Sometimes Gay Means Happy by Angela Theresa Egic (books like beach read txt) 📕

father . . . heart attack . . . Yeah . . . Call St. Vincent’s, see if they'll give you any information . . . buzz me back.

Steve fixes his tie. He grabs his briefcase and takes his suit jacket from the back of the chair. The BUZZER goes off.

STEPHEN
Yes, Deb? . . . What'd you find out? . . .
(presses another line)
Hi, Honey! . . . Are you all right? . . . You don't sound like you are . . . I'll come there . . . We can just pick Crystal up from pre-school early . . . I am coming over! . . . Yeah. Bye!

INT. TORI’S OFFICE

Tori's office at the news station, she sitting at the large wood desk; it is full of papers, no visible space. Rachel sits across from Tori, holding her hands.

RACHEL
Darling, all this . . . what is it?

TORI
Victor Rothchild is my father, you know . . .

RACHEL
Of course! Tori Roth is your stage name. When I met you . . . Rothchild. You need to go to him, then.

TORI
I . . . I can't.

RACHEL
Darling, you have too, he needs you now.

TORI
You don't understand--we're estranged. We haven't spoken in years.

RACHEL
Can I ask why?

TORI
I'm not really ready to talk about it, Rachel.

RACHEL
My opinion: You should.

TORI
It's much too long a story.

RACHEL
First, you know, I'm your friend. Second, you should know, your mood greatly affects my newscast!

TORI
(jokingly)
Aw, so, making me talk is purely to save your newscast?

RACHEL
Really, Tori . . . I care about you . . . and want you to be at peace.

TORI
Me, too.

RACHEL
Why so much bitterness for your father?

TORI
I just wish he could've...I don't know . . . been different.

RACHEL
What do you mean…something besides an actor?

TORI
Oh, no, not that. He should've stay married to my mother.

RACHEL
It's never easy being a child of divorce, Tori. What is it, really?

TORI
He's gay, Rachel.

Rachel is visibly shocked.

TORI
Divorce, all right . . . homosexuality, another story.

RACHEL
Sorry, sweety.

TORI
It made their whole marriage a lie . . .a hoax . . . pretend.

RACHEL
Is this what he said? Your mother said?

TORI
Maybe. He could have told me something else. Anything else!

RACHEL
Then he would be a liar. Did you want a lie?

TORI
I don't know, Rach. Violet and I were still in school, and somehow the rumors got around; Violet and I were suddenly outcasts.

RACHEL
Children can be cruel . . .

TORI
I had a boyfriend and . . .

Tori cannot continue.

RACHEL
Teasing is normal, Tori. You honestly blame your father because you were teased at school?

TORI
You don't understand . . . it wasn't the teasing.

Rachel is confused.

TORI
It’s what happened because of . . . him.
(trying to keep composure)
I can't talk about this . . . not now.

RACHEL
When you're ready, you know my number. Anytime.

TORI
Thank you.

A knock on the door and Steve peeks in.

RACHEL
Hello there, Steve! Come in . . . I was just going.

STEPHEN
(inaudible: to Rachel)
How is she?

RACHEL
(inaudible: to Steve)
Not so good.

STEPHEN
(out loud)
See you later, Rachel!

Rachel exits. Steve greets Tori with a kiss. She is stiff and stoic.

STEPHEN
How ya' holding up, dear?

TORI
I'm fine.

The phone rings.

TORI
Yes?...All right, put it through.
(to Stephen)
It's Violet.
(into phone)
Yes, Vi...Of course!...No, Violet, I won't!...He has you, it should be enough...Mom and I haven't talked to him in fourteen years...he is capable of dealing with it now...I have to go, now...No, again, I won't be at the hospital...Go, then!...I'm hanging up now; Steve is here...Bye!

She slams the phone down a bit hard.

STEPHEN
She wants you to see him, huh?

TORI
(sarcastic)
How psychic of you!

STEPHEN
He is your father, honey.

TORI
You sound like Violet!

STEPHEN
He is in critical condition, you know.

TORI
I don't care, Steve.

STEPHEN
I know that's not true.

TORI
I'm confused, okay?

STEPHEN
What do you really want to do?

TORI
What am I supposed to do? I'm trying to figure out the right thing.

STEPHEN
There are no rules Tori. It just seems, to me, you would want to see him.

TORI
Please, Steve.

STEPHEN
Talk to Violet, perhaps?

Tori shoots him a dirty look.

STEPHEN
You are family.

TORI
I can handle it, Steve. I’m an adult, you know!

STEPHEN
(lightening up)
I noticed, and not too shabby for a married woman, either.

Stephen goes in for a playful hug. Tori slaps away his hands.

TORI
Really bad timing, Steve!

STEPHEN
I know.
(more serious)
As your husband all I ask is you keep talking this out . . . to me or someone.

TORI
I'd rather not think about it, or talk about it, for that matter. Do you mind?

STEPHEN
You're not alone, Tor. You have somewhere to turn.

TORI
God, I know, Steve. I know.

They embrace.

INT. ST VINCENTS HOSPITAL – TWO HOURS LATER.

DAVID WASHBURN, [Actor: Steve Martin] 50s – 60s, Victor's longtime lover, is standing beside Victor's bed. Victor is sitting up in the bed, various tubes coming from his body. A heart monitor beeps in an even rhythm.

Flowers decorate the private room in various places. Victor is flipping channels with the remote control.

VICTOR
(sarcastic)
Look at this, luv...and cable, too!

