Father Knows... (2007) - full transcript

(keyboard clacks)

- Mr. Murdock?

Yeah, it's Brad.

No, I just finished it.

Don't worry, I didn't hold back a thing.

Alright, I'll be by your
office in a little bit

and we can discuss the options.

I'll see you soon.

(dramatic instrumental music)

Hello.

You're about to be told a story.



Ah, but you already knew that.

This one, is a story about love.

♫ Oh my Papa

A love between a father and a son,

between a son and his mother.

- Okay you two.

- [Brad] And a love between two boys.

I'm one of the boys.

My name's Brad.

The other half of the love story is Ira,

my childhood friend.

His father, George Clark,
was like a father to me.

Mine died when I was very young,

leaving me and my little
brother all alone.



Our mother worked for the airlines

and was away more often than not,

leaving us to be as free,
and as wild as we wanted.

It was a picture-perfect life of

all of us living in peace and harmony.

♫ Change my tears to laughter

Until all hell broke loose.

So let me take you back
to when it all started,

Ira's 18th birthday,

and what we'd call, in years to come,

the declaration of independence!

♫ Happy birthday to you

♫ Cha cha cha!

♫ Happy birthday to you

♫ Cha cha

♫ Happy birthday dear Ira

♫ Happy birthday to you

(loud cheering)

- Make a wish!

(cheering)

- Everybody, everybody, guess what?

George and I,

bought two round-trip tickets

for Janice and Ira

to go to Italy!

(excited scream)

- Oh my God, oh my God!

- [Woman] That doesn't sound like George.

- It was George.

- Well, I had to coax him a little bit.

But it's an all-expense paid trip.

Museums, cultural events,
the whole nine yards.

- I can see these two by the Mona Lisa.

- Mona Lisa, that's in France.

They're goin' to Italy.

- France, Italy, two young people in love,

that's the most important thing.

They are staying in the same room?

- No, look, okay, I have
something really important to say.

Okay, everyone, please be quiet,

just for a couple minutes.
- What, why?

- Just for one second, one second.

Please, please be quiet.

Look,

this is so hard.

- At your age, I certainly hope so.

(laughing)

- No, no, no, please, please.

Give me two--
- Later.

- Give me two seconds of your time.

Look, there will be no
boy meets girl in Italy.

I'm gay.
(balloon pops)

- [Brad Voiceover] For
one long, painful moment,

everything seemed to be frozen in time.

That gallery of shocked faces.

My apparent joy.

Ira's dad pretending to be shocked.

And Janice's famous smug.

But it was that outspoken Josephine

who broke the silence with
that rude and tacky remark.

- Shirley, your son is a fagula.

- Mazel tov!

- I cannot believe you said that.

Please, out, out of my house!

Oh my God, my son.

It's all my fault, George.

Ira's our only child.

(gentle instrumental music)

- Don't do this to yourself, Shirley.

- Man, I was so proud of you.

- Yeah, you just might reap the benefits.

- Really?
- Mm hmm.

- Mistake.

It's gonna be so dull around
here at Christmastime.

No grandchildren.

It's always gonna be my fault.

- Only if you choose to.

- And you're okay with this?

- I'm more than okay with it.

If that's what he wants,

that's good enough for me.

Ira is the one that needs to be happy,

not you, Shirley.

Good night.

- I should have breastfed
him when he was a baby.

Things would be so different now.

- Sure.

- And

I should not have let him suck his thumb

when he was young.

That's where it all started.

But it was the way he
was doing it, George,

that bothered me.

The kid was obsessed.

- Yes, Shirley, go to sleep.

(gentle instrumental music)

- How 'bout a little entertainment?

I could use some reassurance

that we're still normal, George.

I'm all in a tither, darling.

♫ I love the nightlife

♫ I want to boogie

♫ Action

(laughing)

- I'm gonna wet the bed.

- Remember on our honeymoon in Acapulco?

- Yeah.
- I just, you looked

like you stepped right out
of Love, American Style,

all red, white, and blue.

- Oh, Shirley, I have
something to tell you.

- Now what?

- I am gay, too.

- (laughs) I know better than that.

- Oh yeah?

Where do you get your
information, Mrs. Clarke?

- Oh, I have my sources.
- Oh yeah, you know

your husband too well.

- (laughs) Oh, you're such
a control freak, Mr. Clarke.

- Control is good, Shirley.

You seem to enjoy it.

Besides, you're about
to lose yours right now.

I'm at the helm of this ship.

You turn me on!

- Aye aye, sir! (laughs)

(shouts)

(laughs)

George, hoochie coochie! (laughs)

♫ Oh Maria

(moaning)

What was that?

(moaning)

- That, Mrs. Clarke, was you dear son

coming out in full blazing colors.

(moaning)
- My Lord.

You mean, him and--
- Why, we can and he can't?

- [Brad] I'll always love you.

(gentle instrumental music)

- I'll see ya downstairs.

(gentle instrumental music)

- Morning, Ira.

(gentle instrumental music)

- Good morning, son.

How did you sleep last night?
- Good.

(gentle instrumental music)

Good morning, darling.
- Good morning, dear.

No, no, none for me, I'm in a hurry.

Howdy, Brad.
- Morning, sir.

- How'd you sleep?

- Great, and yourself?

- Fine.

- How did you sleep in
Ira's room last night?

- All right, Mom.
- I love the sausage, Mrs. C.

