, thanks, and you?
- Yeah, alright.
- A little bit better than
the last time I saw you.
- Oh yeah, I was in a bit
of a stake that night.
(chuckles)
- What are you doing tonight?
- Nothing, just
enjoying a drink.
- (mumbles) drink.
- Mmm.
And you?
- I wasn't thinking
of staying here,
got a party to go to actually.
- A party?
- Yes, if you're in the mood.
- I think I've had
my fill of parties.
- Who you?
Well it's a quiet thing,
just a few people.
It's in a very interesting
place in south London.
On the river, it's one
of the old warehouses,
its been converted to a studio.
Won't be many people
there, very relaxed.
Don't ask me about the
art, don't know anything.
- You don't know about,
- Oh that's my,
that's my favorite.
That is beautiful.
- That's not here.
- No it's not, I don't
know where it is actually.
It's lovely.
What do you want to drink?
- Anything that's like wine.
Not if its sweet.
- Okay.
- I never remember
these associations.
(laughter)
- Cheers.
- Hello, John, yes hi john.
- How are you?
- Very well.
This is Dorrit.
- Hello.
- Hello.
- She works for the
Daily Telegraph.
- Dorrit?
- Dorrit.
- Like Dickens.
- You've got the name
of from her father,
who used to read Dickens a lot.
- Oh really?
- Yes.
(laughs)
- Oh very pleased to meet you.
- Radio, get it right.
(laughs)
- Yeah.
- This is Jim.
- Hello.
- How do you do?
- Nice to meet you.
- And Dorrit.
- How do you do?
- How do you do?
- From Denmark, I've
been telling Jim
about your paintings,
are they here?
- Yes, yes.
- Oh you must see them.
- I'd really like to see them.
- Alright, come on.
- Okay.
- You've got a drink?
- Yes.
- So you're (mumbles)
- Yes, the paintings really,
- Is this your studio?
- No no, the paintings
are in transit.
They're on their way to America.
It's a very small show,
I hope to have a big one
in London at some stage,
but it's a matter of
just getting the work done, so
must be spend about
two years, yet.
Doin that work, no
no Guy (mumbles)
he knows all about it, I
know nothing about it at all.
- You just paint.
- I just do that, yes.
This is the couch one,
the dear old couch.
We've been together
for two years now.
Found it in a shopping
(mumbles) gate.
Some think nice
and soft and lumpy,
this one here
isn't finished yet.
Would you like to
have a look at it?
I just brought it
along to show Stuart.
There's gonna be a
lot more in it yet,
spilled coffee and dead
birds, things like that.
And this is a bit of
litter, that I picked up
the other day in a
Tube station in bank.
This is, a bit obsessive,
but the thing about arranging
this is a bit tricky.
Have to do it by chance, so I
just chuck it over my shoulder
and as it falls, you
see it arranged itself
and I work it on
from the next day.
(laughs)
Like (mumbles)
- Sorry to butt in, but
are you the painter?
- Yes.
- I really am very
interested in that painting,
I think its absolutely beautiful
You know I think it's, and
the work is so detailed,
all the sort of
colors and the fabric
and the little details.
Are you just, you were
just talking about it,
- Yes.
We just happened to
find a bit of (mumbles)
paper on the floor.
- Oh I see, rather
like in this one,
- Yeah.
Yeah.
- Oh I see.
I noticed for instance
in this you know,
you even got the detail of
what's inside the bag, and,
- Yes, yeah.
And that's a sweet wrapper
from the tape gallery.
A sugar wrapper.
- What's in this paint frame?
- Just a bit of newspaper.
(people talking)
(laughter)
- Are you alright?
- Yeah, I'm alright just
gonna look at the view,
- Oh alright.
- See you later.
(people talking)
- [Voiceover] As he
was making nice things,
that were as critical
as they could be.
- [Voiceover] This
is a friend of ours,
who used to be a filmmaker.
(people talking)
- [Voiceover] I think
you are very brave.
(people talking)
- [Voiceover] Yes,
she must have.
Yes.
(laughter)
- How you doing?
- Alright thank you.
- Get on alright with Peter?
- Yeah, he's really nice.
Have you seen his work?
- No, I haven't
seen it actually.
