Page 2
Just like the first Shanda Leer song, she doesn’t finish the line. It segues ways right into the scene… She sings, “I cried a river over…”
Vance: YOU look great. Whiskey?
Brian: A little early for happy hour.
V: You're here, I'm happy. (Vance pours them both a glass, hands one to Brian, they clink then take a drink. Brian is staring at Gardner the whole time. He never takes his eyes off him. Sizing him up, perhaps?) So did you hear the news? Stockwell was indicted on account of that young man's murder. Mayor Deekins has demanded his resignation.
B: My, how the mighty have fallen.
V: Damn lucky for Vanguard he didn't bring us down with him. (Us? When did that happen?)
Brian seems so, um, confidant? Maybe. He’s biding his time, allowing Vance to make small talk.
B: Mm hmm
V: So... name your price?
B: For what?
I love this!! He’s going to make him squirm, make him spell out exactly what it is he wants. Brian!! And this is supposed to be the “gracious” part…LOL
V: To come back, of course. We need you here. ‘I’ need you here.
Have I ever said how much I adore Gardner’s voice? I like it. Okay, so he admits it. He NEEDS Brian and that’s what Brian is all about… he LOVES to be needed. So that was the magic word. Now, Brian can stick it to him.
B: I don't know, Gardner, it's not just the matter of the money. There are other issues.
V: Hmmm? (Gardner tenses at what these other issues could be.)
B: Jacuzzi in my private bathroom. (Gardner relaxes, he was sure that Brian would mention more money, a better deal on the partnership, etc. but he doesn’t. Why not? I thought he was going to stick it to him.) An unlimited expense account ... LOYALTY.
Ah-ha!!! That was it. He was untrue!! Disloyal. Up until that point, Gardner had been nodding his head at Brian’s demands. Now he tries to make amends. Soothe the waters. Excuse his actions? Don’t you dare. He seems almost sincere…
V: I give you my word. And my handshake.
He reaches his hand out. Brian looks him in the eye and tentatively takes his hand. They shake. Gardner turns to go back to his desk but Brian doesn’t let go of his hand. Gardner feels the tug, he turns, Brian lets go. I can’t help but think that the extra hold was like a begging for him to not screw him over again. I didn’t take it as a threat from Brian to Gardner or a warning of any kind. Just more of a “plead”. Like he was saying, “this handshake means something, it’s a promise, don’t let me down.” And we all know, when Brian makes a promise, it’s for keeps. Gardner sits down behind his desk and hands Brian some papers.
V: Now, I just need you to sign this. (Brian glances at it.)
B: Non-competition clause?
V: Just a formality.
A formality? I am more than pissed. Gardner just stood there, “gave his word”, gave his “handshake” and Brian accepted it. Brian took it at face value. Brian trusted him even after he had screwed him over once before. So, Gardner, you word means something but yet with Brian you need an iron clad contract? Grrrrr.
B: So this is why you wanted me back? You were afraid I was gonna raid the pantry? And here I thought it was me that you didn't want to lose.
V: You're not giving yourself enough credit.
B: I'm giving myself ALL the credit. I brought in all of our major accounts, I created their campaigns, I convinced the world they couldn’t live without their products, and they would leave with me faster than a 10 second spot. But if I sign this, they'd all be off limits. I wouldn't count my clients before they're snatched.
Brian gets his signature smug grin on his face, drinks down the rest of the whiskey, puts the glass down on the desk and walks out. He never looks back. Gardner is left shaking his head. Idiot.
####
Hunter gives a trucker a blow job for money so they can eat, Mikey has a coronary. While I have a problem with the whole “I risked everything for you” line, I love Mikey when he gets animated. And this is animated mother-Mikey, that’s even better. LOL. They are going back to the Pitts and they are going to fight.
After a brief blip with Ted in rehab again, the Happy Novotny/Bruckner family reunion ensues. Ben says: At least you’re still in one piece. All he cares about is that they are home safe and sound.
####
B: Well, at least it’s still in one piece. (Complete opposite comment from what Ben had said. Very funny.)
M: You'll be happy to know Hunter and I are both okay too.
Yeah, well, who asked? Right? Certainly not Brian. LOL. Michael approaches Brian holding out the keys. Brian snatches them out of his hands angrily, gives him an “I’m disappointed in you” glare then opens the car door. He pulls out some trash and shows it to Mikey.
