Content Warning- homophobia, violence, domestic abuse, strong language
FADE IN: EXT. A RESIDENTIAL STREET IN MANCHESTER – LATE AFTERNOON
Jack is walking down the street wearing his scruffy school uniform with a navy backpack hanging off one shoulder. He is paying no attention to where he is walking – he doesn’t need to; he walks it every day. In one hand he holds a very dog-eared copy of ‘The Tempest’ which holds his attention.
He turns a corner to see Archie waiting (wearing the uniform from the local private school – a stark contrast to Jack’s comprehensive outfit) who is unsurprised at the Tempest. Archie drops to the ground and dramatically quotes in a thick Mancunian accent:
ARCHIE
“I weep at mine unworthiness,that dare not offer
What I desire to give”…
Jack laughs at him, leans down to him, waves the book in his face and misquotes in a soft Northern Irish accent:
JACK
“Poor man, my library
Is dukedom large enough.”
Archie gets up off the floor, leans in and kisses Jack
ARCHIE
“I would not wish any companion in the world but you.”
Jack laughs and kisses Archie
JACK
Did you get that maths done in the end?
ARCHIE
Did I fuck! I’ve been hiding away at the back reading angst-y literature, ready for my daily lit test.
JACK
Hey, I’m not testing you!
ARCHIE
Yes I did do the maths, yes I did finish ‘1984’, yes I did get questioned about what I was reading.
JACK
And? What did you think?
ARCHIE
Mmm… it’s no ‘Tempest’!
JACK
(chuckles) You flatter me.
ARCHIE
“I am your wife if you will marry me.
You may deny me, but I’ll be your servant
Whether you will or no.”
Jack laughs and grabs Archie’s hand; they have come to a natural stop at a street corner.
ARCHIE
Same time tomorrow?
JACK
No, I’m straight home tomorrow.
ARCHIE
So… dinner at yours?
JACK
Ha! Good luck getting your queer arse through my front door.
ARCHIE
What is this obsession with my arse! I know it’s beautiful, but…
He starts mincing about. Jack is laughing but clearly uncomfortable and tries to stop him.
JACK
Oi Ru Paul, I’ve got to get to work. I’ll see you Friday.
ARCHIE
Friday it is.
Archie leans in for a kiss, just as a man comes around the corner. Jack sees the man, dodges Archie’s affection and puts on a bravado of ‘laddish-ness’, heading off towards the corner shop with a parting and performative:
JACK
Bye mate!
FADE OUT
FADE IN: JACK’S HOUSE – EVENING
Jack walks in the front door, closes it and kicks off his shoes. He walks into the front room to see his mother, Cath, and step-father, Pete, sat on a worn old sofa watching The Chase. A plate of cold beans and sausages sits on a small dining table in the corner of the room. Pete’s voice is deep, gravelly, and he speaks with a Mancunian accent. Cath mirror’s Jack’s soft Northern Irish tones- they are clearly blood related, whereas Pete is clearly not Jack’s father.
PETE
Shoes!
JACK
Off before they could hit the carpet.
He sits down to his dinner.
CATHY
Good day, love?
PETE
Shhhh, he’s going for the higher offer!
JACK
Not bad, got to finish an essay on-
PETE
Shhhh!
CATHY
Why don’t you finish that upstairs, son?
Jack picks his plate up and slings his schoolbag over his shoulder. On his way out of the room he kisses his mother on the top of her head and says:
JACK
Night Ma
He heads upstairs to his tiny bedroom, takes his shirt and tie off and throws them onto his single bed. He gets his old laptop out of his bag and settles down onto the bed, opening up a messaging platform. He logs in and starts messaging Archie:
PROSPEROJ: Hey, you there?
AAARCHI: Hey
AAARCHI: How was work?
PROSPEROJ: Not too bad, kinda dragged at the end
AAARCHI: Another day in paradise
PROSPEROJ: I’m sorry about earlier
AAARCHI: I get it
PROSPEROJ: I’ve got a free period tomorrow after lunch
AAARCHI: Oh?;)
AAARCHI: Meet me behind the Morrisons again?
PROSPEROJ: It’s a date
AAARCHI: I can’t wait.
AAARCHI: Gotta go to bed now
AAARCHI: Can’t wait to see you tomorrow… no interruptions
PROSPEROJ: Sleep tight x
AAARCHI: Sweet dreams xxx
Jack closes the laptop and starts getting ready for bed. The TV noises from downstairs stop, and one set of footsteps are heard coming up the stairs. The house is quiet for a moment, and Jack heads out to the bathroom, closes the door and starts prepping his toothbrush. Heavy, thudding footsteps are heard coming up the stairs and Jack locks the bathroom door. A fist hits the door, making it visibly move.
PETE
Who’s Archie, Jack?
Jack moves as far away from the door as possible, clearly afraid. His step-father is clearly angry.
PETE
Name ringin’ any bells? Jack? JACK? Fuck’s sake, Jack!
The hall goes quiet, and Jack leans forward towards the door, looking through a crack. Pete can be seen storming into Jack’s bedroom. Jack throws open the bathroom door and runs after him, trying to get past Pete and to his laptop.
PETE
Oh, now he comes out!
Cathy has come out of the second bedroom to see what the fuss is.
CATHY
What’s going on? Pete?
PETE
Why don’t you ask this little faggot?
CATHY
Pete!
PETE
Didn’t think you’d raised a little queer kid eh Cath?
Pete opens Jack’s laptop- the messenger tab is still open. Jack tries to grab it.
JACK
Stop it, stop it!
PETE
Shouldn’t leave your tabs open! I don’t want to see all your gay messages. Who’s Archie, Jack? Is he your boyfriend? Hey?
JACK
Get off my stuff!
Jack makes another move for the laptop and Pete’s deflective hit pushes him to the floor. There is a slit in Jack’s eyebrow that starts bleeding. Pete looms over Jack as he scrabbles to get away.
PETE
Forgot that I pay for your internet eh? That I pay for the cloud? I can see everything you do, little gay boy. Forgot to search on private mode eh? Getting all out and proud now? Well, it’s not something you’re gonna be proud of in this house. You should’ve stayed in Northern Ireland with your piece of shit father.
Jack’s scrabbling has led him to the top of the stairs. He starts stumbling down and Cathy moves to help him. Pete stops her.
PETE
No Cathy, let him run. We don’t want him here.
CATHY
Jack, I-
Jack has stopped himself falling and is starting to stand up.
JACK
No, mum, he’s right. I should never have fucking come. Everything was fine in Banbridge. Even with my “piece of shit father”.
CATHY
Jack, don’t say that! We had to move!
JACK
No mum – YOU had to move. I’m going back to Northern Ireland – back home!
Jack storms past them into his bedroom and starts throwing essentials into a bag.
CATHY
Jack! I-
PETE
No Cathy, let the boy go. We’re not having a faggot living off us anymore. He’s right: he doesn’t belong here.
CATHY
Stop it Pete – Jack, honey, stay!
JACK
Pete’s right mum. I don’t belong here.
He storms down the stairs, wiping the blood off his brow as he goes. He opens the front door and steps outside.
JACK
And you’re right, Pete. I am gay. I’m a fucking faggot and I’m so fed up of hiding – from you or from anyone! I hate you. But you know what? I love Archie. And I’m not letting you fuck anything else up for me!
Jack slams the door behind him, and for a moment everything is still.
FADE OUT
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