fucking revenge

Poor Brian.

It was a bomb.

Someone planted a bomb.

Ted tell you? How many people? Four dead.

It's a hell of a thing.

Not something I ever expected to happen in Pittsburgh.

What about Michael? I spoke to Debbie a couple of minutes ago.

He's still in surgery.

Any idea who did it? No.

Obviously someone who didn't care for Stop Prop 14.

I'd prefer if you didn't touch anything.

We're interviewing everyone who worked here.

I'm going to need statements from you two as well.

And a copy of the guest list.

Not a problem.

Why don't you two go home? Come on.

Let's stop by the hospital, see if there's an update.

Uh you go.

I've got too much to do here.

I've got to .get that list to the cops.

Got to call the insurance company.

Get some estimates for how much it's going to cost to rebuild.

Ted.

It's 7am.

Em, honey, would you sit down, already? Sorry.

Why in the fuck doesn't somebody tell us something? I'm sure they will once there's something to tell.

Can I get you anything from the cafeteria? Coffee? A muffin? No, thanks, sunshine.

Do you think something's wrong? They haven't said anything.

Don't go there, please.

Please, don't.

Any word? Uh-uh.

We're still waiting.

Yeah.

I'm no good at that.

Some of us have.

Others, not so much.

Did you talk to Carl? Did he say anything? Uh he said that he loves you and that he wishes he was here.

And that it was a bomb.

Oh, my God.

What the hell did you think it was? What kind of sick fuck would do something like that?! The kind that went to Matthew Shepherd's funeral with signs saying 'Your Son's Burning in Hell'.

The kind we saw driving down Liberty Avenue with bullhorns shouting their hate slogans.

The kind that support Proposition 14.

Tommy, leave it alone.

I have to go.

Honey? I'll be at home.

Call me as soon as you hear anything.

The whole world's gone crazy.

Whole fucking world's just Oh.

Dr Ryan?

We had to remove his spleen.

There was also a lot of internal bleeding, as we suspected.

But we managed to stop it.

Will he be alright?

I'm cautiously optimistic.

I think he'll be fine.

Thank you, God.

I told him he'd better look after Michael if he knew what was good for him.

Can we see Michael? He's in Recovery now.

He'll be sleeping for most of the day, so why don't you all go home and get some rest? I Why don't we all go home and get some rest? I'm going to stick around for a while.

Why don't you go, honey, huh? Take a shower.

Don't you have a class? Oh, God, no, I couldn't.

What if he wakes up? The doctor said he'll be sleeping most of the day.

There's no point in the two of us sitting here.

You'd better listen to what she says.

God did.

That's wonderful! You must be so relieved.

We're all relieved.

We'll be by later.

Do you need anything? Well, be sure to take care of yourself.

That's important too.

'Bye.

Michael's going to be alright! They expect a full recovery.

Thank God.

Ooh.

Oops.

What are you doing? I don't want to put a curse on it.

Did you hear that, sweetie? Daddy's going to be as good as new.

Yep.

I realized something when I woke up this morning.

Oh, yeah? What's that? That I want to see your face first thing every day for the rest of my life.

Yours too.

Mommy, I want my breakfast.

Oh, sorry.

The master wants his banana.

We should go to the hospital.

Why don't we stop by this afternoon? Maybe Dusty can watch the kids.

Mommy.

It's coming.

Hey, Marie, it's Mel.

Is Dusty there? What's wrong? What's wrong? Oh, God.

What? What is it? Uh, we didn't know.

I, uh We didn't hear anything, so we just assumed that everything was ok.

I we'll be over as soon as we can. ok.

What? What? Dusty, she, uh Dusty, she, uh .she was one of the . Oh, God.

Oh! Thank God my mother has congestive heart failure.

If I didn't have to be with her, I would've been there last night.

Oh.

Is everyone present and accounted for? Except for Phil from the art department.

He got trampled on when everyone was trying to get out.

Broken hip.

He'll be laid up for a month.

I'll give him a call.

And send some food and porn.

The basic essentials.

Jesus, Brian what are you doing here? You should be at home getting some shut-eye.

I tried.

Well, you'll be happy to know that I already submitted a claim to the insurance company.

I've spoken with three contractors.

They're submitting bids.

