Holding the Man Page #6

You're feeling up -

creative, you say?

What about dementia,

memory loss? Sorry, go on.

We'll learn more

as we treat it.

I'm convinced it will happen.

I'm thinking about getting

people together.

You said that.

I'm having ideas

and I could start something.

- Tim? I think you're manic.

- Do you?

Yes - the cells in your brain

have become sensitive

to certain neurotransmitters.

- I'm prescribing Haloperidol.

- No, I'm good. We're good.

John's in here

and he's being looked after.

I think we'll have to

admit you.

I don't want you spending

all your money

or thinking that you're Jesus.

What happens to my soul

if I go mad?

Does it stay trapped inside

or is it floating free?

MAN:
I don't want to be here!

I don't want to be here!

- Get me out of...

(Voices murmur indistinctly)

I don't want to be here!

Take me home!

You alright there, darling?

(Laughter)

TIM:
OK.

(Tim laughs)

OK, one from the side.

(Camera clicks)

Are you making fun of me?

I'm doing it

because you look so beautiful.

- Hello, son.

- Hmm?

Hi.

We're just... in a good mood.

Had some good news.

Would you like a chair, Bob?

From the flat.

Bills and stuff, eh?

Thank you.

So, what are the doctors

saying, John?

TIM:
He's not allowed to talk.

Er, the lung again.

- But we've had...

- Good news, Dad.

TIM:
He's not

supposed to talk.

He's had some good news.

John's in remission.

When he's strong enough,

he'll go into surgery,

and they'll open him up,

and see the snips and snails

and puppy dog tails

and sew up the lung.

Can you believe it? Remission!

You've worked hard for it,

son.

TIM:
They're saying we can

probably go home

in the meantime.

What have you done

to his hair?

It was getting ratty.

(Tell him about Christmas.)

- Beg your pardon?

- (Put your hearing aid in.)

- 'Put your hearing aid in. '

- I don't like wearing it.

John's talking about going

home for Christmas.

They can't operate

until January.

BOB:
Your mum'll like that.

We'll fly you back down, John.

He's had a pneumothorax.

The airlines won't let him

fly, but I'll drive him down.

(All speak foreign language)

I found it in the drawer

ofthe desk.

I have some concerns.

Why is Tim getting everything?

(Softly) I want to make sure

he's alright if I die.

I'm sorry,

I didn't get any ofthat.

He said he wants to make sure

I'm alright if he dies.

Tim, your will is,

um, made out similarly.

It is.

So, if John dies first,

you inherit his belongings,

then say you die

a month later,

everything goes

to your family?

I don't think that's fair.

I put John through school

and college,

and I think I deserve half.

Who owns the television

and the video?

BOB:
And the bed?

Some things we bought

together. Can I have a look?

Just trying to remember who

bought the Vegemite last.

- It was probably you, John.

- Yes, you go through it.

- Hurts my lungs to laugh.

- Oh, sorry.

And the boy videos -

your family would enjoy

Frisky Pool Party 7.

That's right!

(Coughs)

Tim, the car isn't yours.

TIM:
No, but I need it.

BOB:
John told Lois

that you had to have a scan.

TIM:
Did he, now?

- For your eyes.

- My eyes are fine, Bob.

- Something in your brain.

- No, that's not right.

I'm on medication.

I am allowed to drive.

I'm sorry, John.

I helped pay for that car.

I would like it to come back

to Melbourne, please.

Might find something to eat.

And some little red dots

to mark up the apartment.

Some things are only fair.

You're telling people

I have cancer?

It's AIDS, Dad.

The cancer is from AIDS.

BOB:
That's something you have

to take up with your mother.

I'm taking it up with you.

I'm not ashamed

ofwhat I have.

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT:

Forever And A Year

Say, I maybe gone today

I maybe going tomorrow

Butdo notfear

Mydarling, I am here

Whatare you saying, pray?

Whatare you

trying to tell me?

You will stayhere

Foreverand a year...

Will you screw me?

Say, can you see them there?

Those darkened clouds

in the distance

So close to here

We oughtto go, mydear

Whatare you saying, pray?

There's onlybrightskies

aboutus

Justlook away

Justturn the other way

A drop ofrain, I swear

I feltupon myforehead...

(John coughs)

I cannot wipe mybrow

'Twas nota drop ofrain

And nowyourhands

I am holding

It was a tear

Foreverand a year

Foreverand a year

Foreverand a year.

I can't kiss you. You've got

this thing on your face.

How's he doing?

LOIS:
This is Peter.

He helped resuscitate John.

PETER:
Hey, Tim.

- Peter!

- Hey.

LOIS:
You know each other?

TIM:
From the gay group

at uni.

We've had a few

ofthe Gaysoc boys through.

Who from Gaysoc?

They here now?

PETER:
Tim, have you eaten?

TIM:
I'm good.

Mrs Caleo?

We're not supposed to, but

I could speak to the kitchen.

LOIS:
Oh, I'm fine, thanks.

Tim? I thought Lois had...

I offered.

Just gotta grab something

for John from under the tree.

Right. Come in, come in.

I'll help you.

I wrapped most ofthem.

I'm just after the one

from John to me.

The funeral will be held

at a church here in Melbourne,

and we don't want people

making statements.

You mean about AIDS?

And the whole... gay thing.

Everybody knows anyway.

No need.

TIM:
You know that's against

John's wishes?

Be it on your conscience.

Such a tragedy.

How did this happen?

It's a Stable Table!

So you can eat

in front ofthe teev.

Better than the pyjamas

Mum got me.

Suppose you're not gonna keep

the wrapping.

(Gasps) Darling!

What on earth is it?

It's a document holder,

for writing.

It's got a little motorised

clamp that moves up and down

when you use the foot pedal.

It's... bizarre.

You don't like it?

It's good. I just don't know

that the clamp is that useful.

You always have to tell

the truth, don't you, Timothy?

It's for when you write.

I'll use it. I promise.

The first present

you ever gave me

was wrapped

in Essendon colours.

Sounds right.

Bryan Ferry's

Let's Stick Together.

How do you remember that?

I remember everything.

You said you saw him

on Countdown

and he made you feel

a bit sweaty.

- Did I?

- (Laughs)

- What a poof.

- (Laughs)

(Coughs)

Tim...

.. when they revived me,

before I came around...

.. I was just not here

for a bit,

and it was so easy, Timba.

Are you OK hearing that?

No!

I'm not ready for you to go.

We've said our goodbyes.

Haven't we?

You can't go

without me at your side.

That's the deal.

(John groans)

(Wheezes)

(Moans)

Oh, shut up, John.

We're trying to sleep(!)

(Both laugh)

He was my favourite.

I'm not supposed to say it -

all my boys

are wonderful, but...

.. he was my favourite.

Never a problem.

Lois, do you mind

if I have a moment with John?

I ought to stretch my legs,

any rate.

In the schoolyard,

I noticed a boy.

Just...

listening to his friends

with his hands

in his pockets.

Smiling.

What is it about his face?

In class, lined up my books

and tartan pencil case...

.. and watched the door.

Then he walked in.

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