- I hate to miss this next episode,

but I have to run.

- Knock 'em dead, Mr. C.

- Oh, I wanna talk to you tonight.

- I bet.
- What am I, chopped liver?

- [George] This is a man-to-man talk, Mom.

- I should probably get going, too.

Hey, do you wanna go
for a jog with me, Ira?

- Cool, yeah, I'll go get changed.

- All right.

Thanks for the breakfast, Mrs. C.

(gentle instrumental music)

This was the summer I wish

would've lasted forever.

We were wild and young and
did everything together.

One might find us all over the city.

From the zoo, where Ira made friends

with that cute giraffe
we named Mat-a-leo-ne.

To the ballgames and to rock concerts.

We had a ball, and partied
till we'd run out of money.

Then we found ways of earning more.

The things that didn't cost
anything were the best ones.

(phone rings)

(laughing)

- Hi, Mom, how's California?

- [Mom] Oh, it's great, honey.

Uh, is Brad there?

- Yeah, he just got home with Ira.

They're probably gonna
go fuck their brains out.

- [Mom] Now, Howard, please. (chuckles)

- It's gettin' kinda busy here.

- Yeah.

- Love you, too, Mom.

- [Woman] Put it in, Howdy.

Oh!
- It feels so good.

Slave girl, do what your master tells you!

Sit!

- Oh, Howdy.
- What the fuck?

- [Woman] It's big!

(knocking)

- Howdy, open up.
- Howdy.

- It's Howard, or Sir Howard to you.

Howdy, Ira.

- Howdy, Howdy.

- The Love Motel is in
full occupancy tonight.

- [Woman] Howdy, I'm waiting.

- Sorry, dude, front desk calling.

- [Woman] Howdy!

Deeper!

(thumping instrumental music)

- Morning.

- Morning.

- How did you sleep?

- Good.
- Good.

I'm hungry, let's go dine al fresco.

- I don't do three-ways.

- [Brad Voiceover]
Unfortunately, as time went by,

I sensed that Ira got scared of love,

commitments, and his
own personal feelings,

creating demons that will
eventually reroute Ira

into another path.

A path where love is replaced with sex,

and real intimacy turns into confusion.

I could see dark clouds looming

over our little paradise.

But I tried to put a positive spin on it.

Look at it as the glass being half-full.

Ira.
- Brad.

- Now that you're out to your family,

and my family already loves you.

- [Ira] Yeah?

- It'll be great, dude!

It'll be like one big happy family, man.

It's like barbecues,
picnics, family functions.

Doesn't that sound awesome?

- Yeah.

But I think we should
take a little more time.

- Time?

I can be patient.

Yeah.

Hey, let's go for another jog again.

I feel optimistically powerful.

Come on!

(gentle instrumental music)

- What's up, Dad?

What are you doin' up so late?

- Hi, just came down for a smoke.

How are you doing?
- Great, so what's up?

- Let's cut to the chase, Ira.

You and Brad.

You two are an item?
- No.

Me and Brad aren't just friends.

I really care about him.

But I kinda wanna experience a little

before I settle down, Dad.

I wanna play, and then maybe I'll decide.

- Rule number one.

Play safe.

It's a new world.

Not like when I was young.

Be careful.

I have a feeling Brad might
be a bit disappointed.

I have a feeling he had
plans for the two of you.

Okay, go shopping, see what gives, son.

- I'm so excited.
- Go!

(pulsing rock music)

♫ It's all the men

♫ I turned 18

♫ Proud and hung

♫ And lean and mean

♫ Dancin' for tips

♫ Is what I do best

♫ I play my way through school

♫ And pass all the tests

♫ Get down on your knees

♫ Follow good on time

♫ You know how to please

♫ Sex is not a crime

♫ Steak and cheese is a real delight

♫ Lingered thoughts of you last night

- Dad, you okay?

- Yeah, I'm fine, Mom's asleep.

How did it go?

- Would you care for a
cup of hot chocolate?

Whipped cream.

- That's good, that's good.

- Oh, and some doughnut--
- I don't want doughnuts.

How did it go?

- It went too fast.

It was good.

But it was over in like 15 minutes.

- Son, rule number two coming down.

You can't hurry sex.

It's all about taking your time.

It's no fun when it's rushed.

Like this hot chocolate.

Go ahead, Ira, put it
down like a drunken pirate

with a bottle of whisky.

Now, just take a sip,

and let it settle on the taste buds.

Easy does it.
- Yeah.

- Yeah?
- Yeah.

- Yeah?
- Yeah.

- Wipe your mouth.

You look like a billboard ad.

Oh, by the way,

I went to the administration
office at your school.

The foreign exchange student department.

We're going to have a guest here.

A young boy from Dubai.

I thought it would put a little spice

into our waspy white American family.

Besides, it's nice to visit people

from other countries
and learn how they live.

- Dad, you didn't.
- Why not?

His name is Mansour, he
seems like a nice guy.

Now get to bed before
your mother wakes up.

- What's this, conspiracies against

a weak and helpless mother?
- No, Ira and I

just had a small talk.

Everybody to bed now.

- Now you encourage him by inviting

a young exotic vixen to stay with us?

Like he doesn't have enough problems.

- Accept it as the way it is.

That's the way it is
and you can't change it.

- He can still change, he's still young.

- You should change,
and you are old enough.

Good night, Shirley.

- [Ira] Hey, Dad.