And the building inspector's checking to make sure the structure's sound, so Aren't you forgetting something? Are you going to ask how Michael is? Right.

I was just about to.

He made it through surgery.

He's going to be alright.

Well, that's, uh that's great news.

So why don't you put the estimates and contractors and the inspectors on hold for a minute, haul your ass down to the hospital? I'm afraid you'll have to bring bouquets and bonbons without me, since, at the moment,

I'm trying to get your business back up and running as quickly as possible.

For which, by the way, I don't expect a thank you.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I put a call in to Dusseldorf Plumbing about a broken water main.

Klaus, hi.

Sorry to keep you on hold so long.

Does anybody know who did it? It was some fucking lunatic.

Or Jerry Falwell.

Isn't that what I just said? I, uh, assume you're all aware of what happened last night? Yeah, the entire world's aware of it - it was on cnn.

Right, in that case, I think we should forgo discussing the homosexual subtext in the works of Willa Cather, and focus instead on how we respond to hate crimes and acts of violence.

I'll tell you how - we do exactly to them what they did to us.

What good does eye for an eye do? There'll just be more blind fools running around.

We're fighting for our lives.

Every time some priest or politician starts spouting off about how homosexuality's immoral or a sin, they give some free permission to attack us? You really want to stoop to their level? Those drag queens at Stonewall weren't stooping when they stood up to the cops.

I don't disagree freedom has to be fought for, but I believe our weapons should be reason, compassion.

The kind of compassion they showed us last night? It's true.

You can afford the enlightened way, Professor Bruckner.

You teach at university, make a good salary.

You can even pass for straight if you wanted to.

You live in a bubble.

Nothing can touch you.

He's right.

Mm-hm.

My partner My partner .my husband was critically injured last night in the bombing.

He nearly died.

If I live in a bubble If I live in a bubble .it just burst.

Hey, you! Come on, if you want a ride.

Hey.

Come jogging with me.

Five miles.

ok.

Make it two.

It'll do you good.

Exercise always makes me feel better.

I am exercising.

See? When I was a boy and the world was dark and gloomy - which was pretty much every day - Aunt Lula would make me vanilla pudding with maple syrup.

How I kept my figure, I'll never know, but always cheered me up.

They asked me to say a few words tonight, at the candlelight vigil.

Yes.

Turned them down?

I said yes.

Why so surprised? Well what you said about being a professional fag.

This is nothing to do with being gay or straight.

It's about being a human being.

Men.

That's us! I'm glad Debbie's son's going to be ok.

It's a relief for all of us.

It's been a rough night.

There's plenty of pudding.

I'll pass.

I'm going to shower and grab a quick nap and head over to the hospital.

What's your name? You can call me Vera, if you like.

You live in Los Angeles? No.

So, how about coming with me? To the vigil? Actually, I don't think so.

Then we'll meet up? Actually, I'm not going.

Actually, you should.

It's to honour all those who were killed or injured.

I know what it's for.

I'd prefer to stay here.

Eating your pudding? You go.

Tell me all about it.

The deal was that we take turns.

You know, first you, then me.

Well, you've had your turn, so go home and get some sleep.

Right, I'm going.

Good.

In a few minutes.

Alright, then.

At least let me get you some soup.

That'd be nice.

Chicken noodle, if they have it.

Here, let me give you some money.

I can afford to buy you a cup of soup.

Make it a bowl.

You know, I was, um I was just sitting here, thinking the last time he was in the hospital, hehe was eight years old.

He had to have his tonsils out.

He was scared shitless.

And, uh, I bought him one of those little flashlights, you know, on the end of a key chain? Oh, yeah.

And we turned it on right before he was wheeled into surgery.

I told him it'd keep him safe.

And he believed that? Of course not, but it took his mind off things.

So, where's my flashlight? Sweetheart! Hey! Baby! You scared the shit out of us.

Mmm.

But the doctor said you're going to be fine.

Oh, that's good.

Wh what happened? Some lunatic planted a fucking bomb! Let's not talk about that now.

You just rest.

Yeah.

Yeah, Ben's right.

You've been through a lot.

You just get better.

That's all that matters.

And we're going to be right here with you.

So, where in the hell's that soup you were promising me? Be right back, brown eyes.

Well, don't look so surprised.

I love how you've kept the original details.

Rusty pipes.

Filthy windows.

