DISEASED

A short film exploring the taboos of sexually transmitted diseases and sexuality itself.

DISEASED

INT. SEXUAL HEALTH CLINIC. WAITING ROOM.

CLIVE and GRAHAM (Early 20's) are sat waiting to be seen. They sit in an awkward silence. GRAHAM is sat staring down at a medical health leaflet, CLIVE is looking down at his phone. They see a door open and a woman walk out, they both look up anticipating being called into the room. CLIVE and GRAHAM’s eyes’ are drawn to the woman as she walks past. CLIVE and GRAHAM notice each other looking and snigger, breaking the awkward silence between them.

GRAHAM

(With a smirk)

Not bad.

CLIVE

(Nods)

Until you end up here.

GRAHAM

Yeah.

(BEAT, mutters)

I’m an idiot.

CLIVE

You’re not the only one.

(BEAT)

Though putting on a Jonny when you’re sobers hard enough, let alone when you’re…..

GRAHAM

No I mean…… “Not bad”. What do I sound like?

CLIVE

Huh?

GRAHAM

(Pause)

I was checking out her shoes.

CLIVE

Heel fetish ay?

GRAHAM

Something like that.

(BEAT)

People always speak of diseases as if they’re evil nasty b******s, but, at least they’re not prejudice.

CLIVE

(Confused)

OK….

GRAHAM

At least they treat everyone as equal.

CLIVE

(Still confused)

Yeah.

GRAHAM

Although to be honest, even before I......I felt as if I was carrying around something. That I wasn't, right.

CLIVE

(Bewildered)

Right....

(Pause)

GRAHAM

It’s funny, I remember him saying, “At least I won’t get pregnant”. Yeah, not so funny now.

CLIVE

(Slowly realising)

Owww, oh, right. I see.

(Another awkward silence)

CLIVE

I’ve never done…..that. With a woman I mean.

(Stumbling over his words)

OR a man.

(BEAT)

I’m straight.

(GRAHAM laughs. Another awkward silence, CLIVE refers to the time)

They’re taking their time.

GRAHAM

Yeah.

(Another awkward silence)

CLIVE

So what’s it like…… You know.

GRAHAM

(Shrugs)

Nothing to compare it to really.

CLIVE

Ah.

(BEAT)

So you’ve always been….

GRAHAM

Yeah. But it’s sad. I’m about to go in that room and lie. In fact, no one knows I’m gay. Except you, and I don’t even know your name, or who you are. Pathetic ay.

CLIVE

Well. I’m CLIVE.

(Extends his hand)

Nice to meet you.

(GRAHAM shakes his hand and smiles)

A DOCTOR walks out of the room and calls out a name.

DOCTOR

Mr. Miller?

GRAHAM

(Stands with a sigh, to CLIVE)

And now comes the REALLY awkward part.

(CLIVE Turns his back going to enter the room)

CLIVE

Ay.

(GRAHAM stops, looks back around)

Just tell him the truth, it's like you said, diseases don't care, so, why should we?

GRAHAM

(Nods and smiles)

GRAHAM

Cheers.

GRAHAM enters the room.

CLIVE

(Subtly scratching his groin while he is alone)

Shame about the itchiness.

END.