High Tide (2024)

[bunniefuu]

(waves crashing)

(waves continue crashing)

(panting)

(coughs, gasps)

(speaking in Portuguese)

(gasping)

(insects chirping)

(leaves rustling)

(wind chimes tinkling)

(bicycle approaching)

(exhales)

(shower running)

(spoon scraping)

(recording, voice-over):

Hi. This is Joe.

Please leave a message,

and I'll call you right back.

Thank you.

(beeps)

(insects chirping)

(chirping continues)

(birds chirping)

(chirping continues)

(door opening)

(door creaking shut)

-Can you hear them laughing?

-Oh.

This water makes them so happy.

-Good morning.

-Morning.

These are gonna be

beautiful blue flowers.

Huh. How are you, Scott?

I'm good, thank you.

-You're-you're going to work?

-Yeah.

I'm-I'm going to make meatballs

tonight, if you're interested.

-Yeah. Very much, thanks.

-(chuckles): Ah. Okay.

-Have a good day.

-You, too. You, too.

Be careful with that bike,

because the chain is old.

LOURENO:

Yeah. I know.

(chimes)

(vacuum whirring)

(seagulls squawking)

(seal barking)

SCOTT (voice-over):

I was frozen.

Obviously, this guy

was an as*h*le,

but I didn't know what to say.

And then Michael stood up,

with his glass in his hand,

and he said, "I'm sorry, sir,

but this is a public restroom

"and I'm on a date

with this handsome gentleman.

"And if you despise us so much,

"why don't you pay your check

"and go find

the best shrink in town,

'cause there's a good chance

that you are a f*gg*t as well."

(both laughing)

He just said that.

I love this story.

Have I told you that before?

Oh, I'm so sorry.

-I'm so sorry.

-Oh, no.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

You don't have to do-- No.

You don't have

to earn your keep here.

This dinner was for you.

Just...

But what I meant to say is,

it was in that moment

that I knew

he was the man for me,

for life.

After two weeks,

we were moving in together.

There was no reason to wait.

Life was so precious

for so many of us.

And then everyone was moving

to Provincetown,

either to heal or to die.

So we moved here.

Our first house was right

at the end of this street.

It was a little rental.

Tell you something,

in those days

there were more cats

than there were dogs.

And no coyotes,

if you can imagine that.

Mm.

This, um,

this was a long time ago.

And, um...

I healed, and he...

he didn't.

How was the beach today?

I haven't seen

a-a sunset at Herring Cove

for a very long time.

-It was beautiful.

It always is.

-Yeah?

-You should come

with me someday.

-No, I...

I have sand issues.

Plus, there are

so many projects here.

Did you see the new fence?

Yeah? And I fixed the glass

on your door there.

I...

I don't know what I would do

-if it wasn't for you.

-Come on.

You are young, you're handsome.

You could go anywhere,

you could do anything.

Not really.

The only place I could

actually go is home.

And, uh...

I don't want to.

No.

This is your home.

Now, can you...

ask for an extension

on your visa?

For what, getting dumped?

I could try.

Oh, I'm sorry. I'm so...

Have you heard from Joe at all?

No.

Not since he left.

Have you heard from him?

No.

He only calls

when he needs something.

And season's over, so...

Where did you guys meet again?

Um...

In Rio. Last winter.

Right. At Disneyland.

I was there for work.

Well, he wasn't. I know that.

I'm sorry it didn't work out,

and it would've been great,

but you know something?

True love...

is something else.

It really is.

And you remember that.

And forget about him.

(sighs):

I know.

-It's pathetic, huh?

-No.

No, it's not pathetic, it's...

tragic, maybe.

(both chuckle)

All right.

-Let me at least clear

the table. Please.

-No. No.

You... you stop that.

Go have some fun. Come here.

You can stay here

as long as you like.

Yeah, well,

my visa expires in a month,

so I have to figure

something out.

SCOTT: Well,

we'll work on that, but...

Oh, hugs are good.

You go.

-Tchau.

-SCOTT: Tchau.

-Have a good night.

-SCOTT: Thank you.

(insects chirping)

(recording): Hi. This is Joe.

Please leave a message,

and I'll call you right back.

Thank...

(sighs)

(beat-heavy music playing)

(low chatter)

(pulsing instrumental music

playing)

(muffled TV playing)

Come on in.

Put your stuff over here.

You don't look Brazilian.

(panting)

Ooh.

No, no, no. No.

-Wait, wait.

-What? Just a little bit.

I'm clean. (exhales)

-(springs creaking)

-(man moaning with pleasure)

Oh, I'm gonna come.

Oh, I'm gonna come.

No. No, not inside, please.

(groaning)

Ah...

(panting)

(sighs)

(speaking in Portuguese)

Oh...

(grunts)

(sighs)

(birds chirping)

Can I have a cigarette?

I forgot mine.

(laughing, mutters)

Hey, have you ever done

any interior house painting?

Hmm?

-No.

-No?

So... (sighs)

I got to paint a house

up in Truro tomorrow,

and I don't want to do it

by myself.

I'd like to get it done

pretty fast.

You want to give it a try?

Come work with me tomorrow?

-Yeah.

-You know, see how it goes?

-Sure.

-Good.

It's my sh*t ex-wife.

f*cking "artiste."

Leave the key on the table

when you're done.

There's a check-in

later on today.

Oh, yeah, and I, uh...

I forgot my wallet

in my other pants,

so, um...

I'll pay you the rest tomorrow.

(keys jingling)

(chain slips off)

(tires squeal)

(dog barking in distance)

(footsteps approaching)

Tourists.

(indistinct chatter)

They're all straight,

and they don't even tip well.

Mm.

Here. You can keep it.

I have so many.

-Thank you.

-You know it's for

before you're exposed,

though, right?

I mean, something's better

than nothing, I guess.

He said he was clean.

Yes.

But if you're worried,

you should really get PEP.

I'll come with you.

I don't mind.

Hmm?

I don't have papers, remember?

You think I like

cleaning toilets?

It's a g*y clinic.