The grime-covered walls.

It may not be the country manor of my dreams with stables and a pool, but at least it's mine.

You hungry? What have you got? I don't.

Then why did you ask? I can go get something.

Spare yourself the trip.

I just stopped by to see if you were alright.

I'm fine, thanks.

Good.

I thought if anyone would come through all this unruffled, it'd be you.

When I was bashed, I found out that the best way to survive - to go on - is to make something.

A painting, a napkin holder - it doesn't matter.

Just so that you can prove to yourself and to them that they didn't get you, you're still here.

Well, I'm glad you are.

Brian, you're going to get paint all over yourself.

Doesn't matter.

Didn't you hear what I said to you last night? Yes, I heard.

You said you love me.

Then how about marrying me? What? Stop being ridiculous.

I'm not being ridiculous.

I mean it.

You don't mean it.

How could Mr 'I Believe in Fucking, Not Love' mean it? You detest marriage.

You detest anybody who enters into an imitation heterosexual union that, by its very nature, is doomed to fail.

Did I get that right? Hmm.

Word-perfect.

But I've changed my mind.

Well, so have I.

I have no intention of marrying someone who, by his very nature, is doomed to fail.

Besides, you're only asking me 'cause you're freaked out about what happened to Michael.

I did have this dream.

I was at his funeral, but I was at his funeral, but .he wasn't in the coffin, I was.

There.

You see? Now, as soon as life returns to normal, so will you.

Back from the dead.

Not without you.

I know you too well.

Way too well.

Now, thank you for saying it, but the answer's no.

Disney World? You went to fucking Disney World?! Let him talk, Ma.

Yeah, Deb.

Let him talk.

Fine.

I'll just feed you and keep my mouth shut.

When I was a kid, I'd ask my mom to take me and she'd always say, "Sure, honey, next summer.

" But we never went.

So I took myself and hitched.

You hitched?! You'll be happy to know I didn't blow any of the drivers.

You're a good boy.

I'll, um I'll check in on you later.

That's the last we'll see of her.

I'm glad you finally got to Disney World.

I even got a job there.

Doing what? I was a dwarf.

You were a dwarf? Dopey.

I was pretty good at it too.

I'm thinking maybe I'll become an actor.

You can be anything you want - right after you become a doctor.

Now it's my turn.

Huh? You just lie there and keep your mouth shut.

Anyway, when I saw the news about Babylon, I tried calling, but there was no answer, so I called Eli and Monty.

They told me what happened.

I got the first plane I could.

You're going to be alright, aren't you? Now that you're here.

You still sitting there eating pudding? I made a big batch.

classic, 'Sorry, Wrong Number', .

starring Barbara Stanwyck.

You ever see this movie 'Sorry, Wrong Number', starring Miss Barbara Stanwyck? Can't says I did.

She keeps getting phone calls from someone who wants to kill her.

It's her husband.

Thought you never saw it.

If I can't solve a Hollywood movie, I should retire.

She never leaves her bed and wears a fabulous peignoir.

Yeah, I can see why it appeals to you.

Why don't you get dressed and come see Michael with me? He's awake.

My God.

But it's not good for him to have too many visitors.

What? Why are you looking at me like that? As someone who's questioned thousands of suspects, you're about the worst liar I've ever heard.

Alright, Miss Marple.

I confess.

I can't get off the fucking couch.

The thought of leaving the house terrifies me.

You're in shock.

I've seen it happen time and time again.

So, what am I going to do? Live the rest of my life in seclusion? Jumping out of my skin every time I hear a noise? Case in point.

Hello? Hello? Yeah.

Yeah.

No, I'm leaving right now.

I'll see you in a bit.

Let me tell you about this kid on the force.

He didn't just want to be a cop.

He had to be Supercop.

His first day on the beat, he's dealing with this run-of-the-mill domestic quarrel.

Suddenly, the husband takes out a gun and shoots his wife and his little girl, . right before his eyes.

Next day, Supercop can't get out of bed.

Literally, he couldn't move his arms or his legs.

I know the feeling.

So he just laid there like that until this brilliant realization came over him.

Bad things happen.

And just because it's supposed to be your job to prevent them, sometimes you can't.

All he could do was live his life each day.

That's all he had.

That's all he had any control over.

So, did he finally get out of bed? Yeah.