B: What’s this?
M: Burger box? (Mikey just shrugs his answer not understanding just how devastating this realization is to Brian.)
B: You ate in my car? **gasp** (Have you no respect for a man’s boyfriend replacement therapy?)
M: We were in a hurry to get home. We didn't want to stop! (Like that’s an excuse…LOL)
B: So you turned my car into a recycling bin. Christ, It's like that time in 7th grade when I lent you my brand new 10-speed, you brought it back, the front fender was crushed, my seat was torn...
Let’s not even think about how old most kids are when they’re in 7th grade. Okay? Because we all know, it’s long before you’re 14. But oh well, nobody’s perfect and it keeps us on our toes…gives us something to nitpick about. But I would like to know who wrote this dialogue because the 14/7th grade thing isn’t the only mistake… the last time I checked, 10-speeds didn’t have fenders. But it gave me a good laugh and Brian was adorable during the delivery so I’ll survive.
Mikey tries to explain the state of Brian’s returned bicycle.
M: I was hit by a bus!!
BWAHAHAHAHA. I love that!! Brian holds out his arms, gives a slight shrug of his shoulders and scrunches up his face in this very animated “So?” stance.
B: Well this is the last time I ever loan you…
Mikey cuts him off in mid-sentence with a kiss… on the lips… **gasp!!**
B: What was that for? (Yeah, what the hell was that for?)
M: For giving me the wheels right out from under you for no good reason other than you love me.
There is something “off” about this exchange. Brian has never had an issue with kissing Michael before but he seems rather taken back by it this time. And this isn’t B/J fangirl fodder, there is something there. I can’t quite put my finger on it and the only thing that keeps coming to mind seems to be way out in left field so I don’t know. But I’ll share and you can tell me what you think. Brian is usually the one that kisses Mikey, he’s the one that initiates it. Only one time that I remember did Mikey move to kiss Brian first and that was in 220 at the comic store. And well, Brian was having Justin troubles and needed it. Otherwise, it’s usually Brian kissing Mikey to appease him and make him feel better. So I wonder, did Brian’s control issues spill over here? Was he annoyed that Mikey took a kiss from him to shut him up? Then Mikey tells Brian… you love me… hmmm. Brian does say it to Mikey, no problem there, but still… he just didn’t like it.
Swinging back into his businessman confidence… Brian’s talking really fast…
B: You're pathetic. And so is this car. Now I have just enough time to get it washed. How do I look?
M: Like a million bucks.
B: Don't sell me short.
M: Ten.
B: Wish me luck.
M: You don't need it.
I’m going to assume that Brian and Michael got caught up with each other’s adventures while upstairs in the loft and we just didn’t get to see it. Otherwise, Michael wouldn’t know about Brian’s meeting or what to wish him luck for.
Cut to Shanda Leer singing…
Are the stars out tonight?
I don’t know if it’s cloudy or bright.
‘Cause I only have eyes for you.
B: Because I consider you to be my most important client.
B: Because I regard you as my most valuable account.
B: Because no one’s close personal friendship means more to me than yours.
B: I wanted you to be the first to know I’m starting my own agency.
Then we get to see who he’s talking to… and just like Shanda Leer’s song asked… “Are the stars out tonight?” Yes, they are. Well, not stars as in those big name Hollywood types, but stars in the world of Brian Kinney’s client list, most definitely.
Eyeconics: That’s great news, Brian.
Brown Athletics: Well congratulations, Brian.
Fraley’s Steakhouse: Way to go, partner.
B: It’s a big step, I know, but I’m confident that by focusing on a small, select lists of clients, I can still provide the same innovative campaigns you’ve come to expect, but with the personal attention only a small boutique operation can offer.
Boutique operation? That is a definite change, isn’t it? Dreams of New York, big budget agencies… hmmm, interesting.
Eyeconics: Sounds like a hell of a plan.
Brown: Well if anyone can pull this off, Brian, you can.
Fraley: I like what I’m hearing, partner.
B: And that’s why I’d like to put Eyeconic Optics… Brown Athletics… Fraley’s Open Fire Steakhouses… at the very top of my list.