They're not gonna check

your immigration status.

I don't know.

I don't think I should.

I...

I asked here for you.

They don't think

they can sponsor you.

We're not hiring anybody,

anyway,

'cause we're closing soon

for the winter.

I'm sorry, though, babe.

Thank you.

When's Daddy coming back,

though?

-Hmm?

-(sniffles)

I don't know really.

I have my fingers crossed

for you then...

my sad, sad little boy.

-(sniffles)

-(laughs)

Dimo, come on.

DIMO:

Coming, my love. Coming.

I'll see you at Tea? Yeah?

Okay, one tablet a day.

Bye. Love you.

(seagull squawking)

(waves crashing)

(seagull squawking)

(water splashing)

Watch out for sharks.

There's plenty around here.

Yeah, I know.

I don't mind. I-I love swimming

in open water.

(chuckles):

And they love eating you alive.

Maybe that's a good way to go.

That's kind of dark.

Yeah.

Sorry.

Hey, where's your accent from?

Spain?

Uh...

Brazil.

Cool. Which part?

It's a small town

in the countryside.

Okay.

What's it called?

Itu.

"Ee-too"?

-"Tu."

-"Eh-too"?

Itu.

-"Ee-too." "Itoo." (chuckles)

-"Tu."

Sounds like a fun place.

Not really.

What's it like?

You don't really want to know.

(chuckles):

It's that bad?

(both chuckling)

I mean, is it anything

like this place?

Oh, no.

It's different.

I... I love it here.

It's like a beautiful bubble.

Yeah.

It is, isn't it?

Well, I guess that's

what the sharks are for.

To keep us humble.

(man chuckles)

-All right, see ya.

-See ya.

Hey, you want to take a swim

in the back?

-In the back?

-Yeah.

Visiting?

LOURENO:

Uh... yeah, sort of.

Got here in July.

Not sure how long I'm staying.

MAN: Oh, wow. I've barely

been off this summer.

I'm just here for the week.

I leave on Saturday.

LOURENO (voice-over):

That was fun.

I can't believe

I didn't notice this before.

It's one of the silver linings

of the high tide.

(shudders)

Getting a little cold.

WOMAN:

Maurice!

Maurice!

I'm Maurice, by the way.

(chuckles)

I'm Loureno.

-Good to meet you, Loureno.

-You, too.

Remember, if you see a seal,

get out of the water.

Where there's a seal,

there's always a shark.

LOURENO (chuckles):

Okay.

(playing nearby): Do what

I gotta do, make moves

-Move when I gotta move

-Stay true to ya

Anywhere I'm at

You now I'm coming back

Find the dial

then turn it up

All I really want is more

They're gonna know our names

by the time we go

-(laughter)

-I don't need the world...

Yes.

("Stay United" by Raphael Lake

& Aaron Levy playing nearby)

MAURICE:

Hey, Loureno.

There's, uh, a full moon party

on the beach tonight.

Whatever it takes...

You want to come?

Um... I don't know.

-What time?

-Uh...

I don't know, like 9:00.

It's at the sunset parking lot.

You know where?

It's, uh, on the far side

of the beach

by the public restrooms.

I have to work early tomorrow,

so...

All right,

well, come if you can.

My friends are fun.

Okay. Thanks.

Yeah. Hope to see you there.

Just how I like it

We stay united

It's got to be you,

got to be you.

(sizzling)

(insects trilling)

(speaking in Portuguese)

(breathes deeply)

(insects trilling)

(sighs)

(insects chirping)

-(lively chatter)

-(upbeat music playing)

-(laughter)

-(music continues)

Ooh, who do we have here? Hi.

Oh. Oh, my gosh.

You're Maurice's friend.

Um, hi. Welcome.

He should be around here

somewhere.

-I think maybe you'll...

-Girl, change the music.

You have played this song,

like, four times.

Okay. Oh, my God.

Uh, well, I hooked up

with the bassist,

and it's a great song,

so we're playing it again.

Oh, God, not this again.

Hi. I'm BJ.

Uh, it's just my name.

It's not like a clever thing.

Hi. I-I'm Loureno.

I'm Leslie.

-Mwah, mwah.

-(chuckles)

Where are you from?

Um, I'm from Brazil.

(gasps)

Oh, Brazil. Oh.

Eu falo portugus.

(speaking Portuguese)

Um...

-(struggles with Portuguese)

-Mm.

You know, I am gonna go

change this song.

-You're right.

-Yeah. They don't speak

Portuguese.

They learned a few phrases

for Grindr.

Come on, baby.

(quietly):

Hey.

Uh, so, what about you?

Where are you from?

I was born and raised

in Manhattan,

but I'm first-generation

Bushwick.

Oh. I-I don't know what that...

But, I mean,

I've heard of Bushwick.

-Don't worry about it. (laughs)

-Hey, you made it.

-Hi. Yes.

-Ah, what's up?

-I'm glad you came.

-Yeah.

Do you want me

to get you a drink?

He's just about

to ask you that.

(both chuckle)

-(quiet chatter)

-What you want, mmm

I can provide it

What you got, no,

I can't live without it

-And every time

I see you...

-WOMAN: Maurice?

-(yelps)

-MAURICE: Oh, my...!

Crystal, are you okay?

(laughs):

I'm sorry, Maurice.

(sighs)

Oh.

Hi.

-Hi.

-CRYSTAL: Gorgeous.

-I'm Crystal.

-Hi.

You better watch out,

'cause I'm very addictive.

-(Maurice chuckles)

-CRYSTAL: I'm sorry.

-That's a bad joke, isn't it?

-Yeah.

I'm-a be at the bar.

(giggling):

Yeah.

(both chuckling)

(chuckles):

Oh, my God. Is she okay?

-She's fine.

-(laughs)

(fading): And no, I can't

move any faster, baby...

LOURENO:

Your friends are crazy.

(Maurice laughs)

I said they were fun, not nice.

(laughing)

I only got invited

because someone got their fill

and decided to go home.

So, you got here

at the beginning of summer?