- Hi.

- Where's Mom?

Is she okay?

- I hope so.
- Is it me again?

- How was your first day at school?

♫ Straight boys, gay boys

- [Brad Voiceover] I found out that Ira

started seeing other boys.

I didn't say a word,

thinking it was a temporary,
crazy teenage thing,

and I was okay with it all,

as long as his heart belonged to me,

and that's where he'd always come back to.

- [Man] Hey!

♫ That was years ago

♫ But I still hear

♫ The sound of the voice

♫ As my mom shed a tear

- Why?

Oh my God!

♫ Straight boys, gay boys

- What big highways!

Where I come from, we only have one.

How do you say, uh, a street?

- A lane?

- Yes, lane.

These look like something
I saw in the movies.

- [George] Yeah, we make
'em big here in the States.

- I'm very excited.

- Good.

Did you leave a nice girlfriend back home?

- [Mansour] Uh, no.

- Did you have girlfriends?

- Not really, Mr. Clarke.

My father, he's very religious.

How 'bout you, when you were young?

- Oh yeah, lots and lots.

- You must've been, uh, how do you say?

Very, very horny.

- I can't wait for Ira to meet you.

- I'm sure we'll be buddies.

- Yeah, that's the idea.

♫ Straight boys, gay boys

♫ They all know my name

♫ You treat them good

♫ And you treat them nice

♫ To me they're all the same

(soaring rock music)

- [Brad Voiceover] Something told me

things will never be the same.

As they disappeared into the house,

I didn't even go in.

It felt a bit awkward.

- Okay.

- [Brad Voiceover] I went home.

- Mom, this is Mansour.

He came all the way from
Dubai to go to school here.

- Hi, nice to meet you.
- Pleasure to meet you,

Mrs. Clarke.
- Are you married?

- Mom.

- Well, in those places,

people marry at a very young age.

I read that in National Geographic.

- Shirley, some ice cold lemonade, please.

It's hot out.

- Okay.

Okay, watch out for the wet floor.

- I'll show you to your room.

Hey, can we talk?

- Garo to garo?
- Something like that.

- Are you (speaks foreign language)?

- I hope not, sounds contagious.

- That's what we call
homosexuals where I live.

- Oh.

So, like, in Dubai, did
you have a boyfriend?

- Yes, we were together for 10 years.

- [Ira] Oh, so you guys must've
been like childhood friends.

- Not exactly.

It's very different over there.

He was a married man with children,

and we were dirt poor.

But he was very kind to us.

So I had a lot of gratitude and,

and then we became lovers.

- So where is he now?

- Long story.

As Mohammed said, nothing lasts forever.

- Yeah, that's true.

All right, well, I'll
see you later, Mansour.

Welcome aboard.

- Ira, can I be frank?

- I don't know, can you?

- I think your dad is really sexy.

Oh no, no, no, no, no, please, please,

don't worry, I promise to behave.

And I better go get ready before dinner.

It's been a long, tiring plane ride

and a long wonderful American shower

is what the doctor ordered.

(soaring rock music)

(water splatters)

Mr. Mansour,

welcome to America.

- [Woman] Hello!

- [Woman] Did you already eat?

- Here we are with a peace offering.

It's not a real party without my famous

Harvey Wallbanger cake.

- Why thank you, you are now forgiven.

We appreciate this.
- That was sweet, Josephine.

- Yes.

I'd like for you to meet a
new member of our family,

Mr. Mansour.

- Mansour, dear.
- Oh, whatever.

- Do you have relatives in Hezbollah?

- No.
- Josephine.

- It's okay, have a seat,
I'll get some coffee.

- Coffee?
- Regular.

- Decaf.
- I'll get two chairs.

- Uh, no coffee.

- Oh, no thank you.

- [Shirley] Would you like anything else?

- Uh, do you have tea?
- Green?

- Oh, please.
- Here you go.

- We'll both have decaf.

- [Shirley] Very good,
I'll be right there.

- So, uh,

what did you do, uh,

where you come from?

Did you work for a living?

- I, I did.

Um, I went to school to
be a massage therapist

so I could work in the tourist resorts.

In Asia, it's a highly
respectable profession.

- [Shirley] It is that way here, too.

But it depends.
- Depends on what?

- You should let me give
you a massage sometimes.

A group of German businessmen

nicknamed me the Fountain of Youth.

I can take all the stress away.

- Thank you, I'll keep my stress.

- I'll take it.

It's been 100 years
since anyone touched me.

- Josephine, sometimes
it's more about self-help.

By the way, do you give,
uh, prostate massages?

(laughing)

- Can we change the subject?

Your prostate can wait, Mr. Craut.

- Can it?

- Further competition.
- Wow, full house.

- You met Mansour?

Mansour, this is my best friend Mad Brad.

- Hello, it is nice to
meet you again, Mad Brad.

- Good to see you, too.

Just Brad's fine.

- Mansour here is a masseuse.

- Masseur.

- [Mr. Craut] But he
won't touch your prostate.

- Okay.
- Well.

I really need to get going.

Big day tomorrow with registration

and all that stuff,

but good night, and thank you all again.

- Good night.
- Good night.

- Thank you.
- Good night.

- Good to see you again.

So how's it goin'?

(gentle instrumental music)

- [Ira] Yeah.

- [Brad] That Mansour, he's kinda cute.

- Yeah, he seems like a good guy.