DAVID
Vic, you're funny. You need rest, though.

VICTOR
I'd much rather be home with you, dear.

DAVID
It's only overnight, we will make it through one night.

VICTOR
They're boring the bloody hell out of me!

DAVID
You'll be back to rehearsal in a week. You're still in the show.

VICTOR
(more serious)
I don't know, luv. I may not be able to finish any more shows.

DAVID
Jason and Cheryl really want you back -- so do your fans.
(gently)
I admit, though, on a purely selfish level; I'd like you home with me.

NURSE RANDALL, a bookish, friendly woman in her [Actress: Melanie Lynskey] 30s-50s, enters with a bag of mail.

NURSE RANDALL
How's my favorite star?

DAVID
Aw, more fan mail for His Majesty!

NURSE RANDALL
Arriving like clockwork! Mr. Rothchild is the most popular patient at St. Vinny's; we've hired forty temps to field the phone calls!

VICTOR
You are exaggerating, my lady.

NURSE RANDALL
Oh, you keep calling me your lady with that voice...you may earn some special privileges!
(to David)
I just adore British accents!

DAVID
(winking)
So do I!

VICTOR
Yes, Nurse Randall and I are having a wild affair, sweetheart.

NURSE RANDALL
You must call me, Sandra, Mr. Rothchild.

VICTOR
And you must call me Victor . . . my darling.

Victor kisses her hand. She swoons.

NURSE RANDALL
You’re embarrassing me, Mr. Roth...Victor!

VICTOR
David, this vision of loveliness gave me two private sponge baths today! I've only been here two hours!

NURSE RANDALL
You are my favorite patient; and such a flirt!

DAVID
Don't I know it!

NURSE RANDALL
I'll leave these cards here, all right?

She places the mail bag slightly under a bedside chair.

VICTOR
Farewell, my lady fair!
(to David)
She spoils me rotten.

DAVID
That’s all I need. Thank you, Nurse Randall!

NURSE RANDALL
My pleasure! You're so silly...both of you!
(as she exits)
So long, handsome!

Nurse Randall giggles as she walks off-stage.

David reaches for a backpack nearby and takes out a walkman and a cassette tape.

DAVID
I brought the new tape by Louise L. Hay.

VICTOR
(reading it)
A Positive Approach to AIDS.

Victor looks sadly at the tape and walkman. He sits them on his stomach and takes David's hand.

VICTOR
I'm not sure I can, right now.

DAVID
It won't hurt to keep listening to them. Hold out hope. I need you...

VICTOR
I need a favor.
(patting bed)
Sit down, sweetheart.

DAVID
(sitting)
Anything you want, Vic. You name it.

VICTOR
Well, this one could be difficult.

DAVID
What do you mean?

VICTOR
I want to see Victoria.

DAVID
Then, I have only one word for you: futile.

VICTOR
I need to see her.

DAVID
Why would she come now, Vic? Violet is the dutiful daughter. Victoria, well, she is your prodigal one.

VICTOR
The prodigal son came back. Of course, my princess will come now.

DAVID
I don't want you to worry, or focus your energy unnecessarily.

VICTOR
We both know, this is probably my last chance.

David hangs his head, distraught.

DAVID
(blinking back tears)
I believe, I choose to believe, you're wrong. You cannot leave me. Not yet, Victor. Listen to the tapes. You have to believe it, too.
(picking up the walkman)
For me? Please?

VICTOR
Love, my true love--please, don't make me say it.

DAVID
You are all I want, Vic.
(standing)
All I have, in this world!

VICTOR
David, don't. Don't do this.

Victor holds out his hand to David. With hesitation, David gives in and takes hold of Victor's hand and lays his head on Victor's chest. Crying.

VICTOR
You are the most wonderful; the most perfect man for me, David. It's time, though. You have to let me go.

DAVID
No, you're still here. I'll never let you go.

David sits up, contains himself and looks Victor in the eyes.

DAVID
(firmly)
I'm not about to let you die before you actually...die!

VICTOR
(smiling a bit)
All right. But, David, I need Victoria, too. I need her to remember me...

David shoots him a look.

VICTOR
I want to hold my grandchild. She won't be a baby forever, she's nearly six now.

DAVID
I can try, Vic.

VICTOR
You can understand, can't you? Won't you?

DAVID
I do. I am afraid I'll disappoint you, if I cannot convince her.

VICTOR
You can't disappoint me, luv.

DAVID
What about Violet? Would she talk to Tori...ask her to come?

VICTOR
Sibling rivalry.

DAVID
I'll do my best. I love you and I want you to be happy.

VICTOR
You make me happy. Victoria would make me overjoyed!

DAVID
I'd better go...before your Commander-In-Chief returns and boots me out!

VICTOR
I really love you!

They kiss.

DAVID
I love you, too.

David blows Victor a kiss, from the door. Victor catches it and puts it on his lips.

INT. TORI’S OFFICE – TWO DAYS LATER

Tori is in her office at her desk. An ASSISTANT [Actress: Angela Theresa Collins] drops off some papers. The intercom BUZZES, Tori speaks on speaker phone, hands free.

TORI
Yes, Barb?
(shocked, angry)
She's here...in person?!
(panic)
Tell her I'm not...

VIOLET ROTHCHILD, [Actress: Anna Kendrick] 27, with similar looks as Tori enters. She has an angry scowl on her face.

VIOLET
We gotta talk, Sis.

TORI
(sarcastic)
Hello...Sis! So nice of you to stop