LOURENO:

Yeah.

With my boyfriend.

Um... (inhales sharply)

We were traveling for a while.

He goes to all kinds of places

for work,

and, uh,

I guess he got his fill

and decided to go home, too.

Without me.

(quietly):

So...

I'm here.

-Hmm.

-That's there I am.

Kind of an ex-boyfriend.

Kind of an ex-boyfriend. Yeah.

(sighs)

So, what do you do?

You say you're working

tomorrow morning.

I, uh...

I clean.

Houses.

You know, vacation rentals.

I'm here on a tourist visa.

I can't really work,

but... (inhales sharply)

I need the money, so...

ill*gal swimmer. Sexy.

(both chuckle)

I was an accountant in Brazil.

Oh.

What about you? What do you do?

I'm a nurse.

-A nurse?

-(laughs) Yeah.

Oh, wow. Now, that's sexy.

Not if you work

at Flushing Hospital in Queens

it ain't. (chuckles)

Trust me.

But, uh, I just got approved

for a fellowship abroad.

I'm going to Angola.

-Angola?

-Yeah, it's in Africa.

-Yeah, I know. Wow.

-Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, it's gonna...

it's gonna be nice.

I really need the change.

And they need nurses

over there, so...

You know they have

more sheep than humans?

More ship?

(chuckles):

No, sheep.

Like, "bah."

-Oh, sheep, okay.

-(laughter)

So, you, uh...

-You love animals

more than humans.

-(chuckles)

I have to deal with a lot

of people all the time, so...

It's just nice

when I can be away from them.

I like being alone.

I'm not afraid of that.

You?

No, I'm not afraid of

being alone.

Not of that.

Actually, I'm alone

most of the time.

So, what are you afraid of?

(inhales deeply)

What am I...?

I don't know. Um...

-God?

-God?

That's interesting.

LOURENO:

I don't know. I, uh...

I said too many lies already.

To too many people.

Do you think

they'll get you to hell?

They got me to America.

Well, now, that's hell.

It's not, it's not...

It's not what I meant.

Where I grew up is...

all about Jesus.

You live in this constant fear

of being damned

if you don't acknowledge the

fact that Jesus died for you.

Every single day, I mean.

Yeah, I get it.

(chuckles)

I grew up Catholic.

-Evangelical.

-(exhales) Ooh-la-la.

Catholicism on steroids.

(chuckles)

I couldn't even grow

my hair long.

-Oh, you poor thing.

-(laughs)

MAURICE:

No, I get it, though. I mean,

I think, uh, Jesus

was a pretty cool dude.

He liked people.

All of 'em.

He didn't discriminate

against anyone.

He performed

some pretty awesome miracles.

And He broke the rules, a lot.

And he had long hair.

Period.

(laughing)

What about you?

What are you afraid of?

The police.

I don't want to end up

like Jesus.

(chuckles)

(exhales)

(indistinct chatter nearby)

MAURICE: You think anyone

has ever looked at the moon

and thought, "Meh"?

(chuckles softly)

CRYSTAL (shouting):

Hey!

The tide is coming in!

LOURENO:

I better get back.

-MAURICE: Yeah,

it's getting late.

-Yeah.

Hey, have dinner with me.

Tomorrow.

No expectations.

("Misneach" by Sebastian Plano

playing)

("Misneach" continues playing)

-(man speaks indistinctly)

-(music ends)

Uh, shouldn't take too long.

I, I brought a guy with me.

(continues indistinctly)

Hey, what are you doing?

Just get the stuff

out of the truck.

Yeah. (continues indistinctly)

(sighs heavily)

Okay, look, uh,

look, I'm gonna do up here.

Why don't you go downstairs

and go work on the baseboards?

Well, go.

(birds chirping)

(hinges creaking)

(quietly):

Sorry.

(footsteps approaching)

Do you like this color?

Um, yeah.

No, you don't.

I'm sorry for earlier.

Don't worry about it,

I was in my bliss state.

Would you like me

to paint that room, too?

No, thank you, absolutely not.

No, I'm the only one

who paints in there.

(laughs):

Okay.

Are you hungry?

(voice-over):

Do you want some cheese?

A salad?

Or I can make you

a turkey sandwich.

LOURENO:

Okay.

Okay. Okay to what?

You know, options are wonderful

as long as you know

what you want.

A salad is great, thanks.

Salad's my specialty.

What's yours?

I know you're not just

a professional houseboy.

Mm, I don't, I don't know.

I don't have a specialty,

I think.

I bet you do.

(footsteps approaching)

(sighs)

What are you doing here?

Oh, we're-we're making lunch.

What would you like?

This isn't f*cking Panera

Bread. You done downstairs?

-LOURENO: Yep.

-Let's go.

We'll finish tomorrow.

Um, Bob, I can't tomorrow.

I told you that.

BOB:

Oh, Jesus.

(sighs) Go clean all

the brushes with warm water.

And don't let 'em soak.

Um...

Well, you said

you could do this in one day.

Yeah. But it needs

a second coat, Miriam.

Yeah, I know that. Well,

you-you said that you could...

Can you come on Friday?

(mockingly):

"Can you come on Friday?"

Unbelievable.

-You're regressing, you

know that?

-Yeah.

(inhales deeply)

This from the woman

who spends all f*cking day

finger-painting.

f*ck off. I'll see you Friday.

Loureno, come on.

MIRIAM:

Thanks, Loureno!

SCOTT:

Uh, uh, Loureno!

(stammers)

Come in, come in!

(hinges creaking)

I haven't seen you all day.

Sit, sit.

Uh...

Okay.

Have you met my neighbor Todd?

He and his husband,

they live in Hawaii,

but they just bought

the house next door.

Have you ever met them?

-I don't think so.

-No?

I don't really know them

at all.

But Todd is a lawyer,

and they say

he's a very good one.

And I just thought

he might have some ideas.

You know,

to help you out, to...

help you get a visa.

-Oh, wow.

-Yeah.

-So I invited him over

-(phone chimes)

for a-a bite

on-on Friday night.

