Author's Note: This is what happens when I watch awards shows :D I figured this would be set present day. I'm not entirely certain why I chose the pairing I did.
Disclaimer: I do not own RENT.
The announcement was such a shock to him that it hadn't registered in his mind that his name was the one called. A firm pair of hands pushed him from his chair and he somehow made his way to the stage without falling on his face. His face was flushed, making his strawberry-blond hair look more white than red under the lights. The index card in his pocket was a useless mash of pulp, thanks to his sweaty palms and habit of mashing it in his pocket as he made his way past all of the Hollywood Royalty as he entered the theatre. Mark took a breath, trying to steady his nerves, and then began to speak.
"I'm honestly overwhelmed to be here. Never in my wildest fantasies have I even considered the possibility of winning this award. First of all, I'd like to congratulate my fellow nominees. I was in esteemed company and it was my privilege to even have my work considered next to yours. I'd also like to thank the Academy for this amazing honor you have bestowed upon me.
"There are so many people I need to thank: Maureen Johnson for threatening to kick my butt if I didn't finish my editing, Joanne Jefferson for the endless hours of free legal advice and her tireless efforts to track down people that I needed releases from in order to actually show this movie, Roger Davis for his beautiful sound track so the world wouldn't have to endure hearing me mutter the date and time before every frame, Benjamin Coffin III for allowing me access to decent editing equipment. This is partly yours, because I never would have finished Today 4 U without your help.
"I'd also like to thank the many people who are no longer with us who also deserve my deepest gratitude. Angel and Mimi, thank you for teaching me that there is no day but today and for giving me the courage to live free and be myself. Thank you for giving my chosen family the courage to love again and that the journey is worth it, no matter how long it lasts. Pam, Gordon, Ally, and Steve, thank you for showing me the definitions of bravery and dignity. When I started this project all of those years ago, my goal was to give faces to HIV/AIDS so that people would realize that a positive diagnosis doesn't make the patient cease to be human. Today, in this country, a positive HIV test does not mean the ticking time bomb that it used to be, but it still can overtake a person's life. In a way, these friends live on in my film so the world can remember these bright, loving human beings whose lives were cut short by a terrible disease. Millions of people still suffer from it and we need a cure that is accessible to all.
Finally, I need to thank one last person. He has seen me through this project right from the beginning. He helped me come to terms with my own identity, and reached out to me when he was going through his own heartbreak. He was the one who helped me incorporate myself into the film instead of remaining the detached observer. I wish to thank him for reaching out to a lost soul, first as a friend and eventually as a partner, and for that I'm sharing this award with you Tom Collins."
