NIGHT OUT

We see a group of stereotypical LADS out on the town; laughing and jeering and being loud wherever they go. We see them falling out of bars, leaching on women, shouting at the football and generally acting like apes in Adidas.

One of the men, JOHN, looks increasingly less into it as we see snapshots of their boozy nights. His enthusiasm for this longstanding behaviour is waning.

INT. PUB - NIGHT

The other three lads are being loud and just horrible. They leer at passing girls who quicken their pace to get away from the unwanted attention. John has his head in his hands.

SIMON
What's up, Johnno? You've barely touched your Jager.

JOHN
I can't do this anymore.

JACK
He's pissed already! What a fairy!

JOHN
I'm not drunk. It's this. I can't do this anymore. It's been going on for way too long. What are we even doing? We're not kids anymore. We're too old to be acting like this. Simon, you have a degree in psychology and you're literally barking at passing women!

STEVE
Watch out, lads. He's gone dark.

JACK
Because he's pissed up.

JOHN
I'm not pissed. I'm just tired of having to go through this, week after week. I don't even like getting drunk. I'd rather sit at home and watch a film with my boyfriend.

SIMON
Boyfriend?

JOHN
Lads, I'm gay. I have been for years but I'd kept it from you. I've even got a boyfriend. His name is Neil and we are very happy together. There has been talk of marriage. We've been living together for almost three years.

JACK
You're joking..

JOHN
I'm not. The reason I kept it from you is obvious. I love you all, I do. You're my longest friends but you are horrible people when it comes to matters of the heart. I need to stop all this and be who I really am. It's not fair to Neil, it's not fair to you guys and it's not fair to me. I can't live a lie just to be nice. Have a goodnight. Please let me leave without any hassle.

SIMON
(grabs Johns arm)
Wait..

JOHN
I'm not going to take any bashing.

SIMON
Just hold on a second. You're gay? You're a gay man?

JOHN
Yes.

SIMON
And you expect to just up and leave..

JOHN
I don't want any trouble..

SIMON
We've got to talk about this.

JOHN
What is there to talk about?

SIMON
(beat)
Henry has asked me to marry him.

JACK
Henry?

SIMON
And I want to say yes but I'm scared..

JACK
You're queer too?

SIMON
I thought it was obvious.

JOHN
Not really.

JACK
So I've got two gay friends?

JOHN
So it would appear.
(to Simon)
Congrats by the way.

SIMON
I'm probably going to say yes. I mean, he's been patient.

JACK
What the hell is going on?

SIMON
Let's have a double date.

JOHN
That would be great.

SIMON
Do you want to get a taxi?

JOHN
OK. We can talk more.

JACK
WHAT IS GOING ON?

Jack and Simon grab their coats.

JACK
What about the night?

JOHN
See you next week.

They leave.

Jack is left on his own.

He stares into space.

He then places his bag on the counter and pulls out a lipstick, which he applies.

JACK
How rude.