He's just here a few days.

Is that-- is that all right

with you?

-Yes, of course.

-Friday night? Okay.

-Sure.

-Okay. Well, don't make

any plans for that night then.

-Yeah. Okay.

-Okay.

What should I bring?

Should I cook for us?

Yeah. Sure, you can.

-Thanks. (chuckles)

-Thank you.

Now, tonight, I was gonna make,

uh, chicken Milanese.

I don't know

if you're interested.

I'm so tired tonight.

I worked all day.

Oh. Well, now,

that makes sense.

-Okay. Okay. Okay.

-Okay.

You get some sleep, sweetheart,

and get rest.

-Yes.

-Okay. (chuckles)

Thank you so much, Scott.

-Of course.

-(phone chimes)

(hinges creaking)

(screen closes)

("Imigrantes" by Rog playing)

(man singing in Portuguese)

(inhales deeply)

LOURENO: So when Joe

invited me here, I-I...

couldn't get it out of my head,

but I didn't know

how to face my mom.

So I made up this lie about

getting accepted into Harvard.

MAURICE:

Really? That's unbelievable.

(chuckles)

Guess I just...

I just needed

to get out of there.

And be able to be myself.

All I knew about being g*y

was...

h*m*.

You have no idea.

I think I do.

I mean, I grew up in Richmond,

and...

that's no joke.

And it definitely wasn't cool

to be g*y in my hood.

My dad, he was...

actually the best about it

out of anyone.

My mom, she kind of lost it

for a few months, but...

she eventually came around.

Mm.

(chuckles)

Harvard.

Are you serious?

It had to look big

or she would never let me go.

Should have seen all the

fake paperwork I prepared

for this fake master.

The Harvard logo

and everything.

(chuckling)

Are your parents

still together?

No. My dad passed

just recently.

I'm sorry.

Yeah. Um...

I miss him a lot.

He was amazing.

Uh, what about you?

What did your father say?

Well...

my mom is both my parents.

And she doesn't know.

Thank you.

Thank you, Dimo.

My pleasure.

(mouthing)

Have you traveled a lot?

Me?

No, I haven't been anywhere,

really.

But I've always had a sense

that my life was happening

without me,

somewhere far away.

Was it here?

Joe was here.

But I always wanted

to come to the U.S. anyway.

I always thought this was

the best place in the world.

Everything is so broken here.

Sometimes I feel

like a stranger.

What?

You're the American one.

Right.

I was six years old

when a white man told me

and my dad

to go back to Africa.

I'm almost 36 years old today,

and look around.

Look.

There's literally no one here

who looks like me.

I counted...

five in town.

Five in four days.

One of them was Crystal.

So, yeah, I'm American, but...

...sometimes I wish I wasn't.

(crickets chirping)

(dog barking in distance)

(hinges creaking)

Damn.

This place is cute.

(door closes)

I know.

I wish

I could stay here forever.

Yeah, it's, um...

it's really special.

Suits you well.

I'm gonna go to the restroom.

All right.

(toilet flushing)

(water running)

Um...

Can I...

can I get you anything?

(jacket drops to floor)

(breathing deeply)

(inhales deeply)

(breathing heavily)

(soft moaning)

(panting)

Do... do you...

do you have a condom?

Uh, I don't.

I'm on... I'm on PrEP.

Yeah, are you...

are you on PrEP?

Um, I-I just started, so, I...

You have a condom?

I do. I...

I'll go get it.

-(sighs)

-Dude, you know what?

Don't worry about it.

-You okay?

-Yeah, I am.

Sorry.

It's cool. Come here.

(Maurice groans)

(both panting)

Oh, don't stop.

(Maurice moaning)

(both panting)

(Maurice moans)

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

Right there. Right there.

Right there.

(Maurice moaning)

Oh, that's it. Oh, f*ck.

(Maurice moans loudly)

(Maurice panting)

-(Maurice panting)

-(Loureno moaning softly)

-I'm sorry. I just...

-(panting)

Oh.

Man.

(both panting)

What about you?

It's okay.

Don't worry.

(panting)

(moans)

(panting)

("Is It Any wonder?" Durand

Jones & The Indications plays)

This road

-(barking)

-Is gonna take us back now

You look so fine

I don't know how to act now

They say, "My child"

"Don't stroll off easy"

"'Cause when it"...

-Where'd you get that from?

-(song continues)

I don't know.

Some thrift store.

I think I stole it.

(both laugh)

-Hey!

-Hi.

(laughs)

What's up?

Aw. That's so sweet.

-Can I have one, too?

-Yes.

(Crystal laughs)

So, you're coming

to Sinners and Saints

tomorrow, aren't you?

He is coming to Sinners

and Saints tomorrow, right?

You want to come

to Sinners and Saints?

-It's tomorrow.

-Sure.

Fabulous.

Make yourself at home.

Okay.

And when it's time...

-You want some?

-Um, no thank you.

-I need to eat first.

-Okay.

I'll take some.

Thank you.

Bon apptit.

Mm. Thank you.

And you...

Hey, BJ, what's in this?

This isn't tobacco, right?

What is this,

peppermint? Flowers?

Hey, BJ?

So, I'm...

She thinks she's so clever.

So, you're Brazilian,

not Mexican?

Yeah.

-You got some...

-Oh.

(speaking in Portuguese)

- Yeah.

BJ: Can I have my joint back,

please?

I was in a Mexican movie

not too long ago.

He just said he was Brazilian.

-Well, it wasn't a real movie.

-BJ: Here we go.

But you kind of look

like that actor.

Slash, director.

In the face.

-Yeah.

-CRYSTAL: You know?

-You're an actress?

-Me?

(laughing):

Oh, God, no.

Mm, I'm a movie star, honey.

(both laugh)

(Maurice sighs)

There she is.

Lord. Oh, I'm exhausted.

I just got plowed by,

like, five different guys.

Spit roasted.

And yet,

I have still not found love.

-(Maurice laughs)

-CRYSTAL: Shocker.

