[Cut to living room of older apartment with clean but well-used and hodgepodge furniture. Ephram, wearing "Morningwood Basketball" T-shirt under black denim jacket, walks in from bedroom without acknowledging Colin, who emerges from kitchen, wearing ribbed V-neck under corduroy jacket, after setting coffee cup in sink.]
COLIN (smirking): Someone's unusually quiet this morning.
EPHRAM (sullen): Someone's unusually interested.
COLIN (startled): What the hell's that supposed to mean?
EPHRAM (turning to face Colin): You think I don't know why you're spending all that time at the gym since you found out your ex died? You think I don't know why you look yourself over in the mirror 20 times a day? Or why you're so edgy, the least little thing turns you into the Hulk? Well, I figured it out. OK? I get it. Because news flash – I saw you last night. In the bathroom. Shooting! Up!
COLIN: You make it sound like I'm on heroin, man! It's medicine, OK?
EPHRAM: If steroids are medicine, then how come you don't get them at the pharmacy with all your other prescriptions? Huh? How come your university insurance doesn't pay for them? And how come you gotta pass cash to some guy in a corner of the locker room? You think it's gonna end there? What happens when your famous balls shrivel up, huh? What then?
COLIN (raising voice and sneering): Like you even knew what to do with them anyway!
EPHRAM: That's not what you said when you asked me to move in with you!
COLIN (shouting as he grabs Ephram by jacket and pushes him up against wall): You're pretty confident for a little man! You got a hell of a nerve judging me! You have no idea what it's like to live with this!
EPHRAM: I'm not judging you! I'm … (lowers voice) … I'm scared. For you. And I know you're scared too, or … or you wouldn't be doing this.
COLIN (letting go of Ephram, looking scared and embarrassed): Hey, man, I … I'm … I'm sorry, I … honey, please, I …
EPHRAM (putting hands on Colin's biceps): Look, I'm sorry too. I didn't mean to get all up in your grill about it. I just … I miss the way you used to be. Not that long ago. When you smiled and … meant it. And you were here at night. With me. I … I miss you, OK?
COLIN (smiling): OK. Hey, you got a store to run, and I got classes to teach, right?
EPHRAM (smiling): Right. "Homoeroticism in Literature."
COLIN: You're their favorite guest speaker.
EPHRAM: So. See you tonight? Maybe before dark?
COLIN: Definitely. (Pulls Ephram toward him, and they kiss on lips.)
***