I love Brian in this scene. I like seeing him at work doing something other than charming the pants off some guy by biting into an apple. He comes across confidant and in control (there’s that thing again, ugh!). He’s supposed to be a brilliant ad man, right? Well, he’s got the sell job of his life sitting right in front of him. He has to sell himself and I think he does a damn good job of it. He ends the scene by holding out a cigar in hopes that it will be “bright” and not “cloudy”.
####
Dinner at the Novotny house. Nothing to see here folks, move along. Oh wait. Debbie smacks Michael for leaving town without saying goodbye to his mother and Hunter gets a lawyer. Ay, yi, yi. Appropriate that Mel is in a nun’s outfit to deliver this damning news. Hunter will now need lots of prayers to save him.
####
J: By the time you're done decimating his client list, Vance will be asking you for a job.
B: Well we’ll see...
J: Stop being modest.
B: I was aiming for smug.
J: How do you like the name I picked out for your new agency?
B: Kin-ne-tic.
J: With two Ns.
B: That’s clever.
J: It's GENIUS.
They kiss.
Ahhhh! I love those lovey-dovey moments. Lots of squee-ing in this little exchange, the biggest one of all, of course, is the simple fact that Justin gave name to Brian’s new agency. That makes the second Kinney “baby” that Justin has named. He’s putting his stamp all over Brian’s life. He will be un-escape-able, if he isn’t already. Which, we all know he is. And I love that Brian thinks it was clever. He seemed so proud of Justin. I just love that they seem to truly believe in each other’s capabilities.
After the kiss, the after-glow…LOL…the camera moves to Emmett. Or at least I think it’s Emmett. He just doesn’t have that spark about him anymore. You know, his flame’s not burning too brightly these days. **wink**
He’s drinking and drinking and just feeling overall down in the dumps. He’s even turning down men with a stock answer of “fuck off” without even looking at them. That alone tells me he’s in the serious dumps. Brian and Justin approach his table and attempt to aid him in licking his wounds.
B: Buy you a drink?
E: (giving his stock answer) I’m very flattered you should ask so don’t take… (he stops and looks up, sees that it’s Brian and Justin.) … oh, hello boys.
Brian snickers at Emmett’s more than enthusiastic hello and Justin raises eyebrows, not quite sure how to deal with ‘this’ Emmett. Isn’t that sweet?? And then Brian calls Em his friend… that is definitely sweet.
B: Sorry to disturb your drinking, I mistook you for my friend, Emmett Honeycutt.
J: We’re going to Babylon. Wanna come?
E: Nah, I’m not really in the mood for men, muscles, music. I’d rather stay here and get shit-faced.
B: You passed shit-faced about ten miles back.
E: So I’ve had a few cocktails. What? Does that qualify me for rehab? Besides I’ve already been there.
Ah-ha! Now the reason for Emmett’s pity party becomes clear.
J: Did you see Ted?
E: And you'll never guess who's there with him.
B: Liza?
J: Robert Downey Jr?
B: Ben Affleck.
J: Matthew Perry.
E: Blake! The tweaked out twinkie! Isn't that great?? (Emmett gives a half-hearty laugh.)
B: Well, some assholes never learn...
E: Oh, no, no, no. He's learned. He's even gotten a degree. He's a drug abuse counselor. Yeah. Few days in Dr. BoyToy's care and Mr. Schmidt's as good as new. Let’s, um, let's have a drink to his remarkable recovery, shall we?
I like this whole exchange and love how Brian and Justin feed off each other. In matters of intelligence, creative genius, snarky comebacks, and quick wit, they are equals and I believe they truly enjoy each other’s company. Now if we could just fix that other problem.
But, on another note… I feel for Emmett. Not only because Ted has treated him like shit, but because Emmett knows how hurt Ted was when he lost Blake. I think at this point, Emmett knows that Ted, his lover, is lost to him now. His only hope is that he can regain Ted, his best friend. I hope he can.
####
Bruckner/Novotny reunion sex. Now this was gratuitous! No need to show it, it was only to meet the sex quotient for the episode. **sigh** But okay, since they made me watch it, I’ll make three quick comments and that’s it.
1 - I love Ben’s, um, I mean, Bobby’s thighs – Damn!
2 – I hate Bobby’s grunts, groans and gasps. Gale should teach a class to the rest of the class. Nobody moans out fake sex like he does. LOL.
3 – Ben says he’s jealous. Dun, da, dun, dun. Foreshadowing folks!!