I know.

-I'm gonna go in the water.

-Ooh, me, too.

Hey, you want to come?

Sure.

Let's go.

(Maurice grunts)

LESLIE:

Babe.

It's a nude beach.

What's with the shorts?

Hey, you don't have to.

(indistinct chatter, laughter)

Is it any wonder?

(whooping)

Is it any wonder?

(indistinct chatter, laughter)

Is it any wonder?

(song ends)

("Honey Honey" Larry Wagstaff

& Isla Moony playing )

Huh-huh, huh-honey

Huh-huh, huh-huh, honey

Huh-huh, honey...

Huh-huh, huh-huh, honey...

Mmm. Hmm.

Hey, babycakes.

Has the pill kicked in yet?

Not yet.

When is it supposed to?

-Will you shut the f*ck up?

-(laughing)

In this life

We get so crazy

So rude, boy

Don't be so lazy

Flowers on my mind

Sunshine on the breeze

Take a load off,

get into this beat

Sunshine on my mind

Flowers on the breeze

Sunshine on my mind

Ooh, ooh-ooh

Honey, honey...

(soft moaning)

(panting)

(sighs)

(crickets chirping)

MAURICE: Yes, one pepperoni

and one cheese. Yup.

-That's it.

-(phone buzzing)

Okay, great.

(phone buzzing)

Can I have a drag?

Do you want one?

-No, no. We can share.

-Okay.

-I'm all about sharing.

-(laughs softly)

Hey, you want

to see something funny?

It's right here in my wallet.

(door creaking)

Oh, my God. Is that you?!

-(chuckles)

-Look at your hair!

Yeah. Yeah, I had a lot, too.

(laughs)

(laughs)

How do you say "handsome"

in Portuguese?

-Bonito.

-Bonito.

-Good. (laughs)

-(laughs)

Tell me something

in your language.

-Teach me.

-What?

I... I don't know.

I mean, um...

Read this for me.

(Loureno sighs)

Okay. (clears throat)

(sighs)

(speaking in Portuguese)

What is it?

It's a...

It's a poem

about going back home.

Oh. Is that what you want?

No. I don't.

Hmm.

And what is it...

that you want?

(speaking Portuguese)

Ah. And what does that mean?

I want you to do it again.

Maybe you should do it

this time.

Really?

Why are you so surprised?

I don't know.

You're such a stud.

-What?

-Nothing.

-What's wrong?

-Nothing. It's just, um...

It's just... (sighs)

It's typically just white guys

who assume I'm a top

right out the gate

and call me a stud.

It's... it's weird.

I'm verse.

Oh, I-I don't mind.

I can... I can be verse, too.

(Maurice sighs)

(water running)

(water running)

(birds chirping)

(Maurice sighs softly)

(speaking in Portuguese)

-I made you some coffee.

-Mm.

Thank you.

Careful. It's hot.

Mmm.

LOURENO: Oh, no, no, no.

I have bad breath.

-MAURICE: Oh, yeah? (kissing)

-Bad breath.

-MAURICE: Yes, it's so bad.

-(laughs)

I sent you the address

for tonight--

the Sinners and Saints party

Crystal was talking about?

-Oh. Great.

-Yeah, it could be fun.

Yeah. Uh, I-I just have

this dinner with Scott

and a friend of his.

-He's a lawyer.

-Oh.

-Yeah. Good luck with that.

-Thanks.

-Maybe after?

-Yeah, maybe.

Okay.

(engine idling)

You're not coming?

I got a doctor's appointment.

You start

with the living room first,

then do the kitchen, okay?

Loureno, it looks great.

-Good morning.

-Hi.

Where's Bob?

Um, I think he went

to the doctor.

(sighs)

(rain pattering)

MIRIAM: This is more

of my most recent work,

really, of the-the

last few years.

It was like a scream

inside my head.

Actually just had

to follow the brush.

-(chuckles)

-They are so beautiful.

Mm.

-Thank you.

-So alive. I mean...

(sighs) Wow.

(chuckles)

(chuckles) This one here,

with the colors of Brazil.

-Oh, yes, yes.

-I love it.

Wow.

Oh, well that's my early work.

Nothing remarkable.

But I didn't really know

what I was doing.

I guess I was doing

what everyone was doing,

what everyone

expected me to do.

It felt very safe.

Then I-I met

the most wonderful person,

and then we fell in love,

and that's when...

-(Loureno chuckles)

-...the colors.

(Miriam chuckles)

I mean, how-how many times

have you seen...

How many times?

(sighs)

I just...

was trying so hard to please,

and for so long.

I never really realized

nobody's watching.

No one. (chuckles)

(rain falling)

SCOTT:

C-Can I help you?

Oh, hey, um...

-Yeah, I was just

looking for...

-For what?

I'm sorry, who are you?

No, who are you, please?

I'm Maurice.

I'm a-a friend of Loureno's,

and I-I left my wallet here.

Last night.

Oh, last night. Uh...

-(stammers)

-Yeah, and I-I just found it.

It was, uh,

it was under the bed.

Well, I-I'm sorry. Uh...

If you will just close the

door, please, when you leave.

Yeah, sure.

(recording, voice-over):

Hi. This is Joe.

Please leave a message,

and I'll call you right back.

-Thank you.

-(beeps)

Hi. Um, it's me.

(stammers) I don't know if you

got my last text, but, um...

I was hoping we could talk.

I'm fine, and really

it's just, uh...

I thought it'd be nice.

Um... Anyway,

have a good night.

(vehicle approaching)

(brakes squeaking)

(turns off engine)

(grunts):

Okay, kid, let's go.

-MIRIAM: Bob. Hey.

-Oh, Jesus Christ.

Where have you been?

BOB:

I had sh*t to do.

Well, what-what about this?

Because Loureno

did all of this

-by himself today.

-BOB: So what?

-Hey, kid, where's the ladder?

-LOURENO: Oh, I'll go get it.

Get the f*cking ladder.

Bob.

I paid you twice as much

as you asked for.

You told me that

you needed money.