I did.

I got out of bed and I went to work.

And every day since then, I thank God for one more day and I pray that I don't waste it.

It looks worse than it is.

Mostly superficial damage.

Structurally, the building's sound.

That's a relief.

So, how much are we looking at and how long? I'd say roughly 100 grand and four to six weeks.

Let me run it past the boss.

I'll get back to you.

Alright.

Would you look at that? Must be my lucky day.

Well, that's only the beginning.

Contractor just told me that Babylon will be back on its dancing feet in no time with enough insurance money left to put in that new sound system.

That's good news.

Except I've decided not to reopen the club.

What? Babylon.

It's history.

But it's your baby, it's your toy, your personal playground.

Well, now it's a battleground.

So, what are you going to do with it? Well, you said there are developers who want to tear it down, put up a mini mall.

And you said you'd sooner die than see our happy homo home homogenised.

Enough people have already died.

Anyway who'd pay 20 bucks to dance to the memory of bombs and corpses? See you at the vigil.

Huh? The vigil tonight - see you there.

Oh, yeah, sure.

A meat loaf, a rotisserie chicken, mixed vegetables, roasted potatoes, a quart of fruit salad and a dozen lemon bars.

And that goes to Dusty I mean, to Marie Logan.

Here's the address.

I'm usually not the one to be in denial, since I'm always expecting the worst anyway.

But this? I just I can't believe Dusty's dead, Michael was nearly killed.

Not to mention all the others.

I know.

It's just not sinking in.

Give it time.

To be hysterical, fall apart? I can hardly wait.

Look at that one.

Food's sent.

At least that'll be one less thing Marie will have to deal with.

You know what she told me? She has no legal rights to those kids.

Prop 14 passes, she wouldn't be allowed to adopt them.

The state could even take them away from her.

God! God! It's a good thing you guys are both Gus and J.R.'s legal parents.

See how long it is before they try and take away third-parent adoption.

All I can think about is, what if it had been one of us? How would we feel knowing we'd wasted the last day we'd ever had together unreconciled and apart? The good news is that didn't happen.

We realized what we lost before it was too late.

Shrink doubled my dose of Prozac.

Got anything to wash it down with? Who do I look like to you? Judy Garland? Thanks.

Christ, what a nightmare.

You seen Michael? Uh, yeah.

I went to the hospital.

I spoke to Debbie.

She's a fucking inspiration.

I can tell she's had a profound influence.

I just thank God Justin's alright.

And you.

So you want to sell your loft? That's the plan.

You're my fourth call of the day - people wanting to flee Liberty Avenue.

Wouldn't have pegged you as a panic seller.

I'm not.

Have you told Justin? And I'd prefer if you didn't either.

I respect my clients' privacy.

Anyway, what's the point? I ask him to marry me I ask him to marry me You what? Don't worry.

He turned me down.

I didn't know.

I just need to do this now.

It can't wait.

Uh it's your call.

If you could just sign these.

Um would you like me to leave you a couple? No.

Oh, God.

Thanks.

Uh for what it's worth, I just want you to know that I'm sorry that I'm not going to be your mother-in-law.

I was asked to say a few words tonight.

I asked, "Why?" They said, "Because you're a hero.

A hero.

Because I play football? Because after a lifetime of denial, I was finally honest about who I am? I don't call that heroic.

What is heroic is standing up for the rights you deserve, no matter what the consequences.

And that's exactly what those who were injured and who lost their lives last night were doing.

Or trying to before they were stopped.

But they were up against a powerful opponent - hatred.

Hatred spread by those that want to deny others what's rightfully theirs what's rightfully theirs .in the name of their God .their family .their country.

I guess they forgot that America belongs to everyone.

Now let us take a moment of silence for those who lost their lives.

My son, Michael Novotny was injured in the explosion last night.

It was touch and go for a while.

I'm here to say I'm here to say that he's going to be alright.

But there are others who are not so lucky.

Your son should have died! Your son should burn in hell! What did you say?! Fags deserve to die! Fags are an abomination! Her son will burn in hell! Fuck you! Come on, give it to him! You're the one who should die, motherfucker! Hey, get off of him! Show that faggot who's boss! Bunch of sick faggots! Come on, fag boy! Let's roll! Come on, that's enough.

Get that faggot off him! That's enough.