####
Jen: It’s a special place.
B: Special as in unique, fabulous, one of a kind, or special as in there’re schools where they can teach them how to dress themselves. (BWAHAHAHA!!)
J: Mom?
Like hello? Your son just entered the room! Remember me, your firstborn? I’m over here. Justin takes off his coat and places it on the counter.
Jen: (to Justin, with a slight smile) Hi honey.
B: (also to Justin with a slight smile) Hi honey.
Justin looks up at Brian and kind of gives a half-smile, like he likes that Brian said it but knows he was only mocking. He takes off his coat and places it on the counter. Wait! Didn’t he already do that? Maybe it’s one of those deja-vu things? Or maybe… the film editor just lost his Christmas bonus.
Jen: I mean special as in it‘s for a certain kind of person. A person who has no children, who’s single… a person who… let’s face it, Brian, it's a fuck-pad. (I’m really liking Jennifer these days. Justin walks toward them.)
J: Mom? What are you doing here?
Jennifer looks at Justin and takes a breath in like she’s about to tell him, then gets this funny look on her face, blows out her air, her shoulders relax and she gives Justin this look of almost, I want to say pity, but that’s probably not quite the right word. I think she is feeling for Justin here regarding the situation. She knows her son is sensitive to things and he did live in that loft not once but twice. So sure he would be upset about Brian selling it on those grounds alone. But I also think that she’s feeling for him because Brian hasn’t discussed it with Justin yet, that he’s in the dark about Brian’s decision and she thinks better of being the one to answer her son’s question. That’s Brian’s place.
B: So how much do you think I can get for it?
Brian’s oblivious to their look exchange and the fact that Justin asked a question. He hasn’t a clue that he didn’t handle this right. Now, does he need Justin’s permission? No, of course not, the loft is Brian’s and from what we know so far, Justin hasn’t moved back in yet. But it’s still something that should have been mentioned so he wasn’t blind-sided by it. You know… geesh… his mother knew before he did. Justin asks again… this time to Brian.
J: Get for what?
B: I’m selling the loft.
J: What?
B: Well it was either cut my expenses or cut my wrists, so I just opted for the tidier of the two.
Heee! Brian is normally level-headed but when he does queen out, it’s in full drama mode. Always over the top. Remember when Ben tried to “murder” him? And his “possession withdrawl” was so severe that he needed to lie down?
Jen chooses this moment to see that Brian and Justin have some things to discuss so she excuses herself from the situation. Good move.
Jen: (to Brian) Listen, I'll call you later with some comps then we can set a price. (to Justin) Bye darling. (She kisses Justin on the cheek. Justin is still staring at Brian wanting to understand just what the hell is going on. Last Justin knew, Brian was going to decimate Vanguard’s client list and Kinnetic, with two Ns was going to be a huge success. Jen walks to the door.) And I won't be charging commission. After all you've done for Justin, it's the least I can do.
Boy, you got that right. That has to be the understatement of the year. She owes almost everything to Brian. He took total responsibility for her son when his father bailed. Not too many people would do that, much less someone who doesn’t believe in love. She has no idea just how magnanimous it was for Brian to take Justin and try to make him not only the “best homosexual he could be”, but just a man in general. She exits and shuts the loft door.
Justin doesn’t waste any time at all, telling Brian what’s what. At this point, he just thinks Brian is queening out. He doesn’t understand that while Brian is in drama mode, the drama is real this time.
J: You're not selling your loft. It's your home.
B: Not for long.
J: I thought you were starting your own agency? That your clients were gonna go with you.
B: Yeah well, they turned me down. Best laid plans of mice and ad men.
J: There has to be a better way. A loan.
B: $100,000 in debt and unemployed, I'm not exactly a very good risk.
J: Get a job at another agency.
B: Yeah. I do have an offer; it's in Scranton… it’s at half my salary.
J: Christ! You never should’ve listen to me.
B: I didn’t. I listened to ME.