(gentle instrumental music)

- Oh, it's so beautiful out, isn't it?

Oh, Ira.

- Brad, I've been thinking.
- About us, I hope.

- Exactly.
- Me too.

All the time, actually.

Ever since that night in paradise.

God, I want a thousand of 'em.

- [Ira] Brad, you need to chill a little.

- What?

Why, what do you mean?

- Brad, I wanna see other guys.

I'm young, I don't wanna be tied down

with just anybody at this point.

(gentle instrumental music)

- But you, me, the other night?

I see.

It's cool, dude.

It's gettin' late, I should probably go.

- We're still friends.

- I don't know, man, I need
to digest this for a while.

Happy shopping spree, Ira.

I hope you find what you're looking for.

(sad instrumental music)

This was the last time I'd see Ira.

- Brad!
- For many years to come.

(melancholic instrumental music)

(knocking)

- Hey, you wanna talk about it?

Come on, man.

I mean, a man is not a man

unless he has cried a few tears.

Do share your woes, beloved brother.

Let your grief be known.

- Fresh air feels good.

Was Brad okay?

- He's not okay.

- My fucking life is over!

My fucking heart's been broken

into a million pieces

and now I'm fucking
alone, are you happy now?

♫ How do you mend a broken heart

♫ How can a loser ever win

- [Brad] Howard, you rectal fungus.

- Hey, I want my violin back!

- [George] Want to talk about it?

- Not tonight.

- Manyana, son?

- What are you still doing up?

- Just getting ready for
registration tomorrow.

- Okay.

Well have a good night, I'm bushed.

♫ Chat room lies and cyber sex

♫ All I want is just the facts

♫ Inches, seven, nearer nine

♫ Guaranteed a real hot time

- Hey, you little luscious minx,

I've been tryin' to get
ahold of you all day.

Yeah.

Yeah, Brad's out.

Wanna come over?

Okay.

I wanna fuck you like a zebra.

- [Woman] Oh, Howdy.

- Hi.

Problems?

I can smell them, you know.

- Yeah, you have a good nose.

I have a lot on my mind.

- [Mansour] Lie on your stomach.

- Thanks, thanks, thanks.

Dude, I'm good.

I'm good.

- You're sure?

- Yeah.

- Your loss.

- What's up, Dad, where's Mom?

(sultry instrumental music)

Have you seen Mansour?

- [George] Not today.

Remember, lesson number four,

don't shit where you eat.
- Ew!

- Capisce?

- [Ira] I think so.

- Go.
- Yes, sir.

- Good morning, Vietnam.

- Where is everybody?

- Gone, I guess.

- I must've overslept.

Feels good, though.

- Yeah, I bet.

Want some breakfast?

- You're a little grim this morning.

- Well, grim begets grim.

- Oh, Mom, hold on one second.

- Where are you going?

Finish your breakfast, come back.

What is that?

- [Ira] Look.

- [Brad Voiceover] This was
Ira's very last ditch attempt

to ask his mother to accept her gay son,

by showing her the bar
reg and pointing out

different important personalities.

Needless to say, it didn't quite work.

- That's gruesome, darling.

Are you trying to tell me something?

- You have to accept it, Mom.

I gotta go, okay?

(lush instrumental music)

- Good morning, Mrs. Clarke.

What a beautiful day.

It becomes you so, Madam.

What is wrong?

- Nothing, Mansour, I
don't wanna talk about it.

- Just a little stressed.

You like it?

- I don't think you should be doin' this.

Stop right now.

- But it feels good, does it not?

- I don't think that matters.

- You know--
- Stop.

- The apple doesn't fall
far away from the tree.

Like mother, like son.
- How dare you!

Now I said enough.

(lush instrumental music)

This might come as a
bit of surprise to all,

but I could use some time alone.

Things have been a bit crazy

for your dear simple mother,

so please bear with me

as I will be visiting my
old school girlfriend Helen.

I needed to take a bit of
time to sort things out.

So, my dear husband and son,

please give me a few days,

and I will be back with a new outlook.

I hope.

My family is very important to me.

Love, Mom.

(rhythmic instrumental music)

- [Mansour] Hello.

- Hello, Mansour.

- What a day.

Just got back from massaging Evan Stein.

Really nice guy.

Gave a nice tip.

- Don't spend it all in one place.

- I will save every penny.

I feel so happy.

I can break into song!

- Do it, Mansour, express yourself, man.

♫ I feel pretty

♫ Don't feel shitty

♫ I feel pretty

Don't quit your day job, Mansour.

- So, where is Mrs. Clarke?

- Visiting an old friend in Boston.

- Ah.

And Ira?

- Out with a friend.

- This is so much fun.

- Isn't it?
- It is.

- My dad used to say

the moon, when full, casts a spell

that only lovers can feel.

- Was your dad an astronaut?

- No, but his forefather
was an Indian chief.

- Cherokee?
- Apache.

- Ah, the fearless warriors of the desert.

Tell me more.

- They used to hunt by night,

stalk their prey, and kill and eat it!

- [Ira] What do you say
we get a little privacy?

- That sounds like a good idea.

- [Ira] Feel like a game
of cowboys and Indians?

(country-style instrumental music)

- Better go take some pills.
- Oh my.

- Yeah, back injury form
my construction work.

- Sounds pretty bad.

I have been known to cure
back pain with these hands.

- No, that's okay, Mansour.

- I understand your apprehension.