BOB: Do you need

the money back, Miriam?

Well, that's not the problem,

you know that.

-BOB: So what's the problem?

-I-I'm...

I want to help.

So, now, all of a sudden,

you're feeling guilty?

No, Bob. No.

I don't feel guilty.

Where's Suzanne, by the way?

Get sick and tired

of her as well?

Is that why you're renovating?

-(truck door slams shut)

-(engine starts)

She's in Connecticut,

and she went to see her mother.

BOB:

You know, f*ck this.

Bob!

You know that I care,

and I always will.

Then why don't you give me

a f*cking break, Miriam?

LOURENO:

Right here. Thank you.

(turns off engine)

-Thanks.

-Yeah.

Uh, wait. Here.

Please take this.

-I really shouldn't.

-I-I'm sure that he forgot.

Thank you.

Don't worry about him.

He's-he's not angry with you.

He's angry with me.

I broke his heart when I fell

in love with Suzanne,

and then it just... (sighs)

You know it's inevitable.

You might break someone's heart

on the way to opening your own.

Okay.

It's always worth it.

(chuckles)

Okay.

(door opens)

Well, we keep looking

for the colors.

Yeah.

-Thanks.

-(chuckles)

(engine starting)

(sighs)

(sighs)

SCOTT: They come here,

they buy everything,

-destroy anything.

-TODD: Mm-hmm.

SCOTT:

And they sell it.

TODD:

Or rent it as a B and B.

SCOTT: That's not what

you're gonna do with it, is it?

TODD (laughing):

We can't be here all the time.

May we all live love enough

to be replaced then

by a... by a Chipotle.

(both laugh)

-Oh.

-Oh. Here... he is.

-Oh, here he is.

-Oh!

-Hi.

-You must be Loureno.

-Yes.

-Hi. I'm Todd.

-Hi.

-Nice to meet you.

You, too. (laughs)

Oh, lasagna.

It's my mom's recipe.

I love lasagna! Thank you.

You look so familiar.

Now, have we met before?

I don't know.

Maybe in July

when you were here. Uh...

Maybe we met

in another lifetime.

-Ah.

-(laughing)

-Well, sit down. Sit down.

-Yeah.

I'll put this in the oven.

Okay. Sit, sit, sit.

Oh. Ooh, wine?

Um, yeah, sure.

You won't find anything

like it.

It's from Argentina,

home of the best Malbec

in the world.

-Thank you.

-Try it.

-(glasses clink)

-Oh.

-Hmm?

-It's nice.

(Todd laughs)

Now where is home

for you, darling?

(singsongy):

I detect an accent.

Yeah. I was born in Brazil.

Uh. Beautiful country.

Beautiful men. (chuckles)

Terrible wine.

(Todd laughs loudly)

So, Scott told me that are you

-undocumented.

-Yes.

Now are you in the...

entertainment field?

'Cause you look like an actor.

Don't tell me

you entertain gentlemen.

(Todd chuckles)

(laughs)

Um, no.

Um... I'm an accountant.

-Hmm.

-Yeah.

Um, and I'm here

on a tourist visa

that expires in October.

I would love to apply

for a working visa.

Any type, really, but...

But you need a sponsor,

or an employer.

Yes, and nobody will hire me

without papers.

Ugh. It's getting so hard

these days.

What with the crazy politics.

I mean, if you don't have

a special qualification,

-they won't even...

-No, I do. Um, I do.

I have a certificate

in accounting.

-I used to work...

-Yes, yes, yes, yes.

But... it's...

Mm, it's really not

that special.

You know what I mean?

I'm just...

I am just a corporate attorney,

but my husband's sister works

at Homeland Security.

Now, I could put you

in contact with her,

and she could tell you

what's best for your case.

How's that?

It's just a-a simple

consultation over the phone.

(whispers):

Won't cost you a thing.

-SCOTT: Here I am.

-TODD: Oh.

SCOTT:

Just ten more minutes. Sorry.

TODD:

No problemo.

I do not have a date

afterwards.

(Scott and Todd chuckle)

They had no idea

she had brain cancer.

Oh, that is so sad.

I saw them all a month ago

at a fundraising event in town.

She looked fine.

Oh, poor Sally.

-Now the vet...

-Yeah?

-...gave her two months.

-Oh.

Wait, wait.

What event was that?

Oh, it was at the Mary Heaton

Vorse house?

Still trying to raise money

for the LGBTQIAP+ museum.

Can you believe there isn't

one yet in P-town?

I mean,

Michael would be so mad.

-I mean...

-(laughing)

Wait. Wait, wait.

Did you say "I-A"?

I mean, I have fallen behind.

What else?

Was that a... a "P"?

Yeah. Intersex, asexual,

pansexual, plus.

-Hmm. Asexual?

Asexual? Why...? -Mm.

Why should asexuals be

in a group defined by sex?

We are not defined by sex.

Now, to be honest, I still

have a problem with the "Q."

I mean, what does that mean,

really?

And it's not cute.

-It stands for "q*eer."

-Hmm.

-Well, we're...

-Yeah, yeah, yeah.

It used to mean odd.

(chuckles)

Would you like some more?

-TODD: Hmm.

-I'm okay, thanks.

TODD: I guess

it's like the "N" word.

I mean, I can't say it

because I'm not Black,

but they sure can say it,

and they do.

With themselves,

oh, and their rap music.

I don't know.

I don't know. It's...

(Todd inhales

through nose sharply)

I don't have

that many Black friends.

I know

that sounds terrible, but...

Do you?

SCOTT: I do, yes,

but they're all in New York.

TODD:

Oh. And you?

(quietly):

Yeah.

TODD (laughing):

Well, of course you do.

(Todd sighs)

(liquid pouring)

Excuse me.

TODD:

He is...

adorable.

(door closes)

("Tea" by Cobrah plays muffled

in distance)

Hi.

Thank you.

(music grows louder)

(crowd chatter)

Turn it on, cook it up

Make it boil, let it soak

Is it hot? Is it cold?