Okay, I have to interject another Ted comparison here. I guess I’m not done talking about him after all. Ted blames Emmett for his demise which is ludicrous, of course, Emmett didn’t have anything to do with Ted getting caught with that underage guy working for him and if it hadn’t been for Emmett’s plea to Brian for help, Ted would probably be in jail right now. Justin, on the other hand, actually planted the seed that grew into what brought Brian down. But does Brian blame Justin? NO! And on top of that, he doesn’t allow Justin to blame himself. See, Brian understands that just because Justin did something he believed in, fought with everything he had to accomplish his goal, it didn’t mean Brian had to do it too. All the mumbo jumbo Justin was dishing out could have easily gone in one ear and out the other. Brian always listens to what Justin has to say, but he acts upon those things by choice. He’s an adult and he made his own decision to do what he did. End of story.
Brian continues to explain to Justin…
B: Besides, it's just four walls and a floor. (Brian looks around at the four walls and floor as he continues to talk… he’s feeling sad… attached. He’s starting to queen out again.) And top of the line appliances and stainless steel countertops and imported Italian fixtures…
J: (cutting Brian off from his list of what makes the loft his home) It's more than that. (Brian looks up, Justin’s right. It’s more than those things, it’s what? A fuck pad? Justin interrupts his thought.) It's where we made love for the first time.
Brian wasn’t expecting that to be what it was. He turns to look at Justin. He’s smiling. He’s amused at Justin’s romantic tendencies. He just ‘knows’ Justin is teasing him.
B: That wasn't love. I just gave you a rim job and fucked your brains out.
J: Hmmm.
Justin gives a slight nod. He almost expected that answer from Brian. He cracks a small smile then pulls his lips in, it’s kind of a forced, pained grin. That is what it was to Brian at the time and I’m sure that realization hurts. His lips straighten up and the slight smile fades. He wants Brian to understand. He’s not teasing or joking.
Randy’s face is incredible here, just like the change in expressions when he woke up in the loft the next morning to his “god” Brian…slight smile in the eyes, then Brian asks him what he’s doing there and just with a shift of the eyes, no bigger than a millimeter, his whole facial expression changes. It was simply amazing then and it’s amazing now.
J: It was love to me.
Now it’s Gale’s turn to try his hand at the simple facial changes that display a change in emotion. Brian’s smile fades away, his eyes soften. It’s almost like it hurts. He swallows, looks at Justin, he’s speechless, dumbfounded, touched. He just can’t believe that this creature loves him. He reaches up, wraps his hand around his neck, pulls him in to him, and they kiss gently. Brian never takes his eyes off of him.
Gah! Both of them. Just beautiful. **sniffle** Rewind. Play. Rewind. Play.
####
Cut to a very hung-over Emmett and a very noisy Vic. Talk of faeries and running naked in the woods as a healing experience. Emmett says he'll stick to Advil. Uh huh. Right.
Oh, and Deb opens the mail. Guess what’s in there… you guessed it. More charity solicitations.
####
L: Stockwell Indicted. Seeing a headline like that restores my faith in humanity.
M: Makes me want to buy shoes.
J: Birkenstocks? (LOL)
M: No… Manolo's! Besides, since we’re saving up for the new arrival, I’ll have to find some other means to express my joy.
I don’t get it. Why are they always broke. Melanie is a lawyer, at a private firm, it’s not like she’s a public defender or anything. And Lindsay is working at the art gallery. Why don’t they ever have any money? Done with the lesbian talk of shoes, shopping and new arrivals, three things that are of no interest to Justin, he turns the conversation back to Stockwell.
J: We all have Brian to thank.
L: He's the Wizard of Oz.
J: There wasn't any Wizard. There isn't any Concerned Citizens for the Truth. Brian paid for that commercial against Stockwell himself. (Uh-oh. Justin’s blabbing Brian’s secrets. I don’t think he likes that.)
L: What?
M: You’re kidding.
J: Now he's $100,000 in debt. He has to sell off everything he owns, even the loft.
M: Never dreamt I'd be saying this, but, wish there was something we could do.
J: I tried offering him the money I made from Rage, but he wouldn't take it.
L: He's too proud for that.
J: So what are we supposed to do? Stand around and watch while he loses everything?
L: It's his choice.
J: It's his choice? That's it? I thought you cared about him.
L: I do! But I also know that Brian would never be beholden to anyone.
Yeah well, what do you know Lindsay? Some friends. You know, I just get pissed sometimes. Everybody is just so happy to let Brian self-destruct in his own twisted view of The World According to Brian. Justin! Don’t listen to her. You know that’s all bullshit. You know how to push Brian into doing the right thing. Think under the radar. You can do it.
