[Scene - Alex and Mal are in the kitchen]
MAL: Whatchya up to Alex?
ALEX: Just getting ready to stop by Leland and catch Professor McFaul after his
lecture. He was my favorite professor. His lectures about Russian politics were
amazing.
MAL: What are you going to talk to him about?
ALEX: I want to invite him to dinner tomorrow.
MAL: That's nice. Can Nick come?
ALEX: Mal, you seem to forget that I LIKE this professor. [laugh track]
MAL: (sarcastically) Real nice, Alex.
ALEX: OK, OK, he can come. It will be tomorrow at 7pm. Mom's making lemon
chicken. Gotta' run.
MAL: See ya'.
[Alex exits]
[Scene - Professor McFaul is talking at the front of a classroom, Alex is
standing in the doorway in the back listening to the end of the lecture]
MCFAUL: So as you can see, the takeover of NTV was the greatest threat to
Russian democracy since 1991. [sees Alex] That's all for today. Don't forget to
do your reading. [Students file out of the room] Alex, it's great to see you.
ALEX: Great to see you, professor.
MCFAUL: What brings you by?
ALEX: Well, I was wondering if you wanted to come over for dinner tomorrow.
MCFAUL: That sounds great. What time?
ALEX: 7pm. You remember where I live?
MCFAUL: I sure do. I'll be there with bells on.
ALEX: I'm sure my sister Mallory will appreciate the fashion statement [laugh
track].
[Scene - The Keatons, Nick and Professor McFaul are sitting around the Keatons'
dinner table]
MCFAUL: Elyse, that dinner was fantastic.
ELYSE: Why thank you, Michael.
STEVEN: Well, I think we should go upstairs and leave Alex and Professor McFaul
to catch up. C'mon kids, we'll go play Scrabble.
NICK: I prefer Hungry Hungry Hippo [laugh track]
Steven: We'll see what we can find, Nick.
[Everyone except Alex and Professor McFaul goes up stairs. Alex moves to the
couch, McFaul sits down right next to him]
ALEX: Whoa, sitting pretty close there Professor.
MCFAUL: Call me Michael. Alex, I want to ask you something.
ALEX: Sounds serious.
MCFAUL: Alex, you were my favorite student, and now that you're out of college,
I was wondering if you might like to meet more often.on a personal level.
ALEX: What are you getting at Professor?
[McFaul takes Alex's hand. Alex looks shocked]
MCFAUL: Alex, I'm very attracted to you.
[Alex pulls his hand away and leaps off of the couch]
ALEX: Whoa, professor, are you saying that you're gay?!?!
McFaul: Yes, Alex. I am gay and looking for that special person, and I think it
might be you.
ALEX: I want you to leave.
MCFAUL: But Alex.
ALEX: NOW!
MCFAUL: Alex, there is nothing wrong with being gay.
ALEX: Yes, there is.
MCFAUL: Alex, I'm sorry for being so forward, but I hope you will learn from
this that it's OK to be gay and that some of you're best friends, even renowned
Russia experts, can turn out to be homosexuals.
[McFaul puts his coat on and begins to walk out the door. Alex is contemplative.
When McFaul reaches the doorway, Alex stops him]
ALEX: Professor.Michael, wait. I know. You're right. I'm sorry.
[They hug. Fade out]
Last Updated (MM-DD-YYYY): 07-15-2002