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INT. DALE'S HOUSE - DALE'S BEDROOM - AFTERNOON DALE, 18, wearing a smart casual button up shirt and jeans, is standing facing a mirror. There is the sound of a party below him. Behind him there is a row of birthday cards. He stares into his hand, holding an ear piercing. He puts it up to his left ear, lets out a small cough and holds it up to his right ear. He smiles slightly and as he does so, a burst of laughter is audible from the party downstairs. He takes out the piercing and places it on his bedside table. His phone rings. He simply picks it up and stares out of the window. He puts the phone in his pocket and exits the room. INT. DALE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON There are PEOPLE conversing and drinking alcohol. There are bottles of alcohol present in the scene and a few tacky, child-like birthday decorations around the scene. In the background you hear a MUSIC TRACK playing. A group of similarly aged boys are sitting around talking to each other, two of them being ASH, who is wearing a pink shirt, and GARY, wearing similar smart-casual party attire. GARY That shirt is so Joe Bailey. ALL BOYS Oooohh Ash reaches forward and punches Gary on the arm in a friendly jokey manner. Gary starts laughing and then goes on to rant about homosexuality. GARY Seriously though, I don't get it, why would a guy want to be with a guy at all?! It's unnatural... His rant is audible as Dale reaches the door. He is standing just outside the door listening. He looks down at the floor. ASH In all honesty, I have no idea why he invited Joe. He reaches into his pocket and produces his phone. The text on screen reads TEXT: I'LL BE THERE SOON BABE, YOU SURE IT'S COOL? -J XXX Gary spots Dale on his phone at the door and shouts over for him. GARY Hey Dale, look at what Ash bought at New Look! Dale raises his head.

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ASH What's up man? You gay for me or something? GARY Oh yeah, totally. Gary jumps on top of Ash and tries to pin him down. Dale stares, slightly open mouthed. He looks behind him to the kitchen to see his parents in the other room completely uninterested. He turns his head back to them. DALE H-hey guys, cut it out. Gary gets off of Ash and returns to his sitting position. Dale walks into the room. Gary reaches down to a box of beers next to him and walks over and hands Dale one. GARY Woah, calm down man, take a beer... Wait, let's ask the birthday boy. The rest of the boys stand up and and join the two. GARY What do you think of his t-shirt? Too Joe Bailey? Dale stands staring at the boys for a few seconds, he looks up and down at Ash but can't find words. There is a loud knock at the door. He immediately leaves and and goes to open it. INT. DALES HOUSE - PORCH - AFTERNOON Dale opens the door to find JOE, 16, in a smart-casual button up short and skinny jeans, holding a neatly wrapped birthday present. Dale invites him in and Joe hands him the present. Joe takes his shoes off and puts them neatly to the side of a pile of the other guests shoes. Joe walks in ahead of Dale and a few heads turn to stare at him. There are a few WHISPERS within the crowd. STEPH Hey Joe. Joe nods and smiles at her. Joe pushes for Dale to open the present. Dale smiles and starts unwrapping it. A few people in the party, including Ash and Gary, have turned to watch. The present is unwrapped, the paper discarded on the floor and Dale opens the box. Inside there are a brand pair of italian style leather shoes. Joe looks around nervously, sticking close to Dale as he looks at his gift. GARY Ooh, aren't they nice. Joe grabs Dales arm and leans in to ask him what he thinks. Gary steps forward and pushes him off. The people around LAUGH lightly and smiles to each other. GARY What do you think you're doing,
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What do you think you're doing, fruitcake? JOE Fuck off, Gary... GARY What are you going to do? A semicircle forms around Joe and Gary and Ash takes a step towards them, closing Joe in. Joe is backed against the wall, with his head down slightly. Gary reaches forwards, grabs Joe by the throat and SLAPS him in the face. A few people are shocked by this. There is a quiet nervous laugh in the room. Dale appears very shocked, he has his mouth open and is wide eyed. GARY I'm talking to you faggot, answer me. Joe raises his head, pulls his left arm upwards to grab Gary's arm that is gripping his throat and pulls it away. Before Gary can react Joe punches Gary in the face. Gary is taken aback and stares wide eyed. GARY Oh, you have got to be kidding me. Gary goes to take a step forward but a girl grabs him. STEPH Leave him alone, Gary. Dale takes a small step back, clearly disturbed. Joe turns his head to look at Dale and their eyes meet. Dale takes fast, angry steps forward. People stare at him, confusion fills the room. He approaches Joe, grabs his arms and leans in close. DALE Maybe you should just leave. Joe closes his eyes for a second and re-opens them. JOE Is that what you really want? Dale sighs, turns his head and pushes Joe out of the door to the porch. INT. DALE'S HOUSE - PORCH - AFTERNOON Joe bends down to put shuts the door behind you can see the party towards Gary, looking his shoes on, Dale closes his eyes and them. The door has a window from which room through. Steph takes a step extremely angry.

STEPH What the actual fuck is your problem? There's nothing wrong with him you judgemental asshole. You'd have no problem with a lesbian,
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would you? Dales, overhearing the argument opens his eyes and lifts his head. He steps forward, puts a hand on Joe's shoulder. DALE Joe, wait. Joe stands up straight and looks him in the eye. His face is strained with distress. Dale grabs him by the hand and walks back through the door. INT. DALE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON They walk through the door. The whole room turns to face them, silent. The faint sound of the same plays as the pair stand still, holding hands.

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