THE 'DARK' SECRET
INT. APARTMENT ‑‑
MORNING
Adam sits in living room chair, waiting. Todd,
in a bathrobe, wanders in from his bedroom towards the kitchen. We hear him
making a racket in the refrigerator while rooting for something to consume. Adam
listens while this happens. Todd, in a near catatonic state, works his way back
into the living room and takes a sloppy sip from the milk carton he has found.
He empties it into his person, belches, crushes milk carton in hand and throws
it with full force, straight into the wall. His eyes have remained closed the
entire time.
ADAM
So,
Todd. I think an apartment meeting is long past due.
TODD
God damn it.
(pause)
Now's not a good time.
ADAM
When would be a good
time?
TODD
I don't know. My
schedule's pretty full. You know, various events and commitments and such.
ADAM
How about ... now?
TODD
(rapid
fire)
No
ADAM
(also
rapid fire)
Now?
TODD
No
ADAM
How about now?
TODD
Ugggggghh!!!!
Todd stomps over to sit across from Adam.
ADAM
So, we've known each
other for what? 3, going on 4 years? And we shouldn't
keep secrets from each other.
TODD
Awww, shit! I knew it!
You're gay! You're in love with me ... and you're gay! How gay is that?
ADAM
What? No, that's not
it...
TODD
(interrupting)
I should have known,
after all the gay shit you've done.
ADAM
Where'd you get that ...
TODD
(Interrupting and lost
in his own world and counting off on his fingers)
Gay
this. Gay that. Gay. Gay. Gay!
Todd looks around the apartment.
TODD (CONT'D)
Wait a minute.
Everything in this apartment is gay! I'm surrounded by gay... In fact, I'm
starting to feel gay myself. I've gotta take a
minute. I need some time ALONE.
Todd puts on a coat and walks out.
INT. APARTMENT ‑‑ DAY
Todd returns to the apartment. Adam is sitting
in the chair, reading. Todd's clothes are in disarray. He looks as if he has
been through hell.
TODD
Okay ... I've decided
I'm okay with you being gay.
ADAM
Yeah,
about that.
Todd sits down
ADAM (CONT'D)
I'm NOT gay.
TODD
(bordering
on crying)
You
son of a bitch.
ADAM
But there is something
I've been keeping from you.
TODD
This better be good.
ADAM
I don't want you to
take this the wrong way.
TODD
What would make you
think I would do that. I'm a perfectly reasonable
person.
Adam just stares at Todd for a moment.
ADAM
Listen. Like I was saying ... A.) I'm not gay ... 2.) YOU'RE not gay
Todd gets a look of shame of his face.
ADAM (CONT'D)
And
B.)
.. this is what I really wanted to tell you ...
TODD
Oh god, don't tell me
you're Jewish?
Adam looks at him, stunned.
TODD (CONT'D)
You're French?
Adam has no expression.
TODD (CONT'D)
You're a French Jew!!
Adam shakes his head 'no'.
TODD (CONT'D)
Oh god, you're
married?
ADAM
No. Todd. Look ... I'm
part black.
Adam reaches into the collar of his shirt and
awkwardly produces a wall clock on a rope/string (like flavor‑flav).
ADAM (CONT'D)
See??
Todd pauses and raises his arm to point.
TODD
Get out.
The camera pulls back to reveal he is pointing
at a wall. Without thought, he points toward the actual door with his other
arm. Adam resignedly gets up and looks to Todd to see if he will reconsider. He
doesn't, so Adam proceeds to leave.
TODD (CONT'D)
And don't bother
coming to the clan meeting tomorrow. You're no longer welcome, though your
famous clantastic chili will be sorely missed.
THE END
Note: Originally, there was to be a series of
elegant can crushings. It also might be interesting
to introduce the fact that he's not all black, and not all white. He's merely
"grey curious"