What degree? Spill the tea

Turn it on, cook it up

Make it boil, let it soak

Is it hot? Is it cold?

What degree? Spill the tea

Turn it on, cook it up

Make it boil, let it soak

Is it hot? Is it cold?

What degree?

Spill the tea...

MAURICE:

Hey! Hey, hey.

-You look great.

-Thank you.

Yeah.

(chuckles)

Oh, my God, you, too.

You're Jesus.

-Thank you. And you like?

-Yeah.

Hi, baby!

-Mwah.

-Look at these.

Hi, Lour, you look amazing.

Oh, my God, we're here!

(laughter)

Oh, what did the lawyer say?

-Um...

-LESLIE: Hey, hey. Ooh.

Let's go outside.

You know sometimes,

in the morning

I just like to talk sh*t

A lot of us,

so what's the tea?

So what's the tea?

What's the tea?

Baby, can we get two cups

as well? Thank you.

I met your friend today.

My friend? Hmm.

-Your landlord?

-Oh, Scott.

Yeah, I guess he wanted

to make sure

I wasn't stealing or something.

Oh, my God, really? I'm sorry.

Don't worry. It's nothing new.

Hey. Okay, let's go.

Okay. Ooh, ooh, ooh, hold on.

What? Who are we looking at?

-The man of my dreams.

-Oh, Lord.

Which one, him?

LESLIE:

Oh, he is cute.

MAURICE:

Ooh. Yes.

LOURENO:

Hi.

What? I... I-I know him.

-Clearly.

-(laughter)

Aw. Hey, who are you

supposed to be, anyway?

Like, some... Oh, my gosh.

Don't tell me. Are you

a "Tom of Finland" character?

-(gasps)

-Who?

Oh, my God. I just love you.

Just save some

for the rest of us, okay?

He's just a friend of a friend,

that's...

Yeah, uh, as much

as I would love to hear

about Loureno's

sexual history,

-what if instead...

-No.

(chuckles):

What if instead

we went to the bathroom

and did drugs

before Crystal finishes

them all?

-Okay, thank you.

-Mm-hmm.

Come on, let's do it.

It's time to go...

BJ:

Close the door, I'm pissing.

-MAURICE: Got you.

-LESLIE: Hello, babies.

-Welcome to my office.

-Hi.

So, what do we want? One dose?

LOURENO:

Um...

-I don't, I don't know.

-Oh.

-Hey, have you ever done G?

-No.

Well, then you should probably

just start with one.

(laughter)

You are gonna fly

to Mars and back.

(laughter)

You know what?

I think I'm okay, thank you.

-Yeah, I got pills.

-It's fine.

Come over here, honey.

Let me fix your face.

LOURENO:

Okay.

LESLIE:

What about you, Mr. Superman?

You so tall.

You want two doses or what?

MAURICE:

Um... (clicks tongue)

(sniffles) You know what?

I'm good, too.

Boys like me

I like boys who like boys

Mama, I like boys

who like boys

Work, I like boys

who like boys

Mama, I like boys

and boys like me

Yeah, boys like me

Yeah, they do, boys like me

Ooh, boys like me

Motherfuckin' boys like me,

b*tch

I like when they shake it,

shake it

I like when they grind

real slow

I like when

they almost naked

Tell Dad I'm so h*m*

Lights off, doors shut,

tall, dark, clean-cut

Thick with a bubble butt,

yup

Mama, I like boys

I like pecs

Like them arms,

when they flex

Like that print

in them sweats

Tell them girls,

"Thank you, next"

I like when they text me

sexy pics of 'em

Like them abs

when there's six of 'em

Tell them girls,

"I'm sorry, I like boys"

Mama, boys like me

Yep, boys like.

-(lively chatter)

-(upbeat song playing)

Hey, how you doing?

Hey. Hey, good. How are you?

I haven't seen you

since Joe left.

Yeah. Been working a lot.

Can I get a tequila and soda,

buddy?

Hey, here you go.

-Oh, thanks.

-MAURICE: Yeah.

-Nice to meet you.

-Yeah, you, too.

Hey, I-I'm glad

to see you're cool, man.

Honestly, I still can't believe

he's getting married.

What are you talking about?

MAN:

Joe.

Oh, f*ck.

Well, I don't understand.

Nobody told you?

You must've known.

Yeah. Of course.

MAN:

Oh, my... Oh, my God, good.

'Cause I was like,

"Ah, this is bad."

But of course you knew.

They've been on and off

forever.

LOURENO:

Yeah.

MAN: All right, I'll...

I'll see you later, okay?

-Okay.

-(kisses)

-MAN: Nice to meet you.

-MAURICE: Yeah, you, too.

All good?

Yeah.

Are you sure? 'Cause

we could do something else.

No, no, I'm okay.

("Famous" by Einar Erlander

and Julia Heslop playing)

Want to dance?

-Yeah, let's go.

-All right.

Don't you want

to be famous?

Fast cars and limousines

Don't you want

to be famous?

You can dance like me

Don't you want

to be famous?

I can be

your crazy dream...

Can I have the pill now?

-Really? Now?

-Yeah.

All right, we can split one.

Come on, give me one.

I can handle it.

Together?

What?

Nothing.

-Thanks.

-No problem.

I'm a star now

Bet you wish you were me

Don't you want

to be famous?

Like me?

Don't you want

to be famous?

Like me?

I cannot believe

you have never seen

"Priscilla,

Queen of the Desert."

That's, like, g*y history.

Oh, please.

g*y history is "Cruising."

-g*y history is choreo...

-Is what? What's "Cruising"?

-Is that a book?

-Are you... Oh, hey, baby.

-Hey.

-Oh, hi. (chuckles)

Where's your Brazilian?

-Dancing.

-Without you?

-(both laugh)

-Yeah.

I think he's kind of...

Oh, my f*cking God,

would you look at that guy?

(gasps)

-He is gorgeous.

-Oh, my... Look at this nose.

-What's wrong with his nose?

-Nothing, honey. It's so big.

(both laugh)

You are such a size queen.