You can rest assured, I will be--

- [George] I'll take a rain check.

- I'm like a chiropractor

without a license.

- Well, get your license first.

I better go take care of the pills.

Down more.

Down, Mansour.

Oh yeah.

That's right, down.

Oh. (moans)

Yeah, that's right.

That's the spot, man.

- Better lay down right now.

No argument, argue later.

I prepared a very special set for us.

- Oh, wow.

(country-style instrumental music)

- No need to be afraid of me, honey.

I mean you no harm.

Am I dressed to the limit?

- Can I help you?

- Looks to me like you
need more help than I do.

- [Mansour] Just relax.

- Are you gonna box it good or not?

You're makin' me crazier than I already am

just lookin' at ya.

- You wouldn't understand.

- Try me.

- It's too personal.

- You wanna hear personal,

you don't know what personal is, honey.

- Don't worry.

- [George] Okay.

- I wasn't always like this.

I had a home,

a lovin' husband,

and almost a beautiful baby.

- Oh my.

What happened?

- I found out my husband was gay,

and I left him for another man.

- Oh.
- You know, Mr. Clarke,

I think you need more attention.

- I was pregnant with
his child at the time,

and lost the baby to

a coat-hanger.

He killed himself when he heard the news.

By that time, I was already
livin' with another man.

He just took off.

Nobody

wants a loser like me.

- [Mansour] Do you still feel pain?

- Yes, a lot, yes.

- So here I am.

I wish I woulda done things differently.

- Thank you.

You've helped me a lot,

more than you can ever imagine.

I gotta go.

- Where ya goin'?
- My family needs me.

- You can write me at the station.

Everybody knows Lucy!

You may call me Lulu!

(bittersweet instrumental music)

- Taxi, taxi!

275 Elm Street.
- Where?

- [Shirley] 275 Elm Street.

And hurry, my family needs me.

(George moans)

- Okay, calm down, darn it, lady.

- [George] What are you doing?

- [Mansour] It would be better
if you took your shirt off.

- Why?

- It makes it easier.

Don't worry.

(stately instrumental music)

Where I come from, they
say I work miracles

with my hands.
(George moans)

Just relax.

- Okay.
- I will be careful

with your body.

You want to get rid of this pain?

- [George] Yeah, but I'll keep the pants.

What do you want me to do next?

- Take your pants off.

- No, we've gone far enough.

- Do you want to get
rid of this pain or not?

Just lift front from the table,

and I'll pull them down from there.

- Like this?

- [Mansour] Exactly.

(stately instrumental music)

- Oh yeah. (moans)

- [Mansour] Now turn around.

- Oh, forget it.

Let me just lie down like this and rest.

- [Mansour] Turn around.

- The front is doing fine, Mansour,

it's just the back.

- The back and the front are connected.

Now turn around.

- [George] Oh yeah.

(George moans)

I'm sorry if I got a bit excited.

- It's a natural human reaction.

I'm flattered, sir.

- Don't get any ideas, Mansour.

I'm a married man.

- Yeah.

(George moans)

(stately instrumental music)

(Mansour chuckles)

(evil laughing)
(Shirley grunts)

(siren wails)

(stately instrumental music)

- The doctor will be out in just a minute.

- Thank you.

- I feel awful about what happened.

I'm sorry, son.

- You don't shit where you eat, Dad, huh?

- Please, Ira, don't.

- As soon as we get home,
Mansour better be gone.

- It's not his fault.
- You think?

Leonard, what are you doing here?

- Don't ask.

What are you doing here?

Where's Shirley?

- [George] I feel awful, son.

- I'm here for a prostate exam.

- Yeah, the doctor'll see you right away.

- Okay, thank, oh.

Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky.

- Good afternoon, I'm Dr. French.

She'll be okay.

John will bring her out in a moment.

Have her take two of these once a day,

and have her get plenty of rest.

I'll see her again in two weeks.

John will make the appointment.

- Thank you.
- Let me know if there's

anything else you need.
- Thank you.

- Here she is, isn't she lovely?

- Mom.
- Hi, baby.

- It's over.
- Oh, it is.

- Shirley, are you okay?

- The doctor wants to see
her again in two weeks.

Just keep the wheelchair

and just bring her back
at her next appointment.

All right, same time?

- I'll get it, you get the door.

- Ah, fresh air.

It feels wonderful.

- Dad, get the car.

- I'll be right over.
- I got it.

(Mansour mutters angrily)

- [Brad Voiceover] It was
only natural for Monsour

to come and try to commiserate with me.

(knocking)

(pulsing techno music)

- Ooh, nice.

- Howdy, what are you doing?

- Fixin' some shit, man.

I feel sexy.

- [Brad] All right, little man,

take this I'm too sexy number

and go upstairs.

- I'm too sexy for my ass,

too sexy for my arms,

too sexy for my cock,

my big fat juicy cock.

- [Brad] Go!

(pulsing techno music)

He would come by a few more times

and tell me he ran into Ira.

The two would just
exchange a few pleasantries

and then go about their day.

Yeah, he broke my heart, Monsour.

But I'll live.

- Oh, stupid Ira.

How could he let something like this go?

You deserve so much better.

- You know, it's getting late.

I think it's time that you go.

- [Monsour] Don't worry.

- I said it's getting late.

I think it's time that you go.

- It's a little too late for that!

- Dude, it's late.

I said it's time to go.

- Not so fast.