####
Cut to Hunter's custody hearing. Typical. This shows needs to stick to all things that involve matters of the heart because every time they bring the “law” into things, they screw it up. And I don’t like to be negative toward Cow/Lip, so I’ll just leave this scene alone.
I hate Rita. There, I feel better.
####
Cut to Emmett and Ted. Emmett shows up at Ted’s to gather some cooking utensils for his party business. Ted left rehab and is there having a pity party for one. Why? Because Blake had a date. I told you I was worried about Blake being Ted’s counselor. Now it seems that Ted not only has to fix himself because of the addiction but he has to put his feelings for Blake into perspective as well. Poor Ted. Damn it!! He wants to kill himself. Well, hell. I like Ted and even I am thinking that’s starting to sound like a good idea. Just kidding. But thank goodness for Emmett because he continues with his “tough love” approach that Brian hinted to him about in 314 and tells Ted to go ahead… do it… no one will care.
Not sure why this works, but it does. Maybe Ted doesn’t like anybody else thinking he’s the worthless scum that he, himself, thinks he is. So he has to prove them all wrong. Maybe this is more of the part of him that is like Brian. It’s one thing to think you suck, but it’s a totally different thing altogether for everyone else to think it. Hmmm, I only took one year of psychology so beats me, but I’ll go with it.
Good for Emmett. Probably hurt like hell but yet felt so damn good.
####
Back to court. Hunter must have talked with Justin and learned how to take matters into his own hands to save himself. LOL. Moving on.
####
J: My mom told me there's someone who’s interested in buying the loft.
B: Couple of designer fairies can't wait to turn it into a Moroccan bordello.
Hmmmm. For someone who was devastated that the loft was up for sell, Justin seems very accepting of the loss now. They approach the steps of Woody’s. Justin stops and tugs on Brian’s arm.
J: Hey, let's grab a drink.
There’s a sign on the door that says “Benefit Tonight”. Brian sees it.
B: Nah. Better read the fine print. Another fuckin' benefit. Wonder what the worthy cause is THIS time? Send a tranny to summer camp?
Justin climbs the steps anyway. Brian follows reluctantly. He really doesn’t want to go, besides, he has no money whatsoever to pitch in for the charity and his “pride” won’t allow him to actually tell anybody he’s broke. But it’s also that Brian just doesn’t do charity unless he’s buying his way into a party to bug his best friend. Justin puts his hand around the back of Brian’s neck and tries to coax him up the stairs. Brian resists again still not wanting to go. They are trying to drive this point home. Brian doesn’t do charities. Foreshadowing? Probably.
It’s a stand-off of wills. If Brian keeps resisting, Justin will change his mind. If Justin keeps pulling, Brian will change his mind. LOL. Justin’s stubborn streak wins out and he lets go of his hold on Brian and goes inside by himself, leaving Brian to decide to follow him or not. However reluctant he is, Brian follows. Heeeee!!
Once inside, guess who’s performing, live and on stage… Shanda Leer!
Singing… the same song the show opened with.
What I did for love
What I did for love
And what is it that Shanda Leer has been singing about all night? Brian. Hmmm, maybe now we know why Justin was soooo accepting of the sale of the loft now. He was up to something… something that wasn’t over the rainbow, but under the radar instead. LOL.
They walk through the crowd… Brian is being his normal charismatic self… <g>
B: (to Justin) Some suckers just cannot wait to give their money away. (possibly talking about himself here?…and giving his money away to defeat Stockwell…)
J: It’s for a worthy cause. (also talking about Brian…LOL.)
As they come upon a clearing in the large crowd, Brian sees Lindsay, Michael, Ben, Hunter, Debbie, Melanie, Emmett, Vic and Rodney. He smells something rotten in Denmark. Justin moves away from him and toward the bar. Brian steps closer to Lindsay, who’s grinning at him.
B: (to anyone that will answer) What the fuck's going on here?
L: We're having a little fundraiser, for a very special organization. Perhaps you've heard of them. Concerned Citizens for the Truth. You see they've made a very significant contribution to our community.