Right, and you're the one

that loves their boyfriends.

(mock laughter)

Where's Crystal?

Oh, she disappeared

with the devil.

-(laughs)

-Hey, what time is it?

It is time for another dose.

-Oh, my God, I love you.

-(laughs) BRB.

(both laugh)

("Reclaim Me" by The Wax Wings,

featuring Nimmo playing)

f*ck. You're so sexy.

Close my eyes

and remind me...

Hey, where are you from?

Yeah, we-we know each other

already.

f*ck, you're right.

Yeah, that was a super fun

morning we spent together, huh?

Uh, it was more of a night.

-What?

-It was night!

Oh, right, man.

It's all a blur.

Yeah.

Every single tear...

Sup?

MAN:

You guys together?

Not really, no.

Oh, f*ck off, man.

Listen, I'm-I'm not

really feeling this.

I think I'm gonna go.

You gonna be okay?

Yeah. Yeah, why wouldn't I?

I'm fine.

But if you want to go,

w-we can catch up later.

Talk with sensors...

All right.

My body is

Reclaim temple

Melting sideways

I'll swallow what you sign

I'll swallow what you sign.

(song fades)

(waves crashing)

(wind whistling)

(waves crashing)

(birds chirping)

SCOTT:

Loureno?

-Loureno.

-(snoring)

-Loureno.

-(inhales sharply)

-(grunts)

-Are you all right?

(hoarse):

Mm-hmm.

-Yes. Yeah.

-Are you sure?

I'm okay, I'm okay.

I-I... I lost my phone.

(sniffs)

Some coffee.

Thank you.

(sighs)

I can drive you to work.

No, it's okay.

You don't have to.

You'll be late.

I won't.

(door closes)

(indistinct chatter nearby)

(baby crying)

(gasps)

Oh, I would die for some.

BJ has been snoring all night.

Well, at least one of us

can get some sleep.

-Mm.

-CRYSTAL: Did you guys

have fun last night?

LESLIE:

I don't know.

Being g*y is, like,

not even fun anymore.

Mm, honey. Being a woman

has never been fun.

-At least, until last night.

-(Leslie chuckles)

-Hello, sweetheart.

-(man laughs softly)

How you doing?

(exhales)

(groans)

(grunts)

(inhales)

(exhales)

(lamp shatters)

BOB (in distance):

What was that?

Uh, nothing.

(footsteps approaching)

-Oh, Jesus Christ.

-I'm sorry.

I'm gonna f*cking charge you

for that, kid.

(sighs)

Okay, just get out of here,

just go downstairs,

clean the patio.

Okay, just get...

Go on. Go, go, go, go.

Go. Get out.

MAURICE:

S-Sorry to bother you here.

I just wanted to say goodbye.

W-What time are you leaving?

Oh, um, with the 10:30 ferry.

I don't have much time,

actually.

I'm sorry about yesterday.

I-I don't know

what came over me.

No, I-I'm sorry.

I should've never left.

Did you get home okay? I...

I texted, I got worried.

Yeah, I lost my phone.

Oh, I... I thought

you'd be mad.

(laughs softly)

Well, it was nice

spending time together.

You're cool.

Yeah. You, too.

You should come visit.

(laughs softly)

Where, in Angola?

Yeah, maybe when you get

your visa.

-If I ever get it.

-You will.

You're smart.

-I don't know about that.

-I do.

I mean, you did go to Harvard.

(both laugh softly)

You know, I admire you a lot.

You know how long

it took for me

to apply to that fellowship?

It takes a lot of bravery

to do what you did.

But you did it.

Well, I'll come back

at some point. (laughs softly)

BOB (in distance):

Loureno!

Goodbye.

(broom clatters)

Of course, when you're

finally about to leave,

you suddenly find

a reason to stay.

Damn.

(Loureno sniffles)

Hey, what if, what if

your life wasn't here?

I mean, what if it was

happening without you,

somewhere else?

I...

I'd keep looking for it,

I guess.

You promise?

I do.

BOB:

Loureno!

Uh, well, I should go,

or I'll miss the ferry.

Yeah.

Tchau.

Tchau.

("Misneach" by Sebastian Plano

playing)

(sniffles)

(music fades)

This isn't f*ck' done.

Loureno.

There's f*ck' dust

everywhere.

Have you done this?

Can't you see the f*ck' dust?

You gotta f*ck'...

You gotta mop it out, kid.

What are you doing?

Can you f*ck' hear me?

Hey, hey!

(snapping fingers)

f*ck'... Wh-what...

What the...

("Misneach" resumes playing)

(bike chain slips off)

("Misneach" continues playing)

(music fades)

(exhales)

(inhales deeply)

(paper rustling)

SCOTT:

Did this break again? I'm so...

It's fine, just give it to me.

Oh, sweetheart, I'm sorry.

Is this about Joe?

Wait. You knew?

You knew he had someone else?

-I'm sorry. I...

-Y-You're sorry?

Yes. I thought

it would get old,

and I thought you'd forget

all about him.

Would you have listened to me

if I'd told you?

He's f*cking getting married.

Of course,

I would have listened.

Well, I'm sorry.

I guess I was trying

to protect you.

-Protect me?

-Yes.

You're here alone.

You're far from home.

I am not more alone

than you are.

I'm just trying

to help you, Loureno.

-Help me? You?

-Yes.

-Wow.

-I'm your friend right now.

No. No, you're not.

You were trying to protect Joe.

That's the truth.

Loureno, please.

-Sweetheart, don't...

-(bike falls to ground)

I hate all of this.

Loureno.

(Loureno sniffles)

(flies buzzing)

(Loureno gagging)

(panting)

(coughs, gasps)

(waves lapping)

(wind chimes tinkling)

(screen opens)

(sobbing)

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.

(birds chirping)

(vacuum whirring)

(vacuum turns off)

(grunting)

Loureno.

Come right in.

Right this way.

(talking low, indistinctly)

Thank you so much.

(speaking in Portuguese)

(waves lapping)

(music ends)