I gave you a lot of current
information about Ira.

Your sweet Ira.

- I didn't ask for any of it.

Now go before I drop this hammer on you.

(pulsing techno music)

I wonder what it is
that makes people think,

after they've been dumped,

there still might be interest.

Unwilling to accept the bitter reality,

they cling to some hope,

a thin silver lining,

so elusive, so untrue.

(knocking)

Leave me alone, Howdy.

- Come on, just two minutes.

I promise not to say anything rude, Brad.

Ira?

Can I tell ya something, big brother?

Remember Mr. Fontana?

You know, the jerk who
owned Arnold's next door.

- Yeah.

- Well he told me something

that kinda stuck with me.

And, like, remember when I

wouldn't leave his daughter Nancy alone?

I'm, I just,

I couldn't take no for an answer,

and he said something that
really saved my life that night.

- [Brad] What did he say?

- He said that you can't make someone

be interested in you.

They either are or they aren't.

And if they aren't,

even getting sad about
it's just a waste of time.

The only thing to do is to move on.

- Yeah, you're right.

Time to move on.

(gentle instrumental music)

(knocking)

Mr. Clarke.
- Brad.

Hope you don't mind.
- No, not at all.

Come on in.

Would you like some tea
or a beer or somethin'?

- Just water, please.

- Okay.

(percussive instrumental music)

Here ya go.
- Thank you.

- And where are you going?

- I'm going to practice with a gay band.

Appropriate?

- [Brad] Very.

- Bye, Howard.
- Bye, Mr. Clarke.

Say hi to wife and kids, toodaloo.

- So how are things?

- Well,

where do I start?

- Monsour just stopped by.

I know.

- I see.

Actually, it's the worst
thing that could've happened.

Actually, nothing happened.

I am supposed to be an
example, and look at me.

Ira's not wrong for resenting me.

I feel I've lost my son.

My only reason to live.

- He'll be back.

You made a mistake.

Besides, you've always been

like a father to me.

Maybe I can be your son for a while?

I can use some of that, too.

- Thanks, Brad.

I've always considered you one of my own.

- [Brad Voiceover] We started
spending some time together.

He told me about the goings-on,

and I shared with him my
thoughts and experiences.

By now, he came by regularly.

Hey, Mr. Clarke.

- Hi there, poker buddy.

- [Brad] How's it goin'?

Every Monday, we'd play cards

while I'd serve a sandwich

and he would recount the current affairs.

(laughing)

- Oh.
- Eventually, Mrs. Clarke

was getting up in her
years and needed some help.

She contacted an old friend she met

that one night at the train station.

As the story goes,

Mrs. Clarke invited Lulu to move in

in exchange for some of the housework.

They all seemed to love her.

She was so funny

and told lots of jokes.

That crazy woman loved
imitating Zelda Rubinstein,

the small, eccentric
medium from Poltergeist.

- There's a terrible
presence in this house.

So much rage, so much betrayal.

- [Shirley] You make me laugh.

- [Brad Voiceover] The
two found great comfort

in entertaining each other,

which left poor Mr.
Clarke even more isolated.

Seasons came and left as the Clarkes

readjusted to their new reality,

but it was Mrs. Clarke's weak heart

that gave up first.

(sad piano music)

- Lulu,

make me laugh one more time.

Please.

So my family can see me smile.

- Oh, Shirley, you're gonna be just fine.

- Please.

Do a Zelda.

One more time.

- Go ahead, Zelda, give it a shot.

- There is no death.

It is only a transition

to a different sphere

of consciousness.

Cross over, children.

All are welcome.

Go to the light.

There is peace

and serenity

in the light.

- Thank you.

(dramatic instrumental music)
(weeping)

(dramatic instrumental music)

- [Brad Voiceover] Mr.
Clarke never remarried

and it was well understood,

and as he explained to me

that very last time I saw him.

You think you'll ever remarry?

- Oh no, it's not in my plans.

I'll probably be coming out when I'm 75,

and that's a relief.

(gentle instrumental music)

- [Brad Voiceover] Nothing
ever stays the same

and everybody was sort of checking out

of the old family scene.

For the first time ever,

that swinging porch chair

that was the embodiment
of closeness and love

seemed empty.

Later on, in the military,

I had an Army therapist tell me

that when bombs fall,
they fall in clusters.

The next one came from a
totally unexpected place.

- I'm gonna miss you, babe.

Guess what, I'm joining the Peace Corps.

- What?

- Yeah, I'm leaving soon.

- When?
- Friday, Friday at noon.

It's an afternoon flight.

- To where?

- Well first we're going to the Congo

and then Sudan and then Darfur.

- Oh, why?

- You know, it sounds kinda corny

but I was looking at myself
in the mirror one morning

and the person in the mirror
kinda looked back at me

and said, "Howard, it's time you start

"doing something with yourself,

"making something of your life,

"doing some good in the world,"

so, I mean, people do this
kind of thing all the time.

I'll write often.
- You better.

- And I don't care if you call me Howdy.

I don't care.

(gentle instrumental music)

- [Brad Voiceover] It
was the end of an era.

And I decided to mark it

with an introspective, cross-country drive

through the Southwest,

a land known for its spirituality.

I was still looking for answers,

but instead

I found myself eroticizing
of past fantasies,

especially that one night

after that coming out birthday party.

It became one

long

haunting memory.

- Wow.