That's enough! You don't know what it is to be human, much less a Christian! Fucking Get out of here.

Get out!

Cops are here.

Cops.

The cops are here, you freak.

Place is kind of empty tonight.

Everyone's at that vigil.

Why aren't you? Fucking's the best revenge.

Neighbour down the hall from me was there.

Lost his leg.

One of my best friends got hurt too.

How's he doing? I don't know.

I haven't been to the hospital.

I thought you said he was a good friend.

It never would have happened if it weren't for me.

The explosion? His getting hurt.

I sent him over to the bar to get a drink, and that's where the bomb went off.

Well, what do you know? It's nice to meet you.

What? I always wanted to meet God.

And not only did I meet him, I fucked him.

Will you just go, please? It's your suite, sweetheart.

But don't you think you're giving yourself too much credit? That you're the one responsible? If I'd gone to get the goddamn drink myself But you didn't, Blanche.

So, what are you going to do? Nail yourself to the cross? There.

You're absolved.

Oh, God.

What did I just do? Nearly killed someone.

Do you have something to, uh Here.

It's my come towel.

For when you're on the go.

I'm not bleeding.

Oh, God, how could I have done that? If you hadn't, I would have.

I was completely out of control.

If you hadn't, I would have.

I've never been completely out of control.

You should try it more often.

Who knows? I might like you better.

No, you don't understand.

What I did, it goes against everything I believe in, everything I tell my students.

It makes me no different than those monsters.

Does that mean I can't call you 'Zen Ben' anymore? You call me 'Zen Ben'? Yeah.

No.

Oh, you know, Gandhi was a Marlboro Man.

You know, you're a terrible influence.

I try my best.

I don't know what the Buddha would say - we haven't talked for a while - but I do know that your husband would be damn proud of you.

Well, if anyone knows Michael you do.

Did.

He knew you were at that hospital.

That you nearly took that doctor's head off because he wouldn't take your blood Listen, Professor.

Mrs Novotny-Bruckner made it quite clear just because we've been friends for our whole lives is no reason to go on being friends.

Thank you.

Thanks.

What the hell's this supposed to be? I'm not sure.

But I make it a general rule not to eat anything that's still moving.

How can you fuck up jello? So, when's Michael going home? So, when's Michael going home? I don't know.

The doctor's going to talk to us later.

Well, what do you think - two days, a week? What's your hurry? You got a plane to catch? That's $5.

50, please.

You do have a plane to! What's the matter? Snow White can't make do with six dwarves? I can pay for myself.

Sorry.

It's grandmother's rights.

It's for both.

$10, thank you.

Thanks.

I didn't hear you.

Thank you.

Better.

So, let me ask you something.

If you knew that were going to just turn around and take off again why'd the hell you even come back? .

I wanted to make sure he was ok.

Yeah? They've got phones for that, email.

Eugh.

God.

Is that what they call meat sauce? No, there's got to be some other reason that you journeyed all the way from the Magic Kingdom.

I told you.

Then maybe it would have been better if you hadn't come back at all.

You see, they were just beginning to accept the fact that you're gone.

Maybe you're right.

I'm not always right.

In fact, sometimes I'm dead wrong.

But I'm thinking that maybe you came back because you miss them as much as they miss you.

And maybe you were even hoping that if you came back they might ask you to stay.

Let me have a taste of that mac and cheese.

Jesus.

Where did you learn how to run? Marilyn Monroe - 'Some Like It Hot'.

You know, her scene.

"Wait for Sugar!"

Couldn't you pretend to be De Niro or Schwarzenegger in that movie where he's running all the time? Somehow I missed that one.

And there are limits to the human imagination.

Besides, I don't have to pretend I'm a movie hero today, because today I am a real one.

Look at that.

Huh? Is that not a thing of beauty?

Really gave it to that fucker, didn't I? Yeah, I'd say you packed quite a punch.

I won't bore you with the details - the time back in Hazelhurst my daddy tried to teach me how to box - butlet's just say, if I'd learned how to defend myself that bright summer day, who knows how different my life might have been? Well, now you know.

Who'd had ever guessed you could use a fist for something else? I told Marie I'd go back to the house after dinner, help out.

I'll stay with the kids.

It broke my heart to say Maddie just standing there at Dusty's grave, holding that flower.