- It's lovely.
- Those are the ones
going to America?
- Yes, he said.
He said Stuart's in (mumbles)
- Yes that's right, he's
organizing the exhibition.
In Los Angeles, in two weeks.
- Yeah.
How long have you known Stuart?
- Oh, three years.
And we've been together for two.
- Where did you meet?
- Ah, personal introduction.
I met him through a friend.
At a dinner party.
- You were introduced?
- Yes.
(laughs)
It was act for charity,
cause I was feeling lonely
at the time.
And, (mumbles) said "Come
over, there's somebody
I'd like you to meet."
And Stuart was there, and
away we went.
- I had a feeling you
were living together,
but I wasn't sure if
that was the situation.
- Oh well, its a bit more
complicated then that.
I mean I'm not sure
of it myself, anymore.
- He travels a lot?
- Yes, he always has, his job.
But he has a heck of
a social life as well,
he's always out.
And he's, that sort of
person that can live in
several places at the same time.
I mean he's got stuff at my
flat, he's got stuff here,
he sleeps here, a
couple of other places.
So maybe I won't see him
for a week at a time.
- How'd you find that?
- I can't really cope with it.
- I lived with someone
for about three months,
I had to ask him to
leave at the end.
- Did you have to?
- Yeah, my flat's very small,
and there are times I just
need to go my own to work,
and I asked him to leave.
It wasn't very pleasant.
- I'm the opposite, I need
to have somebody there.
- Did you go out very
much with Stuart?
- Yes, we did
everything together.
Well, theaters and parties.
Things like that, we didn't
(mumble) on the scene
very much.
- I found I used to
go out even more then,
when I was living with
someone because it was just
too confined in that flat.
Just to be there all the
time, we used to go out
go to clubs a lot together.
- Oh we went out
because we wanted to.
I go out now because I have to.
(sighs)
Enjoying the party?
- Yeah its alright.
You?
- Yes, would you like to stay?
I should talk to some people
actually while I'm here.
- Well you know, you feel free,
- And I thought we might
stay for about an hour,
and then we can
do something else.
Would you like to come back
to my place afterwards?
- Yeah, okay that'd be nice.
- Yes?
(students talking)
- Alright, those in
the back settle down.
We won't be able to do
very much this lesson,
Mr. Benson is away and
we have another class in.
My class will get on
with their own work,
the rest of you can read.
If you haven't got a
book you're gonna have to
go to the library.
Will you keep quiet.
So if you have any
questions, put your hands up.
(students talking)
Yes, Christopher?
- Is it true that you're bent?
(laughter)
(cheers)
- Do you mind repeating
the question, Christopher?
- Is it true that
you're a queer?
(laughter)
There's been a rumor
going around the school
that you're a queer.
- [Student] Come on admit it.
- Yes its true.
(cheers)
Alright, now you know,
get on with the work.
(students talking)
- And when you
don't come to school
do you dress up in
lady's clothes (mumbles)
(laughter)
- No I don't.
No.
- So do you get on
the kings' roads?
So you queerfest "come
on Charlie (mumbles)"
(laughter)
- I haven't been down to
King's road for a long time,
have you?
- No.
Well I have actually yeah.
(students talking)
- (mumbles) fashion.
- Yeah.
- And (mumbles) you queerbite.
- Mr. I thought you were going
out with that Mrs. Richards.
- Sorry?
- I thought you were going
out with Mrs. Richards,
the supply teacher.
- You thought I was
going out with her?
- Yes.
- What made you presume that?
- Well you always
go out with her.
- He's a queer teacher,
I'll be (mumbles)
- (mumbles)
- Yeah.
- The rainbow?
Yes I've been there.
Have you been there?
- No.
(students talking)
- No.
(students talking)
Christopher,
- Handbag.
- I don't carry a handbag.
- He carries a cucumber.
(laughter)
- (mumbles) ya queerbite.
- Christopher.
- Does your (mumbles)
know you're a queer?
- I have no idea.
I haven't asked them.
- Why (mumbles) if you know.
- I don't know.
- You going to answer
my question sir?
- What was that?
- I said what do you do in bed?
- Well a lot of things.
(students yelling)
What do you do?
- I sleep usually.
- Yes, well I do quite often.