(giggling)
(gentle instrumental music)

- [Brad Voiceover] Huh, I still remember

Josephine's humorous coaxing

at that wonderful 18th birthday party.

- You should go, Ira, and have a ball.

San Francisco is for you guys

what Jerusalem is for the Jews.

- Or Mecca for Muslims.

- Some day.

- [Brad Voiceover] Ira
always liked that metaphor.

He took that offer and made San Francisco

his new home.

I was sort of glad he was far away.

Out of sight, out of mind they say.

Myself, I met a nice newly divorced lawyer

and settled down with him in a condo

in Evanston.

(brooding instrumental music)

Hey, babe, you look good.

- [Lawyer] Hey.

- How was work.
- Brutal.

I don't even wanna talk about it.

Just had to see ya.

- What do you wanna do tonight?

- Oh, you know what?

I just wanna change my clothes

and chill out and relax.

Sound okay?
- Sounds great.

- All right, great.

Oh no, another one,

no, yes.
- Refill.

(phone rings)

- Just let it ring.

(phone rings)

(phone rings)

- [Brad Voiceover] Thanks for callin',

this is Brad and Jimmy.

Leave a message and we'll
get right back to you.

(beeping)

- [George] Oh, okay, you're not home.

Seems like a long time since we've talked.

Call if you want to get together.

So long.

- You haven't talked to him in a while.

What's it been, like a year?

- Has it?

- Ira.

It's still Ira, isn't it?

(tense instrumental music)

- Ira?

I don't think so.

It's not in the cards.

You're safe.

- It'll always be Ira.

But

try to love me, if you can.

This isn't the Heartbreak Hotel.

- Good song.

After a while, Ira's dad stopped calling

and I didn't call either.

Through the grapevine called Miss Foozie,

I heard that Ira had
become a permanent fixture

in the nightlife of that crazy city.

- [Announcer] Miss Foozie,
let's hear it for Miss Foozie.

(cheers)

- [Brad Voiceover] Miss
Foozie was a local entertainer

who moved to the Bay Area

about the same time Ira did,

and kept in touch,

just all too happy to let me know

the very latest gossip.

- Gimme a dance, come on!

(cheers)

♫ Beauty school drop-out

(cheering and shouting)

- [Brad Voiceover] From what I heard,

he found a new boyfriend,

some pre-med student from Berkeley.

They both seemed to enjoy the scene.

Time flies when you're having fun.

Between the drinks, the one-night stands,

the drugs, and the men,

the old happy-go-lucky Ira I once knew

was replaced by a new,
somewhat darker Ira,

escaping into a series of one-night stands

and mindless cruising,

the nemesis of gay life.

He had friends.

Fair-weather friends,

who were there for the good times

and were gone when the
money and booze ran out.

As the years passed, extended
tricks became boyfriends.

Boyfriends became extended tricks.

Eventually, he lost his
job and the money ran out.

And Ira started resorting

to more adventurous ways
of earning a living.

(staccato instrumental music)

- What are you doing?

- [Painter] I just love you.

- [Brad Voiceover] It
was only a matter of time

before things would go from bad to worse.

- Here ya go, beautiful.

Have a good night.
- God bless you.

- [Brad Voiceover] About the
same time, I accidentally

ran into George Clarke

as I was jogging with
a neighborhood friend.

He seemed lonely and sad

and it bothered me.

Although I didn't let him know,

it bothered me a lot.

Jimmy was long gone,

and I was single again.

(light instrumental music)

I invited George Clarke,

hoping to hear some news about Ira,

and what has happened to him.

(phone rings)

- Hello?

- Mr. Clarke?

Hi.

- Brad.

So good to hear your voice.

(knocking)

- [Brad] George.

How are you?
- Good, how are you?

- [Brad] Good.

Welcome, thanks for coming.
- Thanks.

- Go ahead and have a seat.

I'm almost done with the table, George.

I invited Mr. Clarke for a card game

and a Monte Cristo club sandwich,

his favorite.

I'm almost done with the sandwich,

then we can talk.
- Okay.

- The Monte Cristo was one of them

period sandwiches from the '70s,

an item that seemed to have disappeared

from all menus.

Mr. Clarke seemed to live in the past.

That is all he had.

- God, I haven't seen
one of those in years.

- [Brad] Your favorite.

Some wine?

- Little bit, yeah.

(George grunts)

Wow.

Pickle?

- No, it's all yours. (laughs)

Salut.
- Salut.

- When Ira was very young,

I thought he'd be interested in sports.

So we played lots of baseball,

and I just knew it wouldn't happen.

But he's very athletic.

One of the best gymnasts in his class.

Is it true, gymnasts tend to be

more gay than baseball players?

Oh, Ira.

I bet you blame me for
killing your mother.

(melodramatic instrumental music)

I have to go home.

- You should go see him.

- He's not expecting me.

- Surprise him.

(melodramatic piano music)

- Hang on, John, I have another call.

Hello?

- [George] Hey, son, how's life?

- Uh, good, Dad, real good.

- [George] Uh,

do you have a minute for your old man?

- Uh, yeah.

Um, hang on a second.

John, I have to call you back.

- [John] That's the last straw, man.

- Don't do this.
- Good bye.

- Stop it!

I'll, I'll call you later.

Hello?
- Ira?

- Yeah, Dad.

- I'm in San Francisco.

All the hotel rooms are taken.

Would it be okay if I
stayed with you, son?