Only two, and she's lost one of her mommies.

Next week's Kelly's birthday.

They were planning a party.

You don't really think they could take those kids away from her, do you? I don't know.

Linz Oh never mind.

We'll talk about it later.

No.

Tell me.

When the minister said it was time for us to say goodbye to Dusty I felt like I was saying goodbye to something else as well.

Like what? I don't know.

A belief.

An assumption that, with a little hope and a lot of hard work, things will somehow work out for the best.

I'm not sure I believe that anymore.

You have to, Mel.

That's everything.

All I know is we have a family to look out for.

What if something were to happen to one of us or, God forbid, to Gus or Jenny? Please, don't say that.

How can I not?

It's what I'm thinking.

Isn't it what you're thinking?

Isn't it what you're thinking? Look, it was just one incident, one crazy person.

Yeah, II dearly wish that I could believe that, that this kind of thing will never happen again.

But my grandfather knew that wasn't true.

That's why he left and came here.

And I know it too.

Are you saying you want to leave? I don't know what I'm saying.

Oh, God.

I probably sound like a paranoid, an alarmist.

You're just afraid.

And with good reason.

You know You know I used to hate it when Brian would say, "There are two kinds of straight people in this world - "those who hate you to your face "and those who hate you behind your back.

Because I knew that wasn't true.

There are plenty of straight people who don't hate us.

But the ones who do no longer have to do it behind our backs.

The can do it in the White House, in churches, on television, in the streets.

Is that the kind of place we want to live? Is that the kind of place we want to raise our kids? Mmm.

It's healing very well.

That's good news.

Considering the shape you were in when they brought you here, Considering the shape you were in when they brought you here, I'd say you're a lucky man.

I'd say you're a lucky man.

Whee-hoo! Umsome interested parties would like to know when I can go home.

We'll keep you a couple more days, then send you on your way.

I'm sure they'll be glad to hear that.

I expect you to take it easy.

Don't overdo.

I heard every word! I know.

Years of practice listening in on my bedroom door.

I know.

I'm glad my superhero's coming home.

Me too.

But you heard the doctor.

You have to rest.

I'll take care of him.

Does this mean no more gang bangs with the dwarves? What was that? I was wondering - that is, if it's alright with you - if maybe I could come home? Uh, I think that would be fine with us.

That's good, because with you punching people out and you getting blown up, somebody really needs to keep an eye on you.

Anybody home? Whoa! Hey, Teddy.

Hey.

Hey, Teddy.

Hey, how's it going? Going good.

And where the hell have you been?

It doesn't matter.

We're just so glad to see you.

You have no idea how glad I am to see you.

Oh.

So? What's new in the world? Oh.

Uh let's see.

Uh Oh.

Uh Well, uh Oh, Cher celebrated her 75th birthday.

And, uh what else? Oh, they're doing a new production of 'Streetcar' down in New York.

Natasha Richardson, she's going to play Blanche, and Liz Smith is going to play Stanley.

When you said there was something you had to show me, I didn't think it would be in West Virginia.

It's less than half an hour out of Pittsburgh.

Wow.

Wait till you see the tennis court.

And the pool.

And the stables.

Stables? Who lives here? We do.

What? I bought it.

You bought this house? You said that your small but charmless studio would have to do until your country manor came along.

I'd hoped this would be all you dreamed of.

And more.

But I told you I You won't marry me.

Who could blame you? I am, without doubt, the worst candidate for marriage alive.

But, conversely, that's also the reason that I'm the best candidate.

And how's that? Because, as strongly as I was opposed to the idea now that I'm behind it, I am as fervently and passionately committed.

Uh-huh.

And what changed your mind?

I finally thought of one good reason to do it.

And what is that one good reason? To prove to the person that I love how much I love him.

That I would give him anything, I would do anything, I'd be anything to make him happy.

You're fucking unbelievable.

I It's true.

I am.

You bought this? You bought this palace?! It's for my prince.

Oh! I'm also selling the loft and the club.

Without even knowing what my answer would be? I'm taking a chance on love.

Then you mean it.

I've never meant anything more.

ok.

ok? Let's do it.

Say it.

Yes.

Yes, what? Yes! Yes I will marry you.

I will marry you.

What? Don't tell me you're already having second thoughts.

Not one.