Brian looks at Justin, and gives him his “you little twat” look. Justin holds back a smirk, raises his eyebrows and shrugs as if he doesn’t have a clue what she’s talking about. Brian smiles and pushes his tongue in his cheek. Justin gets that guilty, “who me?” look. Brian turns back to Lindsay, who continues…
L: They've helped us. And now we hear they're in need of, well, a little help themselves. So, we, the community, would like to give something back. It may not be all that they need, but it's a start. We're hoping you'll accept this. On their behalf.
She hands Brian the envelope. Everyone cheers and applauds. Brian looks around.
L: Come on, open it.
He does and he’s stunned. I would love to know how much it is. $50,000, maybe? I don’t know, but it was enough to totally freak Brian out. He flustered, and moved… definitely moved.
B: Umm. I, I, I, I’ve only known the Concerned Citizens for a short time, but I've known them long enough to know that they don't like to accept handouts... or… charitable donations. (He pauses. Takes a breath. Looks around.) But I guess this time I'm just gonna have to tell them that once in a while we could all use a little help. (Isn’t that what he tried to teach Justin in 214 about accepting his help with Justin’s tuition? And what was Justin’s solution that enabled him and his pride to finally accept the offer? Take it as a loan. I would just bet that’s what Brian is thinking. Use it to get back on his feet, his agency will succeed and when it does, he can pay it back. Brian is choked up at this point and his eyes are all glassy.) And they're just going to have to swallow their fucking pride and say… thank you.
He looks around. Justin smiles at him with pride. Lindsay nods her head in approval. He did the right thing and I think he feels it deep down inside. Lindsay approaches for a kiss and a hug. Michael approaches, hugs him at the same time. Brian is hugging Lindsay and Michael but his eyes are on Justin. During the hug, Mikey had taken the check, they break apart, Brian takes the check back. Heee! Then Brian moves toward Justin with a smile on his face.
Cut to… Shanda Leer singing…
Gonna slip by and by
There’s gonna be a great day
Debbie and Emmett (Hmmm, another interesting grouping) with Vic and Rodney following behind. Emmett is still depressed, Vic talks some more about this faerie cult.
Debbie: I knew I'd live to see gay marriage, but I never thought I live to see Brian Kinney accept help and say thank you. (She’s surprised, but still proud of him.)
Vic: I think I even saw a tear in his eye. (Glad I wasn’t the only one who thought they saw it.)
A young man walks out of Woody’s carrying a small suitcase and a dress bag. Justin and Brian come out right behind him.
J: Hey Darren, Shanda Leer was great tonight.
Darren: It's what I do for love.
Ahhh, so Darren is Shanda Leer. And this is where we see the poster to find out who the drag queen was that was singing to us all evening. Aren’t you glad I started using the name a long time ago? Brian and Justin move on down the sidewalk.
J: Now you and half of gay Pittsburgh can sleep soundly in your bed tonight, knowing the loft is still yours.
Is Justin suggesting a celebratory orgy?? Brian looks at Justin, puts his arm around him and pulls him closer. For just a split second… Nah… nevermind.
B: Half of gay Pittsburgh can sleep soundly in their own bed.
Brian kisses Justin on the cheek and Justin’s face scrunches all up against the kiss… he’s so happy. I bet if he was home by himself, he would have **sqee’d** just like I did when he said that. <g>
Cut to Shanda Leer singing the finale of her act.
Now, my initial thought of the song was “swinging”, “crazy”, as in like a wild party. But as Darren approaches the alley where either his car is parked or it’s a short cut to his home, we hear the word “FAGGOT” yelled at him. Then I know. The swinging is bats and crow bars and fists and boots. And crazy is exactly what these people are that do those things. Another pretty fitting song because it also ties in the “great day” feeling that our little family is feeling as they walk home.
Darren is attacked by three men, right there in an alley off Liberty Avenue. You can see in the background, people walking by, not paying any attention, oblivious to the horrors going on in the dark alley. The camera pans to Ben and Hunter smiling at each other. More beatings for Darren. Then Melanie, Lindsay, and Michael walking along… happy. More kicks and punches. Then Brian and Justin, together, grinning… Brian reaches his arm around Justin to hold him closer… and suddenly, like a whoosh, 122 comes back to haunt me.
Darren falls to the ground, they kick him a few more times for good measure, then the attacker’s scrambling feet run to a getaway car. They jump in and the car backs out of the alley, leaving Darren a crumpled mess on the cold pavement. Screen fades to black, the credits roll… and I think this is the first time the show ended without music.