- Uh, yeah, Dad.

I, I wouldn't have it any other way.

- I'm right outside your door.

(knocking)

Seems like no time has passed.

- Come in, come in.

(peaceful instrumental music)

- You think I forgot, didn't you?

I am not that old.

- Dad, that's my job.
- Oh, shut up and open it.

- God, he was cute.

- [George] Still is.

- How do you know?

- I just ran into him the
other day in Lincoln Park.

- Really?

Brad, say hi to Ira.

- Yeah, Ira, long time, no see.

Hope you're doin' well
and havin' a great time

in 'Frisco.

- Come on, Brad, let's go.

- [Brad] Ciao.

Mr. Clarke, good seeing you.

We should talk.

Time seemed to fly,

and it was back to Chicago for Mr. Clarke.

Back to a big, empty house.

Back to the bars for Ira.

I was alone as well.

So it was back to Mr. Clarke,

as we both found comfort

in spending time together.

(phone rings)

- Hey, Dad.

- Hi, Ira.

Yeah, doing fine.

Don't worry, I am not that alone.

One gets used to it.

Besides, Lucy still comes
over and takes care of things.

Don't worry, I'm not that alone.

Sounds like a big party.

Go easy on the men.

Time to settle down.

- Wait, what?

Nah, I'm, I'm just hangin' out.

- I love you.

- Well, I can't,

I can't hear you.

- I love you.

- I'll, I'll call you later.

- [George] Sounds like one big party.

- Yeah.

Some things just never change.

How's he doin'?

- [George] Seemed good.

- Happy?
- Seems happy, yeah.

Quiet but happy.

- That's good.

I'll go 10.

- I'll see your 10 and raise you five.

- All right, I'll see your five.

What have ya got?

- [George] Eights and aces.

- Ooh.

Dead man's hand.

You win.

I better go.

- You have time for one more hand.

- Ira's gonna be callin' back.

I'll stop back by though.

If you need anything,
just give me a shout.

- Okay.

- Thanks, I had a good time.
- Glad to see you again.

- [Brad] Yeah, you too.

Had a good time.
- Me, too.

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

- [Brad] I'll come back by
in two weeks, same time?

- Good.
- Okay.

- Good.

Call first.

- Call first?

Okay.

I'll see you in two weeks.

Bye.
- Bye.

(dramatic instrumental music)

(phone rings)

- Dad, it's Ira, hi.

Um, listen, I made all the arrangements,

and I'm coming home.

No, no arguments this time.

Okay?

- Ira.

(dramatic instrumental music)

Wish I could've picked you up, son.

I'm getting old.

- Daddy, that's why I came home.

- You've got good taste.

Listen, son,

I'm not gonna be around forever.

- [Ira] Dad, stop it.

- No, really.

That's the way it is.

I have one more thing to tell you.

- [Brad Voiceover] In
the next couple of weeks,

Ira and his father
seemed closer than ever.

Maybe 'cause they knew that
time was not on their side,

as George was getting old rapidly,

almost on a daily basis.

It was almost like he was waiting for Ira

to have come back into his life

so he can depart in peace,

leaving his son one, very heartfelt

and lasting legacy.

- It's the people you
have known all your life

that are the important ones.

You might meet a lot of people,

some good, some bad,

some will make you laugh
for a moment or two,

and some

will get to you in other ways.

But nothing, nothing
takes the place of family

and lifetime friends.

- Dad.

- Oh, Ira, to have had you as a son,

what a gift.
- Dad, no!

Anyone?

Dad.

- [George] I miss you already.

- Dad!

(sad instrumental music)

(phone rings)

(phone rings)

- Mr. Clarke?

Hey, Mr. Clarke, it's Brad.

I just wanted to make sure

we were still on for this weekend.

Give me a call back.

(phone rings)

George, I didn't hear from you all week.

I'm getting worried.

I'm gonna go ahead and
pick up some groceries

and stop by this afternoon anyway.

I'll see you soon, bye.

Mr. Clarke?

Hey, your door's open.

Mr. Clarke?

Hey, Mr. Clarke?

Hey, Mr. Clarke?

I picked up some fresh groceries.

And I grabbed your favorite beer.

Let me pick up a little bit,

and I'll go ahead and, uh,

make us some sandwiches
before we play cards.

Tonight, it's my turn to win.

I can feel it in my bones!

(sad instrumental music)

He was a good man.

- The best.

Best man.

(weeping)
(sad instrumental music)

A day that's gone by,

I haven't stopped thinking about you.

Mad Brad.

- It's like no time's passed at all.

- Yeah.

Maybe a little quieter
this time around, though.

- [Brad] Unfortunately.

I'll take my 1,001 nights.

- I thought it was only 1,000.

- I added an extra for early withdrawal.

(chuckling)

(gentle instrumental music)

- [Lulu] Good morning, sweetheart.

- Morning.

- [Lulu] This is unusually early for you.

- Well, you know what they say.

The early bird catches the worm.

(gentle instrumental music)

You okay?

- Hmm.

- See ya later.

(gentle instrumental music)

- [Brad Voiceover] Our long
journey has come to an end.

You might be wondering

are we happy now after all that?

As for me,

I don't know what happy is.

I know I found closure.

(gentle instrumental music)

I know I'm upset about
all the time wasted.

Happy?

Content is a better word.

Besides, who's happy anyways?

Are you?

(spacey instrumental music)