- No but not with other men.
- Are you ashamed of it?
- No, I'm not ashamed of it.
- Well I mean any sort of
person you meet every day
isn't he?
(students talking)
... everyday.
- You should be buggered
out shouldn't he?
(students yelling)
- It's not your teacher,
the risk of being talked about.
(students yelling)
- Yeah but we all
know what you know.
(students yelling)
- Alright, now quiet.
If you want a discussion
about it we'll have a
discussion in a
civilized fashion.
One at a time.
Christopher.
- So what does your family
think about you being queer?
- There, Christopher.
- So how come you can be so
straight forward about it?
- Cause he likes to be.
(students talking)
- I think it's better to be
straight forward about it,
don't you?
- Not really.
(students talking)
- Christopher, do you
have anything to say?
Do you?
- Yeah.
- Probably why you
are queer, (mumbles)
(laughter)
- I have no choice
in the matter.
(students talking)
- Have you been with a woman?
Yes I have.
- You have?
- Yes.
What is your question?
- What's your close friends
and your family think about it?
- My family don't know.
- So why won't you tell them?
- I'm not afraid
of telling them,
(students talking)
- (mumbles)
(students bickering)
- Christopher the chances
of me touching you are,
(students bickering)
- You will be a homosexual
like me it's really good.
- What's wrong with being gay?
What's wrong?
(students talking)
If there's nothing wrong,
(students bickering)
- If everyone in the
world was like him,
none of us would
be here would they?
(students bickering)
- Ricky,
- What do the other
teachers in the school
think about you being queer?
- They don't seem to mind.
The question arose,
and I discussed it.
I answered their questions,
they were asking me the usual,
stupid questions that
children of that age do ask
because they don't know
anything about the subject.
They're not taught it
anywhere, they certainly
aren't taught it in this school.
- Yes yes, but,
- They were asking me
questions like "Is it true
you fancy little boys?" "Do
you wear womens clothing?"
"Do you carry a handbag?"
The usual prejudices and
they're going to go out
and leave this school
with the same things.
- Yes I am sure you were acting
from an (mumbles) motive.
- And they'll end up
probably going queer bashing.
- Yes, but you must be more
careful about this, Jim.
This school has a
little reputation,
and the kind of thing
you've been doing,
simply inviting these
people to go on and probe
and probe and probe, and
try and make this (mumbles)
This is one of the finest
comprehensive schools
in the London area, and the
kind of thing that you are
doing is simply inviting
these people to make a fuss.
And we don't want that.
- But it was important
for those children that I
talk to them about it.
- Well,
- They had no other chance
to talk about that subject.
I have been a geography
teacher in this school
for four years,
I have never discussed
sex in a classroom before.
This was the first
time I discussed it,
and it was a good lesson
and we learned a lot of it.
I wish it had gone on.
- Sex education is
taken care of by the,
- He said more or less, if
you talk about homosexuality
in the classroom again,
you'll get the sack.
- Unless of course it's
in sex education classes.
- Well if we're gonna go on
and on about me being queer,
what's the point of me
trying to teach them
about wheat growing in
the Canadian prairies.
(laughter)
I mean they're not
interested anyway.
Half of them will be
leaving next year,
with what?
- Well listen to your heart,
if there's any trouble,
we'll (mumbles) that case.
Does anyone want another drink?
Or have we got time?
What's the time?
- Half seven.
- Oh yeah we've got time,
no one's coming til late.
Do you want another drink?
- I'll have a half.
- Do you want the same?
- Yes please.
- Yeah I'll have the
same again please.
- Thanks.
- You tired?
- Not really.
- So we going to your place?
It's near here.
- I feel like going
on somewhere else.
- Somewhere else?
- Yeah.
- Like where?
- Like a club or a disco.
- It's already 1 o'clock.
We've got to be
up for work at 8.
Thought it would be nice to
be on our own for a while.
- Yeah, but I don't particularly
feel like going back yet.
I'd like to go on
somewhere else.
(70's dance music)
- Do you want to get a drink?
- A pint of lager.
- You wait here?
- Yeah.
(70's dance music)
- There you are.
- Should we have a dance?
- If you want to.
- Yeah, go through there.
(quick dance music)